The world slowed down, almost as if time itself were stopping.
Apollo's eyes narrowed, his body tensing to the maximum. He stared at his opponent without blinking, ready to react with his next move at a moment's notice.
He didn't know Nathan's fighting style, only that the Kleinford family head was a veteran of some border war where he'd decimated thousands and faced formidable opponents. His senses also told him that Nathan was at the 3rd-Step Qi Condensation stage.
With no prior knowledge of this powerful opponent who clearly had real combat techniques, Apollo had to tread carefully.
He didn't count his fight with the clone of the Great Serpent on the fifth floor of the library as a true test. That battle had been a life-or-death struggle where the creature relied only on brute force. Though Apollo had improved his Fire Blast, Wind Blast, and other techniques in that fight, what he wanted here was a true learning experience. He sought an eye-opening battle, not just a showcase of power.
Hopefully, this would be worth it, Apollo thought as time 'resumed.'
Nathan hadn't moved yet, but his black hanfu robe began shifting oddly, as if animated by an unseen force. The fabric turned darker than night, swirling as if made of both smoke and liquid. Even his hair took on an inky texture, rising into the air and stretching up a few feet.
Apollo was fascinated by the transformation. Though he didn't know what this black aura surrounding Kleinford was, he could tell it was a form of power-up. "Already? Aren't you even going to test my strength before you pull out the big moves?" he asked, amused.
"Remember, in a fight, always assume the worst," Nathan replied, stepping forward. "One mistake can cost a life."
"Even though it's just a spar? Why so serious?" Apollo said, somewhat speechless.
"A spar or not, this is a battle, and we must respect the art of the fist!" Nathan took another step, and in an instant, he flashed forward, appearing directly in front of Apollo in a burst of black.
Apollo's eyes widened as he saw the incoming fist. That speed!
It felt like he was back on the fifth floor, facing the serpent's clone.
But being caught off guard didn't mean he was defenseless.
Just before Nathan's fist connected, Apollo's body flared brightly, erupting in a flash of lightning.
The ground around him charred black as Nathan leapt back just in time.
But as soon as he landed, a lightning-covered fist appeared before him—Apollo had mirrored his move!
Nathan smirked, leaping back even faster, showing off an impressive speed boost.
"You're fast," Apollo said, his body crackling with lightning.
"You too," Nathan replied, eyeing him curiously. "I thought you were Headmaster Axton's Personal Disciple. Why are you displaying a Lightning attribute?"
"Why? Is that illegal?" Apollo replied with a smirk.
"No, just unusual. But as a Wanderer, I suppose you had it before becoming his Personal Disciple," Nathan said.
"Maybe," Apollo shrugged, lowering his stance. "Come at me again."
"I'm only going to hold back if I think my attack will kill you, so expect to get hurt!" Nathan shouted, taking a step forward as his body transformed into a black shadow, instantly appearing in front of the beggar!
Apollo launched a lightning-covered punch, and their fists clashed with a deafening sound. Sparks of blue and black burst from the impact. As he looked at the man before him, he noticed his arm being pushed back. Realizing the gap in their strength, Apollo quickly surrounded them with Fire Blasts and Wind Blasts.
"Oh?" Nathan raised an eyebrow at the array of techniques materializing around them. But the smile on his face only grew—it was a crazed smile, eager for battle!
In the next second, the techniques lunged toward them!
Bel's eyes widened as the intense wind whipped through her hair and dress. "They're… incredibly strong!"
"Yoma doesn't care if he gets hit by his own attacks," Mathias murmured. "He's a reckless fighter… they are both the same."
The Fire Blasts and Wind Blasts sent up clouds of dust as the sounds of clashing continued, hurling dirt and rocks into the air. Then, silence fell for a brief moment before another blast erupted, summoning a gust that blew the dust clouds away!
A figure was sent hurtling through the air. Flipping a couple of times, he skidded across the ground, leaving a deep ravine before finally stopping himself.
"Yoma!" Bel shouted, her voice laced with worry.
"Shh," Mathias signaled for silence with a finger over his lips.
Apollo stood up and wiped his mouth with his hand, glancing at the blood on his fingers. "Hmm, that's strange," he muttered in confusion.
Looking up, he saw Nathan approaching him steadily. They'd exchanged dozens of blows inside the dust cloud while Apollo's Fire Blasts and Wind Blasts assaulted them both.
He hadn't bothered dodging his own attacks, allowing them to hit both himself and the Kleinford family head. He'd done so because, from the moment their fists met, he knew that if he didn't quickly gain the upper hand, he'd lose the fight.
But Nathan Kleinford's body was tougher than he'd anticipated. His transformation must be the reason—enhanced speed, strength, and durability. And even though his cultivation was only at the 3rd-Step Qi Condensation stage, his punches and kicks held far greater power.
"You're probably wondering why I'm so strong," Nathan said, a confident smile on his face. "That's because cultivation isn't the only factor in winning a fight. There are also—"
But before he could finish, Apollo cut him off.
"Techniques, skills, experience, and so on, yeah, I get it," Apollo smirked as he stretched. "I've read that even someone without any cultivation can achieve what cultivators can. A normal person can slice a mountain in half if they devote themselves to the Way of the Sword and, of course, train relentlessly."
"Mind letting me finish before you interrupt?" Nathan frowned.
"Sorry, I don't care," Apollo chuckled, though internally, he was reviewing their previous exchange. It felt like facing another clone of the Great Serpent—only this time, his opponent was using technique. He suspected Nathan still had more to reveal, just as he did.
"I see. Then let's continue our spar!" Nathan shouted, dashing forward in a flash.
Apollo activated his lightning attribute along with his Simple Movement Technique, his body blurring as he met the Kleinford family head halfway!