Half Year Sect Competition (X): Yun Fao

The fights became monotonous for Alex, after his battle with Louis, especially since it was the first, it left a sort of influence over the entire exchange, and in order to conserve strength, every other fighter began using the "one hit strike decides match" method. It made a lot of people pissed, especially those who were very much in agreement with the brutal way the new management of the sect wanted it to go.

Alex didn't know it yet, and even if the suggestion had come from Louis, but the fact his method of battling influenced subsequent challengers after him, inserted him fully into the power struggle between his grandfather's camp, and that of the new sect master, though he's been sect master for white a few years, but with how long cultivators live, he would be considered quite young.

After Louis Alex had three other battles, the last which he narrowly won because his opponent had tripped when his shoelaces got caught under his shoe. It showed the importance of proper battle attire, but honestly when you're in the middle of a fight, caught off guard it shouldn't matter what your wearing, or how prepared you might be, any mistake would cost you your life. Alec took advantage and placed his hand on his opponents head, quickly ending the battle that he was not exactly sure he would have won as his opponent was right at the seventh level of the open Dantian realm.

After that affair, a lot of people began whispering about how much of a son of heaven Alex actually was, the thing is, no matter what his grandfather did, by providence or just really bad luck, Alex was bound to have a spotlight constantly over his head. And it wasn't just from people who would be in awe of his talent, but also enemies who would want said spotlight to be a target for them to aim at.

They believed he was not just talented, but he was also extremely lucky. Just imagine your opponent's shoelace getting caught under his shoe and causing him to trip during a fight, if that wasn't luck then every single one of them was born unlucky. Somehow due to that luck, Alex made it into the top twenty, and winning his next fight would get him a spot in the top ten, and he would be the first person in history to be in the top ten at the 3rd level of the open Dantian realm.

"Next match! Yun Fao vs Zhang Xiao Feng!"

Alex felt his stomach drop a bit at the name that was called Yun Fao might only be in the 6th level of the open Dantian realm, but this kid packed a punch and had mysterious techniques and cultivation methods that made him capable of fighting against cultivators at a higher level than him. So far Alex had seen him beat two ninth level open meridian cultivator to a pulp with just one hit. If Alex had not rapidly advanced, then this guy would have been the ultimate dark horse, but maybe he still was. Dark horse vs dark horse.

(You're not going to win this fight Alex, even with my help. That boy is not just a cultivator, he's also a mage. You wouldn't even be able to push him far enough to use his most powerful skills, however! You are a spirit king! Maybe half a spirit king or a quarter, but a spirit king none the less.

Give this fight your all, you don't exactly need a position in the open Dantian top ten rankings. Your rewards are already confirmed, just use this guy to learn more and sharpen your battle instincts, I fear you will need it soon.)

So far Alex was never one to doubt himself, but he was facing someone just as talented as he was, just as lucky and just as driven and hardworking. This was the true test of everything he's learned, and yes he was going to lose. It might be some foreshadowing, but Alex knew he would still win, as long as he gave it his best.

"Do you want to use the one move clause, it should make this a little more easier on you." Yun Fao said to Alex as they both climbed the stage.

"There's no need for that Yun Fao, I want to give my all in this fight and have a true battle against you. Even if I lose, I intend to make you work for it." Alex replied as he pulled out West Wind and East Cloud.

"Very well then, however just to be fair, I will not be using any weapons skills, only movement and defensive arts. Let the true essence of our martial understanding speak for us. Because I respect you and what you've achieved this is the handicap I would give to you." Yun Fao said to Alex, however Alex furrowed his brow in annoyance as he said.

"I don't need any handouts from you Yun Fao, I..."

"You don't need to be prideful young master, and you don't need to think me arrogant either. A fight doesn't end the same way it begins, I'm choosing to do this so that I can learn from you, just as you would be able to learn from me. I believe of all the people here, there's not like you and I. Just like that boy Louis said, let us introduce ourselves through our fists. After all if you're to be my master, I must know who and what I'm fighting for."

Safe to say Alex was confused about the current state of events, however it wasn't that bad anyway. He was sure that he would get answers by the time this battle is over, as for his fight with Yun Fao; since they were going to start based on their attachments on the Dao of the weapons they used, Alex had to go with the weapons he understood the most.

Whilst his most powerful attacks are with the halberd, he understood the sword more than the spear, was more in tune with it as a weapon and it was invariably a part of him. And so far with the extra training from Nezha his bond with his swords had grown to a point where he could feel them even when they were not on him, and such pressure seemed to be building up to something really great and powerful.

Alex took a stance, placing his right leg backwards and his left forwards. He lowered his center of gravity as he looked at Yun Fao opposite him who was armed with an Autumn Dao, a sort of sabre that had jagged sharp edges and was just above the length of a short sword, being a few inches above half a meter. So far he has not used his Sabre against any other person, instead just choosing to punch them off the stage, it was obvious to many that he was taking this fight seriously, or at the very least honoring Alex by giving his best.

The edges of the sabre gleamed and silence fell on the platform, either person wanted to be the first to make the first move, but obviously the match had to start. They were both about twenty meters apart, eyes on each other and heart pounding, and then just like magic they both disappeared form where they stood, moving to fast for even guys of their cultivation realm and level to see. And then they met in the middle.

*CLANG!!!*