I Can Upgrade My Talent Infinitely-Chapter 48: Combat Changes

It was rare to be matched against an opponent one had already faced in Magical Combat sparring until after another three to five matches.

Facing a wide variety of opponents was a better way to improve one’s practical combat experience.

The matchmaking for Magical Combat on Battle Peak hadn’t always been this way; the current system was the result of optimization.

If two people agreed to a duel, they still had to register with the Steward, who would then assign them to a Dueling Platform.

Fang Yun soon arrived before the Steward.

"Disciple Fang Yun, here to register."

"Your Realm?"

"Qi Refining Fifth Layer."

"Any experience in combat?"

"None yet."

"Alright."

After completing his registration,

Fang Yun returned to Wu Junxin’s side.

The more he chatted with Wu Junxin, the more he could learn about Battle Peak.

"Junior Brother Fang, since this is your first time, the Steward will likely match you with an opponent who has plenty of combat experience."

"Oh?"

"If both sides have no combat experience, they might not know how to hold back. Pairing you with someone experienced allows them to guide their juniors."

"I see." Fang Yun nodded in understanding.

This would minimize the risk of injury during Magical Combat sparring.

The purpose of Magical Combat was to gain practical experience, and it was obviously best if both parties could do so without getting hurt.

During a typical sparring match, there was no one specifically assigned to watch over them, no one who could intervene in time to stop the fight if things got out of hand.

However, if the duel was the result of a grudge, someone would be assigned to monitor it.

Such a duel could result in a disciple’s death.

The observer’s role was to prevent fatalities; injuries, however, were acceptable.

Fang Yun chatted with Wu Junxin as he waited.

Before long, Fang Yun heard the Steward calling his name.

"Coming."

Hearing the call, Fang Yun immediately went over.

Standing before the Steward was a tall, thin Outer Sect Disciple.

Barring any surprises, this was his opponent for the Magical Combat spar.

"You two, head to Dueling Platform number seven."

"Yes, sir."

They replied in unison.

On the way to Dueling Platform seven, the tall, thin Outer Sect Disciple took the initiative to speak.

"Junior Brother Fang, I’m Bai Chengyou."

"Senior Brother Bai. I’m Fang Yun."

"Yes, I know. The Steward just called your name." Bai Chengyou nodded, then immediately asked, "Junior Brother Fang, are you close with Senior Brother Wu?"

"I wouldn’t say close. This is only the second time we’ve met."

"Is that so?"

Bai Chengyou had seen Fang Yun and Wu Junxin chatting back and forth. They didn’t seem like sect brothers who had only met twice.

Wu Junxin seemed friendly enough on a normal day, but very few Outer Sect Disciples could actually hold a continuous conversation with him.

At least, that was Bai Chengyou’s impression of him.

"After our Magical Combat spar, would it be possible for you to introduce me, Junior Brother Fang?"

"Senior Brother Bai, I don’t have that much pull with Senior Brother Wu." Hearing this, Fang Yun had a good idea of what Bai Chengyou was after. "However, you can come over with me afterward. From there, you’re on your own."

"Deal. Thank you, Junior Brother Fang."

After exchanging a few more words, they both stepped onto Dueling Platform seven.

Ordinarily, quite a few disciples gathered on Battle Peak to watch the Magical Combat spars.

However, a match like the one between Fang Yun and Bai Chengyou was unlikely to draw a crowd, especially since two Inner Sect Disciples were currently engaged in Magical Combat.

Inner Sect Disciples were all at the Qi Refining Seventh Layer or higher. From a spectator’s perspective, their duels were far more entertaining than those between Outer Sect Disciples.

"Bai Chengyou, Qi Refining Fifth Layer."

"Fang Yun, Qi Refining Fifth Layer."

As was customary before a Magical Combat spar, both participants announced their name and Realm.

This was done even if the opponents already knew each other.

Of course, this wasn’t a mandatory rule, just a custom that had formed among the disciples.

Fang Yun knew. ’It’s all about the sense of ceremony.’

Having announced their names and Realms, the two took their positions and released their auras.

Bai Chengyou’s aura was already approaching the peak of the Qi Refining Fifth Layer.

"Huh?"

"What is it?"

"Why is Senior Brother Wu standing over there? Isn’t Dueling Platform seven just a match between two Outer Sect Disciples?"

"Let’s go take a look."

"Alright."

Before the duel even began, Wu Junxin started walking toward Dueling Platform seven.

Wu Junxin’s movement drew the attention of a few other disciples. They wanted to see what about the upcoming match between two Qi Refining Fifth Layer Outer Sect Disciples on Dueling Platform seven could possibly attract Senior Brother Wu’s interest.

Bai Chengyou glanced at Wu Junxin below the platform before quickly refocusing his attention on Fang Yun.

"Junior Brother Fang, I’m starting."

"Mm. Go ahead, Senior Brother Bai."

For this Magical Combat spar, Fang Yun wanted to test the effect of his Shield Talent in battle.

Against the Qi Refining Fifth Layer Bai Chengyou, all he needed to do was defend.

He was confident that with his one-star Shield Talent, Bai Chengyou wouldn’t be able to break through his defense, even with his multiple sparring experiences and an aura approaching the peak of the Qi Refining Fifth Layer.

Bai Chengyou had planned to let Fang Yun make the first move, but seeing him take a defensive stance right from the start, he hesitated for only a moment before attacking.

Considering it was Fang Yun’s first Magical Combat spar and his seemingly good relationship with Wu Junxin, Bai Chengyou’s initial attack was very simple.

He formed a fireball in his hand and immediately flung it at Fang Yun.

Fireball Technique!

A low-level, Lower Grade magic suitable for Cultivators in the early stages of Qi Refining.

As the fireball whistled toward him, a jet-black shield appeared in Fang Yun’s hand.

A Middle Grade Magical Artifact, the Profound Iron Shield.

Without infusing it with even a sliver of Spiritual Power, Fang Yun simply held the Profound Iron Shield and swatted the fireball aside with ease.

’The defensive bonus from the one-star Shield Talent is active even without Spiritual Power... There’s a difference between testing it outside of combat and having the effect trigger in a real fight...’

Sensing his current state, Fang Yun quickly summarized his findings.

Bai Chengyou’s method of attack was also perfect for allowing him to do so.

If Bai Chengyou had launched a storm-like offensive from the start, Fang Yun wouldn’t have been able to spare the focus to analyze the situation; he would have had to concentrate solely on blocking the attacks.

’...In a combat state, I can feel that the Profound Iron Shield is lighter. It’s as if it’s an extension of my own body.’

It was an incredible sensation.

’I wonder if the effect would change with a higher-grade Magical Artifact? Or would it stay the same?’

To test his theory, Fang Yun swapped to a smaller Profound Iron Shield.

This one was a Lower Grade Magical Artifact. Although he didn’t have a higher-grade one, he did have a lower-grade one.

As long as there was a difference in the grade of the Magical Artifact, the results of his experiment should be roughly the same.

"Does Junior Brother Fang think my attacks aren’t worthy of you using a better Magical Artifact?"

Although Bai Chengyou hadn’t sensed any fluctuations of Spiritual Power from Fang Yun, his experience in sparring with his fellow disciples gave him a basic ability to judge Magical Artifacts.

The smaller, black shield Fang Yun had just taken out was clearly inferior to the first one.