Chapter Volume 4 65: The Wheel Unending

Bi De moved his wings and neck, stretching himself out properly. It had been months since he had engaged in battle in this true form, and his opponent was not one that he could fight without being in peak condition.

He marveled at the way his body moved, feeling so much smoother and more precise compared to his human form. Breaking through increased... everything. His plumage was more refined. His eyes were sharper, and his senses had expanded in ways he had not known were possible. He was acutely aware of every part of his body. The little scars that Chow Ji’s impurities had left in his muscles had disappeared. The microfractures in his wings from Basi Bu Shi’s teeth, the scar on his leg from Sun Ken—all of these were no more.

It was like he had been born again from his egg; yet he could tell he still had much work to do. His body wished to change further. To expel more impurities and refine itself into a true weapon.

Bi De took a breath, the nourishing air of the Shrouded Mountain filling his lungs and replenishing his Qi. The damage Sheng had inflicted upon him was cataloged; it was only superficial.

This felt much better.

The roar of the crowd was in Bi De’s ears. Their tumultuous Qi filled the air as shock overcame them at Bi De’s true form. The tournament announcer looked for a brief instant like he was about to interfere... when he suddenly paused, his face going pale.

Zang Sheng’s mouth was open in shock and confusion.

“This one apologises for holding back. We may begin again,” Bi De said as he readied himself.

Zang Sheng went from shocked to angry.

“That was you holding back? This is your more powerful form? I don’t know what’s more insulting. The fact you are a chicken, or that you were holding back against me.”

Lightning began to spark and crackle around his body as he started walking to the side, already looking for a more advantageous position to strike from. Bi De copied him. He had some aches and pains still from the battle so far, while Sheng was near fresh; Bi De had landed no telling blows in his human form.

“It was quite difficult,” Bi De replied. “You are a powerful foe, and it was only my familiarity with your arts that prevented my defeat.”

Sheng scowled even harder before he took in a breath, his eyes becoming sharp and dangerous.

To Bi De’s surprise, Sheng did not fly into a rage—instead, his intent focused. It seemed that out of all his opponents, Sheng would be the first to not underestimate Bi De in this true form. “Very well then,” the Young Master said evenly. “I suppose I was holding back slightly as well. It matters not the form you take. I shall crush you and have you serve me. Strength Above All.”

WIth those words said, no more needed to be spoken.

Bi De’s spurs ignited with holy lunar wrath. Sheng’s lightning Qi spiked. Bi De’s talons dug into the stone as he launched himself forwards.

[Thunderous Steps]

And then they were upon each other once more.

A fist wreathed in lightning met a silver blade.

A massive shockwave slammed into the barrier formation around the arena, making it flare.

Silver met gold, and both stopped dead.

Before, every other time when Sheng had struck, Bi De had given ground. He had retreated, utterly overpowered. Each moment was spent simply staying alive, attempting to minimise the damage taken.

Bi De stared into Sheng’s sparking blue eyes. Both of them flexed, throwing themselves backwards. Sheng raised his hand and Bi De narrowed his eyes, light gathering around them both.

[Fulmination Arts: Gold Wire]

[Light of the Full Moon]

Lightning smashed into a beam of cleansing sliver light. Each struggled against the other, until these too canceled each other out in a massive explosion that had the barriers flare up again.

Fat Han felt rather numb.

His good friend, who had helped him out so much, was a Spirit Beast. And not just any Spirit Beast, but a chicken.

A chicken now fighting... no, now matching Zang Sheng.

Biren had obviously known something. Known enough to make jokes about it even. And while Han did want answers... for now, all he could do was stare at what was going on below him.

It should have been comical. A chicken battling Zang Sheng. It sounded like a bad joke. It should have been over in an instant.

And yet the battle raged on.

The man completely decompiled into lightning, his eyes and body burning blue. He raised his hands and the world screamed.

[Ephemeral, Eternal Moment]

Light poured forth from him. It consumed the entire arena. It consumed the sky. It was an overwhelming attack. Bi De felt his feathers stand on end. The Aegis of the Full Moon would not be enough for this.

The world slowed down as the attack raced for Bi De, an attack that would be able to knock the top off a mountain.

It was a lethal blow, one Bi De could not block or dodge.

He closed his eyes as he summoned [The Split Faces of the Half Moon] to his side.

Bi De loved the moon. He loved its sublime beauty; the way it kept him company in those early days, his only companion in the night.

It was his sword and his shield... and it had never failed or disappointed him.

He once more placed his trust in that silver light.

Bi De opened his eyes. The lightning was nearly upon himself and his clone.

Bi De stepped forwards to meet it.

His feathers turned black and silver, the colours of his beloved moon. Beside him his other half did the same, cladding themselves in holy moonlight. A crescent burned on his brow.

Both of his halfs moved into the start of a flip. The start of his first move, the [Rising of the Crescent Moon]. His old, faithful friend.

And yet, even as he began the move, there was something fundamentally different about it.

Bi De was a creature of Yang, a bloodline tied to the call of the Sun, as a virile defender; yet he cultivated the Moon. The cold light and darkness.

But it was only one part of the whole. It was only one part of the cycle... just like himself.

The Moon and the Sun. Yin and Yang.

Yet... they were one in truth. One part of a never-ending dance.

He had never had the strength to do this before. But right now... Right now, he wished for victory. For Yushang... and for himself.

Something ignited. His shadowy clone merged into his body...and for a brief instant, Bi De burned gold.

The moon rose. Then the sun. Then the moon again, spiraling in their perfect harmony for all eternity.

Yin and Yang, darkness and light, a duet of one spun inexorably forwards towards the mass of lightning that was coming for him.

It had no name. Not yet. It was still incomplete.

The Lightning of Heaven met the Wheel of Eternity. A moment captured in the lightning’s glow ran into the march unending.

But it was enough.

The world disappeared into light. Bi De felt his feathers burn. He felt his body scream in protest. It felt like he was trying to resist the change of seasons, or turn the days back.

The gold fire faded, until all that was left was silver.

But he trusted in himself. He believed. The Moon always rose again.

And the lightning started to fade as the Taijitu burst through the back of the technique, blazing with silver.

Zang Sheng did not beg. He did not turn his back or try to flee.

He raised his arms in one last defiant block, holding no hatred in his eyes; all that remained in them was simple, begrudging respect.

Bi De’s leg slammed home into his chest.