As if by old custom, Xinyin guided us through the castle like a river tracing stone, so we could feel the land’s breath.
The courtyards spread wide as fields, lush against the lava mountains outside; inside was green hush, flowers bright as lanterns, the elements balanced like a still pond.
In the rear lay a training ground, fire elements and fire laws churning like a volcano’s heart; even one step closer washed us in scorching breath.
After the stroll, Xinyin told the maids to ready our rooms, like birds preparing a new roost where we’d settle.
By rights it should be two rooms, the plan splitting like a forked path; yet—
“One room’s enough. It’s just me and Emperor, no need to split,” Lixue said, her voice steady as frost under sun.
I could go either way, but sharing felt warmer than a lantern in winter; a lone pillow always sits cold as snow.
“Lixue’s right, one room will do,” I said, wanting company like a fire beside night.
“My apologies, I didn’t think it through,” Xinyin smiled like a crescent moon, then waved. “Prepare the best room.”
“Understood!” The maids bowed like reeds in wind and left, quiet as drifting petals.
We declined help with luggage; better to dress our own nest like weaving our own straw. Everything sat neat inside the space bracelet, stars tucked in a night band.
“Emperor, Lixue, have you had breakfast?” Xinyin asked, her tone light as morning mist.
“Of course, before coming to the Dragon Realm,” I nodded, the memory warm as fresh tea.
“You’ve met the grounds and eaten,” she said, words crisp as a drawn blade. “No delay—let’s head to the training field and fight.”
“Fight Heartvoice? Our gap is huge,” I blurted, the worry fluttering like a sparrow in a storm.
After Wilsar, I knew I was helpless before Law Realm experts, a leaf swirled by a typhoon.
“Relax,” Xinyin said, calm as a lake at dusk. “Meya told me your record three days ago; at your age, you’re rare comets.”
“In the Central Continent, brighter stars still appear,” she warned, her gaze cool as rain, “so don’t grow proud.”
“Together, Emperor and Lixue sit near High Deity, early or mid stage,” she added, voice firm as iron, “so I’ll suppress to High Deity, early stage.”
“Then it’s fair,” Lixue nodded, eyes clear as ice.
“Understood. We accept,” I said, heart beating like a drum before battle.
Aside from cultivation, combat is the whetstone; in the clash you find cracks like hairlines in jade, then mend them.
…
On the training ground, Lixue and I gripped our swords, knuckles pale as frost, ready to spring like coiled springs.
Xinyin reached right and grasped air; fire bloomed like a rising sun, and a crimson blade settled in her hand.
She flicked, and the flames burst like sparks from steel, then vanished like smoke in rain.
“Before we start, no potions or elixirs,” Xinyin said, voice steady as bedrock.
“Why?” I asked, unease pricking like thorns, knowing free sword arts drink stamina like sand drinks rain.
“I know you lasted in the Basiloth Empire thanks to a Supreme Divine Spirit Medicine,” she said, gaze bright as ember. “I need your true edge to guide you.”
“She’s right,” Lixue nodded, cool as moonlight. “Use elixirs only when forced; dependence rots roots like damp soil.”
“I understand,” I breathed, steeling myself like iron in a forge; easy roads pile strength like straw, then burn fast.
“Good, you’re ready,” Xinyin said, her face settling like stone; her aura pressed down like a mountain, fire elements and fire laws boiling like a cauldron.
“Begin!”
Her sword flared without warning, a blade of fire roaring like a comet through dusk.
Lixue and I unleashed our Sword Domains, light and heat interweaving like gold thread through flame.
Golden rays fused with blazing fire; countless blades shaped by Sword Aura floated like stars or stood rooted like pines, the field strange and magnificent.
As Lixue’s attire shifted, the temperature plunged like a winter front; frost layered the ground, and nearby flames froze like trapped fireflies.
“So this is a Sword Wielder’s Sword Domain?” Xinyin murmured, curious as a cat at snow. “Interesting energy.”
She vanished like smoke; searing heat bloomed behind me like a sudden sun, and I turned into a flood of scarlet swordlight.
“Sword Qi Storm.” I gathered Sword Aura, birthing a towering tornado like a dragon of wind; it scattered flame and checked Xinyin’s strike.
We seized the gap and widened the distance, retreating like waves from rock.
“Ice Moon: Wings.” Lixue leapt skyward, claiming the air like a hawk; icy Sword Aura gathered and became crystal wings, stunning as glacier glass.
Gold and red light bathed her, casting bewitching colors like dusk on snow; with Heavenly Snow Dance Burial’s ice-blue gown, she descended like a goddess, breath-stealing.
With wings, her speed spiked like lightning; her strikes flashed so fast Xinyin guarded, her focus split like a blade on two fronts.
Thanks to her, my pressure eased like loosening armor; Lixue really was fierce as winter, but I couldn’t lag.
Using Sword Intent, I slipped past Xinyin’s casual swipe like water around stone, then lunged with all the speed I could wring.
“Ultimate Sword: Blitz!” My blade shot out like a shooting star, sharp as new ice.
Xinyin blocked with ease, a ‘clang’ ringing like struck bell; rebound force hammered me back dozens of meters like a thrown pebble.
My breath thinned and my grip tingled, hands numb as chilled iron from the impact.
“Flame Wind.” Xinyin carved the sky with dozens of flaming Sword Aura arcs, molten lines that melted Lixue’s icy strikes like sun on frost.
Lixue had to weave away at full speed, a swallow dodging arrows through burning air.
“Your power is too soft,” Xinyin called, voice cutting like sleet. “It’s only Divine-tier peak—children trading blows. Show me a sharper edge.”
Her strength sat at High Deity, early stage, yet it loomed like a volcano caged; stronger by far than that Lixin we faced.
