Chapter 85: Reunion (1/2)

Chapter 85: Reunion

Translator: IreneEditor: Pranav

Within an extremely short period of time, several contestants had been attacked and thrown off the stage consecutively.

Since he had perceived weak elemental energy ripples on the ground’s surface, Ai Hui did not move. He felt that they were familiar, and suddenly, that fellow whom he had defeated in the previous competition came to mind. Could it be a coincidence?

Ai Hui was a little taken aback, but soon, he became even more surprised by something else.

Significant progress!

His opponent’s skills had improved so greatly that it was as if he had become a different person. Compared to the tenderness and immaturity from the past, he was now much more shrewd and ruthless in his attacks.

But when Ai Hui thought about his own improvement, he immediately felt relieved. He had progressed tremendously, so why couldn’t his opponent do so too? That fellow had a higher aptitude and only used absolute arts—he was definitely from an influential family clan. There was simply no reason for that fellow to improve any slower than himself.

Ai Hui, who assumed this to be a coincidence, was utterly unaware that the fellow had been searching high and low for him. He had heard about Zu Yan’s written challenge but had no idea that it had something to do with himself.

After all, Zu Yan had been searching for an earth elementalist!

He was even more unaware of the hard work Zu Yan had invested in order to defeat him. Ai Hui treated that previous battle as an ordinary one—other than his injuries, there was nothing worth remembering.

However, Ai Hui was more than glad that they got to meet again.

Fighting against the same opponent allowed him to measure his own progress.

Without any warning or hesitation, Ai Hui suddenly dodged to the side.

Clap!

A crisp, whip-like explosion sounded out from where he had just stood a moment ago. Like a solid axe, a heavy leg flitted next to Ai Hui’s body, causing a cutting, sharp stream of air to blow past.

Zu Yan wasn’t alarmed by his miss, but instead, he seemed to enjoy it. When his leg was about to hit the ground, he made a strange, sudden turn and redirected his kick.

At the same time, Ai Hui struck with his fist.

Bang!

A deep, low boom reverberated throughout the whole hall. It was as if two colossal monsters had just collided head-on. Such a wild and violent force was being compressed into a small, tight space.

The enormous power caused Ai Hui to take two steps back. Zu Yan was the same; he sprung back by five steps.

During the split second their fist and leg had crossed, Zu Yan’s eyes had lit up. His previous failure was etched into his memory, every single detail unforgotten.

“You’re here indeed!” he hissed, evidently agitated.

Ai Hui could feel his opponent’s progress. Not only had his heavy leg become more powerful and concentrated, but it had also become much more formidable and threatening in battle. Moreover, he had definitely gained a lot more combat experience, or he wouldn’t have been able to execute the previous move so naturally.

This, however, made Ai Hui so excited that his blood boiled.

Although his opponent had become much more skilled, he, too, had taken a qualitative leap in strength. Previously, he could only dodge that fellow’s leg until he was all battered and exhausted; but this time, he could actually face the attacks head-on without falling into a disadvantageous position.

As Ai Hui’s battlelust surged, his eyes turned increasingly cold and unfeeling.

Ai Hui knew that the opponent had recognized him, but he had no intention of reminiscing. He didn’t even say a word—it was as if a ghost had possessed him. He had previously suffered greatly from his opponent’s [Hellfire Spider Web] and had also thoroughly analyzed the incident.

This was a habit he had developed in the Wilderness. As he had been very weak at the time, it was quite easy for him to lose his life, and the only thing he could do was spend more time reflecting on his fights. Every time he had met a dire beast, he would consult the master elementalists whenever he could and gain information about the monster in exchange for labor. Also, upon seeing that he was a sensible fellow, the master elementalists were usually willing to provide an opinion or two.

He had never looked down on any enemy, as he had no right to.

Being cautious and prudent had long been a part of his nature.