Second World



"I already have it at the time," Wong answered. "It's not my intention to keep it hidden. I just don't think I need a greatsword to slay a kitten."

"That kitten has turned into a fearsome tiger," Domon said. "You should properly fight Haon in a martial art duel again."

"I've no desire to beat someone I've already defeated. Soon, you will also be among those that I've no desire to fight." Wong's lower arms glowed. One could see the bones behind those arms. It was the White Bone Claw. "Because you will be among the ones I've defeated!!"

Domon jumped back the instant he saw Wong's shoulder move. With the augmentation from the Muscle Tendon Transformation, he couldn't treat Wong as a normal combatant. Wong's shining claw came grabbing where his head used to be a second ago.

Wong didn't let Domon leave. He advanced while his two glowing hands keep on clawing.

Domon had trouble dodging. Even with his superior Eight Diagram Illusory Steps, it was extremely difficult to dodge Wong with his augmented speed. Domon had to focus his entire attention to not make a mistake. His usually short dodging steps were now large steps.

Domon also couldn't block the attack. Wong's augmented strength could easily break his blockades, as Wong had demonstrated earlier.

Domon tried using the trees around the grove to his advantage, but Wong was not a rookie. His situational awareness allowed him to adjust so that Domon was always in his striking range. He didn't believe Domon could continue dodging indefinitely. He only needed one grab. His white bone claw could crush anything. Domon won't survive if his claws hit.

After some time, Domon finally appeared not able to dodge anymore. Wong's claw was about to touch Domon's chest, but it suddenly veered to the side. Domon used one of his arms to slap Wong's wrist.

Wong didn't stop his assault. His body spun and his other claw headed to Domon's head. This time, Domon hit the incoming arm with an uppercut using his elbow. The claw was redirected upward.

Wong continued sending one attack after another, but Domon continued to cause them to veer away. All were done with seemingly weak slaps from the side. Domon's arm continued to move in flowing circular motions.

Domon didn't contest Wong using strength. He instead used the momentum to continuously redirect Wong's aggression.

"Tai chi fist…? You think this exercise for old people can stop me?" Wong yelled. He was frustrated that his attacks kept on failing to land on the target.

"You will regret it if you look down on this martial art," Domon replied. His hands never stopped slapping Wong's claws away.

In his anger, Wong didn't notice the irregularity in the mana flow every time Domon's hands slapped his arms.

The exchanges went on for some time. Wong's claws were unable to hit Domon but Domon also didn't manage to land a counterattack because he was fully concentrated on not getting hit. The situation appeared to be at an impasse.

"Hah! If you think I will be tired because of maintaining my art, you have another thing coming," Wong uttered. "I've mastered this Muscle Tendon Transformation. I can go on for hours in this state. You will most likely slip before I run out of energy!"

Domon didn't respond. The old grandmaster had a serious expression as he continued to deflect Wong's assault. This perturbed Wong. Even in difficult situations earlier, Domon always maintained a calm expression and enjoyed quipping back. Domon might be concentrating on not getting hit, but his situation was not that worse than earlier. He seemed to be doing more than just redirecting incoming attacks.

Wong detected the irregularities then. He felt some turbulence on the mana within his body. This turbulence seemed to be connected with his opponent's mana. Sensing this connection, Wong thought back to the time when Leavemealone used Fast Slow Illusive Fist on him. Was Domon trying to use the same martial art?

Wong was not afraid of that art, but he didn't think it was that simple. In his prudence, he decided to not stay close to Domon. He retracted his claws and then changed it into a double fist strike.

It was the Fist Cannon, another move that Wong used on Leavemealone in the world tournament. This fist cannon condensed the mana and caused it to explode following his punch.

Domon was already jumping away once Wong retracted his claws. He put his two palms to the front and formed Iron Wall. The explosive attack from the fist cannon hit the wall and pushed Domon further back. The iron wall safely protected Domon from any harm.

Once Domon was away, Wong focused his mind to study the turbulence inside his body. He tried to channel his energy to force this irregularity out, but this strange mana seemed to stubbornly remain inside. It will take some time to expel this force.

Even though Domon was standing a distance away, Wong sensed his opponent's link with the irregular mana inside his body was getting stronger instead. Domon was in a horse stance seemingly ready to do something. Whatever it was, Wong didn't think it was anything good for him.

In a split decision, Wong decided to rush forward. From the strengthening link he sensed, he didn't think it would make a difference even if he ran back and put more distance between him and Domon. The only way to stop Domon from doing what he wanted to do was by attacking him.

As Wong advanced, he looked in puzzlement when Domon made a light punch in his direction even when he was still far away.

Wong was then alarmed by the sudden intensity of the strange mana link that moved from Domon to him. In his alarm, he stopped advancing and adopted a defensive stance. He used Iron Shirt and formed a defensive barrier right where the invisible link was.

In his dismay, this intense mana just bypassed his barrier as if nothing was there. It then entered his body. Once it did, the turbulence within his body erupted.