Chapter 13

Nathan no longer recognized where he stood. The world around him faded to black and white, with Xander as the sole ink-blot in the panorama. His senses narrowed and recalibrated, responding only to the opponent before him. He could even faintly see the outline of the invisible spear created by Intent.

Alaric, who had been motionless until now, suddenly leaned forward.

"No way," his voice genuinely surprised.

"Hard to believe, but still impossible, right?" Esme continued. "Weapon-related Intents are the most common form."

"Indeed, another good seed. You'll have to compete properly with me!"

"Fools, Alaric is talking about that weak brat," Darkan snorted contemptuously.

The other elders, about to object, fell silent. The disciple's state seemed... peculiar.

"What is it?" Esme frowned, asking. "Some kind of trick?"

"No," Darkan said irritably. "You won't believe it, but the boy's state is even rarer than Spear Intent."

The other elders immediately snorted in disdain. As if they were idiots. Only Alaric nodded, seeming to approve. This made everyone focus again.

The spectating disciples, including Zeryn, had no clue about Nathan's state or what he possessed. From the outside, Nathan wasn't even in a fighting stance, his back hunched, head tilted, mouth grinning like a madman.

Just when they thought he had lost his mind due to the power difference, he lunged forward.

Xander was slightly surprised by Nathan's recklessness. He swung his spear, its tip gleaming in the afternoon sunlight. This time, he extended the invisible part of his spear to half the length of the physical shaft.

Nathan jumped, his body flipping upside down in the air, dodging the horizontal slash. But what surprised everyone was how he pressed his finger down on mid-air, using the force to propel himself forward. The entire spear was forced down, stabbing into the stone floor of the arena.

Xander was stunned, his mind uncomprehending. Intent could interact with Intent, like Sword Intent clashing with Spear Intent. But in the reverse case, ordinary people without external mana shouldn't be able to touch this invisible weapon. Yet the disciple with the ecstatic smile shooting towards him could do it.

It wasn't just Xander who was surprised, but Zeryn too. He stood up abruptly, his eyes filled with shock. His hands trembled not from fear, but excitement.

"Nate has Intent too?" he said aloud.

A disciple who heard this blinked rapidly, quickly posting a question on the forum. Many replies confirmed the same thing. Only those with Intent could touch the invisible spear.

"These short-sighted disciples," Darkan shook his head.

The other elders, for once, had to agree with him. What Nathan displayed wasn't Intent; he didn't create an invisible hand or sword. He simply manipulated energy through ambient mana and the mana in his body. This technique required a high understanding of martial arts and the ability to finely adjust one's body, so almost no one really tried to achieve it. Why waste time on this? But information about this skill had existed since ancient times, when the cultivation world was just forming, and there was no clear cultivation system. Their reasoning was simple: if you can't project mana according to your imagination, why not establish a channel connecting the body's mana with the outside to increase damage? This technique was successful in creating a generation that focused solely on establishing this connection until the Age of Knowledge came, completely changing the cultivation system in a superior direction.

The one taking the hits on the field without understanding was Xander, struggling to cope. Nathan once again closed the distance. But this time, Xander truly couldn't block his opponent. Somehow, all attacks were magnified, giving the sensation that the punches were striking from a distance. Xander saw Nathan pointing his finger at his head. Though calculating the distance, the fingertip wouldn't reach, instinct forced him to tilt his head to avoid. As a result, a line was cut through his shortened hair, his scalp still feeling a cold breeze sweep past. This applied to all attacks, making it very difficult for him to handle. They weren't too strong but enough to disrupt his rhythm.

Nathan seemed possessed, his mind like a machine dedicating all resources to run a single program. The techniques that seemed superior before now became even more perfect. Even the one-inch punch became fluid. Speed and damage were finely adjusted according to the situation. Sometimes striking the shoulder to restrict Xander's spear movement, sometimes increasing strength to hit the bicep, causing his opponent's thrust to overshoot. Though invisible, the damage from Spear Intent had physical effects. So he continued to silence his opponent by using the iron back of his glove to deflect the sharp edge of the invisible spear. The sound of metal clashing and sparks flying in mid-air illuminated Xander's bewildered face.

