Chapter 7

As the days progressed, Chen had spent his time between working and training. At the beginning of the day, he would go to the energy station and shoot lightning, gaining experience in his speciality. Just give him a year, and he would become the best lightningbender to be ever known.

Sai, the staff chief, seemed to be happy with Chen's performance. He'd increased Chen's salary.

With the boost in his Chi, Chen could work for a longer period of time. He had better stamina. He wondered if his stamina increased in bed too — Still, he doesn't have a girlfriend to consider this idea, and neither does he want one for now. At any rate, Sai had offered a contract for Chen to promote. Chen had said he would consider it. He didn't want to be a permanent worker in the energy station. But if he needed capital to start a project, he may consider the idea.

After working for a half day, he would go to the gym in the pro-bending arena. He would meet Mira. As for Hina, she seemed to be busy moving around and wouldn't attend some time. He would just provoke a conversation with Hina as they work out together. She would bend earth in his direction, and he would use fire to stop it. This way, Chen would gain more experience in his skill.

Days passed quickly, and today was Thursday. It meant that after midnight, it'd be Friday. Chen has a match at 2:00 am, underground. He thought that they would pay him more cash if he made a name for himself. It's free money.

"By the way, why it is rare to see you in the morning? You only arrive here by noon."

Chen dodged an earth disk and jabbed small fire steam. Mira made an uppercut, and a disk appear in the way of fire, blowing up.

[Firebending +90 exp]

"I'm working," Chen said.

"You look too young to work."

"Not everyone has someone to provide them." And he had debts with the triads of the underworld.

"Right, I get you. Both me and Hina had escaped our villages and came to the city to fulfil our dreams. I guess I can understand what you are going through." Mira said.

Holding his urge to mock, Chen lifelessly said. "I bet you do." Chen didn't even have time to bother correcting his teammate.

"Right." She smiled, seeming to think that they are alike.

"So, you said you escaped your villages?" he asked. "You came from the same place?"

"No. We met in this city by luck, and we started in pro-bending. We had dreams and became roommates. Unfortunately, all she is thinking of is showing off and attracting a high-class man to provide for her. She's lazy and wants someone to do it for her. That's her sole reason for going through this bending, and she skips most of her training."

"And you?"

"I just want to become famous, collect enough money and help my family back in my village."

"You have a family. I guess they are worried that you escaped."

"They will forgive me If I succeeded." She smiled.

Chen felt a bit sorry for her. Just a typical girl working hard in a new city, so she can go back to her family. He sighed and shook his head. It didn't matter to him. They are just teammates, and he's his own goal to achieve.

"I'm sure that they will." He said.

Once she jabbed at him, she sent two disks. Chen jumped back and kicked, sending an arc that destroyed the disks into dust.

[Firebending up to level 11 - Mid master (100/10.000)]

[upgrading associated skills]

Chen felt his firebending skills taking a leap. Going from level 10 to 11 was like going from level 4 to 8.

It was a natural result, given how much each level required experience. He noticed that would happen too when his lightning bending levelled up in the factory.

He remembered clearly the notification.

[Lightningbending up to level 11 - Mid grade master (100/10.000)]

[upgrading associated skills]

[+ Associated skill:

Lightning Grip (imbalance the Fire Chi around the hand to hold lightning around it)]

Seeming to get tired, Mira stopped shooting disks at him. She took off her helmet and put her hands on her hips. She said, "By the way, you seem to be a very good bender. Why haven't I heard about you before?"

Chen replied. "I'm just talented."

"I see that. You've improved from the last match quite very much." She said. "I guess we are going to pull it off by Sunday."

"Yeah." Chen clenched his fists, sounding excited about the match. Pro-bending matches were a very good way to level up. Like they say, three for a price of one.

Chen then said. "I think I've got to go."

It was getting late, and he had to get ready for the underground match.

"So, what's your plan for tonight?" she asked.

Seeing that she might invite him if he said he's nothing to do, Chen faked a smile. "I'm going to meet an old friend, someone I used to practise with. It's been a long time, and he's in the city."

"Oh, that's unfortunate. Let's meet tomorrow then."

"Sure."

"By the way, that smile looks good on you. Try it more often."

"I'll keep that in mind." Chen then packed his things. He went to his apartment, took a bath and ate well. After resting, his body condition was at its peak. He now was ready to go and fight.

It passed midnight, and it was around 01:00 am. Wearing casual clothes, he covered them with a long black coat. He then headed to the underground arena. It was time to make some money for himself.

-x-X-x-

When he arrived at the arena, Chen met Fu, the one responsible for the matches.

Fu had a broad smile on his face when he looked at Chen. "Last time you had been here, you managed to get the curiosity of the people. The colour of your fire had attracted them. People with more budget are interested in betting on you."

"Your point?" Chen asked, raising his eyebrow.

"This time, we're going to put you against a tough opponent. All I'm asking you is to try your best to win the first round." Fu said. "I'm pretty sure that your opponent will grow weaker with the next rounds."

"You want me to beat him, or do you want me to get exhausted in the first round."

