*Clang*

*Thump*

*Swoosh*

*Ding*

Yuwen Hanying could not understand what happened to what she considered her assured win, not as her attack was blocked, not when another of Bai Qi's kicks sent her flying, and neither did she when crossing the stage's formations as she flew out of it.

It was when she landed in the hands of her oldest brother, who rushed to catch her before she crashed against the floor, that she did understand,

***

The events happened so quickly that it wasn't just Yuwen Hanying who failed to understand them. But the present experts weren't few, and none had any doubt. Bai Qi won, and he did so faultlessly.

Yuwen Hanying's usage of a [Binding Light] talisman meant to seal one's senses and disorient, coupled with a [Senseless Vapor] one with a similar effect but created to enter the body through wounds and pores in place of the eyes, while bordering the rules, was still a valid strategy. And honestly, it was a combination that no Warrior Lord could endure. Thus, it was unsurprising that Bai Qi fell under the effect of both, as while his Soul and Mind were more advanced, his senses were hardly at the maximum of his current cultivation.

But it was an error to consider that a cultivator, especially one following a weapon path, depended solely on the primary six senses. The 7th sense could not be affected by such talismans. And while considered more akin to intuition and premonition than to an actual way to sense the surroundings, any true weapon master would connect it to his weapon of choice, thus creating something that was considered awareness by the blade in the case of a sword or saber user.

Bai Qi hadn't been using the sword as his principal weapon, yet, he was bordering the 4th step by now. As for Yuwen Hanying, she had stepped on that level of mastery, but her path was shallow. In such conditions, Bai Qi's sword intent wasn't any lesser than hers, and he felt her sword the same as his own.

As soon as he concentrated on sensing the intent, he had no trouble locating Yuwen Hanying and feeling the attack she was preparing. Without delaying further, he launched forwards, his sword aimed at the guard of hers, and as he gained a brief moment before her trump card could overpower his sword and fall upon him, he kicked her with all the strength he could muster, sending her out of the stage.

"Winner, Bai Qi!" Yi Bingweng's announcement came with a notable delay, with Yuwen Hanying already standing on her own, outside the stage. After giving some time for his words to sink, the head manager of the lowest-tier arena continued, "Talismans are not prohibited, but it would be unfair to force Bai Qi to continue his fights under their effect. Thus! Under Lord Yi's approval, the acceptant can use a cleansing talisman before his next combat starts."

"Understood." Bai Qi half bowed towards the direction he felt Yi Bingweng speaking from and quickly summoned such a talisman. He could purge the effects with his own qi and mindpower, but using a talisman would not affect his reserves and, at the same time, give him a short respite to check on his condition.

"Fifth round, rank 17 of the Earthen Lord Ranking Board, [Mortal Fang]." After making sure that Bai Qi didn't do anything visible except for the activation of the allowed talisman, Yi Bingwen declared the next combat.

*Clack* *Clack* *Clack*

Claws scraping against stone, the [Sun Howler] Saint Beast nicknamed [Mortal Fang] slowly ascended unto the stage.

During the few moments that followed the ascent of the beast and the announcement of the battle start, Bai Qi examined his new opponent.

Sun Howlers were a mysterious and uncommon race. Six feet tall between ground and shoulder blades, over ten feet long without the striped, tiger-like tail, they were imposing as few. They bore a resemblance to dogs, although their race was more known for the vast lion-like mane, the striped tiger-like tail, and the durable scales along their powerful legs. With a bloodline related to both Kirins and Tigers, they were equally intelligent as they were powerful. Because of this, many temples considered this race divine protectors. Other temples called them messengers of the heavens, and some even hailed the [Sun Howlers] as emissaries of the [Star Lord of the Solar Palace].

"Human boy, you seem unfazed in my presence, almost as if you have met my kin several times before." The beast thundered, not in the common tongue, but the beast one. It felt that Bai Qi would understand, even though it was rare for the cultivator below the Saint realm to show such a feat.

"It is so, [Dog of the Sun], although not in my current life." Using the growling and hissing tongue of beasts wasn't so comfortable for a human cultivator, yet Bai Qi had no issue with it. And aware of the code of conduct of such races, he didn't need to hide information he would not reveal to a fellow cultivator.

"A human that speaks our tongue is surprising by itself. But I feel the smell of the man-beasts from you, one of the sacred beasts, and a..?" The [Sun Howler], or their self-chosen title [Dog of the Sun], sniffed and even moved closer as its golden eyes looked directly at Bai Qi's ones.

"That latter, I would prefer to avoid." Bai Qi lightly smiled as he interrupted in common. It was rare for someone to know the beast tongue, but who knew? Painting a target over his back by disclosing something like having an authentic demon essence wouldn't be wise.

"Then, let us fight, and if our trust grows, I would be very interested in knowing more, especially about how the smell of my race's forefather comes from someone like you." [Mortal Fang] concluded in beast tongue before turning towards Yi Bingwen and growling in a rumbling common, "You can announce the start."

*Cough* Yi Bingwen cleared his throat and did as told. It wasn't as if he was scared of a 1st level Saint Beast, but [Mortal Fang] wasn't a mere beast. It was the youngest of the [Howling King] brood, and the latter was a peak Saint Beast, one that could easily face off against Half Saints, a level of cultivation so high that [Pride Island] had never been visited by one, never! How [Mortal Fang] ended fighting in the arenas was a mystery to everyone, except to the late Lord of [Zhihoadao] and maybe his two sons.