How? Xander looked at Nathan, utterly confused.

Sword or Spear Intent was terrifying precisely because it was hard to predict and could penetrate normal defenses, as when Nathan first took a hit, unable to block. The solution to this problem was for cultivators to project mana shields or use defensive items with mana circulation to block this type of attack. Similarly with weapons, most Tier 2 types could engage with Intent. Therefore, when fighting Spear Intent at Tier 1, one had to aim at the physical spear in the opponent's hand. So how on earth was Nathan acting as if he could project mana?

Sadly, even the owner of these actions was blind to what was happening. He was operating purely on instinct, as if his body possessed prior experience. [Martial Art Mastery] level 2 was a skill for Tier 2, but Nathan's level wasn't sufficient to fully utilize it. But calling it 'Mastery' had its reasons. Nathan's movements looked like Tier 2 but weren't actually. He operated mana in a specific pattern on the back of his hand, creating a wave that synchronized the mana inside his body with the mana in the air, forming a thin defensive membrane, thus blocking Spear Intent from causing damage. Of course, this method was very difficult and quite taxing on the mind. A moment of inattention would result in immediate dismemberment. Not to mention, the amount of mana coordinated was very thin. If not, everyone could breathe air to level up. In ancient times when mana hadn't been absorbed so extremely and ambient mana was dense, this fighting style could be said to be the pinnacle, only possessed and operated fluently by masters.

Xander gradually felt a bit irritated, a rare occurrence for him. To practice Spear Intent, he always had to remain calm and composed. So even in battle with his opponent penetrating his weapon, he didn't lose his steadiness. Remembering Gideon's condition, he vaguely guessed what was happening. With a roar, he planted the spear's tail on the ground, using the Intent dispersion technique, causing the air to explode in front, pushing his opponent back. All uncomfortable feelings in his mind immediately dissipated. He advanced, thrusting forward, with greater determination and focus.

Although in the Zone, Nathan couldn't neutralize the attack Xander launched. When he dodged the sharp tip of the spear head, both sides of his body were cut and bleeding. The wound, deep to the bone, made him pause in pain. The state of high concentration was almost dispelled. Closing his eyes for a moment. When they opened, his fighting spirit was still intense and undiminished.

Smirking, Xander twirled his spear to regain strength. He still didn't dare use the previous technique much, as it required significant mental activity. If he could reach the final step of Tier 1 according to the Novem Nexus Path, the cultivation point at the crown of the head, he might be able to use it more easily. But for now, he had to use it carefully. For the moment, he planned to use the Three Invisible Spears technique once more while his opponent was still trying to cope.

Nathan glided, his entire body relaxed. His eyeballs darted about, examining every movement of his opponent. When the two clashed again, he tried to disarm. But Xander was prepared, constantly using his feet to move, dodging and swinging the spear, forcing Nathan to evade. He seemed to forget the blood flowing from his two side wounds caused by the two invisible spear tips. The pain was nothing but fuel for him. When Xander raised his spear high to swing down, Nathan observed the change in his pupils, the wrinkling of his nose, the motion of grinding teeth. He chose not to avoid the middle spear, as he had guessed his opponent would use the ultimate technique of two invisible spears on both sides again.

Xander was momentarily surprised by Nathan's head-on confrontation. Unable to stop, he put all his weight into swinging the spear shaft in his hand down. The invisible spear energy on the right grazed Nathan's shoulder, only cutting off a bit of fabric from his shirt. But the main spear and the left spear energy had been blocked. He blinked, looking at his opponent. Nathan was blocking the two invisible spear tips with his fingers. More accurately, at a distance from his fingers, as if two iron bars were blocking them.

