The dim fragrance of medicine filled the small chamber as Ling Xuanye sat beside Su Feilí's bed. Moonlight filtered through the paper window, catching the faint shimmer of healing talismans that glowed across her body. Her face was pale but peaceful; the rhythmic rise and fall of her breathing was the only sound that eased the tightness in his chest.
For hours he hadn't moved. His sword leaned beside him, the faint trace of thunder qi humming along its edge—restless, angry, alive.
"Why must you always protect others, jiě jiě…" he whispered, fingers trembling as they brushed a stray lock of hair from her cheek."Next time, I'll be there first."
Outside, the night wind carried faint echoes of drums from the dueling ground. Another match was beginning.
The Duel of Shadows – Hei Mu vs Zuo Kuang
The dueling arena was cloaked in half-light as the next contenders entered. On one side stood Zuo Kuang, the monstrous disciple of the Obsidian Bone Sect, his aura heavy as iron, qi pulsing in black waves that reeked of death. Across from him, Hei Mu emerged from his own mist, calm, silent, unreadable.
The referee's voice cut through the air: "Begin!"
The ground trembled as Zuo Kuang stomped forward, slamming his palms together. "Obsidian Bone Manifestation — Earthbreaker Fist (玄骨碎天拳)!" The stone tiles cracked, launching boulders that glowed with necrotic energy straight at Hei Mu.
But Hei Mu dissolved into vapor before the blows landed, his body melting into shadows. From within the fog came a whisper—cold, mocking:
"Strength without control… is just noise."
Suddenly, dozens of shadow clones emerged, circling the Obsidian disciple like predators.
"Black Mist Technique — Ethereal Hunt (无相猎影)!"
Zuo Kuang roared, his body turning obsidian-black as his bones hardened into armor. "Bone Tyrant Shell (骨王战铠)!"His punches shattered the ground, dispersing several phantoms—but Hei Mu was already behind him.
A single strike—"Silent Oblivion Slash (寂灭斩)"—landed cleanly.The mist ignited with black lightning as the blow carved through Zuo Kuang's armor.
A blast of wind followed; when the smoke cleared, Zuo Kuang was on one knee, coughing blood.Hei Mu stood untouched.
"You were entertaining," he said, voice flat. "But I have better prey waiting."
The referee declared the winner—Hei Mu of the Black Mist Academy.
Applause erupted from the stands, half-awed, half-fearful. Even the opposing sects exchanged worried glances. This man wasn't just fighting—he was hunting.
A Duel for Retribution – Xuanye vs Tie Yuan
By the time Ling Xuanye entered the arena, the storm within him had settled into razor-sharp calm. Across the stage stood Tie Yuan, the brute of the Iron Vow Sect, infamous for his devastating earth-shock punches.
The crowd fell silent as both men faced each other.
"So," Tie Yuan sneered, cracking his knuckles, "you're here for revenge for that crippled friend of yours?""Revenge?" Xuanye's lips curved faintly. "No… I'm here to teach you how to fall properly."
The referee's signal came, and Tie Yuan charged forward, qi rippling through the ground."Earthquake Tremor (地裂震拳)!" he shouted, sending shockwaves that shattered the tiles.
Xuanye didn't move. His robes fluttered as the impact dust washed over him. When it cleared, he was still standing—untouched, expression calm.
Tie Yuan growled and attacked again."Iron Vow — Fist of Unyielding Might (铁誓·不屈拳)!"Xuanye stepped aside at the last instant, his blade tip grazing the man's shoulder, drawing a thin line of blood.
"Too slow," Xuanye said softly. "Or is that all brute strength can offer?"
The taunt worked.Tie Yuan's rage erupted. His qi surged wildly, cracks spider-webbing across the ground as he shouted:"Mountain Collapse Strike (山崩破)!"
The entire stage seemed to shake—but Xuanye moved like lightning, each motion precise and fluid, eyes gleaming with cold clarity.
"He's provoking him…" whispered one elder. "He's toying with the Iron Vow disciple!"
When Tie Yuan threw his final punch, Xuanye's voice echoed in his mind—a whisper guided by killing intent.
"You broke my brother's bones. Now feel how it sounds when yours shatter."
Xuanye's aura exploded, the faint golden-blue sheen of divine power hidden beneath the surface. He drew his sword, both hands steady, and slashed forward.
"Void Heaven Style — First Forbidden Technique: Heaven-Severing Arc (天断弧)!"
The arc of light cleaved through Tie Yuan's shockwave, shredding the air itself. He barely had time to raise his arms before the force struck.BOOM!The impact flung him backward; blood gushed from his mouth as his meridians tore, spiritual energy scattering chaotically.
The crowd gasped, standing in stunned silence.
But Xuanye didn't stop. He took a single step forward—his aura tightening again.The heavens dimmed as he unleashed a second strike.
Tie Yuan's eyes widened in terror. He shut them tight, trembling, certain death was coming.
Yet when the slash fell, it didn't touch him.The wave of qi stopped an inch from his throat, slicing only the air.The blast struck the barrier behind him instead, leaving a jagged scar across the dueling field.
Dust swirled. Silence followed.
Xuanye lowered his sword.
"That," he said coldly, "wasn't for you. It was for everyone watching—who thinks Qingling's disciples can be broken without consequence."
He turned and walked off the platform without another word, the faint crackle of lightning following his steps.Tie Yuan collapsed, clutching his chest, eyes wide in fear.
Above, the clouds gathered—dark, heavy, rumbling.It wasn't rain.It was the echo of Xuanye's restrained fury.