The Essence Of Self

The air rippled around Xia Cui's body, almost making a sound like that of electricity. At the same time, Profound Energy shot from her body, forming something on her back. The Six Winged Raven Movement Technique was a lightning attribute of Profound Art.

Slightly purplish electricity began to crackle around Xia Cui's body as two large bird-like wings formed behind her. They were easily the size of her body, and despite being made of Profound Energy and lightning they looked real. As if she had truly sprouted the wings of a raven.

"Wha- What the hell is that? It looks so dense! The amount of Profound Energy that has to be compressed to form wings like that must be insane…" Feng Mu spoke in utter shock and disbelief, at the same time Lai Mai was practically speechless.

"This is the Third Phase of the Six Winged Raven Movement Technique. While the first two phases focus on compression of Profound Energy inside the body to increase speed, the other phases are entirely different."

"They expel the Profound Energy originally used to boost the body's speed to the outside. From that point on the lightning attribute forcefully enhances the body's speed. At the same time, the wings act as external boosts that can increase agility beyond what the body could do alone. Almost like a Profound Artifact in and of itself."

These two things are being applied at the same It's simple enough in practice but complex to apply in reality, especially in the midst of a fight. For Xia Cui to pull it off was more than enough to prove her status as a genius among Elder Yang's students.

She was only below Wang Xinyi in that regard. That was why Lin Tao's sudden appearance and entrance into the competition made her angry as if her pride and rank of talent were being attacked.

And now he was publicly mocking her and trying to give her advice on how to fight? How could she stand for such humiliation? The answer was simple, she couldn't. And the look on her face showed she had gotten serious.

"I'm warning you I still don't have full mastery over this, so I advise you to surrender now. If you apologize for your arrogant behavior and promise never to get involved with the Purple Raven Sect's affairs again then I'll let you leave with your limbs intact. If not…"

The long sword in her hand seemed to blur before returning to its original position. Along with it a gash appeared across the ground next to her, as if it was there the whole time. Such speed was most certainly beyond her cultivation level.

Up above Elder Yang couldn't help but smile slightly. With this Lin Tao, the rogue factor and subsequently Elder Cao would be out of his hair. Yet whether it be the doubt from Elder Cao or Yu Men and the others. Or the hopes that he would lose here and now from the Elders to the Outer Disciples.

None of it seemed to affect Lin Tao in the slightest. Instead, with a brief movement, he spun Ruyi Bang with one hand before pointing it towards Xia Cui. Not a word needed to be said, the confidence exuded from his smile and the fact he was still holding up his weapon said it all.

He was going to take Xia Cui head-on even after utilizing The Six Winged Raven Movement Technique. Xia Cui was taken back slightly, there was no hesitation at all.

'Is he really that confident he can beat me or is he just letting his pride nail his coffin?' The shock faded from Xia Cui's face as it turned into one that was combat-ready. Her eyes began narrow and her gaze sharpened. In that instance, the Raven Wing on her back folded and she disappeared from view.

She was like lightning only a trail marking her movements and shockwave destroying where she was standing a second ago.

'Maybe provoking her that much wasn't a good idea. She wasn't kidding about that speed increase, if not for my fluctuations in the air and the Natural Profound Energy I wouldn't be able to track her with my eyes at-.' A crack-like sound behind Lin Tao interrupts his thoughts.

Appearing visible again Xia Cui thrust towards the back of Lin Tao's neck Tilting his head to the side Lin Tao felt the sharp end of the blade graze his cheek. He quickly reacted kicking behind him causing Xia Cui to dodge in yet another flash of movement.

She stared at Lin Tao as she retreated or more specifically his cheek.

'What was that… Even though my sword touched his cheek, it was as if I was striking a hardened stone.'

"Ruyi Bang!" A shout interrupted her thought process as she looked up. The staff in Lin Tao's hand began to glow a golden light before lengthening itself. Within moments it was the length of half the arena.

'An extending Profound Weapon?' Despite changing Ruyi Bang's size he made sure to keep its weight nearly the same. It seemed to defy physics with how fast it was able to move. Xia Cui demonstrated her flexibility by leaning back to nearly a ninety-degree angle.

At the same time, a blur and gust of wind blasted past her face. Her eyes widened slightly before she quickly righted herself and saw Lin Tao had already shortened Ruyi Bang without her noticing and was charging her. He was moving fast, but still not fast enough to tag her.

