The [Master of Everything, Ruler of Nothing] set, or better said, its cultivation method had been both a blessing and a curse. At least in Bai Qi's opinion. But he was grateful for the requirements it had given him for the Sage realm. What others would consider insane, such as a peak Warrior Lord strength, speed, and qi pool, Bai Qi thought of them as fascinating.

And he had achieved the three of them, proof being his current 4th level of the Sage realm. And although it did not mean that he would equal a genuine peak Warrior Lord, it did allow him now to feel almost equal to the Saint Beast attacking him.

On this note, Bai Qi decided to release each of the limits he had placed on himself to avoid problems. Being recruited by a power wasn't part of his plans, as it was neither to make possible enemies aware of his true prowess.

But here? In a battle against a Saint Beast on the very end of the plane? He had nothing to hide. So knowing that he could not stop her from attacking, Bai Qi decided to treat this battle as training.

___________________________________________________________________

*Swoosh* *Swoosh*

By concentrating on his physical speed and inner qi flow, Bai Qi avoided several lunges without using his movement technique.

She growled with a hint of surprise but did not stop. In place, she pounced again, this time with a qi fluctuation visible beneath her feet.

"So now you intend to use qi? Good!" Bai Qi shrugged and avoided the attack with the same ease.

*Swoosh*

From the side, it could appear as if he was floating out of harm's way, but in truth, it was just a mix of quick reflexes and timed jumps. In truth, the beast girl, as her aura showed she was young, wasn't slower than Bai Qi. She probably was even slightly faster. But all of her attacks after the first surprise one were direct, allowing him to determine the trajectory.

But obviously, such a thing would not work for long. Beastmen were essentially Saint Beasts, and not only because of their spirit cores. The instincts and reactions, as well the conduct of the beast from which their bloodline came, were always present.

Bai Qi was aware of that, and so when the beast girl stopped before her next attack, he knew that something different would follow.

Her aura assumed the form of several rings around both her arms and legs. She crouched, placing both of her palms on the ground, then tensed her entire body.

Bai Qi felt he would not avoid her pounce as the previous ones. Thus he slightly lowered himself as well, assuming a combat stance.

A few moments passed before she launched without any warning. Bai Qi's senses were outstanding, but they were still limited by his cultivation level. Thus, even with all of them concentrated on her, he failed to determine her speed. And only his reactions, which were already comparable to a true Warrior Emperor, saved him from the attack.

*Swoosh* *Slash*

He avoided an extended claw that almost materialized from thin air and immediately sent a punch of his own. But she was neither slow nor unexperienced, and so avoided it with the same ease as he had done previously.

A short exchange followed as she flew by him, but none of Bai Qi's attacks touched her. He had also avoided hers, so it could be said to be a draw, but... < I did not see her coming. And then she was without any footing and still managed to dodge. Just how quick is she at the moment? At what level are her reflexes?> Others could feel differently, but Bai Qi felt even more interested now.

Just as she landed, Bai Qi was already rushing towards her, intending to find out the answers to his questions.

She did not avoid him, on the contrary, she welcomed his approach with a light grunt, and they met in a flurry of claws, punches, and kicks. Bai Qi had to use every ounce of his senses, instincts, and speed to equal her in the state she was, and even so, he felt that it wasn't enough.

*Tear*

Bai Qi's sleeve was torn apart suddenly by one of her quick swipes. He had managed to move his arm out of harm's way, but he had still been slightly too slow.

*Plop*

Bai Qi lightly hit her extended claw with the back of his palm and using the slight opening immediately tried to land a punch on her torso. But she impossibly bent her body, avoiding his attack and counterattacking on her own.

*Tear*

The claw almost reached the neck again, but he slightly moved back. Thus it ended up only tearing Bai Qi's collar. Still, this time, she made the mistake of continuing the attack, and Bai Qi managed to catch her wrist with his right hand.

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

Right as he felt his grip was secure, he immediately pivoted his body, making her slide on the ground around himself.

Using her lack of balance and the circling motion, Bai Qi landed a heavy, qi-infused kick on her side while letting her go.

*Smash*

The entire region was densely forested, and even though the location of their fight could not be called a forest, it still had several trees present.

*Crash*

One of which was on the way Bai Qi had sent her flying, and she crashed against it. But even if she practically broke the several dozens of years old tree in half, it took her only a moment to be back on her feet. Not that it was surprising, considering her level and the protective effects of the aura.

"I like introductions while fighting, so why not do it now? My name is Wu Guang. Mind telling me yours?" Bai Qi had long thought about what name to use for this region, and so, decided to simply use his previous one. Even if questions arose later, he could say that it was a fake name to avoid carrying problems from Shuomen. Or something like that.

"Human, you are strong, so you deserve to know it. I am called Bai Ze. And I will defeat you!" For some reason, she took it like a challenge, as she declared her name while spreading her arms to the sides and activating her aura. The previous rings dispersed, and now the aura assumed the form of two enormous claws.

