Six Battle Techniques. That was the total number Apollo had learned from the second test of the Advancement Examination.
True Hardening made his body more durable, also increasing his mass at the same time.
Fire Blast, a Fire Technique, allowed him to summon fire using Qi and use it to attack his enemies.
Hydra Mirage, a Technique, let him create multiple bodies made out of water.
He also learned a movement technique that could lighten his body, making it easier for him to move. Coupled with his own Simple Movement Technique, which he got from the System, it formed a powerful combo.
There was also a Sword Technique called Water Integration Slash, which could turn his weapon into a watery state, making it sharper and allowing him to send a projectile in the shape of a slash. However, he only learned this technique because it looked flashy; he didn't use it often since his Simple Sword Technique was more practical.
The last technique he learned was Wind Blast. Like the Fire Blast Technique, it allowed him to use the surrounding Qi to summon wind, blasting his opponent away. But Apollo preferred the Fire Blast technique, so he seldom used Wind Blast.
As the sound of the referee announcing the start of the battle rang out, Apollo waited for his opponent to make the first move. However, Arke remained still and vigilant.
They stared at each other, observing who would take the first step.
Seems like he's not going to take me lightly, Apollo thought.
Arke was smart. Although infuriated by the small masked man, he didn't rush in. Like Apollo, he closely observed his opponent. He knew the person in front of him was a skilled cultivator, but seeing the tree branch the small masked person held made Arke grit his teeth. He felt humiliated fighting someone wielding a stick, especially after being trash-talked.
When it became clear that Can Deez was not going to make the first move, Arke decided to end the standoff. He was confident in his abilities, especially since he was at the Half-Step Qi Condensation Stage. There was no way a nobody could defeat him. Furthermore, he still had poison lingering in his body—enough to make even a Foundation Building Stage cultivator suffer.
Although the poison could no longer kill, it was more than enough to secure his victory, though he'd only use it if he felt at a disadvantage.
"You think you can defeat me with just a stick? Don't mock me, you piece of sh*t," Arke sneered, dark, murky smoke swirling around him. "I wonder how a joker like you managed to stand before me. Consider yourself lucky!"
"Blah blah, you talk too much. Just make the first move, and we'll see!" Apollo shot back, motioning for his opponent to come at him.
"Hah! I'll make you suffer!" With a shout, Arke activated his Movement Technique, his body becoming a blur as he appeared in front of the masked man in just a few steps!
Arke threw a punch, his fist covered in smoke. But as his eyes narrowed, he realized his opponent hadn't moved at all, simply letting the attack land. This shorty is up to something! Sure enough, the moment his fist connected with Can Deez's face, the body exploded in a splash of water!
His instincts kicked in, and when he turned around, he saw a fire attack already on its way!
With a loud bang, an explosion echoed as fire and smoke rose into the air! The audience shouted in excitement at the scene.
Apollo, now on the other side of the battlefield, began gathering Qi once more. One attack wasn't enough, so he decided to keep bombarding his prey. He had already thought it through, in order to complete his mission without attracting too much attention, he needed to kill Arke, unintentionally.
This would result in him being taken away by the officials, as killing another participant was prohibited—unless it was an accident.
An accident where both sides struggled intensely, where one wrong move could cost a life. Apollo had to stage this scene. But first, he needed to gauge the strength of his opponent. Although he had observed Arke's previous battles, it was different from experiencing his opponent's battle prowess firsthand.
A second Fire Blast was conjured and hurled toward Arke. Another explosion erupted. Just as Apollo was about to cast a third attack, the fire and smoke began to move erratically.
Apollo saw his opponent charging out of the smoke with incredible speed, his pace not slowed at all. Arke was covered in the dark, murky smoke that acted as his defense, and only small burn marks covered his body. Clearly, he wasn't seriously injured.
However, the Beggar remained calm and pointed his hand toward his prey.
"Hahaha! It's futile!" Arke laughed maniacally.
"Then I'll just have to increase the output!" Apollo smirked.
"You think you can just suddenly increase your technique's power?! You need to adv—" Arke couldn't finish his sentence as another Fire Blast flew toward him, fiercer than before. With no time to dodge, the attack hit him, and though he barely blocked it with his hands, he was still sent flying dozens of meters back.
Arke waved his aching hands as the fire and smoke cleared. "What... how?!" He squinted at his opponent and saw Can Deez conjuring two Battle Techniques simultaneously!
Fire Blast and Wind Blast?!
Apollo raised both hands—one conjuring the Fire Blast, the other summoning the Wind Blast. But instead of firing them one after the other, he stacked the Wind Blast behind the Fire Blast.
If Apollo had only used the Fire Blast and tried to increase its power alone, it would have taken a few seconds—enough time for his opponent to close the distance. It was a spontaneous decision, but surprisingly, it worked. He conjured two Battle Techniques at once, using the surrounding Qi and altering their properties to enhance his attacks.
"Take this!" Apollo shouted, and the combined Battle Techniques flew toward Arke!