Akata and Swordlife clashed head on with each other. Their exchanges were fierce and calculated. In the blink of an eye, tens of exchanges were dished out between the two of them. The collisions brought upon mini explosions that washed over the area. Peizhi Xiuying and Mindlife put all of their power into defending from the shockwaves. The might from them was enough to seriously injure any other disciple.

Black and crimson fire surged in the air as Akata unleashed his demonic hellfire. Ghost cries and wails seemed to sound as it covered over Akata's figure.

 Under the Second level of the Searing Heat of the Underworld, Melting Earth, Akata's demonic hellfire greatly increased in strength. At the first level of the Searing Heat of the Underworld, Scorching Sand, the user would only be able to control relatively normal hellfire besides some minor attributes the user implements. Akata's hellfire for instance was black and crimson and had somewhat of a blood burning effect.

Once Akata reached the second level, Melting Earth, he could faintly sense and interact with the true hellfire of the Underworld. This allowed his demonic hellfire to change fundamentally. It's burning effect became much fiercer and could burn a person's blood and leave a lingering effect that attacked their bloodline. This was possible because Akata's hellfire was made with his own blood, therefore it gained some of his bloodlines abilities, interacting with a beings own bloodline. It could be said that Akata's demonic hellfire was simply a bane to all beings. Having one's bloodline burned and destroyed ruined their future potential. Nobody would want that.

However, Akata could control his own hellfire with perfection, after all, it was one with his own body. So he could make it so that a person's bloodline wasn't burned during his attack.

Demonic hellfire danced over Akata's body like they were robes in the wind. The eerie and nightmarish aura they gave off, put wariness in Mindlife's and Peizhi Xuiying's hearts.

The gazes the two of them looked at Akata and Swordlife with were filled with admiration and anticipation. They admired the strength the two of them could display this early on in cultivation, yet, that didn’t let them forget that they too would reach this level soon.

The two fighters didn’t look like disciples anymore, instead they resembled a sword that commanded the power of blood and a flame demon that had the power to move the clouds. Their power broke the earth and shook the skies. It was truly a world shaking battle.

Akata held a scythe in his hands as he swung about. Each wave was filled with his Stormvine Amalgam power and demonic hellfire.  Even though his weapon of choice was a scythe, he still strode forth valiantly and didn’t shrink back at all. He met each clash head on.

Even with that being the case, however, the sword was considered the number one offensive weapon for a reason. Not to mention it was in the hands of someone who devoted his life to learning the sword all this time. So even though Akata was giving it his all, he couldn’t match the ferocity of Swordlife for an extended period of time. Gradually, Akata had to defend more and more and found less time to counterattack.

Akata’s face gradually changed as his thoughts spun. ‘The scythe is definitely not suited to one on one matches, especially if the opponent is an expert of the sword. His comprehension of the blood element is outstanding as well. It’s like he’s mastered the essence of blood and can use it perfectly with his sword. In terms of comprehension level, only my soul element can possibly match his level. Akata felt a headache coming on. At the end of the day, his knowledge was just insufficient. If he knew more about the soul, or scythe, or his runes, he could possibly use more tactics in battle that could help him win. But alas, he didn’t have that knowledge.

Demonic smoke arose around Akata’s figure as he used his Demonic Wraith technique. In Akata's hands, this technique became like a mini barrier. Anyone who entered the smoke barrier's range would be subject to it's abilities. He caused hallucinations to attack Swordlife’s mind and he used his invisibility to counterattack. His intangibility wouldn’t be able to work because Swordlife’s attacks were too strong. The only useful thing he could use his intangibility for would be passing through walls or floors.

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“What kind of technique is this? If I get too close to him I'll start hallucinating and seeing illusions. And that is just his natural barrier, he can also turn invisible and become intangible. Luckily my senses can lock onto his aura and my strength makes it so his intangibility is useless against me.”

Although Swordlife was shocked he was still able to push back Akata repeatedly without much effort.

“My hallucinations aren't effective against him at all.” Akata was greatly shocked. He figured that since his soul strength was so powerful that he would be able to disrupt Swordlife a bit with his Demonic Wraith techniques. The Demonic Wraith techniques relied on soul power to grow stronger, so the stronger your soul the more powerful the abilities became. But since it wasn't working, that meant that Swordlife's soul strength was either at Akata’s level or even greater.

