Chapter 6: Bring the Spear!

"Not fast enough, not fast enough, not fast enough!"

"Too slow, too slow, too slow!"

Xia Wuji thrust the Demonic Dragon Spear repeatedly, the weapon—reeking of demonic energy and corrosive aura—grazing Ji Junhong's body time and again. Because each strike passed just inches away, it created the illusion that a mere fraction more speed would have landed a hit.

Xia Wuji howled, babbling incessantly as he descended into a state of frenzy. His tone grew increasingly intense, and to everyone's surprise, his speed accelerated accordingly. Soon, a single motion from Ji Junhong was met with several rapid-fire stabs from Xia Wuji.

Ji Junhong, however, remained unhurried. His movements were fluid and elusive; he blocked occasionally with the Human Emperor Sword, even finding time to observe Xia Wuji’s demeanor.

"A natural-born battle maniac," Ji Junhong mused. "The more he fights, the more injured he gets, and the stronger and faster he becomes... In my second brother’s words, he has a bit of a masochistic streak, the type who enjoys being pinned against a wall..."

Xia Wuji suddenly paused, his eyes bloodshot, and asked suspiciously, "What impolite thing are you thinking about?"

"..."

Ji Junhong grinned. "Dragon Emperor, you jest. In broad daylight, under the clear sky, I am the dignified Emperor of Great Qi; how could I be harboring any indecent thoughts?"

Xia Wuji leaped high, raising the Demonic Dragon Spear to strike down. "Bullshit! Your excited hands have already betrayed you! Hey!"

Before he could finish, Ji Junhong suddenly surged forward, his body transforming into a golden dragon, and delivered a swift kick directly to Xia Wuji’s chest.

Xia Wuji let out a sharp cry as he was sent flying. Ji Junhong slowly retracted his leg and said languidly, "Brother Xia, that was truly just your imagination."

Their battlefield was not far from the lake, situated on high ground, making it easy to see the two colossal beasts clashing on the water's surface.

The massive black dragon dived repeatedly, attempting to pin the brown bear to the ground, but with its feet planted firmly on the earth, the bear—drawing upon the full force of the land—was no longer so easily subdued. Dragon and bear wrestled and bit, each strike whipping up fierce gales that turned the sky dark.

Eventually, the black dragon coiled itself around the brown bear, opened its maw, and lunged for the bear's head!

"Are you insane!?"

The brown bear jerked its head aside, its giant claws gripping the black dragon’s neck, and spoke in a human voice.

"I am insane! If you’ve gone mad, why can’t I?!"

The black dragon snapped its jaws rhythmically in frustration, but with its neck held fast and its snout not quite long enough, it couldn't land a bite. Ji Huo felt both amused and pained, afraid to use too much force lest he damage her body. Unexpectedly, the black dragon exhaled a blast of energy directly into the brown bear's face.

The breath was clearly toxic—judging by the smell, it seemed she hadn't brushed her teeth in three years. Terrified, Ji Huo threw the black dragon into the lake.

"Boom!"

The ten-meter-long body crashed into the water, sending up a waterfall of spray several meters high. The resulting mist, accompanied by a roaring sound, obscured the view.

When the water columns subsided, Xia Nishang stood on the surface, drenched, her hair plastered against her cheeks. She took a step, let out a low shout, and charged straight at Ji Huo.

Ji Huo dispelled his energy form and rushed forward. Unexpectedly, just as he reached the water, his connection to the inexhaustible power of the earth beneath his feet was instantly severed.

"?! "

He faltered for a moment, and Xia Nishang seized the opportunity to kick him away.

...

"Hey! How can you be distracted in the middle of a fight!" Ji Junhong lamented, then sidestepped the spear Xia Wuji thrust at him.

Xia Wuji roared, "How can you be distracted in the middle of a fight?"

With that, the two began to exchange blows again, *bang, bang, bang*.

The Human Emperor Sword and the Demonic Dragon Spear collided in mid-air, clashing dozens of times in the blink of an eye. Even while fighting, both men avoided using high-level power, focusing instead on techniques, fearing they might draw the attention of the two in the distance.

By the lakeside, ever since Ji Huo had been kicked away, Xia Nishang had lunged at him, and the two began to trade blows with fists and feet.

Well, how to put it—it looked intense, much like a domestic brawl.

Until Xia Nishang grew more and more furious, and with a final swipe of her hand, she unleashed a gale of wind toward Ji Huo.

Ji Huo’s heart skipped a beat. He produced a small vermilion gourd and commanded, "Absorb!"

The gale was instantly sucked into the gourd.

Seeing this, Xia Nishang was incensed. You won't even take a single slap from me?

She waved her right hand: "Spear, come!"

Ji Huo showed no fear and reached out into the void with his right hand: "Sword, come!"

Black light and golden light flew from the same direction.

Each grasped their weapon, let out a furious roar, and the spear and sword collided in mid-air. In an instant, everything within a hundred-foot radius was leveled to the ground.

Ji Junhong looked at his empty hand.

Xia Wuji looked down as well, reflexively clutching at the air.

The two fell into silence.

Ji Junhong asked, "Still fighting?"

Xia Wuji shook his head decisively, "No more fighting!"