The air in the training field seemed to contract for an instant.
Duke Rong briefly closed his eyes. A subtle wave of Qi receded from his body like a lowering tide.
The crushing pressure that made space bend diminished to a controlled level. In the middle of the Core Formation realm. Even so, it was still a cultivation far above what Kyrian possessed. The Duke opened his eyes and smiled faintly, satisfied with the adjustment.
With a thought, he drew a dagger from his spatial ring. The blade was thin silver, with discreet runes running along its edge. It was not an ostentatious weapon. It was practical, lethal, and made to kill with precision.
He spun the dagger once between his fingers and looked at Kyrian.
"Are you ready?"
Kyrian did not respond with words.
His crimson eyes suddenly shone, intensely deep. A cold and hungry intent arose in the air. Subtle, almost imperceptible to anyone who did not know what to look for.
The Duke felt it.
