Chapter 35: The Vanguard of the Harem
The disdainful laughter of Disciple Li echoed across the mountain peak, a harsh sound in the serene beauty of the Azure Realm. He saw Ling Tian's offer as a sign of weakness, a pathetic attempt to hide behind his companions. But Ling Tian's alliance stood firm, a unified front against the sneering arrogance of the Azure Cloud Sect.
The challenge was accepted. Disciple Li, his face a mask of scorn, gestured to a group of his followers. "Very well. If you are so eager to fall, let me introduce you to the true power of the Azure Cloud Sect. You will face my two most promising disciples. You can choose any two of your so-called 'weaklings' to represent you."
Ling Tian's gaze swept over his family. He saw the fierce loyalty in Sael's eyes, the calm wisdom in Lyra's, the warrior's spirit in Mu Qing's, and the silent readiness of Xiao Li. This was a test not just of power, but of their unity.
"They will not face my companions," Ling Tian declared, his voice ringing with quiet authority. "They will face my vanguard." He then stepped back, allowing his two most formidable companions to move forward.
The first was Mu Qing, a woman of explosive power and a fiery spirit. Her powerful spear, a blur of motion, was a force of nature. She stood with her feet planted firmly on the ground, her aura a raging inferno of raw power.
The second was Zhao Wei, a man who had once been Ling Tian's bitter rival but was now a staunch friend. His body was wreathed in a controlled, crimson flame, the manifestation of his perfected Celestial Fire cultivation. His eyes, once filled with arrogance, now held a deep, unyielding resolve.
Mu Qing and Zhao Wei were a study in contrasts: one, a wild and untamed storm of raw power; the other, a master of a refined and devastating art. They were two sides of the same coin, united by their loyalty to Ling Tian and their shared purpose.
Disciple Li's sneer faltered. He had expected Ling Tian to choose his women, to hide behind the supposed weakness of a healer and a princess. But he had been met with two masters of a power he had never before witnessed.
The duel began. Mu Qing, with a roar of fury, charged forward, her spear a streak of light that tore through the air. She was a force of pure, unbridled power, her movements a dance of controlled chaos. Her opponent, a master of a graceful wind technique, was immediately on the defensive, his elegant movements no match for her raw, devastating force.
Zhao Wei, meanwhile, was a master of a different kind of power. He did not charge. He simply stood, his crimson flames dancing around him. He unleashed his Celestial Fire, not as a destructive torrent, but as a precise, targeted attack. He launched volleys of razor-sharp fire blades that could cut through solid stone, each blade a masterpiece of controlled power. His opponent, a young man who wielded a spiritual sword, was quickly overwhelmed, his graceful sword techniques no match for the raw, destructive power of Zhao Wei's fire.
The duel was over as quickly as it had begun. Mu Qing's opponent, his spiritual defenses shattered, lay on the ground, gasping for breath. Zhao Wei's opponent, his sword shattered, stood with a look of profound defeat on his face.
Disciple Li stood in stunned silence, his face a mask of disbelief and shock. He had expected to see a one-sided victory, but he had witnessed a complete and utter defeat. He looked at Ling Tian, his arrogant gaze now replaced by a deep and abiding respect.
The Azure Cloud Sect had a new master, a new genius, and he had come not alone, but with a family of masters who would stand by his side, a force of power and loyalty that would change the destiny of the entire realm.