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"Biomor, I've been waiting for you. I thought your legs had given out on you," Qigefei taunted first.

"Hmph, how could that be? I just had two golden roasted chicken wings and was savoring them for a moment." The other party retaliated immediately, but it sounded more like children bickering, rather dull.

At the slightest disagreement, the two instantly turned hostile. The cheetah youth named Biomor took a single step forward, crossing the hundred-meter distance of the long street to appear at the golden eagle youth's position. Simultaneously, Qigefei transformed into a golden lightning bolt, moving twice as fast as before, and swept across the street to take the cheetah youth's previous spot.

In an instant, they exchanged blows. Though it seemed they merely switched positions, both bore seven or eight wounds. The cheetah youth Biomor left without a word, fading in and out of sight from the other side of the street. Qigefei, seemingly indifferent to his injuries, leisurely walked up to me.

"Is this the Lord Xuanfeng who walks with Sister Catherine? I look forward to battling you."

Chapter 37: The Tomb of the Golden Eagle and Snow Wolf Heroes

Duels are everywhere.

This is a characteristic of the Beastman world, where duels can be proposed for fame, profit, revenge, martial arts, or even without any reason. Of course, there are fair rules to ensure no dishonorable tactics tarnish the glory of the War God. For example, the duel Qigefei just engaged in, and now challenges me to, falls under the category of "Martial Combat," where both parties fight using their own skills, without weapons or lethal intent, the most common form of duel.

If this were in the martial world of my past life, seeing someone already injured from two battles still issuing a challenge would either be seen as disrespecting the opponent or dismissed as unfair. However, in the Beastman world, the challenger's condition is their own concern. If they believe they can fight, regardless of the outcome, no excuses are needed, as one who cannot control their own state is not worthy of being called a master.

"Since you're eager, how could I not oblige?"

Hearing my response, the golden eagle youth wasted no words, raising his claw and lunging at my throat with blinding speed. It was truly unimaginably fast. When I watched him fight the leopard earlier, I didn't fully grasp the concept of "absolute speed," but facing this lightning attack, I understood its astonishing nature.

Even though my Nine Yin skill "Netherworld Phantom" doesn't reach such terrifying speeds, it doesn't mean I can't evade such attacks. Compared to the eagle clan's aerial martial arts, the martial arts of my past life emphasized positional changes and timing. Legend has it that an ancestor of Emperor Duan of the Southern Kingdom once mastered a miraculous step technique that allowed him to stroll calmly amidst a thousand soldiers and a forest of spears, a realm beyond mere speed. My "Netherworld Phantom," while not as miraculous in positioning, excels in body movement, living up to its name.

When Qigefei launched his claw, he didn't expect to defeat his opponent outright, but forcing a retreat or dodge would allow him to unleash his absolute speed, driving the opponent to defeat. In his previous duel, two cloud leopard warriors lost their initial advantage and were defeated. However, he was surprised to find that the wolf-man before him shifted half a foot without moving his limbs. Although his speed was far slower than Qigefei's, the short distance allowed him to complete the move before Qigefei's attack reached him. Qigefei's move wasn't simple; within a few feet, his claw covered all angles. Yet, when he reversed his claw to pursue, he realized the opponent stood precisely where his move was weakest, just outside his attack range, leaving his fingertips a hair's breadth from the target.

"Has this guy already seen through my move?"

A shadow crossed the golden eagle youth's mind, but his attack continued. Without the ability to extend his arm by a foot, he had wings. With a flap, he generated new force, launching a sharper second claw.

"Good!"

Qigefei's wing flap created a slight delay, allowing my Nine Yin Bone Claw to meet his attack. Competing in speed with someone who never touches the ground is foolish. Even if I perfected the Nine Yin Manual, I couldn't run sixteen thousand miles a day, which is eight thousand kilometers, a realm beyond mere legs. So, I remained resolute, relying on the elusive movements of "Netherworld Phantom" to dodge attacks and using the illusory "Nine Manifestations of the Divine Dragon" to defend myself, not moving a step.

Qigefei used the secret technique "Heavenly Peng Moon-Grabbing Claw," part of the "Heavenly Peng Soaring" set, combining unparalleled speed to tear opponents apart from all directions. While he could use his wings to generate force in the air, unlike a person without support, his power was still less than mine, who used the Thousand-Pound Anchor to remain grounded. This often forced him back, disrupting his continuous attacks and giving me time to recover, keeping the battle evenly matched.

With the innate true qi of the Nine Yin Manual replenishing my energy, Qigefei lacked such skills. Maintaining high-speed flight and using secret techniques in a small area consumed immense energy. Although he could adjust his stance using superior techniques during clashes, eventually his qi would deplete. Unwilling to wait until he was exhausted and helpless, he changed tactics, retreating several yards and chanting briefly before slashing out a dozen wind blades.

These wind blades weren't mere magic but combined with qi, making them highly lethal. Not wanting to reveal the Platinum Mirror Magic Armor's moon attribute, I dodged the wind blades, only to have a strong gust suddenly erupt from below, lifting me off the ground. Qigefei instantly appeared before me, his claws grabbing my Nine Yin Bone Claw, transforming into a grappling move, locking my hands and using the wind to lift me off the ground.