Jida placed his hand on the hilt of his own magic sword, his fingertips brushing the familiar patterns. The condensed magic around him slowly spread, and the buffer runes on the stone walls stirred under the heavy aura, glowing pale gray. He nodded slightly at Shi Jin as a gesture of etiquette before the duel, his voice deep and resonant.
"Junior. Begin."
At his words, his magic surged sharply. Though he had not drawn his sword, he had already assumed a stance of full confrontation. The air stirred slightly with the roiling mana, and even the bluestone beneath his feet glinted with a faint magical aura. Even if his perception told him Shi Jin was ordinary, he followed Jiang Yu's warning and held nothing back.
Jiang Yu stood to the side, his gaze locked on the arena.
Uncle's power is already far above mine. Without the Kiyotaki Sword, I cannot match him. Even within the Human Alliance, he is considered a master. Since I ordered him to fight with all his strength, he will surely force out Shi Jin's hidden power. Today, I will finally uncover his true depth.
Jiang Na clutched the hem of her dress, seeing her uncle's magic grow heavier. She could not help calling out:
"Uncle, you've got this!"
Just as her voice faded, Shi Jin turned his head toward her, a lazy smile on his lips, playful tone.
"Jiang Na, why cheer only for the elder? Won't you cheer for me too?"
Jiang Na froze, her cheeks warming. She quickly added:
"You… you too, good luck."
Jiang Yu paid no mind to the little exchange. His eyes blazed, still fixed on every tiny movement of Shi Jin's, not missing even the slightest twist of his wrist around the hilt, afraid to overlook any clue to his real strength.
The wind in the arena fell suddenly still.
Noon sunlight shone straight down.
Two figures stood facing each other—one heavy, one relaxed.
The clash was imminent.
Jida's gaze locked onto Shi Jin. His fingertips tapped quickly on the hilt, incantations overlapping so fast they blurred.
"First Level: Wind Blades!"
Three pale cyan wind blades took shape instantly, screaming straight for Shi Jin's face. The sharp wind cut through the air with a faint whistle. The force was carefully calibrated to the limits of friendly sparring—no killing intent, but enough to test his reaction.
Shi Jin did not move. His wrist twisted lightly, and the standard sword drew a shallow arc before him, silver light wrapping the blade like thin silk.
Clink.
The moment the wind blades hit the arc, they shattered into wisps of wind. Not even the hair on Shi Jin's forehead moved. He looked up at Jida, lazy smile still in place.
"Elder, is that all you've got?"
Jida's brow lifted. He had not expected this ordinary young man to break a first-level spell so cleanly.
Without hesitation, his fingers moved again, incantations faster.
"Second Level: Earth Spikes!"
The bluestone at Shi Jin's feet cracked open. Sharp stone spikes burst upward, carrying an earthy scent, their tips glinting cold gray, stabbing straight for his ankles.
Shi Jin tapped the stone lightly with his toe. His body lifted half a foot as if carried by wind, narrowly dodging the spikes. At the same time, his wrist flipped, and the sword tip casually tapped the top of one spike.
Silver light flashed.
The hard stone spike shattered like cracked clay, crumbling into fine dust.
Jida stared at the debris. All trace of underestimation was gone. He spoke heavily:
"Impressive. Take this!"
His hands formed seals rapidly. Magic flooded out without restraint, surging like a tide. His black uniform flapped in the current. Even the bluestone underfoot glowed pale gray.
He was about to use high-level magic.
Jiang Yu's fists tightened beside him. His gaze drilled into Shi Jin's sword.
Seeing him dispel a second-level spell without even disturbing his breath, the precision in that casual tap made Jiang Yu's heart sink deeper.
Uncle's second-level earth spike was not weak, yet few people could neutralize it so easily—especially with a plain standard sword, and barely any mana leaking out.
"Fifth Level: Rock Collapse!"
At Jida's roar, countless huge rocks materialized in the air, each half a person tall, roaring down toward Shi Jin. The buffer runes on the walls blazed blinding gray. The entire arena trembled slightly.
Shi Jin still stood in place, lazy smile unchanged. He simply raised the standard sword horizontally.
The blade instantly wrapped in faint silver light.
When the rocks crashed into the sword, dull thuds exploded—but he did not move an inch. Not even his wrist shook.
A faint crack sounded.
Jiang Yu's pupils shrank.
Fine cracks spread from the tip of the standard sword. The silver light flickered.
It could not withstand the rebound of Shi Jin's mana.
This sword, though ordinary, could endure third-level impact.
Shi Jin cracked it just by rebound?
Had he not even used his real power when neutralizing wind and spikes?
Jida also saw the cracks, his eyes heavy.
"So that's it. I underestimated you."
He took a deep breath, hands sealing again, faster, mana gathering more violently, the air growing heavy.
"Fifth Level: Lightning Storm!"
Dark clouds instantly covered the arena. Tiny electricity flickered within.
In the next moment, countless arm-thick lightning bolts crashed down on Shi Jin.
The sizzle of electricity tearing air stung the ears. The buffer runes blazed nearly transparent.
