CHAPTER 24: The battle in the sreet!!

After their hard-earned victory, Zhang Xin and his teammates decided to unwind at a bustling, lively restaurant in town. Lian Hua, Xiaobo, Yuxin, Mei Lan, Wei Luo, and Chen Bo were all gathered around a large table, laughing and recounting the day's events. Plates of food filled the table, and the atmosphere was warm and festive, their spirits high from the recent win.

They were in the middle of a funny story, laughing at one of Xiaobo's over-the-top impressions of their opponents, when a sudden hush fell over the restaurant. Heads turned as Chen Biyu, the fierce and skilled elder daughter of the Chen family, entered the room with her own team close behind. Dressed in her family's distinctive colors and carrying an air of confidence, Biyu spotted Zhang Xin's team and made her way directly toward them, her eyes flashing with a competitive spark.

A Rival's Taunts

Chen Biyu's teammates—known for their strength and quick wit—smirked as they followed her lead. One of them, Gao Jian, looked over Zhang Xin's team dismissively. "So this is the 'victorious' team everyone's talking about?" he scoffed. "Doesn't look that impressive to me."

Zhang Xin raised an eyebrow, holding back a smirk. "I don't think we asked for your opinion, Gao Jian. But thanks for sharing."

Mei Lan couldn't help but chuckle, murmuring to Yuxin, "Seems like someone's still sore about the loss."

Chen Biyu folded her arms, her gaze challenging. "Don't get too comfortable with that victory, Zhang Xin. It was just one match. Let's see if you're as confident in a real fight."

Lian Hua, never one to back down, responded with a lighthearted grin. "Oh, we're always up for a challenge. Question is—are you ready to lose again?"

Another of Biyu's teammates, Feng Li, laughed sarcastically, nudging Biyu. "Look at them, acting like they've already won. Typical Zi Xuan Sect arrogance."

Chen Bo, usually quiet and reserved, looked up and met Feng Li's gaze steadily. "Winning isn't arrogance. It's just… reality."

The tension grew, and patrons in the restaurant leaned in, sensing that something was about to unfold. Chen Biyu's eyes narrowed, a spark of determination in her gaze. "Alright then," she said, her voice low but intense. "If you're so confident, let's take this outside and see what you've really got."

Zhang Xin exchanged glances with his teammates. They knew they didn't have to prove anything, but the thrill of facing the Chen family's elite fighters was too tempting to pass up. They all nodded, and with that, both teams stepped out into the open street, the night air thick with anticipation.

The Battle in the Street

The two teams faced off in the middle of the street, each fighter poised and ready. The crowd buzzed with anticipation, eager to witness the clash of skills.

Zhang Xin (Light Techniques) vs. Chen Biyu (Darkness Techniques)

Zhang Xin moved first, summoning his light techniques. Rays of bright energy formed around him, illuminating his surroundings with a blinding brilliance. He channeled his "Radiant Strike," unleashing beams of light at Chen Biyu, who countered with her darkness techniques. She formed a dense shadow shield with her "Eclipse Barrier," absorbing the light attacks with ease.

Chen Biyu retaliated with her "Dark Whirlwind," a spiral of shadow energy that lashed out toward Zhang Xin. He quickly activated his "Halo Shift," a technique that allowed him to blur his form with intense light, evading her shadowy onslaught. The street lit up as the two energies clashed, light and shadow colliding in bursts of energy that left the crowd breathless.

Lian Hua (Petal Sword) vs. Li Shan (Wind Techniques)

Lian Hua, gentle yet fierce, stepped forward with her petal sword. Her "Lotus Bloom" technique filled the air with petals that danced gracefully, each one sharp and precise as they surrounded her. Li Shan, using his wind techniques, summoned a gust of air to keep the petals at bay, his "Gale Burst" creating a barrier.

But Lian Hua anticipated this. She moved gracefully, closing the distance between them and slicing through his defenses with her petal sword. Her movements were soft yet swift, each strike slicing through the air like a blade hidden in flower petals. Li Shan tried to counter with a "Whirlwind Slash," a concentrated wave of wind aimed at her, but she sidestepped and landed a precise strike, forcing him back.

