The technique that Cain used made him imperceptible to the naked eye. His body was no more than a blur of colors that blended into the environment.


    As had to stand absolutely still in order to perceive it at all. Nevertheless…


    ''I can see him.''


    As'' eyes moved from side to side tracking Cain''s movements. They looked like they were flickering due to the speed at which they moved, but the world was not a blur of colors.


    [Intrinsic Foresight] turned it grey and defined those blurry shapes into a clear picture of the world. Within that picture, Cain''s movements were also revealed.


    As watched, his body prone as he anticipated the approach.


    However, in that slowed world, he was never expecting to lock eyes with his enemy.


    "You think you can track me?"


    That smile sent shivers down his spine.


    Those words entered his ears. They were thest thing his ears perceived before they were assaulted by a massive sound and high-pitched ringing.


    BANG!


    It came out of nowhere. Cain was directly in front of him as if he had teleported, and in that split second, he''d also brought his arm down to sh into As'' chest.


    He could feel the qi emanating from that attack. It wasn''t just supported by Astral Energy, which meant that he was using an energy-based martial technique.


    [Flow like–


    ''I cannot.''


    Using [Flow Like Silk] here would reveal his Dao of Water to the worst person he could possibly show it to.


    He couldn''t allow that.


    It was toote to use [Cloud Steps] to dodge. It was toote to use [Burst Step] or [Astral Steps] to retreat.


    Despite clearly seeing that de approaching him, As was unable to do anything about it.


    A guttural sound entered both of their ears as the de tore through As'' torso. It ripped open his skin and flesh and broke several bones before it exited his being.


    As fell back, stumbling a few steps before falling to his knees.


    [Regeneration]


    Bang!


    A footnded on his chest.


    "You can regenerate, but not fast enough to do anything, right?"


    Cain grinned happily.


    "I knew you would try. I had to make sure that you couldn''t. That wound there isced with the energy of death, so it''ll take more than a few minutes for you to cleanse them."


    He ced one of his de arms on As'' throat and pushed it up to his chin.


    "I like the look in your eyes. It''s as if you want to fight even though you know there''s nothing you can do."


    He nudged it just slightly, testing the strength of the mask.


    "If I broke this right now, what would you do about it?"


    He couldn''t stand up. His chest was bleeding profusely, but because of the aforementioned qi and Cain''s foot, he was unable to easily stop it.


    "Try."


    Still, he spoke firmly.


    "Try it and discover for yourself what I would do."


    His words were snappy and joined by a burst of qi that surrounded his body. It was as if As was saying that regardless of the state of his body, he could fight as long as he had qi.


    Cain''s eyes curved into crescents.


    "That''s exactly the kind of answer that makes me love people like you."


    He pushed his de deeper into As'' neck, drawing just a single drop of blood.


    As he brought it to his mouth and licked it clean, he took his foot off of As'' chest.


    "I would so love to kill you, but now is not the time. Grow, As Vaun. Be stronger. Be so strong that no single individual can ever stand up to you. When you reach that level, I can experience the true bliss of killing you. Until then, let our game continue eternally."


    Heughed. Heughed so loud that even as his steps faded into the forest, the echoes of his joy could still be heard.


    Amidst those echoes and the darkness of the night, Asid there. Heid there for several minutes without moving.


    He sensed those shadows finally moving through the forest and approaching the Celestial Ladder. They left him alone; perhaps out of pity, perhaps out of fear.


    This was As'' first true loss since he came to the Tower. It happened in a single moment. In just a brief second, what was an even battle turned into aplete loss.


    It was a bitter feeling as heid there in a pool of his own blood and adapted to the pain.


    He waspletely fooled. As he looked back on the battle, he realized that even the opportunity he took to strike the back of Cain''s neck was formted by him. Cain didn''t win randomly. He took the victory step by step without leaving any room for doubt.


    Still, As could have won.


    If he used the power of the Dao of Water, he could have won. If he had showcased the [Azure King''s Reigning Scripture] that Veradon taught him, Cain would have been left helpless.


    In that final moment, when he didn''t have time to even use [Cloud Steps] or another movement technique, only [Flow Like Silk] had the speed and ability to save him.


    There woulde a time when it would be revealed that he practiced multiple Daos simultaneously. As already epted that he would be an object of attention because of how varied his power would be.


    ''However, I must continue to hide until I form the entire cycle.''


    He didn''t even notice the crowd that had formed to watch them. What would have happened if one of them noticed? What would have happened if he used the Dao of Water and then a projection of the battle appeared on the Tower Forum?


    There needed to be order.


    If he used hisprehension of fire to touch on theprehensions of Earth, then used that to connect to wood and then wood to water, people could exin his abilities as his own achievements, made because he was an unreasonably talented young cultivator.


    ''If I use water now, it will either be determined that I have a Heavenly Physique or a Heavenly Treasure. Either of the two would make me a target for countless greedy cultivators.''


    Fire and Wood was understandable. In fact, dual physiques of wood and fire weremon and seen as the best possible affinity for alchemy. For that reason, As was doing his best toprehend the concept of vitality.


    But, only after he mastered it and created a ce for it in his dantian could he act on such desires.


    At the current moment, the As who was still healing from his loss could not do anything about it.


    ''I need to train more.''


    He needed to get stronger. He needed to pay more attention to Astral Energy. He needed to understand the Tower Skills better. He needed to practice the Spirit-Severing Art so he could use his skills more.


    ''This world is no longer the one that I knew in the slightest.''


    It was a fact hard to ept. The world was not as simple as it used to be. Cultivation was a far more varied path now that people had such a deep understanding of its inner workings.


    ''My past life''s memories are not enough. They must bebined with an equal amount of experience in this life to be used to their full potential.''


    As wasn''t weighed down by the loss. He could even call the feeling somewhat refreshing.


    Perhaps he got a bitcent in the ns he made for himself. He needed to aim for bigger things if he wanted to achieve his overall goals.


    If anything, Cain taught him exactly what he wascking. In a sense, he had to be thankful to the madman.


    As stood up. His wounds were still healing, but it was nothing he couldn''t fix with some time. Cain made sure that he wouldn''t be permanently crippled.


    ''If we meet again, it won''t be so easy.''


    He was absolutely confident in defeating Cain just moments before he was brutally crushed. It made sense if his confidence was crushed as well.


    Yet, As was still confident. Because he had won their past four battles, he was confident. Cain had the advantage this time, but it was only this time.


    Cain wanted their game to continue forever, but he didn''t n to see more of Cain after the 30th Floor. On the off chance that they found each other again, however, he would not lose.


    Next time, he would be the one trapping Cain in an inescapable web of death.


    That was the vow he made as he approached the Celestial Ladder.