The eyes of the seven elders focused intensely on the stone-paved road as the disciples began their ascent. Jiang Yue, ahead of everyone, stepped into the path with her Icy Moon Sword Soul ready. As Yun Xiao crossed through the storm-whipped section just behind her, he watched her move with confidence and precision, cutting through the swirling demonic fog that clung to the stone-paved road.
"Stone-paved road... the final test," Yun Xiao murmured, eyes narrowed. "Blue Soul's chosen challenge, a trial with bloodthirsty monsters to gauge each disciple's courage and skill."
Yun Xiao's pace quickened, and the distance between him and the shadowy figure of Jiang Yue began to close. Her blade, sharp and biting like frost, flashed as she fought a hundred-year-old snake demon—a twisted creature with a human-like upper body and a serpent's tail, its smoky demonic energy filling the air. But Jiang Yue wielded her Icy Moon Sword Soul expertly, channeling frost and cold winds that cut through the monster with unrelenting fury. In one swift strike, she beheaded it, leaving Yun Xiao astonished.
"She's improved more than I could have imagined," Yun Xiao thought, noting her cold and ruthless precision. If they had fought now, he realized, he'd have faced a daunting challenge.
As Jiang Yue readied to climb the stairs further, securing her lead, Yun Xiao pushed forward, calling out, "Stop!"
At his command, Jiang Yue turned, her eyes cold and curious, glancing down at him. In her eyes, Yun Xiao saw a mixture of shock and annoyance as she recognized him.
"Is that... you?" she asked icily.
Yun Xiao's focus remained unfazed even as another snake demon slithered into view, its massive form emerging from the shadows, sending sand and blood-red mist swirling around them. Ignoring the demon, Yun Xiao's gaze burned as he looked up at her.
"Thought you and Elder Yao were close. Securing first place would be easy for you," Yun Xiao said, a slight smirk tugging at his mouth.
Jiang Yue's eyes widened, her brows knitting into a fierce scowl. His words struck a nerve, piercing her carefully cultivated pride. Without missing a beat, she abandoned her next step on the ascending path, her intense gaze now solely fixed on him.
"What did you just say?" she replied, her voice laced with an edge of challenge.
Yun Xiao merely smirked, keeping his gaze steady as the snake demon beside him hissed, coiling in preparation to strike.
Jiang Yue, having just dispatched a snake monster with a chilling ferocity, now turned back to face Yun Xiao. Her icy gaze was filled with cold, deadly intent, enough to make even the nearby snake monster shrink back instinctively.
"You!" She pointed to the dead snake monster, then to Yun Xiao. "I'll only need one strike."
Yun Xiao's lips curled into a mocking smile. She was putting on quite a show, hiding behind a mask of elegance and delicacy. He thought of her family, of how he had wiped them out—and how oblivious she was to the truth.
In a single, fluid motion, Yun Xiao summoned his azure Sword Soul, letting it condense in his palm. As the blade solidified, it emitted a sharp, grating cry. He had recently mastered a new technique—*flying sword*, the next form of Sword Soul, which allowed him to send the blade soaring through the air to strike from afar.
With a focused flick of his hand, the azure Sword Soul leapt from his palm, spinning like a whirlwind. The blade streaked through the sky in a blue arc, speeding directly toward the monstrous snake. The sword pierced the air with a high-pitched whistle before landing with deadly precision, striking the snake demon right in the forehead and ending its life instantly. Blood spattered the stone steps as the monster's corpse slumped to the ground.
Yun Xiao's flying sword retracted to his fingers, humming with energy, as he held it with a steady hand. He glanced up at Jiang Yue, a taunting smile on his face.
"Pardon me," he said with a smirk. "But in my presence, no one else gets to act impressive."