Su Yue opened with a technique I had seen her use before, a series of flame constructs that took the shape of phoenixes, each one diving toward Liu Chang from a different angle.

The coordination was impressive; while two phoenixes attacked high, a third swept low, and a fourth came in from the side.

Liu Chang's response was textbook Immutable Titan Scripture. His skin took on the distinctive stone-like quality I'd seen during the beast wave mission, and instead of dodging, he simply took the hits.

The flame phoenixes crashed into him with enough force to crack stone, but they simply dispersed against his enhanced defense.

But that wasn't the end of the exchange.

Even as the phoenixes were dissipating, Liu Chang was already moving forward. His technique was called Earthquake Fist, and I could see why.

When his stone-hardened fist struck the ground where Su Yue had been standing, the entire training ground shook. Cracks spread outward in a spiderweb pattern, and the shockwave was strong enough that I felt it from my position twenty feet away.

Su Yue had anticipated the attack and launched herself into the air with a burst of flame from her feet, but Liu Chang wasn't done. As she hung in the air, momentarily vulnerable, he shifted his stance and delivered what looked like a simple palm strike toward her position.

The attack didn't look like much until the compressed air from his strike reached her.

The shockwave caught Su Yue in mid-air and sent her tumbling, but she managed to convert the momentum into a controlled spin, landing gracefully and immediately launching a counterattack.

This time she went for speed over power. A series of rapid flame bursts created a cloud of superheated air around Liu Chang, and then she was moving through it like a dancer, striking at him from multiple angles faster than most cultivators could track.

Liu Chang's response was fascinating to watch. Instead of trying to match her speed, he used his Immovable Mountain Stance. His feet seemed to grow roots into the training ground, and no matter how hard or fast Su Yue struck, he remained perfectly stable. But more than that, he was studying her patterns, and I could see him positioning himself to intercept her next attack.

When Su Yue came in for what looked like a finishing blow, a technique that compressed all her flame energy into a single piercing strike, Liu Chang was ready.

His timing was perfect.

He grabbed her wrist just as she committed to the attack, using her own momentum to redirect her past him, and followed up with a gentle but firm palm strike to her back that sent her stumbling forward.

"Excellent improvement on the Phoenix Flight technique," Liu Chang said as Su Yue caught her balance. "But you're telegraphing your final approach. Try varying the rhythm of your feints."

"I thought I had you with that last combination," Su Yue replied, breathing hard but grinning. "Your defense has gotten even more ridiculous since the last time we sparred."

"The Immutable Titan Scripture is all about patience and positioning," Liu Chang explained. "The stronger your offense becomes, the more I need to focus on reading your intentions rather than just tanking everything."

It was clear that this wasn't just sparring, it was high-level combat training between two very skilled fighters. Liu Chang had the kind of practical fighting experience that couldn't be learned from manuals or gained in a training hall. Someone had taught him to fight for real, against real opponents who were trying to kill him.

"His combat instincts are remarkable," I thought to Azure. "I'm at the same cultivation level, but I have serious doubts about whether I could take him in a fair fight."

"Without using the stellar energy, you mean," Azure clarified.

"Obviously. But that's not exactly a sustainable strategy for regular sparring between friends."

The spar wasn't long; it came to a natural conclusion as both fighters stepped back and bowed formally to each other.

Su Yue was breathing hard but grinning, clearly satisfied with her performance. Liu Chang looked barely winded, though I could see the slight sheen of perspiration that indicated he'd been taking the session seriously.

"Your flame control has improved dramatically," Liu Chang was saying to her as they both walked over to me. "The transition between offensive and defensive applications is much smoother now."

"Still feels clunky compared to how you make it look," Su Yue replied, then turned toward me with a welcoming smile. "Ke Yin! Congratulations on the tournament performance. We heard you made quite an impression."

"Thanks," I said, returning her smile. "Though I see you two have been making some impressive progress of your own. Pseudo-Elemental Realm?" I directed the question toward Liu Chang.

He nodded with obvious satisfaction. "Broke through three days ago. The battle against Ke Jun provided some insights that I finally digested, it was enough to push me over the edge. Your own advancement was even more dramatic, from what I heard."

"You watched the tournament?" I asked, genuinely curious. Most inner disciples didn't typically pay attention to outer sect competitions.

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"I caught some clips," Liu Chang admitted. "Couldn't watch the whole thing, I was in the middle of consolidating my breakthrough at the time. But Su Yue filled me in on the details, and I saw the recording crystals of your major battles."

Su Yue stepped forward, her expression lighting up with excitement. "That battle between you and Wu Kangming was incredible to watch! The way you two were going at each other with everything you had... I've never seen outer disciples fight at that level before."

"It was pretty intense," I admitted. "Wu Kangming is no joke as an opponent."

"Intense is putting it mildly," Su Yue continued enthusiastically. "The whole viewing area went silent when you two started that final exchange. And now that you're both advancing to the individual stage..." She grinned. "I can't wait to see you finish what you started. That's going to be the match everyone's talking about."

"Assuming we both make it that far," I said, though I couldn't deny the anticipation I felt at the prospect of facing Wu Kangming again.

Liu Chang clapped me on the shoulder. "Don't undersell yourself. I always knew you'd catch up to me soon. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if you surpass me entirely within the year."

There was no jealousy in his voice, no hidden resentment. Just the genuine pleasure of a friend celebrating another's success. It was one of the things I'd always appreciated about Liu Chang: his complete lack of petty competitiveness when it came to personal relationships.

