Chapter 217 - Ice vs. Fire (1/2)

”Let's move on to the next fight now. To take the field are Lang of the Beast Family of the Ice Wolf and Huli Xieren of the Huli Family.”

Since the previous fight ended in an immediate surrender, Song Yazhu went straight to the next fight. After all, the spectators had come purposely to witness the clashes between the younger generation's geniuses.

The two young women, hearing their names being called, began making their way to the fighting stage. Their determined gaze hinted that this time there would be no instant surrender but a heated confrontation.

Huli Xieren and Lang positioned themselves in the center of the fighting stage. Behind Lang, but off the stage, was Fenrir, looking proudly at her mistress. Unexpectedly, it seemed she had no intention of going up and fighting.

”Lang, as a beast tamer, you are allowed to use your spirit beast in this fight. If your wolf doesn't take the stage, I will consider it as your waiver of that right. Should your spirit beast take the stage during the fight, you will be instantly disqualified. Are you okay with this?” Song Yazhu asked, reminding the tournament rules.

”I'm fine with it. A beast tamer doesn't have to rely solely on their spirit beast. They must also be able to fight alone so as not to be a burden for the latter.” Lang answered firmly.

As a member of one of the Beast Families, Lang honored and eagerly followed the beast tamers' path. Therefore, she didn't mind giving up such an advantage in such an important tournament if it meant defending and showing her pride as a beast tamer.

”Alright. Then you give up your right. You can continue now. Let the fight begin! ” Song Yazhu proclaimed with a smile. As a martial artist who had earned her fame on the battlefield, Song Yazhu really liked people who spared no effort to improve themselves and their fighting skills.

Clink! Clink!

The two young fighters simultaneously drew their swords and pointed them at each other. Huli Xieren hadn't commented on Lang's decision or taken it badly. After all, Lang was already a strong opponent per se, so facing both Lang and Fenrir would be very difficult. Simultaneously, she knew that Lang's decision wasn't based on a contempt or superiority complex towards her but her honor as a beast tamer.

”Fire Law, Fire Sword.” Huli Xieren said as she waved her sword. Soon, red flames ignited on the sword, covering the blade.

”Ice Law, Ice Sword,” Lang responded with a similar but at the same time opposite technique. In fact, she covered her sword not with flames but with a thick layer of ice.

Peng!

The two young fighters moved in unison and made the blades of their swords collide. Thus, flames and ice flickers were created when the two swords came into contact.

Peng! Peng! Peng!

One sword stroke followed another. Both Huli Xieren and Lang displayed incredible fencing skills, not giving in to the pressure generated by their opponent in the least and counterattacking at the same time. However, after several exchanges, a change in Huli Xieren's pace could be noted.

'In terms of physical strength, she is undoubtedly superior to me. If so, I must aim for a battle approach based on the Elemental Laws. Lang doesn't have a bloodline; in that case, if I activate my bloodline, I'll be the one with the advantage.' Huli Xieren analyzed as she took a series of quick steps backward to gain distance.

'Regarding raw strength, I am superior to her. And we are even about our knowledge of the Elemental Laws. But she has a bloodline; once she activates it, I will no longer be on par with her. In that case, I must aim everything for a close-range match.' Lang pondered as she pursued her opponent. Knowing she had the advantage in close combat, she certainly wouldn't give up on that so easily.

”Fire Law, Wisp!” Hui Xieren exclaimed as she summoned three palm-sized fireballs. This was the same technique she used in the previous fight that had earned her the victory.

”Go!”

With a hand movement, the three balls of fire shot in the direction indicated by Huli Xieren. Their target was none other than Lang, who was approaching at full speed.

'Those spheres are dangerous. I must avoid touching them with both my body and my sword.' Lang thought as she remembered well the previous fight of Huli Xieren and the danger of this technique.

Lang stopped her footsteps and rolled sideways with a decisive movement, just in time to avoid the three fireballs. Even though she had to interrupt her charge, she kept the flames from sticking to her.

”Ahh!” exclaimed Huli Xieren as she moved the hand that wasn't holding the sword. The fingers of that hand closed on the palm except for the index and middle fingers. After that, Huli Xieren bent her wrist in Lang's direction. Incredibly, the three fireballs arched through the air and changed their trajectory, heading to where Lang was.

'Can she change their trajectory so quickly? If so, I have no way of getting rid of them if I just dodge. I have to destroy them.' Lang analyzed before using another technique.

”Ice Law, Frost Slash!”

Crystalline flakes of ice were generated from Lang's sword. These flakes crashed into the three fireballs, destroying them and generating a light curtain of vapor.

Slash!

Suddenly a sword strike came at Lang. Huli Xieren, who had opted for a ranged approach based on elemental attacks, came running as soon as Lang left an opening when she used her ice attack to destroy the fireballs. In an instant, she had changed her battle approach again.

The flame-covered blade descended menacingly from above. Without delay, Lang stepped aside to dodge. However, Huli Xieren had already foreseen a similar reaction and quickly rotated her arms to keep her sword from losing momentum.

Slash!

Lang once again found herself under attack. Unable to get out of that difficult position, she chose to avert the threat momentarily by stooping. So she bent her knees as fast as she could, and the flame-covered sword passed over her head.

Seeing Lang dodge once again, Huli Xieren didn't demoralize but continued to attack relentlessly. So she let go of the sword, opening her palms. Soon after, the sword spun in midair, redirecting the pointed end at Lang. At that point, Huli Xieren moved her arms downward.

Stab!

Huli Xieren's sword stuck to the ground, missing Lang. Lang, noticing the danger, had in turn driven her sword to the ground. Then, pivoting with her left hand on the pommel of her sword, she somersaulted in mid-air and sent a kick with her right leg in response against Huli Xieren.

Woosh!

The kick moved quickly against Huli Xieren's face. The latter, however, responded by lowering her back and bending obliquely forward. Her eyes contained no hint of fear but were locked on Lang. At the same time, her arms were ready to rise for another sword attack.

Wham!

Before Huli Xieren could bring her arms back up, once again pivoting her left hand on her sword's pommel, Lang made a 180° rotation and landed a kick with her left leg on the head of Huli Xieren. The latter received the full impact, but instead of resisting, she accompanied the kick's movement with a series of somersaults on the ground. After all, in that situation, rather than resisting the impact and ending up on the defensive, it was better to use the blow's momentum to gain distance and avoid being cornered.

'Do you want to take back the distance? I won't let you do that.' Lang thought quickly as she followed Huli Xieren as soon as the latter began to roll to the ground to get away.

'You don't want to let me go?! Then ... ', ”Fire Law, Adherent Flame, reveal yourself!”

Seeing Lang rushing towards her, Huli Xieren was forced to reveal in advance the trap she had hidden on her opponent.