Cultivation Through Artifacts

Once Logan's clap was heard, everyone in the arena quietened down and waited patiently for the fight to start.

Meanwhile, in the middle of the platform, Khal and Andre were quietly standing before each other, both of their faces holding indifference and confidence.

None of them thought their opponent was stronger than them as both of them knew just how strong they were; both of them were confident in their own Talents and skills, so they weren't nervous at all.

Logan stared at the two before him and when he saw both of them were ready, raised his hand and talked calmly.

"Ready? Fight!"

Swish!

BAM!

A huge tremor broke out even before Logan's voice could have fallen, and in the very center of the platform, Khal and Andre could be seen pushing each other toward the opposite side.

In Khal's hand, his Devil Fangs in the shape of the fan were already held, while Andre's fist was strongly pushing against it, trying to force himself through Khal's defense.

"Your weapon is exceptionally well forged. It was able to remain intact even after my fist punch," exclaimed Andre with amazement, but his eyes still remained indifferent.

"And your first punch is extremely powerful too. If it weren't for this weapon of mine, a bone in my hand would have been broken by now for sure," replied Khal, feeling the tremendous amount of strength behind Andre's fist.

After exchanging quick words, Khal pushed his feet to the side and like a phantom vanished and reappeared behind Andre, his weapon already targeting his neck from the side!

However, Andre was no slow either. The moment he noticed Khal's disappearance, he crouched down, barely avoiding Khal's attack, and spun around with his left leg already extended forward.

'...' watching as Andre wanted to kick him off his feet, Khal jumped backward and increased his distance.

But it seemed this was exactly what Andre wanted. The moment he moved he leaped toward Khal, his fist already before his chest, ready to crash and break a few ribs inside him!

"Interesting." was the only thing Khal thought before his eyes turned sky blue with a crimson slit appearing in their midst!

Swish!

Right after he did, everything inside his mind and eyes changed in a wink! He was able to see everything in a 10 meters radius, while Andre's fist slowed down drastically!

'...' waving his hand and grabbing Andre's wrist within a flash, Khal tilted his body slightly toward the side while pulled Andre toward him.

Andre seemed surprised about Khal's reaction and movement speed but didn't panic. Instead, he let himself be pulled and even pushed his body toward Khal, seemingly ready to touch his body.

When Khal saw this he was stunned but not to the degree he couldn't do something. Once Andre was literally before him and his palm inches above his shoulder, Khal's thighs bulged with power and his momentum exploded abruptly almost akin to a rocket!

BAM!

'Dance of The Celestial Serpent Third Form; Emerald Snake Dance!'

With a strong push against the platform below his feet that cracked and turned into debris, Khal appeared at the edge of the platform, his hand still holding Andre's figure firmly behind him!

"HA!" with a loud shout as Andre's body weight quite a lot, Khal raised and swung Andre from behind and thrashed him into the wall without mercy.

BOOM!

The whole Arena turned dead silent as they stared at Khal and the spot where he smashed Andre like he was nothing but trash that was just thrown out right into the bin!

"He is strong!"

"Huh? Why? What did you expect? He finished 5th in the Thousand Life Tournament so this is only natural."

"I know, but still... That is an Andre Dusk! At least he should have been a tougher opponent, right?"

Cultivators began to whisper between each other, almost all of them admiring Khal's strength. Only a few like Liza, Nate, Jas, Logan, and the rest of the teachers didn't as they notice small details that made them think otherwise.

"That technique just now put a great burden on his body" exclaimed Nate from Liza's side as he noticed Khal's kind of trembling legs.

"Un." Liza nodded upon hearing that in silence as she felt the Essence inside her body move according to what she just saw, trying to secretly imitate the skill Khal just used.

Khal however just stared at the dust before him with an expressionless gaze, his Heaven's Eyes still staring at the spot where he just slammed Andre.

"Not bad, but I don't think you can repeat that move once again." a voice appeared before Khal, and with a powerful gust of wind, the dust was blown away, revealing Andre's figure.

"Oh?" Khal appeared to be indifferent, but inside he was surprised as Andre's body was perfectly fine!

Not only did he have no broken bones from the impact, but Khal couldn't even see a slight scratch mark or injury on his skin! It was amazing and scary, as it meant Andre's defense was much scarier he previously thought.

"Now it's my turn then," said Andre and like lightning, his body turned into a line of flash and appeared before Khal as if he just teleported!

"Wha-" Khal tried to move and avoid the fast attack, but Andre's movements were so fast that even with his Heaven's Eyes they seemed to be quick!

The only thing he was able to accomplish was a slight tilt with his waist, and instead of his head, Andre placed his palm on his left arm.

BAM!

"!?!"

Khal's eyes widened immediately, while the ground below his feet turned to debris and his knee bent slightly; right now, he felt as though a mountain fell on his body, leaving him no chance to move at all!

"Emperor's Palm!" said Andre and began to push Khal's body from above, making his leg bend more and more with each second!

"What is happening? Khal is being suppressed? By a mere palm!?" this thought appeared in several people's heads, trying to figure out the cause behind all this as that was no Secret Art.

"That is Andre's Talent, Emperor's Palm!" laughed Raffin from above the Arena next to Scarlet and several others and continued, "A simple touch of his can weight tons and crush anyone! Quite a powerful Talent if used right, but also easy to counter if wielded incorrectly."

"Will Khal be able to escape now that he was caught in this power?" asked Scarlett, seemingly curious to find out the answer but kind of knew what to hear.

"Escape?" asked Raffin and even a mocking grin formed on his face as if he just heard a great joke, "Yeah he can."

"Really? How?"

"If he sacrifices his own arm in exchange to escape!" laughed Raffin, but soon turned serious and continued, "However, considering the weight my student is currently putting on him, I would be surprised if he could even move much less cut his arm off!"

"Then you think Khal lost?" questioned Scarlett.

But this time Raffin didn't answer immediately and only after a short pondering did he talk, "Khal is a tricky opponent to fight against so I do not dare to say it for sure, but as far I can see, yeah... He lost."