"Bai Ze, huh? A nice name" A slight grin crossed Bai Qi's face, and he decided to play the same game.

He partially disrobed, letting the upper robes fall to his waist, and slightly raised his arms while calling for the 'Green Demon Claw' to cover both of his forearms.

As both completed their preparations, they launched against each other. Bai Qi preferred to either taunt or fight silently. This time he decided for the latter, considering that there was no need to offend someone who probably wasn't even an enemy. As for Bai Ze, this time, she started with a roar! *Hou*

***

Saint Beasts had control over their aura, but they still could not use their inner qi for anything except physical improvement or innate abilities. So even though Bai Ze was using something that resembled a martial skill, the claws were a simple aura shape. Even the previous rings had been just a way to add pressure to her extremities, allowing her to surpass her physical speed.

But Bai Qi's claws were different. They were a genuine Martial Skill. Formed by his aura from surrounding qi and controlled with his inner qi. They were not only more resistant but also increased his power.

And the first clash showed the difference. Their strength was more-or-less equal, but the 'Green Demon Claw' effortlessly overcame the tiger-like claws of Bai Ze.

*Slash* *Slash*

Still, a battle was only partially decided by techniques and skills, with the speed, reaction, and even cultivation holding greater importance. So while Bai Qi had no issue dealing with the attacks he could block, it was meaningless if he could not.

*Slash* *Slash*

Upward, downward, from the sides, crossed... Two pairs of claws, one green and armored while the other whiteish and beastly, danced a savage dance. Still, neither of the sides had managed to land even a single glancing hit in over a hundred movements.

Bai Ze wasn't an easy opponent by far. Her movements and swipes were extremely unpredictable. But Bai Qi's experience, senses, and reactions were far above his level, and thus he held his ground. Still, he felt that at some point Bai Ze would gain an advantage thanks to her speed. He thought while settling on a risky but probably only realistic way of reaching her.

For a couple of minutes more, both of them continued their dance with no changes. Still, it was clear that both were preparing for something. And while Bai Qi planned to create an opening by opening himself for a hit, Bai Ze's plan was very different.

Bai Ze's arms suddenly spread, almost as if inviting Bai Qi to attack, but he saw that something was wrong and preferred to slightly open distance in turn.

And it was a wise choice, one that saved him from the wind blades that her claws abruptly released.

*Swoosh* *Swoosh*

Bai Qi dodged them with ease but felt it wasn't the end. And again, he was right, as she launched herself in a wild spin, intending to utilize the small opening.

Bai Qi inwardly exclaimed and met the spinning Bai Ze left claw with his right one, forcefully breaking her spin. And allowing a small opening for her to swipe at him with her free claw.

*Swipe* *Slash* *Stab*

But as her claw left a bloody line on Bai Qi's chest, the latter's attack also reached her. Bai Qi had chosen to open himself to use his martial skill effect of qi poison. He suspected that her skin would be very tough. Not only from her inner qi but also from the small cover of aura she had on. So in place of swiping at her, he clenched the claw into a fist and stabbed at her left forearm with his index finger only. Thus, transferring all the power from both qi and skill into it this stab.

*Drip* *Drip*

Blood dripped from both wounds, and no one could say if it was anything but another draw. No one, except Bai Qi.

"Bai Ze, it's my win. At least this time" He lightly smiled as the poison began invading her body. A 1st level Saint Beast could shrug off a Sage realm qi easily, but Bai Qi had infused it not only with qi but also his maximum possible soul power.

"Grrrr, poison?!" She angrily snarled as both of them backed away.

"Well, you left me no choice. I can not best you in physical combat, and I truly don't intend to kill you either" Bai Qi shrugged.

"Disgraceful, but what I should have expected from a human?" She snarled again. But then her fur suddenly stood up, and several black markings appeared on the pristine light brown as she roared, "But don't think it will save you!"

Bai Qi indeed did not expect such a turn of events. He felt how the soul power and the qi he had infused via the wound was almost instantly expelled. But that instant still allowed him to react and jump back, opening just enough distance to avoid the wind blades her claws released, again.

Bai Qi had a lot of means at his disposal, and the exchange had proved that he was almost equal to her in basic combat. That meant that his skills would be useful as well, but...

"Bai Ze! Why are you fighting inside the pack's territory?!" An angry shout interrupted their battle.

And while Bai Qi reacted calmly, weighing the options in his mind, Bai Ze's reaction was far different.

Her aura instantly disappeared, along with the black lines on her fur. She even shivered, and while her eyes darted from side to side, her ears went almost flat against her skull.

"Don't give me the scared cat act. Explain yourself!" The angry voice got closer, and Bai Qi managed to see its owner.

Seven feet tall, similar characteristics to Bai Ze but with a darker fur, definitively older but not for much. Bai Qi wondered while dispelling his skill as well, but without dropping his guard yet.