As Bel swung her sword with both hands, another dark blue Great Serpent emerged from it. It was almost identical to the one Arke had conjured, except for the color—his serpent represented poison, while hers was the Great Water Serpent!
Two roars echoed throughout the venue, so powerful that the One-Layer Inscription Array Barrier surrounding the stage began to vibrate.
The attacks collided, summoning chaotic winds and a dust cloud that obscured the view for much of the audience. But the battle wasn't over yet. Sparks flew within the cloud, dispersing the dust and revealing Bel and Arke locked in combat, the projections of the serpents behind them intensifying the standoff.
The two combatants moved so swiftly across the football-field-sized platform that it seemed too small for them, each covering the distance in just a few steps. The barrier continued to shudder every time Bel's wooden sword collided with Arke's smoke-covered fist.
"So this is the power of the Half-Step Qi Condensation Stage?" Apollo muttered, amazement clear in his voice as he watched intently, not blinking since the fight had started. Though they fought on the platform, Apollo could feel the weight behind each of their attacks.
Bel wielded a wooden broadsword, which no longer looked like wood—it was enveloped in a bright light that flowed like water whenever she swung it. Her sword movements were unpredictable yet fluid, and combined with the aura of the serpent surrounding her, the visual effects were so impressive that even the beggar began to feel jealous.
He had learned techniques from the second exam, but Bel was demonstrating what true special effects looked like!
Sighing, Apollo turned his attention to Arke, who remained cool despite being bombarded by swords and the projection of the Great Serpent. In fact, he didn't seem at a disadvantage at all. Using only his fists and the dark, murky smoke surrounding him, he deflected Bel's strikes. His composure and skill spoke to just how talented he was.
Neither fighter made a mistake that would give their opponent an opening.
Apollo's fists clenched as he watched, excitement building inside him. Their strength was only at the Half-Step Qi Condensation Stage, but the display of power was something he had only seen in movies in his previous life.
Glancing at the floating platform, he noticed that the Headmasters didn't appear impressed—or they were simply masking their reactions. This was the first time the beggar had seen a battle of this magnitude, and he wanted to see if the Headmasters were as shocked as he was. But they gave no sign of it.
From what Apollo knew, the participants below were only at the Half-Step Qi Condensation Stage.
Gail, from what Apollo could sense, was only at the 4th-Step Foundation Stage.
As he pondered this, a sudden exclamation from the audience snapped him out of his thoughts. Surprised, Apollo turned his attention back to the stage and saw Arke on the verge of falling off the platform.
Bel was relentlessly swinging her sword, while five to six bright broadswords appeared around them, bombarding Arke, who was doing his best to spread the murky smoke around him to block the attacks.
"Hehe, why are you suddenly being so aggressive?" Arke chuckled. Even with just one more step before falling off the stage, he remained calm, a mocking smile on his face. The poisonous, murky dark smoke around him swirled protectively, blocking attacks from all directions while his hands skillfully deflected the bright broadsword Bel wielded.
Bel didn't reply, her cold eyes locked on Arke. She unleashed a horizontal slash, while one of the duplicated swords shot straight toward his chest.
Before the sword could reach him, a barrier of dark smoke blocked it just in time, while her horizontal slash was deflected by Arke's smoke-covered hands.
Throughout the fight, neither had found any openings to exploit. The only reason Arke was now near the edge of the platform was because Bel's instincts had sharpened, pushing her to put all her strength into cornering him. But his smug, unworried expression frustrated her.
Bel could sense they were evenly matched in strength, yet she felt weighed down, as if she were being toyed with.
Suddenly, she felt a threat from below. Without hesitation, she used her movement technique and jumped back, narrowly avoiding a sharp spike of dark smoke that had been aiming for her head.
As soon as she landed, Arke was already in front of her! With a loud bang, she was sent flying through the air!
Bel flipped several times before she managed to stabilize herself midair. She glanced at her wooden sword and noticed a small crack. Fortunately, she had barely blocked the attack, but the effects of the Great Serpent Sword Technique had worn off, nearly shattering her weapon.
Looking down, she saw Arke charging toward her, watery Qi surrounding his feet as he closed in from below.
"Sh*t!" Bel rarely cursed, but this time, it felt necessary! While still airborne, she used the surrounding Qi to propel herself away from her approaching opponent. At the same time, she raised one hand and pointed it at Arke.
Although she primarily cultivated the Way of the Sword, that didn't mean she lacked other techniques. Inscriptions appeared before her outstretched hand, and a torrent of water shot forth!
The sudden change in direction forced Arke to pause for a split second, but it was just enough time for the water beam to strike him! Without missing a beat, he punched through the torrent, splashing water across the stage!
As the water obscured his vision for a moment, Arke saw a flash of light. Instinctively, he created a barrier of dark, murky smoke in front of him.
A bright blue broadsword pierced through the barrier, stopping mere inches from his forehead before dissolving into a puddle of water that splashed to the ground.
Arke retracted the smoke and saw Bel in the distance, her glowing wooden broadsword pointed at him. Surrounding her were five or six duplicate swords, all aimed in his direction.
"Hahaha! This is fun!" Arke laughed out loud, while the audience roared with excitement.