Xuan Hua

Hong Zhao followed the warrior ranked cultivator to the training arena behind the garden lake. When they arrived, Hong Zhao whistled in approval. The size of the training area wasn't small. It seemed like they could fit a fifth of the entire Yuan City within the field.

"We should be able to spar to our hearts content here." The cultivator cracked his neck a few times, then took off his robe. Underneath, his skin was marred by an almost uncountable amount of scars which covered a very muscular frame. Not only did he cultivate, but he also trained his body. Most only cultivated qi and used the advancement of ones rank to shape the body. Every rank one went up, their strength and agility also soared past where it once was. It was very rare that a cultivator focused on both cultivation and conditioning their body the traditional way. 'I have a much higher advantage than someone even of my own rank. I'll go easy on him though, since Zheng Guo seems to need him.' He thought as he took a stance and waited for the boy to advance.

Hong Zhao only stood where he was. His eyes were looking at the various trees and flowers, as if they held his interest more than the match that was happening in front of him. "You can attack me at anytime." His voice was just as distracted as the rest of his features, he truly did not care for the match at all.

"Don't blame me if you get hurt!" The cultivator rushed forward. His speed was of a half step second star warrior ranked cultivator. Anyone from a lower realm would have a hard time keeping up with his movements, even if they had a movement ability.

Hong Zhao activated vortex thrust before he even stepped into the field. His senses were on high alert, even when he had his aloof appearance. If one were to be honest, he had only acted distracted to lure his opponent into making the first move. The moment the man made his move, he thrust himself forward to meet him head on.

Both man and child met in the center of the field with with fists colliding. A resounding shockwave tore through the field sending trees swaying in the direction of the blast. The force of the blow sent both opponents backward a few steps.

The force of the attack sent a smile to Hong Zhao's face. "That was quite the punch!" He shook his hand which went numb from the blow, trying to get feeling back.

"A second star warrior rank?" The cultivator had a dumbfounded expression as he looked at the child. "Impossible!" Even if Yuan Continent didn't have the student rank restriction put in place by Li Xiao, he couldn't believe that a mere eleven year old could ever have made it to the rank of warrior. The evidence was overwhelming as his hand also went numb after the blow. Now that he truly focused on Hong Zhao, he could indeed feel the pressure of a second star warrior ranked cultivator.

"Now that you know," Hong Zhao raised his hand, welcoming the guard to continue. "Don't hold anything back." There was a dangerous gleam in his eye. Something that a child this age should never have. His competitive edge showed as he waited for the man to make the next move.

"Interesting!" The guard shot forward like an arrow released from its bow. He moved so fast, it was as if he teleported, yet Hong Zhao kept up by using his vortex thrust. Punch after punch rained down upon him, yet before they landed, he threw his own punches to block the oncoming storm. If one were to watch, they would see hundreds of fists colliding with each other as they met.

It seemed that in strength, Hong Zhao was equal to the man. He blocked every punch, yet he soon realized that it was all he could do. Even with vortex thrust activated to its max, he still could only match the man. Neither of the opponents could either on offense or defense as they kept throwing punch after punch. The trees which had originally only swayed within the breeze brought by the evening now narrowly held on by their roots as the two experts collided.

"If I can't gain the upper hand at my current strength," Hong Zhao gritted his teeth as he poured more qi within his movement ability, trying to ramp up the speed. "I'm just going to have to get stronger!" His fists turned into a blur, sending some trees flying into their neighbors. His muscles strained under the pressure, yet he wouldn't let up. With this small speed boost, he found an opening between his opponents punches. "Now!" His eyes grew fierce as he grabbed hold of the guard's hands and used them as hand guards, hoisting himself up and landing a double kick upon the man's chest.

Hong Zhao launched himself off of his opponent, landing a few feet away as the guard stumbled back.

"Not bad!" The guard's eyes shone with excitement as he created a sword from qi. "I haven't had this much fun in a long time. Please try not to die on me." A pressure exuded from the man unlike the pressure of a second star warrior rank. This pressure was one which took many years of bathing in his enemies blood. Of standing on top of a mountain of corpses and declaring himself the undisputed champion.

"Likewise." Hong Zhao's eyes went dark as he activated his devouring qi claws. It seemed that the match had taken a turn. Instead of just a simple wager, it seemed he had finally met a worthy match. His killing intent leaked from his body in waves. It wasn't as if he wanted to see this guard bleed. He needed to.

Loosing himself like an arrow from a bow, Hong Zhao sprang forward. Before his claws collided with the qi sword, he launched himself upward, landing feet first on a tree, then sprang himself towards the guard. Where he saw back before, he now saw the guard's sword as he blocked his side. Though Hong Zhao was slightly faster, he still couldn't completely outpace his opponent.

Though the sword had blocked the claws, Hong Zhao's attack still had the upper advantage. He took the sword between one claw. A cold sensation spread upon his knuckles as the grayish white qi sliced into them, but then he twisted his wrist, knocking the sword down. Raising his other hand, he stopped the claw just inches away from the man's throat. "I believe I won."

"Hahaha, I guess you did." The guard chuckled as he allowed his sword to dissipate. "The name's Xuan Hua." The guard bowed slightly. "I thank you for sharing some pointers with me."