Akata sucked in a cold breath. Even his specialty was countered perfectly by Swordlife. If even his soul strength couldn't prevail over Swordlife, then there was only one end left.

But Akata was unreconciled. Of course he could use his Kudzu Vines to fight back, but he didn't have full control over it and he didn't want to risk harming anyone.

'(•_•#) Hmm how could I forget about…' Akata calmed himself down and focused his mind. He held up his scythe while soul energy seemingly gathered at a slow pace.

Suddenly, Swordlife smiled. His smile showed his confidence and bashfulness. “Akata, while you’re very strong and unmatched at your cultivation level. I was already one level higher than you. At that level I was capable of killing Second Rank cultivators. Now that I increased my own cultivation to the Second Rank, First Rank cultivators are practically nothing to me. I’m not trying to boast, I just want you to realize the truth so you won’t feel too dejected once you lose.”

Akata could tell how sincere Swordlife was being, and he himself knew that he wasn’t a match for him either, but he just couldn’t find it in himself to stop fighting. He felt that he had somewhat of a chance in winning and he was going to keep on trying until that chance disappeared from view. He didn’t know what that chance was but he was going to fight until he found it.

Swordlife saw the determination in Akata’s eyes and he let out an inward sigh. ‘It seems that I have to let my actions speak. I somewhat knew that my words would only drive him to strive harder for victory.” He shook his head. Right after, his eyes became sharp like a falcons. His aura rose sharply as he held his sword in his hand. With a sharp but accurate pierce the sword shot towards Akata’s chest.

Bang!

Surprisingly, the blade didn’t penetrate into his chest. A circular formation appeared at the tip that acted like a barrier. That barrier struck Akata square on and made him shoot away like an arrow.

Bang!

Akata crashed through the ground. He slid across for a few meters before finally stopping and laying face down. The soul energy he was conjuring up dispersed immediately. The hellfire that surrounded his body was instantly extinguished. His Forsaken Form lost power and he returned back to normal. 

Swordlife retracted his sword and let out a breath. As he did, his hair and body returned back to normal, along with his cultivation. He looked toward Akata with a special gaze, others would only see sympathy, but only he knew exactly what was going through his mind.

“He lost…” Peizhi Xiuying had a dejected appearance as she spoke softly.

“It's to be expected. Swordlife is already capable of killing Second Rank cultivators even though he’s still at the First Rank. When he uses his abilities to increase his cultivation to the Second Rank, it'll be impossible for a First Rank cultivator to beat him. Akata already did amazing for lasting as long as he did. At least I can say I wouldn't even be able to fight back.”

Although Akata was able to defeat the fairy, Lelilio Pu’ Pei, who was at the Second Rank, he still struggled immensely. If it wasn't for the fact that Lelilio Pu’ Pei was an injured fairy at the First Grade and that his life draining techniques didn't work on Akata, he would have definitely won. This could be seen by how much the user leaders were beaten senseless by him.

Even though Akata's strength increased since then, so did Swordlife's. Swordlife was already capable of killing Second Rank cultivators with ease. He didn't even have to increase his own cultivation to do so. Swordlife was pretty much unparalleled in the First Rank.

Sand moved about as Akata got up from the ground. He wasn't injured during Swordlife's attack, just pushed back with tremendous force. But that force allowed him to realize the gap between their strengths. It was a strength that couldn't be shaken no matter what he did.

After patting off the dust on his clothes, Akata looked in Swordlife's direction. He took a deep breath and walked up to him.

“Your strength greatly surpasses mine right now.” Akata said seriously. Then he gave a large smile. “But that's only for now hehe. Just wait, I'll catch up and surpass you soon.” Akata held up his fist toward Swordlife.

Swordlife inwardly gave a sigh of relief. He was afraid that Akata would be distraught after losing and that his future prospects would go out the window. But who would've thought that his mind was actually so broad that a loss wouldn't affect him. Instead it would push him to strive harder and gain more strength.

With a raise of his own fist, Swordlife and Akata bumped fists together and smiled. By this point, no words were needed between the two. They knew that a rivalry had started but they also knew they would still be friends no matter what.