A streak of sword light sliced through the sky, cold and sharp.
Like a meteor in the night, or a star crashing down.
But Song Wanníng was calm and collected. With a light tap of her foot, she dodged sideways like a flash of lightning. Her flying sword soared upward, blazing with crimson light, carving a sharp arc through the air before slashing directly across.
The blades collided with a screech of metal, sparks bursting in every direction. The sound of the clash echoed across the entire Wéntiān Sect.
Waves of intense spiritual energy surged outward, distorting the space around them. The air crackled with the sound of splitting force. The violent cyclone of spiritual pressure forced everyone nearby to retreat. Eyes wide with fear, they looked up at the two figures locked in blindingly fast combat.
In just a few breaths, the two had exchanged over a dozen blows, moving so fast that most couldn't even follow with their eyes.
"Damn, so this is the might of Nascent Soul cultivators? If we weren't in this enclosed space, more than half of us would've been sent flying!"
"Good thing they haven't lost their minds completely. If they were truly fighting to kill, we'd all be dead by now."
"Unbelievable… this is what Nascent Soul battle power looks like?"
"They say Senior Gu's sword can sweep the cultivation world clean, that no one can match him… but why does it look like Senior Song is pushing him back?"
"No way. Senior Gu is known across the cultivation world for his strength. Ever heard people talk about Senior Song like that?"
"But still…"
"He's holding back! Of course he's holding back! He still respects her. If he fought seriously, she wouldn't last three moves!"
"..."
The disciples all gazed with admiration at the figure in white above. Gu Qingyuan's name carried weight throughout the cultivation world, so most assumed he was going easy on her.
But Gu Qingyuan himself was far from calm. A cold gleam flashed in his eyes as he cast a spiritual shield, blocking the rain of sword shadows coming at him.
Today, for the first time, he realized how terrifying Song Wanníng's strength had become. She wasn't any weaker than him at all.
Her hand seals shifted again. Her longsword split apart midair into countless fine sword threads, weaving like serpents, coiling toward Gu Qingyuan from all sides.
Back and forth they fought, neck and neck, their battle escalating to a deadly crescendo. The sect leader watched, heart pounding. This wasn't just a fight—it looked like they were trying to kill each other.
"Did Junior Sister Song eat the wrong pill today? Why is she going so hard on Gu Qingyuan?"
He was confused, even suspicious. If not for the stability of her soul, he'd suspect she had been possessed.
Second Elder scoffed beside him. "If it were me, I'd be going harder. She's been pushed this far, and if she still tolerated it, she'd be a thousand-year-old turtle."
"Junior Brother Gu two-timed her. He had it coming."
Others didn't dare say it, but she had no such reservations.
To develop romantic feelings for your own disciple? Disgusting didn't even begin to describe it.
The sect leader shot her a look. "Is now really the time? Stop them first!"
"Then you go!"
Second Elder didn't budge. Gu Qingyuan and Song Wanníng were both terrifying when angry. Whoever tried to break them up would just get dragged into it.
The sect leader fell silent, fuming inside.
The elders each wore different expressions. Meanwhile, Bai Yang lay on the ground, his face dark, using a pill to slowly mend his injuries.
Unwilling to lose, he muttered inwardly, "Master Gu must win, or Junior Sister Ye is done for."
But fate had other plans. Not even half a quarter hour had passed before Gu Qingyuan's momentum faltered. A gash appeared on his arm, bright red against his pale robes.
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Even the elders were stunned.
Gu Qingyuan's face darkened. He could hardly believe it. From childhood, he had always surpassed his junior sister. In everything, he was better. Even when their master praised her talent, he never agreed. But now, reality slapped him in the face. Even going all out, he couldn't gain the upper hand.
In that instant of shock and distraction, Song Wanníng struck again. Her sword cleaved the sky open like a thunderclap. A massive blade of pure energy descended, crackling with hatred and murderous intent.
Her sword technique had always leaned toward lethal precision. Yet, for years, she held back, restraining her killing intent. All because Gu Qingyuan had once praised Ye Chuxue's innocence and kindness.
Now, with her resentment fully awakened, she unleashed everything she had.
Every thread of hatred, every trace of pain, poured into this single strike.
What was past was dead like yesterday.
What followed was born anew, as of today.
One sword to tear apart the heavens.
The storm it created whipped through the crowd, flipping robes and knocking people off balance.
Everyone bowed their heads, as if crushed by an invisible weight.
The sky twisted and groaned. Sounds of tearing filled the air.
A blinding flash, and then silence.
When the light faded and the disciples dared to look up, Gu Qingyuan was already falling from the sky.
Boom—
His body hit the ground hard. Blood spread across his white robes like ink across paper. A wound gaped open at his chest, deep enough to see bone. It had barely missed his heart.
Song Wanníng descended like falling snow. Her boots landed squarely on Gu Qingyuan's face.
In that moment, whatever pride he had left, shattered.
Crushed to dust.
The entire courtyard fell silent. Even the wind seemed to freeze, sensing the weight of what had just happened.
Gu Qingyuan coughed up blood again, eyes cold and filled with hate.
He couldn't accept it.
He couldn't accept being trampled under Song Wanníng's foot.
But he was injured, and her overwhelming aura pinned him down. He couldn't move at all.
He coughed violently, fury overwhelming him.
He could lose to anyone—but not to her.
"What? Can't accept it?"
Song Wanníng understood him too well. He had always been proud, born with talent, rising smoothly despite obstacles. Now, being brought low by her, he would never swallow it.
"Song Wanníng—"
Gu Qingyuan growled through gritted teeth, eyes filled with venom as he looked up at her.
The woman who once chased after him, sought his approval, was gone.
The Song Wanníng standing over him now was someone he didn't recognize—and couldn't stand.
"Hah."
Her boot pressed harder against his face, warping it into something hideous.
"If you can't accept it, then swallow it down. If not for our status as sectmates, you wouldn't even have the right to speak."
With that, she kicked him across the courtyard.
The silence deepened. Then, an uproar.
"Did I just lose my mind, or did Master Song actually kick Master Gu across the courtyard?!"
"Gods, Master Song is so cool it's terrifying!"