>>6476370

Or even the belly of a forge demon! Turning human midstep just to endure the heat, you ignore your nudeness and saunter up to the sweating Huofeng's. Whose skin is so red he looks like fried shrimp or Broiled octopus.

"Madam Huanliuxue" He says, catching his tongue as his eyes pop briefly as he sees your bare body, barely obscured by the steam and white smoke, as you lean to the side and put your hands on your well muscled hips. You cock an eyebrow, daring him to say anything or stare too long. You have nothing to be ashamed of! Your body, human or feline, is a work of art that should be admired. But not too much...Hm, actually, there isn't much lust in his eyes. Maybe he's surprised by how strong and athletic your frame is. What, has he never seen a wild fairy before? Is he too used to those jade beauties who can barely stand in a spring breeze that he's frozen with shock when he sees a red jade that can stand against and split an avalanche? Heh-Heh

"You certainly are a proud beauty, I forgot for a moment, you are a beast at heart" He chuckles, and gestures with a chin dripping with sweat that you can sit upon the steel altar he's been mediating on. You wince as you see the steam rising out from his legs as he shifts and adjusts his sitting posture

"What's that supposed to mean? this body is the result of my effort, you humans are the strange ones for getting all flustered at just the sight of a bare nape" You scoff, and don't sit down, just walking forward and parting steam and smoke alike "So this is how you prepare for your next match"

"The strange spiritual energies of the cosmos were clogging my meridians after my last match" He answers "I do not know how to wield this type of foreign Qi, so I need to expunge it. And there were other impurities, I had accumulated in prior matches. You, who has learned to turn impurity into strength, must not need to take such precautions"

"What impurities? Death is natural, as is blood, and so are the stars and moon" You snicker, leaning forward. He takes a sharp breath and forces his head up, pulling his eyes away from your bouncing bosom to focus on your sneering eyes "So you're sweating out the impurity you'd absorbed unknowingly, that isn't the only reason"

"I am tempering my mind and activating a number of sealed meridians, it is one of the cultivation methods of my tradition, as well as a ancestral meditation technique. I am both purifying my body, clearing my mind, and putting it through hell to awaken its potential" He answers "This fresh arm of mine, requires a little more time to adapt and synchronize with the rest of me"

You frown, knowing he's keeping one last secret as you hop forward and he gives up the in vain battle of ignoring the glorious peaks of Huan mountain by shutting his eyes, the sweat boiling down his brow sealing them as you pout, sad that your game was cut short.
Cont

"It is also, if rumors are to be believed, like your meditations in graveyard, in the company of ghosts. I am, or was, communing with my Dao and Dao heart"

"Hence the collection of rare sun jade...and star fragments" You say with a grin as you turn around and lean over to examine a brazier up close, hissing as a sudden burst of steam flies up and throws up your mane of hair and scalds your face

"Huanliuxue, may I ask if you came here for reasons besides curiosity or the instinctive desire cats have to see what's behind closed doors?" He asked, opening one eye as you stumble back, pawing and rubbing your face to get the steam off

"Oh, yeah, I had almost forgotten with how fun it was teasing an old man like you" You snicker, grinning as he sighs hard enough to puff his cheeks

"My wife would wisely choose me as her target if she saw us now" He grumbled "So what is your reason, my benefactor and host"

"A reminder, to not court death" You say, hopping to land right in front of him, eyes wide and glaring as you look down at him with a stare that wouldn't be too different from the empty expression of a corpse killed in surprise

"Is this about my attempt to self destruct this fresh arm of mine? I was not the first nor last to attempt a modified self destruction technique" He asks, not taking offense "I...admit, I was expecting you to come storming up to me right after, to lecture and scold me for nearly throwing away this gift you've given me"

"I enjoy surprising people, why do you think cats like to weave between legs" You say as you almost sit down on reflex before remembering this sun worshipper is reclining on a plate of steel that could fry a dragon's tail "And that is correct. I already have my hands full treating my subordinate, I don't want my ally to need to recuperate as well"

He opened his eyes a sliver, looking suspect

"The war, my rebellion. Yes" He says "I won't ask you to divulge what the lord of the Xia did to survive, I will have no issues fighting alongside a vengeful ghost or walking corpse. But I appreciate the reminder, the cheers and adoration of the crowd, can be blinding. I will remember to restrain myself and remember this is only a tournament, despite all of the promises of glorious victory"

"That makes it sound like you have a question, and before you ask, no I won't consider a match with one of your..." You start, snickering as you make an audacious accusation to keep pestering and teasing Huofeng, since you found out this Disi Ling is very funny to mess with and bully

"That would be the death of any of my sons, you're a terrifying force of a woman" He says sharply, taking you seriously "And I do have one question, burning hotter than the sun infused steam here, and that is....why are you so focused on this no name rogue, Star Shooter and the rest of his cohort? You seem to have taken notice of them"

"What gave it away? the fact I openly marked him as my rival? Or the fact I've been checking in on them?" You ask

>>6476373

"I just wanted to be certain, and since you...clearly aren't in a secretive mood" He said, gesturing vaguely at your...well everything while keeping his eyes politely off of that aforementioned everything "I figured, since we are to be allies and you have been so generous and kind that..."

"I'd tell you why I made that runt my rival, when everyone else is thinking if they'd need to team up with all the rest of the competition to have a shot at taking me down?" You ask with a teasing sneer as you circle and strut around him, just to make him sweat more

"...in not so blunt of words, but yes"

What do you tell Huofeng, now that he's promised to not risk his life or limb, Huanliuxue?

>"He shot me once. And it is well known how tightly I hold onto my grudges. That should tell you enough"

>"Ask him, maybe he'll tell you if you beat him. See you in the semi finales, lord disi ling...or not"

>"Oh, it isn't a secret. He and the other four were once gods. And they've always had it out for me, those heavens"

>"Refinement. I didn't like him, or any of them at the start, but he's lasted the longest and I want to hammer him into shape, so he can push the others to fulfill their potential"

>"You might as well ask why I barged in like I did, why I adopted jade rabbits or why I wandered into hell mid tournament. It is just a fancy of mine"

>Write in

Next update is Huofeng vs Starshooter, and the vote will be for how you prep to fight elder sword, the reveal of the lucky lottery winner.

Might fit in a few cut aways in it, but we'll see. We'll see

>>6476375
>"Oh, it isn't a secret. He and the other four were once gods. And they've always had it out for me, those heavens"

>>6476375
>"Refinement. I didn't like him, or any of them at the start, but he's lasted the longest and I want to hammer him into shape, so he can push the others to fulfill their potential"

>>6476375
>>"He shot me once. And it is well known how tightly I hold onto my grudges. That should tell you enough"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdgD8OP04RE
We need our getback. Even if it is also to teach them all a lesson. We can double dip on the meaning and purpose of our actions. How lucky.