'So he was hiding something after all. Still, there's no way he can tag me at my current level of speed.'

Once again she disappeared in a flash of lightning circling Lin Tao rapidly while leaving behind a trail. Lin Tao's senses were focused even further as she struck him from the right. A quick reaction with Ruyi Bang allowed it to parry as sparks flew through the air.

Not stopping there Xia Cui disappeared again, circling Lin Toa once more, this time she struck from behind. This pattern of attacks created a near-circular pentagram-like shape. Trails of lightning are created nearly every few seconds with Lin Tao in the center.

'Behind, Front, to my right? No, to my left.' She was getting faster after each strike, showing she hadn't pushed her speed to its current limits. Even if Lin Tao's mind could keep up his body was sorely lagging behind. It was almost as if there were multiple of him creating a dome, parrying attack after attack.

But every now and again one would slip through grazing him just barely but sending a shock of lightning through his body. On top of that, he needed to counter the Sword Intent with his Authority or these strikes might actually pierce his body.

Of course, there was a reason why Lin Tao was playing defense at the moment. And that was because he was trying to utilize his Qi. He came to this competition for two reasons mainly, one for the reward and the other to test his abilities in real combat.

But on top of that, he had hit a wall. Although he could utilize Authority, it was weak compared to the real thing. In front of Subhuti, Lin Tao felt like he couldn't breathe or even move. Everything and every Spirit on that mountain had been suppressed and seemed to conform to his will.

Compared to that Lin Tao felt like his showings were pathetic. More so he found the reason for this was simple, he couldn't put any more power into his Authority without utilizing his Qi.

But currently, all of his Qi was trapped in his body, he couldn't use it externally and that limited his Authority's potency as well as his potential heavily. He could feel his Qi, coursing through his very being and he could even grasp it.

Yet the moment it began to leak from his body it was as if a black hole was sucking it back in. It was infuriating and no amount of training or practice fixed the issue. This is why he decided to try and release it in the midst of combat. Yet though he felt close he still couldn't get over that last hurdle.

"This is bad. He can't even counterattack like this. At this rate…" Lai Mai looked worried as Feng Mu grit his teeth. Around them, the Outer Disciples were already saying it was only a matter of time before Lin Tao slipped up. Even Ye Men couldn't help but stare as if he was looking at a string ready to snap.

"Let's see you parry this!" Creating distance between her and Lin Tao, her Profound Energy poured into her long sword as she let out a lightning-quick slash. A blade of sharpened Profound Energy shot out from in front and flew directly at Lin Tao.

Holding up Ruyi Bang, Lin Toa didn't dodge it but instead blocked it. The Profound Blade ground against Ruyi Bang's shaft while pushing Lin Tao back. His face strained slightly as he was pushed back a few more meters but eventually stopped.

Seeing this Xia Cui sneered as she built up more power and attacked again. A blade of Profound Energy shot forth once more, even larger and faster than the last. When this one impacted Ruyi Bang's shaft Lin Tao felt the force course through his body and shock his internal organs.

At this moment Lin Tao could actually taste blood pouring into his mouth. His body was tougher than the strongest jade yet his internal organs lagged behind. Anyone watching from the outside could tell Lin Tao was injured.

Seeing this Xia Cui narrowed her eyes, no matter how tough you train your body, one's insides were vulnerable without protection. She didn't know what kind of armor Lin Tao was wearing, despite its looks she couldn't cut through it. However, that didn't matter thanks to the aspects behind her attacks.

"It's time to end this." Seeing this as her chance Xia Cui jumped dashed towards Lin Tao and jumped into the air. For those inside the barrier, her oppressive Profound Aura crashed down on them like a waterfall's torrent.

"Moon Reflecting Descension!" Her long sword's shine seemed to increase a hundredfold. Her Profound Energy blocked out the area above the arena while her sword shined like a beacon in the night sky!

Everyone could tell Xia Cui was making this the climax of the battle. The disciples in the crowd all went silent as the elders and their students watched on from above.

Xia Cui came crashing down rushing through the air towards Lin Tao. Lightning arched through the air striking the stage and the barrier surrounding them. At this moment Xia Cui seemed like the Goddess of Thunder descending upon the world. And as she approached some of those strands of lightning and Profound Energy shot into Lin Tao's body.

