Sparring

They then entered the hall.

Perlis addressed the lord of Black Jade City, who was seated, and the two men in the seats of honor. "My lord, the young lord and Mr. Lister have arrived."

The lord of Black Jade City nodded, then rose and walked over to Lister, saying:

"Mr. Lister, thank you for saving my son. Without you, he would certainly have lost his life this time."

After speaking, he shot Wang Lufei a fierce glare.

Lister smiled calmly. "It was a small effort. You needn't be so polite."

"That won't do. Tell me directly if there's anything you need. I'll do my best to provide it."

Lister really did not care much about a city lord's reward.

He smiled again and said, "There's really no need. I don't need anything."

The lord of Black Jade City frowned and continued, "Then how about five hundred thousand gold coins? That's roughly what it costs to have an ordinary ninth-rank expert take action."

Lister shook his head.

The lord of Black Jade City, however, thought Lister was being somewhat insatiable. His brow furrowed deeply, and he was just about to ask what exactly Lister wanted.

But the old man in a seat of honor stood up and said, "Long, you truly cannot satisfy this gentleman's needs. He isn't merely a ninth-rank expert. If my senses aren't mistaken, Brother Lister is also Saint-level, isn't he?"

Although Lister had concealed his aura so ordinary people could not sense it, the sense of danger from someone of the same level could not be mistaken by another Saint-level expert. Long and Dai Dai then looked at Lister in surprise as well.

Lister also smiled and looked at the two men in the seats of honor.

Name: Monkey D. Garp

Level: Early Saint-level

Race: Human

Description: Lord of the provincial capital of Yagor Province, Black Lion Kingdom, Dark Alliance. Current patriarch of the Monchi Family. Has comprehended Force-level Attack.

Name: Monkey D. Kong

Level: Saint Realm Mid-Stage warrior

Race: Human

Laws: Fire Element laws, 3%

Description: Ancestor of the Monchi Family of Yagor Province, Black Lion Kingdom, Dark Alliance.

He then spoke again:

"You two must be the strongest members of the Monchi Family that Wang Lufei mentioned. Wasn't one supposed to be ninth-rank and the other Saint-level? How come both of you are Saint-level now? One of you must have just broken through."

Wang Lufei was surprised again upon hearing Lister's words, while Wang Long's reaction was quite normal, as though he already knew.

As it turned out, Kong had brought Garp, who had just broken through, out to familiarize himself with Saint-level battle aura.

And since Garp had already reached Saint-level, he was no longer suited to serving as the lord of Red Jade City.

They had therefore planned to take Wang Long back to Red Jade City along the way to serve as its lord. They had not expected Wang Lufei to happen to return with Lister shortly after they arrived.

Garp nodded in acknowledgment.

Kong also nodded and said, "That's right, young brother. He did just reach Saint-level. Your senses are remarkably keen."

Lister smiled without replying.

"Since you saved Lufei, young brother, our Monchi Family must certainly show our gratitude. Whenever you need anything within Yagor Province, or even the Black Lion Kingdom, we can lend a hand."

Kong gave Lister this solemn assurance.

Lister knew that this was already a substantial gift, equivalent to an opportunity to receive help from two Saint-level experts.

Lister did not decline any further and said to Kong:

"Since you've put it that way, I can hardly refuse. There really is something I'd like to ask of you."

"Go ahead, young brother. As long as it's within our power, we certainly won't refuse," Kong replied.

"My younger brother traveling with me has some grievances to settle in Red Jade City." Lister then explained what had happened to the members of the Monchi Family, though of course he did not mention that Dai Dai was a magical beast.

After hearing the whole story, the members of the Monchi Family also expressed sympathy for Dai Dai's misfortune.

"Brother Lister, I know about the matter you mentioned, but I didn't know there was all this behind it," Garp said gravely.

"Garp, I'll leave this to you and Long. Long is about to become the lord of Red Jade City anyway. This will be a good chance for him to establish his authority," Kong said.

"Understood," Garp and Long both replied.

Lister then spoke again. "I have another request. I'd like to spar with you, Brother Kong. Since reaching Saint-level, I haven't fought anyone else at the same level."

"Certainly. I wanted to spar with you too, young brother." Kong was also delighted. After all, only fighting someone at the same level could help him improve faster.

Kong then led Lister to a clearing on the mountain behind the city lord's residence. Only Garp followed them.

The two floated into the air, and a black battle saber appeared in Kong's hand. It was black all over, with a black gleam flashing only along its edge.

"This black battle saber of mine formed naturally in the very heart of a blackstone mine," Kong explained.

"It's a fine saber. No wonder it doesn't look forged. It's entirely natural," Lister praised.

"Lister, where is your weapon?"

In response to Kong's question, Lister raised his right hand. "I don't have a weapon. These hands will serve as my weapons."

"Then be careful." Fire-attribute battle aura surged around Kong as he gripped his saber in both hands, resembling a god of fiery war. The originally black blade turned entirely red, with flames burning over it.

Lightning also flickered around Lister's body.

With a bang, Kong charged swiftly toward Lister, leaving a red afterimage in the air.

In an instant, Kong's saber was right in front of Lister.

Lister smiled faintly at the charging Kong and shifted left to evade him. His right hand opened from a fist into a palm and swiftly struck Kong's chest.

"So fast!" Kong saw Lister's strike coming but had no time to react. The palm strike sent him flying down to the ground, raising a cloud of dust.

Kong soon flew back up.

"Lister, you're actually this fast!" Kong said in shock.

"What I've comprehended are the laws of lightning. They're extremely fast."

"Good, then try this move of mine: Fire Blade Formation!"

Kong held his saber horizontally before him. The flames on his body and saber grew increasingly intense, and the flames around him condensed into battle sabers that flew toward Lister. When the flames covering his own blade reached their peak, he concealed himself behind the blade formation and attacked Lister along with it.

Countless fire blades slashed toward Lister, forcing him to dodge from side to side.

And this was exactly what Kong wanted.

The Fire Blade Formation was meant to restrict the enemy's movements, allowing Kong to defeat them with his strongest strike.

"Haha! Lister, you can't dodge this!"

At the rear of the blade formation, Kong locked directly onto Lister and slashed toward him together with the final wave of fire blades.

He's locked onto me? Then I can only go faster. Lister then used Silent Lightning Escape, a technique of Lightning Speed.

Kong's saber struck Lister's body, meeting no resistance and drawing not a single drop of blood. It passed straight through him and struck the mountainside, blasting a large hole into it.

Kong was startled. An afterimage!

Lister suddenly appeared behind him and kicked Kong back into the ground.

After standing up, Kong waved his hand and called out, "Lister, come down. Let's stop. You're too fast. I can't touch you at all."

Lister then returned to the ground as well.

"Why are you so fast?" Kong asked.

Lister answered directly, "This is Silent Lightning Escape, which I created based on the profound mysteries of the laws of Lightning Speed. It can greatly increase my speed over short distances."

"So that's how it is." Kong nodded.