“Akata! Is that you? I missed you so much!” A soft and familiar voice filled Akata ears. Before he could turn around to see the familiar face, she was already within his arms hugging him.

Akata’s heart fluttered briefly but then calmed down as he hugged her back. “Peizhi Xiuying. I missed you too.” The last time he had saw her was when she was lifeless in his arms and he was carrying her back to the sect. It had been a huge blow to his heart and mind.

After he had found out that she was alive, he wanted to see her as soon as possible. But then he got punished and was sent away from the sect for two months and once he got back he had to go through a series of trials in order to even reach where she was.

But all of that was at the back of Akata’s mind however, as he simply embraced her. All that mattered most was that she was alright and well.

After a long moment they finally separated and looked at each other thoughtfully. Peizhi Xiuying looked up at Akata and said, “You’ve gotten taller.”

“And you’ve gotten stronger.” Akata said with a smile. “You’ve already reached the 8th Grade of the Mortal Rank. Not only that but…” Akata started to talk quieter. “Your plant seems much stronger as well. It’s already above the 8th Grade as well.”

Peizhi Xiuying’s eyes went wide with shock. She hadn’t even showed or talked about her plant, yet Akata was able to sense its presence and general strength? That wouldn’t really had shocked her by itself but the fact that she hadn’t used her plant in battle or showed it to anybody for the past two months was what made her mind reel.

She pulled Akata over to the side and whispered, “How’d you know that? I haven’t told anybody about my plant’s strength and I haven’t brought it out to show you?” She was desperately curious. If Akata had found out then how many others have as well?

“I can just sense it that’s all. I actually train in nature energy and it let’s me feel closer to all nature especially plants.” Akata said honestly. “I don’t really know how to explain it really. After these two months I came into a bit of luck that’s all.” Of course Akata wouldn’t let his secret of having a plant cultivation base loose.

Peizhi Xiuying gave him a deep look then let out a relaxing breath. “Well if it’s like that.” She sighed. She had wanted to surprise Akata with it but it was no use now. “Well just don’t let anybody know about it.”

“Of course! I would never let people know the trump cards and secrets of my friends.” Akata laughed. Peizhi Xiuying laughed as well.

After a bit of talking and catching up on old times and recent ones, Akata asked, “So what happened to you after I returned you to the sect?”

“I’m not sure myself. I just kind of woke up in a weak state. I was recuperating and after I was all healed up I was perfectly fine, actually a bit stronger. Then the sect started to change a lot and I rose up quite fast now here I am. That’s just putting it shortly, however.” She said indifferently.

Akata looked baffled and dumbstruck. He was absolutely positive back then that Peizhi Xiuying had surely died. Not that he was wishing death upon her but, how could he mistake a dead person?

“Well on to other things. What is this floor? It’s a lot different from the first two. Even getting in here was different.” Akata asked while looking around.

“Oh. The first two floors focus on enlightenment of the legacy you were given when you walked in. To access the third floor you have to fight with yourself. The only real way to beat yourself is to use the enlightenment that you gained.

The fake copy of yourself is made from how you were before enlightenment, which means that you need a higher enlightenment to beat it. If your enlightenment isn’t enough then either time will run out and you lose or you get defeated. Once you injure it you would have successfully ‘beaten’ it. If you don’t beat it then you get kicked back down to the second floor where you have to be enlightened again.

Only when you’re strong enough to beat yourself can you get to the third and final floor. This floor lets you battle yourself in a safe environment. By sitting on the bed you can go back to that place where you battle yourself to constantly improve yourself. You can test out tactics, improve abilities, work on defensive strategies and much more. And it really helps that you battle yourself so that you basically learn twice as fast.

Not only that but all of this happens in seemingly no time at all. The battle between yourself might last an entire day but in the real world it could be an hour. This is simply too useful. The amount of improvement that could happen is too exciting.” Peizhi Xiuying nearly cried out.

Jiandan Fuza looked over and gave a snort. “Humph. You’re talking about improvement but you aren’t even talking about the true functions of these beds. They don’t only let you battle yourself but also others who sit on the beds. To battle yourself is good but to battle others is what matters most. But you have never wanted to battle me.” A wicked smile flashed across his face. “I wonder why that is.”

Peizhi Xiuying’s face became cold as she looked over at Jiandan Fuza. “I never wanted to battle you simply because you’re no match for me. Not only that, why would I ever want to spar with you and let you see my techniques?” She scoffed at him.

“Hahaha. You keep saying that but I don’t believe it at all. You’re a trifling 8th Grade cultivator with a few secrets that all. Although you may be the second strongest disciple in this sect, you’re definitely not a match for me.” Jiandan Fuza smiled.

“Humph.” Peizhi Xiuying snorted coldly and simply looked away, paying no further attention to Jiandan Fuza. “Well anyways, that’s how the third floor is. The more people that make it up here the better it gets actually. I believe given enough time, Pulong Chu should be here soon.” Peizhi Xiuying walked toward the bed that she had been on and sat down in the middle of it. “Care to have a battle with me?” She asked calmly but the expectancy in her eyes were obvious.

Akata couldn’t help but laugh as he said, “Sure, why not?” He made his way over to a bed that was beside Peizhi Xiuying’s. The bed was was completely white, save for the golden covers on top and the gold trimmings around it. Even the wood that it was sitting on was a majestic white. As soon as he sat on it, Akata could feel the sensation of being calm.

It was extremely comfortable and it made him naturally calm. He looked over to Peizhi Xiuying and saw that she was sitting cross legged and waiting for him to be ready. He smiled and then looked over to see Jiandan Fuza sitting cross legged as well with his eyes closed. He was clearly in a battle with himself already.

“When you’re ready just connect our minds together and we should mentally warp to another place to have our battle.” Peizhi Xiuying said calmly while she closed her eyes.

Akata followed her lead and also closed his eyes. It made the bed seem softer and more comfortable and he became much more calm as well. His calm mind soon drifted about as if he were dreaming. He thought of Peizhi Xiuying and soon an image of her sitting cross legged across from him appeared. He tried to interact with it and soon he could feel a connection to her. He could also feel that she had a connection with him.

The two seemed to have one mind and that one mind drifted through who knows where and ended up at a place. Akata opened his eyes to see himself on a coastline and out stretched a vast blue ocean. It was evening and the sky looked like a warm orange color. Akata could feel the sand under him and could smell the fresh sea breeze.

He looked across the beach to see Peizhi Xiuying looking at him. She smiled and said, “When you’re battling you can imagine any place and you’ll end up there. This is one of my favorite places to go and train. Are you ready?”

“Yeah I’m ready” Akata laughed. The sounds of waves crashing against the shore rang in his ears. They looked at each other and then began to move forward with shocking speed.

Clash!