>>6476375
>He shot me once.

Why not. It's the truth

>>6476375
>>"He shot me once. And it is well known how tightly I hold onto my grudges. That should tell you enough"

4chans back up

File: 1760715836878448.png (2.43 MB, 1536x1536)

2.43 MB PNG

finally, the site is back. Ending the vote and tallying the result now. Lost two pieces of teaware while I was waiting for the site to work again, so Grandfather is suffering from a few heart demons atm. Especially as I am forced to drink tea from my tiniest pot, since my other two are, too big for most days and devoted to Sheng Puerh respectively

Oh, it isn't a secret. He and the other four were once gods. And they've always had it out for me, those heavens":1

"Refinement. I didn't like him, or any of them at the start, but he's lasted the longest and I want to hammer him into shape, so he can push the others to fulfill their potential":1

"He shot me once. And it is well known how tightly I hold onto my grudges. That should tell you enough":3

So you'll tell Disi Ling Huofeng "He shot me once. And it is well known how tightly I hold onto my grudges. That should tell you enough"

Update will arrive shortly

>>6476406
lmao, love venture bros

You don't have to consider your answer for long, so with your back to Disi Ling Huofeng, backside and shoulders hidden by steam and smoke, you tell him exactly why you singled out Star Shooter as your rival in the Tournament, and oh so publicly as well.

"He shot me once" You answer, glancing back over your shoulder and see Lord Disi-Ling's eyes pop open and widen with a look of revelation, and you hope its because of what you said and not can be vaguely glimpsed right in front of his eyes "And it is well known how tightly I hold onto my grudges. That should tell you enough"

"I see, I am enlightened. So vengeance was the root of the matter" He says, curiosity clearly satisfied before he sucks in a scalding breath between his teeth and from the peeling sound, you can tell he adjusted his sitting posture to lean and crouch forward, knuckles pressed against his chin as he grimaces, a new curiosity taking the place of the one just satiated

"But ah, Lady Huanliuxue, did this rogue shoot and pierce you with an arrow, before you awakened and ascended to the position of a Magical Beast, or was this encounter just prior to your trial. For as wily and formidable as you are, I can't imagine you could survive a golden core level shot, unless he too is a rare talent that shot up to...no that wouldn't be right, he fights like a novice with some talent" Huofeng asks, but quickly gets caught up in his own musings, so with a girlish titter, you wave good bye and leave him to his steam and his heat and his sun jade as you beat a quick retreat. The guards outside even manage to remember how to grip their spears as you prance past them, ignoring them as you leave to get dressed and watch the fateful, last match of the round.

You decide to wear your sect robes and little jewelry and decoration, since you're going to be fighting soon. And you're joined by the Geges as well as most of your students who haven't left on journeys of discovery or to find a way to breakthrough their bottlenecks. Smiling, you lean back into your throne and watch as Huofeng, still steaming from his mediation enters the arena. And shortly there after, Star Shooter, dressed in his usual manner but with tokens from his four friends wrapped around his bow does the same.

"Though he was met with scorn in his first matches, Disi Ling Huofeng has proven that not every branch of that sun blessed clan has degenerated and withered! People of Chuan, the redeeming blaze, the keeper of holy flames, the patriarch of the Disi Ling family and the noble traitor of the Ling Clan, enters the ring for what may be his last match, slick with sweat and with eyes ablaze to peer the sun's own glare!" Ling Wucai excitedly announces "And the last of the sectless rogues, Xing Sheshou, borrowing the name of a minor martial diety, the star shooter in the red star general's celestial army, enters opposite of this surprise hero and friend of Chuan!"
Cont

>>6477484

You smirk as you briefly meet Star Shooter's gaze, as Five colors continues announcing him "He has surprised us, though he is clearly lacking refinemet and sturdy foundations, and has shown his arrogance in claiming the epithet of a god, however petty, as his own alias, he has proven himself capable! Beating the Xue Clan Patriarch and lord of the Winter Blossoming Sect, as well as achieving an equal feat to Huanliuxue, by besting two opponents on their own! That bow of his has clearly been refined, but will it be enough to reach one of the inheritors of the Sunblessed lands!"

"Star Shooter, I heard you have more history with our host than most know" Huofeng said, tauntingly as Star Shooter, suspicious, nodded his head once

"And I saw her give you that arm, seems we're both leashed to that irritating woman, one way or another" He said, but his words didn't sound like they had much venom "How'd you find out?"

"A cat yowls when they are wounded, in pride or body" Huofeng answered vaguely and you narrowed your eyes as Jionghuagege looked ready to ask you herself what happened, but then shut her trap

"Oh, she told you" Star Shooter said "I can never tell what she considers a secret needing keeping and something that can be shared, her behavior is baffling. She might smile and disembowel you, or swear vengence while treating you to delicacies"

"Men know not the minds of women, nor cats" Huofeng laughed 'But enough gossip, boy, prove yourself worthy to take a second shot at the grand Huanliuxue, or falter at this step"

And with that said, they cupped fists, the greatest show of respect that Star Shooter had shown in the tournament, bowed deeply and walked through the rift you made into space. Tiexingege turned to you, looked ready to ask a question, then sighed as your students gnashed their teeth or shook their heads at the bravado the two fighters had shown in so plainly and casually speaking about their master like you were any ordinary noble lady.

And they do not waste anytime tearing into eachother. Star Shooter kicks off a stray star's tail and Huofeng unsheathes his silvery blade as his opponent flies away and creatures a league of distance. There is a glimmer of silver sword light, that rapidly burnishs gold as a ripple of steam rises out of Huofeng's pores as his eyes turn into miniature suns. Star Shooter flips around, stringing two arrows formed out of pure Qi, one black and the other flashing rainbow. A rift tears through the space between the two fighters, as the Cosmic Qi arrow collapses into itself and creates a tunnel between the two. Huofeng responds immediately, slashing his sword as his sword light is distorted. The destructive Yin Qi arrow, clearly inspired by your favorited ranged attack of Destructive Yin Sphere's expands and explodes into two different blasts as it is split down the center.
Cont

>>6477485

Star Shooter kicks off another stray start, narrowly the distorted sword light, as he rapid fires off arrows from his quiver, pricking his finger on each as he sends them Soaring.

