Kuang Jing's formed a seal, seemingly in preparation for a technique. Wu Guang did not know what technique would be used, but noticing that Kuang Jing tried to unnoticedly open more distance from the bandit concluded that it was something that would affect an area. Deciding that caution is always a good thing, Wu Guang mimicked Kuang Jing.

It turned to be right as before the bandit who was hard-pressed to observe both of them at the same time noticed something amiss Kuang Jing stomped and activated his technique.

This one was also one of the techniques that Wu Guang saw on the 2nd floor of the library and was part of the unique ones of the Sect, called 'Rock Spikes'. Qi was infused on the ground and then rocks would be propelled to rise with explosive strength to impale everything inside the area of effect. It was actually similar to the 'Rock Shield', barring the fact that the spikes would not be infused with qi.

As the rock spikes appeared they clashed with the air blades that were surrounding the bandit. But in the end, they were made of simple stone without a trace of qi and so their destruction was obvious. But even so, such an attack would make the 'Gale Armor' consume an enormous amount of qi and distract the user, which was Kuang Jing's real objective.

As the spikes called by the technique were being destroyed, Kuang Jing lunged with his sword extended towards the back of the momentarily distracted bandit. Wu Guang noticed this and internally thought that it was a stupid idea, after all, the wind was still present. Though he was mistaken, it turned out that Kuang Jing had a way to counteract the wind blades. He passed through the invisible zone they had been circling around by covering himself in a visible layer of qi. "If he had a defensive technique like this, why did he not attack right away? Can it be that it's too weak to resist anything apart of the wind blades?" With that questions appearing in his mind, Wu Guang maintained his position and continued observing. The bandit noticed the danger in time. Still, Kuang Jing's sword almost reached its objective, and so he was forced to evade the lunge by sidestepping.

Kuang Jing was a bit surprised by the fact his stealth attack was dodged. But did not lose his calm and unhesitantly attacked again. His opponent blocked the first swing with the mace and threw a kick in a counterattack, but missed. And so a close battle started, with hits, blocks, feints, and counterattacks being exchanged.

The situation turned into a duel and Wu Guang's was forgotten about. Before making himself remembered, Wu Guang took the chance and observed both of the fighters. Starting to act only after creating a plan. "Kuang Jing being a good swordsman is mostly true but his movements are too correct and lack the needed versatility. Against a normal disciple, this would be not an issue, but with an equal opponent, it's apparent. Probably he has only fought in duels and even if some were to the death, he never used anything except the school of the sword he is following. Hmm, the bandit on the other hand is exactly the opposite. Not only he is proficient with the weapon, but he is using all of his body to fight. This almost confirms he is indeed a bandit, such a manner of fighting in which anything goes is pretty normal for their kind. The only problem that I find with him is that he is too obsessed with defense. Not only he is armored, but even retracted the 'Gale Armor' to create a full defense. Adding the fact that he only counterattacks and has not attacked first... He is waiting for his opponent to tire out" With these conclusions about his opponents Wu Guang made up his mind and rushed into the battle.

He was noticed quickly, but in Wu Guang's opinion, their reaction came late. He was already a dozen steps away, and as he came from the side, both had to half-turn as to meet him. Maintaining the initiative was crucial for dealing with both stiff or defensive opponents and so Wu Guang launched a weapon towards each of them. Throwing his weapons towards the opponent was not a common strategy, but it was enough to distract them. Plus, both of them were covered in defense techniques and so only a qi technique would be useful against them. As he had none of such meant for weapons, then fighting barehanded would be the best way.

Kuang Jing easily swept out of the way the sword that was directed towards his head but before he could even react he was forced to step back to evade a punch covered in flames. The same happened to the bandit but his reaction was different, noticing the spear he jumped back a few feet and so the following up punch did not reach him anyway.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

And so the trio found themselves in a similar position as they started, albeit the distance was shortened and Wu Guang's hands and feet were covered in flames. Indicating that he was intending to fight in full strength.

***

Knowing that the bandit would most probably activate the offensive effect of the 'Gale Armour' if given chance, Wu Guang moved towards him. To avoid being attacked from behind, he opened more distance between himself and Kuang Jing. He wasn't afraid of meeting the latter in combat, but a qi-covered weapon attack from behind was not something he could accept without repercussions.

There was also the problem of Kuang Jing using this opportunity to step back and simply observe as Wu Guang did previously but the latter planned a way to counteract that if needed and so could concentrate his offensive on the other opponent.

As Wu Guang did not train any advanced close quarters manual even during his past life, he did not have much experience in fighting in such a manner. But the flames covering his punches and kicks made up for the lack of skill and so after a brief exchange, he managed to overwhelm the bandit, throwing the latter into full defense and not giving any window to counterattack. Punch followed after kick and kick followed after punch, Wu Guang combo was simple but he applied all his speed and strength to it, so defending against it was indeed difficult.

Such an onslaught was hard to stop without counterattacking, but that would mean to accept a pair of hits. His opponent seemingly did not want to and so was defending from all the attacks, even the ones that would not inflict him any damage. This was strange, but Wu Guang had no way to know the reasons for such conduct and so simply continued.

In truth most of the flames were negated by the protection of the 'Gale Armour' and even the strength behind would be partially cushioned to a level easily shrugged off by the armored parts. So it was really strange that the bandit did not try anything, simply defending and evading.

Kuang Jing was now the ignored one and mimicked Wu Guang. He stood still and observed for a few breaths. Luckily for Wu Guang, the former did not decide to wait for long, and in place was preparing to attack the latter uncovered back. Which was one of the parts of Wu Guang's plan.

When Kuang Jing moved behind him and assumed a position to attack. Wu Guang knew that the moment he was waiting arrived. And so when Kuang Jing lunged forward in the next moment, Wu Guang activated 'Rock Shield'. Normally a defensive technique like this would be used to defend or hide from one of the opponents, but in his plan, it was not so. The shield was meant to help him finish one of his opponents and the one he planned to finish first was Kuang Jing.

The rock slab emerged right below Wu Guang's feet. This came as a surprise to both of his opponents as he had not dispelled the flames around his feet at any point. On their level, no cultivator should be able to use more than technique requiring circulation at the same time. And it was indeed so, still, they did not know that Wu Guang had mastered the 'Rock Shield' past the advanced point. So did not require any preparation, calling it only by selecting a position and willing his qi. Even the stomp from 'Stomping the Hill' was not needed for the technique itself. And so the stomp was but a preparation for the next step, which was to use the slab as spring.

Kuang Jing reacted in time and stopped his sword in time. Still, he was distracted and so did not expect Wu Guang's attack from above. Kuang Jing was protected by a qi defensive technique but as Wu Guang had calculated it was fairly weak. In any case, it protected him from getting knocked out by the flame-covered kick he landed right as he appeared.

Still, the kick was enough to make Kuang Jing wobble. Not letting the latter recuperate, Wu Guang continued with a series of hits until his opponent fell unconscious. Thus eliminating him from the competition.

Wu Guang turned around expecting the bandit to have arrived by now. And he was surprised to find that the latter had not even moved, and seemingly had remained behind the wall. Deciding to capitalize on the fact that the latter did not see him at the moment, Wu Guang checked and replenished his flames. Only then, he dispelled 'Rock Shield'. And found out that his now last opponent had not moved at all.

"Thanks for waiting..." Not finding anything better to say, Wu Guang thanked as he rushed forwards.