Semifinals 2

"Clank!" Xueqin's greatsword and Skyfrost's sword clashed, both of them surrounded by their Sword Intent.

Both jumped backwards, creating distance with serious expressions. That was only a light stretching, a first contact to teach the other wills and sword comprehension.

With that first clash, both discovered that their opponent was truly strong, determining themselves to use all their strength to win over the other.

The first to move was Skyfrost making use of his greater agility due to his far nimbler sword, he stabbing towards Xueqin, his sword leaving a trace of cold mist.

Xueqin lowered his sword, blocking the stab, but Skyfrost didn't stop there, without letting Xueqin breathe, he continued attacking, slashing at him, not letting him counterattack.

Xueqin was completely forced to a defensive stance "Tch!" Xueqin knew that he couldn't let himself being blocked. Just as Skyfrost swung his sword, Xueqin clenched his greatsword tightly, golden aura surging from it as he swung it rightwards towards Skyfrost.

Skyfrost's momentum was far stronger than Xueqin who was in a bad position, however, Xueqin had faith in his strength, winning the upper hand even at disadvantage. However, Skyfrost didn't try to even parry, he canceled his swing, putting his sword in front to block Xueqin's strike and stepped back.

Xueqin's greatsword could only grace him and due to the strength put in it, he was forced to do the full swing.

Skyfrost didn't lose that opening, he kicked the ground, thrusting his sword towards Xueqin's chest.

Seeing the strike and finding it impossible to move his greatsword in time, Xueqin didn't become nervous. He opened his palm, letting go his greatsword that was thrown to his right. With the momentum, he turned his body to the left.

Skyfrost's eyes widened as he didn't expect him to let go of his greatsword. For most swordmasters, letting go the sword was a dishonor, preferring even to lose. However, it truly wasn't against the tournament rules. One lost when he was unable to fight or surrender.

Skyfrost's sword continued forward only being able to graze Xueqin. Xueqin stepped forward, along Skyfrost's sword, leaning over Skyfrost and throwing him a punch, his hand shining with a febble golden Sword Intent.

"Bang!" Xueqin hit Skyfrost directly over his face, his punch destroying his mask and throwing him over 10 meters, crashing to the ground.

"Oh?!" Shining Light announced shocked "Who would have thought that Golden Dragon would discard his sword and throw a punch. Even more that the punch contained a faint Sword Intent. Would this be the end of Skyfrost?"

"I'm not finished!" Skyfrost shouted, his voice resounding over the stadium. Now that his mask had been destroyed, his blue ice cold eyes were revealed. His cold and emotionless mask seemed to have also been destroyed with his mask, his face expressing anger. All his body was trembling as he pierced his sword towards the ground, using it as a support to barely be able to knelt down.

Xueqin stepped forward, his greatsword appearing again over his hands.

Just as he was about to charge towards Skyfrost to finish him "Like, I'll let you!" Skyfrost shouted, his sword brightened with a cold blue Sword Intent. The intent flowed over the air, following the trail of cold mist that was previously left.

"<Sword Intent: Ice Prison>!" Around Xueqin, all the mist that Skyfrost had left with each of his strikes lightened, a layer of ice immediately condensing around him. This was Skyfrost's tactic, he was preparing for this attack, freezing Xueqin and even the air around him instantly, with no way to react.

Just as the"GRRRRRR!" A roar surged from Xueqin "<Sword Intent: Golden Dragon Climbs the Heavens>!" A dragon surged from Xueqin's sword, shooting upwards, in his trail destroying Skyfrost's ice and sword intent, showing its ultimate strength.

"I surrender" Skyfrost declared when he saw his attack being destroyed. In the end, he had been very damaged, almost fainting due to Xueqin's punch, and he hadn't enough time to prepare for his attack, making it an incomplete one that could be reacted. Xueqin had been quick and strong enough to take that opportunity and breakthrough.

"Skyfrost vs Golden Dragon. Winner Golden Dragon!" Shining Light declared, the audience claps and cheers quickly following.