When it did his eyes widened in shock. His guard which had originally been up slowly lowered itself.

'This is…'

That look of shock remained as Lin Tao didn't move or defend himself in any way, instead taking Xia Cui's strike head-on. Seeing that Elder Cao along with Ye Men in the others couldn't help but feel shaken to their core.

No matter how tough Lin Tao was, an attack like that would kill him without defending himself!

Even with the barrier up the entire chamber shook violently along with the air itself. An explosion of Profound Energy, light, and dust shot into all directions obscuring everyone's vision through the barrier.

"How foolish, to believe he didn't try to defend himself." Elder Yang scoffed.

"Indeed it seems Elder Cao brought in a fool this time around. Though that Profound Weapon of his was quite unique. I've never seen a Profound Weapon that could change size like that." A hint of greed flashed through Elder Gu's eyes as he spoke. A Profound Weapon that could contend with an Earth Profound Weapon like Xia Cui's was enticing.

If he could get his hands on it then Dai Qing's abilities would improve no doubt.

"Oh no…" Lai Mai looked on in shock and horror. They couldn't sense Lin Tao, but he most certainly took that attack head-on. Things could have only turned out badly.

Inside the barrier, Xia Cui's Six Winged Raven Movement Technique began to dissipate along with the wings on her back. A sense of exhaustion washed over her body as she thought to herself.

While her goal wasn't to kill Lin Tao originally, he had pushed her. She had already given him a warning yet he still acted so arrogantly.

"In the end not knowing your limits led you to your death" She spoke to herself as she prepared to withdraw her sword. She couldn't see Lin Tao through all of this dust, however, at that moment she heard a voice that caused her movements to freeze.

"This was unexpected..." In that instant, a golden light flashed before Xia Cui's eyes and without a chance to react she was sent flying out. Like a cannonball, her body flew across the arena and hit the other side of the barrier. At the same time, all of the dust began to swirl violently.

Everyone immediately felt something was wrong the moment Xia Cui's Profound Aura fluctuated.

"It can't be…" Elder Yang frowned as the swirling dust in the arena violently exploded outwards clearing itself. What was revealed was none other than Lin Tao, standing as tall as ever. Blood was leaking from his mouth, yet he wore a smile all the same.

His chest seemed perfectly fine and the armor he wore didn't have so much as a dent. But more importantly than that, everyone saw his body was radiating a golden light. It wasn't Profound Aura or energy, nor anything they had ever sensed before.

All of their eyes widened as they saw a flash of imagery appear before their eyes. For just an instant Lin Tao's armor was fixed, his weapon was shining and vibrating brightly revealing its full glory.

Yes in that instant, Lin Tao truly looked like the rebirth of Sun Wukong, a being who could strike fear into Demons, make the Gods and the Heavens tremble and force Immortals to their knees.

'So this is what Qi feels like?' It felt vibrant and overbearing as if it was trying to stifle and snuff out the Heavens and Earth itself!

Yet at the same time, he felt comforted by its presence, as if it would never turn against him. It was born from his very essence and carried his sense of self. He didn't understand what exactly had happened, but the moment Xia Cui struck him, it was as if a seal had been lifted. As for who placed such a thing in this body Lin Tao could only guess.

But what he did know was that Xia Cui's Profound Energy and Lightning Laws flowed into his body. Without a doubt, if that attack had reached his heart or a vital organ he may have died right then and there. But instead, it was pulled towards his Dantian by that blackhole-like feeling that constrained his Qi.

Lightning was by far one of the most dangerous elemental laws, more volatile than any other; it seemed to naturally destroy the human body. And its power rivaled if not trumped that of fire and ice.

As Profound Energy and lightning were pulled into his Dantian, he felt an immense strain on his body. His Dantian was like a flood gate under pressure, and eventually, it cracked. And that crack was all his body needed for his Qi to finally flow free.

Lin Tao raised his gaze towards Xia Cui who had been blown away. Her hair had been disheveled and so had her entire appearance. She looked dumbfounded as she sat there on the other side of the arena back to the barrier.

What had just happened?

"I guess in this case I should thank Sister Xia. Who would have thought your attack would lead to me obtaining such a breakthrough."