99 Chapter 98: Fox against Tiger (2/2)
Couldn't we just accept that everyone had a fair chance of beating everyone else, and that we were all roughly equal? We all had different strengths and weaknesses, and sometimes luck had a hand in whether we could bring those strengths out in their full potential.
Boom!
Another explosion rocked the coliseum and the two combatants were forced apart. However, they threw fire and lightning at each other at the exact same time. The elements clashed in a volatile mix that ignited a blazing, crackling wall between them.
Roaring, the lightning tigers charged through the shimmering wall, only to be met by the nine fiery fox tails that clubbed them to the ground. Several of the tails continued to wield weapons, slashing with a sword, defending with a shield, bombarding with fiery arrows…and even now, new weapons were being produced, such as an axe that cleaved lightning tigers into two, or a hammer that pulverized them into nothingness.
The tails that remained unarmed were no less deadly, striking with unrestrained ferocity and uncanny precision. More lightning tigers dissipated or were incinerated as the tails slammed down on them, obliterating them from existence.
Undaunted by the death and destruction taking place around them, the two girls clashed and traded blows in the center of the coliseum again, surrounded by blazing tails and crackling tigers that whipped or clawed at their enemies. Sparks flew, fire and lightning swirling around the two in a violent vortex that almost obscured them from the spectators' sights. It wasn't just their opponents' weapons that they had to watch out for. The two girls had to keep a cautious eye on the fire and lightning that danced around them.
I had no idea how many mental calculations they were doing in their minds to keep up their elemental battle, and they were expending copious amounts of qi at the same time. Granted, Tang Qi Hong had about three sexagenaries of qi, and Bai Ning Xue, despite not having received much artificial qi as well, still had a fair amount of it herself.
As if embodying their will, the lightning tigers and the fiery fox tails continued to clash violently, wielding weapons either forged or innate to them to tear each other apart. The battle didn't seem to have an end, as each fiery tail simply regenerated whenever they received damage, the flames expanding quickly to plug gaps, and new lightning tigers were being conjured by Bai Ning Xue whenever their numbers diminished severely.
Yet even though the battle had dragged on for so long, neither of them appeared to be running out of qi. They both continued to go strong, throwing huge attacks and literally tearing the coliseum apart.
On that note, they probably needed to redesign the coliseum's structure, which were clearly meant to withstand martial artists of the past – those who didn't receive so much artificial qi – and not those with absurd quantities of qi.
”Heavenly Tiger Thunderbolt.”
”Heavenly Nine Fire Tails Strike!”
The two girls launched their ultimate attacks, no longer holding anything back. A gigantic tiger erupted from the dark clouds, which dissipated immediately, bellowing as it descended upon Tang Qi Hong's position. At the same time, the nine tails dropped whatever weapons they were holding and lunged forward, flaring more brightly than ever.
The thunderbolt in the form of a tiger met the nine fiery tails and exploded. Again, the tremendous shockwaves that reverberated across the coliseum knocked people off their feet and even knocked several of them out. As spectators sprawled across the floor, a huge conflagration rolled out of the now open shattered window and engulfed the spectators.
Or would have, if the teachers hadn't stepped in to contain the breach. Teacher Jiao and Teacher Cai quickly conjured a qi barrier that halted the flames and lightning in their tracks, preventing them from expanding into the spectator box.
”Is it…finally over?”
Tong Xue noticed that there were no longer any more reverberations, and the qi signatures of both Tang Qi Hong and Bai Ning Xue had stabilized. No…they felt low, the lowest they had been ever since the battle began.
Neither of them were attacking or defending. It appeared that the match was finally over. But we had no idea who had won.
”Ugh…”
Ban Zhang crawled to his feet, shaking his head. Beside him, Zhu Jiao stirred and slowly rose up, his expression grim.
”Qi Hong! Is Qi Hong all right?”
Lian Rou was concerned about her best friend, as always, and she was jumping up and striding toward the broken window as quickly as possible. Feeling similarly anxious, I also made my way across the shattered glass and peered into the arena below.
Electrostatic and combustible smoke was still drifting across the coliseum, obscuring large swathes of our vision. Even so, we could barely make out two figures in the fumes, their weapons barely raised.
”Qi Hong…”
Lian Rou's voice was a whisper. My shoulders slumped as I studied her.
Tang Qi Hong was leaning against her spear, kneeling on the ground. Blood dribbled from her mouth, and she glared up at the standing Bai Ning Xue.
”It's over. You've lost.”
Bai Ning Xue issued a cold declaration as she stared cooly at her opponent. Tang Qi Hong gritted her teeth in frustration, and her grip tightened around her spear.
”D…damn it…”
Not even a retort or a rebuttal. Tang Qi Hong was aware that her opponent was right. She lowered her head and slammed a fist against the ground.
”Damn it!”
Bai Ning Xue then glanced up at a stunned Teacher Cai, as if expecting him to say something. He blinked, confused, and then nodded in sudden understanding.
