When Asura pulled Su Lin closer, the third prince was displeased and about to say something, but as Asura declared that Su Lin was his woman, the words froze in the third prince's mouth, leaving him speechless.
Su Lin's face, from her neck to her forehead, turned as red as an apple. She was incredibly embarrassed. She hadn't expected Asura to declare their relationship in front of so many people, especially in front of the third prince.
As for the third prince, he looked at Su Lin and could see that her face was as red as an apple. He could tell that Su Lin truly loved Asura and that Asura was not joking at all.
His heart shattered. He knew very well that Su Lin had never had any feelings for him, but still, he had pursued her, believing that with his status and talent, there was no more suitable candidate than him.
But now, as he looked at Asura and compared himself to him, he felt inferior.
As the emotional tension in the atmosphere thickened, the third prince couldn't bear the weight of his own unrequited feelings. His heartache was palpable, like a storm brewing beneath his composed exterior. He had been so sure that he was the most suitable match for Su Lin, that his status and talents would win her heart. Now, he was confronted with the stark reality that his pursuit had been in vain.
The third prince took a step back, his footsteps heavy with the weight of disappointment. He had lost not only the love he had sought but also a piece of his own pride. He managed a strained smile, though the pain in his eyes was undeniable.
Su Lin, her face still flushed with embarrassment, looked at him with sympathy. She had never wanted to hurt him, and she admired his understanding and grace in this difficult moment. She said softly, "You're a good person, and I hope you find happiness, too."
Asura, though he had made a bold move to declare his relationship with Su Lin, couldn't help but feel a sense of empathy for the third prince's genuine feelings. He approached the prince and said, "I respect your pursuit, and I hope you find happiness as well. Love can be a complicated thing."
The third prince nodded, appreciating the respect and understanding in Asura's words. With a final, longing glance at Su Lin, he turned and left and went to where the royal family members were, his heart heavy with unspoken sorrow.
Meanwhile, the onlookers ( members of the royal family including other princes, princesses, and knights), who had been witnesses to this emotional upheaval, couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. Some were moved by the sincerity and grace displayed by all involved, while others pondered the complexities of love and how it can't be forced or controlled.
Asura and Su Lin's relationship, now declared openly, would face its own set of challenges.
Su Lin said, "Let's go check on Princess Moon's fight."
Asura replied, "Okay."
Both of them made their way to where Princess Moon was still locked in combat. As they approached, they observed that she still had the advantage in her fierce battle. Asura had initially gone to aid the third prince and the others, thinking that Princess Moon's fight would be over by the time he completed his own. However, he finished his fight more quickly than expected, and to his surprise, Princess Moon's battle was still ongoing.
Princess Moon and Li Xian continued their intense battle, with each clash of their swords resonating throughout the palace. Princess Moon's eyes blazed with determination as she pushed her newfound strength to its limits, relentlessly driving Li Xian back with powerful strikes.
Li Xian, realizing that he was at a disadvantage, knew that he had to resort to desperate measures. As their swords clashed once more, he made a swift and cunning move. In a single fluid motion, he activated a hidden mechanism on his sword's hilt, releasing a concealed vial of deadly poison onto the blade.
With a wicked grin, Li Xian's next strike was laced with poison. As their swords clashed again, a tiny scratch on Princess Moon's arm allowed the deadly toxin to seep into her bloodstream. She felt an immediate burning sensation, and her vision began to blur.
Gasping for breath, Princess Moon staggered back, clutching her wounded arm. The poison was taking its toll, sapping her strength and blurring her focus. Her once-confident stance wavered as she realized the gravity of the situation.
Li Xian seized the opportunity and launched a furious assault, determined to finish her off. Princess Moon's weakened state made it difficult for her to defend herself effectively. She managed to block a few of his strikes, but the poison's effects were debilitating. The battle was slipping out of her grasp.
Su Lin and Asura, who had been watching in horror, realized the dire situation Princess Moon was in. Su Lin shouted, "We can't wait any longer! We have to help her now!"
Asura "Wait!"
Princess Moon, her vision still blurred and weakened by the poison coursing through her veins, mustered every ounce of her remaining strength. With fierce determination, she launched a final, devastating attack against Li Xian. Her sword, the Phoenix Sword, shimmered with a golden aura as it sliced through the air.
Li Xian, now defenseless and on the brink of defeat, could do nothing to evade the lethal strike. The Phoenix Sword struck true, piercing his heart with a radiant, golden light. Li Xian gasped, a look of shock and agony in his eyes, and then he crumpled to the ground.
As Princess Moon stood over her fallen adversary, a mix of satisfaction and sadness washed over her. The poison was still working its way through her system, but she had avenged her brother's death and her family's honor. With a heavy heart, she knew she had paid a high price for this victory.
Su Lin rushed to Princess Moon's side, using her healing abilities which were taught by her master to counteract the poison's effects. With each passing moment, the deadly toxin's influence diminished, and Princess Moon's strength gradually returned.