Before they even started, a crowd of clan members had gathered, their murmurs creating an undercurrent of judgment that pulsed through the training grounds. The air was thick with anticipation, and the faces in the crowd told a story of doubt, envy, and just a hint of spiteful joy.
"Young Master might catch up to us eventually, but isn't it too early for him to face Senior Chen in a challenge like this?" a voice whispered, laced with skepticism.
"Yeah," another agreed, leaning in conspiratorially. "It's only been three days since the Spirit Awakening Ceremony. If I were him, I'd have rejected it outright."
"And he agreed to that insane bet," someone else chimed in, their tone dripping with disbelief. "If he loses, he's giving up the Black Flames Slayer. Imagine the shame if he backs out after losing."
The crowd buzzed with similar sentiments, their collective gaze a storm of judgment and expectation. Most of them didn't think Xuefeng stood a chance—it wasn't hard to see why. On one side was Liu Chen, a seasoned veteran who had honed his skills over years of grueling training. On the other was Xuefeng, a newcomer barely days into his cultivation journey.
Liu Chen stepped forward, his posture exuding confidence as he addressed the crowd. "I'll go first," he declared, his voice steady but tinged with arrogance. It was only fitting—after all, he was the one who had proposed the duel.
He strode toward the two Rank 5 puppets, his every movement deliberate. The crowd hushed as he began preparing his strike, gripping his sword with a white-knuckled intensity. His focus was absolute. This wasn't just a duel; it was his opportunity to assert dominance and claim the blade he coveted.
Liu Chen's sword shimmered with a blinding white light as he activated his Sword Intent. He charged, his footsteps echoing like thunderclaps, and struck with the precision of a master.
CLANG.
The sound reverberated through the courtyard as his sword connected. For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath. When the dust settled, a deep gash marred the puppet's belly—four inches of precision and raw power.
"He almost cut the puppet in half!" someone exclaimed, breaking the silence.
"That's Liu Chen for you," another murmured, awe in their voice. "He used the Rank 4 Secret Fracture Spirit Art. Do you know how hard it is to master that at his age?"
"Young Master Xuefeng has no chance against that," someone concluded, shaking their head.
Liu Chen stepped back, a smug smile curling his lips as he lowered his blade. "Your turn, Young Master," he said, his tone brimming with condescension.
Princess Shan, standing to the side, watched with a faint smirk. Unlike the crowd, she saw through Liu Chen's bravado. She had witnessed Xuefeng's strength before and knew the gap between them wasn't as vast as everyone assumed.
"If you're using a Rank 5 sword," Xuefeng said, his voice cutting through the chatter like a blade, "then it's only fair I do the same."
He raised his hand, summoning the Black Flames Slayer. The blade materialized in a burst of crimson, black flames licking hungrily along its length. The crowd gasped as one.
"That's the Black Flames Slayer!"
"I didn't think he'd actually get it," another said, their disbelief clear. "I mean, he is a black talent, but still..."
Liu Chen's eyes burned with envy, his grip tightening on his own blade. For as long as he could remember, he had dreamed of wielding a weapon like that. And now, there it was, taunting him in the hands of someone he considered unworthy.
I have to get that sword, he thought, the desire twisting in his gut like a knife.
Princess Shan chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Show-off," she muttered under her breath. She knew Xuefeng was deliberately amplifying the flames, using his Spirit Qi to make the display even more dramatic.
Xuefeng's outward confidence was a carefully constructed façade. Inwardly, his mind churned with doubt, a storm brewing behind his calm expression. Ling, are you absolutely sure the first move won't cut it? I haven't even practiced the second one, he asked, the edge of unease sharpening his mental voice.
Relax, Ling responded, her tone infuriatingly casual. I'll guide you through it. But… you'll owe me.
Owe you? What now? Xuefeng's suspicion flared, mingling with his anxiety.
I need Spirit Herbs, she said, as though it were the most natural thing in the world. Rare ones of course. At least ten.
What do you need Spirit Herbs for? he asked, puzzled.
There are some Spirit Herbs that possess a little bit of Fate Essence in them. I can create more Fate Qi from them. You need to find a minimum of ten and I will help you, Ling explained with a scheming chuckle.
Didn't you say these herbs were rare? How do you expect me to find ten of them in this small country? I can at most agree to one, Xuefeng negotiated shamelessly.
Five, Ling countered, her tone firm, leaving no room for bargaining.
