Day 41 Tournament End

After waking the next morning, Liang Yu rembered he wanted to change a few things. One is the way the people lived near him. Can't change a place by himself, needed power, resources, and those to toe the line and keep the line from becoming blurry. Specifically, the people that were with him that is.

The tests of various Pantheons were another matter. Especially with the strength of the man god Shango being so slow. The same for others but a lot was revealed that needed to be fixed.

Some things with himself were still off a bit and buried. But at least he rembered more of his work and college life. In a lot of classes he barely passed, information was reinforced. Out of 15 years of education, at least 13 of it was accessed easily now.

'The Flame Vortix is the key to what I learned before. While the advancing of the Flame Martial Arts, I feel what I know currently and have learned since coming here reinforces itself. Might have been good to learn more when I was younger, well if Liang Yu would have when he was younger.' Rubbing his chin in thought, it was best to finish reflecting and head out before the tourney continues. 'So many things to do. Sucks I can never head home. Have a lot I wanted to do there.'

Speaking with old Xu, he was suprised about a few things.

First, old Xu gave him a Demon Beast Manual. As the same as other manuals, it was missing some things in it. But his Flame Vortex Core reacted to it so it was at least up there in the ways of Astral Sense. Cultivating it increase the methods for it as well. Filling in gaps in the Astral Sense Manual for him as well.

"Nice manual, thank you very much." Liang Yu said respectfully. His cultivation sped up more due to it. Which was good considering the Flame Vortex would need as much of a boost as possible if the revealed information was anything to go by. 'Each additional full Martial Spirit Style I guess I can call it that, as I study will slow me down for advancements. But the power increase and understanding will be worth it filling in gaps. I wonder if I will obtain Star Martial Artist or Dragon Martial Arts even more so in the future faster? Wonder if I will make my own manual for the Flame Vortex?'

"Glad you like it." Old Xu nodded. "Have you thought of a name for the Fire Bird yet?" Liang You called it Popeye once but that just seemed wrong to the others. By the looks of it, he wouldn't call it something else. I may take on some students who don't have as high as an attainment level as the rest of you. As their senior brother, I expect you to help them when I am unable."

"I... think that is agreeable." Liang Yu was willing to play ball and watch things develop more. "Long as I at least get a little compensation, yah stingy teacher."

Second, old Xu asked he tried to follow a few of the customs more. Aware that Liang Yu was very... odd in the way he acted after entering the Academy. Just a few things to keep unease from rising in others with the rebels still being an issue in areas.

"The Academy can be a great place if you let it. Especially if you do not plan on returning to the Dark Moon Family fully." Old Xu said his piece then started to walk away. He left one last message. "Do not kill your opponent in the final matches. Even if they try to kill you. It will show that you have a strong sense of character despite your age."

"I will try." Liang Yu answered. He would not commit to that. 'Man the craziness in these places is one thing but if they are outright trying to kill a person then you have already offended. Makes no sense any to not finish them off.'

Old Xu was checking on the matter of why his friend Lei Shun wanted originally. A look in the archives might shed some light before Xu Li needed to return for the matches.

The Fire Bird stayed with Linlin and Liang Jian. earlier while he recovered. Supringsly eating a lot of the bugs quickly. Each increasing its strength just slightly.

After a little more conversation with the others, the tourney continued. The fights were pretty fair with only a few upsets. Betting was a little to crazy from the way Linlin and Liang Jian kept rubbing their hands togethor at times.

But the final bout was what everyone wanted. Liang Yu v.s. Huyan Yong. Besides the bets, they wanted to see a match of what they believed to be against a 5th Heavenly Realm Liang Yu and a 6th Heavenly Realm Huyan Yong. Despite Liang Yu was in the 5th Heavenly Realm with his Flame Martial Arts since participating in the tourney, they only sense him at the 4th Heavenly Realm.

"Do you honestly think you can win?" Huyan Yong taunted. Hearing of Liang Yu having a bit of following growing in the campus made him upset. He was the prodigy amongst the younger generation! "You way of fighting ma have worked on the others, but not on me."

"Hahaha, ok." Liang Yu laughed in his face. He raised his finger up and wagged it. "I will defeat you in one minute. As brutally as possible at that for your arrogance today and for before."

"Humph!" Huyan Yong's face contorted viciously. "I will break your arms and beat into you the gaps in the Realms!" His qi started to build up. Despite the Elder not announcing the beginning of the battle. Liang Yu threw his outer robes to the side along with his vest. "Heh, a body cultivator, is that what gives you the confidence to face me?"

Liang Yu did not answer. Just bouncing in place as he built of qi. That is how it looked on the outside but he was just circulating the qi to his toes, waist, spine, and his hands really in preparation.

*Woom! Woom!* The metal seed started to spin.

"Final Bout, you know the rules already.." The elder announced while backing away slowly. Not wanting to be caught in the crossfire. "...best of luck!" He jumped just in time. 'These ... kids...'

"Give me your best..." Huyan Yong was not done being foolish. Provoking Liang Yu would be the last thing he would do for a while. His eyes closed, he missed the next action of his opponent.

Red lines traveled down Liang Yu's body briefly. Fire Body triggered as he shot forward with lighting trailing behind.

*Bam!* A hook smashed against Huyan Yong, effectively silencing him. But it didn't stop there. Shifting a little with the flow of the blow, Liang Yu came around from the other side. His fist brimming with fire produced by qi.

