The sword Qi and spear Qi clashed, shattering apart as Qi fragments carved blade marks across the ground.
"Crescent Moon Sword Art, Fourth Form – Triple Crescent Slash," Tang Ji-Yoo said as he stepped forward.
Sword Qi flowed along the blade's edge, silver-white light intensifying. Tang Ji-Yoo swung his sword vertically—up, then down—unleashing twin crescent slashes, followed by a horizontal arc slash. Sword Qi shot out with incredible speed and precision, cutting through the wind.
Yuan Ye-Jun gazed calmly at the incoming attack and smiled. This was one of the moves he expected—used in nearly every spar.
"You're still too naive, Brother Ji-Yoo," Yuan Ye-Jun said as he leaped up, flipping through the air to dodge.
The sword strike missed and struck the wall behind, carving arc-like slashes so clean they couldn't be seen by the naked eye.
Yuan Ye-Jun landed softly, his steps rippling across the ground. He raised his spear high above his head, then swung it down with force.
"Descending Heaven Slash," he said.
Spear Qi exploded forth, carrying over 1,640 FU (Force Units) of power, slashing into the ground with brutal intensity.
Tang Ji-Yoo smiled, feeling the pressure, but his battle-hardened spirit remained steady. He sidestepped, narrowly dodging the attack. The spear Qi carved through the floor, continuing until it cut clean through the thick walls.
His gaze locked on Yuan Ye-Jun as he stepped forward, planting his feet firmly into the ground, eyes blazing.
Softly, he said, "Half-Moon Slash."
Tang Ji-Yoo swung his sword in a crescent arc with ferocity. Sword Qi tore through the air. Yuan Ye-Jun stepped back and brought his spear down in a direct clash—edge to edge.
"It seems if I don't finish this now, we'll just keep fighting until we're both drained," Yuan Ye-Jun muttered.
"I'm only at twenty percent spiritual Qi left," he observed aloud. "Then I'll end this here."
Twisting his spear, Yuan Ye-Jun held it in one hand, pointing downward.
"Heavenly Spear Art, Second Form – Multi-Heaven Thrust."
He thrust his spear forward—Spear Qi erupted from the blade's edge, bursting out with intensity.
Tang Ji-Yoo leapt back, dodging the thrust—but as he was still mid-motion, Yuan Ye-Jun appeared from above, having vaulted high into the air, twirling his spear over his head.
"Heavenly Spear Art, First Form – Descending Heaven Thrust," he said, thrusting down with overwhelming force. Spear Qi roared through the air.
Tang Ji-Yoo was caught off guard, shocked to see Yuan Ye-Jun overhead. He tried to raise his sword—but it was too late. The spear Qi was just inches from his eyes—
BANG.
A sharp snap rang out. A finger had struck the air, colliding with the spear Qi. The impact shattered it into countless fragmented shards, dissipating the energy instantly.
"It seems the winner has already been decided. This fight is concluded," said a man as he turned to leave.
Tang Ji-Yoo turned, shouting, "Elder, it's not over yet! I would've had him if only—"
"If…" the elder repeated coldly, glancing sideways at him.
"'If' is not a word on the battlefield. If you rely on it, all you've proven is defeat," he said as he walked away.
From there, the battles continued, but none were like the first. In the end, both Yuan Ye-Jun and Tang Ji-Yoo were selected for the martial competition in the sect tournament.
TIME PASSED BENEATH THE SUN'S SKY
Even the lowliest scratch of a beak reveals the pattern beneath all heavens.
In her courtyard, Xian Ling sat on her bed in a lotus posture, gathering Spirit Qi as she continued refining her body.
Three weeks had passed since the competition, and those selected had already advanced. Hao'er and she had not participated—they were not part of that group.
Focused on her meditation, she absorbed the surrounding spiritual Qi, gradually increasing her refinement. Her body became stronger, saturated with spiritual energy, hardened to an extreme.
Time passed.
Her body neared perfection. Then—suddenly—a surge of energy erupted within her. Her strength doubled, reaching a new level.
And then, something snapped deep in her subconscious.
Within her soul, a small, fragile black sphere cracked slowly, releasing a faint red mist.
It shattered completely.
A flood of memories surged through her mind. Her consciousness was dragged into them—as if a force beckoned her inside.
SUBCONSCIOUS
Beneath the night sky, she lay sleeping, her pillow comforting her descent into dreams.
BANG.
A sudden explosion. She opened her eyes, still hazy with sleep.
Looking out the window, she saw the family business across the street engulfed in flames.
She sprang out of bed, ran downstairs, flung open the door.
There, in front of the burning shop, stood a young man with two older men behind him. He stared blankly at the fire, unmoving, offering no help.
She didn't care. She bolted toward the front entrance of the shop, pounding on the locked door.
"Mom! Dad!"
Her parents were on the other side, struggling with the door as well.
"Hany!" her father's voice came through the cracks. "Where are you? Go home—it's not safe here!"
"But Dad, what about you?!" she cried, tears falling.
"It's okay. I'll be fine. Just go," he said, though his voice cracked with emotion.
"No… you won't…" she whispered.
"Hany, listen to me. It'll be okay. Just go home and get some sleep."
"But Dad—!"
"No, Ling'er," he said through gritted teeth. "Mommy and Daddy love you… We love you very much. But you have to listen. Go back to your room and sleep."
"Take her away," the young man ordered, unmoved.
"Yes, sir," one of the older men said, stepping forward and grabbing her by the collar.
She was pulled back, eyes wide as she watched the burning building collapse. Flames roared.
Her parents' final cries echoed in her ears.
The fire reflected in her eyes—burning deep, searing the Earth with rage and sorrow.
And from that flame… a beast was born.
A golden-red phoenix emerged, walking through the fire. It spread its wings, rising with fury. Sparks burst from its feathers, lighting the void.
Fire destroys all things—yet from it, life is reborn.
The eternal flame scorched the earth.
From it rose the Vermilion Bird.
The Nirvana Divine Phoenix—born from immortal flame.
Her eyes opened slowly. Her vision cleared. A red spark of flame now burned deep within her soul.
Her body was engulfed in spiritual fire, the temperature spiking above 900 Kulvin—exactly 923.
The heat surged through her room, burning everything in its path. Her clothes were torn apart by the sheer intensity.
In his own cultivation room, Li Hao felt the temperature rise. He opened his eyes and looked around. To the side, he saw a vortex of flame, thick with spiritual Qi.
He smiled faintly, then returned to his cultivation calmly.
Back in her room, Xian Ling condensed her spiritual Qi into her inner core, her body now half-filled with power.
Tears welled in her eyes—then instantly dried on her burning cheeks.
She stood up, changed clothes, and walked to Li Hao's cultivation chamber. Standing before the door, she knocked softly.
"Come in," his voice rang.
She entered, stopping before him.
"It seems you had some good fortune today," Li Hao said with a slight smile.
"You broke through to the Grand Apprentice Realm."
"Brother Hao, I need your help. I know you're busy and can—"
Before she could finish, he cut her off.
"There's no problem. Do as you please. I'll be right behind you if you feel unsafe."