After the referee signaled the start of the round, the crowd was cheering and rallying enthusiastically. Most were rooting for Thaddeus due to his formidable strength and put off by Dalen’s appearance.
“Kid, you should just give up now,” Thaddeus said while sipping his drink. ” Otherwise, you’re going to end up with broken limbs once the fight starts.”
He didn’t take Dalen, a guy in his 20s, seriously at all. Thaddeus’ goal was to defeat the top contenders in Group A. To him, the elites in Group B were just stepping stones.
“Father Savier, isn’t it inappropriate for a priest to enter a battle ring against younger opponents?” Dalen smiled and lightly waved his folding fan.
“What’s wrong with that?” Thaddeus countered. “Priests are human too, with the same emotions and desires as anyone else. Those you see claiming to be above it all are just hypocrites.
“Sure, they act pious, but who knows what they’re up to in private? At least I’m honest about my desires. Like they say, ‘live life to the fullest.””
“I don’t agree with your view.” Dalen shook his head and smiled. “Weren’t you once a devoted priest before you broke your vows?”
Thaddeus, an ascetic priest, had endured rigorous physical and spiritual training. Only a major provocation could shake his steadfast faith.
He scoffed. “The past is behind me, and now I see things clearly. I used to be naive and too trusting, which led to unnecessary suffering.
“Now I have awakened to this realization. I’m living comfortably and enjoying life. Life is short. So, why endure hardship when we can enjoy wealth and comfort? Doesn’t it seem foolish to choose otherwise?”
“It seems you have forsaken asceticism for a different path.” Dalen was unfazed.
“True. I’m no longer an ascetic priest. But my skills are as sharp as ever. If you insist on suffering, I won’t hesitate to oblige,” Thaddeus replied coldly.
“In that case, I’m ready to learn from you today,” Dalen said respectfully.
“Hmph! Have it your way!”
Thaddeus raised his flask, took a swig, and spat a mouthful of liquor in Dalen’s direction.
Suddenly, flames erupted from the liquor. It swirled like a living creature and transformed into a flaming red dragon that charged at Dalen.
Dalen smiled faintly. He didn’t dodge or flinch. Instead, he calmly raised his folding fan and waved it toward the flaming dragon.
A powerful gust of wind burst forth. It sliced through the air with razor-sharp blades that tore the flaming dragon into pieces. The scattered flames vanished without a trace.
Their first clash ended in a draw, with neither gaining the upper hand.
“Hmm?” Thaddeus raised an eyebrow in surprise as he watched Dalen neutralize the flaming dragon he had unleashed. He begrudgingly acknowledged Dalen’s skill.
“Again!” Thaddeus declared defiantly. He took another swig of his liquor, then spewed another blast at Dalen.
But unlike the flame dragon earlier, this spray transformed into a swirling icy fog that swept toward Dalen. The temperature plummeted sharply, and it froze everything in its path.
“Oh? Now this is getting interesting,” Dalen remarked. He was intrigued by the unusual blend of fire and ice.
As the icy fog closed in, he remained still. With a wave of his folding fan, he unleashed a powerful gust of wind. A surge of raw energy burst forth, accompanied by a tornado that crashed into the fog.
Crackling sounds echoed through the air like popped corn.
The icy fog crystallized into tiny ice shards that rained like hailstones onto the ground below. In mere seconds, the icy fog dissipated entirely. It left behind scattered fragments of ice in its wake.
“Impossible!” Thaddeus frowned in frustration as his attacks failed again.
The skills he had just displayed were more than enough to deal with most divine martial artists. Yet, Dalen proved a different challenge. He effortlessly neutralized Thaddeus’s every move. It was perplexing.
“Father Savier, resorting to such tactics seems disrespectful for an ascetic priest. If we’re to spar, demonstrate your true skills.” Dalen smiled faintly as he casually waved his folding fan.
His confident and elegant demeanor caused a group of women in the stand to scream excitedly.
