To Shen Xueya, this wasn't just a duel.
There was a time when Junming had laughed with her beneath these same skies, argued over silly things, sneaked off to catch fireflies after curfew. Back then, she thought, maybe it was something more than friendship. And maybe he felt it too.
But everything changed once they grew older.
Junming stopped talking to her. Started walking with the wastes from other clans. He looked at her differently, like she was beneath him now.
And then one day, in front of them, he called her a decoration with a blade, all show, no steel.
It was right after she had lost a duel to a rival clan.
He laughed, and they laughed with him.
It was only a joke to them.
But to her, it was the end of something.
She never forgot the betrayal.
Xueya stood in the moonlight, her sword drawn, blue qi wrapped around its edge like crackling mist. Her eyes were cold, her stance steady.
"My Senior Brother would never lose to trash like you," she said sharply.
Junming chuckled, shaking his head slightly.
Xueya said nothing else, but her grip on the sword tightened.
Junming raised a hand, palm open. "Wait."
She narrowed her eyes. "What? Trying to back out? Scared?"
Qi gathered around her. She was ready to strike.
Junming didn't flinch. "You're fighting me to find out what forbidden technique I used. But how does that benefit me?"
Xueya blinked. "What?"
She laughed, the sound not joyful but laced with bitterness and sarcasm. "You really think you can win against me? Since childhood, you've never even stepped foot inside the Martial Hall. Not once."
She glared at him. "Or maybe you're just that confident in your own forbidden technique."
Junming's expression turned serious. "If I win… hand over that martial art to me. The one the Fourth Elder gave you. The Myriad Sword Art."
Her body trembled. "You—what did you just say?"
"Myriad Sword Art," Junming said calmly. "I want it."
Xueya's qi surged. Her anger wasn't just from pride. What he asked for was the foundation of the Shen Clan's Fourth Elder's sword arts. A martial art, personally entrusted to her by one of the clan's highest elders. Giving it away would be the same as forfeiting her qualification as a disciple of the main family.
Her lips curled into a sneer. "I guess the saying is true. Even the cleanest courtyard has a piece of trash."
She raised her sword. Qi wrapped around the blade, glowing faint blue. "And tonight, I'll clean the trash from the Shen Clan."
Then she launched.
To Junming, it was as if ten swords came at him at once. A strange illusion, fast and sharp.
He stepped back with light movements using Swift Steps of the Swift Sword Art.
She advanced.
He retreated.
She attacked again.
He flowed backward like water, always just out of reach.
Xueya's breathing grew heavier, her brows furrowed in frustration. "Stop running and face me, you leech!"
But Junming wasn't running. He was smiling. Not because she was angry, but because of the feeling in his chest. The heat, the adrenaline, the movement. It all felt great.
Someone who had once worked a nine-to-five job. Who quit his dream job because the world told him to be realistic. Now, he had found something that made his blood rush for real.
They continued exchanging blows. Sword shadows met swift steps, qi clashed in short bursts. One move. Then another. After the fourth exchange, Junming's eyes sharpened.
He whispered, "Enough viewing. It's action time."
Then, he dashed forward.
One moment, Xueya was mid-swing. The next, her sword shattered into fragments, just like Liang Chen's.
She didn't even see the cut. She only felt the backlash as shards of her blade scattered, slicing lightly across her cheek.
She stumbled back, dazed.
Her sword was gone.
Blood trickled from a shallow cut on her cheek.
Junming stood in front of her, calm, almost casual, his smile still faintly on his lips.
She collapsed to the ground, stunned. Her legs had gone weak from the shock.
In that moment, the thought struck her—not fear, not humiliation, but clarity.
He hadn't used a forbidden technique.
There had been no unnatural qi burst. No sudden surge of strength. Just speed, precision, and movement.
Her thoughts raced. If he used a forbidden technique, the energy wouldn't have flowed that cleanly. There would be backlash, visible or not. But there was nothing. No sign of anything impure.
He had done it on his own.
Junming walked over and offered his hand. "You alright?"
He coughed lightly, just to break the tension.
She snapped out of her frozen state and looked at his hand. Then up at him.
"I didn't use any forbidden technique," Junming said. "It's just that I secretly learned the Swift Sword Art. The only thing I could get my hands on while everyone else ignored me."
He chuckled again. "You know how it is. I didn't want to get caught. I'm from the branch family. And learning a main family art..."
Xueya looked away.
After a moment, she pushed his hand aside and stood up on her own. "I don't need your help."
Junming didn't push. He simply nodded.
Then he reached into his sleeve and pulled out two small pills. He held them out.
She looked at them. "What's this for?"
"Well," he said, "for the injuries, and it's good for the skin."
She stared at him, lips twitching. "If you dare poison me, don't even think about staying alive."
He didn't answer. Just smiled again.
She took the pills.
Silence settled between them.
Then she pulled something from her inner robe. A scroll.
The Myriad Sword Art.
She handed it to him, looking away.
Junming blinked. "Are you really giving it to me?"
"You won," she said softly. "It's only fair. And… you're also part of the Shen Clan. Master shouldn't be angry."
He took it with a pleased grin. "Thanks."
A system screen appeared in front of his eyes.
Would you like to learn this technique?
Item: Myriad Sword Art (Earth-Grade)
Effect: Creates multiple illusory sword forms during high-speed movement, overwhelming enemies with visual deception and fast strikes.
Efficiency: 100% (instant comprehension)
Junming whispered under his breath, "Yes."
Xueya turned. "What did you say?"
Junming waved his hand. "Nothing."
She studied him for a moment, then asked, "Tell me the truth. What realm are you in now?"
Junming looked a little hesitant.
"Don't worry," she added. "Even if someone tortures me, I won't say a word. Besides, as far as I know, you weren't even at the fourth stage. So it shouldn't be higher than Senior Brother's."
Junming scratched his neck.
"…Sixth stage of Qi Refinement," he said slowly.
Xueya stared at him.
A mix of disbelief, shock, and something else flickered in her eyes.
A system screen appeared before Junming's eyes.
• Name: Shen Junming
• Rank: Third-Rate Villain (Upgrading…)
• Age: 20
• Cultivation: Qi Refinement – 8th Stage
• Affiliation: Shen Clan, Merchant Branch
• Status: Heavenly Dragon Sect – Outer Disciple (Alchemy Hall)