*Boom!* An explosion of pure fire erupted out. Yan Yang was fierce an domineering but outclassed in terms of fire control and intensity. What made it worse was Shen Yue gave him no breathing room and swung everytime with the intent to kill or maim.
"Tch!" The young scion never met someone so intense like this. Which was worse than he was in the Heavenly Axis Realm, and his opponent didn't exude higher than the Heavenly Star Realm. 'He is not going all out! At this rate, I will lose!'
*Fwish!* Launching a ball of fire out with a punch, Yan Yang needed room to breathe so to speak. Shen Yue opened his mouth wide and ingested the Flames before his cheeks puffed, taking control of the energy he fired it back.
"Bah!" A purple fireball smashed into a suprised Yan Yang, knocking the breath from his very lungs. Exploding, it swallowed the air feeding the flames to a higher degree and burning away all the young man's clothes. "Flame Lance!"
As the fire swirled around under Shen Yue's control with Astral Sense, those watching from a distance took note that he did not look worse for wear at all. Using most of his body and his opponents' energy allowed the fight to be controlled easily.
*Fwoosh!* The large Flame Lance appeared over Shen Yue's head, stealing the Heavenly Energy in the arena. As big as a skyscraper, people outside of the Sect could see it with ease.
"Bite the dust!" Shen Yue shouted as he brought his arms down. The very air screeching as the attack came down.
"You!" Yan Yang circulated his Heavenly energy to fight back. Determine to put a serious counterattack in the very least. "I won't loose so easily!" He screamed in a rage. White hot flames igniting in the air as he tried to merge with his Demon Spirit at the same time.
"Know your place!" The image of a Tiger formed, leading the tip of the attack. Shen Yue smirked as his opponent learned before his eyes how to channel the properties of the Demon Spirit on instinct. 'Defintely a worthy person for later, or a good meal for now.'
Several Elders jumped in, breaking up the match as a winner had been determined. However, they to paid for it as Shen Yue detonated the attack, knocking the Elders out of the arena with Yan Yang in a smoking heap.
"No way..." The referee looked slack-jawed as he announced the winner. But also scared at the sight of the attack knocking back a group of Heavenly Axis members at Stage 9. Underestimating an attack was a dumb thing, even elders. "..Shen Yue is the winner."
The Heart Method (Maxium) swirled around, non-stop pushing his cultivation higher on the spot. The rich energy gained from suppressing others had an almost euphoric effect still. Almost if he didn't steel his mind against it.
"This is why I didn't want to play with those in the Skyblaze Sect," Shen Yue said with false contempt. He was putting on a show to anger those watching in the shadows as well as those watching in the stands. "the same as the useless Divine Feathers Sect, jumping into someone else match. Pathetic."
Among the disgruntled disciples and elders, the Master of Yan Yang had an appraising look. Despite the intent to kill that came from Shen Yue while the two fought, all of the vitals were missed.
Signaling for someone to handle the matter, he moved to get some medicine ready for his disciple. The smile never left his face, as most elders could see when looking over. While this was a chance to foster a good rival for Yan Yang and fill in gaps for the domineering heir.
"Ugh..." He was not named the Holy Son for nothing, Yan Yang stood up despite being burnt to a crisp and barely breathing. Pushing a few away that tried to help him stand. "..wait.." He called out to the leaving Shen Yue.
"Hmm?" Shen Yue stared at him, fighting back a smile. The boy had more willpower than him at his age. But that is the difference between a modern society and a killing field like he was currently in. 'His cultivation is rising.. what an unusual manual he cultivates.'
"I.. won't lose next time.. to.. you.." Yan Yang cupped his fist and stopped moving. He fainted on while standing, eyes open to the person before him.
"Well.. I can't pass up the chance to reward someone like this." Shen Yue stepped forward, pulling a red stone out of his Storage Ring. "This should help you recover and grow stronger. I expect payment later."
The red stone had the same Inscription Patterns as the Abstruse Gemstone as well as a few other traps for those who try to dive into it forcefully. A Soul-Sucking Array that damages the Soul Realm.
Shen Yue turned into flame and returned to his room in a few seconds. They needed to get ready to go to poach some items while they still could.
