Nine Paths of Asura-Original Wuxia

Chapter 76 - Blatant Intervention

"Let's begin then" 

Lineir smiled and neglected to use his sword for the spar. He could sense that the man in front of him, though not simple, was honest and straightforward. While he could have Mei soften the edge of the blade so as to not be lethal, it would make more sense for him to simply duel with his fists. What he was looking to compare was elemental insights, not weapon skills. His hands imperceptibly darkened and a heavy sense of ponderousness permeated the atmosphere. Upon seeing this Jun Li smiled as well. 

"Essence of Darkness, very well, let us compare insights!" 

His hands glowed blue and everything in the area immediately began to experience a universal pull towards him.

"Kiddo, while his insights are related to yours, they are concentrated in a different area than yours. He is clearly manipulating the laws of gravity using darkness as a base to gather mass. If you pay close enough attention you can definitely gain some firsthand insight into how to manipulate gravity as well!"

Whoosh!

Astonishingly, Jun Li's attraction grew to a level where Lineir was gradually being forced forward against his will. It became obvious that Lineir's technique simply did not generate the same level of attraction. To be more accurate, you could say that Lineir's usage of darkness was not even primarily to create an attractive force. He was simply gathering a large amount of Darkness Qi and in doing so, the world naturally grew heavier around him.

"This...I can feel it calling to me!" 

In Lineir's brain, insights were being calculated at furious rates. This kind of battle of insights was truly stimulating. Finally an opponent who was neither too powerful or too weak! Since they were simply sparring, Lineir was willing to fight in a stupid and pigheaded manner. Namely, competing directly in this strange contest of attractive forces. If it was a normal fight he would have long since launched himself forward into true close range combat. However, though it might be a friendly contest, he had no intentions of competing to lose!

Jun Li had been growing confident seeing Lineir being pulled forward. However he quickly realized that Lineir was not giving an inch after the initial step! Within moments though Lineir was still off balance Jun Li could pull him no farther. He also wondered why this strange man had suddenly challenged him to a duel only to compete only on the forces of attraction. For a man like Jun Li though, he was happy to compete on any topic and switching styles to close combat would almost be the equivalent of admitting defeat so he kept doing exactly as Lineir wanted and continued to compete merely with the laws of gravity.

"Not enough! He's going to win!" 

Lineir strained his mind but his knowledge of Qi was simply too rudimentary compared to one who had probably studied since he could walk!

***************

Meanwhile in the Head Administrator's cave.

"What is he doing! A friendly duel in the middle of the Sightless Plains! If he had encountered any other Chosen it would have been a life or death battle!" 

The head administrator was losing his mind. Suddenly, time froze around him with the exception of the image of the tea cup he had been using to monitor the battle. The image kept playing while the Head Administrator dripped sweat in fear. The lordly voice came again directly in his mind yet all around him at the same time.

"Make the rain fall." It commanded.

"Wha-whaaat?" The Head Administrator had been expecting an order to intervene directly in the fight and pull out Lineir before it got any further or other Chosen noticed.

"The Death Qi filled rain of the swamp. Make it rain." 

Though the voice had no sense of urgency, only a sense of unyielding demand, the Head Administrator fumbled over himself as time restarted and he could do more than quiver helplessly again.

"Yes your lordship! It will be done your lordship!" Internally however he was frantically hoping that no one in the Heavens were not watching this Trial too closely. To alter the conditions of the Sightless Plains with acid rain...though he didn't know why, it was clearly interfering and could be inferred as blatant favoritism!

Absentmindedly the voice seemed to mumble in the passing, "I wonder if he can comprehend the legacy I left at that time...."

***********

Chi.....shi shi shi shiiiiiiiiii!!!

The sound of rain filled the air and the clear skies of the Sightless Plains darkened with a sudden Death Qi filled rain. For the first time in millennia the Trials were altered! Everywhere Chosen stared up at the sky in wonder.

"What is this?"

"How can this be...?"

"The rain of the bog?"

"Is this some new quirk of the Trials? My father didn't describe this at all!"

Immediately Chosen began to marvel and exclaim. Some even thought that someone was interfering with the Trials and hit the nail on the head! However there were many who were fighting which simply circulated their protective Qi and continued to fight. After all, a rain of this level, while disconcerting, was not enough to seriously affect Chosen who had made it to the Sightless Plains.

"Strange...why did it begin to rain..." Jun Li began to think before simply circulating his Qi and redoubling his efforts to pull Lineir to him.

"Death Qi rain...how odd...wait..." Lineir at first dismissed the rain, but after a few moments stopped fighting it. Jun Li looked on in astonishment at Lineir,

"Are you crazy?? Why would you let Death Qi rain enter your meridians! If you want to stop the duel this one will definitely let you recover!"