Huofeng maneuvers, gliding between the still expanding explosions, sword at his side and a paper talisman clasped between the fingers of his other hand. The talisman burns and the spell activates, and right behind it, Huofeng is flashing the handsigns and seals of another spell as the spell from the talisman's array sparkles into being and a great river of sunlight pours and transmutes into two tigers formed out of celestial fire. The arrows dipped with former god's blood fly, and bubbles and tendrils rise on the blood as Star Shooter, without any training or affinity for it, pulls on the water in the blood using Qi control to slightly adjust the trajectory of the arrows. Unable to truly control his blood, they arc in unexpected angles, but Huofeng remains resolute as he marches, swinging his sword as his twin tigers of fire chart a path and snatch a few of Star Shooter's attacks out of the sky.

The distance is closing between them, Huofeng crouched down and sheathed his sword, brow heavy and shoulders bowed as his tigers flew towards Star Shooter, Fangs and claws barred. His eyes shine, and he blocks the bite of one with his phyical bow, while his hands draw a faint and ghostly duplicate, and send an arrow of pure start light through the head of the Qi beast, that flickers away. A brief, momentary glimpse of...bow light? Arrow Light? Star Shooter finally lived up to his name? But unfortunately, there were two tigers, and the next one pounce on him, forcing him to a stream of ice and star dust as it lashed its claws and gnashed its teeth formed from the tongues of sun flares. And Huofeng unsheathed his sword and launched another sun light sword beam at him. Star Shooter, shoulders torn, snarled and snapped a finger.

He vanished, replaced with one of the straw arrows he fired, and draws a sword he had hidden within his sleeve. And you smirk. Even from this distance, you could smell the blood on it.

So Star Shooter trained between matches by testing his fangs. That was one of the swords of the Seven Slaughtering Swords, not one of the Seven, but one owned by one of their members. Star Shooter had prepared himself by taking a life. Interesting. Unfortunately, he isn't a swordman. And while you aren't either, you've watched Qiang and others fight enough to notice the flaws in his stance and grip.

But, the sneak attack worked to surprise Huofeng, who spun around and clashed blades, quickly turning around the lock but, Star shooter pulled back his free hand and sent an arrow of Qi point blank into Huofeng's side. You sat up straighter as Tiexingege cheered and the crowed followed her, none louder than Star Shooter's fellow fallen gods. Huofeng's eyes flared, and he lashed out with the arm you gave him and...
Cont

>>6477486

"...He must've used water from my garden" You say, realizing that he had used a bit of primordial beast essence to transform the pure sun qi he had worn like an aura cloak to reshape it into a tiger's claw. Star Shooter reeled, barely blocking the strike, flickers of golden flame licking at his hair and cheek as the Solar Tiger Huofeng summoned roared and pounced from behind him. Star Shooter Snapped his fingers, Huofeng whipped around, purged the primordial beast essence and pulled his blade over his shoulder, a great vortex of fire forming around its tip, condensing and turning into a point of pure, golden light as Star Shooter, grabbing an arrow from the quiver at his side, aimed in a different direction from Huofeng.

At a star, and with his bow back in his hand, shot it. There was a flash in the sky, Ling Wucai cheered for his distant descent, forgetting he was supposed to be announcing the match as he threw a fist up in the air. And then, there was a cascade of colors as a star was shot and shards of it flew out. The beam of light refracted, star shooter vanished repeatedly as Huofeng was buffeted by an astral whirl wind and a twister of his own, purifying sunlight while his opponent desperately ran away from the Solar Tiger and gouts of celestial fire, swinging the sword he looted from a corpse or firing off a qi arrow before blinking away.

The storm of a broken star died down, settling as Huofeng rose back to his feet, robes cut through and star light glittering in his cuts as Star Shooter finally managed to pin down the Spirit Tiger with an arrow to its front and back paws. He was clawed all over, and burned all over, with golden flames licking and growing on him. Huofeng, besides the wound in his side and cuts and slashes from the broken star, was in a much better state.


He blinked and suddenly flashed into a spark of golden fire, using a strange movement technique to move between the bonfires Star Shooter's rapid escape via arrow replacement had left behind. Star Shooter's eyes widened, and you clearly read his lips spitting out the word "Shit!", as he began to notch and let loose arrows, physical or formed from all manner of spiritual energy as he realized that his opponent was locked onto him and he couldn't run away from much longer.

And a few of them landed, but Huofeng had controlled the match from the beginning. And he had paid close attention to Star Shooter clearly. He respected him, because he didn't give him time to breath and adapt or improvise like he did in his prior two matches. He closed in, slashing down or burning most of the arrows that were shot to him. Those he wasn't able to block or dodge by jumping to a new fire, he ignored, as their shafts burned away as his aura began to burn hotter and hotter and the sunlight in his eyes began to bleed out and trail, giving him eyes like a furious dragon.
Cont

>>6477488

He was upon Star Shooter, as he notched another arrow, and he struck, first with his real blade, then with a ethereal sunlit copy. And There was a flash in the sky.

Star Shooter grimaced, as one of his arms erupted into bright golden flames, but he and Huofeng were blade locked. He'd seen through the ruse, and blocked the right strike. Huofeng smiled and took in a breath, drawing in the light from the stars floating around them. Star Shooter didn't wait, and using the sword he'd taken as a bow, he drew an arrow of black, destructive yin Qi, crackling with energy that looked...remarkably like grudge energy. You clicked your tongue and grinded your teeth, wondering if Star Shooter discovered Grudge Energy.

Huofeng slammed his palm into Star Shooter's chest, and sent him flying to avoid having his head pierced by a destructive yin arrow. But he wasn't the target. The stars gathering around them were. The Arrow Shattered and split the small stars, which began to break apart into storms of rainbow colored destruction. Huofeng lips moved, and you read a much more colorful curse than shit on them as Star Shooter grinned and then froze.

A paper talisman fluttered on his chest. A simple spell, but one that left him unable to take advantage of the opening the trap he'd created had made. It was a paralysis spell. A pretty simple one. Shuts off the meridians momentarily, locking acupoints and thus tightening muscles

But

it was something Star Shooter hadn't seen coming, and something he had never experienced. His eyes darted, as Huofeng roared and channeled the primordial beast essence he had refined while mediating, along with the Sun aligned fire Qi and survived the Falling Star Rain by burning it away. And the day grew a bit brighter and a bit hotter as he escaped the trap, just as Star Shooter managed to free his arms, manually unlocking his meridians and releasing his muscles.

He clapped his hands, and drew them apart, and Huofeng's counter attack was briefly stalled by a basic protection spell. He smirked as Star Shooter released the remaining locks on his body and hopped away, bow in one hand, sword in the other. He used the latter as an arrow.

