"That's what I'm talking about!"
The crowd cheered for their favourite. Finally, the Young Master was doing what he was known for: defeating his opponents with overwhelming combat prowess.
Alex quickly regained control over his body, one knee on the ground as he wiped the trickle of blood from the corner of his lips.
'To think his mastery over the martial arts is this high…' Alex thought in shock. 'Even I wasn't this skilful below the Venerable Stage.'
In all honesty, Alex grew too fast, and he barely had any challenges in his journey to the peak. He was the stronger one most of the time, barely risking his life.
His mastery over the martial arts was a benefit of what he was and the things he knew. This Chen, on the other hand, appeared to be the real deal — or so it seemed.
"Once again, you didn't press the advantage you created," Alex said, getting back to his feet.
"I could say the same about you…" Chen shrugged in a carefree manner. "Let's turn things up a notch, shall we…?"
"Your move." Alex gestured with his left hand behind.
"Hehe, you know… that's usually my thing." The Young Master was mildly amused. Anyone who knew him understood that point. Of course, this was a trait Alexander had as well.
They've already gotten a feel of each other's weapon skills and martial arts, so it was time to switch to the use of abilities. Alex was a light master by default, while Chen was a gale master.
Both of these abilities had their pros and cons. Then again, it depended on the imagination of the user in question.
The crowd looked on in anticipation, knowing very well that they were about to switch to using their abilities. The air shimmered with tension as both fighters channelled their magical energy, the remnant energy flaring around their bodies wildly.
Both fighters narrowed their eyes at each other as they waited for the right moment to make their move. Ultimately, the Young Master made the first move.
Wind coiled at his feet, faster than sound, dashing across the arena with Wind Step. Alex barely caught the motion and raised a light shield, sparks flying as Chen's kick cracked it.
Using the momentum of that strike, Alex flipped backwards, mid-air, and launched light needles toward Chen's last position.
BOOM…!
Unfortunately, they hit nothing.
"Too direct." Chen's voice came from behind. Then a compressed air blade skimmed past Alexander's cheek.
He gritted his teeth. "You talk too much."
With a flash of light that covered a majority of the arena grounds, he activated Lightstep, blinking across the arena to gain distance. From his palms, he conjured a whip in one hand and charged forward.
Chen grinned and called the wind, sliding past the whip with a burst of air from his feet. Their footwork became a dance of flickers and bursts—light bending, wind ripping, marble cracking beneath their feet.
"Hohoho…! They're really going all out!" The crowd couldn't get enough of the Young Master teaching the newcomer his place. "The Young Master is dominating the fight!"
Even he was a bit taken aback seeing his clone suppressed. 'This isn't normal…' Alex's main body thought silently, narrowing his eyes at the Young Master.
On the stage, Alex backstepped and ducked a gust-laced punch and countered with a blinding pulse, forcing Chen to cover his eyes for a second. It gave him time to dash in, forming a light hammer and slamming it down.
BOOM…!
But Chen flowed with the force, letting the wind carry him just out of reach. Then he returned with a brutal roundhouse, wind-packed and sharp, catching Alexander across the ribs.
CRACK…!
He skidded across the arena but kept his footing, blood dripping from the corner of his lip. He wiped it with the back of his hand and smirked.
"Not bad."
"You're still relying too much on your power," Chen said. "But that lightstep… It's clean."
The arena shifted as Alexander raised a hand and another domain burst to life, drowning the platform in brilliant golden light. The crowd gasped.
Chen closed his eyes. Then… breathed.
Wind coiled beneath him, and he launched into tempest form, becoming a blur. Even in the light, even inside Alexander's domain, he was hard to track, leaving Alex majorly confused.
The final exchange began—lightsteps vs. wind walks, photon shifts vs. feather glides.
Then Alexander summoned his favourite weapon: The Spear. Chen answered with nothing but his bare hands.
"What are you—" Alexander muttered, lunging in. Chen shifted his stance and redirected the strike, his movements sharp, clean, masterful.
"Combat isn't just power," He said softly. "It's rhythm."
With a twist, Chen drove his palm into Alexander's shoulder, disrupting his balance. The spear blinked out of existence.
A wind burst swept Alexander off his feet, and he landed hard, his back hitting the stone. Before Alex could recover from that blow, a wind blade settled over his neck, forcing him to stay still.
The crowd held their breath as the arena grew silent. In just a minute of clashing, the Young Master had dominated a light user like it was nothing, proving to the city that he was still the strongest at his level.
"I yield…" Alex said with shocked eyes. This was the first time he was losing something like this… And honestly, it felt refreshing for its own reasons. Still, he was more curious than ever.
Nodding his head, Chen stood over him and offered a hand. Alexander stared at it for a moment and then took it.
"I've never met anyone like you before…" Alex said with a light smile. "I'm glad I met you."
"Likewise, Alexander. Likewise." The Young Master replied with a cheeky smile, letting go of Alex's hand and then turning to leave. "I'll see you again, Alexander…"
Alex didn't reply as that was highly unlikely. As such, he chose not to reply, watching as the Young Master disappeared from the stage. Soon, he too made his way off the stage, disappearing past the barrier and turning into motes of light.
Back in the booth, Alex and company remained quiet, each with their own thoughts about what had just transpired.
Andrew was still having a hard time processing what he just saw as it made no sense whatsoever. There was no way a normal person — prodigy or not — could do what the Young Master just did.
"So, who is he really?" Alex turned and asked the Dragon. "And don't tell me he's just the Young Master of a sect."
"I have no reason to lie to you, Mr. Gray."
Of course, Alex didn't believe him. But there was nothing he could do given the records he was seeing. 'Or maybe that's just what his records show…'
Suddenly, Alexander's head snapped to the side, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "No, they didn't…" He nearly growled, feeling anger boiling in his depths.