Immortal Supreme: Sovereign of the Grand Dao

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"Bring it on!"

*swoosh!*

A punch suddenly arrived in front of Arthur's face, surprising him a little.

'Fast...'

Arthur tilted his head to dodge but another punch followed up the previous one and just like that Mark kept attacking.

But Arthur didn't lose out to his opponent's immense speed and kept on dodging with accuracy.

After Mark saw that his attacks were unable to hit Arthur he activated his speed intent to the maximum level, along with his movement technique.

Arthur sensed the increase in Mark's speed and wasted no time and did the same.

With his wind intent and Wind Ride movement technique Arthur was able to keep up with Mark's attack speed.

Although he never attacked back and was only on the defensive, he found out that Mark was more skilled in hand-to-hand combat and even with his speed, he almost got hit a few times.

But Arthur was able to adapt quite fast and was learning from the battle.

Arthur and Mark did not know that their battle had shocked the spectators.

"Such speed... I have never seen Mark move so fast."

"Their speed has gone beyond what a Gold Core Realm cultivator should be able to do."

"What is even more shocking to me is that Invincible can keep up while he only is in the fourth rank of the Gold Core Realm!"

The inner court disciples of the Blood Sword Faction frowned when they saw that Mark wasn't able to land a hit.

"This isn't going as planned."

"Don't worry, Mark is just testing the waters first. This goes to show that he is not underestimating his opponent."

"Hmm, you are right. He should be done testing right about now."

Just as an inner disciple made that comment, Mark stopped his assault and retreated.

"Ready to get serious for real?" Arthur asked.

"Apparently," Mark nodded and took a strange stance with his feet spread out and his hands imitating a claw.

Arthur raised an eyebrow as he did not know what technique Mark was about to use.

But there were disciples present that recognized that technique.

"Wait a minute. That stance, is that?"

"Yes, it is."

"Rage of the White Tiger!"

Those that recognized that technique were shocked, including the elders.

"Where did he learn that technique?"

"I have no idea, but it shouldn't be from the sect "

"Hmm, the sect only has an incomplete manual. But such a precious technique should have been kept hidden. Why would he reveal it here?"

"He must want to win at all cost."

Rage of the White Tiger was a high-grade battle technique that was invented by an esteemed cultivator from ancient times.

Its true origin was a bit vague but over the years the prowess of all who mastered it was nothing to scoff at.

The technique had strict requirements for its user and it chooses an heir by itself.

Arthur heard the whispers of the crowd and understood that Mark was about to use a powerful technique.

And this was confirmed as a powerful aura was released by Mark as he summoned his martial soul which was a White Tiger.

"Roar!"

The tiger roared with battle intent and an aura of slaughter descended upon Arthur.

Arthur looked at the White Tiger that covered Mark with its ethereal body and was surprised that he could not see the rings of light that should indicate the rank of Mark's martial spirit.

'He is concealing it?' Arthur knew that there were powerful techniques that could hide the rank of a person's martial spirit.

"You should defend yourself properly."

Mark's voice was heard and Arthur knew his opponent was very serious this time as he sensed another intent envelope him.

'Ninth Rank Slaughter Intent...'

Mark's eyes became a bit red and his aura was at its peak.

'Well, time to use that...'

Arthur activated his ninth rank Earth Intent and the peak mortal rank defense technique, Bronze Amour.

Arthur's skin began to shine in bronze light, shocking many as they saw that he had mastered that technique too.

"Let's end this in one attack?" Arthur asked and Mark nodded in agreement.

"Good, don't regret it later," Arthur smiles.

Next, wind elements hugged Arthur's body as he activated his fully mastered Wind Intent, shocking many again.

He didn't stop there and used his speed intent to the max.

'Strenght Intent Rank Ten!'

Arthur felt the invigorating power that filled his body along with the feeling of perfect control over his strength.

Arthur riled up all the essence energy in one of his cores, which was not a problem for him as he had ten cores, unlike others.

"Ready?" Mark asked.

"Let's do this..."

*Swish!*

Both sides exploded with great speed and disappeared from people's vision as they met in the middle of the stage.

"Claw of the Divine Tiger!"

"Nine Layered Waves: Full Power!"

*Boom!*

A loud explosion echoed in the arena and the entire stage got destroyed as stones and pieces of it shot out to all corners.

"Defend yourselves!" An elder warned as he and the other elders moved their essence energy and prevented many from getting injured.

Dust and smoke filled the stage where the clash just occurred but no noise was heard.

"What happened?"

Elder Majin flew forward and waves his hand at the dust to reveal two figures within a crater.

The stage was nowhere to be seen and Arthur stood with his back straight while Mark kneeled in front of him with one knee.

Mark was badly injured and coughed out blood twice in a row.

"Cough...you are strong indeed."

"You too."

"You should watch your back invincible. Trust no one, else you fall victim to the schemes of this cruel world."

Mark said that and shakily stood up and was about to leave when Arthur threw him something.

*pat!*

Mark caught it and saw it was a ring. He raised his head and looked at Arthur.

"A gift. It would be helpful to you."

Mark nodded and used his movement technique to leave the arena altogether without bothering about anything else except the thought in his heart.

'I'm sorry, brother failed you...' On his way, he suddenly opened the storage ring and got shocked by its content that he stopped abruptly.

Mark smiled, "Maybe brother didn't fail you at all."

He turned to look back at the arena for a moment and then continued to his destination with greater speed.

'Invincible, you have no idea what you have given to me...I will remember this favor.'

Back at the arena, Arthur clenched his right hand and felt a sticky liquid.

'Hmm, I'm injured?'

'I guess I didn't have a perfect win after all.'

The curtains to the Outer Court Rankings came to a close as the ranking of the top ten was announced.

"First: Invincible!"

"Second: Mark!"

"Third: Julie!"

"Fourth: Yanglin!"

"Fifth: Aselia!"

"Sixth: Tomin!"

"Seventh: Wester!"

"Eighth: Devon!"

"Ninth: Ethan!"

"Tenth: Gakner!"

After the announcement, the disciples animately discussed the last battle as Arthur's prestige spread beyond the outer court.

An announcement was made for the top ten rankers to gather in three days at the place where they will receive their rewards and instruction.

From the words of the elder that made the announcement, Arthur guessed that the sect might have a mission for the top ten outer disciples.

'That would explain the greater-than-normal rewards then...'

Arthur left the arena without meeting Luke and the others as he realized that there are some things that he had to reflect on.

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------------End of Chapter------------

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Author's Note: Finally brought this mini-arc to an end...as for the next arc?

A little adventure...

By the way, I have my first exam today...wish me luck!