Mage And Wolf
Chapter 93

Chapter 93: Chapter 93

The 30 minute warning has sounded for the afternoon fights before I manage to escape the crowd. I don’t actually move, but they’re all chased from the area so the arena can be cleaned and readied for the fighters.

It’s a brutal setup. 20 fighters will fight 10 matches each, with 5 minute breaks. If you can’t continue you forfeit. The top 4 will go to the finals tomorrow.

"Sect Mistress Becky, might I ask a small task of your disciples?" I ask the scantily clad woman.

"How small?"

I take out a grade 2 mana core and say with a smile "I would like to hire cheerleaders for the tournament"

The girls in their translucent robes have stationed themselves all around the ring. Some lounging on cushions, some standing to do a cheer routine wishing me luck. The 4 young men who came to cheer on my opponent are entirely overwhelmed.

"This has got to be cheating ref" my opponent complains "How am I supposed to fight like this?"

"They’re all outside the ring, and not interfering with the other matches as per the regulations" I argue. In fact, the other fights supporters are all giving mine plenty of room to dance and cheer.

"Deliberate outside distractions are interference. I’ll allow you 4, the rest must move to the bleachers."

"Get that ladies? You’ll be cheering from in front of the bleachers, give them a good show between fights." The judge groans but waves the excess disciples away.

"Just tell them to stay still during the fights, or I’ll call you for cheating" I give the girls an evil grin and they all take seductive poses in the scattered cushions. I am not giving up on this technique. Most of these combat oriented sects rarely see a woman.

The first fight is an easy one, his style is totally countered by the Blooming Lotus Style and I crush him within 30 seconds.

My second opponent voices the same concern, but with a much more visible discomfort. The referee explains it’s been sanctioned and they won’t move during the fight and he finally gets his game face on.

His style is sloppy but incomplete, so I’m dodging strategically to leave him off balance until I can get a clean hit in. Showing off my armor early would blow my strategy.

It’s not until the 8th fight, after 7 consecutive wins that I take a real hit, sending me rolling backwards. But in the split second when I reactivate Shadow Meld his eyes dart to the Forbidden Treasure disciple on her cushion and he can’t react in time to the blow I send for his temple, knocking him out.

He argued a while with the referee, but it is determined that staring off into space during a fight doesn’t constitute cheating, as she didn’t do anything but exist, and she’s in her Sect’s full formal Taoist robes.

more fights to go and hope no more than 4 perfect scores exist. I can do this.

Next up is a Divine Fist disciple that looks like one of the ones we met in the road in with the High River Sect ladies.

"Hey, it’s the pervert!" I greet him "Glad to see you made it in time."

"You mutilated my brothers legs you Demon. I will not be distracted by skimpy clothes and I will not hold back." Oh, so he’s actually related to that guy.

The judge is smiling at the Banter, knowing I’m getting him worked up on purpose and it’s not against the rules.

The judge signals the fight to start and I meet the first punch of his with my own, canceling force with force.

"That’s a shame you won’t be distracted. Your brother nearly died in his pathetic quest to lose his virginity. I was hoping it was inherited."

Every word is making him more sloppy, and a strike to the back of the knee sends him to the floor.

"Watch it, someone has to push his wheelchair"

Now he’s absolutely insensible, flailing like a madman. I wait until he’s exhausted himself before focusing all the energy I can into a penetrating technique of the Shadowed Blade Style.

The strike hits him cleanly in his dantian and I can feel the rush of energy leaving him. The momentary penetration has caused his Meridians to close in shock. it will be months, or years before he cultivates again, though he kept his current level.

"Sit right there and DO NOT MOVE" The judge yells at me. Soon he’s rushing back with Elder Po, an Elder of the Divine Fist and one from the Blooming Lotus Sect that appears to be a medic.

"Tell me what that demon did! It must be a forbidden technique."

"This Elder is familiar with our Shadowed Blade Style." Elder Po informs me. "

Strike me as you did his disciple, and the referee will determine if the strike was valid with his input."

I launch the strike full force at Elder Po, aiming the gathered Energy at his kidneys instead of his dantian. Elder Po of course shrugs it off with an impressed grunt.

"That’s the one, same energy pattern and all. But I think she hit you even harder" the judge says.

"It’s a penetrating strike that damages the vitals directly. Part of their core techniques and not a forbidden technique. We have an identical one in our Divine Fist Style." The Elder shakes his head.

"I think the force of the strike was the problem. His body has gone into shock and his organs briefly shut down" The Blooming Lotus Elder says. "We too have a similar technique, but much more beautiful"

I demonstrate it with a very minimal amount of energy and she glares at me. "So you’re the thief Po’s disciple".

"My apologies Elder. I was told he received the knowledge as a bedroom favor from a fallen disciple." Elder Po nearly swallowed his tongue at my words.

My last fight is a disciple of the Blooming Lotus, a male with the mark of the dual cultivation wing in his robes.

"I hear you’re familiar with our Blooming Lotus Style and it’s techniques?" He asks when I get to the ring, my entourage garnering little more than an appreciative glance.

"Not all your techniques I’m afraid. Just a few most suited to being on your feet" I joke and he laughs.

"You’re not bad for an evil cultivator you know that?"

"I aim to please"

"So do I love, so do I"

Now we’re both laughing and the referee looks annoyed.

I switch rapidly through the 4 styles I am versed in, constantly keeping him in the back foot. He leans a solid blow to my ribs and I feign injury, tricking him into going for the finish.

I land a heavy strike using the Divine Fist style to his knee, audibly breaking it and leaving him hopping on one leg.

"Tricky little demon you are." He says through clenched teeth. "Referee I forfeit. I’ve got 8 wins, that might be enough to advance and I don’t want to end up crippled."

We shake hands and the Elder of his Sect throws him a healing pill before setting his leg.

We sit and chat with the girls from the Forbidden Treasure Sect over by the bleachers until the rest of the fights are done.

I have made the only perfect score, someone from Sacred Thunder has 9 and there are 2 with 8 wins each. The Blooming Lotus Disciple and one from Divine Fist.

"Looks like you made it without a tie breaker."

"Thank goodness. You hit like a mountain troll by the way. My leg still hurts"

"Did you just call me a troll?"

"Wait, no, not like that! Mercy" He cries, making his Sect Elder laugh at his antics.

"Good save disciple. Now head back to the hotel and rest for the evening."

Elder Han of the Divine Fist is at the hotel when I return. Accompanied by the same lady of the Forbidden Treasure Sect.

"Taken a fancy to her have you?" I ask.

"I was actually here to talk about that. So you’re from the Shadowed Blade Sect are you? Didn’t see that one coming I must say."

When Sect Master Becky returns all 3 disappear upstairs, and I head into the room to restock my regeneration pills. I don’t use them much, but everyone around me does.

Dinner is a lively affair, Elder Han has proposed and his bride to be has agreed to join him at the Divine Fist Sect. I’m told they’ve been meeting every chance they get for a few years now, but hiding it from his Sect, which very much looks down on the Forbidden Treasure Sect. Officially, she will be coming over from the Sunridge Sect, where the Elder has friends.