*Slash* *Swoosh*
Lei Guiying failed to overwhelm Bai Qi with a mere show of intent, so he gathered a part of it around his sword and released it with a powerful slash. Midway, the intent-imbued crescent-shaped attack changed into a ten-foot-tall image of the broad sword in his hands, continuing its flight towards Bai Qi at a slow but majestic pace, pressuring the latter with every inch it approached.
While others might have thought that Bai Qi's spear intent release was of the same strength as Lei Guiying's sword, he knew it wasn't even close. Bai Qi's control over every part of his body and his past cultivation had always been the reason for his overwhelming victories. But controlling his intent down to strands thinner than a hair was far different from clashing against a far stronger weapon intent openly, as he was about to do.
Still, despite the danger, Bai Qi stood firmly on the ground, his eyes fixed on the ten-foot-tall image of the broad sword flying towards him at a deliberately slow pace. He could feel the immense pressure of the sword intent emanating from the image, and he knew that this clash would be far harder than any of his late encounters.
*BOOM*
The two weapon intents collided with a deafening bang, sending shockwaves rippling through the air. Bai Qi felt the pressure of the sword intent bearing down on him, threatening to overwhelm him with its sheer power as it forced Bai Qi's spearpoint back. He gritted his teeth and poured all his willpower into controlling his spear intent, but the strain was almost too much for him to bear.
*Rip* *Rip* *Rip*
As the conflict between opposing weapon intents continued, Bai Qi could feel his body pushed to its limits. Countless small wounds appeared on his arms and legs, caused by the sheer force and sharpness of Lei Guiying's sword mastery. But despite the pain, he refused to yield, pushing his spear forward with all his might.
His thoughts giving him a new push, Bai Qi sliced through the sword image, shattering it into a thousand shimmering fragments. The remaining energy dissipated harmlessly into the air, leaving Bai Qi standing tall, even if slightly bloodied and panting, but still with the looks of someone far from losing.
"Impressive! But, there is more from where that came!" Inwardly, Lei Guiying was no less surprised than any of the observers, as during the clash itself, it became apparent Bai Qi's spear was far from equal to the [White Grove] renowned genius swordmaster. But as it would turn out, Bai Qi was far from done surprising him.
***
Bai Qi would crash through three more attacks as the previous, each time adding to the strain on his body and mind. Bloodied so much that it appeared every inch of Bai Qi's skin had been cut, slashed, ripped, or scratched, he continued standing in the same spot he had retreated before the clash of intents.
But no matter how impressive was Bai Qi's resilience and mastery, it was clear to anyone that his spear intent was nearly spent. From a wave of it by the clash to a ragged aura-like cover by now. And even that remaining spear intent was barely noticeable from outside the stage.
Lei Guiying had also burned through an enormous amount of intent, having spent far more than Bai Qi. But with the quantity difference from a step and half difference, he still had over half of his initial sword intent surrounding him. Thus, while his words would be first of congratulation, Lei Guiying would offer Bai Qi to surrender, considering that there was no reason to continue the exchange.
"I have done well? Surrender? I think you are mistaking something!" But Bai Qi was quick to turn down the honest praise and offer, suddenly launching forward, his remaining spear intent gathering on the tip of the bamboo spear.
Lei Guiying stepped back, surprised by the sudden change in Bai Qi's demeanor. Bai Qi was on the offensive, and that's after barely managing to hold against Lei Guiying's attacks!
Surprised or not, Lei Guiying responded quickly, gathering his own weapon intent and shaping it into a powerful wave of sword energy that he launched towards Bai Qi. But this time, it wasn't the impressive attack from before, but a bare, uncontrolled mass of sword intent, something for what Bai Qi was ready and had planned for.
*Clang*
With a swift movement of his spear, Bai Qi deflected the energy wave, sending it harmlessly into the air as if he had not suffered under the same power just moments before.
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Lei Guiying was experienced and talented enough to not stop in shock, no matter what he thought. And he continued his assault, unleashing a barrage of sword strikes while stepping forward, intending to close distance in the case Bai Qi parried the released slashes.
And that indeed happened, Bai Qi's concentrated intent breaking through the slashes as if they were nothing.
*Clang* *Clang*
And once again, two weapons of strange quality clashed one against another. But different from before, it wouldn't be a long clash.
*Swoosh* *Thump*
With an impossibly quick feint, Bai Qi tricked Lei Guiying into going after the spear point but then suddenly rotated, the butt of the spear flying towards Lei Guiying's chest.
While Lei Guiying stumbled backward, clutching his chest in pain, he was far from defeated, but the change was definitely surprising. And even more shocking would be Bai Qi's next movement, which brought closure to this prolonged duel between weapon masters.