”The match has concluded. The winner is Bai Ning Xue.”
Bai Ning Xue then turned and departed, leaving Tang Qi Hong to gnash her teeth in frustration alone in the devastated arena.
No one cheered. I didn't know if it was from shock, or from awe. Most of the spectators had probably predicted a Bai Ning Xue victory, but they were undoubtedly impressed by Tang Qi Hong's performance. It just didn't feel right to…
Clap, clap.
Taking a deep breath, I began to clap my hands.
”You did a great job, Qi Hong!” I shouted. ”You fought her all the way to the very end, and cornered her!”
My friends glanced at me, and then began to join in.
”Yeah! Excellent work, Qi Hong!” Tong Xue yelled. ”You taught her not to underestimate you!”
”You've proven yourself!” Ban Zhang agreed. ”You did well!”
”You were amazing, Qi Hong!” Lian Rou called out as she clapped as hard as she could.
I could see the tears in her eyes as she sought to encourage her best friend, but I didn't mention it. I knew Tong Xue was aware of it too, especially when he subtly shifted to shield her from the view of the other spectators.
Not that they noticed.
The spectators, roused by our applause, began to join in. Standing, rising to their feet, or just sitting, everyone began to clap. Surprisingly enough, even the teachers joined in, with Teacher Jiao nodding his head in quiet approval.
Tang Qi Hong couldn't help but look up, her eyes brimming from tears. There was still frustration in them, yes, but there was also a hint of pride.
Even if Tang Qi Hong hadn't won the match, she had at least won the hearts of everyone here.
*
”Are you all right, Qi Hong?”
Lian Rou hurried forward and helped her up as Tang Qi Hong limped into the changing room. She nodded and then slumped onto a chair.
”We should get you to the infirmary,” I suggested. Tang Qi Hong closed her eyes and took a deep breath before she allowed herself to be escorted to the infirmary.
”There you are.”
When we stepped into the infirmary, Teacher Yi looked up from another student she was treating. While the round of 16 was going on, the other students from the group stages were having their ranking matches as well.
Teacher Yi had Tang Qi Hong sit on a bed and examined her, before nodding in satisfaction.
”I've to say, for a match that intense, I'm relieved to see that your injuries aren't severe.”
She placed a hand on Tang Qi Hong's shoulder and healed her up. Green qi flowed gently from her palm and into Tang Qi Hong's body, and her injuries vanished from sight.
”There you go. Take it easy for the rest of the night and you should be back to a hundred percent tomorrow.”
Teacher Yi patted Tang Qi Hong and gestured for her to leave. The blond girl nodded silently and sullenly rose. While she headed out of the infirmary, Teacher Yi beckoned for Lian Rou to come over and leaned in to whisper something into her ear.
”Keep an eye on Student Tang, will you?”
”Eh? I thought you said she'll be all right tomorrow.”
Teacher Yi nodded. ”I mean physically. But mentally…”
”Ah.” Lian Rou nodded and swallowed. ”I understand.”
I glanced at them from a distance, but I made sure to accompany Tang Qi Hong as she stepped out of the infirmary. Tong Xue and Ban Zhang exchanged glances, not knowing what to do. Neither did I, but sending the two of them a look for help brought no solutions.
Of course, Zhu Jiao wasn't present. He most likely went to look for Bai Ning Xue.
It's better this way.
His presence would only have made the situation worse. Feeling a little apprehensive, I stepped to Tang Qi Hong's side.
”Are you all right?”
”Yes.” Physically, anyway. But she seemed down and frustrated. It was only natural, given what had just occurred.
However, right now she was avoiding eye contact with me, turning her face slightly to keep it out of view from anyone. That was not a good sign. Understanding her current emotional state, I wisely kept my distance.
”Let's go back,” I suggested.”
”Yes.” Tang Qi Hong hesitated. Then she shook her head. ”I'm sorry. I want to be alone for now, if you don't mind.”
”Go.” Lian Rou had appeared and quickly rejoined us. She waved us away. ”I'll make sure that Qi Hong returns to the infirmary safely.”
The three of us guys glanced at each other uncertainly, but knowing there was nothing more that we could do, we nodded. Feeling uneasy, we just stood there and watched as the two girls continued down the corridor.
Looking at Tang Qi Hong's back, something stirred my heart. I just couldn't bear to see her looking so miserable.
”Qi Hong!” I called out. She continued moving a couple of steps forward, but stopped. She didn't turn back, though. But I knew she was listening, so I continued. ”I'll take revenge for you! If I meet Bai Ning Xue in the next round, I'll definitely crush her!”
”…”
Tang Qi Hong didn't seem to respond for a moment, and Lian Rou tightened her grip on her arm in concern. But then, without turning around, Tang Qi Hong nodded once in a slow manner.
”I'll be counting on you then, Wu.”
With that, she disappeared from the corridor along with Lian Rou.