And revealed the reason why he hunted down one of the Seven Slaughtering Swords for it, as a shimmer of blood on its edge darkened, as the sword, seemingly drawn by a hand of its own, flew towards Huofeng, who deflected it. But it came back, and he blocked it again. He narrowed his eyes, as fought off the dancing sword as Star Shooter lined up another shot, falling to one knee. There was a flash of golden light, and he turned, and you followed his eyes.

Huofeng had cast a spell. A remote detonation spell

He had stolen Star Shooter's own trick. Star Shooter snapped his finger, using his arrow replacement movement technique, but not before a shard of star struck him in the shoulder.
Cont

>>6477489

And not before Huofeng grabbed hold of the sword he sent at him and tamed it by subjugating it to a bathe of cleansing flame. Now armed with two blades, the Disi Ling Patriarch flew towards his opponent, Star Shooter briefly adopted the stance of your Feline martial art. Before he had a look in his eyes, and he smiled, and lashed out his leg like Xiannu! His leg was slashed, but he hit Huofeng's jaw. He hopped back, Huofeng shook his head and turned to a spark. Star Shooter breathed out, clapped his hands and swung his head back and caught the edge of the blade Huofeng had took from him with a headbutt, splitting his brow but deflecting the strike and reducing its impact. Diqui Lang He pulled his hand back and launched it forward like a spear tip, wrapping his hand in Qi. Huofeng blocked with his own sword, but the blow sent him flying back. Shen Mao. Star Shooter , bleeding all over, steeled himself and clapped his hands again, lowering his arms, created two blades from star light that flowed from the chunk in his shoulder. Jie Wang.

He flew forward, and attacked wildly, slashing the blades and forcing Huofeng to remain on the defensive, scoring a few hits even as most of his blows were deflected or blocked, and once Huofeng found his footing, empowered by the sunlight he'd gathered inside of himself and the primordial beast esssence he was harnessing to give himself a beastly vitality, began to score more hits in return, the two clashing rapidly and moving like stars, star shooter suddenly dropped one hand and pulled.

Huofeng dodged.

Star Shooter had feinted

And appeared behind his opponent from an arrow head that had just melted out of his wounds, he drew his bow. Huofeng launches a wire thin sword beam. The string snapped, slashing star shooters face, and struck Huofeng in the chest. Golden light bled out, the audience's breath stalled, Tiexingege and Jionghuagege would not stop shaking your shoulders, Ling Wucai bit his lips hard enough to draw blood. And you just watched

"So this is as far as you god, huh, Xing Sheshou?" You sigh, shaking your head as Huofeng, despite having an arrow an inch from his heart, leapt froward, partially transformed into the celestial sun fire he had been wielding and partially turned into a tiger like he'd created from his aura, when

Star Shooter snapped his fingers, and appeared in front of him.

His arm was through his chest, replacing the arrow he'd shot. Huofeng's blade was pressed against his throat. Their eyes locked, the two men, wreathed in celestial flame and blazing sunlight, stared eachother down, each having the other in checkmate. Huofeng's eyes narrowed, sharpening as he flexed the arm you gave him before a gentle, amused smile curled on his lips.

"You want it more" He mouthed, and Star Shooter blinked, eyes suddenly crazed with fear as he realized a sword was stabbing into his throat.

But Huofeng raised up his other hand in forfeit
Cont

>>6477490

"It is only a tournament for me, I've won glory and renown enough" He mouthed, as He pulled back his sword and patted star shooter on his arm "No reason to cripple or kill eachother, you've earned my respect, boy. You're a quick learner, hands on"

Laughing at his own joke, Huofeng stood there as Star Shooter slowly removed his arm from his chest, with a conflicted, confused expression.

"Huh" You say, as Tiexingege looked at you with a smile so smug it was begging to be wiped off her face "Guess I was wrong. Never thought he'd use that technique like that"

"Red Fur, you guessed wrooooong~" She taunted in sing song as you got up and left to see the result of the lottery as Five colors began to, with mixed emotions, announce the win and the first forfeit of the golden core tier of the tournament.

"...They didn't give a name?" You asked the disciple, one of Fu's martial arts friends who lacked the talent to cultivate

"They didn't say it, and they don't seem to come from a sect, they were really quiet, master" The explain as you follow them to the pavilion prepared for the winner so you could meet them and welcome them to the tournament and congratulate them on their luck "They wore a heavy robe, and strange, talisman like bandages"

You nodded, rubbing your chin, thoughts half occupied with Huofeng and Sheshou's match, and its outcome. But all thoughts about Huofeng giving up early and the bitter taste that must've left in Star Shooter's mouth vanished as you felt a familiar presence. One you had almost forgotten.

You snarled, hissing as you raised your shoulders and glared at the silent, towering figure, taller than Feiqing after he awoke his demonic heritage.

And made entirely out of stone. You recognized that stone puppet! The first thing to humiliate you in your second life and existence as a Magical Beast. It stood there, a glimmer of divinity, larger than you remember, embedded inside as it turned with a head cut and shaped to resemble a man's head as it silently observed you.

"How you have grown" A voice rumbled from within

"Bastard!" You spit as they bow their head

"Our last encounter was not the most genial. I will admit' They said, as you remember it shouldn't be able to talk "But, fighting you, back then. Woke me up"

"DIE! FIND A HOLE TO DIE IN!"

"And I was fortunate enough to win a chance to fight you again" They said, ignoring your hostility which just pissed you off more "Perhaps, then, we can learn more from eachother and grow. Clearly, you haven't forgiven me, but I hope we may be friends'

"EAT SHIT AND DIE!" You roar, stomping your foot and storming off, before stopping and snarling as you added "MAKE YOURSELF A MOUTH SO YOU CAN EAT SHIT THEN DIE! I HOPE XING SHESHOU SMASHES YOU! STUPID STATUE!"

"Master?" Your disciple asked, completely lost
Cont

>>6477493

"I will not do that. But I am glad you have kept your vim and pluck, kitty cat" The statue called out as you resisted every fiber of your being demanding your wheel around and try to smash their head in "Try not to pop a blood vessel and have an aneurysm before we fight"


Which Aura do you use/ manifest for your fight with Elder Sword, Huanliuxue?