Jiang Na covered her mouth, eyes wide, whispering in alarm:
"Uncle's Lightning Storm… can he block that?"
Shi Jin finally dropped his lazy smile. He planted his feet slightly, right hand gripping the sword horizontally. Silver light spread from the blade to his fingertips—and that was all.
No incantation. He just stared at the incoming lightning.
At the instant the electricity was about to strike, he swung the sword.
Silver light flashed.
The violent lightning twisted as if pulled by an invisible hand, grazing past Shi Jin and slamming into the ground. Only tiny sparks landed on his clothes.
Rip.
His sleeve and hem split open—but the skin beneath was unmarked, not even a scorch.
Jida froze in place, sweat beading on his forehead.
"This… this is… you didn't even use defense magic. How…?"
Shi Jin shook the dust off the sword. The cracks deepened. He tilted his chin toward Jida, tone now genuinely serious.
"Elder, you actually have some skill. Worth fighting seriously."
Jiang Yu stared at his torn clothes, tense shoulders relaxing slightly.
So even he must take fifth-level magic seriously, and his clothes get damaged. When he says he'll fight for real, that must be his limit. Strong, but probably only slightly above Uncle.
But before the thought finished, Shi Jin released the hilt.
The cracked standard sword clattered to the ground, blade wedged into the stone, quivering.
"Elder, fighting you with a broken sword would be bullying."
Shi Jin rolled his wrist. Faint silver light gathered at his fingertips—denser than ever, no flashy effects, but making the air tremble.
"Next, I fight for real. Be careful."
Jida's pupils contracted. His grip on his sword tightened. He did not hesitate. The moment he swung the sword, the incantation landed.
"Fifth Level: Magic Sword Slash!"
A black sword arc over ten feet long tore toward Shi Jin. The bluestone split deeply in its wake. The buffer runes screamed under the assault.
Shi Jin did not dodge.
He bent, picked up the cracked standard sword, gripped it with both hands, and poured all his silver light into the blade.
The weak glow brightened, even filling the cracks.
He charged forward and slashed!
CLANG ——!!
A deafening collision exploded.
The moment the standard sword met the black arc, the cracks burst open. The blade snapped in two.
But the unstoppable Magic Sword Slash was also split apart, crumbling into black smoke.
Only tiny residual waves brushed Shi Jin, tearing his already damaged clothes further.
Still not a single scratch on him.
Jida stood completely frozen, sword trembling. He stared at Shi Jin in disbelief.
"You blocked my fifth-level slash… with a nearly broken sword? And… cut it apart?"
Jiang Yu frowned from the side, staring at the broken sword and tattered clothes.
So his "full power" is just breaking the sword and tearing his garments… he blocked it, but paid a price. His limit must be here.
Jiang Na covered her mouth, whispering:
"His sword broke! Thankfully he's okay…"
Before the exclamation faded, Shi Jin tossed the broken hilt aside. He looked up at Jida, that lazy smile returning.
"Elder, you had your turn attacking. Now it's mine, right?"
His hand spread open, palm up.
The silver light at his fingertips suddenly converged, forming a hexagram magic circle in the blink of an eye.
The pattern was fine and dense, silver light flowing within like tiny star particles.
No blinding radiance, but the air trembled. The wind in the arena seemed to be sucked into the circle.
"Sixth Level: Extreme Motion Beam!"
Shi Jin's voice lifted slightly.
The circle blazed.
A silver beam burst forth, so fast no afterimage remained.
A sharp hiss cut through the air. The beam rushed straight for Jida's face, leaving a hair-thin burn mark on the stone, the stench of char immediately filling the air.
Jida's pupils shrank. Refusing to retreat, he gripped his sword, pouring thick black light over it—tiny runes boiling within, the sign of his life-bound treasure fully resonating.
"SLASH!"
He roared, swinging the sword to meet the beam.
Black and silver collided. A piercing scream erupted.
The buffer runes blazed to their limit… then cracked.
The unstoppable beam was split in two.
Silver light grazed Jida's shoulder, slamming into the arena wall, blasting two fist-sized craters.
Jida's hand trembled slightly, sweat pouring down. Though he smiled, shock flooded his eyes.
This kid was young, but his sixth-level casting speed was insane. His mana density was nothing like a newly advanced mage.
If he hadn't slashed with all his might using his life-bound sword, he would not have blocked it.
Shi Jin pretended to be surprised, eyes widening.
"Elder, you actually cut that? Not bad."
Jida wiped sweat from his forehead. He suddenly tore off his black outer coat and threw it down.
Beneath was a tight black combat suit, outlining his still-solid, aged frame. Old scars wrapped his arms. His grip on the sword remained rock-steady.
"Since you're going all out, I see no need to hold back either."
Jida's voice deepened, serious fighting spirit surging in his eyes.
"Next, I use my full power. Be careful."
Jiang Yu stared at the hexagram on Shi Jin's palm, then at his uncle's combat suit, frowning even harder.
He had thought Shi Jin's limit was breaking swords and tearing clothes.
But now, sixth-level magic was child's play to him.
