“Hippo, I thought you’re busy working your ass off for some new case?” Se Lang taunted his new challenger seeing how he had been able to hold the fort for six consecutive times.
“My little Egret told me that I had to put someone in place. Some arrogant wolf thinking that he could sit at the throne so comfortably because he had a taste of power. That is why I decided to come.” Xiong Da took his formal coat out and rolled his sleeves up. He meant business fighting against the reigning champion.
To gain the right to be a challenger, you had to win at least three consecutive matches against anyone in the indoor stadium of Orc’s Spinning Top Blades. Only then would you be placed in a queue to fight against the champion along with other challengers. However, each challenger had the right to ask for a duel against someone before him in the queue time, to get their place.
Xiong Da was previously Number 44 in line to fight against Se Lang, but he did not wish to wait that long. For every new challenger that Se Lang fought, the participants in the queue were allowed to challenge someone to get the queue number except for the first three in line. Therefore, Xiong Da instantly confronted against the one in position four.
That particular cultivator was cursing his luck madly for being pushed back at the back of the line since he had lost so terribly against Xiong Da in the issued challenge.
When the crowd realised that two Pandawans were fighting against each other, everyone became more interested in the fight. They knew the Pandawans as sort of mini celebrities in Jin’s dungeon and were bound to show a decent fight of the tops. Some of the cultivators even began to be envious of such status and decided to strive hard to get that status in Jin’s dungeons.
How does one do that? Previously, it was based on the first clears, but the System made the requirements simpler and at the same time harder for cultivators striving to be a Pandawan. Clear every single dungeon available to gain such a status.
So to become a Pandawan, the cultivators have to clear all the dungeons up to the latest dungeon instance which now is the Escape City Dungeon with all the Deep Ones. Even the current Pandawans had difficulties clearing it properly.
Those who did only received a partial clear but should any cultivators able win every dungeon and also receive a partial clear from the Deep One Dungeon before Jin released a new dungeon instance, they would attain the Pandawan Status.
Otherwise, the alternative available would be to fully accomplish the Deep One Dungeon instance objectives and obtain a true first clear as compared to the other Pandawans.
Back to the Champion Arena for the Spinning Top Blades, the Orc referees had issued the clearance that their spinning tops had no illegal modifications and were constructed using the store’s original pieces. Jin intentionally made that compulsory because he knew that as a kid, he himself had illegally added ball bearings inside his spinning top to make them last longer in a fight.
Of course, the spinning tops could be modified to such a standard in Jin’s new Spinning Top game because each spinning top consisted of a top layer, a weighted disc and a performance base tip. The store also sold a variety of weighted discs which included mini ball bearings to increase the durability of the spin and maintaining balance.
They were the more defensive types, and there were offensives builds which enabled the top layer to have a thin layer of steel coated on the spinning top’s top. That allowed the spinning top to hit even harder and cause damage to the opponent’s top.
While all these spinning top modifications were vital for the arena battle, the most critical component was the control of those tops via the cultivator’s chi. After the Supa Robot Wars, Se Lang had decided to participate in the Spinning Top game while the rest tried other rides and he realised his cultivation style had given life to his spinning top.
“Both of you ready?!” the Orc referees asked simultaneously after they returned the Pandawans their customised tops.
“LETS SPIN!” Se Lang and Xiong Da shouted together as they released the pulling string from their top charger which caused their spinning tops to fly furiously into the Spinning Top Arena in front of them.
Se Lang immediately inserted his chi into his spinning top the moment it entered the arena, and the plain white top quickly turned colour into a black menacing looking top. A wolf silhouette appeared right above the spinning top, as he controlled it to charge towards Xiong Da’s spinning top.
Meanwhile, Xiong Da let his spinning top land properly into the arena first before infusing a small amount of his chi into the top. Unlike Se Lang’s spinning top, Xiong Da’s did not show any silhouette above his top yet. It was because the lawyer had already analysed the policeman’s fighting strategy while waiting. Charge in fast and kill his opponent as swiftly as possible before he could even counter attack.