Again, that strange mana control skill, Xander silently marveled.

Being slashed down to the point of kneeling, Nathan used the momentum to spin with his knee and toes, his hands twirling in a circle.

For the first time since the beginning, Xander was wounded. Two parallel cuts on his chest and abdomen made him stagger backward. The blood seeping out reddened his gray shirt.

Nathan bounced on his feet to regain his posture, his index and middle fingers still pinched together. Around them was the image of distorted air, with faint blue light swirling.

"What the hell, didn't someone just say the elder said he didn't have Intent? Then what's that?" disciples in the stands were in an uproar.

"You dare doubt the elder, you've got guts!"

"That's not Intent, you idiot! You can still see it materialize on his hand!"

People gradually realized this. But it raised the question: isn't Tier 1 unable to project mana? Ignoring the puzzled disciples, the elders didn't bother to care. They were paying attention to how Nathan could synchronize so proficiently with ambient mana, as if communicating through his body. This ancient form of combat had lost its cultivation method. Yet an unknown disciple before today could use it as skillfully as a master. But their interest only extended to seeing something unprecedented. From Tier 3 onwards, a cultivator's self-generated mana was no longer an issue, relying on ambient mana was no different from gilding the lily.

"Good, very good!" Darkan clapped, shouting loudly. Only this inner sect elder maintained his interest in Nathan.

No one around responded to him. But that didn't stop Darkan's smile.

Taking a deep breath, Xander regained his composure. No matter what new techniques his opponent might unleash, he could face them. It's alright. His will was second to none. If Keira could be reckless, so could he.

Both frantically attacked each other from all angles, sometimes from above, sometimes from below. Xander's swings and thrusts became increasingly accurate, trying to keep up with his opponent's chaotic rhythm. Nathan, limited by his cultivation, could only inflict shallow wounds despite being able to cause damage. Xander skillfully avoided vital spots. Nathan let [Titan's Descendant] operate at full capacity, ready to trade hits. Xander's invisible spear tips gradually changed, fine-tuning and transforming, sometimes short to conserve energy, sometimes long when forcing his opponent into a position where they had to block rather than run. Nathan's two fingers were replaced by all his fingers, as if each finger had a knife attached, repeatedly carving bloody red lines on Xander's body.

The arena floor around them was like tofu, sliced to pieces. Xander's spear thrusts even caused it to crack. The air only resonated with whistling winds, the fluttering of clothes and droplets of blood falling, the ear-piercing sound of collisions.

The stands watched breathlessly, instinctively keeping silent for fear that noise would break the concentration of the two disciples on the field. The two of them were like dancers performing their final show. Their movements were exquisite, passionate, intoxicated to the point of not wanting to stop, only wanting to forever admire.

When once again having to receive the pitch-black spear shaft, Nathan smiled. He seemed to be pressing a sword against the wooden spear shaft with his fingers. From that position, he slid down to his opponent's hand.

Xander released his left hand near Nathan, intending to use his right hand to pull the spear back, but Nathan suddenly loosened his hand to grab the spear shaft, his other hand diving down. Before he could react, his right wrist was seized by his opponent, and Xander felt something was wrong. Immediately after, he only felt a searing pain as his wrist was twisted, forcing him to let go. A foot landed squarely on his chest, pushing him far back. He heard the sound of the spear falling nearby on the ground.

Nathan had achieved his goal. He had dealt with the most troublesome thing on the field. Spear Intent had no place to manifest now.

Xander, kneeling and coughing hoarsely from the kick to his chest, clenched his fists as he stood up. He felt utterly humiliated for dropping his weapon. But with absolute determination, he suppressed the sea of chaotic emotions within him. Recalling the hours of training, the reminders for the honor of the family lineage, for a better future. He had come very far, obtaining Intent to make a name alongside the inner sect star Zeryn. Without the spear, he could still fight with his whole body.