And his uncle had even revealed his hidden combat suit.
This duel was far more intense than he imagined.
Jiang Na covered her mouth, surprise quickly calming. She tugged Jiang Yu's sleeve, whispering:
"Brother, when Shi Jin said 'you actually cut that,' he didn't sound surprised at all. Do you think he already knew Uncle could block it? Maybe… he still has stronger moves he hasn't used."
Jiang Yu's heart tightened as he watched the two blurs of silver and black clash rapidly.
The clanging of metal blended into a continuous roar. Each collision shook the buffer runes.
His mind raced.
Shi Jin casually used sixth-level magic, and fought evenly with his uncle in full gear. That was monstrous.
Uncle was among the Human Alliance's elite.
Yet Shi Jin still seemed relaxed.
But Uncle had not yet entered his ultimate state.
Last time, that state could split a mountain.
If Uncle went all-out… Shi Jin would finally have to exert his true limit.
Even so, to fight this far without preparation already put him among the Human Alliance's greatest masters—stronger than Uncle had been at his age.
Just then, a crisp ding echoed.
Shijin sidestepped Jida's sword and tapped the blade's side with his fingertip.
Silver light flashed.
Jida felt a monstrous force jolt up the sword. His hand went numb, nearly losing his grip.
He stumbled back two steps, eyes wide with shock.
"What… what kind of power is this?"
Shi Jin stood in place, wiping light sweat from his forehead, breathing slightly heavier. The lazy smile softened, finally showing genuine effort.
"Elder, your strength really has increased…"
Jida stared at his breathing. His tense nerves relaxed a little.
So Shi Jin was not completely effortless.
That strike had cost him.
He took a deep breath. Thick black light flooded his hand, crawling up the sword, forming a huge pair of black wing phantoms above it.
Every feather was distinct, carrying biting magic pressure.
"This is the final stage of my life-bound sword — Demonic Wing Slash!"
Jida's voice held resolve.
"Shi Jin, take this final strike!"
The phantom wings slammed down.
Jida turned into a black lightning bolt, charging with world-ending momentum.
The black light condensed into an enormous sword arc.
The bluestone was plowed open. Buffer runes shattered completely.
Jiang Yu's heart leapt to his throat.
He had seen this move before. It could split a small mountain.
No matter how strong Shi Jin was, he would have to give everything to block it.
Jiang Na's fingers squeezed tight, worry filling her eyes, but she stayed silent, staring at the two figures.
Shi Jin watched Jida charge. He exhaled… then smiled.
He gathered his silver light into a tiny silver sword phantom.
No extra moves.
He just charged forward to meet the Demonic Wing Slash.
BOOM ——!!!!!!!!
The world-shaking slash crashed down.
Shi Jin's phantom sword shattered into countless specks of light.
He was sent flying by the residual wave, slamming into the arena wall.
Cracks spread like a spiderweb. A shallow human-shaped indentation formed.
Jida gasped heavily, sword trembling in his hand. The black light had faded by more than half.
That strike had drained nearly all his mana.
He stared at the shattered light, then at Shi Jin on the wall. No joy of victory appeared. He frowned, muttering in confusion:
"That kid… he could have dodged easily. Why block it head-on?"
Jiang Yu rushed over to help him up, but Shi Jin stumbled out of the indentation on his own. Dust covered his hair and clothes.
When Jiang Yu supported him, he carefully observed: only a small scrape on his forehead. Breathing was slightly fast, but no chaotic mana depletion. Fingers steady, not shaking at all.
Jiang Yu's mind immediately spun.
That impact looked brutal… but Shi Jin seemed nowhere near his limit.
Jiang Na hurried over too, seeing his messy state and her panting uncle, guilt flashing in her eyes.
"Shi Jin, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have let Uncle duel with you. He's the island's strongest. Was it too much for you?"
Shi Jin brushed dust off himself, smiling as he replied:
"Don't say that. The elder held back. Otherwise, I couldn't have taken that Demonic Wing Slash."
Jida walked over then, snorting with a laugh.
"You still pretending! If you really couldn't dodge, you wouldn't be standing this steady!"
He clapped Shi Jin's shoulder, eyes full of approval.
"But your strength… truly among the top young generation in the Human Alliance.
My Demonic Wing Slash is nearly seventh-level. You took it head-on and walked away. That's incredible."
Shi Jin scratched his head, neither confirming nor denying, just smiling.
"Elder, you flatter me."
Jiang Yu stood nearby, combining his uncle's praise with the details he'd observed. His estimation of Shi Jin's power climbed another level.
Even if he had struggled to block it, emerging unharmed against the island's strongest made him dangerous beyond measure.
The atmosphere softened.
Jida noticed Jiang Yu still deep in thought and patted his shoulder, murmuring:
"Stop frowning. You look just like your father. You'll scare Shi Jin."
He turned to Shi Jin, tone brightening.
"Alright, enough about the duel. Winning or losing doesn't matter. A young man like you with this strength is a good thing.
Let's go to the dining hall. Jiang Na prepared the meals long ago. They'll get cold if we wait."