Disclaimer: I don't own DxD, Against The Gods, Martial God Asura, Martial World, or the story's image. They all belong to their respective owners.
Info:
Cultivation Realms – Elementary Profound Realm, Nascent Profound Realm, True Profound Realm, Spirit Profound Realm, Earth Profound Realm, Sky Profound Realm, Emperor Profound Realm, Tyrant Profound Realm, Sovereign Profound Realm, Saint Profound Realm and Divine Profound Realm.
World Spiritist Levels – White-Cloak, Gray-Cloak, Blue-Cloak, Purple-Cloak, Gold-Cloak.
Fleshly Body ranks - Strength Training Stage, Viscera Training Stage, Muscle Altering Stage, Bone Forging Stage, Pulse Condensation Period, Tempering Marrow, Eight Inner Hidden Gates and Nine Stars of the Dao Palace.
Beta-read by: KryoKon
Chapter 25 - Quick Beating
(Last chapter today. More tomorrow. Review!)
After explaining about the Fire Spirit Pills and their properties to Sikong Han, Issei clearly noticed how the middle-aged man's eyes were completely brightened up. It was obvious that his interest in the pill wasn't small.
Finally, Issei then crossed his arms and said, "So, how about it? Will it be possible for me to enter the banquet?"
Sikong Han didn't say anything in response, glancing at the three pills one last time before looking at Issei seriously, "Young man, your offer certainly entices me, but I must ask you something. What makes you believe that I won't simply grab your pills here and now? Your cultivation is only in the early Nascent Profound Realm... you wouldn't be able to do nothing about it."
However, contrary to Sikong's expectations, not only did Issei not reveal an expression of surprise, he merely shrugged his shoulders. "Firstly, you are an esteemed elder... how could you possibly do something to someone of the younger generation like me...? It definitely would go against the path of martial arts of someone as respectful as you."
Issei then stopped, and upon seeing the ugly expression on Sikong Han's face, he continued, "Not only that, what makes you think that I'm alone? I'm not foolish... I would never dare to take out these pills without a proper backup plan," reaching that part, Issei merely glanced at the direction of the pills, "If you don't believe me, then feel free to try to rob them."
Just as he had said, Issei was certainly not afraid. After all, with a single command, he would be able to bring out Ddraig, an Emperor Profound Dragon. Sikong Han's cultivation, at most, was at the peak of the Earth Profound Realm. If Issei wanted to, he could trash the entire city. As such, even if Sikong Han dared to rob the pills, it would be the same as digging his own grave.
"You...," Sikong Han's eyes widened, and upon seeing the expression of utmost confidence on Issei's face, he could only sigh. Obviously, there was the chance that he could be bluffing, but for some reason, Sikong Han didn't believe that to be the case. Not only that, just as Issei had said, it would be beneath him to rob someone from the younger generation. The words he had said before were only a test. In the end, the middle-aged man said, "Look, it's not that I don't want to make you enter the banquet, but with your cultivation, I'm afraid that you would only embarrass yourself."
The banquet would be attended by the peak geniuses of all the well-known sects in the area. Even the weakest person there would be in the middle stages of the Nascent Profound Realm, so how could Issei, who was only in the first level, possibly do something? In Sikong Han's view, he would only shame himself.
Issei, however, merely smiled, and with a single thought, he activated his golden lightning. His cultivation base suddenly shot up to the second level of the Nascent Profound Realm, making Sikong Han's eyes widen.
"Y-you... how did you...?" murmured Sikong in shock, as he started at Issei with widened eye, an expression of astonishment on his face. After all, what Issei had just done, in his eyes, proved that he had been suppressing his cultivation. This, however, should have been impossible, since with the difference in their levels, Issei should not be able of such feat!
"As I told you, I know that I'm doing," said Issei with a small smile while he deactivated the golden lightning, his cultivation base once more retreating to the first level of the Nascent Profound Realm, as if nothing had happened. He then smiled mysteriously as he continued, "What I showed you was a mere fraction of my power... I'm only restricting my cultivation base as to not call attention to myself. I can assure you that I'm much, much stronger than you could possibly imagine."
"..." Sikong Han didn't say anything as he looked at Issei deeply, searching for any flaws in his expression; proofs that he was lying. Alas, Issei was just too good of an actor, and no matter how much Sikong Han searched, he couldn't find any deceit on the young man's voice. Finally, the middle aged man sighed and said, "The participants for the tournament have already been decided, and it won't be possible to enter you inside so suddenly. However, if you managed to somehow defeat one of the participants before the start of the banquet, then... no one would be able to find any fault in it."
As a man of morals, what Sikong Han was doing was something that he never would have dreamed of doing, but the allure of the Fire Spirit Pills were just too great to ignore. As Issei had guessed, he was indeed a fire-attributed cultivator, and those pills would greatly enhance his cultivation base. As such, he could only make some exceptions and temporarily disregard his morals and beliefs.