Little did he know that the medicine of the Skyblaze Sect was not lacking in any way. That and the Holy Son Yan Yang had pull for a reason.
.
Departure-
.
Shen Yue and company had left the Sect the following morning. Unknown to almost everyone except a small group of cultivators.
Yan Yang's Master had his disciple back to snuff less than a day! With the assistance of various medicines, the recovery down time was almost none existent.
"I knew we should have left as soon as we were done yesterday!" Shen Yue glowered at Yu Yan and Duan Jian. "You didn't have to waste time putting a Fate Soul in the Sect Repository!"
"Hehe, it was best to make it easier for movement. We are not done in the Skyblaze Sect anyway." Duan Jian offered up helplessly.
"Well.. the more the merrier right?" Maynard tried to lighten the mood.
"Junior brother Shen Yue.." A lackey of Yan Yang stepped forward.
"Yeah.. no." Shen Yue stopped him. "Just call me Shen Yue. I don't have the patience for the false pleasantries. What does your group want exactly?" The lackey stepped back, embarrassed a little.
"Leaving like this just seems shady. Even though you have taken outside tasks, slipping out without alerting the guards could be taken as something else." Yan Yang admired the straightforwardness and stepped forward himself. "You said earlier something along the lines like the Skyblaze Sect was as bad as the Divine Feathers Sect; what did you mean?"
"We are not talking about that in an area with loose lips and weak souls." Shen Yue gestured for them to follow since it would be bad to head back. His Astral Sense was already picking up someone high in the sky watching them. 'A person at the Martial Ancestor Realm.. just great.'
Making it out of the Sect and a few miles away, a Sound Seal and Illusion Array was placed to hide them. After getting the group to swear on their souls to not speak to anyone, he informed them about spies in the Divine Feathers Sect.
With a few fingers pointed at those in the Skyblaze Sect detected. The amount was really paltry and only caused a few problems to develop as far as he could see.
"This was the reason you didn't arrive with the others; I take it?" Yan Yang wasn't an idiot and could piece some stuff together. He didn't become a Great Sect Master in the future without making sound judgment.
"Among other things, yes." Shen Yue could understand the need to have an influential person like Yan Yang in the background making moves. Memory served; he was not a fan of the sneaky sort. "What you do with that information is entirely up to you. Hopefully, you have people you can trust at your side."
"The same could be said about you." Yan Yang had a defiant look on his face. Not taking a slight against the trustworthiness of the people he picked and kept by his side.
"My people are defintely trustworthy.. now that doesn't mean they don't screw up, of course. The same as myself." Shen Yue leaned back, looking at the sky. Eyes almost locking on the Martial Ancestor high up there. "Man have I jacked up some things. Like not making sure Duan Jian didn't hurry up with that blasted wedding!"
"Hey.. it was not the right time." Duan Jian lamented. Hongyue laughed, leaning against his shoulders. "Just.. jitters maybe. Why do you and Lu Ning keep bringing it up?"
"Because.. its a reminder." Shen Yue smirked then turned serious. "Since it doesn't seem like your group is leaving and tagging along for some reason."
"We have a few Sect missions to handle ourselves, no reason not to team up to finish faster." Yan Yang said simply. "I mostly wanted to speak with you to pay back for the necklace. My Master said it is a good find."
"Uh-huh. How much would you pay for it though?"
"Maybe do business later." Yu Yan plopped next to him. "In case things go bad, rather not have anyone trying to undermine what we do out here."
"Are you two together?" Yan Yang cocked his head to the side as the two looked at each other then laughed. "Is it that strange to ask when seeing you so close?"
"No, we are not together, Shen Yue.. if like a father to me." The Fire Spiritual Goddess said. Quite a few members of Yan Yang's group sighed happily. "I am also not interested in relationships, just in getting stronger as fast as I can."
"Why is that?"
"I don't trust the Demon God Sect or its masters." Her voice and facial expression carried such hate, it soured the face of what they believed to be a young woman. "Not everyone is taking the threat seriously. It will cost them dearly."
"I have been trying to push my teacher and the Elders, but they assure me this is under control." Yan Yang voiced. "If you have some suggestions, we are happy to hear it."