***

A fight against a beast rarely involved deceit or tricks, at least on the beast's part. Bai Qi didn't shy from such direct combat either. And honestly, it was a welcome change. One that made him recall the spars with the Beastmen. And not only in the straightforward fighting manner but also in power.

[Mortal Fang] was only an upper-tier 1st level Saint Beast, something comparable to a 3rd level Warrior Lord, yet, he was far above such comparisons.

Bai Qi chose to fight weaponless, but he could only equal the power and Yang affinity of the [Dog of the Sun] when going full-strength. Thus he ended summoning the [Ghostflame], covering his arms and legs in armor-shaped, Yin element flames. In response, [Mortal Fang] howled, and his sandy fur and fiery mane began sparkling with gold and white, releasing a blinding, Sun-like blaze that gathered around his claws.

It was a grand conflict between two opposites, Light and Darkness, Yang and Yin, Beast and Man. Claws and fire, fire and claws, each of the opponents trying to wound their peer in the rawest of battles.

***

"I can not help but think, is there a path that this Bai Qi has not tried to trod? Claw, finger, fist, spear, sword, throwing weapons, flames of both mundane and spiritual source, and that was what has been revealed only in five encounters!" Usually silent, one of Lord Yi's Warrior King guards couldn't hold back and exclaimed.

"Hahaha!" Lord Yi, overhearing the muttering that started after the exclamation, laughed out loud, and as the eyes of everyone on the balcony centered on him, he spoke up, "Tried? You are mistaken, Qigang. Very mistaken."

"My Lord?" Yi Qigang was one of the youngest Warrior Kings in the City's forces, but he never considered himself inexperienced. Yet, as his liege spoke, he had to wonder if it was so.

"First, you overlook the advances in aura and qi he has shown. Speaking the beast tongue is also impressive, although we can attribute that to living among the beastmen." Lord Yi's gaze landed on the carnage on the stage, and now following how white and black flames consumed each other, he continued, "And secondly, that young boy has not tried to tread on the paths. He actually made advances on each. His sword, spear, saber, and everything else was nearly the level of all his opponents, and let's not forget they are the elite of the entire region's beginner Warrior Lords."

"And such a genius is a rogue without a power behind? Or at least a master of high standing? I can not believe it." Yi Min, the guard commander of [Zhihoadao], muttered as the Lord concluded.

"Neither can I, but if he has no intention to announce anything, we can't possibly force him to do so, can we?" Yi Lao quietly spoke back, indicating that he also believed Bai Qi to be more than he said. The City Lord also chose to suggest caution. If the backer or backers are of such stature, then how could the 3rd-tier power of theirs risk and provoke them?

"I see, so that's why the Lord decided to offer him help against the [Shimmering Earth] vice sectmaster?" Yi Min cautiously asked.

"Refused help, but one that I will still provide. I will not hide that I am interested in getting that powerful master or power to know of it, but that trash acting with impunity in my City is already far above the limit I would tolerate in any case." By the end of his words, Lord Yi's voice showed contained fury, and Yi Min slightly shivered, perfectly aware of how high the price would be for anyone who enraged her liege.

***

*Drip* *Drip*

The Yang flames of the [Sun Howler] died off along the [Ghostflame] of Bai Qi's, neutralizing each other and now entirely spent. Blood dripped from both man and beast as they each took a few steps back, breaking the carnage that had ensued since the battle-starting bell.

Scrapes, cuts, bruises, claw marks, both Bai Qi and [Mortal Fang] counted a lot of them. Both also were breathing heavily, but none was ready to give up. The wounds weren't serious, as neither had tried to really wound their opponent, but now, with the last embers of their respective element flames perishing, it was time to finish the combat.

"It was enjoyable, but we should finish. Who is the strongest, your cultivation or my bloodline?" Rousing the qi inside his core, the [Dog of the Sun] growled, although a few people would find the barks accompanying the words more akin to laughter than something menacing.

"Agreed. A good battle should conclude with a good show-off." While he spent more qi and aura than he planned and entirely consumed his [Ghostflame] reserves, Bai Qi didn't regret the fight.

"Then prepare yourself, human friend!" [Mortal Fang] qi exploded out of his body, blood-spotted fur standing and raising his eyes to see the sun. Then, he howled in beast tongue, "I call upon you, Sun!"

Feeling the increasing pressure from the beast in front, Bai Qi braced himself. The bloodline abilities of a [Dog of the Sun] were limited to physical strength, but while under the sun, it could not only use extreme Yang flames but also release a howl very similar to the Ruler of the Beasts, the [White Tiger], unique roar. And judging from the actions of his opponent, it was about to be released.

[Mortal Fang] head abruptly lowered, his eyes blazing golden and looking directly at Bai Qi. A breath later, it howled, releasing a visible wave of pure power, with hints both of tiger and kirin, "AWOOO!"

Bai Qi could have braced against the attack as planned, but he felt how the seed planted by the [White Tiger] spirit during Bai Rui's and Bai Ze's awakening grew agitated.

*ROAR*

Bai Qi had surprised everyone during the fights several times by now. Yet, as he, a human cultivator, roared, aura surging, and the phantom image of a [White Tiger] standing behind him, no one didn't at least gasp.

"The Roar of the Ruler-" His attack dispersed as if didn't even exist, all of his self shivering, his core suppressed, [Mortal Fang] could only drop to the floor, acknowledging defeat, both in action as he did it verbally, "-I surrender."