In an impressive feat of agility, Zhu Rhee immediately sprinted at Ishin. The motion was so sudden that Ishin didn’t even process what was happening until Zhu Rhee was only a few feet away. Her speed is insane!

  A fist shrouded in darkness approached Ishin from the side, and he barely brought up the shaft of his spear in time to block the attack. He didn’t know if his wooden spear would survive the enhanced punch, but it was better than taking the attack head-on without protection. When Zhu Rhee’s fist was an inch away from the spear shaft, the darkness suddenly melted off from her hand and formed a second shadow fist. Zhu Rhee’s bare fist continued to strike Ishin’s spear, sending a vibration of force through the weapon and into his arm—but the shadow fist navigated around the spear shaft and struck Ishin square in the jaw, launching him across the room.

  Ishin slid across the hard wooden floor, but stretched out his arm to bring himself to a stop. His jaw was numb from the blow, but it wasn’t broken. Before him, an unimpressed Zhu Rhee looked down at him. Ishin cracked his jaw, hearing a click.

  That attack only had the strength of a normal punch. Even though it was empowered by the strength of a fourth-layer cultivator, a single direct blow wouldn’t be enough to kill me. If her first enhanced punch had got me, then I’d have been in trouble. Still, to alter techniques so rapidly... She’s far more talented in qi manipulation than me.

  Adjusting the spear in line with his opponent, Ishin prepared for his counterattack. He wouldn’t risk using the Pale Azure Lightning Force Strike against her—lest he accidentally kill her—but he could still cycle his qi to his legs for basic enhancement. He didn’t know if Zhu Rhee would survive a direct strike from his spear, but if she was as strong as Hou Lei claimed, then he wasn’t going to worry about it.

  Ishin shot forward with basic enhanced speed, spear pointed at Zhu Rhee’s heart. A faint smile spread across her lips. She stretched out her arm, and her shadow rose from the ground before spreading across her arm, forming a forearm shield. Ishin’s spear tip collided with the shadow construct. No matter how hard he pressed, he was unable to budge the shield.

  It’s as durable as an actual shield.

  Adapting, Ishin pivoted to the side, thrusting his spear at Zhu Rhee’s exposed flank. Right before his attack landed, the shadow forearm shield melted away and reformed as a plate of protective armor along her left side, defending against the attack.

  It can change that quickly!?

  Ishin’s surprise was short-lived, as Zhu Rhee turned and struck a hard rod composed of shadow against his face. The young Daihu Tribe cultivator stumbled backward, his vision blurry. He felt a trickle of blood drip from his lip as the taste of metal filled his mouth. Ishin spat a mouthful of blood to the side.

  “When did you...?” he asked, pressing a hand to his injured face. It was definitely going to bruise, but he wasn’t done yet.

  The shadow rod and plate armor dissolved, returning back to Zhu Rhee’s own shadow.

  “Are you going to use an actual technique? You’ll need to do more than cycle qi to increase your speed and strength if you want to impress me.”

  A growl emanated from deep within Ishin’s soul. She’s taunting me. Bringing his spear forward, Ishin’s vision finally cleared.

  “Sorry for disappointing you. Let me try again.”

  “Come on, Ro Ishin!” Hou Lei called out from the side.

  Zhu Rhee spared a glance at Hou Lei, which Ishin saw as his opportunity. He ran at Zhu Rhee, who merely lifted her hands in defense. Two more forearm shields formed from the shadows.

  If she thinks that’ll work a second time, she’s mistaken!

  Ishin aimed his spear at Zhu Rhee’s legs this time, and predictably, the darkness cultivator moved an arm to block the attack, leaving the other in reserve. Ishin continued the attack, but when it predictably collided with the forearm shield, he used the momentum from the impact to bring the butt of his spear forward, aiming at her head. Zhu Rhee brought her other shield up to successfully block the follow-up attack.

  That was fine—because the block also obscured her line of sight.

  The second the shield met the butt of Ishin’s spear, he stepped on the forearm shield Zhu Rhee still had guarding her legs and propelled himself to the side. He dropped the spear and rotated midair in time to see a bewildered expression spread across Zhu Rhee’s face. Ishin cycled as much qi as possible into his fist and struck her straight in the face.

  Despite the power of qi coursing through his arm, the impact still felt like punching a plank of wood. That didn’t matter. What mattered was Zhu Rhee being knocked several feet back, nearly losing her footing. The two forearm shields dissipated, rejoining her shadow, and Ishin heard his spear clatter to the ground.

  He watched as the number one disciple of the Eight Oaths Resolve Martial School rubbed at the light bruise slowly spreading across her right cheek.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Not enough!

  Ishin darted at Zhu Rhee, not intending to give her any time to recover. He was on her in seconds and struck with both fists. Before his punches could connect, darkness completely engulfed him, leaving him blind. The sudden void threw Ishin off guard, and he pulled his arms back in defense. He looked around, but there was only darkness in all directions.

  Is this an illusion?

  Four fists suddenly collided with Ishin’s raised arms, pushing him backward. The attacks hurt, but were nothing serious.

  Those must’ve been more shadow punches.

  At least now he knew generally where Zhu Rhee was. He turned ninety degrees and immediately ran, hoping to escape the range of this darkness technique. It couldn’t go on indefinitely.