The Wacky Wolf cultivation was all about that one shot kills which Se Lang portrayed very clearly in his spinning top attacks. He also understood by looking at his opponent’s top that Xiong Da had strong defence and endurance. Therefore Se Lang had inserted two times more chi than against other spinning tops he had faced.
“Moon Divide of the Wacky Wolf!” Se Lang shouted an intermediate Art Technique but instead of applying it on himself, he visualised it on his spinning top. Xiong Da might be buff and tough, but Se Lang had more experience fighting with spinning tops than him. The reigning champion believed that those four previous players were just too weak against Xiong Da but was it the case?
The Wacky Wolf Top spun in high speed before it suddenly jumped upwards instead of crashing straight into Hungry Hippo Top. Like a scythe slicing things into half, Se Lang’s spinning top turned 90 degrees upon reaching a certain height and slammed its top’s blades straight to the stationary but sturdy top of Xiong Da.
“Se Lang, you have much to learn.” Xiong Da flicked his finger which released a burst of chi into the Hungry Hippo Top. His spinning top hopped a little and discharged a shockwave around it which caused the Wacky Wolf Top to divert its striking path, barely missing the Hungry Hippo Top.
Everyone who was watching it cheered intensely loud and even Yang Ling wowed at the trick that Xiong Da performed. The strike caused the Wacky Wolf to hit the arena’s floor, but Xiong Da seemed to have forgotten something vital.
Se Lang was the WACKY Wolf cultivator.
He took advantage of the incoming bounce and redirect his chi that made his spinning top change direction, aiming towards Hungry Hippo Top.
*CLANG!*
Sparks flew brightly in the air when the two spinning tops clashed against each other, and that was when the Hungry Hippo Top revealed its silhouette. It might not have the speed and agility but power and defence? The Hungry Hippo Top clearly knew who would emerge as champion.
Wacky Wolf Top got deflected once more which Se Lang quickly threw in some Chi to maintain its speed and balance before it got out of hand. Xiong Da saw the panicked face on Se Lang and started to smirk.
“Well, well, well. Did someone say he want to obliterate me? But all I can see is a shaky spinning top from afar.” Xiong Da boasted in a proud, egoistic tone.
“Let’s see who truly has the last laugh!” Se Lang shouted as he used something else. “Racing Bloody Top Inscription! Activate!” Se Lang had been unsure whether he stood a chance to win against Xiong Da so he decided to prepare something against him with the winnings he had gained in the past six matches to buy an inscription charm for his spinning top via his phone.
“What?! You can insert an inscription on your Top?!” Yang Ling couldn’t believe her eyes. They were full with enthusiasm as Jin nodded with a smile. She could clearly understand why Jin brought her here. Even without the use of her Gearbox, she could participate freely by using her powers and techniques on her very own Top, acting as a proxy for her fights.
However to Jin, this was less of a game. Sure it was a supreme way of controlling their chi output to the point that if the cultivators could manage it well with their chi, it could be a backup ranged weapon which was easy to carry around. He was actually selling them another lethal weapon in the form of the spinning tops though that was for the cultivators to realise. And the most amazing thing? It was a weapon that required little to no training to use.
Hou Fei had seen the spinning tops and realised how potent it could be as an assassination weapon. He asked for a few of them when Jin showed him the game as Hou Fei said he knew of someone who might be able to bring out the potential of those spinning tops. If it works out, the sly snake might introduce that somebody to him.
The Racing Bloody inscription on the Wacky Wolf Top made its spin faster and more deadly. Each time it clashed with Hungry Hippo Top, the sparks were furiously bright as it caused damage to the Hippo Top. Similar to bleeding, Xiong Da’s spinning top layers were breaking apart from its attack.
If Xiong Da did not do anything soon, it would cause his top to lose all of its attack power and the only way to win would be through brute show of chi which both were willing to expend it all to turn it into a battle of attrition.
