The journey back to the Outer Court was quieter than Yang Ye expected. Su Ling walked beside him, her usual smirk replaced by a thoughtful expression. The trials they had endured in the Battlefield of the Forgotten weighed heavily on both of them, but neither spoke of it.
The forest thinned, and the Outer Court's towering gates loomed ahead. Yang Ye's mind was already racing with plans—ways to refine his newfound strength and prepare for the challenges to come.
But as they approached the gates, a commotion drew their attention.
---
The Return of an Elite
A crowd of Outer Court disciples had gathered in the training square. Their voices were hushed, but the tension in the air was palpable. At the center of the square stood a tall figure clad in a dark robe, his presence radiating authority.
"Who's that?" Yang Ye asked, his gaze fixed on the figure.
Su Ling's eyes narrowed. "That's Li Yuan. He's one of the top disciples in the Outer Court. Rumor has it he's on the verge of breaking through to the Earth Realm."
Yang Ye's interest was piqued. He had heard of Li Yuan—a prodigy known for his ruthless pursuit of power. But what was he doing here?
As if sensing their approach, Li Yuan turned his gaze toward Yang Ye. His piercing eyes locked onto him, and a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
"You must be the new rising star everyone's talking about," Li Yuan said, his voice smooth but laced with condescension.
Yang Ye stepped forward, meeting his gaze without flinching. "And you must be the one who thinks he's untouchable."
The crowd murmured in surprise. Few dared to speak to Li Yuan in such a manner.
Li Yuan chuckled, his smirk widening. "Bold words. I like that. But let me give you some advice—there's a difference between confidence and foolishness."
Yang Ye shrugged. "And there's a difference between strength and arrogance."
The tension between them was electric. It was clear to everyone present that a confrontation was inevitable.
---
A Challenge Issued
Li Yuan's expression darkened. "Interesting. Let's see if your sword is as sharp as your tongue."
Without warning, he drew his blade, a weapon of exquisite craftsmanship that gleamed in the sunlight. The crowd instinctively stepped back, giving the two plenty of room.
Su Ling placed a hand on Yang Ye's arm. "Are you sure about this? Li Yuan isn't someone to take lightly."
Yang Ye shook her hand off gently. "I didn't come this far to back down now."
Drawing his own sword, he stepped into the square, the weight of the crowd's expectations pressing down on him.
Li Yuan smirked. "Good. Let's make this interesting. If you lose, you'll hand over your Outer Court badge and leave the Sword Sect."
Yang Ye's grip tightened on his sword. "And if I win?"
Li Yuan's eyes glinted with amusement. "If you win, I'll give you my personal cultivation manual—something even Inner Court disciples would kill for."
The stakes were high, but Yang Ye didn't hesitate. "Deal."
---
The Duel Begins
The two faced off, their swords at the ready. The crowd held their breath as the tension reached its peak.
Li Yuan moved first, his blade slicing through the air with deadly precision. Yang Ye parried the strike, the clash of steel ringing out like thunder. The force of the blow sent a shockwave through the square, causing some of the onlookers to stumble.
Yang Ye countered with a swift thrust, aiming for Li Yuan's shoulder. But Li Yuan dodged with ease, his movements fluid and precise.
"You're quick," Li Yuan said, his tone mocking. "But speed alone won't save you."
Yang Ye didn't respond. Instead, he channeled his golden Profound Energy into his blade, the weapon glowing with a fierce light.
Li Yuan's eyes widened slightly, but he quickly composed himself. "Interesting. Let's see how far that power can take you."
The duel intensified, their swords moving so fast that they became blurs. Sparks flew with every clash, and the ground beneath them cracked from the force of their attacks.
Yang Ye pushed himself to his limits, drawing on every ounce of strength he had. But Li Yuan was a seasoned fighter, his experience and skill giving him the upper hand.
---
A Desperate Gamble
As the battle raged on, Yang Ye realized he couldn't win through brute force alone. He needed to outsmart his opponent.
Feinting a strike to the left, he quickly shifted his stance, aiming for Li Yuan's right side. The move caught Li Yuan off guard, and Yang Ye's blade grazed his arm, drawing blood.
The crowd gasped. It was the first time anyone had landed a hit on Li Yuan in a public duel.
Li Yuan's smirk faded, replaced by a look of irritation. "You're full of surprises," he admitted. "But this ends now."
He raised his blade, and a surge of dark energy enveloped it. The power radiating from him was overwhelming, and Yang Ye could feel the weight of it pressing down on him.
"This is the difference between us," Li Yuan said, his voice cold. "Let me show you why you'll never catch up to me."
Yang Ye gritted his teeth, refusing to back down. He gathered his remaining Profound Energy, channeling it into his sword. The golden light intensified, clashing with the dark aura emanating from Li Yuan.
The two powers collided in a blinding explosion of light and shadow, forcing the onlookers to shield their eyes.
---
The Outcome
When the dust settled, the square was silent. Yang Ye stood in the center, his sword raised and his chest heaving with exhaustion. Opposite him, Li Yuan knelt on one knee, his blade embedded in the ground for support.
The crowd erupted into cheers, their voices echoing through the Outer Court.
Li Yuan looked up at Yang Ye, his expression a mix of disbelief and grudging respect. "You've earned this victory," he admitted, rising to his feet. "But don't think this is over. We'll meet again."
He tossed a small jade slip to Yang Ye—a cultivation manual, as promised—before turning and walking away.
Yang Ye caught the slip, his heart pounding with a mix of triumph and relief.
Su Ling approached him, a rare look of admiration on her face. "I didn't think you had it in you," she said.
Yang Ye managed a tired smile. "Neither did I."
---
A New Horizon
As the crowd dispersed, Yang Ye stood alone in the square, the weight of his victory sinking in. He had proven himself against one of the Outer Court's strongest, but he knew this was only the beginning.
With the jade slip in hand and his resolve stronger than ever, he turned toward the training halls. There was still much to learn, and he was determined to rise even higher.