Chapter 247: Friendly Bout
The comment was clearly intended to suggest that relying on weapons indicated weakness or lack of skill.
Grim answered his provocation angering him and drew his sword, testing its balance while considering his strategy.
The assembled fox spirits formed a loose circle around the designated combat area. Word had apparently spread quickly, because more spectators continued arriving as they prepared for the duel.
"Ready when you are, Lord Ambrose," Xùyán said, settling into a relaxed stance that suggested complete confidence.
Grim began cautiously, using a basic sword form to gauge his opponent’s capabilities. Xùyán responded by seeming to split into three identical figures, each moving independently around Grim’s position.
Unlike the training exercises, these illusions felt completely solid and real. Grim struck at the nearest figure and his blade passed through empty air, while one of the other versions launched a counterattack that forced him to dodge quickly.
"Impressive," Xùyán’s voice seemed to come from all three figures simultaneously. "Though I notice you’re still thinking like a human—trying to determine which target is ’real’ rather than adapting to the situation."
Grim circulated mana through his body, enhancing his speed and reflexes while trying to identify patterns in the illusions.
The three Xùyáns moved with perfect coordination, making it impossible to distinguish the original through movement analysis.
A blast of fire erupted from one of the figures, forcing Grim to roll aside. The flames were definitely real, which meant at least one of the illusions could actually harm him.
"Better," Xùyán observed as Grim narrowly avoided another fire attack. "Though you’re still reactive rather than proactive."
Grim decided to test his opponent’s defenses. He charged the leftmost figure while simultaneously preparing a water technique. The moment his sword connected—passing through another illusion—he released the water in a wide arc that encompassed all three figures.