The smoke thinned.
Ye Feng stood still, breathing heavy, eyes fixed on the girl across from him.
Li Xiuying.
Once presumed dead. Now very much alive… and dangerous.
She clutched her burning wrist, expression unreadable.
"You've improved," she muttered.
"You're supposed to be a legend," Ye Feng shot back, voice even. "Not an assassin in cosplay."
[System: Burned her with words. +10 Style.] [Passive Skill: Iron Face — Expressionless Insults remain effective.]
The embers between them dimmed, but the tension only grew hotter.
Xiuying's lips twitched. "So you really don't remember me?"
Ye Feng frowned. "Should I?"
She stepped forward. "We met once… when we were children. At the old Flame Pagoda."
Ye Feng blinked. A distant memory surfaced: a girl in red, fearless even as fire danced around her.
"You lit the whole pagoda on fire," he muttered.
Xiuying smiled faintly. "And you covered for me. You said it was you."
[Memory Unlocked: Childhood Flame Bond]
Passive Effect: 5% resistance to flame-based attacks when near XiuyingEmotional Trigger: Guilt, Nostalgia, Confusion
[System: Looks like you made an impression. Maybe in more ways than one.]
Silence settled.
Ye Feng finally asked, "Why try to kill me?"
Xiuying looked down. "I… didn't know it was you. The scroll is sacred to our clan. When someone outside awakens it, we're bound to eliminate them."
She looked up.
"But now that I know it's you…"
She bit her lip. Her voice softened. "Maybe… I won't."
[Romantic Tension Detected]▸ Flirt ▸ Threaten ▸ Walk away dramatically ▸ Tease her just enough
Ye Feng smirked. "What if I told you I'm starting to like dangerous women?"
Xiuying blushed—just barely.
"You always were reckless," she muttered. "Still are."
Suddenly—
A cold wind swept across the field.
[System Warning: High-level aura approaching.]
A new voice echoed: "Enough games."
A middle-aged elder floated down, dressed in silver robes of the Internal Discipline Hall.
"Elder Mo Tian," Xiuying whispered.
The elder's gaze landed on Ye Feng. "Boy… you've violated countless sect rules. Used forbidden techniques. Attacked other disciples. And now you're fraternizing with a traitor?"
Ye Feng's eyes didn't flinch.
"I'm only doing what the sect never did—punishing real villains and staying alive."
[System: Incoming Forced Duel Opportunity!]
Challenge: Survive 3 Moves from Elder Mo TianReward: +1 New Skill SlotBonus: Impress Li Xiuying and spectators
Ye Feng stepped forward.
"Three moves," he said. "If I can survive them, you back off."
Mo Tian sneered. "Very well, arrogant brat."
Move 1: Wind Cleave Slash!Ye Feng ducked and rolled—barely scraping past the wind blade.
Move 2: Palm of Still Death!He countered with a Blazing Rebuttal, his fire exploding against the cold palm!
Move 3: Heaven's Smite!Mo Tian rose into the air, channeling a massive burst of qi.
Ye Feng grit his teeth and poured everything into one desperate move—
Hellfire Palm + Iron Face + Slap Returner = "Demonic Parry Strike"!
BOOOOOOM!
Dust. Silence. A crater between them.
Ye Feng still stood—on one knee, robes scorched, but smirking.
Mo Tian stared in shock.
[Duel Result: Survived 3 Moves — SUCCESS] [Reward: Skill Slot Unlocked!] [System: Plot armor? Nah. Just fire and slaps.]
Xiuying ran forward, eyes wide. "You… really survived."
Ye Feng stood slowly. "That's what I do."