Agile Ice

In less than a month, the intersect shall finally commence. Xiao's heart raced at the thought of crossing paths with Lin once more. She highly doubted that she would not be picked even in the wake of their recent 'mishap'. Her family had so much pull that the Tranquil waterfall will not dare make an enemy of them. And besides, with her gone she was not the top dog of the place. 

But before that, Xiao must first put her disciple to the test.

The morning sun beamed its pleasant rays. A plateau that dwarfed the luscious green forest below would serve as their battle field. It was a perfect place to go all out. Had they remained in the sect's training hall, Xiao was sure that it would have been unable to contain the carnage that was about to ensue.

Xiao listened to her teacher's warning while observing Fang Xuan do his warm ups in the distance.

<< Be on guard. After observing that sword of his for quite a while, I discerned that it is somewhat similar to my mask. Although dormant, a soul slumbers deep within it.>>

"And you are only telling me this now because?"

<< Because it only resonated once it absorbed your precious disciple's qi. It was nothing short of a high quality weapon when we first saw it. Look, I am only saying you should be on guard, since you are going to push that boy over the edge. I will not nurse your wounded pride if that soul awakens and it beats you with that boy as its vessel. >>

"So basically, that soul could be more powerful than you?"

<<Who the hell do you think you're talking to!? Even if that soul awakens I could take on all three of you combined. I can even do it with both hands behind my back!>>

Extremely ticked off, Zhen had even included the body she was currently inhabiting into the list. Xiao never considered it a possibility either, that question of hers was just to rile her teacher. It had done its job quite well.

"Then there's no need for you to worry. Like master like student, they have no chance in beating us. Have some faith in me, teacher.  After all, if this was an opera, I would be the main lead."

<<Hmph. Main lead. Enough with the nonsense, just make sure to hand him a proper beatdown.>>

Despite her master's tone feigning anger, Xiao could sense that her spirit might actually be smiling. 

+++

His Bagua dao was sticking out from the ground. Fang Xuan's confidence took the form of a grin while he stretched and split his legs from side to side. He didn't know how a weapon was capable of boosting his strength, but his greatsword was doing exactly just that. Hell, the thing made him feel like he was above his current cultivation base.  Done with his warm up, he grabbed his weapon with poise. As long as he had his Bagua Dao in hand, he was indomitable, no ice would pierce him. Stalwart, like his qi element.

In fact, he felt so impregnable that he had no qualms in launching the first strike.

Fang Xuan rushed towards Xiao, his sword at the ready to defend against an onslaught of ice blades.

Xiao grinned, in order to honor the bravery of someone bold enough to charge first against an opponent two realms ahead, Xiao would let him freely close the distance. She won't barrage him, not yet at least.

Once Fang Xuan arrived close enough to strike, their eyes met before flashing each other a cocky grin. Xiao's was saying that whatever strike he doles out, she can flawlessly evade. Fang Xuan's was not to underestimate him, she might just regret it.

For the opening, Fang Xuan's massive blade took the side, then, a horizontal swing came with enough power to slice Xiao in half. Of course, Fang Xuan didn't think it would be that easy.

Above Fang Xuan was Xiao. He was in awe the split second after dodging made it look like she was floating mid air. But he had no time to marvel, now that she's in mid air, surely she can't dodge his strikes?

Xiao saw Fang Xuan shifted his feet and form, he was now about to unleash his 'Mirage striking thrice', waiting for her to fall down into her impending doom. The thought amused Xiao, did he think she would purposely make herself open like that? Since he got in form and everything, Xiao thought she might as well give him something to slice.

Mid fall, Xiao manifested three ice swords in front of her, using them as improvised springboards, Xiao kicked the bottom of one of its hilt to launch herself higher up while sending the sword towards Fang Xuan.

Fang Xuan deflected the swords with ease. He was equally amazed as he was frustrated, (Damn it, Elder Xiao! Just take a single hit already!) His grin faded, what use is your indomitability if you can't even hit your opponent? On a last ditch effort to snag a hit, Fang Xuan relied on a technique that he still hasn't refined. His Bagua dao raised above her head in a backhand grip, Fang Xuan harpooned his sword towards Xiao, aiming to skewer her before she even hit the ground.

In Xiao's mind's eye, everything had slowed, Xiao twirled as the massive blade was a hair's breadth away from grazing her stomach.

But his assault wasn't done yet! Fang Xuan recalled the blade back into his hand.

As soon as Xiao saw his outstretched hand, she immediately turned behind, her gaze locked on the oncoming blade. Taking the same harpooning form, vestiges of ice formed in Xiao's right hand, solidifying into a Guan Dao, a heavy pole arm that is more than a match for his disciple's greatsword. Xiao threw the weapon with the marksmanship that she was proud of, shooting down the giant blade away from its trajectory and into the ground.

Landing in front of Fang Xuan, Xiao taunted, "I have you disarmed. What will your next move be, I wonder?"

An wry smile formed on Fang Xuan's lips. Should he just call it quits? Her elder was far above him in cultivation after all, and melee was her forte. He would have more success in trying to collapse a fortress wall by banging his head into it than besting his elder in kung-fu.

Suddenly, they felt waves of lethal wind onto their direction. Both jumped backwards as the ground exploded beneath their feet from the wind's impact. The distraction was all that Fang Xuan needed to recall his blade back.

"Got room for one more?"

The dust settled to reveal Yanmei.