Qian Renxue heard the weight in Li Zhexian's voice.
She lifted her gaze abruptly, turning to look at him.
Beneath the flickering firelight—
The youth's handsome side profile was cast in shifting light and shadow, his eyes growing ever deeper.
For some reason—
an ominous premonition suddenly rose in Qian Renxue's heart. Her voice tightened, slightly hoarse:
"Why do you say that?"
Li Zhexian poked at the campfire.
Sparks crackled.
"Spirit Abilities usually inherit some traits of the spirit beast."
"My fourth Spirit Ability, drawn from the Ten-Thousand-Year Calamity Bloom, is called…"
"Calamity Rebirth."
"An amplification-type Spirit Ability."
Qian Renxue's lovely face changed slightly.
She suddenly recalled that blood-red, dazzling brilliance the Calamity Bloom released before withering.
"Could it be…"
"That's right." Li Zhexian nodded.
"This Spirit Ability can only be unleashed on the brink of death."
"It can be attached to any Spirit Ability, amplifying its power twelvefold."
"More terrifying still—it can stack with other amplification Abilities."
"But once it's used…"
"The already dying body… will collapse with injuries magnified several times over."
His tone was calm, but every word cut like a blade, leaving Qian Renxue breathless.
What was Calamity Rebirth?
—After calamity, there is no life to return to. Only death remains.
Li Zhexian skewered a Soft-Bone Rabbit he had caught earlier and set it over the fire.
"It's very powerful." Li Zhexian's tone was serious.
"Terrifyingly powerful."
"It gives a dying strike limitless possibilities."
He wasn't exaggerating.
Calamity Rebirth was indeed a death-defying killing move.
His sword techniques were already myriad, sharp enough to cut down higher-ranked Spirit Masters with ease.
But against true peak-level experts, he was still lacking.
And this ability gave him a hidden card to threaten even them.
Only—
it was best never to use it!
The brink of death?
That was the last desperate struggle at the end of the road, a sword of ultimate sublimation!
Though Li Zhexian's tone was light—
The cruel truth of this Ability cast a suffocating shadow.
He stared into the fire, the flames dancing in his eyes, silent.
Qian Renxue had never seen him like this before.
The carefree, unrestrained youth in white had fallen into silence.
"Are you worried you'll be forced to use Calamity Rebirth in Spirit Hall?"
Her fingers unconsciously twisted the hem of her robe, her long lashes casting trembling shadows across her cheeks.
"If I hadn't gotten so close to Li Zhexian…"
"Then that woman would never have noticed him…"
"He would be safe and unharmed…"
Qian Renxue thought—if only she hadn't met Li Zhexian…
If only she had never met him…
The thought alone shattered the steady rhythm of her breath.
Every inhalation now came in sharp, trembling gasps.
It was as though shards of ice were stabbing back and forth through her heart.
The pain made it hard to breathe.
"Li Zhexian…"
Her voice trembled as she called his name.
The youth turned his head, their eyes locking.
In that instant of eye contact—
Qian Renxue thought she saw a fleeting trace of weariness and age in his gaze.
She bit down hard on her lower lip until she tasted blood.
"Li Zhexian…"
"You…"
"I feel… so sad."
Li Zhexian's blunt answer made her eyes tremble.
But the very next moment—
he spoke in exasperation:
"My rabbit's burnt! How could I not be sad?! Damn it!"
Qian Renxue: "…"
She watched as Li Zhexian fumbled to take the rabbit off the fire.
He blew gently on the charred spots, distressed.
"Sigh, ruined."
"Fortunately, half of it's still edible."
"Here—seeing your spirits so low, I'll give you the only good leg."
What trace of weariness?
What trace of sorrow?
The boy's heart was like a wind through the halls, sweeping all worries clean away.
Qian Renxue gazed through tear-blurred eyes at the glow of the firelight.
Li Zhexian's lips were smudged with ash, his smile brilliant as he offered the rabbit leg toward her.
That scene—
was destined to be branded into her heart, unforgettable for a lifetime.
Suddenly, a surge of impulse welled up within Qian Renxue's chest.
"Li Zhexian!"
"Hm?"
Before the words even finished—
Qian Renxue opened her arms and threw herself at him.
Caught off guard, Li Zhexian was knocked flat onto his back, a ring of dust rising around them.
The campfire burned quietly at their side.
Its warm light bathed the two of them.
Li Zhexian looked at the exquisite face inches away, now tinged with shyness and tension, breathtaking in its beauty.
Her hot breath, carrying the scent of blossoms, spilled across his cheek.
"Qian Renxue, you—"
Before the sentence was finished—
Her lips pressed against his.
Qian Renxue's kiss was clumsy and forceful, carrying a reckless resolve.
How could Qian Renxue not have met Li Zhexian?!
The two of them were meant to be together!!
Beneath the ancient tree—
only the bright moon bore witness.
Overcome with shame, the angelic wings on Qian Renxue's back suddenly unfurled.
Snow-white feathers spread wide, cloaking the two of them, cutting them off from heaven's light.
As if to vent the storm of emotions within her—
the kiss dragged on for several long minutes.
With a sudden whoosh—
the wings swept open again.
Qian Renxue's stunningly beautiful face was so red it looked like it could bleed.
She suddenly got up and, without looking back, flapped her wings and rushed toward the night sky.
She only left behind a panicked and hurried lingering sound.
"The outskirts of the forest have no dangers!"
"I have something to do so I'll be going first!"
"See you next time!"
Li Zhexian lay on the ground, gazing at the angelic figure soaring toward the silver moon.
He slowly closed his eyes, lips curving into a smile.
The girl's warmth and fragrance seemed to still linger around him.
He sat up, reaching for the Clear Spring Wine Gourd.
Tilting his head back—
a burning stream of liquor poured down his throat.
"Refreshing!"
The night wind swept by, the campfire flickered, casting his smile in even freer light.
Time pressed on.
And with no one left beside him—
Li Zhexian merely adjusted his breath, then mounted his horse and set upon the road home.
The youth rode beneath the stars and moon, his Wind-chasing steed's hooves pounding like thunder, leaving the winding road in the dust.
The night wind howled.
It whipped his white robes like banners—
yet could not dim the blazing battle intent in his eyes.
Above the night sky—
Qian Renxue's figure was wrapped in a halo of moonlight, unhurriedly trailing behind him.
Her gaze never left that white figure racing ahead. Her jade-like face was flushed, lips curved in a faint smile.
—
Spirit City.
The first rays of dawn pierced the night.
The long-silent holy city erupted in an uproar.
The streets boiled with surging crowds, voices clamorous.
"At last! The day has come!"
"Which team will seize the championship?!"
"Do you even need to ask? In the individual competition, it must be Lady Hu Liena! The team battle will surely belong to Spirit Hall's team!"
"Don't speak too soon! That Sword Wine remains unfathomable—he hasn't even shown his full strength yet!"
"Rubbish! Are you even from Spirit City? How dare you praise an outsider?!"
…
The tide of people surged toward the foot of the sacred mountain at Spirit City's heart.
And then—suddenly—the roar of voices cut off. The silence was so sharp a pin drop could be heard.
Tens of thousands of Spirit Masters held their breath, staring up at that towering divine temple, and the mysterious grounds hidden amid the clouds.
That was the symbol of Spirit Hall, the sacred ground in every Spirit Master's heart.
After a brief hush—
the crowd, hearts full of reverence, began their silent ascent toward the sacred hall above.
Today—
the top three of the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament—
would finally be decided!