Chapter one

Uproars filled everywhere, people screamed atop their lungs, fumes filled the entrance and walkway to the ring. It was all worth it for the event - the finals of the continent's martial arts tournament - the biggest event of the year.

From behind the scenes, his anthem echoed off...

" I am that martial artist who will rise above all others, who will be the greatest martial artist in his generation, who will be the pride of martial arts and prove not only it's importance but it's beauty too to the whole world. I am Han Nian. "

The fumes decreased, the audience screams louder than before - it was him - Han Nian. That beast in human form, that weird martial artist, although young but has deep understanding in martial arts, he swung the weirdest sword technique and his spear technique wasn't any worse.

His figure began to evolve as the fumes decreased, wind blew towards him and his long white hair followed it's direction along with his long black tunic cloak, he didn't wear it's hood - he didn't need to - his mask was enough, it covered his nose down to his jaw, his God like golden yellow eyes shone bright against the light, the long sleeve covered his pale yellow arms, with gloves on, sword in hand, his hair rose behind his head it was time for battle.

Yes battle, as he marched calmly towards the battle ring, he pondered the thought of it, Although he was still very young but he had been weirding swords since he could walk without exaggeration.

The continent's martial arts tournament although was not easy but he already had won it twice before - in a row to be precise, winning this finals would be his hat-tri . A hat-tri, that was his goal, his main goal, it was what would prove him to be the best martial artist in the continent. The best martial artist in his generation, it would be decided in this final fight, this final step was what determined it all.

He could not believe it - to have accomplished his dream - his ambition - at age sixteen, wasn't it abnormal ?! , of course it was.

Anyways Han Nian knew better than to count his eggs before they hatch, he was only wondering and not anticipating victory, he would not be blinded by over confidence and underestimate his opponent, a good martial artist may - but a great martial artist won't.

Especially when he heard rumors about him, although it was an evesdrop but he would never overlook any slightest information about his opponent, he knew better than that too.

Nian reached the base of the ring, almost immediately he fleaped into the ring and approached his opponent.

Nian could not help but say his opponent was somewhat ugly, a lot of scars from years of battle, his bald head, beefy nose, big lips and huge eyes, with only pants on, Nian could not blame him, he could not imagine a what kind of cloth would contain his hairy pot belly, twice taller than him, Nian had to look up to face his opponent who gawked back at him.

"Hahaha" his voice boomed across the ring.

"this is my first time competing in the continent martial arts tournament, I had thought the tournament had met up to it's reputation after fighting foes worth calling foes while climbing up until the finals. This is a blessing in disguise because I had not expected that I would be facing a mere rat in the finals, how had u won it twice in a row, definitely you had something up your sleeve which must be investigated well, any ways you have tried and would not want to lose face on this day, so if you don't provoke me and just surrender now I may consider that I am in high spirits and just spare your pathetic life"

" senior really should not be frustrated and sugarcoat his words a little, can't we just share some few pointers" Nian answered with a bow

"ah, very well then" his opponent said.

A thud followed, his opponent's weapon, a flail - a spiked metal ball connected to a huge chain - approximately eighteen inches long - and a short shaft. It was huge. it seemed to be best weapon to fit this animal though.

the fight started

His opponent lunged forward, swung his flail with a shocking speed towards Nian, he ducked, the spiked metal ball whizzed past his head - half inch away from his head, almost immediately another blow came down for his shoulder, Nian instincts kicked in and side stepped at last second, Nian was mesmerized, this man had astounding speed despite his size, that even Nian was only some few inches faster, he had never met anyone this close to being as fast as he was. Nian had always thought his speed was first under the heavens, he didn't expect someone to be this fast too, nevertheless he was still faster at least a few inches but although Nian known before now but he still made it a mental note never to underestimate someone despite his size or look.

"you are a bit interesting kid but I noticed it's been a while now and you still have not drawn your sword yet" his opponent observed

" not yet senior"

" I mean the time is not right yet" Nian answered

Of course he haven't forgotten, the time truly was not right yet. His opponent dealt more blows - faster this time, quickly closing the gap between them regarding speed, Nian admired him but criticized him too, he was still too timid, although the speed was closed up leaving Nian  with only an inch but it was what Nian wanted, the faster he became the more his rytheme rang in Nian's ears, three times the speed was intense, the fourth time was half a second slower than the last three, how could he not have gotten it before long, now he figured it out anyways, it was time to act - No - not time yet, he had to be sure, as the next wave of blows rained down, although with his heart beat racing faster he expertly dodged ducked and side stepped, his hypothesis was right, first three times were extremely fast while the last one was half a second slow.

It was time to act, Nian heart in his throat as he realized how near victory had become, the first blow Nian side stepped, the second he ducked and the last he dodged, this was the time, the most important moment for him, immediately he drew his sword and slashed upward, the sound of blade tearing through flesh, his opponent shrieked as jumped back, reeling from the sting of the slash.

This was his moment, he must not waste anytime, he lunged forward and for the first time he saw the man's expression change from killing intent to confusion and the to fear - real fear. He plunged his sword into his opponent throat, the whole blade entering through, blood gushed out from his mouth and neck the whole blade filled with it.

"you ... you ..."

"senior seems to have lost and seriously injured" Nian said.

Nian pulled out his sword, now blood filled, his opponent fell behind him, blood continuously pouring even until now he could not bear the sight.