Chapter 28

Chapter 28 — Xue Qinghe (2)

Ning Chen and Xue Qinghe started having their own conversation and they were able to learn about each other.

"So you also only have few friends because majority of the people are fearful of your status?" Ning Chen asked while feeling quite pity.

"You're precisely right, but you're different because you're status is also high like mine and can talk to me casually. I think I'm starting to consider making you as my friend," Xue Qinghe said while smiling.

There was nothing for him to worry about their status being vastly different since Ning Chen was the son of Ning Fengzhi, the clan master of the richest clan in the empire.

"I'm also feeling the same, but instead of having some dull conversation to understand each other, how about we have a spar?" Ning Chen proposed.

Ning Chen wasn't very familiar on making friends through words and instead learned from the seniors of the sword dojo that sparring was the best way to connect with others.

Xue Qinghe was quite surprised hearing that and suddenly made a prideful smile.

"Okay, I have once heard from your father that you were quite strong and have vast potential. I'll gladly take on your challenge," He said with a chill smile.

Ning Chen and Xue Qinghe soon went toward the personal training ground which was built near the mansion.

The training ground was an open field with the ground made out of hard stones.

Xue Qinghe stood in front of Ning Chen and both of them were quite far-away from each other.

"I am Xue Qinghe, an attack system spirit master. My spirit is the Heavenly Swan and currently rank 43," He introduced himself as two golden wings suddenly appeared from his back.

There was also four spirit rings hovering behind him.

His spirit rings were yellow, yellow, purple, and purple.

It was an impressive sight to witness.

Ning Chen was shocked to hear that Xue Qinghe was already rank 43 despite being 12 years old.

It just showed how terrifying Xue Qinghe's talent was.

Ning Chen instinctively knew that Xue Qinghe was also a monster like him.

"I'm Ning Chen, also an attack system. My spirit is called Kel'al for short and I'm rank 33."

A crystal sword appeared on Ning Chen's left hand and three spirit rings hovered behind him.

Xue Qinghe was surprised hearing Ning Chen's introduction and then seeing his spirit rings.

It was after all shocking to see since Ning Chen had two purple spirit rings despite just being rank 33.

An intrigued smile soon formed on his face.

Ning Chen was definitely different from the many spirit master Xue Qinghe had fought before.

"Since you're one rank lower than me, I'll be kind enough to restrict myself to not use my fourth spirit ring," Xue Qinghe said to make things fair, but his words showed hints of arrogance.

He believed he could easily defeat Ning Chen even if he held back and didn't unsealed his spirit's true appearance.

His pride and arrogance wasn't something groundless because his talent was just far superior than anyone in the world.

Ning Chen wasn't angry at Xue Qinghe and just smiled mysteriously.

"I suggest you to not hold back—" He warned.

"And why should I?" Xue Qinghe snorted and asked in puzzlement.

"Because you will only get yourself hurt," Ning Chen replied while grinning.

Xue Qinghe frowned deeply after hearing Ning Chen's words.

"We'll see about that," He said as he placed his palm forward.

<1st Spirit Ring: Holy Concentration>

A brilliant golden light started to gather in front of his palm, concentrating to form a ball of potent energy.

"I'll attack first," Xue Qinghe said and waved his hand, causing the golden chaotic ball to charge toward Ning Chen.

Ning Chen wanted to avoid this attack, but then suddenly decided to not avoid it.

He felt it was the perfect time to test out 'Revenge Counter'.

<Sword Third Color: Brown Dragon Defense>

Several rows of miniscule brown draconic scales spread through his skin.

His sword also turned completely brown, appearing to become very wide and extremely heavy.

Boom!

Ning Chen was sent rolling on the ground as the energy ball exploded after nearing him.

Xue Qinghe laughed seeing what happened and said teasingly, "Was that all big talk earlier, my friend?"

However, he suddenly froze and became silent as he saw Ning Chen standing up while looking fine.

There was no injury that could be found.

Xue Qinghe was slightly flustered to see his attack not doing a single damage, but he soon calmed down and pondered over it.

He thought that Ning Chen must have activated his spirit ability to increase his defence.

Ning Chen felt a bit pain coming from the spot where the energy hit him.

It was slightly painful, but he didn't suffered any major injuries.

He then smiled widely, feeling a powerful and potent energy gathering within his scababrd.

'Revenge Counter' was currently activated and was gathering all of the damage he received in order to reflect it all at once.

Ning Chen decided to only release it after taking enough damage since he only had one chance to use it.

