Chương 74: Day 20 Duel? A change in the Soul

Lin Hong was taken back by the resolute look in Liang Yu's eyes. Instincts telling him to be wary. To many plans were in place to risk it. The death of a member of the Dark Moon family would cause an issue.

Another member of the rebellion forces gestured towards Ye Xinghe. If he fought and died due to a member of the Dark Moon family it would help the cause. Especially with the history, the family has with the populace.

"No need to go further." Xinghe gestured back to Lin Hong. "No sense in getting hurt for provocation." Lin Hong would lose hear and now but it was to close and not in the Smelting Area yet. "You are not his match."

He almost hurled having to deescalate the situation.

"They are scared cousin." Liang Jian said. Finding the moving and whispering of some of the students off-putting. Liang Yu however said nothing waiting for their response of the others. 'Elder cousin has changed so much lately, must be the teaching of the Vice-Principal.' He nodded at his own deduction skills.

"A Life & Death duel is to much." Ye Xinghe said. "We are all students of the academy, no reason to create.. trouble for Lin Hong."

"How weak." Liang Yu turned away frowning. "Your "side" gave a proposal I gave a counter offer. It is a good reminder to be careful with one's words and one's decisions they make. Putting everything on the line for what one believes in.. is the sign of a real man." His eyes landed on An Xueyun. "..as well as a real woman. Something you never have been around I suppose. Lin Hong must not have a strong father."

"Are you willing to give the same terms with out the Life & Death attach to it?" Ling Hong felt incensed and barely contained himself. He almost lunged out but kept cool just enough. "Your insult can not just go by."

"A sparring match between fellow students, much to learn from each other." Lin Hong said clearly. "I ask the students and teachers here to show witness, that this isn't some vendetta!"

"Spoken like a true manipulator." Liang Yu said loud enough for most to hear. "I am not humoring this nonsense , weakling. Since you belong to my sister disciple An Xueyun's people, I won't let them suffer the humiliation of beating you."

The area turned quiet before gossip started. None knowing that Lin Hong was under An Xueyun in that way.

"Background has nothing to do with this." Lin Hong was only momentarily suprised about him knowing the connection. "Scared to fight me?" No responses were given.

"It is getting late," Teacher Chu could tell it was getting know where "we should move along."

As the students broke off under his instruction, a few started talking about the situation. A blond broke off from her friend and moved over to Ye Xinghe. Impressed how he tried to break up the situation.

"Big brother Xinghe, that was so cool how you try to disable the situation." The little blond grabbed his arm cheerfully. Her tricks wouldn't work on him that easy. "What made you get involved without fear?"

"Eh, it was nothing." Xinghe mentally cried out. Who the hell wanted some minor rubbing up against him. His morals were not that shot! "Let go, before people started talking you are some kind of loose woman." His voice came out stern enough she did move. "Zhao Ning, if you want help with anything, fine when we get back, it's dangerous for you to change mentality during the trial."

"Umm ok." The girl was not worrying about being rebuffed, the feeling of his frost air qi entering her gave a chill. "We can talk after." Feeling her dantian changing a little, she moved away and focused. 'His very touch.. is odd.'

An Xueyun and Xia Yuning watched everything go on. Xueyun feeling funny about watching. She was about to go over an intervene but the Zhao Ninger let go quick enough and scurried away.

"Hehe, looks like he can handle himself." Xia Yuning grinned mischievously. Nudging her provokingly. "You look so jealous!" Xueyun just blushed speeding off. "Wait for me!"

The day carried on with the students fighting a few Demon Beasts. Not enough to cause a problem for any. During this time, Zhao Ning found her qi was more peaceful. Flowing better. The only change was the cool feeling gained from Ye Xinghe.

She made up her mind to talk with him at the quickest chance. Like night time for the first break.

Soon as nightfall came, Ye Xinghe was in his tent cultivating. The pill was finally finishing up. The problem was Techlis was so antsy and refused to get off him. The entire they fought Demon Beasts, it sucked in Frost Air.

Boosting both of their cultivation speed. But it only allowed the circulation of the Air Beast Martial Arts and Frost Air Body. It was time for them to both break through.

*Swwooo!* One more inhale, man and demon beast stepped higher in power. Techlis thoughts became more intelligible. With human speech that of a five-year-old already. With powerful cultivation, the bird needed time to settle.

"Go rest." Tucking the demon into his Internal Space, it was just in time as a visitor came in. Zhao Ning came in after asking permission. Surprisingly her servant was not with her. A check with the Heart Method had the brunet heading to the Dark Moon area with An Xueyun and Xia Yuning of all people. "What is it?"

A sound formation was already down so he was not worried about what they would talk about. Zhao Ning sat across from him with a determined look. Gripping her hands tightly before just blurting it odd.

"I want your help to get stronger!"

"Umm, what do I get out of it?" Xinghe arched a brow at her. Not knowing much besides she was just a another cultivator with a tie to the Zhao family a little. "Can you pay me?" She did not have a powerful cultivation or a strong disposition either.