> Ill Omen: Halve the effects of enemy auras/ Brings misfortune to opponents. Counter type

> Primordial Remnant: Greatly increase physique/ Boost Beast Evolutions a tier higher/ reduce damage received/ Scales damage based on damage received or healed. Aura of terror/ awe/ access to ancestral techniques. Self Buff Type

>Queen of beasts and ghosts: Weakens human and living opponents/ Strengthens beasts and ghost allies/ Bends weaker beasts and ghosts to your will + boosts their and the aura wielders bestial / ghostly attributes/ Summons illusory allies if none are presented/ boosts Stamina, vitality, spirituality. Army type

>True Ancestor of pure carmine mysticism: Prevents hostile healing/ Empowers blood based techniques and carmine mystic abilities + Evolutions, increasing as more blood is shed. Passively drain blood, causing instant death to weak foes. Passive healing effect. Empowers + Subordinates are Carmine mystics. Can corrupt mortals and weaker cultivators into carmine mystics. Specialized/ Ancestral type

>Dying Time: Distorts, quickens the flow of time. Weaker opponents age rapidly, Equal/ stronger foes have their stamina/ vitality sapped. Reduces DCs, expands crit range to 90 to 100. Contains user and foes in an altered space. Critical hits can apply debuffs, deal more damage and other effects. Duelist type

>Crow Queen's Majesty: Swap Karmic State, Gain the powers+ affinity of a Crow Demon, subordinate weaker demons, strengthen demonic/ wicked techniques, generate a hellish, deliberating miasma of underworld air, grow stronger based on the number of corpses surrounding you. Specialized/ Karmic Reversal: Self Buff/ Army type aura.

>>6477494
YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO THE STATUE LMAO ah shit that's fucking gold. But man, now we have two hated foes to deal with. What truly wonderful luck. All of the blessings are ours today. Though now I want to do all the random crap Star Shooter has pulled out of his ass, but more refined and better, just to teach him a lesson. And make him look silly. But now we have this statue to deal with and we brought a bow not a chisel.

> Primordial Remnant: Greatly increase physique/ Boost Beast Evolutions a tier higher/ reduce damage received/ Scales damage based on damage received or healed. Aura of terror/ awe/ access to ancestral techniques. Self Buff Type
But first we have to deal with SWORD. And since he has made it very clear that he brutalizes his opponents as well as uses chip damage to make his final openings we can use that against him as we HP tank and regen to proc ever escalating buffs. Essentially forcing his hand to try desperate moves to try to beat the escalation before it gets out of his control, which is the perfect time to counter him. Like a cat batting a snake before it can bite.

Thank goodness we'll be on the moon otherwise the front row seats would need to wear rain coats and umbrellas.

>>6477494
Of all the things to see a return, I would've never expected our greatest humiliation to be it. Unrelated, but I was not expecting this quest to tank major security failures.
> Primordial Remnant: Greatly increase physique/ Boost Beast Evolutions a tier higher/ reduce damage received/ Scales damage based on damage received or healed. Aura of terror/ awe/ access to ancestral techniques. Self Buff Type
It's our most offensive buff (besides Dying Time) for potentially our hardest fight of the tournament. Considered Crow Queen but the miasma might give him a buff too.

>>6477494
>Ill Omen: Halve the effects of enemy auras/ Brings misfortune to opponents. Counter type

>>6477494
Did not expect the past to catch up to us in such a manner. Also probably the most upset Huan has been in a while, lol.

> Ill Omen
Would probably feel unsporting to counter a fighter with bad luck, but he's a dick and a murderer so fair's fair.

>>6477494
>Ill omen

Oh I was thinking about him recently, sending someone out to find that little bastard. HA. HA HA HAAAAAAAAAAA!

>>6477494
Kino, pure kino!
We need to take a minute to meditate so that our anger doesn't distract us

>True Ancestor of pure carmine mysticism: Prevents hostile healing/ Empowers blood based techniques and carmine mystic abilities + Evolutions, increasing as more blood is shed. Passively drain blood, causing instant death to weak foes. Passive healing effect. Empowers + Subordinates are Carmine mystics. Can corrupt mortals and weaker cultivators into carmine mystics. Specialized/ Ancestral type
Many of Elder Sword's tricks depend on being injured

>>6477494
>True Ancestor of pure carmine mysticism: Prevents hostile healing/ Empowers blood based techniques and carmine mystic abilities + Evolutions, increasing as more blood is shed. Passively drain blood, causing instant death to weak foes. Passive healing effect. Empowers + Subordinates are Carmine mystics. Can corrupt mortals and weaker cultivators into carmine mystics. Specialized/ Ancestral type
I wanna drop the Blood Moon on this guy.

>>6477494
> Primordial Remnant: Greatly increase physique/ Boost Beast Evolutions a tier higher/ reduce damage received/ Scales damage based on damage received or healed. Aura of terror/ awe/ access to ancestral techniques. Self Buff Type

This stacks great with dance on the border of life and death, especially with how he fights.

I'll try to end and tally the vote later today, but I can make no promises, Juniors. Been preparing for the fight with elder sword, but suptg going down twice has been a bit of an obstacle for me.

>>6478567
Okay I was worried it was just me or if that PHP issue fucked the site owner just as much as half the internet. In the interim there's https://archive.palanq.win/qst/search/subject/heretic%20cultivator/

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>>6478892 >>6478894

Hey juniors, Grandfather started the day by falling the stairs, missing most of them and colliding with the solid wood door in front of them.

I am okay

Ending the vote tallying the result now.

Primordial Remnant: 3

Ill Omen:3

True Ancestor of Pure Carmine Mysticism:2

And we have a tie between Ill Omen and Primordial Remenant

I'll break it real quick

1 = Primordial Remnant

2 = Ill omen

>>6478568
Make that three times its gone down, cause its down again.

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>6478891
I forgot to put in the dice

>>6478892
Classic style, Ill Omen will be the aura you bring into/ start the fight against Elder Sword

update will arrive shortly

>>6478891
>I am okay
The fact you seem to consistently hurt yourself or break things seems to indicate otherwise. Just saying.

>>6478894
The stairs have loose carpet. The teaware is either getting hot water on my hands or getting distracted when I am moving it

You stay in a bad mood, fuming as you put on the regal armor woven from spider demon silk and prepare our weapons, magical tools and a few paper talismans containing spells that are a bit clumsy to cast with hand or ear and tail signs in the middle of a fight, just in case. The stadium is already shaking before you emerge into circle lit by a blood red sunlight, dressed in your imperial raiment and carrying both Ghost Empress Melody and Moon Collapse, having left the bow behind to keep as surprise for the final match for that damn statue or that dumb star shooter.

Elder Sword, is dressed simply in his sect robes, having tied the top around his waist, exposing his scar covered chest as he relishes in the enmity and hatred of the audience, who, feeling quite safe in the stands are hurling insults, curses and profanity from every corner of Chuan, even the commoners and peasants outside of the world of cultivation have been emboldened to shout abuse and anger down at the murderous demonic cultivator, who is wearing a truly twisted and grotesque expression of pure bloodlust and wicked thrill.