Fine. Five. But you better deliver, he agreed, his focus sharpening as he approached the puppet.
Just follow my Qi, and it'll be easy, Ling murmured, her voice calm but firm as Fate Qi flowed from her into his blade, igniting it with a sinister, dark energy.
Xuefeng focused, gripping the hilt tightly. The second move mirrored the first but with a dangerous addition: the Serpent Afterimage. It wasn't just a slash—it was a promise of destruction. Even if the initial attack was deflected, the Serpent Tail would pursue its prey relentlessly, culminating in an explosive burst.
Taking a steadying breath, Xuefeng let Ling guide his movements. His red blade darkened, the black flames roaring as his Spirit Qi surged into it. The sword seemed to hum with anticipation, alive with raw, untamed energy. His arm became an extension of the weapon, moving with a deadly grace as flames arced behind it, forming a long, serpentine tail.
The strike landed with a thunderous crack. The blade sliced cleanly through the Rank 5 puppet's torso, but it didn't stop there. The Serpent Tail surged forward like a vengeful spirit, smashing the severed upper body into oblivion. The air was filled with the echoing cry of the serpent as the flames consumed everything in their path.
You can use the Serpent Tail as a whip for long-range attacks, Ling instructed, her voice tinged with satisfaction. But remember, if you detonate it, the Spirit Qi is lost for good. Use it wisely.
Xuefeng exhaled sharply, absorbing the remaining energy back into his dantian. That's what I thought too, he muttered. Then, narrowing his eyes, he added, You lied to me. The first move was enough to win.
Ling's giggle echoed in his mind. I'm still waiting for my Spirit Herbs, dear cultivator.
I'm not talking to you anymore, Xuefeng retorted, though his tone lacked bite. He was more amused than annoyed, despite her playful manipulation.
Unsummoning his sword, he assessed his reserves. Nearly two-tenths of his Spirit Qi had been drained in a single sequence. The consumption's too high, he mused. I need to refine my swordsmanship. Even without flashy moves, the Black Flames Slayer will still give me an edge.
Turning back to the gathered crowd, Xuefeng noticed the stunned silence that had fallen over them. Only Princess Shan and Wuying seemed unaffected, their expressions more amused than shocked.
"What's up with them?" he asked casually, gesturing toward the gaping onlookers.
"Well," Wuying began, rolling her eyes with mock exasperation, "not many people can obliterate a Rank 5 puppet in one strike. You might have left an impression."
Xuefeng shrugged, brushing off the awe as he shifted his attention to Liu Chen, who stood frozen, his jaw slack. "I guess you lost," Xuefeng said, his voice cool and measured. "Time to pay up."
Liu Chen snapped out of his stupor, his face twisting in anger. "You cheated!" he shouted, his voice cracking. "You used two attacks!"
"That was one move," Xuefeng replied, his tone calm but firm. He gestured toward the crowd. "But even if you insist it was two, I think everyone here saw the result. The puppet didn't even have time to react."
The murmuring crowd hesitated. No one wanted to cross the Young Master, especially not after witnessing his display. One by one, voices rose in support of Xuefeng.
"I think Young Master won fair and square."
"Senior Chen, don't be a sore loser. We all saw what happened."
"It's alright to lose," another chimed in, though their voice held a hint of schadenfreude.
Even Liu Chen's followers, sensing the tide of opinion, reluctantly sided with Xuefeng. "Yeah, Senior," one said with a sheepish grin. "It's no big deal."
"You..." Liu Chen seethed, his hands trembling as he threw his sword to the ground. The bracelet with Spirit Stones, already in Wuying's possession, spared him further humiliation.
"You brought this on yourself," Xuefeng said, his voice sharp as steel. "I don't even know you, and yet you came here to create trouble. Maybe next time you'll think twice before making such reckless decisions."
Liu Chen stormed off without another word, his shoulders rigid with suppressed rage.
As the tension in the air began to dissipate, a soft voice from the crowd cut through the quiet. "Wow, Young Master looks really handsome now that I think about it," a teenage girl murmured dreamily.
"Look at yourself," a boy standing next to her quipped, his tone laced with sarcasm. "And look at the beauties standing by his side. You don't stand a chance."
Xuefeng smirked, picking up Liu Chen's discarded sword and slipping it into his ring. Gotta admit, delivering lines like that feels pretty good, he thought, suppressing a chuckle. Turning to Princess Shan and Wuying, he said, "Let's head back. This crowd's getting out of hand."