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Five minutes later, Issei walked out of the room along with Sikong Han, a happy expression on his face. Although he was three spirits pills lighter, he didn't really mourn over his loss, as the benefits that it brought along far exceeded their value. Not only that, soon enough, Issei would be able to have his own garden of Fire Spirit Grass, so he didn't really care for three measly Fire Spirit Pills.
Issei then followed Sikong Han back to the entrance of the Elders Hall, where Xia Mei awaited for him with an anxious expression. However, upon seeing the happy and calm expression on Issei's face, she suddenly realized that everything had gone as planned. Approaching her Junior Brother, she whispered, "How was it?"
"We're going to pay a visit to one of the weakest participants of the tournament. As long as I can defeat him, I'll be able to take his place," Issei whispered back to her as he continued following Sikong Han. Soon after, they exited the palace and headed towards the residential area.
"Junior Brother...," Xia Mei couldn't help but to reveal a look of surprise and admiration as she looked at the boy two years younger than her. She then sighed, "Could you tell me how you did it?"
"...I have my secrets," whispered Issei back while he winked at her. Xia Mei blushed slightly, and after that, didn't say anything more, as they continued to walk through the New Moon Profound Palace in a pleasant silence. Soon after, they came across a funny-looking youth, who had a rather large nose.
"Elder Sikong," the youth immediately bowed politely upon seeing Sikong Han. Obviously, just as Xia Mei had said, Sikong Han's standing in the New Moon Profound Palace was quite high.
"Cheng...," Sikong Han looked at the young man pitifully before sighing. This young man, Cheng Xue, was actually one of the disciples chosen to participate in the banquet, and also one of the weakest, his strength being only in the third level of the Nascent Profound Realm. "Cheng, would you mind to have a little spar with this disciple?"
Sikong Han then pointed in Issei's direction as he explained, "He has only joined recently, and he wants to see where he stands compared other disciples. As such, could you please share some pointers with him?"
"Oh?" Cheng Xue's eyes widened slightly, and he immediately glanced in Issei's direction. The moment he noticed that Issei was only in the first level of the Nascent Profound Realm, the corner of his lips curled upwards as he quickly nodded. "Of course! I would be glad to."
He then took a step forward, and with what seemed to be an amiable smile, he greeted Issei politely, "Junior brother, what's your name?"
"I'm called Issei," Issei introduced himself plainly, clearly seeing through Cheng Xue's facade. Ever since Issei had arrived at the scene, Cheng Xue had glanced at Xia Mei more than a handful of times, and it was obvious that he wanted to glorify himself in front of her by beating Issei down. If his intentions had truly been kind, Issei would have treated him politely, but since that was not the case... Cheng Xue was up for a beating.
Issei then ignored Cheng Xue as he turned his head to look at Sikong Han. "Elder Sikong, where can we spar?"
"Follow me," said Sikong after walking away. Soon after, they arrived at what seemed to a small arena. Surprisingly enough, the arenas were near the residential area. Issei quickly assumed that such arrangement had been made so disciples could quickly settle any conflicts between them through spars.
After arriving, one of the elders in charge was about to walk forth, but upon noticing Sikong Han, he stepped back, an ingratiating smile on his face, "Elder Sikong! It's a pleasure to meet you here! Would you like one of the arenas right now?"
"Yes," Sikong Han nodded before looking in Issei's and Xue's direction. "You may enter the arena. Start in one minute. The rules are simple; the match ends when one opponent give up or can no longer move. No crippling is allowed."
Issei and Xue quickly nodded, and soon after, they entered the arena. While they waited for the time to begin, Sikong Han took out some papers for his cosmos sack, deciding that it would be wise to deal with some of the more urgent matters during the battle. After all, his time was indeed short, and he assumed that the battle would last a few minutes, so he didn't want to waste any time.
However, Sikong Han would soon be proven incorrect, as the match wouldn't last any longer than a single incense stick worth of time.
The moment the one minutes passed, Cheng Xue immediately flicked his sleeves, producing a long saber from his cosmos sack. He then looked at Issei disdainfully, his expression of kindness and friendless long since gone. "Draw your weapon, kid."
"Weapon?" Issei revealed a small smile at Cheng Xue's words. He then shook his head and said, "You're not worthy."
"You...!" Cheng Xue's eyes widened in rage, for he realized that Issei was actually looking down on him! He immediately screamed out, "Bastard! I, your father, shall teach you some manner!"
After saying so, he dashed forward in Issei's direction, his saber pulled back, ready to maim Issei. Cheng Xue's fuse was short, and with that single sentence on Issei's part, he had been completely enraged. As such, he no longer cared for Sikong's words! He was determined to make Issei pay for looking down on him!
In the next moment, he swiped with his saber downwards, clearly piercing through Issei's body. Seeing that, Cheng Xue's eyes narrowed as he thought, That's right kid, that's the price you pay for looking down on me!
At the same time, Xia Mei, who had been looking at the battle, had her eyes widen in horror as she saw her treasured Junior Brother being pierced by Xue's weapon. "Junior Brother!"
Sikong also looked at the scene with surprise, but for a completely different reason. For, even though Issei had been clearly pierced, no blood had flowed out! "This... could it be?!"