  Mid-run, something wrapped around one of his legs, causing Ishin to fall hard. Groaning, he tried to pull himself up, but more tendrils wrapped around his other leg, pinning him in place.

  “Give up?” Zhu Rhee’s voice echoed through the darkness.

  “Not even close,” Ishin growled. He tried pulling away from the tendrils, but two more formed, yanking him back toward the ground. Straining his muscles, he was unable to free himself.

  I will not lose like this!

  Ishin pointed a hand toward the source of the tendrils within the darkness. He no longer cared if Zhu Rhee was hit by the attack. Victory was all that mattered. He cycled his qi, and fierce lightning with a white central stripe appeared before his hand. Lightning danced across his body, illuminating the surrounding darkness. There was still no sight of Zhu Rhee, but he saw the shadow tendrils wrapped around his legs and the general direction of their origin.

  Ishin launched the Pale Azure Lightning Force Strike at the source of the tendrils. A loud explosion echoed through the room as the shadows dissolved. Wooden debris blasted into the air, and Ishin coughed as dust filled his lungs. He covered his eyes with an arm, waiting for the dust to settle. When he lowered his arm moments later, the concealing shroud of darkness had faded.

  Off to the side, Zhu Rhee studied him, arms crossed. A large, protracted shadow gradually coalesced back into her own. Ishin noticed the edges of her blue and orange robes were singed, and her previously silky black hair was frazzled.

  “That was quite the technique.”

  Ishin pulled himself off the ground. His breath was heavy, and his meridians ached from the pain of the technique. The internal growling from his soul had faded, and reason returned to him now that the fight had seemingly ended.

  “It’s one I prefer not to use directly against an opponent unless I’m trying to kill them.”

  Zhu Rhee looked at the large scorched hole in the wooden floor. It was the size of a wide window. “I see why.” She rubbed the bruised part of her face. “An attack like that would definitely kill a third-layer cultivator. Heavens, even a fourth-layer cultivator might die if hit directly.”

  “Isn’t he something?” Hou Lei said, walking over. “With power like that, we’ll be sure to really surprise the schools’ teams.”

  Zhu Rhee nodded. “Where did you learn that technique? I’ve seen some lightning techniques before, but yours seemed more destructive.”

  Feeling the tension leave his body now that the fight was truly over, Ishin went to retrieve his spear. “It’s a unique one from my… clan.” That still felt weird to say.

  “Your clan,” Zhu Rhee remarked.

  Ishin could tell she wanted more, but he wouldn’t provide further details. He didn’t even know much more than that himself—but the little he did know wasn’t something he was going to share with Hou Lei or Zhu Rhee yet.

  “Well,” Zhu Rhee continued once it was clear Ishin wasn’t going to say anything more, “I think it’s safe to say that you show some potential.”

  “Some potential?” Hou Lei interjected. “I don’t know of any second-layer cultivators who could’ve landed a punch against you or done that,” he said, pointing at the hole in the ground.

  Zhu Rhee shot him a glare, shutting him up. “As I was saying, I’ll give you a chance to join our team.”

  Ishin rested his spear over his shoulder and approached the two school disciples. “What does that mean?”

  “You can train with our school on probationary status. I’ll talk with my grandfather, the school’s grand master, and I’m sure he’ll approve. We’ll get you some robes in our colors and you can train on the school grounds.” She pointed at Hou Lei. “He’ll oversee your training, but you won’t bother with any of the normal classes. In a month, we’ll see if you’re worthy to actually join our team—or if someone else is.”

  Ishin frowned. “I thought this bout was to determine if I would join your team.”

  “It was to determine if you should be given the chance to join our team,” Zhu Rhee said with a shrug. “I decided that you’re at least worth consideration.” She touched her frazzled hair, scowling. “Hou Lei will let you know once your robes are ready. Now then,” she sighed, “I have to tell my grandfather that the floor needs to be repaired.”

  She turned to go.

  Sensing that he was being dismissed, Ishin quickly spoke up. “Wait!”

  Zhu Rhee returned her attention to Ishin. “What is it?”

  “I…” Ishin hated that he needed to ask this, but he was very low on money. “Is there somewhere that disciples can stay for free?”

  Zhu Rhee tilted her head. “Do you mean to sleep at?”

  “Yes… and to eat at?” Heavens, that felt uncomfortable to ask.

  Brows furrowed, Zhu Rhee asked, “Are you homeless?”

  Before Ishin could come up with an awkward response, Hou Lei answered. “He’s from the Nine Striped Hills, Rhee. Found him staying at a shabby inn in the Western Quarter. That’s no place for our future team member to reside.”

  Zhu Rhee pursed her lips. “You found him, Lei. You can help him out.”

  She turned to leave again, but before she could depart, Ishin said with a bow, “Thank you, Senior Sister Zhu.”

  The name caught Zhu Rhee’s attention, and she gave him a considering look. After several seconds, she eventually returned the bow and said, “You are welcome, Junior Brother Ishin.” She left immediately afterward.

  Ishin rose from his bow and watched Zhu Rhee go. What an interesting woman. His thoughts were disrupted when a heavy hand clamped down on his shoulder. Hou Lei beamed at him with an enthusiastic smile.

  “Come, Junior Brother. Let’s find you a bed.”