Skyfrost had a regretful expression "I focused too much on the sword, forgetting about the surroundings" He whispered before falling to the ground unconscious.

Xueqin looked at his surroundings and gulped. If he had been a little slower, he would have been the one to lose. Skyfrost was really strong, it was only he had too narrow-sighted like Stargod when Xueqin met her.

However, in Xueqin's face, a smile appeared. He was really enjoying it. Fighting against someone so strong and experimenting their swords techniques was really interesting and they were even close in age! He didn't regret participating in the tournament, his expectations being completed.

After both semifinals finished, there was a quick break of an hour before the match for the third position started.

"Stargod vs Skyfrost. Winner Stargod!" Shining Light declared. Even if the two of them had similar comprehension and Skyfrost concept was stronger against Stargod, being able to limit her quick movements, it was a one-sided victory by Stargod.

After his battle with Xueqin, Skyfrost wasn't recovered, his head still spinning and having spent a great deal of energy in the last attack. On the other hand, Stargod was physically perfect, Darkness having dispersed her invading intent once the match finished, letting Stargod use the break to recover her energy.

Exploiting her speed, she had pushed Skyfrost from the start, finishing him with an explosive attack, claiming the victory.

"With this, today's match had finished!" Shining Light declared "I'll wait for everyone for the exciting final tomorrow, Darkness vs Golden Dragon! Who will be the winner?!" She said smiling devilishly before disappearing with a flash.

As everyone was leaving, Stargod approached Xueqin bringing him to a corner "What happens, Star sis?"

Stargod seemed a little undecisive but she finally asked "Are you called Xueqin?"

Xueqin blinked in surprised "How did you know?" It wasn't like it really matter to him. He considered Stargod as his dear friend, so it wasn't bad for her to know his name, he trusted her, but he wanted to know how he learned.

"Darkness told me. What's your relation with her?" Stargod asked worriedly.

Xueqin shook his head "I don't know her. If don't remember having met someone like her. I would recognize that darkness inside her" Xueqin was sure that she had never met her before over the Sword Valley. For him, Darkness shined incredible brighter, her sword talent being incredible, but there was also something evil and corrupted clinging her. He was sure to remember her.

"Well, she knows you, even your real name and she had a great grudge against you, reaching the point of wanting to attack you." Stargod said "Are you really sure that you don't know anyone that wanted to kill you?"

Xueqin couldn't think of anyone as Darkness, but with Stargod's words an idea popped in his mind. Who was the only one trying to kill him? The answer was easy, it was his master Mucheng.

"So it's that?" Xueqin murmured as the thought came.

"What?" Asked Stargod curiously.

"I think it's about my master" Xueqin answered.

"What relation could have Mu-" She quickly stopped, remembering that it was a secret that she know Xueqin's master "your master with her?"

Xueqin who was too immersing is his thoughts didn't realize, Stargod's slip "She would have been prepared for him as my rival. I kind of test for me. Death and Life test are not unusual for him.

"Are you sure?" Stargod asked with doubts. Xueqin nodded. In the end, Stargod sighed "Okay. But be very wary of her. Don't force yourself and surrender before it's too late. She is too strong."

Xueqin hit his chest "You can trust me, Star sis. I will win!"

"That's not what I said" Stargod said exasperated shaking her head "Take care" She turned around preparing to leave, but she stopped a moment and turned her face towards Xueqin "Xinglan!"

Xueqin tilted his head in confusion "Ye Xinglan. That's my name. As I know your name, it's fair for you to know mine" She turned her face again "But I would have liked for you to be the one who told me" she whispered for herself, blushing a little.

"Did you say something?" Xueqin asked, listening Xinglan's murmurs.

"N-no!" She answered panicked "Anyway, good luck tomorrow!" She said before quickly running away with a red face.

"Thanks, sister Lan!" Xueqin waved her hand at her "Bye!"

After he couldn't see Xinglan, he returned to Mucheng's manor to rest. He needed to be in perfect condition for tomorrow's match.