Duan Silie had already gripped a great spear in his hands, while the monk opposite him had retrieved the Iron Buddha Beads. These were the weapons they had chosen.
Yet neither immediately engaged the other. They simply stared each other down.
Their ever-rising auras weighed heavily on everyone around them. Many soldiers instinctively retreated farther, leaving only the military officers nearer the front.
A gust of cold wind swept fallen leaves across the courtyard, carrying them between the two men.
At that moment, the monk still stood immovable with his Buddhist Prayer Beads in hand, but Duan Silie suddenly moved.
Duan Silie surged from stillness into motion, the air stirred by his body scattering dead branches and fallen leaves. He covered a dozen strides in an instant before thrusting his spear, its tip howling through the air like a raging gale.
Whooo!
The monk's eyes widened at once, shining with excitement. Excellent martial skill!
A hazy aura spread over the Iron Buddha Beads in his hand. The instant the spear tip approached, he whipped them forward.
Claaang!
The Iron Buddha Beads collided with the spear tip, producing a tremendous sound like a temple bell tolling. Their duel formally began at that moment.
The spear tip was knocked aside, but the Iron Buddha Beads were also flung back.
At the same instant, Duan Silie borrowed the impact to spin. With his body concealing the spear, he turned and launched a sudden returning thrust at the monk's wide-open center.
The monk had no choice but to leave his position and dodge to one side.
But just then, Duan Silie kicked the spear shaft hard with his right leg, turning its straight thrust into a sweep that howled toward the monk.
The shaft bent into a startling arc, while the darkly gleaming spear