Chapter 216: A match up!
Days rolled and the competitions continued in full force...
The arena was quiet, the sky illuminated by the soft glow of moonlight.
The gentle hum of the barrier surrounding the fighting grounds was the only sound, ensuring their sparring match would remain private.
Jin Wei stretched her arms lazily, her movements fluid yet deliberate. "It's rare to have the great Zhang Yuan all to myself for a sparring match," she teased, her lips curving into a playful smirk.
With a smile, Jin Wei stepped forward and raised her fists, her stance balanced and poised.
Zhang Yuan mirrored her movements, raising his hands defensively. "Ready?"
"Always."
*woosh* Without warning, Jin Wei lunged, her fist cutting through the air as she aimed for his chest.
Zhang Yuan sidestepped smoothly, his hand brushing hers aside.
She spun on her heel, sending a quick kick toward his side but he caught her ankle, holding it firmly but without force.
"Fast," he remarked, releasing her and stepping back.
"But not fast enough."
Jin Wei chuckled, her eyes lighting with joy. "We'll see about that."
She darted forward again, this time feinting a right hook before spinning low and sweeping at his legs.
Zhang Yuan leaped effortlessly, twisting in the air and landing lightly a few steps away.
"Predictable," he said in a playful tone.
"Oh, come on," Jin Wei retorted, shaking her head as she closed the distance once more.
She launched a series of rapid punches and kicks, her attacks flowing seamlessly as she tested his defenses.
Zhang Yuan deflected each strike with minimal movement, his hands moving like a blur as he guided her blows away from their intended targets.
"Are you planning to fight or dance?" he teased, catching her wrist mid-strike and spinning her gently away from him.
Jin Wei laughed, her momentum carrying her a few steps before she turned to face him again. "You're so smug, Yuan. I should wipe that smirk off your face."
"Feel free to try."
She darted in close, moving in an unpredictable way.
A quick jab aimed at his shoulder transitioned into a spinning back fist that nearly connected.
Zhang Yuan barely dodged, a flicker of surprise crossing his face as he countered with a low palm strike.
Jin Wei blocked it with her forearm, her foot snapping up to force him back.
"Better," he admitted, stepping away and rolling his shoulder.
"You've improved."
"Flattery won't save you," she quipped, lunging again.
This time, their hands met in a flurry of exchanged strikes.
Jin Wei's fists were fast and precise, but Zhang Yuan's blocks and counters were equally skilled, their arms tangling briefly before he twisted her wrist in a gentle lock.
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She slipped free, pivoting on her heel and driving an elbow toward his chest.
He ducked, retaliating with an open-palm push that sent her skidding back a few steps.
"Not bad," Jin Wei said, catching her breath.
"But I'm just getting started."
She charged again and Zhang Yuan met her halfway, their hands clashing in a fluid exchange
Her punches grazed his defenses, and his counters forced her to adapt on the fly.
Finally, Jin Wei found an opening, her leg sweeping up to tap the side of his shoulder. Zhang Yuan stumbled back slightly, his hand brushing the spot where her kick landed.
"Point for me," she said with a triumphant grin.
He closed the distance with startling speed, his hand darting out to tap her shoulder.
Jin Wei spun, attempting to trap his arm, but he twisted free and stepped behind her, his palm stopping just short of the back of her neck.
"Point for me," he said, his voice calm yet teasing.
Jin Wei turned to face him, her eyes narrowing playfully. "Alright, no more games."
"Agreed."
...
Finally, after what felt like hours, Jin Wei called for a pause, her breath coming in quick bursts. "Alright, alright. Truce?" she asked, holding up a hand.
Zhang Yuan chuckled softly and nodded his head. "Truce."
She walked over and nudged his arm. "Not bad, Yuan. You might actually be worthy of me."
He chuckled softly. "Might?"
Jin Wei laughed, shaking her head as they left the arena together "Well, tomorrow's match is going to be so interesting."
"The second match of the semi-finals."
...
The first rays of the morning sun spilled over the grand arena, illuminating the battleground with a golden glow.
A faint mist lingered in the air, mingling with the rising anticipation.
This is the semi-finals of the Continental; genius Tournament!
The crowd buzzed with excitement, their cheers resonating through the arena walls as the two combatants stepped onto the stage.