He crosses his arms, eyes softening as they lock onto you, examining your armor and weapons from the tips of your toes to the crown of your head.

"We both arrive, prepared for war and death" He says, his voice cutting through the indistinct noise and fury of the crowd, seemingly having all of Chuan set against them "I am honored you'd consider me a foe worthy of wearing hell woven silk. Though I wonder why you have entered this ring, in that form"

"Die curious, the body I wear depends entirely on my whims. And the atmosphere" You reply with a smirk in your eyes, the actual mouth hidden behind the face guard of your helmet "And the one around you, reeks of blood. Too much even for my tastes. Reminds me of the battlefields I haunted when I first became what I am. Nothing but blood, guts, and rusting swords. So crude, so undignified"

"I receive your compliment is graciously, I have spent my life refining and perfect my foundations through Slaughter. And I see that the tales of your presence, were not over exaggerations or the hallucinations of weaklings" He says, slowly clapping his hands together, unusually calm and relaxed as he admires you like he's judging a pedigree show rather than being moments away from fighting a life or death duel with the strongest beneath the heavens "How magnificent it is. My aura, an ocean of blood and violence. Yours is a valley of bones and curses, alit by an unlucky moon. Similar, yet different. Mine is the act. Yours is the result. I wonder, is it the knife or the coffin that contains the misfortune of a random act of killing?"

"It is the heart of the killer, that you know well enough, Sword' You answer dully "I can show you after I tear yours out, but you don't have anything more to say about my auras, besides it being like standing before a valley filled with bones?"
Cont

>>6478912

He smiles and spreads out his arms, eyes wet with tears of joy as more and more of his usual personality and character starts to seep out of the facade of serenity and amiability he'd put on.

"Oh I was just trying to hurry things along! If you wish me to shower you, madam bloodshed, in compliments. Allow me to! It is not a valley of bones, the others who have witnessed your unsealed and complete aura, or merely a glimpse of it and lived to describe it, lacked life experience! It is no graveyard or ruined battlefield promising doom and gloom! It is the den of a predator, that we call Death! The misfortune that hangs above all life, hangs from the sky like a hung corpse!" He, growing bore animated and excited with every word that leaves his mouth, waxes poetic about your august graveyard aura and the spiritual energy generated or contained within your body "It is a primordial hunting ground, but these blind and ignorant can only see the corpses and the bones, the threat of the death. They cannot taste the sweet rot in the air, the cooling warmth of spilled blood, or the promised thrill of the hunt! This graveyard, this battlefield, all just airs put on by those who deceive themselves from cradle to graves. Perhaps you cannot see it, the righteousness and virtue of your heart obscuring the truth of the matter. But my eyes, have been made clear through centuries of killing and a lifetime of murder"

He sweeps out his hand, in a drawing motion, before he bows, a look of ecstasy on his face, an uneven, lunatic grin

"It is pure resentment, a murderous grudge idealized and enshrined. Enmity, spite. A grievance against the world. A misfortune born through a wrong needing avenging. Yet, it could be so much more. It is pure, serene, and focused. It should be like my dao heart, blood stained and blood soaked, seething with murderous impulses. But it is...like the grave, tranquil, calm, until the winds blow and the ill omen is stirred. Then, the empty plot becomes, for a moment, the hunting ground it should be" He continues "And I, willingly step into your territory to hunt and be hunted, trusting your savagery and vengeful character to keep the promises we've made, beneath the very moon we're about to paint read"

"You sure like the sound of your own voice, don't you know a sword should stay silent and obedient in the hand that wields it? Sheathe yourself, Elder Sword" You taunt "Do you want me to write such a poem about your cultivation base, It is filthy, in a way even decaying corpses cannot be. Impure, in a manner which would shock even the lowest of devils. Degenerate, like a stagnant pound flooded with garbage and corpses. It isn't scary, nor is it intimidating. It is just a sign that all you are, is a Sword. There is no deeper meaning, no symbolism or cause. You're just a blade to be swung"
Cont

>>6478913

"You've got sharp eyes to see my roots, but mine are far sharper, and I can see just how hollow your heart is, even before I tear it out and crush it in front of your eyes"

"You say one thing, then do the opposite" He cackles, shaking his head "We both see the truth of ourselves, and the world. You are an Avenger, I am Murderer. You are an Ill Omen. I am Slaughter Incarnate. You say I've lost and degenerated into a sword, I have just refined away all that is unnecessary, which weighs down this sword arm of mine. I ascended to become a sword. And what is the apotheosis you are reaching for? You are an enigma, a great puzzle. You wish to be a loving mother, a protector, yet your name itself revels in the act of killing"

"I'm a beast, you were a man. Now killing is as natural for you as it is for me. I do it for survival, you just do it because its all you're good god' You say, only now realizing that the stands have gone quiet "And weren't you going to hurry this along?"

"I want to relish every moment, once blades are drawn, it'll be over so quickly. One of us will become a stepping stone for the other, a bloody masterpiece and proof of strength and purpose" He says wistfully

"I'd tell you to make me a beautiful corpse, Elder Sword, but you should instead think of what your first move will be in hell. I will rip out that empty heart of yours, a sword doesn't need such a tether" You sneer and cackle at him as he grins

"I hope to surprise you, and should I fall, I shall happily tell all wretched souls who find me that I was cut down by a greater, more natural killer than myself. Come, let us see. Which is sharper. Vengeful Claws & Fangs heralding a unfortunate end or A sword honed through a thousand killings"

"A sword should remain silent!" You declare with a haughty laugh
_
Fateful Encounter! "Elder Sword" of the Seven Slaughtering Swords.

Enemy Aura: Slaughter Incarnate. Effect: Everything has its rationality reduced, everything has its bloodthirst/ murderous impulses increased, everything grows stronger with bloodshed and killing. Effects of the Aura increase depending on the amount of bloodshed/ killing committed. Crit Fails reactivated. Counter effect from Huanliuxue's Aura: Ill Omen. Enemy Aura effectiveness reduced by half. Elder Sword is more likely to suffer sudden misfortune

https://youtu.be/w3bWR_aLlas
_

Even before leaving for the battlefield, you know that that Elder Sword will relinquish the first strike to you. Why? You don't know. It might be cockiness, respect or just sheer insanity, but you're going to make it count no matter the reason for it.
Cont

>>6478914

Your first attack of the round, Huanliuxue?

