The courtyard was deathly quiet.
Han Li sat on a rock, sipping tea with his eyes closed. Before him stood two students—Yue Qian, the cold-eyed daughter of the disgraced Yue Clan, and Long Wu, the son of a fallen general family.
"Begin," Han Li said without opening his eyes.
Yue Qian drew her twin wind blades. Long Wu summoned a scarlet spear from his storage ring.
The other students gathered around, whispering.
"She's faster."
"But Long Wu's strength is unmatched!"
Neither opponent wasted time. Yue Qian vanished into the wind with a whoosh, appearing behind Long Wu in an instant.
CLANG!
He barely blocked in time. Sparks flew as spear met blade.
Han Li took another sip.
"I can't see them anymore," whispered Bai Zheng, adjusting his cracked glasses. "Are we really all in the same class?"
"They're monsters," Lin Fei muttered, hugging her staff.
Back in the arena, Long Wu roared, thrusting forward like a dragon. Yue Qian flipped over him and slashed from above. Their techniques were raw but brilliant, guided by instinct—and Han Li's terrifying training.
Suddenly, Yue Qian faltered.
Her right leg had stiffened.
Long Wu seized the moment.
His spearhead paused just short of her throat.
Han Li finally opened his eyes.
"Enough."
Long Wu exhaled heavily and stepped back. Yue Qian bit her lip and nodded.
"Next time, don't rely on wind for everything," Han Li said casually. "Wind is freedom, but even freedom needs a foundation."
Yue Qian bowed.
"I understand, Teacher."
As Han Li stood and dusted off his robe, a shadow appeared behind a tree. A robed figure with glowing crimson eyes watched the match.
"Interesting…" the figure whispered. "So he trains lunatics now."
Far in the sky, the sealed prison of the ancient Sky-Eater trembled.