The Heavenly Sword Sect’s Realm boasted a breathtaking and diverse ecosystem. Grandiose peaks, often shrouded in ethereal mist during the early morning, defined the realm’s mountainous terrain. Crystal-clear rivers meandered through the sect’s realm. Their waters, infused with chi, fed into the lakes that were so beautiful as to mirror the heavens and teeming with waterfowl and koi fish. Mysterious and intricate caves created a honeycomb system underneath some of the mountains.
Wu Jian was wandering through the forest. He had left Youmei at home. Last he saw of her, she was sleeping on the veranda like a lazy cat.
The towering ancient trees were home to formidable creatures, spiritwood stags sporting massive antlers designed for combat roamed about here and there, and moonlit foxes used their cunning to trap unsuspecting prey. Medicinal herbs and chi-enriched flora sparsely dotted the forest floor. Wu Jian occasionally saw other cultivators gathering herbs. They must have been working for the Heavenly Sword Sect’s alchemists. There were quests by them to bring in medicinal ingredients in exchange for merit points.
The forest was divided into five sections, each of which was ruled over by a powerful magical beast. He was in the north-eastern section. According to the intelligence he gathered, the magical beast was a powerful ape at the apex of the Seeker Realm, meaning he was not someone Wu Jian could beat right now.
In any event, he needed to defeat his stalkers first.
This looks far enough away.
Wu Jian stopped in the middle of a clearing. The towering trees that dominated the forest had receded, creating a circular ring dappled in sunlight. Encircling this clearing were tall trees that formed a canopy. It looked as though they were protecting this area from the outside world. The clearing was not entirely devoid of obstacles, as large, moss-covered boulders were scattered around to provide cover or opportunities for acrobatics. He frowned. They would make it more difficult for him to fight, but perhaps that was for the best. He was here to challenge himself, after all.
“How long are you two going to hide over there?” Wu Jian craned his neck to look at a section of the forest that appeared no different from the rest of it. “Come on out.”
“So you knew we were here? You’ve got some good senses. Perhaps it wasn’t a fluke that you beat Zhang Fengtian.”
Two people emerged from the treeline.
The first one Wu Jian spotted was a striking figure with a lithe and agile build, standing at an average height, but with a presence that exuded an air of grace and arrogance. His features were sharp and angular. He had high cheekbones and a well-defined jawline. His eyes were a brilliant shade of azure, which contrasted with his jet black hair that went down to his shoulders. He wore the martial robe of a Heavenly Sword Sect inner court disciple. The difference was the armband wrapped around his left arm. It had the symbol of the Crimson Swords emblazoned on it.
Next to him was a figure who stood in complete contrast. He possessed a robust and imposing physique, standing tall with a sturdy frame that reflected his dedication to strength and power. His face was chiseled and angular, with a square jaw and a strong nose. Eyes the shade of earth radiated a sense of dominance. He had short black hair and bore a well-groomed beard that complimented his martial demeanor. His clothes were almost identical to the other man’s.
They both already had their weapons out.
“That is quite the aura you’re exuding. I could sense your bloodlust from a li away. It seems you two came here looking for a fight.” Wu Jian turned more fully to face the pair as he summoned Pale Moon, which he let rest on his shoulder. “Did I do something to offend you fine gentlemen?”
The lithe one smiled. “Do not act dumb. I saw you look at our symbols, you know what faction we belong to.”
“We’re here to mess you up. Don’t take it personally,” the big man added.
“Revenge, is it? I understand well the desire for revenge. It’s a noble desire for those seeking justice against someone who wronged them and theirs, though something tells me you don’t particularly care about Zhang Fengtian.”
“That man is a loser. We’re not here because of him. We just need to teach you a lesson for messing with our faction,” the lithe one said. “My name is Bai Qiang. Remember it well, for I’m the one who will put you in your place.”
“Bai Qiang. All right. I’ll remember that. And who are you?” Wu Jian asked.
“Hong Liang,” the man said.
He already knew who they were, of course, thanks to Wu Meiying, but it was important to get introductions. That was common courtesy.
What they were doing now was technically against the rules. Duels were meant to be fought in the arena under the watchful eyes of an elder, but of course, the rules were not always followed. It was fine so long as you didn’t get caught breaking the rules. This was a world where the strong could do as they pleased.
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If a person reported a fellow disciple’s actions, it would be seen as a loss of face for both the person who did the reporting and the one being reported. It would lead to a huge loss in a cultivator’s reputation. The one who had done the reporting would be treated especially horribly among their fellow disciples. People would begin to think you couldn’t take care of your own problems, that you were weak, and that would only result in more bullying.
The only way to solve a problem was to overcome it yourself.
“You already know who I am, but I’ll introduce myself anyway. I’m Jian Wu.”
Bai Qiang smiled, but it was condescending. “You’re pretty relaxed for someone who’s about to get their ass kicked.”
Jian Wu merely cracked his neck. “If you think you have what it takes to defeat me, you’re welcome to try. I’ll be sure to send your bodies back to your leader in one piece.”