Despite that inscription, Xiong Da decided to go to the offensive through a different method which would eventually make Se Lang open his jaws wide in disbelief. “Muscle Bursting of the Hungry Hippo!!!” Xiong Da shouted as the spectators nearby could see Xiong Da’s arms visibly bulge up.
Same as Xiong Da, the Hungry Hippo Top suddenly increased in size and height, expanding sidewards while shredding and spinning the damaged parts away. The All new Hungry Hippo Top was at least 2.5 times the size of Se Lang’s spinning top. Even everyone in spectator stands was speechless by the turn of events.
“How is that possible!?!” Se Lang questioned as he saw Xiong Da control his Top to chase after Wacky Wolf Top. With its large size, hitting the smooth speedy Top was not an issue, and within a moment, Se Lang’s top was smacked out of the arena before the Hungry Hippo Top returned back to normal.
“Whew, that Top part sure was expensive but damned, it’s worth it!” Xiong Da answered him as he raised his right finger, which he rubbed his thumb and index finger to indicate one thing to Se Lang.
‘Money.’
Se Lang cursed under his breath. Nevertheless, he had managed to stay as the champion for six rounds, the amount of Spinning Points and the panda medals he earnt was multiplied by six times too. Xiong Da did receive a hefty amount of Spinning points too for toppling the champion down, but he had achieved what he came here to do. He did not wish to continue standing in as the champion after that match.
“That means the #1 and #2 challengers in the queue will have the opportunity to fight for the crown, are you sure of that?” The Orc Referee asked Xiong Da to confirm his choice then suddenly a loud high pitch voice was heard from afar.
“Xiong Da! I wish to challenge you!!!” Yang Ling shouted, and though many people did not recognise her, Xiong Da very well knew who the Tiger Princess was. He also saw Jin sitting beside her and started to clap and laugh all by himself.
“Interesting, I like your attitude, young lady! For you, I shall wait for four rounds! If you are not here by the fourth round, I will take my leave!” Xiong Da decided to entertain the Tiger Princess a little and make a bit of a drama here. (Besides who does not like any drama and it advertently shook the betting stations which made the System equally happy too.)
“How about we increase the thrills a little more? If I win, you join me for the Deep One Dungeon and help me achieve a first clear? I plan to be a Pandawan just like you!” Yang Ling announced, and Jin suddenly had a premonition that he was about to be dragged into something terrible.
“It’s okay! I can just give you your status as Pandawan. Remember, you actually snatched a first clear before!” Jin loudly whispered as if to stop her from making a ruckus. They were, after all, trying to hide the fact that they were away from their bodyguard. If she made such a statement, wasn’t she basically asking for trouble?
“I agree, however in case I defeat you, Boss Jin will have to join me for the Deep One Dungeon! If I am feeling magnanimous, I could even let you join in too!” Xiong Da cunningly stated his demands, and that was Jin felt like he was about to lose it. Xiong Da had been dying to learn how Jin fights for the longest time ever. Unfortunately, the dungeon supplier clearly did not want the world to know about his powers.
“Deal!” Yang Ling shouted with a thumbs up.
“No!” Jin stood up with crossed arms to refuse, but Xiong Da shook his index finger at him as if it was to tell the dungeon supplier that he was too late. (Jin swore he could feel someone laughing at him while holding his sides at the back of his head.)
“Oh god… you better win Yang Ling.” Jin sighed heavily and Yang Ling smiled with a naughty expression on her.
“Hmm but I feel it wouldn’t be such a bad idea to follow Xiong Da’s lead and force you to come too. … Luckily for you, I am hell bent on winning that monster hippo.” Yang Ling teased him at first as she unboxed her spinning top.
“This Tiger wants some tender fresh hippo meat.” Yang Ling smirked as she walked down the spectator stand to the multiple mini arenas set up around the indoor stadium.
