The oppressive silence of the forest shattered as the dark-robed cultivator's Qi erupted in a violent storm. The force of it sent a shockwave rippling through the trees, leaves and branches whipping in the gale. Liang stumbled back, barely able to keep his footing as the Azure Bloom pulsed in warning.
Warning: Qi Surge Detected. Defensive Measures Recommended.
Yuan, however, stood firm, his sword raised and his expression calm. He radiated an unshakable confidence, his own Qi rippling outward to form a protective barrier around them.
The cultivator smirked, his eyes gleaming with malice. "You think you can protect the boy from me, Yuan? How quaint."
"He's not yours to touch," Yuan said evenly, his voice carrying an edge of steel.
The cultivator's smirk deepened. "Then let's see how long you can last."
Without warning, the man surged forward, a blur of dark energy. Liang barely had time to register the movement before Yuan's sword met the attack with a resounding clash. Sparks flew as their Qi collided, the sheer force of the impact shaking the ground beneath them.
"Stay back, Liang!" Yuan barked, his voice cutting through the chaos.
Liang obeyed, retreating a few steps but keeping his dagger ready. He couldn't look away from the battle unfolding before him. Yuan and the cultivator moved with blinding speed, their strikes a deadly dance of power and precision.
Analyzing Combatants…
Yuan: Qi Level - High. Combat Style - Adaptive Precision.
Unknown Cultivator: Qi Level - Very High. Combat Style - Dark Manipulation.
Liang's stomach churned. The system's assessment was clear: Yuan was outmatched.
"Master Yuan…" he whispered, his voice trembling.
Yuan deflected another strike, his movements fluid and controlled. "Don't worry about me, Liang. Focus on your surroundings. If there's an opening, take it."
Liang clenched his fists, frustration and fear warring within him. How could he help in a fight like this?
The cultivator suddenly unleashed a wave of dark energy, forcing Yuan to leap back. The ground where Yuan had stood cracked and blackened, the air thick with the acrid smell of burnt earth.
"You're impressive," the cultivator said, his voice dripping with mockery. "But you can't keep up with me forever."
Yuan's expression didn't waver. "We'll see about that."
With a flick of his wrist, Yuan sent a blade of pure Qi slicing through the air. The cultivator dodged, but the attack grazed his shoulder, tearing his robes and drawing a thin line of blood.
The man's smirk faded, replaced by a glare of cold fury. "You'll regret that."
Dark tendrils of energy erupted from his hands, snaking through the air like living shadows. Yuan met them head-on, his sword glowing with a brilliant light that cut through the darkness.
Liang watched in awe and terror as the two cultivators clashed again. Each strike shook the forest, the sheer power of their Qi leaving craters in the ground and splitting tree trunks.
Threat Level Increasing. Preparing Tactical Analysis…
The Azure Bloom's voice cut through Liang's panic, grounding him. He focused on the system's readout, hoping for any clue that could help.
Enemy Weakness Detected: Qi Overload Likely. Sustained Attacks May Cause Instability.
Liang's eyes widened. "Master Yuan!" he called. "The system says his Qi is unstable. If we wear him down, he might collapse!"
Yuan nodded subtly, his movements shifting as he began to focus on defense, forcing the cultivator to expend more energy with each attack.
The cultivator growled, clearly frustrated. "What are you scheming, boy?"
Liang didn't answer. Instead, he scanned the area, searching for any opportunity to turn the tide further. His gaze fell on a fallen tree nearby, its heavy trunk lying at an angle. An idea sparked in his mind.
"System," Liang whispered. "How do I amplify my Qi for a strike?"
Qi Amplification Technique Detected. Integrating…
A new flow of energy surged through Liang as the Azure Bloom guided him. He could feel his Qi coiling in his core, waiting to be released.
"Master Yuan," Liang called again. "Hold him for just a moment!"
Yuan didn't hesitate, his sword glowing brighter as he launched a series of rapid strikes. The cultivator snarled, his focus consumed by deflecting the attacks.
Liang darted toward the fallen tree, his dagger glowing faintly as he channeled his Qi. With a deep breath, he slashed at the base of the trunk, sending it crashing down. The massive log tumbled toward the cultivator, its weight and momentum unstoppable.
The man's eyes widened in surprise, and he leapt back, narrowly avoiding being crushed. But the distraction was enough for Yuan to press his advantage.
Yuan's sword struck with deadly precision, slicing through the cultivator's defenses and landing a deep cut across his chest. The man staggered, his dark Qi flickering wildly.
"You… insolent pests," he spat, blood staining his robes.
Liang stepped forward, his dagger ready. "It's over. You can't win."
The cultivator glared at him, his eyes burning with hatred. "You think this is over?"
Dark energy erupted around him, a desperate surge that sent shockwaves rippling outward. Liang stumbled, barely managing to stay upright.
"Liang, get back!" Yuan shouted.
But the cultivator wasn't aiming at them. Instead, he thrust his hands into the ground, his Qi sinking into the earth. The ground trembled, cracks spreading outward as the forest seemed to come alive with shadow.
"This isn't the end," the man growled, his voice echoing unnaturally. "You'll regret crossing me."
Before Yuan or Liang could react, the cultivator's body dissolved into the shadows, vanishing into the forest. The trembling stopped, and the oppressive weight of his Qi faded.
Liang collapsed to his knees, his heart pounding. "He got away…"
Yuan sheathed his sword, his expression grim. "For now. But he's wounded, and he won't recover easily."
Liang looked up at him, his chest still heaving. "Why didn't we finish him?"
"Because he's more dangerous than you realize," Yuan said. "And because we're not ready."
The two returned to the village, their exhaustion evident. The villagers greeted them with relief, their fears temporarily eased by Yuan's presence.
In the healer's hut, the woman they had rescued was awake and alert, her gaze sharp as she watched them enter.
"You fought him, didn't you?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Yuan nodded. "He won't trouble us for now. But this isn't over."
The woman lowered her gaze. "I'm sorry. I didn't think he'd come after you so soon."
Liang sat down heavily, his thoughts churning. The Azure Bloom pulsed faintly, its warmth a small comfort amid the storm of emotions swirling within him.
"Master Yuan," he said quietly, "what happens now?"
Yuan met his gaze, his eyes filled with determination. "Now, we prepare. This was just the beginning."
Liang nodded, a flicker of resolve igniting in his chest. The road ahead was long and fraught with danger, but he wouldn't back down. The storm was far from over, but he was ready to face it.