Just as Cheng Xue was about to brag about his actions, the Issei in front of him suddenly disappeared, vanishing into thin-air. With widened eyes, Cheng Xue realized that something was wrong, but alas, it was already too late.
Bang!
Issei, who had suddenly appeared behind Cheng Xue, kicked out with his feet towards Cheng Xue torso. The clear sound of something cracking then rang out, as in the next moment, Cheng Xue's body was thrown far away, flying off the stage and falling face-down into the ground around it. Three of his ribs had been fractured, and his nose had been broken by the fall.
Up on the stage, Issei merely glanced at Cheng Xue without a change in his expression. He then simply dusted off his clothes before walking off the stage, going to Xia Mei's side. As for Cheng Xue, he had lost consciousness in the moment of the impact, and was being checked by the elder in charge of the arena for any lasting damage.
After a while, the elder turned around to glance at Issei in surprise, before looking at Sikong Han, who had his eyes widened. "Elder Sikong, I'm going to take disciple Cheng Xue to the infirmary. Three of his ribs, along with his nose, are broken. I'm afraid he won't be able to participate in the banquet anymore."
"..Go," said Sikong Han after some silence. He then sighed, "I'll take care of the matter involving the banquet. Just make sure Cheng Xue doesn't lose his life."
"It shall be done," the elder nodded, and while carrying Cheng Xue, rushed into the infirmary. Although the injuries weren't too serious for a cultivator, it would be wise to get them treated as soon as possible.
Once the elder was gone, Sikong Han looked at Issei deeply before saying, "You may take Cheng Xue's place in the banquet," he then lightly tapped his cosmos sack, producing a small jade tablet. "This is the key to your room... the location is inscribed there. Mei should be able to take you there. I have also arranged for you to enter Class One."
Previously, Sikong Han was already sure that Issei would be able to win, so not only did he deal with some matters regarding the banquet, he had also made some arrangements for Issei to enter Class One. As for Issei's room, Sikong Han carried with him the keys to the unoccupied rooms, as he was also the one responsible for that.
Nodding, Issei took the jade tablet. He then was about to leave, but seemed to remember something as he stopped, "Would it be possible for Xia Mei to enter the banquet...?"
"Mei...?" Sikong Han looked at Mei before nodding, "Actually, I was already going to invite her to the banquet, as one of the vice-chiefs of the New Moon Profound Palace asked me to secure a position for her, so she could gain some insights from the battles."
"Oh?" Issei looked surprised at that, and after glancing at Xia Mei briefly and seeing her equally astonished expression, he merely nodded. "Alright, thank you, Elder Sikong."
"..." Sikong Han didn't say anything, and only gave Issei one more deep look before walking away. Obviously, he wanted nothing else to do with this strange and mysterious young man.
After Sikong Han left, Xia Mei quickly asked, "Junior Brother, before, what happened? I clearly saw you being cut... but, looking at you now, there's not even a scratch on your body! Was it a martial skill or a movement skill of sorts?"
"Something like that," nodded Issei as he begun to walk away. Previously, just as Xia Mei had guessed, he had indeed used a movement skill. Only that what he had used was a movement skill of a rank far above what could be seen on the higher realm, the almighty 'Star God's Broken Shadow.'
Afterward, Xia Mei looked at the directions inscribed within the jade tablet and began to lead Issei away into his room. On the way, however, what seemed to be a couple appeared on their path. One of them was a young man, with clearly handsome features, while the other one was a beautiful girl, and although not as much of a beauty as Xia Mei, she could still be considered to be a true, elegant beauty, capable of making one's heart tremble.
Issei merely glanced at them, and although his gaze lingered slightly on the girl, he didn't say anything as he continued moving. After all, he truly didn't have any interest on the girl. He was already used to beauties such as the Xia sisters, Eggy and Jasmine, so he wasn't the type to be easily swayed by beauty. Not only that, he was already having enough troubles when it came to girls, so he tried to keep his distance from any new ones.
Alas, destiny didn't seem to be on Issei's side that day, as even though Issei had clearly tried to pass by them unnoticed, it seemed as if the girl had taken notice of them, and more specifically, Xia Mei. Her eyes immediately lit-up as she called out, "Junior Sister Mei!"
"Ah?" At that moment, Xia Mei was also startled as she smiled, "Senior Sister Xueruo, Senior Brother Murong..."
Following that, the girl who had been refereed to as 'Senior Sister Xueruo' walked over, smiled, and initiated a conversation, "Junior Sister Xia, are you going back to rest? And... who is this?" she then looked at Issei and smiled, "Is he your friend?"
Not saying anything, Issei cursed mentally, as he realized that somehow, no matter where he went, he wouldn't be able to have a single moment of peace. Although he had clearly wanted to avoid talking with this girl, by some act of faith, she had actually taken the initiative to talk to them! If this wasn't bad luck, then what was? Issei could only hope that Eggy wouldn't grow more jealous, since she was already quite sensible after the matter with Xia Mei.
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