Breaking the Void Traverse Pearls

Qi Hui Shi watched Chen Chuan's fist come at him. He was the one attacking, and he was confident he could strike first. If he poured enough Spiritual Fire into the blow and hit Chen Chuan hard enough, Chen Chuan's fist might not do much damage even if it landed.

He did not hesitate. But just as he began to draw on his Spiritual Fire, he saw it flicker over Chen Chuan's fist, on the verge of bursting outward. His heart jolted.

Chen Chuan was clearly about to unleash a Spiritual Impact. Qi Hui Shi's thoughts raced. If they traded blows, Chen Chuan's strike would be devastating. Neither of them would necessarily come out ahead, and both might be badly hurt. Qi Hui Shi's foundation might not be as strong as Chen Chuan's. If he lost the exchange, he would suffer for it.

That judgment changed his approach at once. He pushed off lightly and drifted aside, drawing back the Spiritual Fire he had intended to release. The sudden reversal broke the rhythm of his continuous attack, which would normally give his opponent an opening.

But that was fine. Chen Chuan would have just as much trouble pulling back a committed strike. Qi Hui Shi would still have a chance to resume his assault. As long as he kept Chen Chuan under pressure, an opening would eventually appear.

What happened next was nothing like he expected. The light flickering over Chen Chuan's fist abruptly faded. Qi Hui Shi's pupils contracted. Had that been a feint? Not entirely. Chen Chuan's training in the Great Bright Light and the Great Azure Void Style was showing its effects. His keen mind let him read his opponent's attacks accurately and gave him finer control over the release and withdrawal of his Spiritual Fire, allowing