The mere gaze of a master was enough to intimidate an opponent. Naturally, a supreme master's gaze was even more powerful. It could shake the spirit and knock out the feeble-minded on the spot. Stories about formless or mind swords were often tales told by lesser martial artists who had recklessly challenged a supreme master, only to collapse under their intense stare.
At that moment, the piercing gaze of the supreme master known as the Spear King flashed blindingly.
"Huuup...!"
"Gasp...!"
Will I ever have the opportunity to see that?"
Even those not looking directly at him turned pale. Their bodies froze. Many struggled to breathe, gasping for air.
"We can rest easy for now." Baek Suryong breathed a sigh of relief.
"That's enough, Ak Patriarch! Please stop!"
"Everyone, circulate your inner arts to protect yourselves!"
The Fire King and Noh Goonsang unleashed a shield around the students to counter the Spear King's aura. Finally, the childrens' expressions relaxed.
"Not again..." Namgung Su sighed softly, as if he'd expected this. Instead of intervening to stop Baek Suryong, however, he decided to observe.
I let you be, and now you've crossed the line! If you don't stop this instant, you'll have to deal with this old man first. If you're fine with that, then by all means, continue."
He wouldn't have provoked the Spear King for no reason.
Though the two men conversed calmly, the onlookers could feel the suffocating tension building with every word.
Baek Suryong caused trouble wherever he went, but he always acted with purpose. He judged that this time was no different.
"Not the last seat?" Ak Bi repeated slowly, fixing his eyes on Baek Suryong and ignoring everything else around them. He revealed his power without reservation, radiating the commanding air of a being standing far above the masses. "What do you mean by that?"
Unfortunately for him, he'd picked the wrong opponent today.
"Pfft!" Baek Suryong's lips curved into a sneer as he shrugged, feigning ignorance. He had recently withstood an aura several times more powerful than that of the Spear King. The fact that the man believed himself superior to everyone else was laughable. "Well, who knows? The Ten Supremes have never participated in a martial arts tournament among ourselves. Surely there's someone among them who's weaker than me?"
Are they really going to fight?
It was a clever provocation that avoided any direct confrontation, paying the Spear King back twofold for how he had snubbed Noh Goonsang.
Still, the Spear King was no pushover. "Perhaps you think that one of the Ten Supremes weaker than you is present here?"
This was a game of words. The only two members of the Ten Supremes present continually probed and sized each other up.
[I don't sense any sorcery or any sinister energy nearby,] the Divine Azure Dragon Sword chimed in. She had been scanning the area with sorcery the whole time.
"We won't know who's longer or shorter until you measure, will we?"
"My spear is quite long. I heard that you use a sword, Azure Dragon Hero."
"I know how to wield a spear quite well myself."
"I'm curious. Will I ever have the opportunity to see that?"
"Of course. If you wish, we can even... go at it right now."
Though the two men conversed calmly, the onlookers could feel the suffocating tension building with every word.
Baek Suryong caused trouble wherever he went, but he always acted with purpose.
Are they really going to fight?
They're insane! A battle of wills the moment they meet!
Everyone watched with bated breath as the Spear King's expression stiffened. Faced with an unyielding Baek Suryong, his patience wore thin. Finally, his right hand twitched and moved toward the spear on his back.
"Enough!" A thunderous lion's roar thundered, accompanied by a whip of crimson flame that separated the two bickering men.
Calming his aura, he turned to Baek Suryong.
SIZZLE...
The floor melted where the flames licked, catching both men's attention.
Namgung Su furrowed his brow and glared at Baek Suryong. "Now, explain," he demanded.
The Fire King's hair stood on end and fluttered wildly. Flames billowed around him, their tongues flicking like snakes. "You little brats! I let you be, and now you've crossed the line! If you don't stop this instant, you'll have to deal with this old man first. If you're fine with that, then by all means, continue."
Although his temper had mellowed with age, he was once a supreme master famous for his feisty personality. He had turned countless unorthodox sect leaders to ash and humiliated arrogant orthodox masters by burning off their hair.
""......""
Both men knew this was both a warning and a way out offered by the Fire King. He was giving them a reason to disengage before the situation escalated beyond repair.
"My apologies, Senior Fire King. This junior was momentarily overcome by his fighting spirit and inadvertently showed you an unsightly side of me," the Spear King said, immediately accepting the offer. He judged that a fight with Baek Suryong would result in more loss than gain, so he seized the opportunity to stand down. Calming his aura, he turned to Baek Suryong. "Let's find a good day to cross blades. For today, rest well and relieve your travel fatigue."
"Thank you for your consideration, Senior," Baek Suryong replied politely, as if he had never picked a fight. Nevertheless, a hint of regret lingered in his eyes.
If neither of them had found traces of the Blood Cult on the Spear King, the Ak Clan masters, or any member of the branch family, then there should be no pressing problems.
What a shame! I wanted to exchange at least one move. Well, another opportunity will surely come along...
Baek Suryong licked his lips, watching the Spear King's retreating back. " today isn't the only day."
Namgung Su furrowed his brow and glared at Baek Suryong. "Now, explain," he demanded.
Baek Suryong carelessly threw his luggage in the instructor's quarters and turned to Namgung Su, looking puzzled. "Explain what?"
Namgung Su sighed. "Even though you lack common sense and a proper upbringing, I know you don't act without thinking. Why did you deliberately provoke the Ak Patriarch?"
"Really? I heard they were super close."
"Is that supposed to be an insult or a compliment?"
"Is the Spear King connected to the Blood Cult?"
Baek Suryong's expression hardened, but he shook his head. Namgung Su was indeed sharp when it came to understanding the reasons behind his antagonism toward people he was meeting for the first time. After confirming no one was listening, he said seriously, "He's not a Blood Cult follower."
The Vermilion Phoenix Academy students, who were seeing Baek Suryong and Namgung Su together for the first time, exchanged shocked glances.
He had been angry about Noh Goonsang being ignored, but that wasn't the main reason he provoked the Spear King. It was more of a plausible excuse to act at that moment.