The Hooded Figure

As the two figures stepped foot on the peak of the mountain, there was a very unsettling reality of the whole mountain top being flat. It was like it had just been cut off at some point by a knife like the tip of a carrot.

In the middle was a square area made of stone bricks which had a small fence-like barrier around the outside. It was clearly an arena, not that he was expecting anything less.

"Hmm..."

That was the first sound he had heard from his opponent the whole time they had been moving up the staircase. He had not grunted or made any sound whatsoever, so hearing this, Julong immediately directed his attention toward him.

"You are quite talented. In fact, it is quite unbelievable for someone, especially of your age to have just the amount of potential that you hold."

His voice was soft, but there was something wrong with it at the same time. It was almost like it lacked substance. It sounded... hollow - it sounded dead.

"Thank you for your praise. You must be strong yourself to have made it this far, considering that you were never in the Saint Remains Domain, only forcibly replacing Yao Yao."

"You are very sharp indeed."

He was silent for a second.

"This Yao Yao you speak of is safe. I am merely here to test you. There is something that I have not quite figured out about you."

Julong nodded.

"Will I receive the Greatest Blessing even if I lose?"

"You don't have to worry about such things. If you should win, however, a much greater award will await you, along with my name."

Julong was a little relieved by what he had said, since regardless if he won or not he would not have wasted all the time he had taken to get to the top. He could tell that whoever this person was, their Realm of Cultivation was far beyond his. He was sure this was the presence who had been watching both Yao Yao and himself earlier.

"You do not have to worry. I have restricted myself to the average strength of a Third or Fourth Layer Alpha-Origin Expert to make this match fair."

"You say that, but I'm sure you are not negligent of the fact that I am merely a Quasi-Alpha-Origin Expert."

"Then that should also mean that you know I'm aware of what it is you hold in your arsenal, which is why I must take such precautions to ensure that we are on an equal playing field."

Julongs gaze narrowed into the darkness of the hood the figure was wearing. He did not like what he had said, even if it was quite an obvious observation, especially for someone of his apparent level.

The Heavenly Saint Edge appeared in his hand in an instant. It exuded unrivalled power, fierce and dominant, it allowed his intentions to be known. It was just as expected of a Mid-Grade Heaven Genesis Weapon.

As if copying him, the hooded figure summoned his weapon, only this time the Genesis Weapon was a Low-Grade Heaven Genesis Weapon that took the form of a sword. Even if it was a lower rank than his, when held by a Fourth Layer Alpha-Origin Expert, it would most likely be more powerful due to their difference in experience.

In an explosion of Genesis Qi, they launched toward each other, unseen aggression in each of their steps. It wasn't so much directed at each other, but mainly due to each others style of fighting being extremely aggressive and abusive.

After a few seconds, over a dozen rounds had been fought, resulting in what was essentially a stalemate. There was no reaction from either of them as they stood back merely staring at one another with a blank gaze.

The Heavenly Saint Edge suddenly lit up with fiery red Genesis Qi. It was like chaos had overtaken the length of the spear as its aura became increasingly destructive.

Julong didn't give him any time to cast his own technique and jumped forward going to a jab. Unfortunately, however, his opponent had managed to also perform a Technique, a green revitalising Qi overtaking his Sword.

He knocked the tip of the Spear away causing a large explosion to ensue, pushing them both back. Only, while a sword couldn't be used as a form of follow up in such an encounter, a spear could.

As Julong flew back, he threw the spear with all his might. It created a sonic boom and in addition a shockwave that blasted apart the remnants of the smoke and Genesis Qi that had appeared thanks to their previous clash.

It struck true, the hooded figure having to fall back on his actual Genesis Qi to block the attack by using a defensive Technique. Another explosion ensued, only this time larger.

The onlookers who had been watching the other battles had immediately drawn their attention away and toward the fight at the summit of the Saint Mountain. Even if the other battles had caused sizeable explosions, the one taking place on top was on a completely different level. From just the small amounts of Genesis Qi that had been used by them, it was clear the power at play was night and day compared to the other battles.

"The Heavenly Saint Edge really does live up to its name, even if it is in such a pitiful form compared to its former self."

"You know the name of my Genesis Weapon?"

"Anyone from back then would know what that weapon is."

"You're giving me some very big hints as to who you are, are you so convinced that you will lose in this form?"

He merely chuckled at Julong's words.

"Perhaps."

Julong didn't understand what he meant when he said that, it was a rather mixed message. The opponent whose name he was yet to learn was obviously very, very old, over 10 000 years old in fact if he was able to say he could recall the Heavenly Saint Edge from the World Ending War. But at the same time, just from the years of experience alone, he would surely outdo Julong... Just what was he trying to check?

"Then let's continue."

Grade 6 Omni-Serpent Qi burst from underneath his feet, blowing outward like a divine flame. Qi danced around him in sheer joy as it began to take the form of a grand golden dragon. Each time his Qi took form in a different grade, it would increasingly become more alike to the Ancestral Dragon, unlike the Scripture that Zhou Yuan practised which showed progression through different forms of reptiles.

His Grade-6 Genesis Qi made the Ancestral Dragon unrecognisable for those who had not seen it up close before, with very minor details shining through. Once Julong's Qi hit its peak, the dragon his Qi created would become an exact replica.

His opponent seemed to tense for a split second. He knew that this person recognised the figure his Genesis Qi had made.

A terrific roar bellowed throughout the Saint Remains Domain, signalling its unrivalled dominance.

The onlookers froze registering the grade of Genesis Qi that Julong could control. It was a shock, especially since he was still at the Heavens Gate Realm. If only they knew he had achieved such a fete at the Qi Nourishing Realm.

Even the envoys from the 6 Great Sects were taken back by surprise as they watched Julong summon his Genesis Qi.

"This kid... He was already interesting. Such talent is extremely rare these days."

The one who was speaking was none other than Mu Wuji, the same old geezer who had taken Julongs wine that day.

"Show me some more, young one."