Chapter 39: Grey v/s Lu xueqi

As the announcer shouted "Start!" the crowd erupted in anticipation. In an instant, Grey and Lu Xueqi vanished from their positions, reappearing at the heart of the arena in a clash of raw power and skill.The impact of Lu Xueqi's sword against Grey's fists sent a shockwave through the air, the force rippling across the arena floor. Spectators gasped as dust and debris were kicked up from the collision, and the intensity of the battle was immediately apparent.Lu Xueqi's swordsmanship was a masterclass of precision and grace. Each strike was fluid, calculated to exploit any potential opening in Grey's defense. Her blade moved like a silver stream, each slash and thrust swift and unrelenting.Grey, however, stood his ground. His hands moved with the speed and strength of a seasoned warrior, blocking and countering with a power that seemed to shake the very earth beneath them.His fists, glowing with a fierce golden aura, met Lu Xueqi's sword with deadly accuracy.Their battle was a whirlwind of movement, a blur of flashing steel and glowing fists. Every exchange of blows sent sparks flying, the sheer force of their attacks cracking the ground beneath their feet.Lu Xueqi's sword flashed with a sharp, gleaming edge as she attempted to break through Grey's defenses, but each time, his hands met her blade with unyielding force. The arena was scarred with the remnants of their combat, a testament to the brutal intensity of their duel.Then, with a flick of her wrist, Lu Xueqi's sword ignited in brilliant blue flames, the temperature around her plummeting as frost coated the ground. She swung her sword in a wide arc, the azure flames roaring toward Grey like a tidal wave of destruction. Grey, ever watchful, reacted in an instant.He slammed his fist into the ground, summoning a massive boulder from the earth. The blue flames collided with the boulder in a deafening explosion, shaking the arena and engulfing both combatants in a thick cloud of smoke.For a moment, the arena was silent, the crowd holding their breath as they strained to see through the haze. Lu Xueqi, momentarily blinded by the explosion, tightened her grip on her sword, her senses sharp despite the chaos.Then, from within the smoke, she heard it—a voice, calm and steady."Junior sister, you should also watch your back!"Before she could fully turn, Grey appeared behind her in a blur, his fist already barreling toward her stomach. With split-second reflexes, Lu Xueqi brought her sword up just in time to block the strike, but the force of Grey's blow was overwhelming.The sheer power sent her skidding backward, her feet digging into the ground as she fought to stay upright. The impact reverberated through her body, a stark reminder of Grey's immense physical strength.Grey's eyes narrowed. Flames began to swirl around him, his body now radiating intense heat. He was preparing to unleash his Flame Dragon technique, a devastating move that could turn the tide of the battle.Recognizing the threat, Lu Xueqi reacted swiftly. She encased herself in a shimmering frost shield, the temperature dropping dramatically as ice crystallized in the air. With a flick of her hand, she summoned ten ethereal ice swords, each hovering behind her, poised to strike.Without hesitation, she sent the ice swords hurtling toward Grey, each one aimed with deadly precision. But Grey, his body now engulfed in flames, simply smiled.With a swift motion, he caught the first sword aimed at his head, the icy blade hissing and melting upon contact with his fiery aura. The remaining swords disintegrated into vapor before they could even reach him, consumed by the overwhelming heat.Lu Xueqi's eyes widened in surprise, but her resolve did not falter. She knew this battle would be no easy victory.Gathering flames in his hand, Grey lunged forward with a powerful punch aimed directly at Lu Xueqi's face.His intention was not to strike but to force her to react. Lu Xueqi, ever the disciplined warrior, recognized the feint and moved with the grace of a dancer. In one fluid motion, she unsheathed her sword and leaped backward, narrowly avoiding the blazing fist.As she landed, she noticed Grey twirling something in his hand. Her eyes flicked to it, and she realized—it was her scabbard.Grey chuckled softly, tossing the scabbard aside like it was nothing more than a toy. "Junior sister, now it looks like you're taking this seriously.""Then let's see whose swordsmanship is better," Grey declared, a blue Qi sword materializing in his hand.The atmosphere grew tense as Grey summoned his Qi sword. With both combatants now armed, the clash between them became fiercer.As Grey and Lu Xueqi's swords collided, sparks flew from the point of impact, their strikes creating bursts of energy that crackled in the air. Each swing was a masterful display of technique, neither combatant giving the other any room to breathe.Behind Lu Xueqi, her ten floating ice swords surged forward in unison. Their icy blades whistled as they aimed to overwhelm Grey.But Grey, calm and composed, met them head-on, countering them with powerful, precise swings of his Qi sword. Each stroke carried immense strength, shattering the ice swords into glittering fragments that dissolved into the mist before reaching him.As Grey focused on the battle in front of him, he felt a sudden surge of energy beneath him. Instinctively, he leapt backward, narrowly dodging a massive pillar of ice that erupted from the ground where he had just stood. Its sharp, jagged edges glistened menacingly in the arena's light."That would've been bad," Grey thought with a shudder, realizing just how close he'd come to being struck—especially in his most vulnerable spot. Just as the thought passed, a massive blue sword materialized, cutting through the air towards him.Grey's eyes narrowed, a smile playing on his lips. His entire body became engulfed in flames, and with a fierce roar, a flame dragon materialized around him, swirling in a blaze of power.The dragon shot forward, colliding head-on with Lu Xueqi's massive blue sword. The two attacks met in an explosive clash of fire and ice, sending shockwaves through the arena.For a moment, both powers held steady, crackling with energy. Then, with a deafening roar, both the flame dragon and the blue sword dissipated into nothingness, leaving Grey and Lu Xueqi standing amidst the smoldering remnants of their clash, both unharmed but clearly pushing the limits of their strength.Grey smirked, his eyes gleaming. "Not bad, junior sister. But I'm just getting started."With renewed focus, he decided to push his attacks even further, pouring more power into every strike.As their swords clashed once again, the arena echoed with the sound of metal meeting metal, but this time, there was a noticeable difference. Each of Grey's sword strikes grew heavier, faster, and more precise, making Lu Xueqi struggle to keep up.Lu Xueqi felt a surge of pressure as Grey's attacks became increasingly overwhelming. Every time she parried, her arms trembled from the force, and every counterstrike was met with a crushing blow.She had expected a tough fight, but she hadn't imagined someone of her age could possess such raw, unrelenting power. Sweat dripped down her brow as she pushed herself to maintain control, but the cracks in her defense were starting to show.Grey's relentless onslaught was taking its toll. Lu Xueqi's internal injuries, which she had been suppressing throughout the battle, began to flare up, making her breathing labored.Despite her sharp technique and elegance, her body could no longer keep up with Grey's increasing power. Her mind raced, knowing the battle was tipping in his favor, and if she didn't act soon, defeat was inevitable.Gritting her teeth, Lu Xueqi made a decision. She had no choice but to use the advanced technique her master had warned her about.She hadn't fully mastered it and knew the risks involved, especially in her current weakened state. But the thought of losing, of giving up without giving her all, was unbearable.