"Her in fact. To be honest with you, I want people to put their money on the wrong foe. Unfortunately, your foe doesn't seem to take bribes, and she's a strong backing. That's why I want you to corner her from the first round. If people put money on you in the other rounds, we all would win, even if you lose."

"And what's there for me?"

"50.000 Yuans, that if you managed to beat her in the first round. 40.000 Yuan if you managed to make people bet you on the other rounds. I'm not sure that you can win the fight. But we all win. Hahaha."

"I see." Chen half closed his eyes. He then turned and made his way to the floor below.

-x-X-x-

Chen somehow felt excited knowing that he is going to fight a strong opponent. He may level up. However, his hopes vanished when he heard that he is going to fight a master in waterbending. What made him not optimistic was the surroundings of the ring. They were full of water. It was to the waterbender advantage.

Standing in front of him was a muscled girl, a little bit taller than him, and she looked quite aggressive.

"I'm going to break you like shreds of ice!" She said, aggressive.

"Am I allowed to use lightning?" Lazily, Chen turned to the referee, who was standing outside the ring.

The referee shook his head. "You are only allowed to use it at the last round, which is the fourth. Survive if you are lucky."

"I hate it already." Chen sighed and turned his head to the aggressive woman. She sneered at him.

What he hates about waterbenders was that he needed to dodge them. They could manipulate the trajectory of their bending, freeze him, and more. Water was the opposite element to fire.

'All I need is to make my fire superior. Fire vaporises water when it's hot enough.'

"Ready! Fight."

When the referee's voice echoed, the waterbender moved her hands. The water surrounding the arena rose and soaked the ring. Chen didn't dare to move fast. He could tell that there is a trick here. The girl seemed to wait for him to run.

Smirking, he said. "Seems that you want me to slide out of the ring."

"You seem to have a brain besides that good look of yours."

"I can't blame you for thinking that brain and beauty don't gather," Chen said. "You're are smart, and you seem to realise what you lack."

His words seemed to get on her nerves. Just as she was about to move, Chen jumped in the air and flipped, sending a vertical arc of compressed purple fire. The fire seemed to push the ground and generate enough heat to make the water on its way vaporise.

Feeling how hot the fire was, the girl moved her hands. The water gathered and formed a wall in front of her. It froze, creating an ice wall.

The ice wall cracked and cancelled the fire. It then turned liquid and it turned into a stream that headed at Chen, who ran to the side. As the water slid by him, he extended both of his fists. Hot purple fire gathered, creating a strong light. Using one of his newest associated skills with his level made him take a little bit of time. He was compressing fire into a soccer-sized ball.

Holding the ball between his hands, he ran further. The waterbender sent a group of ice spikes at him. Chen extended both of his hands, and the purple fire unleashed, breaking the ice shreds, heading to the girl. Smirking, she gathered the water to an ice wall in front of her, a thick one. Once the fire hit the wall, the latter melted from the heat and exploded, steam covering it.

Chen jabbed with his left, sending a yellow stream of fire. Having trained with Mira for pro-bending matches had taught him to charge his fire and attack in a very short time.

A half second made the difference between the winner and the loser. The fire stream hit her chest, knocking her out of the ring.

Chen felt quite exhausted. Half of his Chi's reserves were gone. Using the purple flame was really consuming. Luckily for him, he'd levelled up his Chi Control skill.

[Defeating a master waterbender]

[+5000 exp]

[+5000 accumulated exp]

[You levelled up to level 10]

[Firebending +5000 exp (6000/10000)]

[Flame generation up to level 10]

"And the winner, with his purple flames, the Mystical Flame!" the commentary on the side said. Chen seemed to gain a title for himself in the underworld. It was the Mystical Fire.

Chen didn't stay here to enjoy the cheering from the audience. He has to sleep early to go and work tomorrow, and he has to take his share from the match.

-x-X-x-

Chen wore his black coat as he was on the counter. Fu was counting the money.

"50.000 Yuan. Just like I told you." Fu placed the money. He sounded very happy. Chen looked at him, and he knew why the man was smiling. The waterbender Chen had fought was a master when it comes to waterbending. She was stronger than him in fact, and he won thanks to his mystical fire and quick jab. If he hadn't trained to do quick jabs, he wouldn't had knock her out. Other people seemed to realise that, so they bet most of their money on her in the first round. Because Chen had won, Fu gained a huge sum of money. He didn't trick Chen so that he would come to fight next time.

"Thanks." Chen placed the thick stacks of money inside his pocket. Trickily, he opened the system and put them in storage.

"So, when will you be able to fight again?" Fu said. "Someone like you is doomed to become famous. I may ask for favours later from you… you know what I mean."

"Yeah, pretending to lose." Chen smiled. "But I won't do that for simply 50 thousand."

Chen's primal goal from fighting underground wasn't to gain experience. It was to gain money so that he can pay his debts.

Fu chuckled. "Hoho. You need to prove your strength more. But don't worry, I'm sure that we can reach a satisfying price for both of us."

"Sure, deal with me when I'm famous," Chen said. "You know, others may offer better deals."

"You sly fox." Fu sighed.