>Start slow and get a read on his movement and swordsmanship, using Ghost Empress Melody to hit him with a storm of cutting winds (Magic Trial. DC 130)

>Immediately use Enmity Incarnation: Devil of Grudges and channel Xiongji's grudge against...everything to try and catch Elder sword off guard (Martial Trial. DC 118)

>Since he gave up the initative, breathe out a sea of grudge clouds to weaken him and snipe him from within the cloud with Cosmic Qi Star Lasers (Magic Trial DC 104)

>Draw Moon Collapse and rush the old bastard! (Martial Trial 165)

>Write in option

>>6478895
Don't forget the shower! Never forget the shower. That's how they get you.

>>6478915
>>Since he gave up the initative, breathe out a sea of grudge clouds to weaken him and snipe him from within the cloud with Cosmic Qi Star Lasers (Magic Trial DC 104)
Breathe deep old blade, see just how much you like the hate you breed when living by the edge of a sword.

>>6478915
>Since he gave up the initative, breathe out a sea of grudge clouds to weaken him and snipe him from within the cloud with Cosmic Qi Star Lasers (Magic Trial DC 104)

>>6478895
These stairs will get you or someone you love one day, Grandfather. Don't leave that carpet loose, I'm serious.

>>6478915
>Start slow and get a read on his movement and swordsmanship, using Ghost Empress Melody to hit him with a storm of cutting winds (Magic Trial. DC 130)

>>6478915
>Seize the initiative. Dc 104

>>6478915
>Since he gave up the initative, breathe out a sea of grudge clouds to weaken him and snipe him from within the cloud with Cosmic Qi Star Lasers (Magic Trial DC 104)
Since Enmity Incarnation was brought up, how poorly do you think using Qiang's grudge in this fight would go?
Also I doubt anyone will complain and it there was some push to retrieve it last thread, but IIRC Moon Collapse should still be charging in that cave with the crystals and lunar frost.

>>6478915
Now I regret voting for ill omen as we could have chosen to bleed ourselves dry and wear our blood to choke his sword into it's own aura.

But he gave us the initiative so we should probably pull out of our ass the largest most powerful charged strike combo we can think of...
Or a dastardly trick!
He's gotten to the point that it's his sword that guides his arm right?
Anybody has some idea on how to turn that on him?
Maybe prepare a ritual to try to infect him with lunacy so when he goes into this trance he sees enemies that aren't there?
Or let him spill our blood then lit it on fire so it melts his sword's steel according to wuxing?

>>6478984
I want to pull out the carpet, but it had been tightened. No idea what made it slip and get loose again.

>>6479008
Ah yeah that's grandfathers mistake. Ignore the mentions of moon collapse! it is still being charged

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Ending the vote, tallying the result now. Sorry juniors, I meant to do this earlier, but needed to finish up the 7th and penultimate volume of LOTM. the last one has just 40 chapters, so I'll be reading that after the updates today. Also my new Teaware should arrive sooner than expected

Since he gave up the initative, breathe out a sea of grudge clouds to weaken him and snipe him from within the cloud with Cosmic Qi Star Lasers: 4

Start slow and get a read on his movement and swordsmanship, using Ghost Empress Melody to hit him with a storm of cutting winds: 1

So you'll expel a great cloud of grudge energy to weaken Elder Sword and hit im with Cosmic Qi tracers

Intermediate update will arrive shortly

Elder Sword remains completely composed and even polite as the two of you step through the tear in space into...well, Space, and walk to the Moon. No tricks. No Taunts. No provocations. Its like you sensed, he is giving you the initiative, for some reason known only to his mad sword maniac mind. Well, you aren't going to give up the advantage he's so willingly given to you. On the Moon, which had been left untouched by the last few matches, he calmly cups his fists, bows deeply and with hands resting on the pommels of his twin blades, Elder Sword relaxedly waltz to the other edge of the arena crater.

And besides slightly bending his legs and dipping his shoulders, his whole form and stance going loose and languid, he does nothing and just stares at you with eyes that sheen red with barely restrained killing intent. You stand opposite of him, and lay the enchanted Guqin, Ghost Empress Melody. The instrument is far from the level of Elder Sword's Twin Blades, having been made for you when you were only a beginner Qi Condensation Novice, but in your hands it could still be a valuable tool and effective weapon. But you didn't pluck its string, or use it like a bludgeon. You just left it to float in front of yourself as you held out your arms, took in a deep breath of Void, drew your hands back and lowered their palms, pressing them down as you breathed out. The space in front of you darkened, crackling with dark energy as you expelled a fine, misty cloud of grudge energy. You locked gazes with Elder Sword and opened up your mouth as you breathed out a boiling cloud of Grudge Miasma and Purified Resentment, filling the air with grudges and coating the whole of the arena with them. He merely tilted his head, flexing his muscles experimentally as he felt the enmity surrounding him begin to weigh, press and wear against him. But he still didn't act, he didn't consider it attack, only the preparation for one. And he was so relaxed

You couldn't predict the first move he'd make once you did strike. Your intuition might've well have been stripped away, leaving you blind and ignorant. You couldn't foresee his reaction. Which just proved that Elder Sword wasn't filled with hot air and gas when he challenged you openly and declared his intent to fight you to the bitter, bloody end. Excellent. You were going to enjoy shredding him like a paper screen!

Pinprick sized rainbow flashes of light illuminated that ink black cloud of Grudge Miasma as you cast and summoned a swarm of Star Seeking Shots, the cosmic Qi darts. Elder Sword twitched, his expression staid and frozen as his fingers snapped shut around the hilts of his swords.

And then, there was a red flash and a thunderclap.

Please roll 2d100. DC 104. Best out of 5

Rolled 17, 97 = 114 (2d100)

>>6479888

Rolled 76, 17 = 93 (2d100)

>>6479888

Rolled 8, 69 = 77 (2d100)

>>6479888

Rolled 12, 99 = 111 (2d100)

>>6479888
Bonk

Rolled 78, 2 = 80 (2d100)

>>6479888
Rollan

>>6479955
damn, oh well we passed anyway

>>6479901
Sorry juniors I took two hours to get back, I took a quick nap.

But by going exactly 10 past the DC.

This is a fair success!

Update will arrive shortly

>>6479965
oh, 5 and below isn't a critfail? does that only happen on 1s for now?

>>6479966
Elder Sword's Aura merely reactivated Crit Fails. Aodasheng's Aura raises increases the thresh hold for crit fails from 1, to 1 to 10 and reactivates them.

Cause Sword's Aura is all about mutually assured destruction. And reactivated Crit Fails on their end as well

And the bleeding red slash meets the rainbow sparks in the nightsky as you remain perfectly calm and composed within the churning sea of grudges, breathing out more and more Grudge Miasma and dredging up the boiling resentment from the store of it you keep locked away and sealed within your own body, forcing out the most potent Grudges you've gathered, cultivated and nurtured.