*Slash*
Swinging his spear from out range, Bai Qi's suddenly released an actual saber intent-infused slash, one that appeared none weaker than Lei Guiying's previous attacks.
Lei Guiying had been ready for any continuation of their duel. Any, but this. After all, how could one expect their opponent to use a different weapon intent without hinting about it until the attack was released?!
*Clang*
The hastily raised sword barely stopped the enormous slash.
*Rip* *Splatter* *Thump*
Although Bai Qi intended not to inflict any serious injuries, the combination of surprise and the force of his 4th level weapon intent against an unsuspecting opponent caused things to deviate from his plans. Lei Guiying took a few steps back and, clutching the enormous gash on his chest, fell onto the wooden floor of the [Petal Stage].
"Haa..." Breathing heavily, Bai Qi lowered his spear and surveyed the aftermath of the battle. He knew that he had gone over his limits and that any mistake could have cost him his life. Still, he had prevailed once again! He had managed to force himself to believe that the spear was no spear and released a good fifth of his total saber intent reserves in the span of a single breath!
Now, Bai Qi observed as his opponent, alive but heavily wounded, was surrounded by the faint glow of an active formation. A moment later, Lei Guiying was teleported out of the event's grounds, his [Holding Pouch] slowly floating towards Bai Qi, a connection forming between the container and the new owner of it.
In an atmosphere of absolute silence, not a single person of the observers finding themselves able to speak, Bai Qi's words resounded as thunder amid a clear sky, "Next!"
***
As Bai Qi had sensed since the start, the people to have sought trouble with him were far from renowned or experienced, at least not to the degree of being dangerous to him. And as Lei Guiying's body vanished from the stage and Bai Qi left the [Petal Stage], everyone but Go Fang approached and even attempted to make peace with him. But Bai Qi would have nothing of that.
Since the start, he had pushed the situation to end with a string of duels, and while Lei Guiying's unanticipated addition and strength had been unexpected, Bai Qi wasn't going to give up on the plan. Thus, he would recall all of their previous words. And by doing so, Bai Qi forced the duels to happen anyway.
Was it somewhat unfair? Many could say that it was. But still, did Bai Qi go and offend them before their accusations? Did he do anything dishonest or outright evil to them during the event or before? He had not. And so, no matter how overbearing his attitude was now, Bai Qi felt nothing about it. Neither did the [Delicate Forest Palace] elders hiddenly observing the situation development...
***
His first opponent was a tall, lean man dressed in the colors of the [White Grove] sect, wielding a long spear, while Bai Qi chose a one-handed saber. Meaning to finish the fight quickly, Bai Qi spent a few moments observing his opponent's movements, waiting for the right moment to strike. And then, with lightning speed, he moved in and delivered a quick succession of slashes, leaving the spearman disarmed and defeated. Bai Qi then allowed the man to activate the life-saving formation by himself, with this unexpected change to his image even earning a few congratulatory shouts from the observing participants.
Next, Bai Qi faced a woman who chose a thin sword. Despite her graceful movements and notable 3rd step skill in swordplay, she was no match for Bai Qi's saber technique and experience with the sword. Within moments, he had disarmed her and claimed victory without touching her body.
The third opponent was a burly man who favored the halberd. With a 2nd step on the path and towering a good two heads over Bai Qi, the [White Grove] disciple appeared to be a formidable opponent. However, Bai Qi calmly dodged his sweeping strikes, moving with light steps and casually swinging his saber. In less than ten breaths since they had met in close quarters, the halberd user fell to the ground with a wound on his waist, a testament to Bai Qi's superior skill.
The fourth opponent preferred the axe, and his muscular frame bulged as he swung it with all his might. But again, Bai Qi's incredible speed and reflexes proved too much for his opponent. The axe-wielder found himself forced to concede when Bai Qi's short saber threatened his neck. And that without their weapons even having touched once!
The fifth and final opponent would be a slim and agile girl who turned out to be a master of the staff. She moved with effortless grace and showed experience and mastery beyond her age. Bai Qi had to use nearly all his remaining saber technique to block the shower of quick, powerful thrusts she started the duel with. But in the end, Bai Qi emerged victorious, pressing his somewhat imperfect simple iron saber against her wrists, forcing her to surrender.
Now with seven [Holding Pouches] on himself, Bai Qi released the saber and jumped down from the stage before returning to it a moment later, his eyes landing on the absolutely silent Go Fang.
No matter how easy Bai Qi had made the last five duels appear, his exhaustion was visible. Coupled with the bloodied robes and still bleeding wounds obtained from the first, one could have expected Go Fang to actually be happy to be the last opponent of Bai Qi. After all, Bai Qi had already spent both weapon intents he had revealed until now, and he was definitively weary from the combats.
Yet, no matter how much Go Fang would like to believe these thoughts, he found himself unable to ascend the stage.