Chapter 19: JSMC 3, Round Semifinals & finals (edited)

Chapter 19: JSMC 3, Round Semifinals & finals (edited)

Original word count = 1543 on 6/27/2023

New word count = 1584 on 8/16/2023

(took out original authors note, slightly changed title and added minor details to 'intensify battle'

After an hour of moping and mock scenarios that only drove Xue Tie more insane over his desire that fell through. He eventually gets to cultivating to pass the time and the next day can't come any sooner.

Though Xue Tie's mood is still low and this is visible to the other participants who believe that he was mentally weakened from yesterday's fight. Afterall, there are some illusionary attacks that can leave lasting mental effects on its victims. They were under the impression that Xue Tie's momentary spirited look was from adrenaline and the excitement of creating 'a new technique'. Which isn't a wrong thought, they just overplayed the illusions effect on him.

The new numbers are distributed once more. Yu Xiaogang's luck continues to prevail as he gets assigned number 5. To simplify the process, the 5th contestant no longer needs to fight until the last set matches.

Xue Tie gets number 1 which naturally entitles him to go down first for the first match of the day.

He steps onto the stage and finds himself faced with the number 4 opponent who has been acknowledged to have an ice Mammoth Assault defense style mixed system martial spirit. The bulkiness of the mammoth and its tough hide is what gives it its defense while its powerful muscles and trunks provide a sturdy offense as well.

The opponent is named Xu Nim. and is one of the strongest contestants amongst the new temporary members. He is level 29 but Xue Tie is confident in his victory as he is a natural counter to ice with his bloodflames. He summons out his gloves. His opponent summoned his mammoth and the fight was signaled to start. Xu Nim charges at Xue Tie while activating their first ring which boosts their charge speed twice fold. Xue Tie instead activates his 3rd martial spirit ring. His gloves expand into a full on robe via tendrils of leather straps. His whole body encircled in the wrappings that he even gained a hood. One that fully covers his head.

(here)

The mammoth soon collides with Xue Tie but it is stopped in its tracks as cracks appear in the floor. Xue Tie's 3rd spirit skill, Immutable, makes his defenses rise by 5 times in addition to half a multiplier for each spirit ring he has on his gloves. So his current strengthening limit is 6.5x (5 + .5 for 3 rings) his base defenses. Not counting his natural growth as he ages and his increase in spirit rings later down the road.

On the other hand, every increment in his defenses by this skill increases his weight respectively. As a result, his weight also increases by 6.5x currently. Making him roughly 1 thousand lbs (rounded up). His speed greatly decreases into an immovable pillar. Unfortunately a short lived pillar as he has to reapply the skill every 6 seconds if he needs to maintain it but he isn't bound by the full timer and can cancel the skill at any moment, thus reducing the cost as it remains even throughout every second it's active.

Xue Tie lifts his arm slowly and places it against the mammoth Xu Nim's face. He begins being moved back due to the weight supporting his action. It's a struggle for both Xue Tie and Xu Nym. One struggles to move at all under his own weight while the other can't push back due to the weight as well and Xue Tie's natural strength added on. So Xu Nym does the natural thing and uses his 2nd spirit skill to release a cold breath. As he is getting breathed on, mostly unbothered due to staying warm from the layers of his spirit skill, he says

"That's quite rude, you know. Have this for a return investment". Xue Tie ends as veins cover his entire body but due to glove armor he is wearing, it's not actually seen. So all anyone sees is a black covered figure bringing out a trident as they are being blasted with a cold breathe grabbing his trident with both hands and thrusting it up while saying

"nihil"

The mammoth is interrupted by its skill as blood is coughed up. He stumbles back and the armor countdown also ends and Xue Tie is shown again. He shivers a bit from the remnant cold win on him but he simply thrusts his spear upward again.

"Nihil"

And another spurt of blood occurs and he directly passes out, his martial spirit dissipating. Xue Tie almost falls over too due to being low on spirit power after using Nihil twice.

His opponent is rushed away to be healed while Xue Tie returns to a resting area to rest and recover. Just because impacts and the cold were reduced, that doesnt mean they were nullified. Also the physical strain of his spirit skill is still quite a bit for him to handle since he wasn't born with any type of super strength.

Bibi Dong's match progresses smoothly this round as she faces the female representative who got a free pass last round. She was lacking in the necessary strength as well as being a full case supportive spirit master rather than any sort of offensive type that could hurt Bibi Dong at all. A two hour break was established due to the 'higher intensity' of the matches as a result of it being the finals now.

Xue Tie is mostly able to recover and he is visited by Bibi Dong.

"How are you holding up?"

"Oh, worried about your precious Big Brother?"

"Humph, if you can still make jokes like that then you are fine." Bibi Dong pouts and turns away from Xue Tie. Who gets up and hugs Bibi Dong.

"You..what are you doing." Bibi Dong is flustered by his gesture.

"Shooo, can't I just want to hug my lovable little sister?" Xue Tie says, still teasing Bibi Dong.

"Let go, we need to prepare for the finals" She flails more.

"Alright, Alright, let me just give you a good luck mark" He says and loosens his hug. Bibi Dong turns around to look at him when he does the unexpected and kisses her cheek. She immediately becomes a blushing mess but not without slapping the absolute shit out of Xue Tie. sending him flying to the wall. She then escapes.

It takes a few minutes for Xue Tie to escape the grip of the wall. He found it kind of comfortable with the way he was sent flying. The only complaint is the head injury on both his cheek and the top of his head. With only an hour to recover, he takes out Vin to help him recover his energy and lets him try to heal himself by coaxing his natural healing with his spirit energy. It only works a bit so he doesnt have the red mark on his cheek and his bump hurts less when he has to return to the arena for the final match of the individual set up. At least as long as Yu Xiaogang doesn't make it past his opponent.but even then he has confidence to beat Yu Xiaogang even when injured and low on energy.

The girls fight first, for a change. While Bibi Dong is still bubbling from what happened a few minutes ago, she has enough consciousness to be able to focus on the fight and after a hard half hour fight. Bibi Dong emerges the victor, she is to rest now unless the free pass contestant is able to make it past the runner up she beat which she feels is unlikely from the power of her 'former' opponent who is now the runner up.

Xue Tie and his opponent, a slim looking figure who supposedly has the martial spirit of an emancipated gray wolf known as Bile Swamp wolf. Xue Tie can naturally assume what his enemies' affinities are. And he thanks his own foresight to struggle through Bibi Dong's poison and not be affected by his current opponent whomst he believes will rely on poison to secure a victory.

Xue Tie summons his gloves alone and rushes at his opponent. His opponent releases an acidic fog but Xue Tie counters by activating his 2nd spirit ring to send out a vertical spill of blood flames. Some gets on his opponent and burns them a bit, serving as a distraction for Xue Tie to pass through the opening in the fog that was burned up and begin beating up his opponent who is still trying to stop the burn.

After a minute he is crowned as champion and is given time to rest while his opponent faces off against Yu Xiaogang for a chance to challenge Xue Tie, who is currently recovering his energy after he had the small bits of poison taken out of it.Xue Tie watches the match and sees that unfortunately/fortunately Yu xiaogang did not defeat Xue Tie watches and notices that Yu Xuaogang failed in his attempt to defeat the runner up. A speech is given to congratulate the winners as well as advertise the benefits of joining the Spirit Hall.

Original Title - Chapter 19: Junior Spirit master Competition 3, annoyance, Round SemiFinals & finals