Golden Pool Lake, southern shore.
Xie Fengchao laughed and said:
"Unfortunately, there aren't any Third Rank 'Divination' martial artists here. Otherwise, I really would like to see how you could defeat one in ten breaths."
Ding Songyan glanced at him.
"Aren't you one?"
He had already noticed that, compared with when they had last parted, Xie Five's ears had changed noticeably, becoming pointed like a dog's, while his body had also acquired a few canine traits.
This meant he had reached the perfected Dayan realm.
As far as Ding Songyan knew, the Fang lineage descended from the Mountain Dog-Monkey, which had a dog's body and a human face and excelled at throwing. Eating its flesh let one ride the wind and chase the moon; it could hurl metal to pierce the sun, made those who saw it laugh, and brought great winds across the world.
Wasn't this another kind of canine companion?
"You mean you could defeat me in ten breaths?" Xie Fengchao laughed in disbelief.
Ding Songyan smiled faintly.
"We can try."
Xie Fengchao gave a sharp laugh.
"I refuse to believe that!"
Although he had lost to this fellow's sword a few years ago, he truly did not believe the gap between them could be that great.
He acted with the speed of wind and thunder, quickly finding a nearby martial arts school, paying to rent its Martial Training Ground for an hour, and having the place cleared so no one could watch.
"Come on." Xie Fengchao dispensed with courtesies, not even bothering to say "please."
Ding Songyan chuckled.
"I'll even let you make the first move."
Rather than feeling insulted, Xie Fengchao began considering the matter seriously.
Could Ding Two actually mean it?
*Over this past year or so, had his realm not only advanced, but his