*Puchi!*

Cheyenne blocked all the slashes coming from Jake….all except the main one, which she failed to see at all.

The attack left a deep cut in her skin that froze her blood and slowed her healing factor, massively injuring her in the process.

After the attack, Jake appeared ten feet(10ft) away from Cheyenne and watched her reactions diligently.

His attack had been a sort of experiment, and judging by Cheyenne's pain-ridden expression, it worked.

Prior to their battle, Jake had had some spare time to think of his weak points. He realized that he fell short when it came to the manipulation of elements.

The amount of time he has used an element in a fight was non-existent. This might not seem bad at first, but one had to consider that the attack power of every upper cultivation realm shifts away from physical attacks to energy attacks.

As he got stronger, he would meet people that have a strong defense, just like Cheyenne.

So, in his spare time, Jake had started experimenting with his elements; Ice and Lightning.

Due to the winter season, it became easier to wield the [Ice Element], so Jake focused only on that.

He was sure that he was in possession of multiple techniques relating to the element, but he had to start from the basic, using the natural applications of the element.

The first thing he learned was to encase his sword with ice. This would enable his sword to be sharper, and deal additional damage to his opponent.

However, what he liked the most was the influence of his elements on his opponent's wounds. His [Ice Sword] froze his blood through the open injuries!

This could be seen as Cheyenne had to charge her body with [Spirit Essence] before the freezing could spread further.

'Hmmm…..spread further...' Jake hummed as he got an idea.

He dropped one knee on the snow-covered ground and pressed his two palms on it.

Channeling his element, Jake spread a wide sheet of ice, using the snow as a material.

It changed the battle stage for the both of them as now their surrounding had an ice floor and they would need to skate to continue fighting.

However, as Jake had the [Ice Element], he would be better in the modified environment.

After that, he looked at the grey lines that connected him and Cheyenne and fiddled with it, disappearing from his position again.

The moment he got closer to Cheyenne, the lines vibrated, informing him of a possible attack.

As he knew what might happen, Jake ended his run, stopping in his tracks just as he was about to attack.

He already knew that Cheyenne had attained this mystical state, which would mean she could also predict an attack. Therefore, she decided to counter-attack.

Proceeding, Cheyenne formed multiple hand signs as her hands shone with a blue light.

When her energy was at its peak, she silently shouted, "[Wind Spears]!"

Behind her multiple spear-like constructs appeared, shooting at Jake with great speed the moment she pointed her hand at him.

This was the attack that Jake had been warned about. So, he was prepared to take it.

Watching them all dash at him in his black and white world, Jake observed the different grey lines that connected both of them together.

His mind operated at an insane speed as he tried to comprehend the formation of the attacks.

Before the first [Wind Spear] could attack him, Jake used the pointed part of his sword to pierce the spear.

He didn't need to look up to know that the other [Wind Spear] was about to rain on him.

Hence Jake pierced through their formation and performed a rotating slash that cut apart anything within his vicinity.

After he was done, Jake sensed a presence above him but couldn't react in time.

He felt an invisible weight press on him, shackling his body to the icy ground.

*Dun!*

Bending to the pressure, Jake's face followed his body and slammed on the ice.

He didn't need to turn his head to understand that it was Cheyenne's mysterious technique's effect at work.

However, he already knew how to deal with it.

Following his thoughts, blue light overflowed from his body with a subtle ferocity.

Jake stacked up all his energy to burst at a temporary impossible speed.

*Zoom!*

It didn't take long for Jake to free himself as he headed Cheyenne's way.

Less than one second, he appeared in front of her, slashing his sword down, enough to cut all things.

However, Cheyenne beat him to the chase.

He had no idea when she did it, but instantly he felt a threatening presence looming over him.

Jake couldn't help looking up....and he saw it.

It was a claw…..no, an eagle claw! descending down at him with a speed far faster than Jake's base speed.

The claw was encompassing and big enough to clutch Jake like he was just a side dinner.

Knowing he couldn't afford to take the attack, Jake dropped his previous plans and ran away, as his life depended on it.

Wherever he went, destruction followed as the claw chased him fervently.

Trees, rocks, ice, snow, every single thing fell to the strength of both forces.

It didn't take long for them to level the entire surrounding, making it seem like an actual arena.

While running in circles, Jake kept glancing behind him to check on the status of the claw.

'Now!' he shouted at himself.

With great fluidity, he twisted his body backward while dashing and swept his sword at the coming claw, generating enough force to dissect a building.

As soon as the two attacks met, it blew Jake away and released a shockwave that would forever make the spot barren, barren of leaves and plant life.

Coughing, Jake stood up from the hole he was buried in and checked around him.

Though he didn't see anything, he rolled away from his spot, just in time as a blitz stomped on his previous location.

He didn't give up and swept the feet of Cheyenne just before she could recollect her thoughts.

Yet, he didn't let her decide the tempo anymore.

Using the advantage that he had gotten himself, Jake ruthlessly kicked Cheyenne before she could touch the barren ground.

He calculated her trajectory and appeared right there, entering a stance to deal with the final attack.

However, Cheyenne was obviously not going out easily.

She woke up from her stupor and, within five feet(5fts) from Jake, Cheyenne shouted, "[Wind Spear]!"

Following her declaration, a burst of wind collected in the air rapidly to form the familiar wind spears.

They drifted to Jake and almost caught him off guard if not for his state of mind's ability to sense.

He nimbly evaded all the spears, but, when he was done, Cheyenne was nowhere to be found.

This did not make him sad.

Instead, his eyes glinted sharply as he had observed something peculiar from Cheyenne, "...Strong. Abnormally stronger at every clash!"