He then lifted hus head and stared at Xue Qinghe. His lips slowly curled upward.

"More... Hit me more..." Ning Chen said while looking at Xue Qinghe expectantly.

At this moment, Xue Qinghe suddenly felt a chill and shivered in fright.

Was Ning Chen a masochistic pervert?

That thought suddenly crossed his head.

Xue Qinghe although reluctant, granted Ning Chen's wish.

He made two golden energy balls to hit Ning Chen again, causing Ning Chen's clothes to be damaged badly.

Despite this, Ning Chen still stood up while still looking fine and instead asked Xue Qinghe to hit him more with an excited expression.

Xue Qinghe was creeped out by Ning Chen's action and decided to use his second spirit ability.

<2nd Spirit Ring: Heavenly Descent>

His golden wings flew out of his body and transformed into a golden bird that flew toward Ning Chen.

Ning Chen felt something strange from this attack and tried to slash at golden bird with his sword.

He was then surprised to see his sword passing through it's body and the bird soon slammed against his body.

Ning Chen's shirt was shredded apart, revealing his muscular upper body and flew toward the air, but he quickly stabilized himself.

He looked toward his chest and saw hints of bloodied bruise on it.

Ning Chen felt an intense pain spreading from his chest but instead of frowning, he simply grinned.

He felt the damage he received was enough and activated 'Revenge Counter'.

Ning Chen held his sword firmly as golden energy began to gather around the blade.

Xue Qinghe furrowed deeply, feeling the golden energy was similar to his own.

The golden energy began to grow concentrated until it finally reached it's peak.

Ning Chen stared at the dense golden energy wrapping around his sword and felt it was very powerful

It was after all was equivalent to the damages he received from Xue Qinghe.

"Prepare yourself because this is my first time using this and things might go wrong," Ning Chen warned solemnly and then slashed his sword.

It was a simple slash without him using any other spirit abilities except for 'Revenge Counter'.

Swoosh!

A large and extremely sharp golden wave rushed toward Xue Qinghe, causing the air to freeze.

Xue Qinghe felt danger from this attack and quickly flew high up the air without any hesitation to avoid the sword wave.

He was only able to dodge this attack because Ning Chen's control over it was currently pitiful.

BOOM!

Woosh!

A huge shockwave appeared beneath Xue Qinghe and slightly reached him.

He descended down and stared behind him with his face becoming very shocked.

Xue Qinghe saw a large and deep crater on the ground that was made by Ning Chen's attack.

He then turned toward Ning Chen and complained wryly, "You... That attack was terrifying and I would have definitely been injured if that hit me! This is just a light spar, can't you not grow so serious?"

"I knew that you could easily avoid it by flying and my control is also still lacking, making it harder to hit you," Ning Chen said while chuckling.

"Now then, shall we continue?"

Xue Qinghe laughed in response, "Sure, i'll also use more of my power this time."

His body suddenly glowed brightly as he muttered, "Instinct—Awaken!"

The golden wings on his back suddenly started to grow larger as it's unique golden glow intensified.

Ning Chen who saw this was surprised.

Just like how tool spirits had the weapon law, beast spirits also something of their own.

It was called 'Instinct Awakening'.

Although Ning Chen didn't know much about it, he had heard it made the one who use it stronger just like the people who used intent.

Ning Chen didn't expected Xue Qinghe to have this power.

Xue Qinghe smiled faintly seeing Ning Chen's shocked face, "I've just recently managed to do this."

"No wonder why it felt kinda unstable," Ning Chen nodded.

"Now, this is still not the end," Xue Qinghe said as a purple spirit ring lit behind him.

<3rd Spirit Ring: Heavenly Possession>

A golden dot that resembled a sun appeared on his forehead with six small wings at both of it's sides.

Xue Qinghe's physical attributes were strengthened greatly as he flew toward the air and glanced down at Ning Chen.

"Let us start our round two," He said with his words containing heavenly presence to it.

It was also like a mighty god looking down at a mortal who foolishly tried to defy his fate.

...

Please point out the errors I made because I felt very chaotic while writing this. I don't know why, but might be because of school.

And for those who haven't read the original, Xue Qinghe is actually a girl and her real name is Qian Renxue.

Since she is still a young, her personality is still not exactly the same as her future self from the original.

Also, most of her spirit rings ability is unknown in the wiki and thus I decided to create some of her abilities myself.

My memory of the original is also quite foggy due to me reading it a long time.