"I won't tell anyone about your qi and I can pay a little." Zhao Ning pulled out a Star Stone. "This should help you get stronger and you can help me a little more with it right?"

"Hmm, I will help you if you swear on your cultivation to never betray me." Taking the Star Stone, he siphoned it right then and there. The Demonic Star Martial Arts circulating it quickly. It was like eating a decent dessert after a meal. "I don't take chances anymore."

Zhao Ning swore not to say anything and put out her arm. Grabbing his, the Connection of the Champion form as his Flame Vortex Core Qi entered her. Controlling it just right, he sent Flame Martial Art Techniques to her.

"So cool!" Zhao Ning coed a little. The moment he let go, she started to cultivate the energy given. Passing through her Dantian purifying it as well as healing all the internal damage inside. "I won't let this chance go by!"

Ye Xinghe focused on his power of a Champion. The Connection helped ensure a degree of loyalty but he needed to dive into the deeper abilities. Feeling that words from the other helped create a stronger one when an exchange was promised.

"Don't just stand outside of my tent, come in." projecting his voice was easy using the Heart Method. Lin Hong had arrived at his tent but waited since he saw Zhao Ning go inside. "What do you want at a time like this?"

Lin Hong looked at Zhao Ning who was deep in cultivation. Not knowing what the two had been up to in the brief time, he left it alone. Focusing on the reason he came. Throwing some Star Stones over, he wanted to use it as a premise to get closer.

"Hmm?" Puzzled, he had to make sure the Sound Rune was really working. It was fully functioning so it was something else. 'Good way to make money is healing anyway.' The Star Stones were absorbed on the spot.

"Listen ye Xinghe, I Lin Hong see us as being in the same boat. Whatever you think of the Dark Moon Family helping your family, I don't think they will." He held his finger up sagely and trying to sound helpful. "I can help your financial situation if you let me. Also.."

*Splurt!* Some blood came out of a wound on the arm.

"You could have at least wrapped it up. What is with people not taking good care of themselves?" Wrapping up the wound, he channeled a little Star energy to seal it up. Making sure not to include his Core Qi inside it. "So how are you going to help my financial situation?"

"If you are willing, I can bring some people who are injured for you to heal? People I trust that are like us." Lin Hong meant commoners of course. Not the rebels. The Star energy inside him was nothing special and only healed a little faster than normal from his previous time. 'People like him and Teacher Xu is a good man. Surely worth the extension to help.'

"Sure, as long as they don't cause to much of a problem in the night." It was the perfect way to find any with lost Martial Arts but he was not that hopeful. Heading off, Lin Hong was going to bring them over. Using the Heart Method, Xinghe picked up some people moving around stealthily. 'Liang Yu should have a handle on keeping Laing Jian from getting curb stomped.'

As the night dragged on and Ye Xinghe healed some people, he noticed that Zhao Ninger only open her eyes briefly before going back to cultivating. He could feel her eyes on him critically. The why could wait until later when free.

A young man did not listen to reason and decided to get some fresh air to cultivate. Covered in flames, he was definitely making a visible image.

The image was that of Liang Jian. The vast impurities in his body very coming out all at once. He looked a sorry sight as it came out both ends forcefully. But that was the least of his trouble at the time.

A cloaked figure stalked him in the shadows. Bidding their time before striking, when he was at his weakest moment. The current situation only making it easier to act against the nobles with most sleeping and a good portion of the commoners sleeping because of the healing.

"Urrp!" Liang Jian threw up some more black bile. It was the last of it but the aftertaste was almost to much. "Can't be!?" Moving his hands up, he marveled at some purple lines that appeared then vanished. "Did I breakthrough?!"

*Fwish!* Rich flames appeared as Liang Jian felt he stepped directly into the 4th Heavenly Layer, His energy was low but his body felt amazing. Considering what just happened anyway was the biggest upgrade. Inside the flames were small traces of lighting. Very minuscule traces.

"Who's there!?" Liang Jian turned on his heels as someone attacked him. Senses heightened due to his recent breakthrough. He attacked with all he had in fear. "Do you know who my family is!?" Bravado in his voice but a lot of fear.

"Of course I know!" The masked figure said evily. "That is why you have to die!" As his hand turned to scales as he attacked, the figure didn't take notice of the attack Liang Jian gave in haste. The attack pierced the man's side letting a little bit of fire and lighting inside. 'Ugh, I was careless!'

*Rip!* A clawed hand ripped into Liang Jian. But he did not go down instantly. A small skirmish was fought. With a very likely result.

In the shadows, the Dark Moon Family members watched intently. Liang Yu having them hold back to observe and check the area. It was a teaching moment for them to obey instructions more in the future. They agreed but also wanted to rip the mask man apart.

"Don't worry, he will pay." Liang Yu said darkly. Feeling the change take place in his soul, he could feel the presence of the Flame Vortex Core appear inside him. Containing traces of Lightning and Metal around it. The Flames a rich purple and white. 'Did the other do this or someone else?'

Watching someone you care about was a good way to inspire something.