Chapter 57 Fight Against Jarvis


    The stadium was filled with unrelenting energy from the rowdy, hollering crowd spectating from the


    stands. Shrieks ofughter and protest mixed in with the war cries from contenders down in their


    respective battle rings highlighted the excitement sparking in the air.


    Countless disciples had fallen down to their knees in the face of a stronger foe since yesterday; a


    natural order to the way of the martial arts. It was by no means a shock, as many had observed the


    winners puffing their chests with a pride that only beings at the ninth grade of Skin Refinement could


    possess. Most of them had been on a roll; winning their bouts continuously up until the tenth streak.


    After all, it must have been an easy brawl since the masters were not fated to meet early in the game,


    as per Zenith''s veiled rule of the tournament.


    The superiors had arranged thebats to be battles of the fittest. Ineligiblepetitors were


    sessfully weeded out on the first day, amassing to a jarring number of one hundred victors to


    Regtions stayed consistent all throughout the event. Candidates were expected to fight ten rounds


    with the goal of umting marks in every round, and the one who scored highest would be granted


    the name of the champion.


    All in all, the challengers that now stood confidently in the middle of the massive arena were the


    products of the bloody system; the esteemed predators of the whole sect.


    They were an elite groupposed of varying individuals at the eighth or ninth grade of Skin


    Refinement, emitting loud, intimidating auras that muted the deafening noiseing from almost-sore


    throats of adrenaline-pumped onlookers. The heated atmosphere further pronounced the mass hysteria


    sweeping over the ce. Judging by the overwhelming response of the public, today''s match would


    certainly be a legendary sight to behold;


    an awaited massacre of rivals until only fifty, rightful kings remained.


    Time passed, and soon, nine rounds of battles were to meet its end.


    The top ten outer disciples breezed through their scuffles, nonchntly acquiring triumph after triumph,


    having not encountered any powerful nemesis to wreck their bnce. If it were not for the unfortunate


    exception of Jim and Dustin''s death by hand of Ricky, their title as the ten would have not been


    reduced to eight.


    On the other hand, a flurry of powerful attacks unleashed by Ricky pranced in time with the cheers of


    masses. He acted unbothered as he effectively blew his opponents away from him like annoying pests


    foolishly clinging to his skin. His disy of unmitigated prowess led to his predictable sess. Much


    like the venerated disciples, he too, had won his share of skirmishes. He poised with a calmness and


    elegance only confidence could bring, and the entirety of Snow Sect knew that it was not baseless.


    They had put enough faith in his proficiency to believe that he could single-handedly defeat any outer


    disciple that dares to challenge him. Only a few would choose to be blinded by sheer bias and


    judgment to see his clear potential, and some thirsted for him to be leading a bigger picture for the


    nearing future.


    Zenith and the Elders fell on thetter category; they had high hopes for Ricky for the explicit reason of


    their greed needing someone like him in every sect.


    Ultimately, geniuses of his level were notably hard toe by. A few had cut it close, much like the


    emergence of a sudden dark horse by the name of Edgar Li.


    He was exceedingly good and a talent that would perhaps be viewed as a rarity by most. But, ones with


    keen eyes would have known right away that Edgar Li was just an average, ordinary outer disciple


    before.


    Not to demean his undeniable growth; he had surely demonstrated an outstanding performance with


    the use of his ninth grade of Skin Refinement.


    The techniques he had discharged with precision had the results of a student skillfully taught by


    masters, but that was exactly why he was at a level anyone could easily achieve if given the proper


    training. The experts he could depend on gave him the privilege to develop faster than most, thus


    exining his fast boost in progress.


    Contrary to him, Ricky was a man with bottomless aptitude. He was an unpredictable cmity, in which


    he devoured every knowledge he came across and made it his own to im. He was an idol that


    entrances thousands into a daze, robotically following his close to indistinguishable lightning


    movements with bewildered looks fused with awe shining especially in the young ones'' gazes.


    Zenith was one of the innumerable enthusiasts he had won over. His curiosity and anticipation for the


    boy''s advancement in his field led him into wanting to push him to exceed his own limits. And so, it was


    with a guilty conscience when he heard the horde burst into confusion and surprise upon the


    announcement of the final battles, knowing that he was to take the full me.


    No one had thought that Ricky would face the fourth ranker among the top ten outer disciples; the


    famous Jarvis.


    Arguments among the watchers ignited instantaneously, debates of which adversary woulde out


    dominant incited fights among the passionate warriors


    while others were satisfied with the promise of a spectacr showdown and merely uttered their


    praises hidden under the shy of their breaths.


    All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    Spections about the sect chief fluttered through, reaching Zenith''s perked ears as he was used


    of boredom with the previous one-sidedpetitions.


    ''Perhaps, '' the tilt of their lips hinting at a faint smile appeared on their face at the thought.


    "Who do you think will win?"


    "It''s hard to say that…"


    Never-ending questions were raised the higher the anticipation became as they waited. It buzzed and


    singed the surroundings with static; bing so palpable that it was increasingly suffocating a few


    with the unrestrained tension.


    Even the higher-ups did not have any inkling as to what Zenith was thinking.


    ''Chief Zenith, why did you pair them?'' Elder Evan asked him using his mind, knowing that the other


    elders were equally as perplexed.


    It truly was a useful thing, to be able tomunicate through thoughts by reaching the highest stage of


    Skin Refinement.


    ''I want to know his potential, ''


    Zenith only smiled, his focus shifting to rest on Ricky.


