*CLANG*

Bai Qi parried Fu Guo's sheathed sword an inch from his side and sidestepped to the right, discharging the energy from the attack.

*Shhr*

Bai Qi's sword almost slid on the sheath, playing on Fu Guo's momentary distraction.

But Fu Guo would not have reached such mastery on the sword path if he would open himself so dumbly. With a motion of his wrist, the still sheathed blade turned, slowing down Bai Qi's sword, and interposing the guard of his sword for a last-moment block.

*CLANG*

The previous exchange was merely the last of nearly a hundred similar ones between the two combatants. Both had received several light wounds, but otherwise, they appeared evenly matched. Yet, both knew that their respective opponent was still holding back.

In Bai Qi's case, he wasn't even close to using his maximum prowess, hardly utilizing the strength, speed, and aura of a 4th-level Warrior Lord. The opportunity to have such nearly-even combat was rare for him. For that reason, he limited himself to what Fu Guo was showing.

As for Fu Guo, it was hard to say why he had not gone all-out. After all, while his control over the sword intent was one of a master, with even the sheath being a threat like a real sword, using a blade or not was an enormous difference.

Nevertheless, both Bai Qi and Fu Guo were definitively enjoying their combat. One that had been going for a long time. After all, the other three stages had finished not one cup of tea ago!

And while neither of the two sword daoists, definitively being such, cared about it, their combat had attracted a lot of attention. Not only the public present, but the arena managers and masters eyes followed each of their constant exchanges. Though one would find that the managers' reasons were not so much of interest but worry about the duration. Worry translated into the question if Bai Qi and Fu Guo fought for hours, and it looked like it could be like that, then maybe the other three stages should continue normally?

"It will not be the first time we have to change the procedure." The main manager waved his hand, stopping the discussion of the several subordinates around him.

"But lord, if we go with that method, would it not mean we're giving special status to this duel?" One of them, an experienced arbiter, asked in a low voice while nodding towards the 2nd floor.

"Mmm, I know that we usually use the smaller gongs procedure for when an arena master takes the stage, but we will not sound the main one for this pair, so there is nothing special. Merely, we will act to prevent a stop, as we should." The head of the managers explained before nodding towards one of the nearby servants, "Bring out the three small gongs."

***

With all attention on the combat, it was the main topic of discussion as well. The general public talks, most being either non-cultivators or low-level fighters themselves, did not contain anything interesting. In fact, one could say that it was rare for any of the talkers to show an understanding of the actual deepness of the exchange.

The number of true experts in this arena was small, though the odd few were still present. Some of them as escorts of one of the combatants, others to scout out a prospective disciple or recruit someone for a task. But different from the low-level observers, they did feel that Bai Qi and Fu Guo both were holding back. Knowing how much exactly was impossible, the reasons were also a mystery, but it did not change the fact that some were already taking sides.

"Fu Guo has not once in his thirty-two victories showed so much as now, so I am doubtful he's hiding a lot more. The two-colored boy is far more mysterious. He is matching Fu Guo with absolute ease. My bet is on him." A middle-aged 2nd level Warrior King explained his point of view to a similar-cultivation woman sitting on the same balcony.

"So you say, Pei Shang, but as I see it, Fu Guo is the one that's holding back more. It was his sword release to draw the first blood of the combat." The woman argued back, paused for a moment, and added, "Plus, he has not used the sword yet, only fighting with sword intent."

"I will not say you're wrong about the wound, as I saw it myself. Still, this Bai Qi responded by inflicting one in turn and did so flawlessly." The man nodded, paused while concentrating on an unexpected attack of Bai Qi's that left yet another small wound on Fu Guo, and then added in a tone colored by confidence, "And I don't believe Fu Guo's sword will change a thing. If he could use it well, he would have done so by now. Bai Qi is ahead of him by at least two attacks."

*Don*

The main gong resonated and drew everyone's attention toward the center of the arena.

"To avoid stopping all activity until our two brave fighters conclude, it has been decided to enact the small gong rule. Combat in each stage will start as soon as possible, without waiting for the others." The elderly manager announced, then pointed to the mentioned gongs, now placed near the southern side of each stage.

After waiting for a few breaths, the manager declared the names of the following fighters and the stages where they would fight.

{What a shame! I was hoping to keep observing Bai Qi's combat!} Fan Jia lamented via a qi transmission addressed to Chun Hua. The latter did not answer but did slightly nod as their eyes met. Both of them would fight in this next round. Thankfully, it was not against each other, though Bai Qi had already discussed that such could happen and advised them to fight earnestly in such a case, "How will you grow if you don't fight strong opponents? And you both are strong!"

