Yan Xiu chuckled softly, the tension still humming in his limbs.
"It's a secret..." he said with a smirk, stepping back.
The sudden movement caused Yang Ying Feng and Yang Bai, who had both leaned in unconsciously, to stumble slightly toward each other. They caught themselves just in time, reacting with startled reflexes as they quickly stepped back as well.
'Nice... the Stone Armor Art is better than I expected…' Yan Xiu mused, flexing his fingers as he suppressed the lingering ache. 'Did my Unyielding Golden Skeleton also play a part in absorbing that impact?'
He unfastened his sword with a swift motion. It was time to test the latest enhancements to his Flowing Sword Art.
Yang Bai raised an eyebrow, noting the sword.
"Using a sword against two close-combat maniacs? That's kinda unfair, isn't it?" he asked, his usual quiet demeanor slipping away—replaced by a sharp, focused smile. He always came alive during battle.
Yan Xiu returned his smile with calm defiance. "Well, it's not unfair when the close-combat maniacs are a whole realm above me."
A faint shimmer traced beneath his feet as his soles glowed with rippling Water Qi. The ground briefly darkened under the sudden condensation. With a breath, he launched forward.
"Flowing Sword Art: Swallow Flash!"
His figure flickered, tracing a gliding arc like a swallow darting across a pond, sword flashing toward the gap between Yang Bai and Yang Ying Feng.
"Scorching Arts!" both brothers-in-battle shouted, leaping to meet him. Their fists flared with scorching orange Qi.
"Scorched Earth's Fist!"
The three techniques collided in a single, blazing point.
A shockwave burst out from the impact zone—brief, sharp, and intense. The surrounding air shimmered with displaced heat and pressure, sending dust spiraling away from their feet.
Yan Xiu's strike met both fists head-on—but his body staggered. His Qi was clearly weaker, and the pressure began to crush down on him.
'Dammit... they're not even going all out, and I'm already getting pushed back.'
Cracks formed along his blade from the strain—
Clang!
The sword shattered at the base, the force blasting him backward.
He skidded along the dirt, boots digging shallow furrows as he fought to stay upright. His arm ached, and the jagged remains of his sword trembled in his grip.
"Are you all right?" Yang Ying Feng called out, his Qi settling back down.
Yang Bai stepped forward, equally concerned. "That was a hard hit... you didn't overdo it, did you?"
Yan Xiu took a breath, then stood tall—even with the broken hilt in hand.
"Yes... don't worry," he said, forcing a grin. "I'm still standing."
The clash of fists, blades, and Qis continued all day. Again and again, Yan Xiu launched his sword techniques, only to be met by scorching fists and relentless physicality. Again and again, Yang Ying Feng and Yang Bai came at him from different angles, pushing his reactions, forcing him to adapt. His techniques grew smoother, sharper—more fluid.
...
The sun now hung low in the sky, casting golden light through the trees like molten threads. Shadows lengthened, and the final embers of sunset burned across the horizon.
They were all sprawled across the grass now, clothes torn, arms bruised, and bodies coated with dust and sweat. Breathing heavy. But smiling.
"Wow… Brother Yan…" Yang Ying Feng muttered, falling back and letting his gaze drift up to the deepening sky. "I never knew there was someone this awesome besides me and Brother Bai..."
Yan Xiu sat cross-legged nearby, his arms resting on his knees. He glanced over as Yang Bai chimed in.
"Yeah…" Yang Bai said, his tone softer. "You're stronger than both me and Yang Ying Feng were at your stage… way stronger..."
He smiled—but there was something behind his eyes. Not resentment, not quite. Just that fleeting glint of something. Envy, maybe.
'If only I had that kind of talent... beating Yang Ying Feng would be a piece of cake...' Yang Bai thought, but the moment passed, and he pushed it aside.
Yan Xiu didn't notice. He was too relaxed now. They had fought all day—any mask would have cracked under pressure by now. If there had been hidden malice, it would have shown. But nothing had. It was hard to think of Yang Bai as an enemy, even knowing what the future might hold.
Even if something does happen to him… it's not now. I want to stop it—but I can't. The timeline must stay intact… for now.
"Thanks…" Yan Xiu muttered, scratching the back of his head awkwardly. Compliments still caught him off guard.
The breeze picked up, bringing with it the coolness of approaching night.
"What about we head back to the sect? It's getting late," Yang Bai suggested, pushing himself up.
"Yaaawn..." Yang Ying Feng let out a long, exaggerated yawn. "Yeah… you're right..."
The two of them rose, stretching sore muscles and patting off dust.
Yan Xiu remained seated for a beat longer, a sudden realization hitting him like cold water.
...Wait.
I don't have a place to sleep.
He froze. His identity was real, yes—Yan Xiu of the High Heaven Pavilion. But not of this time. He didn't have a hut assigned to him.
What do I do now? Spend the night outside like some rogue cultivator?
He blinked, trying not to let his panic show.
Yan Xiu let out a long, quiet sigh.
Why am I even thinking about how to spend the night? Sleep should be the last of my worries.
He looked at the fading sunlight, the orange glow painting the trees like a dying flame.
I still have to think about how to return to my time—
"Oi! What are you doing frozen there, Brother Yan? Let's go, hahahahaha!" Yang Ying Feng's voice boomed through the clearing, cutting into Yan Xiu's thoughts like a crashing wave.
The fiery-tempered youth had already started walking, his hands behind his head as if he hadn't spent the entire day fighting like a madman.
"So loud... like always..." Yang Bai muttered beside him, but he followed just the same.
Yan Xiu blinked once, then smiled faintly to himself.
"Coming…" he said, brushing grass from his robes as he stood and jogged after them.
The night air was crisp and clean. The three silhouettes walked together toward the sect, shadows stretched long behind them.
To be continued...
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