    ''What?'' Bemused, the three Elders all turned to the subject of interest after hearing the staggering reply


    while Elder Albott only chuckled in amusement, apparently getting what Zenith had meant. Truthfully,


    Ricky''s excellent performance would irrefutably qualify him to be of same standing with the top ten


    outer disciples, but they did not think so far ahead that it would attract the attention of the most


    powerful figure in their sect.


    ''It seems that Ricky''s cultivation method draws the attention of the sect chief, ''


    Elder Albott mused.


    Sensing the group''s confusion, Zenith took the time to give them an exnation, ''You need patience. If


    Jarvis can stimte Ricky''s hidden potential, you''ll be interested in him too.''


    With that closing statement, they fell into quiet contemtion as they assessed the duel about to unfold


    before them.


    The greying sky rumbled in the far distance, a storm brewing as the wind grew harsher and harsher by


    the second. Dust and rubble whisked past the two antagonists, loose hair whipping around their stern


    faces in a frenzied dance that asionally concealed their threatening res.


    Maybe it was destiny that led Ricky to face his enemy--one of the many, in fact. Even so, he did not


    predict that would be facing Jarvis in theirst course in the contest.


    And, it appeared that they shared the same sentiments.


    "You''re unlucky enough to fight against me today!"


    Arms folded across his chest in a disy of arrogance, Jarvis smirked cockily.


    "I admit, it gave me a bit of a startle to see you here," sighed Ricky. "Although honestly, it doesn''t


    matter. Whoever it might be, I''ll still be thest one standing."


    He regarded his foe calmly, but it did not mask his look of pure disdain that clouded his menacing eyes.


    He was treating him like an insect.


    Jarvis was struck with an unquenchable fury upon seeing his demeanor. His whole body shook with


    rage as he bared his teeth in a domineering manner, seething, "You bastard! I will not kill you today


    because the sect rules forbid me to do so, but I''ll at least make sure youe back as a disgrace!


    That''ll teach you a lesson on what happens after you go against the Refinement Faction!"


    Rickyughed mockingly, raising his eyebrows in disbelief and sneering at the man, "I''m really


    confused, you know. I wonder if your faction is full of fools like you. You always threaten me with the


    same empty words. I''m really getting tired of it." He started circling the ground, baiting his opponent into


    moving in his set pace. When Jarvis had realized this, he was ovee with unabashed feelings of


    hate and loathing.


    He jumped, his legs pushing against the hard earth for momentum. Clouds of dirt marked where his


    initial position had been. The strength his legs had mustered upon propulsion leaving deep holes in his


    wake.


    A roar dislodged from his throat as he advanced towards Ricky, his fist swinging to target his foe.


    A whirring hum produced by the friction between the spiritual energy and air, quickly escting to a


    sonic boom. The force from the strike produced aggressive winds that had the bystanders gripping their


    seats for stabilization.


    In the haze, he pursued Ricky without fail. His tight muscles strained with the strenuous effort of his


    motions, his clothes reforming to suit his body well to provide no hindrance to his actions. Ricky dodged


    his unrelenting assaults, his agility allowing him to swiftly move out of harm''s way. He was stuck in


    defense while Jarvis unyieldingly ambushed him.


    The Refinement Faction was indeed worthy of its reputation. Without a doubt, every member of the


    party must boast the same professionally trained form that Jarvis sported.


    Ricky blocked another ruthless attempt to break his cover. He gritted his teeth, growing exasperated,


    "Fine, if your faction is so proud of your own cultivation method, I will defeat you using the same


    method today!"


    He eximed, rushing to meet Jarvis head-on. For a brief moment, Jarvis had been caught off guard.


    Still, he did not waver and instead let a manic grin mar his face as he weed Ricky''s counter.


    Mirroring his cruel smile, Ricky''s fist collided with the other


    with a more powerful pressurepared to their first contact in the battle. It shook the arena, causing


    vibrations to travel through metal and tremors to encourage the fall of multiple debris onto the


    unsuspecting audience. Small tornados sprung from where they were in reaction to the oppression of


    the air. Their fight had the gravity of an iing cyclone, outshining even the brewing hurricane from


    above.


    They both stood firmly, their feet were able to keep their bnce with the deep trench and their legs


    dug into thend. With a steady gaze and a deep intake of breath, their skirmish had migrated into the


    air as they jumped high, their punches and kicks entangled in a violent exchange. Each attack had


    been packed with a power that reverberated upon contiguity, producing a metallic sound akin to a bass


    hitting its lowest possible note.


    None of them were unscathed; with the amount of bruises and wounds Jarvis had inflicted on Ricky, he


    also attained.


    They were iprehensible to amateur eyes, too nimble to be seen in normal circumstances.


    However, the disciples incessantly shouted their praises and cries of thrill and tion.


    It was a mercilesspetition, but it served as material to nostalgia to some like the four Elders and


    Zenith who were reminded of their youthful days.


    A resounding boom echoed throughout the enclosure once again, as Ricky and Jarvis dealt a final blow


    to the other''s shoulder and chest before they separated in retreat.


    Theynded back on solid terrain, a slight stumble ruining their otherwise seamlessndings. Their


    loathing boiled and seeped through the way they glowered, both swiping an angry hand at the blood


    gushing out of the corner of their lips.


    Commentaries were traded by the popce at the spectacle, hailing and admiring their unmatched


    toughness, "Ricky''s truly on par with the top ten outer disciples! This is really exciting!" Zenith beamed,


    influenced by the intoxicating energy, "This is just the beginning. It''s bound to get better from now on."