Xiaobo (Fire Techniques) vs. Feng Ru (Water Techniques)

Xiaobo grinned, flames flickering around his fists as he faced Feng Ru. He ignited his "Crimson Fist," sending waves of heat toward Feng Ru, who countered with her "Aqua Shield," a barrier of swirling water. The heat caused steam to rise around them, shrouding the fighters in mist.

Xiaobo launched a volley of fireballs, his "Blazing Arc" skill creating a wide radius of flames. Feng Ru responded with her "Tidal Wave," sending a rush of water to extinguish the flames. The street filled with steam, but Xiaobo, undeterred, unleashed his "Inferno Spin," a fiery whirlwind that tore through her defenses, knocking her back.

Yuxin (Ice Techniques) vs. Bei Jiang (Lightning Techniques)

Yuxin stepped forward, her ice techniques chilling the air around her. She used her "Frost Veil," summoning a swirling mist of snowflakes that encased her in a protective shield. Bei Jiang, her opponent, summoned his lightning techniques, crackling energy sparking around him. He activated "Thunder Step," moving at blinding speed as he tried to close the gap.

But Yuxin countered with her "Glacial Burst," sending a wave of icy spikes toward him. Bei Jiang evaded, his movements quick as lightning, and struck back with "Storm Spear," a bolt of lightning aimed directly at her. Yuxin sidestepped, retaliating with "Frozen Chains," ice that wrapped around his legs and slowed him down, leaving him vulnerable.

Mei Lan (Healing Water Techniques) vs. Han Rou (Poison Techniques)

Mei Lan, known for her healing water techniques, faced off against Han Rou, who wielded poison arts. Han Rou created a poisonous mist with her "Venomous Fog," aiming to weaken Mei Lan. But Mei Lan responded with "Aqua Purify," a wave of clean water that dispersed the poison, clearing the air around her.

Mei Lan then activated her "Hydra Stream," a series of water jets that she launched at Han Rou. Han Rou dodged, retaliating with "Serpent's Bite," sending small, venomous daggers toward her. Mei Lan dodged gracefully, healing any minor injuries she received with "Aqua Grace," her water surrounding her in a rejuvenating aura that kept her energy steady.

Wei Luo (Earth Techniques) vs. Gao Feng (Metal Techniques)

Wei Luo, his fists hardened with earth energy, took on Gao Feng, who wielded metal techniques. Gao Feng summoned "Steel Shards," creating razor-sharp metal fragments that he shot toward Wei Luo. Wei Luo raised his "Stone Wall," blocking the attack, the impact creating deep impressions in the solid earth.

With a roar, Wei Luo activated "Earthquake Slam," striking the ground with enough force to create cracks that destabilized Gao Feng's stance. Gao Feng staggered, attempting to regain his balance, but Wei Luo seized the chance, activating his "Rock Fist," a powerful punch that struck Gao Feng's steel defense with enough force to break through.

Chen Bo (Sword Techniques) vs. Meng Wu (Flame Techniques)

Chen Bo, a master swordsman, faced Meng Wu, who wielded fire techniques. Meng Wu activated "Flame Dance," spinning flames around him like a protective aura. Chen Bo moved with precision, his "Silent Strike" allowing him to slip past the flames and land calculated blows with his sword.

Meng Wu retaliated with "Blaze Vortex," creating a whirlwind of flames around him, but Chen Bo used his "Blade Waltz," a technique that let him maneuver around Meng Wu's attacks while staying close enough to strike. With one final, powerful slash, Chen Bo broke through Meng Wu's defense, ending the battle.

Victory and a Final Warning

As the dust settled, Zhang Xin's team stood victorious, breathing heavily but triumphant. The crowd roared, cheering for their skill and tenacity.

Chen Biyu, catching her breath, glared at Zhang Xin with a fierce look. "You may have won this time," she said, a hint of threat in her voice, "but don't get too comfortable. We'll meet again in the Royal Fight Arena, and we won't be holding back."

Zhang Xin met her gaze, calm and confident. "We'll be ready, Chen Biyu. Bring everything you've got."

With a final stare, Chen Biyu and her team departed, leaving Zhang Xin and his friends to celebrate their hard-fought victory and prepare for the challenges that awaited them in the Royal Fight Arena.