Death... and me

The next day, Rean left the Dimensional Realm and took the job of sparring with the Yume Clan members while using his sword intent.

Roan, obviously, was the next one to head back to the Dimensional Realm. In his case, he went there to check the overall training of all members of the sect. Well, to be more exact, he didn't go talk with each of them but instead verified their progress report from the various elders of the sect. "Alright, I've got a general idea of how it is. Here, take this list and call all these sect members here."

Tian Bao, one of the elders, looked at the list, only to say soon after, "Even my name is on it, though?"

Roan nodded, replying, "Exactly. You and the people on this list seem to be the only ones who need some work on their cultivation techniques. As for the rest, they're improving within the boundaries of my expectations, so it's fine. I was planning to help Leonardo, but Rean seemed to have found the reason he was stuck already. Go ahead and call all of them."

Hearing the reason, Tian Bao was happy to hear that. He knew how good Roan was at creating and improving cultivation techniques. That meant he would receive an upgrade himself. "Leave it to me."

Roan spent half of his day working on that specific point. After he was done, he revised the general training methods, as well as the missions the sect was giving to the members. A year away meant a lot of cultivation breakthroughs, which meant that the top-level cultivation of the sect had increased. "This should be enough for now. Include the new changes into the system of the Mission Hall," Roan said to another elder of the sect.

"Yes, Sect Master Roan." The elder quickly took all the jade slips and left straight away.

Roan then looked in a certain direction, saying, "Luan, I know you're there."

Luan quickly entered the door after hearing that. "Sorry, father. I was curious about when you would be free, so I was waiting."

Roan didn't mind. "Let's go to the arenas. I want to check your improvement. It seems like you broke through a single stage, after all."

Luan was happy to hear that and quickly followed Roan to the arenas. Naturally, that was where most of the sect members practiced their skills and fought each other for whatever reason, so it was always lively. Seeing that Sect Master Roan appeared there, they all took out their communication badges and spread the news to everyone in the sect.

In just a few minutes, the surroundings of the arena Luan and Roan were in became crowded. There were humanoid race people everywhere.

Roan didn't mind since it was a good chance for them to see his weapon intent again. "Alright, I'll be using this weapon this time." Right after, Roan took his old White Star Sword. He had been using his scythe for a while, so the White Star wasn't the right level for his cultivation anymore. However, to fight Luan, who was in the Middle Stage of the Saint Realm, the sword was enough. "Let me see what you've been working on for your cultivation to grow so little since last year."

Luan took a deep breath and took out his sword as well. Last time, Roan used a wooden sword to fight him. The fact Roan was using a real sword now showed how much expectation he had. "You won't regret it, father."

'Void Style, Void Steps!'

Immediately, Luan controlled his Space Power to charge at Roan. He was taught by the ice block, so his style was the same. Attack and finish the fight as fast as possible, as deadly as possible!

Roan faintly smiled after seeing that. With Luan's movement ability alone, he could tell that Luan's control over spatial power had increased a lot since the last time they sparred. 'Not too bad.'

'Sword Intent!'

'Death Style, Third Form, Three Claws of the Dragon!'

Of course, Luan wasn't any slower.

'Void Style, Second Form, Void Mirage Blades!'

This was a skill that Luan created based on Roan's Three Claws of the Dragon. It's just that Luan didn't have either Dark or Light Element, so he used his own. He bent and forced the Space Power around his own sword to take the same shape as the real one, creating two silver-colored copies.

However, just as the two attacks were about to nullify each other, Roan narrowed his eyes. 'Something's weird...'

Sure enough, that wasn't everything Luan did. The moment both attacks connected to each other, Luan's sword became ethereal!

"Second Stage Sword Intent!"

Roan was surprised to see that happening. After all, Luan didn't even know how to use sword intent a year ago. If one counted progress alone, he was only slower at understanding it than Rean and Roan. He was even faster than Ophilia!

"Great!"

Roan unlocked a little more of his own potential, using the strength of his Third Grade Star Body!

*Clang, clang, clang!*

The Three Claws of the Dragon and the Void Mirage Blades soon connected to each other. At first, Roan believed his attack would win against Luan's. Yet, both were canceled. 'Sword intent and Space Power at the Saint Realm, what a fearful combination. Luan can definitely fight more than a realm above his cultivation with it. He's probably at the level that Philip talked about, the average level at the center of the Realm of Gods!'

It was then that Luan's body flickered through the remnant of energy from both attacks. In the end, he wasn't using his Void Step at its full potential at first. However, now he was!

'Void Style, First Form, Space-Cutting Blade!'

Roan was right in front of him, completely open to receive Luan's attack.

However...

'Death Style, Fist Movement Form, Shadow Steps!'

Dark Element spread as his body turned one with the shadows. Because of Luan's sudden charge through the remnants of energy and his usage of Space-Cutting Blade, his body wasn't in a position capable of moving straight away.

Then again, Roan didn't move much. His Shadow Steps were only used to trick Luan's sense, making him think that he would move far away from the attack. That was the opposite of what Roan did. That single step was enough to avoid Luan's attack as his White Star stopped right under Luan's neck. "You lost!"