Hong Liang growled. “I don’t like your attitude.”
“Oh, yeah? Well, I don’t like your face. Guess that makes us even.”
While Bai Qiang remained calm, Hong Liang looked like he was about to explode. Thee man growled as he gripped his weapon, a colossal greatsword that exuded power and solidity. Its hilt was bound in rich crimson leather. The guard was adorned with elaborate engravings of earth and stone motifs.
Wu Jian raised an eyebrow. The Crimson Swords specialized in quick-draw techniques, so he wondered how this man could belong to them when he used a weapon so ill-suited to their style.
Guess I’ll find out. Here he comes.
Hong Liang’s massive frame belied his speed. The man quickly closed the distance between them in less than a second. He stopped right in front of Wu Jian, hand gripping his sword, feet spread wide. Powerful energy like lightning danced along the sword as he drew it from its sheath. It happened in a split second. Wu Jian barely had time to raise his sword to block.
[Terra Flash]
A loud clang of metal on metal echoed around the clearing as Wu Jian was blown backward by the force of his opponent’s attack. He gritted his teeth as his feet slid across the ground, knees bent, one hand on the hilt and the other on the flat of his blade. What a powerful attack? Wu Jian sadly didn’t have time to admire his opponent’s technique because he sensed movement behind him.
[Rapid Thunderstrike]
Lightning danced along Bai Qiang’s sword as he attacked Wu Jian, who only just managed to swing his sword around in time to block. The attack was nowhere near as powerful as Hong Liang’s, but Wu Jian’s arms shook all the same. It felt like Pale Moon was being struck many times instead of just one. The continuous clang of clashing steel echoed out around him.
[Terra Cleave]
Wu Jian sensed the attack behind him. Hong Liang could not hide his bloodlust as he raised his sword high. With a grimace, Wu Jian timed Bai Qiang’s thrusts and quickly parried with a two-hand blocking technique. As his opponent stumbled, he spun around just as Hong Liang swung his sword down, bringing his blade up at an angle. Loud shrieking echoed around them and sparks flew as Hong Liang’s sword slid off his blade and struck the ground.
Now is my--nope. Nevermind.
Wu Jian prepared to attack, but he sensed Bai Qiang recover and leapt back, putting distance between him and his two opponents.
Both of them had sheathed their weapons once again.
They work really well together. I can tell from how they fight as a unit that they’re used to fighting together. They never get in each other’s way. One of them engages their enemy in combat and locks them in place, while the other attacks when their enemy can’t move. How long have they been working together to get this good?
There was a lull in combat as the two sides assessed each other. Wu Jian had already concluded this fight wouldn’t be easy. He could defeat them handedly if he used the Dao of Space, but that would defeat the purpose of picking a fight. He was here to learn how to use his sword better.
“You’re actually quite something, aren’t you? Not many people can defend against the two of us when we’re serious,” Bai Qiang said, then narrowed his eyes. “But I’m feeling pretty insulated right now. I didn’t see your match with Zhang Fengtian, but I heard you used some pretty esoteric techniques to defeat him, yet I haven’t seen you use anything during our fight right now. Are you underestimating us?”
“I never underestimate an opponent. You two just aren’t good enough to make me use any of my techniques,” Wu Jian said in a mockingly cheerful voice.
His words visibly angered the pair. Even Bai Qiang now looked upset, his face red and lips peeled back into a snarl.
“It seems you really are just a frog stuck in a well. You’re so blind to all but that small sliver of sky you can see that you can’t even notice the difference in our abilities. We definitely need to teach you a lesson.”
Wu Jian made a come hither gesture. “Come on then. Show this arrogant disciple how strong you two are.”
“Gladly.”
Bai Qiang moved into a relaxed, low stance, his blade sheathed, his focus entirely on Wu Jian. He sucked in a deep breath, then was off like a shot. He moved at the speed of lightning, closing the distance, then drawing his blade within a split second. The draw was so fast that all Wu Jian could perceive was a mere flash of azure light.
[Lightning Flash]
With his blade now unsheathed, Bai Qiang executed a vertical slice. He raised his sword overhead and brought it down so fast that it was almost impossible to see. Arcs of lightning followed in the sword’s wake.
Wu Jian had already predicted what sort of attack this would be and raised his sword to block. He didn’t worry about Bai Qiang throwing a feint. It wasn’t part of his sword style. The slender blade struck his massive one in a shower of sparks. Wu Jian bent his knees to help absorb the intense impact. Fortunately, this man wasn’t so strong that he had trouble blocking such an attack.
“You’re good,” Bai Qiang said with a grin. “But it’s all over now.”
Wu Jian didn’t have time to ponder what this man meant.
“You’re wide open!”
A loud shout came from behind him. Hong Liang was closing the distance, his sword already drawn from its sheathe and swinging at him. Time seemed to slow for Wu Jian as he realized how disadvantageous his position was. Both of his arms were raised, his knees were bent, and Bai Qiang was putting pressure on him so he couldn’t move. There didn’t seem to be any way out of this except manipulating space, which he had been specifically trying not to use.
[Terra Cleave]