The dueling arena was trembling with excitement.Every disciple, elder, and guest leaned forward as Ling Xuanye and Yue Chányīn faced each other in the center of the stone stage.
Whispers flowed like ripples across a lake.
"Two of Qingling's prodigies… facing each other?""I wonder who's stronger—the Young Master, or the Ice Fairy?""I've never seen either of them fight seriously before…"
Even the masters of other sects, usually composed and silent, watched with faint interest. It wasn't every day they could witness the heirs of Qingling Sect display their strength.
The First Exchange
The referee raised his hand. "Both sides ready?"Xuanye and Chányīn nodded."Begin!"
A gust of wind burst outward as both cultivators moved at once.
Yue Chányīn drew her slender sword, Cold Vein Frostblade, and swept it lightly across the air. A trail of frost bloomed in her wake.Her opening move, Glacial Petal Dance (寒花漫舞), released a flurry of crystalline ice blades that flew toward Xuanye in elegant arcs.
Xuanye sidestepped, his dark robe trailing lightning along the ground. His sword hummed softly, dispersing the frost. He spun once, channeling Storm Veil Parry (雷风护影) —a defensive motion that shattered her ice blades like glass.
The crowd erupted in cheers at the graceful exchange.Neither moved recklessly. It was a duel of skill, not brute force.
Yue Chányīn countered with Snow Mirage Illusion (雪影幻界), vanishing into mist. For a moment, Xuanye's senses couldn't locate her—until her blade appeared from behind, aiming for his neck.
Xuanye smirked. "Too slow."
He ducked under her strike, the air flashing with Thunder Step (雷步闪光). Sparks leapt from the ground as his movement blurred like lightning itself. His sword barely grazed her shoulder—not enough to wound, but enough to declare even ground.
From Play to Power
The duel intensified. Sword met sword, qi clashed with qi. Neither of them was fighting seriously yet—they both restrained their full strength, testing, learning, adapting.
Each impact echoed across the field: clang—crash—swish—boom!
Frost met thunder.Snow and sparks painted the air.
Finally, Yue Chányīn stepped back, her breath visible in the chill surrounding her. Her tone was calm, but her eyes gleamed with challenge.
"Enough holding back, Xuanye. I want to see the strength of the one who leads us—the so-called Young Master of Qingling."
Xuanye lifted his gaze, lips curving slightly.
"Hao (好). But from now on, defend yourself well. Use your full strength—and try to injure me if you can."
Yue Chányīn smiled faintly, cold and confident.
"Don't regret saying that."
Frost spiraled from her sword, spreading across the arena like a living glacier. Xuanye's robe began to frost at the edges, yet faint streaks of lightning crawled beneath the ice.
The next instant—they vanished.
Blades met in a blur of light and sound.
Frostblade Art – Eternal Winter Waltz (永寒之舞)!Thunder Edge Technique – Celestial Breaker (苍雷破)!
Booms echoed as shockwaves tore through the ground. The barrier rippled from their force. Dust exploded into the air, obscuring both figures.
When the haze cleared, Yue Chányīn was panting, her sword trembling. Xuanye stood opposite her, calm, his golden eyes faintly glowing.
The Emperor's Voice
Inside his Sea of Consciousness, a low, ancient voice stirred.
"End it here, háizi (child). She can't withstand more. If you care for their safety, you must win this and the battles ahead. Do not hesitate."
Xuanye's fingers tightened around his blade.
"Understood, Master."
Yue Chányīn lunged again, gathering frost into one last, desperate strike. Xuanye whispered softly:
"Forgive me."
He raised his sword—Lightning coiled along its edge like a divine serpent.
Forbidden Sword Technique – Heavenly Severance (天断神裁)!
The ground split apart with the swing. A roaring arc of golden-blue light cut through the air, colliding with her ice wave. Frost shattered, thunder roared, and the impact illuminated the sky.
Yue Chányīn's sword splintered into fragments that scattered like falling stars.
She froze mid-motion, eyes wide—not from fear, but awe.
Xuanye's sword stopped a mere inch from her neck. The energy faded, leaving silence in its wake.
The referee's voice broke the stillness.
"Victory—Ling Xuanye!"
The Crowd's Reaction
For a moment, there was silence.Then—cheers thundered through the arena.
"The Young Master of Qingling wins again!""What power—what precision!"
Up in the stands, Shui Lin and Huo Shan exchanged mischievous grins.
"So…" Shui Lin whispered, "does he get that reward now?""A kiss, right?" Huo Shan added, smirking.
Both burst out laughing, barely dodging the icy glare Yue Chányīn sent their way as she walked off the stage. Her frosty qi made even the air shiver, and both men immediately straightened like statues.
Su Feilí covered her smile with her hand. "Idiots," she murmured fondly.
Xuanye, meanwhile, simply bowed to Yue Chányīn before turning toward the next stage—calm, composed, victorious.
The referee raised his voice again, calling the next match.
"Next duel Hei Mu of Black Mist Academy versus Su Feilí of Qingling Sect!"
The arena fell silent once more. The air grew colder not from Yue Chányīn's ice, but from the suffocating, ominous aura that began to spread as Hei Mu appeared from the shadows.
And Su Feilí stepped forward, her phoenix eyes burning with calm defiance.
The real storm had yet to begin.