The skies quaked as Chu Fengxian surged forward, his royal arrogance hanging so thick in the air, I half-expected him to start lecturing the clouds. His sword gleamed like the fang of some ancient beast, looking as eager as he was to assert its "divine right." Behind me, Yue Liqin kept her calm composure, but I could sense the discomfort simmering beneath her serene expression, her fingers twitching slightly.
I stepped between her and the prince, smirking as I waited for his thunderous entrance.
"Ah, this again?" I thought, barely containing a sigh. Royal arrogance. Right up there with endless sect politics as one of the universe's greatest energy drains. But today? Well, maybe I'd let myself have a little fun with it.
Chu Fengxian wasn't just any old cultivator, of course. He was peak Heavenly Realm—a strength that could make lesser beings cower and poets compose flowery ballads in his honor. His sword aura crackled around him, contained only by the thinnest of restraints. When he got close enough, his energy exploded outward, shattering the space I'd carefully sealed around him.
"You dare!" His voice was like a thunderclap, and his aura crashed into me like a tidal wave.
Well, who doesn't dare these days? I thought as I released my own aura in response. Much more controlled, sharp, and precise—it cut through his wild energy like slicing through soft tofu. Beside me, Yue Liqin stood safely shielded, untouched by the violent exchange.
Chu Fengxian's face twisted into a snarl, his robes flaring around him as he reached for his famed Blade of Imperial Might, the golden light of ancient runes flickering ominously across its surface. His eyes were alight with a fiery determination, and he raised the sword above his head, apparently summoning the courage to say the three most predictable words in cultivation.
"Let's fight!" he declared, as if his sword alone would decide the battle.
Only that this time they were two instead of three words.
Of course, it's always the sword. I suppressed a yawn. "Your sword is your domain?" I asked, voice flat but laced with a hint of mockery. "Well, allow me to humor you."
A brilliant white sword appeared in my hand, its aura so sharp I could almost hear the air begging for mercy. The blade cut through the skies above, and the wind itself paused, apparently too respectful to interrupt.
Chaaa!
A blinding arc of white light exploded from my blade, racing toward the prince. His eyes narrowed, and he slashed furiously, four rapid strikes to deflect the force. He managed it—though his chest heaved with the effort, beads of sweat already glistening on his brow.
I gave him a once-over, amusement dripping from my voice. "You act all high and mighty, yet here you are, struggling before I've even drawn half my strength."
His eyes flared with anger, barely managing, "You—"
"Yes, me," I replied, cutting him off smoothly.
His aura flared, and his sword shot forward in a flurry of golden slashes aiming to overwhelm me. I leapt into the air, twisting effortlessly as his blade skimmed the edge of my robe.
Close, but not close enough. I landed lightly on a floating boulder nearby, spinning my sword lazily in one hand.
"You'll need more than that to take me down, Prince Chu Fengxian," I said, grinning. "Or is this what they teach you in the palace? Fancy swordplay and an inflated sense of self-worth?"
The prince's frustration mounted. With a snarl, he launched himself at me, his sword cleaving the space between us. The impact shattered the boulder beneath me, sending it crashing into the ground—but I'd already leapt away, landing a few feet to the side and brushing some dust off my sleeve.
"You might want to be careful," I said, casting a sidelong glance at the rubble. "Those things can be pricey."
With a growl, Chu Fengxian lunged again, his blade flashing in a blur. I met his attack head-on, our swords clashing in a thunderous explosion of light. The impact shook the heavens, ripples of energy cascading through the air and splitting the ground below, tearing through distant mountains.
For a brief moment, we stood locked, our swords engaged in a clash of wills. His blade trembled under the pressure, while I remained completely at ease.
His eyes widened, a glimmer of uncertainty flickering through his fury. "What—?"
With a flick of my wrist, I disengaged, sending his sword arm flying wide, and struck him with a swift, precise slash. My blade grazed his arm, leaving a thin line of blood and reducing the pristine sleeve of his royal robes to ribbons, my exact aim.
"Look at that," I mused, voice dripping with mock sympathy. "A royal prince without his fancy clothes. What a tragedy."
Chu Fengxian's face darkened, the rage practically steaming off him as he charged forward again, this time releasing a massive arc of golden energy that tore through the heavens. The ground buckled beneath him, cratered and scarred in the wake of his attack.
"Is this really necessary?" I muttered under my breath, dodging as the wave of destruction closed in. "Some of us have other things to do today, you know."
His attack crashed into the earth, ripping it apart and sending shockwaves through the landscape. I had to admit, there was power there—enough to actually pose a threat to an early stage Divine Realm cultivator if left unchecked.
With a flick of my wrist, I raised my sword, its tip pointing toward the ground below as I called upon the Dao of Space and Time. The Dao responded, and everything slowed, the space around me thickening as time itself began to crawl.
With a single slash, I cut through his attack, the power of space-time coursing down my blade. The massive wave of golden energy shattered, breaking into fragments, each frozen in place by the weight of my Dao.
Time snapped back, and the fragments of his attack dissolved harmlessly into the sky.
"Ughh!" The prince let out a pained grunt as my strike connected, hitting him squarely in the chest. His body arched backward, and with a final cry, he plummeted to the ground, landing with a thunderous impact that shook the earth.
A crater formed where he lay, the once-pristine prince now lying bruised and bloodied, his robes shredded and his aura barely a flicker. Blood trickled from his mouth as he lay there, his face frozen in disbelief.
Hovering above, I remained perfectly composed, my sword gleaming in the aftermath. With a casual flick, I dismissed the blade, crossing my arms as I looked down at him.
"Next time, maybe try knocking before barging into someone's home and challenging them for their woman," I said, my voice light with amusement. "I might be in a more generous mood then."
He coughed, clearly feeling the sting of wounded pride more acutely than the bruises. The crowd, which had watched in rapt silence, erupted into murmurs—some in awe, others in stunned disbelief. My family, meanwhile, watched on with the same bemused smiles as always.
Turning back to Yue Liqin, I caught her small nod of appreciation. I couldn't help but return her smile.
The fight, for now, was over.