Another collision. This time, Nathan was the one pressuring Xander. Without the presence and threat of the spear, Nathan seemed liberated. He deployed surprising, swift, and exquisite martial arts moves. They were so graceful and perfect that everyone had to admire. His hands flexibly changed into various forms as needed, palms causing his opponent to lose balance, punches making him dizzy, fingers cutting his skin like knife wounds, one-knuckle fists depriving him of agility by striking acupoints.

Xander's entire body felt like it was on fire. Every time he wanted to move, he encountered great resistance. He truly admired Nathan's mastery. Each attack was extremely precise and diverse. If not for the level difference, Xander would have collapsed long ago. His more abundant mana allowed him to distribute energy for defense. When a knuckle struck the inside of his elbow, the mana moving to that area significantly limited the damage to the tendon, allowing him to continue. As a spear user, hand-to-hand combat like this wasn't his forte. But what he was seeking was a breakthrough, and his instinct told him he was very close.

The stands erupted with Nathan's rise. The underdog was making people change their perspective.

"Don't tell me Xander will lose. Heavens, Phase 2.6 in the finals!"

"If that happens, it'll be the shortest and most boring final to watch."

"Why?"

"Didn't you study theory? How can someone who hasn't cultivated the Nexus points in their head protect their mind against a mana Aspect heavy on mentality like Illusion? Not everyone is Zahra, you know."

"True. So Xander should still be the one to advance to the finals. Cheer!"

Xander's name gradually began to be chanted. Nathan, being in a state of blocking everything out, with only his opponent in his eyes, didn't hear it to become discouraged. He didn't hear, didn't understand, didn't care. But his opponent seemed to be responding to that call.

Xander's aura suddenly changed, his eyes becoming bright, his eyebrows raised as if he had understood something. Brushing off his opponent's hand, he jumped back to create distance. Raising his index and middle fingers like Nathan was doing, he looked at them as if he had found a treasure. Without a spear, he could use his body to fight. Without a spear, he would turn his body into a spear. Excitement surged within him, his blood flowing faster, his heart beating rapidly like a drum. He lowered himself, his right hand with fingertips forming the shape of a spear tip, his body straight like a spear shaft, his other hand extended straight like the spear tail.

"Genius," Esme smiled, unable to hide her admiration.

"Indeed," Alaric nodded in agreement. "To have such enlightenment during battle, truly a child with immense potential."

"To be fair, that Xander kid should thank Nathan."

"They're developing together. Well, that Zeryn kid needs to reconsider his attitude and train properly."

The mentioned person sneezed. Zeryn widened his eyes, not knowing what to say about Xander's state. It was the next layer of weapon Intent form. Turning the body into a sword. Or turning the body into a spear. He himself hadn't achieved this despite having a specific direction. Xander was just scratching the surface. But because he was in an enlightened state while competing with his opponent, he could realize it from Nathan's fighting style. A style that everyone could see him morphing from various animals to someone wielding all types of weapons.

Reminding himself to interact with Nathan more frequently, Zeryn refocused on the arena.

With a new power flowing through his body, Xander found a newfound joy and determination. No longer wary of his opponent, he lunged forward. Imagining he was still holding the spear, his Intent returned to action. It projected like Nathan was controlling his sword fingers. Invisible slashes flew from his fingertips. And notably, they were even stronger than before, causing the mana structure Nathan created in the shape of a sword to waver. A few times it was cut through.

A diagonal gash from chest downward sprayed a red rain obscuring Nathan's eyes. He staggered backward, the pain dragging his mind into a sluggish state. [Into the Zone] gradually lost its effect. But it hadn't disappeared completely. Trying to cling to the fleeting effect, he ignored his wound, gritting his teeth as the stinging and shock when moving reverberated throughout his body. His hands morphed into a shield and sword to attack.

