They both stared into each others eyes, the Qi coming off of them was clashing against each other violently, colliding like winds in a storm.
Jinshen made a sword of the liquid nanites as this momentarily surprised the Young Archer. Taking advantage of this Jinshen started the fight without a second thought, dashing towards him closing the distance near instantly.
He's an archer, he most likely doesn't have high physical prowess, I'll just need to beat him to the first move.
Jinshen thought to himself as he jumped into the air, raising his sword over his head to cleave down his opponent.
The young archer narrowed his eyes and in response, immediately launched a barrage of glowing arrows at Jinshen who deflected most of them while some grazed his skin, leaving behind trails of crimson.
Jinshen clicked his tongue. The archer dodged again. He landed with a soft thump, another stalemate.
He's strong, definitely equal to Mo Jinhai, probably even more versatile.. I'm starting to wonder if I should have accepted the proposition.
Jinshen looked up and down the Young Archer's body, trying to look for a weakness.
The latter was doing the same, but he was also searching Jinshen's posture and body language for a sign of an incoming attack.
He's insanely strong.. His Qi is also very ferocious, but he isn't fighting smart, he's probably still angry. The Young Archer paused as he pulled back on the string of his bow, many arrows appearing on it as the glow in his eyes intensified.
That'll be his downfall.
Jinshen's gaze snapped to a faint shift in the archer's knee—just enough of a tell. With his nanomachine-enhanced Qi vision, the weakness was obvious.
Taking advantage of the momentary opening he lunged at the Young Archer who wasn't prepared this time around which gave Jinshen the opportunity to drive his blade into the side of his opponent.
The Young Archer clenched his teeth as he followed through with his own attack, making Jinshen's eyes widen as he was hit by the Qi arrows at point blank range, engulfing him in a white light as he was sent hurtling into a wall.
The Young Archer's breath came in short, desperate gasps as he felt the piercing pain of the sword in his stomach, on the other hand Jinshen was also in immense pain, his back cracking in a concerning way.
Snap
Shit.. I was too impulsive, my bone's are definitely taking a lot of damage despite the nanomachines... I have to be calm... Collected. He slowly stood up, running a hand through his hair as he made another sword in his hand Thankfully I can't get frostbite... But I don't know whether or not I'll come out of this unscathed.
A voice suddenly echoed in his mind, annoyingly taunting and chirpy but one that brought him relief despite all of that.
Master~ What are ya doing? Are ya losing so easily? Don't worry. I'm done with my update. Lets beat this pretty snow princess up.
Jinshen smirked slightly as he spat a bit of blood onto the ground as he walked towards his opponent, now with renewed confidence. His mind ignoring the pain that was felt after each step.
I suppose you're right. But you're becoming more and more human ya know.
The Young Archer let out a wince as he pulled out the blade that was still plunged into his side, pain and confusion was evident in his eyes as he readied another arrow, but this time, it wasn't white, it was a brilliant gold.
Jinshen remained nonchalant as he took a stance, preparing to block the arrow as the liquid nanites wrapped around his forearms like a gauntlet.
The arrow was launched, it made a loud boom shaking the whole of the labyrinth as it left a trail sparkly golden light.
The arrow carried away Jinshen, taking him quite a distance away before it suddenly grew larger at a rapid pace before engulfing a large portion of the labyrinth, taking in many other uninvolved contestants
There was a large explosion which shattered the glass ceiling of the labyrinth as the glass fell down in shards, reflecting light as the Young Archer fell to his knees holding himself upright with his bow.
Damn it.. I killed more people than I planned... I hope the elders don't take me as a coldblooded person...
His ears perked up as he heard footsteps coming from the site of explosion as his eyes widened.
Jinshen emerged from the dust and fire. His left arm was blackened and blistered—burnt almost to the bone. His right was torn and trembling. Most of his robe was gone, but he was still standing.
He had survived.
Before any more fighting could commence, the sharp sound of clapping echoed from above—and the atmosphere shifted. Heavy. Menacing.
The Grand Marshal had arrived.
He was floating above them, shrouded in sunlight that now poured through the shattered ceiling. The shards of glass that should've crashed to the ground were instead suspended mid-air, glittering like deadly yet still beautiful stars. The once dark labyrinth, designed to swallow all light, was now laying fully exposed beneath the heat and brightness sun.
"Very cute Princess and Molten Mutt."
His voice echoed across the labyrinth—soft, monotone, yet utterly terrifying. It seeped into their bones, freezing the blood of every contestant… even Mo Jinhai's.
"The Trial of the Labyrinth ends here. You've proven yourselves."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle. Then, with unsettling calm:
"You'll be judged not just by strength... but by how menacing, how dangerous, and how talented you were. So I hope you all are ready since anyone who does not pass. Shall die instantly since we don't want our secrets to get leaked. And let me inform you all, there is no room for mercy in my heart."
Jinshen was breathing heavily, he slowly walked past the young archer, ignoring him completely as he sat down besides the still unconscious Yanwei.
I just got in a fight that nearly got me killed...
He rested his head on the wall as he himself slowly went unconscious as the nanomachine's voice in his mind sighed deeply speaking to itself using Jinshen's mind as a medium.
Well.. I guess I can't reveal the new features I got from my update right now, I'll just start the healing process I guess..