Silence hung in the air for a moment. The eyes of the curious crowd glimmered with the anticipation of an exciting duel. Yue stared at Kong with determination, but she also knew that her enemy could not be underestimated.

She studied the Earth cultivator's physique as he approached. He was three times her height and easily weighed over ten sacks of rice. The arrogant smile on the Rat Sect disciple’s face didn’t intimidate her.

"You think you can take me on, little girl? I'll teach you to respect your elders!"

[Wild Bull Charge]

He charged, the ground shaking under his feet. It was as if the earth itself was pushing him forward. He marched towards Yue like an enraged bull.

But that didn’t intimidate her.

[Celestial Breeze Steps]

Yue moved as swiftly as a leaf carried by the wind. A yellowish energy swirled around her body.

[Light Feet]

Tiny ethereal feathers appeared around her feet.

Using more than one technique at once was a rare skill that required immense talent, but that was something she didn’t lack.

She leaped to the side, escaping Kong’s attack with fluid movements. Her feet barely touched the ground as she circled him.

Kong spun his bulky body, trying to keep up with Yue’s agile movements. He swung his *guitoudao* with brutality, but the strike only sliced through the air—Yue was already gone.

"Stop running!" he snarled, frustration growing. He charged again, this time with more precision, his weapon cutting the air in a wide arc.

Yue flipped over the blade with an acrobatic move, her light body, enhanced by wind magic, seemingly defying gravity. She landed gracefully behind Kong, a faint breeze swirling around her.

'Now!' Yue thought, seizing the opening. She lunged with a quick strike, her sword light as a feather, gliding across Kong’s exposed flank. The blade’s impact against his tough skin was followed by a soft crack, like slicing something hard.

"Is that all you’ve got?" he laughed, barely bothered by the shallow cut. "You’ll have to do better than that, little girl."

[Thunderous Strike of Minus]

His blade swung close to her, and when the saber hit the ground, the yellow stones of the city were sliced like butter.

Yue took a deep breath. ‘That was close,’ she thought, relieved.

[Winged Slash]

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Yellow energy particles enveloped her sword, and with a quick move, she made a small cut on his forearm.

Gritting his teeth, Kong began stomping the ground forcefully.

[Trembling Quakes]

Orange essence poured out of his body and spread across the ground, making the earth tremble like during an earthquake.

Yue lost her balance for a brief moment.

Kong's eyes gleamed, and he rushed toward her, unwilling to miss this chance.

Yue's blood ran cold. She knew that a single strike from him on her frail body would likely be fatal. She jumped high, leaping over him. When he turned to face her, he saw that her sword was already dangerously close.

[Ten Feathered Slash]

Yue's sword lunged toward Kong’s belly, accompanied by nine illusory air blades.

[Primal Retreat]

Using a large amount of essence in his legs, Kong managed to retreat, but he still felt small punctures on his abdomen.

A furious scowl appeared on Kong’s face. He began panting, his massive muscles demanding more effort to keep up with the young cultivator. He tried to hit Yue with a series of heavy attacks, his saber slicing through the air with the force of a storm, but she was far too quick.

"You're getting slower," she said with a smirk.

She delivered another strike, this time aiming at Kong’s shoulder. Her blade sliced his flesh, leaving a thin line of blood.

Kong backed off for a moment, feeling the increasing weight of his own movements. He was exhausted. Though the wounds were superficial, they were taking a toll, but the idea of losing to a child drove him mad.

“What are you waiting for? Guian, Jiahen, help me!” he demanded.

The two exchanged a strange look.

“But what about the duel rules?” Jiahen, the younger one, asked.

Kong shot them a look that made it clear their lives would be in danger if they didn’t help.

Seeing this, Guian and Jiahen hesitated no longer and rushed toward Yue.

Or at least, they tried.

Someone stuck a leg out in front of Guian, causing him to fall flat on his face.

“Hey, is your friend crazy? Is he not worried about the humiliation the Rat Sect will face for breaking the rules of a fair duel? Doesn’t that sort of thing get you expelled from your sect?”

Hearing this, Jiahen lowered his face. He quickly stepped back, surprised to see another child standing beside him.

‘What the hell? When did he get here? Is this a ghost?’ He thought, frightened.

A thin body, pale white skin, abnormally black hair, and wearing yellow clothes.

After staring at the figure that had appeared suddenly, he realized it was just a child, not a spirit.

The boy's cold, dark black eyes gazed at him expressionlessly, but for some inexplicable reason, a chill ran through Jiahen’s body. Something unknown within him screamed in terror.

Tristan furrowed his brow, noticing the boy's expression as he backed away. He glanced around, confused as to why the boy seemed so scared.

Guian, still on the ground, spoke:

“Boy, how dare you do this to me?”

The Rat-Mole Sect disciple stood up and straightened his clothes. Guian was a tall and robust man with a thin beard. Looking at Tristan, he said:

“Another Flying Sword disciple? Is that place infested with brats now? You’d better not get involved in this, kid. Mind your own life!”

Tristan’s right eyebrow raised slightly, and his lips curled into a subtle expression of disdain.

“And if I don’t want to?” he replied.

“Then I’ll have to teach you a lesson!” Guian said, raising his hand and moving it toward Tristan’s head.

The boy stood still, not reacting.

This sight brought joy to Guian, who thought the child had panicked.

But Tristan was merely thinking.

‘Should I start trouble with the Rat Sect? I’ve already made enemies with the Southern Carp Body and Spirit Sect disciples, and now I’m once again getting involved in events that could put me in a bad situation with another sect in Zaguhan.’

However, he didn’t have much time to ponder, as a hand strong enough to knock him out—or worse—was coming his way.

‘Oh well, whatever.’

Tristan swung his arm toward Guian's hand.

SLASH

Guian recoiled with a loud scream, and a deep cut appeared on his hand, causing blood to drip onto the ground.

“Looks like Darkness beats Earth.”