Tarlu's staff strike had a wide motion, its intent obvious. It wasn't fast and could be easily dodged. In a formal fight, this would only count as a friendly opening move.
Chen Chuan, however, didn't choose to dodge. He could see that although it was just an opening move, the Power it contained flowed through from beginning to end with exceptional smoothness, far better than what she had shown in their previous spars.
So he stepped forward directly, parrying with the back of his blade. CLANG! He blocked the staff. Tarlu shouted, withdrawing the staff and then thrusting it forward. He flicked his saber and deflected it again.
Immediately after, a whistling, vibrating sound that made one's scalp tingle filled the air, and afterimages of the staff smashed down from all directions.