And as three of four Star Seeking Shots are split in half, cut via a physical sword or sword light that flashes from the edge of a blade briefly drawn, you understand that watching Elder Sword fight and fighting Elder Sword yourself are two very different experiences. Yet you cannot help but be thrilled, feeling adrenaline pumping through the rich blood of your powerful veins and killing intent pulse through your Primordial Beast Essence as you watch the man who gave up everything. His name, His Sanity, His Heart, everything common sense would say is treasured, be it the common sense of civilization or the common sense of beasts that you yourself trust and believe in.

He moves, half butcher and half beast in their natural element. A dragon in the sky, a tiger in the tunnel, a fish in the sea and a cat where a cat wants to be, as he weaves and slides across the pitted Lunar surface, eyes shut and body relaxed, swords swinging and swinging, hacking and cutting. But he isn't fully in the grasp of his blades, you can sense fluctuations and sense them in his heart beat. The stalls, the hurried pace. He hides it well, but he's being pressured by your assault and realized your grudges have weakened him and exposed flaws in his style that he had long thought cut down and buried.

A red smear appears in the air, his shoulder pierced and torn open, muscles and flesh underneath squirming like maggots as he slides across the ground, creating a bloody crescent behind him like he'd become a brush. His eyes part, and a flicker of the rawest, more pure murderous intent you've ever felt. True Sword intent that even that Lunatic Ogress couldn't harness emerges. And you grin

"You've become a true demon in mortal flesh! Sword!" You declare, eyes wild and grin stretched across your face, exposing fangs meant for tearing open veins and for catching mice as, through sheer excitement and amazement, you unconsciously chimerically transform your human teeth into feline fangs. And then, not giving Elder Sword a Chance to breath and recover, you flash handsign after Handsigns, filling the artificial night fog of your caged and released Grudges with all the Colors of the Cosmos.

And both your opponent's cold, remorseless murder seeking expression, and the look of battle high plastered on your face remain frozen as he starts dancing between the predatory hunting him. You laugh, clapping your hands together, eyes twinkling with trapped moonlight as Elder Sword Bows his head, and does what a sword is best at and cleaves and slashes through the Reverie of Resentment.
Cont

>>6479973

He's trying to cover up the flaws exposed by the drain of Grudge Miasma by moving as fast as the murderous ideas in his head, and its impressive, the only other hits your sure hit, tracking bloodthirsty starlight manage to land as their deadly beams of light illuminate the fog of enmity are glancing, leaving only brief spurts of blood as Elder Sword rapidly closes the distance he allowed to form between the two of you.

But even a heart turned to unfeeling stone through endless, remorseless slaughter still beats. And no matter how hard he's beaten and wrought his mind and Dao heart into being nothing but Sword intent. Survival Instinct refuses to die. His natural instincts expose him. Through the irregular beats of his heart as he reacts and dodges or counters and cuts your spells as they home in and soar towards him. And his movements are slowed and held back by the Grudge Miasma soaking into and wrapping around him like chains.

What would've been an unavoidable, sure kill attack, becomes easily counter and caught. Sparks fly from your claw cut, carmine painted nails as you catch the edge of the blade suddenly flashing in front of your face, nearly get caught off guard by the follow up of its brother, release the first edge and avoid the other by retreating back a step. Your eyes flash and catch a sight of Elder Sword's, and see that he looks like an Opium Addict, staid and composed expression finally cracked to reveal a look of disgusting ecstasy. Like he was a man your mother got her hands on rather than one who had willingly tossed himself into your jaws! Gross~

You retreat another step, the third blow of his sword and the sword light that he throws in front of it, reflecting off of the strings of Ghost Empress Melody as you drag the ghostly tethers tying it to you and swing it up. A deep ravine is slashed through the moon and the edge of the crater. And the lights blanketing the vastness of space behind it, vanish. Your eyes widen. And he steps forward

The fourth slash. He thinks this one will land. Every move you predict him making is the same. Close in, cut you from collar to navel, as if you weren't wearing armor but were standing in front of him nude and unguarded.

The Sheer audacity! The Disrespect! Doesn't he know the Bad Luck, Death Number is your Lucky Number! Snarling, rather than retreating you step forward and move to intercept his attack, ignoring the blood dripping from the two fingers you'd used to block and catch the first swing of his sword.
Cont

>>6479974

And how do you try to defend/ counter against Elder Sword's Deadly fourth swing?

>By taking advantage of your natural advantages as a beast, switching forms mid charge and trying to batter him around like the arrogant mouse that he is! (Martial+ Strength Trial. First DC 123)

>Using your feline martial arts, twist his arm and steal the blade in his hand and use what you've learned from watching Qiang! (Martial+ Finesse Trial. First DC 150)

>Coat your body in dying grudge shields and catch the blade your collar bone and grab onto Elder Sword so his he takes the full retaliation of your attack (Reaction+ Fortitude Trial. First DC 135)

>Release the original specter lightness skill and the true specter lightness skill to throw him off, and then hit him with Wild Beast Disorder (Reaction + Martial Trial. First DC 111)

>Write in

Elder Sword's game plan has been complicated by underestimating the Debuff of Huan's Grudge Breath and expecting her to be less rational already

>>6479976
>Release the original specter lightness skill and the true specter lightness skill to throw him off, and then hit him with Wild Beast Disorder (Reaction + Martial Trial. First DC 111)
Stack those debuffs, thrown him off even more

>>6479976
Man's usual MO is to tear at eachother like deranged and thoughtless animals.
The sword maniac trusts his skill above all in this handling. Engaging with the wild beast disorder isn't very likely to do much to his actual style.
So I propose in counter

>Transform body into hellfire and step into him, Allow the flames to coat and burn him utterly.
>Once we step past him, Leave a Binding Rotting curse painted onto his back and start playing a drinking game of poison.

Rotten oath doesn't need an arrow, it can be planted by talisman, spite or caligraphy.

>>6479976
>By taking advantage of your natural advantages as a beast, switching forms mid charge and trying to batter him around like the arrogant mouse that he is! (Martial+ Strength Trial. First DC 123)

>>6480024
I think that wild beast might actually disrupt him if it enhances his buried non-sword instincts, can't eliminate the billion years legacy of evolution through a few centuries of learned martial arts after all I'd bet.

But your idea includes fire so I'll support it.
>>6479976

>>6479976
>Release the original specter lightness skill and the true specter lightness skill to throw him off, and then hit him with Wild Beast Disorder (Reaction + Martial Trial. First DC 111)