Lim Kris froze as she opened the door. Standing just outside were two men – one elderly with a long scar running down his cheek, and the other younger but radiating dangerous spiritual energy. Both wore the unmistakable crimson robes of the Fire Clan.
Elder Tohan (narrowing his eyes): "Well, well… the elusive princess hiding in the mountains. Did you really think you could escape us forever, Lim Kris?"
Lim Kris instinctively stepped back, her heart pounding.
Lim Kris (gritting her teeth): "So, it wasn't about the stones… You just want me dead to crush the Water Clan's Princess."
The younger man, Senior Zhuan, smirked as he crossed his arms.
Senior Zhuan: "Exactly. With the princess gone, the Water Clan will collapse soon enough. We're just here to finish what we started."
Before Lim Kris could react, Chen Franz stepped forward. His calm gaze flickered toward the two Fire Clan cultivators, his hands casually tucked into his robe.
Chen Franz (softly): "This is my home. If you're here to disturb the peace, leave now."
Tohan raised an eyebrow, almost laughing.
Elder Tohan: "And who might you be, hermit? Protecting the princess? You must have a death wish."
Lim Kris tugged at Chen Franz's sleeve.
Lim Kris (whispering): "Chen Franz… these two are dangerous. They're targeting me, not you. Let me handle this."
Chen Franz smiled lightly but didn't step aside.
Chen Franz: "It's alright. They're not as dangerous as they seem."
Zhuan's patience wore thin. Spiritual energy flared around him, flames dancing at his fingertips.
Senior Zhuan: "You dare mock the Fire Clan? I'll burn this place to ashes!"
As Zhuan stepped forward, Chen Franz raised his hand.
A light breeze passed.
In an instant, Zhuan's flames vanished, snuffed out by an invisible force. His body trembled, and he stumbled backward, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
Senior Zhuan (shaking): "W-what… what was that?"
Confused, Zhuan instinctively tried to sense Chen Franz's cultivation level.
His eyes narrowed.
Senior Zhuan: "Level… 1?"
Zhuan laughed nervously, his fear dissolving.
Senior Zhuan (grinning): "Tohan, he's just Level 1. He must have used some trick!"
Tohan frowned but scanned Chen Franz's aura as well.
Elder Tohan: "He really is Level 1… This is pathetic."
Lim Kris glanced between them and Chen Franz, her eyes narrowing.
Lim Kris (thinking): "That can't be right. I've seen what he can do. There's no way a Level 1 could heal me and boost my cultivation overnight."
Zhuan reignited his flames, confidence returning.
Senior Zhuan: "Let's finish this. I'll handle him while you take the princess."
Zhuan raised his hand to launch an attack, but before the flames left his palm, Chen Franz flicked his finger lightly.
A sharp gust shot forward – invisible yet devastating.
Zhuan was blasted backward, crashing through three trees before collapsing unconscious in the dirt.
Tohan staggered, eyes wide in shock.
Elder Tohan (stunned): "That… wasn't Level 1."
But no matter how hard he focused, Tohan couldn't sense anything beyond Level 1 from Chen Franz.
Elder Tohan (thinking): "This isn't possible. His power must be so immense that even the heavens refuse to recognize it."
Realizing this wasn't a battle he could win, Tohan forced a smirk.
Elder Tohan: "You're lucky today, hermit. But mark my words – the Fire Clan doesn't forget. We'll return for the girl."
Chen Franz (softly): "No, you won't."
Tohan hesitated for a brief moment, locking eyes with Chen Franz. In that instant, he felt a cold, suffocating pressure.
As the Fire Clan members disappeared into the forest, Lim Kris exhaled sharply.
Lim Kris: "That was… incredible. How did you do that if you're just Level 1?"
Chen Franz shrugged and returned to his seat
Chen Franz (calmly): "So… you're the princess of the Water Clan, huh?"
Lim Kris flinched, suddenly feeling exposed.
Lim Kris (avoiding his gaze): "I… was trying to keep that part quiet."
Chen Franz chuckled softly.
Chen Franz: "No wonder they want to kill you. Taking down the princess would cripple the Water Clan's strength. Makes sense."
Lim Kris sighed and sat across from him.
Lim Kris: "Yeah… but I didn't expect to end up here."
She paused for a moment, looking directly at Chen Franz.
Lim Kris: "Chen Franz… I know this is a lot to ask, but can you teach me?"
Chen Franz raised an eyebrow.
Chen Franz: "Teach you?"
Lim Kris nodded, determination burning in her eyes.
Lim Kris: "I don't stand a chance against them as I am now. If you teach me, maybe I can survive… and protect my clan."
Chen Franz studied her for a long moment before chuckling softly.
Chen Franz: "I'm not the teacher type."
Lim Kris (firmly): "Then I'll stay until you change your mind."
Chen Franz smiled, shaking his head.
Chen Franz (thinking): "She's persistent… but maybe that's not such a bad thing."
As the fire crackled between them, Lim Kris felt a spark of hope.