“It has too many styles and techniques, completely different from each other.”
“You’re also strong, the strongest I have met.” Gao Butian answered while swaying back and forth.
“Then, I guess it’s my turn.” Allen smiled.
His hands turned from dragon claws to normal palm. He positioned his two hands in front of his chest and his feet slightly away from each other, with right foot on the front while the left foot on the back.
“Hm?” Gao Butian frowned as soon as he noticed Allen’s change.
He realized Allen’s aura, change from fierce and violent like a dragon to a soft and serene, like a gentle wave of the ocean.
Allen moved his hands in a circular motion and his movements were like gentles waves.
Allen turned into three.
Gao Butian was startled as he suddenly saw Allen was rushing towards him, but for some reason, he saw three Allen running. He almost thought that he was really drunk, as he saw three Allen.
But this was impossible! It’s not like it’s the first time he had been drunk and in fact, aside from his huge drinking capacity, the alcohol he drunk is always calculated by him!
As a drunken master, he always makes sure he wouldn’t really drink until he had become a waste during a battle!
But what is happening!?
“What?!” the moment he reacted, Allen was already beside him, and with a wave like motion, Allen’s palm pressed to Gao Butian’s side. Gao Butian only felt as if Allen was pressing his palm gently when suddenly a huge impact struck his side sending him flying.
“What?!” Gao Zuquan who was watching the battle was dumbstruck. What just happened?!
Just like her father, she certainly saw Allen multiplied into three people!
Is this magic? A supernatural ability?!
But before she could ask, Tang Yu who was standing beside her answered the questions in her mind. “That’s [ Phantom ], young master’s self-created footwork along with Tai-chi Chuan martial arts.”
“[ Phantom ]?!” Gao Zuquan’s pupils flashed with astonishment. “So it was not a supernatural ability?”
“No. This isn’t ability but just a footwork created by the young master. When you see him multiplied, that was just an after image he made by moving in a zigzag motion while suddenly accelerating then decelerating. It confuses the brain of a person, subconsciously creating illusions.”
“Is that even possible?! I have never heard about this kind of martial art technique!”
“Of course not, didn’t I say that its young master’s self-created technique?”
“But…”
As the two women were talking, Gao Butian already managed to stand up. Looking at Allen, Gao Butian flashed a strange look.
“What kind of technique was that?”
“I called it [ Phantom ]. It’s a mixture of different footwork techniques, including the dragon style.” Allen honestly answered. “I once had many encounters with different cultivators and martial artist. While fighting them, I learned some of their footwork and integrated it into one technique, that’s [ Phantom ].”
“You learned by watching and observing it in a fight?” Gao Butian’s expression distorted. It’s as if he had his wife suddenly dancing a pole dance in their backyard.
“Yeah, I once saw someone using Jeet Kune Do. It was a strange yet amazing style by learning and mixing multiple styles to create a unique one that suitable for the practitioner. So I got an inspiration and created my own unique style! And this is the [ Phantom ]!”
“And do you think that’s easy?!”
“I can’t help it. I succeeded in creating one after all… though other than [ Phantom ] all other failed. They created many lags and opening.”
“Of course that would be the result, you creating one is already a miracle itself!” Gao Butian said helplessly.
“Then, what about that style. Flowing like water, move like a gentle wave… that looked like Tai-chi Chuan?”
“Yeah, this is Tai-chi Chuan, though with a bit different in order to suit my style.” Allen shrugged his shoulders as if it was nothing.
“I learned it because I’ve met and fought an old man using this style.”
“You saw and learned it?!”
“Well, from what that old man said when he saw me using it, it appeared I have a knack for this sort of thing.”
“A genius huh…” Gao Butian smiled wryly while shaking his head.
“No, I should call you a monster instead. Really, just because you saw it and remembered it, doesn’t mean you can use it.”
“It’s the truth, I can’t help it.”
Allen moves his hand gently, in a circular motion. “To be like water. Movements should be like water, it naturally flows around something in its path and follows a path of minimal resistance. And if one encountered obstacles, the movements should know how to quickly adapt!”
“This is the essence I managed to figure out from using Tai-chi Chuan. This also greatly helps me in understanding how to use my mana efficiently.”
Looking at Allen, Gao Butian couldn’t but sighed.
“I give up.”
“Hm?”
“It’s your victory.” Gao Butian made a wry smile.
“Stop it. The winner hasn’t been decided yet.” Allen frowned.
“You still have some strength left, don’t you? You still have some techniques you haven’t shown off!”