"I doubt that," I replied, despite knowing that with my world-walking abilities he was right, but I knew better than to underestimate someone like Liu Chang. People like that usually went far in life. "You've got a lifetime of combat experience that I'm nowhere close to matching. Cultivation level is only part of the equation."

"Experience can be gained," Liu Chang said with a slight smile. "Natural talent and the kind of insights you've been developing? Those are much rarer."

Su Yue nodded in agreement. "The way you handled those ninth stage beasts, and then the coordinated team battles afterward? Most people would have been overwhelmed by that level of complexity. You made it look almost routine."

"Routine is definitely not how it felt," I said with a laugh. "Half the time I was just trying not to get killed while figuring out what the hell was happening and why we couldn't catch a break."

"That's combat for you," Liu Chang said sagely. "The key is getting good at thinking clearly while everything's trying to kill you. It's a skill that only comes with practice."

We talked for a while about the tournament, sharing observations and insights about various techniques we'd witnessed. Liu Chang was particularly interested in Wu Kangming's sword work, asking detailed questions about the precision and spiritual control he'd displayed.

"I'd love to spar with him sometime," Liu Chang mused. "Sword cultivators have a completely different approach to combat than what I'm used to. The focus on perfect technique over raw power creates interesting strategic challenges."

"He's definitely skilled," I agreed.

We continued discussing the tournament and various cultivation insights for another twenty minutes. It was remarkably relaxing, talking shop with people who understood the complexities and challenges of serious cultivation. The easy camaraderie reminded me why I'd grown to value my friendships within the sect so much.

Eventually, Liu Chang asked the question I'd been expecting. "So, what brings you to the inner sect today? Not that you're not welcome anytime, but you don't usually venture into our territory."

"I was hoping to ask for your help with something," I said, shifting into a more serious tone. "I've got two days left before the tournament battles begin, and I'm looking for good sparring partners. Specifically, people who can challenge me at my current level and help me test some techniques I've been working on."

Liu Chang's expression became more interested. "What kind of techniques?"

"Defensive applications, mostly. I've been developing some new approaches to combat that I want to practice against someone with real skill before I try them in actual competition."

"Ah," Liu Chang nodded knowingly. "You want to spar against someone who won't accidentally kill you if your experimental techniques don't work as expected."

"Exactly. And you're one of the few people I know who has both the skill level to provide a real challenge and the control to pull back if something goes wrong."

Su Yue grinned. "Plus, Liu Chang loves any excuse to test his own new techniques. Win-win situation."

"She's not wrong," Liu Chang admitted with a slight smile. "I've been working on some applications of my new cultivation level that could use practical testing, and while Su Yue's great to train with, she knows all my techniques too well."

"Hey!" Su Yue protested, though she was smiling. "I'll have you know my unpredictability is one of my best features."

"Your unpredictability consists of exactly seven variations on 'throw fire at the problem,'" Liu Chang replied. "I love you for it, but it's not exactly mysterious anymore."

Su Yue threw a small fireball at his head, which he deflected casually with the back of his hand.

"So," Liu Chang said, turning his attention back on me. "If you're willing to help me experiment with some Pseudo-Elemental Realm techniques, I'm more than happy to help you with whatever you're developing."

"That sounds perfect," I said, feeling genuinely grateful. "I should warn you, though, some of what I'm working with might seem a bit unusual. I've been exploring some unconventional approaches to cultivation that don't always follow traditional patterns."

"The best innovations rarely do," Liu Chang replied. "As long as you're confident in the safety margins, I'm game to see what you've come up with."

Su Yue stepped back toward the edge of the training area, settling onto a stone bench that was clearly designed for observers. "I'll watch and provide commentary," she announced. "Someone needs to keep you two from getting carried away."

Liu Chang and I moved to opposite ends of the training ground, the familiar pre-combat ritual helping me focus my thoughts and spiritual energy. The space was well-designed for sparring, with formation arrays built into the ground that would contain most techniques while still allowing for realistic combat practice.

"Any particular rules or restrictions?" Liu Chang asked as he settled into a ready stance.

"Let's start with basic combat techniques and see how things develop," I suggested. "I want to test my defensive applications against your normal fighting style before we escalate to anything more dramatic."

"Sounds reasonable," Liu Chang agreed, his spiritual pressure beginning to radiate outward as he prepared for combat.

I could feel my own cultivation responding, the familiar sensation of spiritual essence circulating through my meridians as I accessed the techniques I'd been practicing.

The Partial Manifestation of the Realm Stabilizing Tree was foremost in my mind, but I also wanted to test how my various runes and plant manipulation abilities would fare against Liu Chang's refined combat style.

"Remember," Azure commented quietly, "this is about learning, not winning. Don't let competitive instincts override the educational value of the experience."

Good advice. Liu Chang was doing me a favor by agreeing to this sparring session, and I'd learn more from honest testing than from trying to dominate the fight.

We stood facing each other across the training ground, spiritual energy crackling in the air between us as both of our cultivation bases fully activated. Liu Chang's Immutable Titan Scripture created an aura of absolute stability around him, while my World Tree Sutra spread subtle traces of wood-element qi throughout the immediate environment.

"Ready when you are," Liu Chang called out, his stance shifting into something that looked deceptively relaxed but felt anything but.

I nodded. It was time to see how my new techniques would fare against a real opponent.

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