Only I Am A Reader
chapter-192

After taking a shower as soon as he woke up, Leo walked through the deserted tunnel beyond the waterfall. When he made it to the training halls, two of them were still closed tight. It seemed that aside from him, the rest were still in session.

'They… should be okay.'

No sound escaped the shut walls, but Leo could imagine their suffering. He had a slight urge to check up on Yeon, but he could only ignore it for now.

While it was okay for him who had once lived till the age of 20, Yeon wasn't even nine. In reality, however, suffering was really subjective… Could he really question the mental fortitude of an orphan who moved from living on the street to enduring the hellish first phase for over a year?

In the end, things in the world of murim weren't that much different than it was on Earth. Only those born to the right family or sect would have brilliant perspectives.

'At the very least, we can change things with power here.'

On the other hand, training in the Heavenly Furnace was still a form of suffering, but it was at least a form of trade for power. The result was apparent as they had already obtained power beyond normal people at this age.

'Wait for me a little… No, let's hold on a little more.'

Neither of them lacked the ability to stand for themselves now, they no longer needed someone's help to escape their misery. Yeon was obviously not someone who would become a burden, so Leo just had to make sure he wouldn't be the one to do so!

"How was it?"

The training hall that they occupied the day before was still the same, even Leo's senior brother was leaning on the wall as he waited for him.

"Honestly… It's amazing."

Leo truthfully transmitted the feeling of excitement that he was overcome with through his words. The Black Dragon's Transformations was a monstrous martial art in both technique and energy.

"Alright, show me what you got."

Seeing that Leo was the exact opposite of being confused by what he read, Cheon Chang didn't systematically ask him about his doubts, clear his misunderstandings, or demonstrate the technique. Rather, he did the same as he did earlier, throwing a wooden spear at Leo.

Thud!

Leo's spear barely guarded against Cheon Chang's, pushing him back several steps. Compared to their first battle, the Absolute Spear didn't completely hold back his physical strength. However…

Thud! Thud! Thud!

'He is adjusting to my level.'

Focusing most of his attention on blocking and deflecting, Leo wasn't surprised by the sudden battle. Instead, he was surprised by Cheon Chang's ability to restrict himself! His spear skill no longer showed Leo the deep chasm separating them. It was as if they were a close match!

Leo was no longer battling an 'Absolute', but he was still battling someone with far more experience. Even as someone who had the basics of the Black Dragon's Transformations ingrained in his mind, Leo still took an hour before he started delivering attacks of his own…

'It's not exactly a beating…'

Experience and expertise weren't a problem for someone like Leo, and the sanguine Internal Energy flowing in his body offset a part of the difference in physical strength, but the match wasn't a stalemate either. Compared to Leo who already received several hits on his body, Cheon Chang was perfectly unscathed! His defense was perfect!

'But it's not a battle I could win.'

The battle's pace, technique, physical strength, movements… Cheon Chang's specs were just a step higher than his, but the flow was his to control. Although Leo wasn't a defeatist most of the time, he couldn't help admitting his opponent's superiority. For those who have reached the peak, even battle under suppression couldn't be judged through common sense.

"Is that all you have?"

Cheon Chang's voice didn't hold an ounce of contempt, Leo could tell that he wasn't mocking him. If anything, he sounded excited. The question had a very simple meaning.

'Right…'

Leo firmly recognized the restraints of his mindset. As someone who fought on the Sword Continent through the use of skill under the equality set by Sword Breath grades, he still wasn't used to the way the Martial Artists of murim fought…

In the heat of battle, had been only relying on the technical aspect of the Black Dragon's Transformation as well as the Heavenly Reign Steps. His use of Internal Energy was limited to physical strengthening when it could be used in so much more!

"No!"

Faint white light shone as it wrapped around Leo's legs, allowing him to completely dodge Cheon Chang's spear. At the same time, overbearing black sparks enveloped the head of the spear as it wriggled like a devious snake, springing up to take a bite of its prey!

Two energy streams were rapidly flowing through Leo's Energy Channels, providing two new forms of energy. His current movement made it seem like everything before it was in slow motion!

Thud!

"Good."

However, all of that still didn't wash away the stiffness from the opponent's face. A clear chip appeared on the wooden spear's shaft, but the 'bite' was still blocked.

"Now… Watch carefully."

Szszszsz…

Black sparks sizzled around Cheon Chang's spear. Although they seemed to resemble Leo's, the cloud-like shadow surrounding his legs shone as his senses alerted him to get away. This was…

Spzaaat!

In mere seconds, the faint sparks grew into arm-sized lightning snakes, the mere sight of them seemed to alert Leo of the presence of death! Regardless of the spear's material, Leo was sure that he wouldn't survive a hit in its current state!

Szpzaabang!

However, before Leo could even begin to worry if this new senior brother of his would end up accidentally killing him, the spearhead magnificently exploded into countless shards.

"So, how was it?"

The shaft barely remained intact in Cheon Chang's hand before he threw it away. His serene gaze landed at Leo as the tip of his mouth was involuntarily raised.

"The sight of true Black Dragon Energy?"