Ming Yuelin stepped in first, her long flowing black hair tied into a sleek braid that danced with each step she took.
She wore a simple, fitted tunic and pants, allowing for fluid movement.
Her hands were bare and her confidence radiated as she stretched, her muscles taut and ready.
Across from her, Xue Hua stepped in, checking her gauntlets and raised her gaze looking at Ming Yuelin.
"Senior Sister... you really want to try me with your bare hands."
Ming Yuelin smiled brightly "I know how powerful your physique is.. but still, I want to try it."
Hearing this, Xue Hua let out a sigh and retracted her gauntlets into her storage ring "Then, let me join too..."
Ming Yuelin tilted her head, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. "Think you can keep up with me, Junior Sister?"
Xue Hua's expression remained calm, as she wiped a stray strand of hair from her face and replied with a faint smile, "Let's find out."
The announcer's voice boomed across the arena. "Semi-final match: Ming Yuelin versus Xue Hua! Fighters, ready yourselves!"
The gong sounded, and the match began.
*woosh* Xue Hua darted forward first in a fluid motion and her fist flew toward Ming Yuelin's face, and though Ming Yuelin managed to raise her arms in defense, the sheer force behind the punch sent her stumbling back a few steps.
"Uff... that was hard." Ming Yuelin regained her footing just in time to duck under a follow-up hook aimed at her jaw.
She countered with a quick jab to Xue Hua's ribs, the impact leaving a sharp pain.
Xue Hua grunted but didn't falter.
Instead, she twisted her body, spinning around and delivering a fierce elbow to Ming Yuelin's temple.
Ming Yuelin staggered to the side, her vision blurring for a moment, but her grin widened. "Not bad," she said, blood dripping from the corner of her left eye.
Xue Hua pressed forward, and a series of punches landed against Ming Yuelin's forearms as she tried to block, each one driving her further back.
Finally, Xue Hua's knee shot up, slamming into Ming Yuelin's stomach with a sickening thud.
Ming Yuelin doubled over, gasping for air, but even in her pain, she couldn't help but laugh.
"You're enjoying this too much," Xue Hua muttered, her lips curving into a small smile.
"What can I say?" Ming Yuelin coughed, straightening up.
"You hit like a dragon."
*thud* A brutal uppercut sent Ming Yuelin's head snapping back, blood spraying into the air. *splash*
Before Ming Yuelin could recover, Xue Hua delivered a spinning kick that connected squarely with her side, the impact echoing across the arena.
Ming Yuelin crashed into the sand, coughing and clutching her ribs.
Ming Yuelin groaned as she pushed herself back up, wiping the blood from her lip with the back of her hand.
Xue Hua moved again, and Ming Yuelin tried to counter, throwing a wild hook, but Xue Hua easily sidestepped it and drove her fist into Ming Yuelin's stomach again.
The force lifted Ming Yuelin off her feet momentarily before she crumpled to her knees.
Despite the pain, Ming Yuelin laughed, spitting blood into the sand. "You're relentless."
Xue Hua knelt down slightly, her smile soft but her eyes sharp. "You're still standing. That's impressive."
With a laugh, Ming Yuelin surged back to her feet, catching Xue Hua off guard with a sudden flurry of punches.
One managed to clip Xue Hua's jaw, snapping her head to the side.
The brief advantage gave Ming Yuelin enough time to deliver a swift kick to Xue Hua's thigh, causing her to stagger.
But Xue Hua recovered almost instantly, and her response was merciless.
A devastating right hook smashed into Ming Yuelin's cheek, sending her reeling in the air.
Xue Hua followed up with a series of rapid strikes to Ming Yuelin's ribs and stomach, each blow landing with precision and power.
"Guargh!" Ming Yuelin was on the defensive now, barely able to keep up with Xue Hua's onslaught.
A sharp kick to her side forced her to her knees again, blood dripping from her mouth and nose.
Yet, even as she knelt there, battered and bruised, she looked up at Xue Hua with that same defiant grin.
"You're a monster," Ming Yuelin said, her voice hoarse but filled with admiration.
"And you're stubborn," Xue Hua replied, extending a hand to help her up.
Ming Yuelin swatted the hand away, forcing herself to stand. "Not done yet."
Xue Hua sighed, shaking her head. "You're ridiculous."
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