Chen Kai tilted his head slightly in a gesture of respect, but his expression turned cold and calculated as his aura began to shift. It was as if the air around him became sharp, filled with a murderous intent that sent chills down even Ah Tao's spine from a distance. This was not the aura of a mere guard but of someone who had faced and defeated mortal enemies.
Tang Chun Xi immediately felt the weight of this change. The invisible pressure seemed to engulf the training ground, reducing her reaction speed. She could barely move and felt her energy suppressed by nearly 30%.
'In my previous world, I faced monsters and creatures that inspired terror, but this aura is different… Why? Why do I feel so overwhelmed?'— she thought, raising the Lunar Umbrella, her weapon and shield, into a defensive stance.
Chen Kai advanced without hesitation, his sword gleaming intensely as he unleashed his technique: "Cascading Waterfall Sword." Each strike accumulated energy with every impact, becoming progressively more devastating. Though he remained cautious not to inflict serious harm, his attack still carried the strength and precision of an experienced practitioner.
Tang Chun Xi knew evasion was impossible in her current state. Her movements were sluggish, and her strength seemed diminished. She gripped the Lunar Umbrella tightly, bracing herself for the blow, fully aware it might injure her. But instead of fear, determination lit up her eyes. She needed to test her limits.
The first strike came down like thunder. At the last moment, the Lunar Umbrella reacted on its own, activating a translucent silver shield that deflected part of the force to the ground. Even so, the impact was overwhelming.
"CRACK!"
The sound echoed as the ground beneath her feet fractured. The wind roared violently around her, and a sharp pain surged through her body. Her internal organs trembled, and the metallic taste of blood filled her throat. But before she could collapse, a soft, silver energy began to flow from within her, radiating from every cell and spreading throughout her body. It was almost soothing, healing her internal injuries before the pain could consume her entirely.
The relief was short-lived. The second strike came like a wave, faster and more precise. This time, the shield absorbed less of the impact, and Tang Chun Xi spat blood as the ground around her fractured further. The sound of breaking stones and clashing auras rumbled like muffled thunder.
She fell to her knees, gasping for air, as the dust began to settle around her.
— "Miss, are you alright?!" — Ah Tao shouted, running toward her with a pale face, full of concern.
Chen Kai, though impressed by her resilience, quickly approached. In his hand, he held a high-grade healing pill, ready to administer it if necessary.
Tang Chun Xi raised her hand, signaling them to stop. Despite her apparent condition, she looked inward and noticed something remarkable: that silver energy continued working, efficiently repairing her internal injuries.
'This energy… it must be the lunar energy with healing properties. It's far more powerful than I expected,'— she thought as she felt her strength returning.
Even so, fatigue lingered. She stood up, wiping the blood from the corner of her mouth. Her movements were still slightly sluggish, but her gaze burned with determination.
— "I'm fine," — she said, panting but with a faint smile. — "Just exhausted and tired."
Chen Kai and Ah Tao exchanged incredulous glances. The maid seemed on the verge of tears from relief, while the guard simply nodded, acknowledging his lady's determination.
Tang Chun Xi raised the Lunar Umbrella, gazing at it with satisfaction. She was pleased to know she could rely on it in extreme situations. Taking a step forward despite her exhaustion, she spoke firmly:
— "Thank you, Chen Kai. You didn't hold back, and that's exactly what I need."
Her voice was steady, even as she battled fatigue. Chen Kai bowed slightly, showing his respect.
— "You are stronger than I imagined, Miss. But remember not to push beyond your limits unnecessarily."
Tang Chun Xi simply smiled, determined to continue her journey regardless of the challenges ahead. They soon left the training grounds, heading to a sitting room in one of the courtyards. Ah Tao made a point to assist her.
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After the intense training, Tang Chun Xi felt the weight of exhaustion in her muscles, and hunger gnawed at her. She headed to her quarters to wash up and change, leaving behind the worn training clothes. The subtle aroma of food being prepared already filled the air, intensifying her hunger.
Once refreshed, Tang Chun Xi sat at the table, where the meal was already laid out. The dishes emanated delicious aromas, and without hesitation, she invited her faithful maid, Ah Tao, and the guard, Chen Kai, to join her.
— "Come, you both need to eat. There's no sense in me enjoying this alone," — she said with a warm smile.
Ah Tao, ever shy, hesitated for a moment but gave in to her lady's invitation. Chen Kai, maintaining his composed demeanor, nodded slightly before joining them.
As they ate, the atmosphere was peaceful. Tang Chun Xi used the moment to recover her strength and reflect on the recent battle. When the meal ended, she turned her attention to Chen Kai, her expression now serious.
— "Chen Kai, I'd like to hear your opinion about my performance during the fight," — she requested, her tone firm but with genuine curiosity.
Chen Kai set his utensils aside, straightened his posture, and replied with equal seriousness:
— "First and foremost, Miss, your physical cultivation is impressive. It gives you a significant edge over opponents up to the fourth level, especially considering your mastery of it. However…"
He paused briefly, carefully choosing his words before continuing:
— "When it comes to aura manipulation, there's still much room for improvement. Your ability to alternate between elements was admirable, but the transitions are not yet seamless. Additionally, you need to master specific martial arts and develop your own personalized techniques to maximize your strength."
Tang Chun Xi nodded, absorbing every word attentively.
— "Another important point," — Chen Kai continued, his tone growing more grave, — "is your reaction to my killing aura. Few can face it directly. Even when suppressed, you didn't freeze, which is impressive for someone at your level. Most fourth-level practitioners would be crushed by an aura like mine, one belonging to a fifth-level Origin cultivator with countless lives taken in battle. This demonstrates your mental fortitude but also highlights the need for more experience in real combat, especially life-or-death situations. Such experiences will harden your mind against these pressures."
He paused again, gauging Tang Chun Xi's reaction before concluding:
— "In summary, you need more practice. Your control, manipulation, and cultivation level must be honed further. Engaging in real battles against opponents with diverse styles and power levels will be crucial for your growth. That said, I am impressed. Under the right circumstances, I believe you're already capable of defeating—and perhaps even killing—fifth-level practitioners. With luck and strategy, you might even escape from sixth-level opponents. But, as you yourself mentioned, this would depend on factors like equipment, support pills, and battle conditions."
Tang Chun Xi tilted her head slightly, a determined smile forming on her lips.
— "Practice, then. That's what I'm missing," — she murmured to herself before looking up at Chen Kai.
— "Thank you for your honesty, Chen Kai. I deeply value your words. I'll do whatever it takes to overcome these weaknesses."
Ah Tao, who had been watching silently, could barely contain her excitement. It was evident that her lady was on the right path to becoming a formidable cultivator.
Silence filled the room once more, but this time, it wasn't uncomfortable. It was a silence laden with determination and purpose. Tang Chun Xi knew what needed to be done and was ready to face any challenge that lay ahead.