Strongest Among the Heavens
Chapter 317: Duelling A Monster

Chapter 317: Duelling A Monster

A surge of energy coursed through him, renewing his strength. Stamina Surge Lv. 2 had kicked in.

As for his opponent...

’Foundation Establishment Peak Stage—!’

Arrow Zhou had been holding back. There was no mistaking it; the martial artist in front of him was conducting Tu Na Breathing. Literally meaning "Spit and Collect" or "inhale-exhale", it meant to exhale dirty Qi inside the body and inhale pure Qi of the natural world. A symbol of experience and talent, it was a technique honing a cultivator’s ability to pick out clean Qi to the maximum. The cleaner the Qi absorbed, the more purified one’s Qi became, the faster the flow of Qi, and the better the movements. That was the main principle of Tu Na Breathing.

’He is able to use Tu Na Breathing not in meditation but in combat. A trait that is supposed to be learned in the process of ascending to Core Formation. Arrow Zhou must be very close to a breakthrough.’

The right-hand of Raoul had been holding back in fear of a trump card. At this rate, however, victory was within reach for both combatants. Holding back unnecessarily would be foolish.

Thus, the two strengthened martial artists proceeded to exchange a series of strikes. Any counters Dasha found were swiftly deflected with his gauntlets. It was a battle of attrition. Although Dasha had become faster, going from being purely on the defense to now managing a couple counters here and there, both of them knew this was temporary. Not just temporary, the advantage lay in Arrow Zhou’s side still.

’His Qi Sense is much more controlled than mine. Whereas I use it like a radar, bouncing off walls and such, he can send out directional waves. It is more efficient and consistent, giving him stronger, faster visualizations. In a hall like this, it’s perfect.’

Arrow Zhou could read his attacks better and faster. Put simply, he was making up for the difference in IQ and technical skill with cultivating techniques. Due to the nature of the Snake Style, prolonged battles were better for his enemy too.

’Unable to use big moves in fear of breaking the walls and the monsters housed. There are advantages and disadvantages to both fighters,’ Dasha thought. ’What is the disadvantage of directional waves of Qi Sense?’

Arrow Zhou shared high praise for his opponent too. To be able to fight at this pace with Internal Healing at full throttle required an understanding of Qi at the Core Formation stage. For those in the Foundation Establishment, for Arrow Zhou and Dasha, it should have been next to impossible.

Yet Dasha was making the impossible possible.

The two backed off. On one hand, Arrow Zhou understood that Venom Strike had too long of a charge-up time. He was swiping through his skill set, carefully selecting which to use. On the other hand, Dasha was thinking of the future. How to take advantage of his opponent, what his habits and strengths were, and what techniques he was employing to stay ahead. Fighting against a more experienced cultivator, Dasha’s stack of cards was thinner.

His vision suddenly turned red.

"...!"

The Stamina Surge was wearing off. Dasha’s muscles tightened and he forced himself into a taekwondo tiger stance, front foot pointed and rear foot flat. A fist was pulled back with a palm forward. The Gu Dan Taekwondo skill kicked in and supplied him with twenty points of agility and deftness. He earned the title of master of Taekwondo on Earth through sheer genius, compressing what should have been three or four decades into half a decade.

Dasha advanced.

Arrow Zhou was ready.

This was it: the final exchange. After this, the poison would seep too deeply and slow his neurons to no return.

With Electro-step, he closed the distance between him and Arrow Zhou. He went faster than Arrow Zhou anticipated.

"Snake Style: Tail Whip!"

The hunter’s torso turned. His green-imbued hand came at him, only to fall to the side and get replaced by a sweeping kick. The sudden change of pace was an intended trap. Footwork that was once grounded and attacks that seemed to consist of whips of the hand were disregarded for this anomaly.

Dasha was struck—crack—and the hunter kick broke another piece of his mask.

The poison failed to make contact with flesh, however.

’Counterflow Stance. Electro-step.’

With a foot forward and a spin of his heel, Dasha twisted behind his opponent and went back-to-back with him.

"Equip," Dasha muttered, the Replica Gáe Bulg materializing in his hand. Without hesitation, he thrust it backwards. Arrow Zhou, sensing the danger, turned just in time to dodge. The range of the weapon was two metres.

Two hands gripping the edge of the spear Gae Bulg, Dasha began his assault. A hundred thrusts per second that Arrow Zhou could not risk touching him. He was aware of the red spear’s effect and that his healing would only plug his wounds, not heal them.

Dodge, dodge, back-step, back-step.

Space was created—this time on Dasha’s terms. He swept back an arm and a leg. Arrow Zhou went wide-eyed. Before he could go on the offensive, Dasha sent the long weapon hurtling towards him.

Arrow Zhou poured all the Qi in his body and caught the spear. The momentum and speed was almost too much and the multi-tips nearly pricked him.

’Electro-step!!’

Using Electro-step again, Dasha ran alongside the spear and closed the gap in an instant. He slid beneath Arrow Zhou, and as he passed under his opponent, he turned with ten Black Cards between his fingers and let them fly.

Arrow Zhou coughed out blood, his eyes widening in shock and pain. Ten vital points were struck. He staggered forward, trying to turn and face his attacker, but the damage was done. Dasha stopped his sliding momentum and flung himself toward him with a second complete set of Black Cards.

Arrow’s hands were unable to release Gáe Bolg in time. Dasha threw five cards. Arrow’s vision went black.

Then his heart was punctured by the remaining five cards, knuckles digging in. Blood pooled and spread into Dasha’s black gauntlets.

"You are the first cultivator I have fought. I appreciate the time you took to teach me my next steps."

His fist became a palm.

"Thunder Clap Palm."