Chapter 223 - Bifang vs. Phoenix (1/2)

”How is he?” Leon asked Mia and Lillian. Beside him were also He Fen, Lang, and Fenrir.

”His conditions are stable, and he has no internal bleeding. However, there is a lot of work to be done in resealing the spine.” Lillian hastily replied.

”I see,” Leon answered with a serious face.

'Hei fought Hu Jie, but he had to push this far to win. This means that if I want to beat Long Tian, ​​someone comparable to Hu Jie, then I have to put the same will as Hei.'

It wasn't just Leon who thought so. He Fen was also thinking the same thing.

”The next two fighters to take the field are Feng Chen of the Feng Family and He Fen of the He Family.” Song Yazhu called the next two martial artists to the combat stage.

Hearing his name being called, He Fen took a breath before walking to the stage.

'Hei fought hard, but in the end, he succeeded. The Eight Big Families aren't invincible. If I'm willing to use every bit of my strength without sparing anything, then I have a chance.'

”It seems you have found your resolve.” A voice came from behind. It was Feng Chen. ”Very well, I'm happy about it. I honestly never considered anyone other than the Best Generation to be my rivals before coming here. But then I met Hei, and I changed my mind. Especially now after he beat Hu Jie in his field, the hand-to-hand combat.

However, I must confess that I have begun to be curious about you. In a short space of time, you made amazing progress, winning against opponents who looked stronger on paper. I know this is partly related to Hei, but I also know that if it weren't for your determination, you wouldn't have made it this far.”

”Why are you telling me all these things?” He Fen asked, somewhat taken aback. He didn't expect to receive such compliments from Feng Chen.

”It is for the reason that you are fighting. As the son of the family head, I am familiar with the privileges that I have. At the same time, I am also familiar with the duties that this legacy brings. I know very well how vicious and overwhelming the rules imposed by the Bloodline Families can be. In other words, I'm saying that I cheer for you. If you show them that you can stand up to me or even outdo me, you could make those old people in your family change their minds.”

”You know about it?!” He Fen was amazed. He hadn't told anyone but his closest companions about why he wanted to become stronger: to free his sister from the fate of unhappiness that awaited her. But thinking about it, it was normal for Feng Chen to be informed. After all, he was part of one of the Eight Big Families, who, along with the Imperial Family, monitored every movement within the Sun Empire.

Feng Chen didn't reply but motioned for him to keep advancing. Together they went up the battle stage and faced each other. The chatter was over; now it was time to fight.

”Let the fight begin!”

At the start of Song Yazhu, both Feng Chen and He Fen drew their weapons. Feng Chen drew his sword while He Fen his wheels of wind and fire.

Peng!

Feng Chen's sword blade made contact with the circular blades of the wheels of wind and fire, creating a metallic noise.

Both the sword and the wheels of wind and fire became covered with flames. Sizzles of flames flew around the two fighters creating a picturesque image as if the viewers were standing in front of a painting.

Peng!

Seeing that Fen He had resisted the first hit, Feng Chen withdrew his sword to attack another part of He Fen's body. The latter, however, had his senses to the fullest and promptly followed the movement of the sword. He parried using one of his two circular weapons while attacking with the other.

Slash!

The flaming circular blade was avoided with ease. Feng Chen wasn't caught off guard and just moved his body. At the same time, he took advantage of such forced displacement to withdraw his sword and direct it elsewhere.

An intense exchange of blades and flames was created. Small residues of fire colored the surrounding environment red and orange whenever the sword and the wheels of wind and fire met. Furthermore, these residues made the air blurry, giving the impression that the fight was taking place inside a fire.

Bam!

Suddenly, in the middle of the confrontation between blades, Feng Chen performed a horizontal kick, hitting He Fen's left leg at the calf from the side. While this didn't do real harm given the presence of the defensive layer of spirit power, it was enough to destabilize He Fen momentarily.

”Shit!” He Fen swore; he had made the mistake of paying attention only to the sword. After all, in his previous matches, Feng Chen had achieved his victories thanks to his sword. So it was clear that the core of his abilities was concentrated there.

After performing the sweep, Feng Chen spun around quickly and then made a kick into his opponent's stomach. He Fen was pushed back as he felt his spirit power shrink slightly to the height of his stomach.

'I let myself be fooled. He's unexpectedly good with kicks.' thought He Fen.

Slash!

As He Fen backed away, Feng Chen didn't stand still. Instead, he followed up as he rested his leg on the ground while his sword was ready to strike. Fortunately, He Fen had noticed Feng Chen's pursuit and dodged the approaching sword.

At that point, the two returned to collide their weapons covered with flames. However, this time, a change could be seen: first, He Fen's attacks were faster and more decisive; now, however, they were more contained for fear of counterattack by his opponent's legs.

'He's going to do it again.'

He Fen noticed that Feng Chen had started to lift his right foot again. With the experience of a while ago, he had purposely limited the intensity of his attacks so as not to be caught off guard. But unfortunately, Feng Chen proved more cunning.

Wham!

Feng Chen pretended to raise his leg and use the same attack as before. But, instead, he thrust his right arm forward in the form of a closed fist, ”Fire Law, Fire Fist.”

Slash!

The flame-covered sword rose high and then fell back. He Fen didn't have the time to dodge this time and could only place his wind and fire wheels in opposition to avoid being cut.

Peng!

The descent of the sword was stopped, but He Fen wasn't in a good position. He knew he had to fight back, or he would end up falling into Feng Chen's battle pace.

”Fire Law, Flame Torrent!”

Two streams of flames were released from the two wheels of wind and fire, hitting Feng Chen in full. The latter promptly backed away to avoid unnecessary damage. But, aside from a reduction in his spirit power, he was virtually unharmed.

”Bifang Bird Bloodline, activate! Intent of the Wheels of Wind and Fire, Remote Control Mode! Fire Law of Fire, Fire Fist!”

As soon as he had a breather, He Fen decided to go all out. He activated his bloodline, and his fists were covered in fire. Simultaneously, its wheels of wind and fire were placed at his sides as they were mentally commanded.

'Hei said my only way to win is to turn the battle into a contest between flames. Then so be it.'