Xander, having just realized this technique, was still clumsy. Sometimes he could use it smoothly, other times he was just swiping his fingers like a clown in front of his opponent. But he understood he could utilize his current state of deep comprehension to trial and error. Success would lead to understanding. Failure would lead to correction. Taking advantage of his opponent's accumulating wounds, his two hands alternately used Spear Intent. Sparks flew frantically between the two.

Xander thrust forward, piercing his opponent's shoulder. Nathan responded by swinging his leg up as he fell, his toes covered with a sharp layer, stabbing into his enemy's back. Xander wavered but, unfazed, spread his arms straight and spun, the sharp tip tearing Nathan's cheek, the spear tail smashing into his chest and sending him flying. Nathan desperately spread his hand to let the Spear Intent pierce through, using his strength to tightly grasp his opponent's hand, his other hand turning into a claw using all his force and the effects of his passive skills, making Xander cough blood. Xander roared, swinging his arm up, the three invisible spear tips technique appearing, creating three long bloody streaks on his opponent's body.

"They've gone mad!" spectators had to squint, not daring to look directly.

"Even crazier than Keira's match!"

"But similar in that both have grown stronger compared to their previous fights. Truly, combat is the fastest way to progress!"

Impressed by Nathan's performance, his name also began to be chanted, but not as loudly as Xander's.

[Into the Zone] of [Martial Art Mastery] had ended.

The mental burden of blood loss and pain was too great to maintain high clarity and focus. His body slumped, before his eyes was only a shade of red. Red of blood, pale red of clothes, orange-red of the setting sunlight.

It hurts so much!

He wanted to give up. It had never been this terrible before. Even though [Self Emotional Support] continuously activated, giving him words of encouragement. Just a little more. He could do it. He was so close. Top 2 was right in front of him.

But the most important thing still propping him up was an unwillingness deep in his heart. He was naive about this world but he wasn't stupid. The elders still looked down on him, the disciples all had negative evaluations. He didn't need PsiLink to know these things. He was still standing here because he wanted to send a message, wanted to punch those people in the face. Even if it was just a fleeting moment of brilliance like a firefly in the night. He had a long road ahead, so this couldn't be the stopping point. Nathan Reed wasn't just a great Tier 1, but more than that.

Seeing the battered figure attack once again, Xander felt a bit scared. An intelligent enemy isn't dangerous because they will retreat when the situation is unfavorable. But a deranged person with nothing to lose is truly frightening. They won't stop until they're completely broken. Xander sluggishly received the equally slowed attacks from his opponent. Both were on the brink of mental collapse, just using the last bit of their breath to encourage themselves. To see who would snap the rubber band that had been stretched to its limit first.

Nathan, having lost the [Into the Zone] state, also put his body on autopilot. He attacked and attacked again, received wounds and more wounds. The pain couldn't get any worse, but fighting still brought his opponent closer to the brink of collapse. Before his eyes was only a point of light in the sky, blood had flowed all over from his forehead to his face. He clung to it while his ears still heard his opponent's movements, his hands still punching, his feet still moving.

Finally, the battle of will produced a loser. Xander Caldoran froze in his thrusting position, his eyes white. Nathan's hand was pointing at his opponent's neck.

Using his weak vision, Nathan looked up searching for Elder Marcus's figure. His voice whispered like a demon drenched in red.

"Did I win? He doesn't seem to move."

Marcus snapped back to reality. He couldn't believe what was unfolding before his eyes. From a match that seemed to start easily for the outer sect genius, to a grueling battle, then ending with a test of who had the stronger will. And Nathan had won by a hair's breadth in such a tenacious manner.

"The winner! Nathan Reed!"

For some reason, to Nathan, the sky he saw seemed to be getting further away despite being the victor. That hole was gradually covered by blood spurting from the corner of his eye, shrouding everything in a completely red veil.

As if he knew, those he defeated today would rise stronger tomorrow, pushing him further away.

Today's glory was as fragile as his final will at this moment. Broken and sending him into darkness.