While the battles at all the arenas started at dawn, it wasn't required to come at a determined hour to participate. One could arrive whenever one wanted, and if the sun had not set, then one would be able to register.

The ones raring for battle would still come early, along with the ones that expected to get enough points. Still, there were always new arrivals to the city or cultivators that had lost track of time while training, resting, or otherwise passing the time.

Two cultivators, close friends, even though they had met only a few weeks ago, arrived and registered in the arena just a few moments before the small-gong announcement happened.

Xun Gengxin, a rogue cultivator from the [Great Forest Region] that had trained on his own for several years, and Ye Yijun, a member of a 4th-tier power of the same region called [Fanged God Sect].

Their meeting could be treated as a common occurrence in the cultivator world, with the 3rd level Warrior Lord Xun Gengxin noticing, approaching, and joining the fight between the 2nd level Warrior Lord Ye Yijun and a man-eating [Shanxiao]. And by saving the latter in the wilderness near [Suipian Cheng], then choosing to travel together as their destination was the same, a rogue and a power cultivator became acquainted.

A journey between a young man and a young woman rarely would lead to only a superficial friendship. And indeed, they both grew close. Not to a point where one could call them anything but friends, but the Martial Path pairs rarely were based on feelings separated from strength or gratitude.

"1st Stage, Fan Jia versus Ye Yijun.

...

4th stage, Chun Hua versus Xun Gengxin."

Hearing the announcement and then the equal odds of 1 to 1 for both cases, the tall, short-haired, skinny, and overly pale Xun Gengxin smiled to his companion, "It seems that we will both fight now. I hoped we could continue to observe the duel on the 3rd stage, but we are here to prove ourselves, aren't we?"

"Indeed we are. I pray for your good luck." Ye Yijun was nearly two heads lower than her savior, with long brown hair and dark skin, but somehow as they smiled at each other, they looked as one whole.

"I do so as well. Not that I believe you will require it." Xun Gengxin responded in kind before slightly bowing and making his way towards the 4th stage, where a tall woman with half of her face hidden by a hood had ascended right after the announcement.

***

Ye Yijun and Fan Jia ascended the stage at the same time. Since the previous battle, where she had revealed her face, Fan Jia did not put the hood back on, and as the gamblers, followed by the public, had dubbed it, it was indeed a showdown between beauties.

It could also be treated as a match of opposites, with Ye Yijun being dark-skinned and brown-haired while her opponent was pale as the snow and her head adorned by a crown of nearly pure gold hair.

And calling them opposites probably was right, as even their weapons, Fan Jia's thin sword, and Ye Yijun's broad-edge spear, were nothing alike. Not to mention the unresolved by the heavens even dilemma of what weapon was the king of the battlefield.

"Ye Yijun, [Fanged God Sect], Senior Inner Disciple." The dark-skinned girl, just a couple of years older than Fan Jia, saluted with her weapon.

"Fan Jia, ro... no, follower." Fan Jia was about to introduce herself as a rogue cultivator, but she stopped, then chose the title that she considered correct. After all, she was now a follower of Bai Qi, and who cared what status he had right now? He's a man destined for greatness, and she would follow him on that path.

"Unn." Ye Yijun nodded, her hair cascading in front of her because of the movement, "Let the best one win." She followed right after, using her free right hand to move the hair back.

"Certainly." Fan Jia flashed a genuine smile in response to the correct, respectful, and somewhat formal manner of her opponent.

*Don*

Before the small gong sound died off, both opponents dashed towards the stage's center, planning to meet in direct combat. This latter wasn't Fan Jia's strong point, but after seeing Bai Qi's sword mastery, she understood that it wasn't just techniques and skills that she lacked. No, she lacked actual action. A fighting manner where she would be using her resources one after another and training them all under pressure.

***

Chun Hua jumped on the stage as soon as she heard the announcement, while Xun Gengxin did so at the last moment, practically as the lesser manager near the gong was preparing to shout out a forfeit.

Neither was keen for introductions, so nothing was said, both remaining silent since their ascent.

*Don*

Even after the small gong sound died off, neither Chun Hua nor Xun Gengxin moved. The former, slowly and stealthily operating the void, preparing several [Corridors] for whatever would happen. As for the rogue 3rd level Warrior Lord, he simply stood there, sending a half-dull gaze on Chun Hua, his hands resting on the hilt and scabbard of a short saber, as if he planned to allow his opponent to have the first movement...