The clash of wood on wood cracked like thunder across the courtyard.
Joshua's arms burned with each impact, wrists aching under the weight of Li Cheng's precision. Every strike was clean, controlled — the kind of sharpness honed only by years in the inner sect.
Li Cheng's gaze never wavered. He should have broken by now. Yet every time I press harder, he bends without snapping. This boy…
Joshua exhaled slowly, eyes flat, cold. He's testing my endurance. If I keep following his rhythm, I'll collapse. I need to break it.
Another strike came — overhead, fast and heavy. Joshua caught it with both hands, blade shuddering. His foot skidded against the stone.
[Ding!]
[System: Stamina critical — 15%. Host must shift momentum.]
"…I know."
Joshua slid his blade along Li Cheng's, letting the force push him down — then twisted, rolling the momentum off the guard.
Li Cheng's strike went wide.
Joshua stepped in sharply, wood slamming against Li Cheng's ribs. Not deep, not crippling — but clean.
Gasps tore through the courtyard.
"He hit him—!"
"Against that speed?!"
Li Cheng staggered back a step, eyes widening faintly. Then, to Joshua's shock, his lips curved into a smile.
"Well done."
He adjusted his stance, now tighter, sharper. His aura flared faintly. "Then I'll stop testing. I'll strike as I would an equal."
Joshua's lashes lowered. "…Good."
The elders in the pavilion leaned forward.
"He forced Li Cheng to use his true stance."
"No outer disciple could do this."
"Mo Xuanyu… what have you become?"
Li Cheng advanced, blade snapping faster than before. His strikes were mercilessly efficient — feints into thrusts, cuts turning mid-swing, pressure unrelenting.
Joshua met them all, blade flashing, feet pivoting in tight arcs. His breath came shallow, sweat sliding down his jaw. His body trembled under strain, yet his eyes remained like ice — focused, cold.
Lucian's hands tightened on the railing, grin subdued but eyes blazing. He's breaking apart, but he won't yield. That's my Ghost.
The courtyard held its breath, each clash echoing like a drumbeat.
Then — Li Cheng feinted high, swept low, blade aimed at Joshua's leg.
Joshua pivoted, too slow. Wood skimmed his thigh — pain flared.
Gasps erupted.
"He's hit—!"
Joshua staggered half a step, blood welling faintly through cloth. But his grip tightened, blade steady.
His eyes sharpened. No more waiting. End it now.
Li Cheng pressed, sensing weakness. His blade slashed for Joshua's shoulder.
Joshua didn't block head-on. He dropped his guard slightly, letting the strike push him down — then shifted weight to his back foot.
The wooden swords screeched, momentum carrying Li Cheng forward a hair too far.
At that instant, Joshua's blade twisted, hooking his opponent's and pulling — a soft redirection.
Li Cheng's stance wavered.
Joshua stepped in. His blade snapped upward, pressing firmly against Li Cheng's throat.
Silence fell like a blade over the courtyard.
Even the wind paused.
Li Cheng froze, eyes wide.
The instructor's voice rang out, clear and final. "Match—Mo Xuanyu!"
The courtyard erupted like a storm.
"He won—!"
"Against an inner sect powerhouse—!"
"Impossible… absolutely impossible!"
Elders murmured low and sharp.
"He sees rhythm as though he's lived lifetimes of battle."
"His body is weak, but his mind… his judgment…"
"This boy must not be ignored."
On the platform, Joshua's chest rose and fell faintly, blade lowering. His expression remained flat and cold. But deep in his chest, a faint warmth pulsed.
[Ding!]
[Task complete: Mo Xuanyu's wish fulfilled.]
[Reward: Soul Fragment (major). +1 Passive Skill: Flow Control.]
Joshua exhaled once, long and quiet.
Li Cheng straightened, lowering his blade. Slowly, he bowed. "You earned this victory."
Joshua inclined his head in return, bowing as well. "…Good fight."
The crowd stilled at the sight — two fighters bowing with equal respect.
The stillness shattered when Lucian leapt onto the platform in one bound.
He landed beside Joshua, golden eyes blazing, grin wide enough to shame the sun. Without hesitation, he wrapped Joshua into a tight embrace, arms crushing around his thin frame.
"You did it!" Lucian's voice rang, bright and unrestrained. "My Ghost, cold killer of reputations! I'm so damn proud of you!"
The crowd gasped, laughter bursting in disbelief.
Joshua froze. His hand twitched against Lucian's arm, as if to push him away — but he didn't. He stood still, stiff, breath caught against Lucian's shoulder.
His dark eyes flickered, unreadable. Hesitation lingered in the taut line of his jaw.
But in the end… he didn't move.
He didn't hug him back either.
Lucian laughed louder, not caring. "Doesn't matter. You let me. That's enough."
The disciples below whispered furiously.
"Senior Brother Lucian hugging him?!"
"Mo Xuanyu didn't even shove him off—!"
"What is happening today?!"
Joshua's gaze slid away, expression cold. "…Ridiculous."
But his hand, curled against his side, trembled faintly.