Yu Xuan dashed forward, sword drawn, determination etched into his face.
The cheers of the crowd dulled into background noise as he focused on the opponent before him — Ming Tiani, the enigmatic girl who stood like a painting under moonlight, her black hair swaying like silk, her expression serene and unreadable.
’This won’t be easy,’ he thought grimly.
Especially not after... that vision.
His grip tightened around the hilt of his blade, a thin layer of sweat already forming across his brow.
He exhaled once, and then struck — clean, swift, decisive — aiming for her neck, the fastest route to victory.
But she moved like flowing water.
Her blade flicked upward, deflecting his strike with delicate ease before rippling into a counterattack.
Silver flashed like moonlight — and Yu Xuan barely managed to parry.
He took three steps back, his boots skidding against the platform.
He gritted his teeth. Her strikes were fast. Really too fast.
They clashed again. Then again.
Sparks burst from their blades like falling stars, ringing through the arena like wind chis in a storm.
Their silhouettes blurred and twisted as they moved — a deadly dance of red and silver shadows.
And yet... neither could gain an edge.
Yu Xuan attacked with aggression, only to be deflected. Ming Tiani struck back with grace, only to be parried.
A perfect deadlock.
The crowd leaned forward, breathless, they were in awe that such young disciples can fight like that.
’Tch... this is going nowhere,’ Yu Xuan thought. ’Fine. Let’s get real.’
Then he stopped holding back.
A red light flickered from his sword’s hilt.
It slithered upward like living fire, wrapping around his blade until it blazed with a crimson glow.
It looked really cool.
The ground beneath him vibrated faintly.
Sword Intent.
Again.
The atmosphere shifted.
"He bought it out again!"
"That red aura... is that really Sword Intent?!"
"I think she’ll lose this ti—"
"SHUT UP! HOW DARE YOU DOUBT OUR GODDESS?!"
In the Universal Talisman’s group chat, chaos had broken loose.
[MoonPeach]: He’s doing it again! he’s glowing red!
[FurnaceBoy444]: Can soone stop my heart, please? My heart can’t take this.
[LittleBigFish]: This is cinema. Soone better be recording this.
Yu Xuan charged forward again, blade burning, a trail of red slicing through the air. The platform humd under the pressure.
Ming Tiani narrowed her eyes.
And smiled.
Just a little.
’Oh dear... how could I forget?’ she mused. ’You were the reason I had to learn that absurd sword style in the first place.’
Yu Xuan saw her smirk.
And imdiately knew sothing was wrong.
His instincts scread at him — and sure enough, a silver aura blood around her blade.
Soft. Elegant. Terrifyingly refined.
Silver Sword Intent.
Just like his.
It just ca as dramatic as his.
But colder.
Sharper.
A mirror of his — yet entirely different.
The crowd gasped.
The disciples jolted to their feet.
"Two Sword Intent users at the mortal stage?!"
"That’s absurd!"
"I need soone to slap . Am I hallucinating?"
Even elders who prided themselves on unshakable Dao hearts suddenly looked visibly shaken.
"To think... we’re witnessing not one, but two sword prodigies in the sa match..."
"Three, if you count the Patriarch’s daughter."
"It’s a golden generation."
The entire Clan had erupted into a frenzy.
At the edge of the platform, Lu the announcer tensed. Sword Intent was dangerous — but before he could step forward, a calm voice entered his mind.
’Let them finish.’
It was the Patriarch.
Lu froze. His body went stiff.
And then he nodded repeatedly like a duck being fed rice.
’Yes, sir... absolutely, sir...’
He didn’t dare go against that. After all who dared disobeyed the Patriarch.
Back on the platform, the duel had beco sothing else entirely.
Yu Xuan’s sword arcs were like wildfire — fierce, wide, overwhelming. Every step he took radiated intent, every slash aid to crush.
Ming Tiani, however, moved like moonlight — every motion exact, every strike deliberate. Her aura shimred like starlight over ice.
They clashed again.
Red and silver auras sparked, carved across the battlefield in glowing streaks. The arena’s barrier formations began to flicker from the sheer energy being released.
"His technique is forceful..."
"But hers is absolute..."
"They’re polar opposites."
Yet matched.
As ti dragged on, Yu Xuan began to feel it — the aching in his arms, the tightness in his chest, the slowing of his feet.
He couldn’t keep this up forever.
’I’ll finish this... with one last move.’
He let his aura dim for just a second, catching his breath.
Then—he roared.
His Sword Intent surged, igniting like a blaze reborn. Crimson arcs surrounded him as he pushed forward, blade raised high.
Ming Tiani watched calmly.
Then her silver aura flared in kind, rising in a silent storm.
Their swords t in a final clash.
Red and silver exploded in a brilliant burst of energy.
The shockwave cracked the ground. Dust erupted skyward, blinding the crowd.
Gasps. Screams.
Betting gamblers all over the clan clutched their talismans.
"I can’t watch!"
"I bet ALL MY SPIRIT STONES ON XUAN!"
"I bet on Tiani! STOP JINXING IT!"
When the dust finally cleared...
Yu Xuan lay flat on his back, panting, sword a few feet away.
His aura — gone.
Above him stood Ming Tiani, chest rising and falling softly, her silver glow dimd... but she remained standing, sword at his chest.
She had won.
Yu Xuan looked up at her.
Her eyes, dark as obsidian, stared down at him without a hint of mockery — only calm admiration.
"...Senior Sister, you’re too fierce," he muttered.
Ming Tiani smiled faintly.
"What can I do, when I have such a talented junior brother?"
She sheathed her sword and extended her hand.
Looking at her extended hand and that smile.
Yu Xuan blinked.
DOKI—! DOKI—!
His heart skipped a beat.
’WHAT THE HELL? WHY THIS EFFECT!!!’
Blushing slightly, which made him look adorable, he grabbed her hand.
The crowd erupted into cheers.
But inside Ming Tiani’s mind?
Pure chaos.
’Hehehe~ Now that she’s not here... I get Xuan’er all to myself again! Pretending to be serious is hard but so worth it!’
Her eyes sparkled devilishly.
’Oh Lingluo, my darling little sister... your big sister is about to have a wonderful ti. Fufufu...’
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