“It's fine, I know my limits. Fighting a monster like you is very tiresome.” Gao Butian smirked. “Besides, I’m pretty sure you are observing my techniques while trying to learn it, right?”
“Ah, busted?” Allen smiled innocently while scratching the back of his head. Truthfully, it’s just like Gao Butian said, Allen was certainly interested in the Drunken fist. It’s one of the martial arts he had never encountered in the previous life.
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“Well, if you want to learn it, why not. I could teach some to you…” Gao Butian dusted his clothes and drank a mouthful of wine.
“But, whether you’re really a genius as you claimed to be, understanding it will depend on your sense and perception~”
Hearing this, Allen’s smile become even more dazzling.
“Then, I’m in your care~”
--- ---
As Allen was traveling to Beijing while at the same time learning some Drunken fist style, in a certain part of the world, a woman finally arrived at her destination.
Fairy Forest…
Dubbed as the most beautiful yet detached from worldly affairs… deemed as a small world inside this world.
In this forest, many races that don’t like to involve themselves from any issues regarding the outside world lived. Faries, Pixies, Elves and Spirits, such are the examples of these races.
The forest was enveloped by an invisible barrier. A barrier that makes any outsider get lost inside the forest and subconsciously return outside.
Outside this barrier, a beautiful woman with silver hair and fluffy wolf ears at the top of her head was standing. She had pale skin that looks cold yet at the same time fragile and her eyes, framed by long white eye lashes, were a bright silver color, beautiful yet radiated an icy cold gaze.
The woman was stunningly gorgeous, like a painting of a goddess coming down from the heavens to brighten the cruel and rotten world. She had a straight nose and kissable cherry lips - she possesses a beauty of perfection.
She looked at the forest with a faint smile.
“I’m Mireya Icefang, daughter of Lobo Icefang, king of the snow wolves.” The woman yelled in front of the forest. “I came here to request an audience with the Elven Queen; Falis Florita!”
“… …”
The forest remained silent.
After a short while, a voice rang out, “Daughter of the Snow wolves, this isn’t your place! Leave at once!”
Mireya smiled, “You’re still the same as ever, Gerbera Florita. But I need to see your mother, the Elven Queen!”
“… …” the forest turned silent and only the noise from the passing wind could be heard.
Suddenly, several figures flew from the forest and landed in front of Mireya. Three people, one male and two female that looked like humans but their ears were long, pointed and more leaf-shaped compared to humans.
They are more beautiful compared to humans and their appearances were as if shining under the light. Because of this, one would a think the phrase ‘they are more beautiful than the sun’.
Like the female, the male elf was slender and graceful yet strong. Aside from the man and one female who both had beautiful gold colored hair, the other one has emerald-green. Her baby blue eyes narrowed and stared at Mireya.
“Princess of the snow wolf, how did you know my name?” the emerald-green haired female elf asked suspiciously.
“Even if I told you, you won’t believe it,” Mireya answered. “In any case, bring me to your mother, I need to speak to her.”
The emerald-haired female elf named Gerbera Florita frowned, seemingly hesitating.
“Princess, we can’t let anyone enter the forest!” The male elf reminded. His tone was firm and cold.
Mireya glared at him and said coldly. “This isn’t the place for you to run your mouth, lowly elf!”
“You!”
“Enough.” The man wanted to say something but Gerbera waved her hand and stopped him. “Princess of the snow wolf clan, what do you need with my queen mother?”
“I can’t tell you now, first I need to see Queen Falis. This is very important!”
Gerbera fell in deep thoughts while the man kept on reminding her about the law. However, the man was stopped by the other female elf that was just waiting for Gerbera’s decision.
Gerbera bit her lips, but she still nodded. “Fine, I will trust you princess of the snow wolf clan. I hope you won’t betray my trust!”
Mireya smiled and didn’t say anything. She quietly followed the three elves.
Entering the forest, Mireya looked around her. It was still the same as what she had remembered.
Huge trees, beautiful plants, and flowers… there were also some small light that looked like fireflies flying and dancing around the scenery, but if one looks closely, they would notice that inside the lights were small figures.
Fairies…
They were shaped like Humans, but two wings sprouting from their back. They let out a faint trail of light as they flew freely through the sky.
The whole place was extremely beautiful, ethereal and seemed out of this world. Even the lakes, leaves and grass let out some faint light, giving the place an additional beauty and charm.
“You don’t seem surprised?” Gerbera who was walking in front of her suddenly asked. Her voice expressed some astonishment.