*Wham!* A wide blow due to the momentum but supplemented by the qi flowing in his body pushed the speed faster than his opponent could recover. Liang Yu still did not stop his attack. His qi flared out producing more flames. The lighting that trailed behind caught up with his body.

*BBBzzzzttt!* Buzzing was audibly heard among the entire crowd to notice. Liang Yu twist his body to the very limit. The metal seed humming intensley under the qi influence in his mind. Aware of the immediate field in the area of both him and his opponent.

Liang Yu's fist came around at an angled-up hook. The flames around the fist still growing in power and intensity. The air starting to distort just slightly. Making contact with the blow, Liang Yu transferred all of the lightning into the attack.

'Damn Tornado Jolt hurts like hell! Even with qi to help reduce the stress!' Liang Yu was not fond of the boing move much. But it had to be done. 'Think of the money!'

*Crack!* The next sound that echoed in the arena was enough to give a few the chills. Huyan Yong's bottom jaw and the sides of his skull cracked under the blow. Skin burnt from lighting and fire as his head drifted back. The force pulling his body along.

"Ughh!" Huyan Yong's body was completely out of whack. His qi was in a jumble from the lighting running rampant in his body.I.. can.. not lose..' Unable to even complete his thoughts, a breather was not allowed. "Huh?!"

Liang Yu grabbed his opponent by the arms as he placed his foot in the center of the back. Almost like a wishbone. All of his Flame Martial Arts qi pushing out. Five feet from his body, flames flickered about. Small explosions combusting as the qi built in the area.

"I have 13 seconds left. Ring out or give up?" Liang Yu asked. But it was not to his opponent. It was towards the Phoenix Feather Family. The humiliation of a ring out was worse than losing to them. "You have three seconds."

The ring was quiet besides a few murmurs going on. The Phoenix Feather elder that remained, looked at Liang Yu in contempt. The look received was not of someone joking. But with the others having left to report back due to events, he couldn't make a move so openly and provoked the Academy.

"It is not my place to say anything for this match." The Phoenix Feather elder was about to make some thinly veiled threats, but that was cut short by Liang Yu's smile. 'He wouldn't dare!'

*Fwish!* The flames and small combustion in the area were pulled into Liang Yu in a single instant. The redlines reappeared and now covered his entire body. He started smiling as he felt the Flame Martial Arts start to change a little. Just was at the wrong time though.

"Wanted to break my arms huh!" Liang Yu pushed his foot firmly while twisting his arms. With the help of lighting inside Huyan Yong's body, it was easy for Liang Yu to damage the muscles there. "I will break yours in compensation!"

*Rip!* Muscle tendons tore audibly along with bone sticking out of the skin. With a spin, Liang Yu launched him out of the ring. A trail of lighting connecting to his opponent still.

"Hmm?" Liang Yu had know idea what it meant. With a snap of his fingers, he broke the connection. Something odd happened after that. "What in the blazes..."

*Bzzzt! Boom!* The trail of lighting exploded with small combustive flames. Good thing it had only a little qi left inside. The crowd started to cheer at the upset. Especially those that were part of Vice-principal Xu's section.

Old He was not happy. But the Phoenix Feather family were even more upset at the loss. To have one of their promising youngsters such as Huyan Yong lose to someone they believe to be younger and at a lower realm was not good.

Seeing the situation and that of those in the Academy, they decided to let it be. Other chances would present themselves. As well as the tourney in the capital.

"We will take our leave." The Phoenix Feather family elder gave a very restrained salute. Taking Huyan Yong with them. A spare glance at Liang Yu gave enough information. 'Only won due to Yong'ers foolishness. Using all of his qi in the beginning with dangerous double edge techniques is not something to worry about.'

As the proceedings continued on with the winners from the other two divisions not wanting to go against Liang Yu, one being Linolin knowing that would just be foolish and the other still recovering from the matches made it a seldom affair to try and stress.

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Aftermath-

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Liang Yu was in his room trying to figure out what the last skill happens to be. Unable to duplicate the effect easily, it was put on the back burner. Currently, he was waiting on the prized from Old Xu. Liang Jian and Linlin were out spending proceeds from the bet.

"Haaaaa, forget it." Liang Yu sighed heavily. Looking at the funds earned from the bets that Liang Jian did on his behalf was nice comfort. "Hope the orders finish for my next move as well as the small request for some clothes come in."

Popeye was running around in front of him. The fire bird was growing quite well and started to understand some simple commands and gestures. The Demon Beast Manual would take a while to learn more.

"Let's try this to see what happens." Liang Yu concentrated his qi into a blue flame in his right hand. In his left hand, he focused the qi into lighting. The fire was much bigger and purer compared to the lighting, however. "Popeye, come eat."

"Bucaww!" The fire bird looked up and dashed over. Its eyes gleaming in hunger as it went for the fire. "Coo! Coooo!" Happy it eat the fire and sat down. The lighting not even drawing its attention.

"So preference thing I guess?" Liang Yu frowned. Neither gave a feeling of danger so why didnt it want the lighting. 'Is it because it saw "lighting" injure me before or another matter?' As he thought it over, Liang Jian came in with Linlin in tow. Both dressed in nice clothing. More towards protection which was smart. "Hey."

"Hey, we have some news to share with you." Liang Jian was all smiles as he talked. Linlin started playing with Popeye. Mostly poking its belly. "Just hear me out as I explain."