Any random dude would have likely considered those to be the words of an arrogant prick. Jin did not. And the old man didn't say them with such intent. The reality was that this man spoke in such a way for two reasons. The first one was his confidence in his martial ats and Jin respected their worth enough to acknowledge that he could back up that confidence. The second reason was that the old man seemed truly disappointed. As a true warrior, like Jin, he hoped to face worthy foes. The old man thought he found one in Jin but was disappointed by their first clash.

Jin chuckled.

The old man might have been disappointed but he had been overjoyed. He didn't go at it with everything he had since he wanted to enjoy the arts of his opponent. Jin hadn't wanted things to end too early. Especially after witnessing the techniques used by the old man. He hoped to be enlightened during their battle and grasp even a little knowledge on them.

That being said, the old man wasn't aware of it. He felt like he overestimated his opponent and decided to end it. The Iron Sword Manifestation behind him began to light up even brighter while his own sword and the floating materialized sword began to blink furiously. It seemed like they were absorbing more and more power of will.

Jin wouldn't remain passive anymore. Since his opponent was going to go all-out, he would also do the same. Not only as a show of respect but because he had to in order to cope with what would hit him.

Back intime, during his training, he asked how he could use the gourd if he ever managed to get his hands on it. He was taught how to infuse spiritual energy into a treasure. It wasn't something as simple as Coating. It was the next step after that. It was named Coexistence. To make an external object part of yourself through the sharing of your spiritual energy. And from Coexistence, treasures would then be capable of showing their true worth. He learnt how to use with his spear, the very spear forged by Hae-Hyuk for him.

He didn't know why Hae-Hyuk didn't teach him how to do so since it didn't take that long to learn but he didn't delve on such a topic. Instead, he focused on learning the technique and apply it. The more successful he got, the more he understood why Hae-Hyuk didn't. The spear was a grade 6 treasure. It was extremely greedy in consumption. To the point that five minutes would be the maximum of time he could power it.

The real reason why Hae-Hyuk didn't teach him wasn't that however. It was because there were other things Jin needed to focus on. He wanted Jin to master the colorful spear techniques and the shape of will. Relying on items would only get someone this far. The true experts were those who knew how to fight. It took Jin a year to understand Coexistence. Would he have reached so far if he had been delayed for a year during his usual training? What's more, it only took so little time because he learnt how to use the 'corruption' in his arm first, familiarizing himself further with elemental manipulation.

Many thoughts fluttered in Jin's mind as he gazed at the brightening lights on the opponent's swords. Only for an instant however as he soon began to prepare his own move. Would five minutes be enough against such an opponent? No. Which meant that he would have to give up on fighting for five minutes. Instead, he would truly pour his all to fight at the top for a single minute.

He deactivated the flying spears and began to recreate them while making use of the Compressing and infusing his will and some corruption into it while he was at it. At the same time, his own spear began to brighten as the blades glowed a metallic gray shine. Then, wind and thunder began to revolve around the spear. Finally, he Coated it with Compressing, Will and Corruption.

Ten Compressed Corrupted Spears of Will and his physical weapon activated along with the many add-ons. He proceeded to use Fine Tuning throughout his body, without making use of Comprehension as he hadn't mastered it so far. He didn't want to blow himself up... And once ready, he rushed forward, spear in hands and others following in the air.

Around the same time, the old man grinned as he witnessed the change in his opponent. After living for two decades, beyond his lifespan, he didn't have many wishes. Only facing a powerful master could make his heart flutter. Right now, he was excited. Much more than against the golden tiger. Many times more than when he faced the boar.

He made his move.

Both contestants began to clash dozens of times in seconds with the clanking of weapons reverberating loudly in the cavern. The ground was being ravaged by the energies that went wild during the exchanges. Rocks of all sizes flew everywhere as dust filled the entire area. An average man would no longer have been able to see them in this mist of dust. The two of them relied on their eyesight techniques to see the other and their Domain to sense his movements.

The clash continued as violent surges of elements faced a powerful will. It was a high-speed battle that didn't leave anything to luck. A single mistake would cost either of them their life. Jin and the old man weren't using any supporting elements but they never felt so focused in their lives. A sword clashed with a spear and a spear collided with a sword. Slashes were defected, Stabs were redirected... Jin let himself go and used everything he had, even resorting to splurging the opponent with the corruption from his arm whenever there was an opportunity without caring about the low remaining 'mass' of it.

They were the only ones in the cavern but weren't the only ones focusing on their battle.