Whenever they bring someone in, they would immediately be enamored by this place. Surprised, entranced and shock would color their expressions.
But Mireya’s indifferent expression surprised her. It’s as if she had been here before…
But is that possible? She had never seen Mireya before!
“Hm, indeed, I was surprised…” Mireya smiled while putting a strong emphasis on the word ‘was’. Her words hide some underlying meaning behind…
“What do you mean? Is this not your first time being here? Did you come here before?”
“This is the first in this lifetime~”
“Huh?”
Gerbera unconsciously halted her steps and looked at Mireya in doubt. However, Mireya didn’t explain and instead continued walking forward, since they have already passed the barrier, there’s no use for her to follow them. She had been in this place numerous times before so of course, she already knows the way to the Elven Queen’s quarters.
“Hey, wait!” Gerbera called out as she follows Mireya…
--- ---
Inside a huge hall, the elven queen was sitting on a throne made from wood. Although it was wood yet it was still filled with life and grace that wouldn’t lose to a golden throne. Vines and leaves, embroiled with colorful flowers, giving another charm to it.
Sitting in that kind of throne, was a very beautiful woman with long pointed ears. She had a beautiful emerald green hair, and her appearance was young, around mid-twenties to early thirties.
Her beauty was beyond compare, with ivory skin and eyes akin to a beautiful midnight. With straight nose and high cheekbones, beautiful and well-lined eyebrows, and long eyelashes. Thin waist, huge and well-endowed breast… such beauty could make any men drooling.
Looking at her, Mireya couldn’t help but feel defeated. She suddenly remembered what Allen once said, ‘… her figure seems to be a materialization of men’s ideals and dreams. With just a smile, it’s as if the whole world brightens. When she laughed, the whole forest seemed to laugh with her and if she cries, the whole sky would cry along with her…’
“Greetings, your majesty Falis Florita.” Mireya curtsied as she kneeled in front of the throne. Although she was also a princess but compared to the elven queen, there was a huge gap between them.
Snow Wolf's clan was quite influential among the beast-men but it doesn’t mean it can be compared to the elven.
Although they were detached from the outside world, the elven kingdom was still a large kingdom consisting of fairies, pixies, spirits and some other races. There were also small tribes of satyrs, centaurs, nymphs, and other creatures and monsters.
“Stand up, daughter of the snow wolf clan…” The Elven Queen smiled sweetly.
The elven Queen wasn’t doing anything, except sitting there in her gorgeous throne. However, Mireya has a sudden feeling as if she was holding the world together - as if she was standing high up, looking down the whole world beneath her feet.
As expected of the beloved children of nature… Mireya couldn’t but amazed. Her presence was holy and sacred, befitting of someone who had ruled the elven for countless of centuries.
“Your majesty, I …”
“Need not to say, daughter of the snow wolf clan, Mireya Icefang.” Mireya started speaking but she was suddenly cut off by the elven queen. “… The world tree had predicted your arrival, and also the reason for it.”
World Tree…
It was said that the elves were the protector and caretaker of the world tree.
There were many speculations about the truth behind the world tree. It is said that it was the center of the world, connecting the earth and heaven. It’s the vital connection between the mortal realm and the land of the Gods.
Some also say it’s the tree of fate, supporting the balance of the world. Fate, destiny, all of it converged through the World Tree.
There was also some hearsay that said, it holds the life of the world. If the world tree dies, the world it rooted also dies along with it.
There were also legends saying that the World tree was, in fact, the tree of life; the origin of life and living things. It holds the record of all creatures, their origin, and their evolution. Thus, it was called the evolutionary tree or genealogical tree.
However, even though many theories came up regarding the World Tree, none was clarified and confirmed. The World Tree is the biggest secret of the Elves and even among them, apart from the Queen, no one was permitted to see it.
“Worlds beyond worlds, life beyond life…” The Elven Queen started and with a smile, she continued. “As someone who had crossed the boundary of life, it’s good to meet you again old friend.”
“You remembered?!” Mireya was startled. Although she had hoped she would but seeing it happening is certainly a pleasant surprise.
She had once met the Elven Queen when Allen brought her with him to request for support against the Demon Invasion. That was their first meeting and also that’s where she had learned the ambiguous relationship between her and Allen.
She also came with Allen when they asked for refuge from the war.
So, it could be said that she and the Elven Queen were acquaintances, no, friends at the very least…
… And for her to remember her really made her happy.