The air trembled with the lingering echoes of battle. The courtyard, once pristine, was now a battlefield of shattered stone and scorched earth. The moon cast a pale glow over the wreckage, illuminating the figures of two warriors who stood opposite each other, their bodies battered, their breaths ragged.
Mei Ling and Yang Rui had fought relentlessly, and now both were covered in bruises, cuts, and blood. Their Qi auras flickered—Mei Ling’s Anahata Qi glowing a dim emerald, while Yang Rui’s Mudhara Qi crackled like molten va, deep crimson and unwavering.
The once-silent onlookers of the Yang Cn watched in awe and unease. No one dared to interfere in the csh between two formidable warriors.
Mei Ling wiped the blood trickling from the corner of her mouth, her fingers trembling from exhaustion. Every muscle in her body ached, but she refused to show weakness. She had come too far, fought too hard.
Opposite her, Yang Rui exhaled deeply, rolling her shoulders. Blood dripped from a cut on her brow, but she remained composed. "You’re still standing? Impressive. But you’re pushing your luck."
Mei Ling narrowed her eyes. "I don’t care about luck. I care about Xu Wang."
Yang Rui’s smirk deepened. "Then let’s see if your love for him can keep you on your feet."
Mei Ling inhaled sharply, summoning the st reserves of her strength. Her Anahata Qi surged, wrapping around her like a roaring storm. The faint image of a lotus bloomed behind her, its petals swirling with radiant green light.
With a burst of speed, she unched herself into the air, twisting her body mid-flight as she gathered her Qi into a single devastating strike.
"Anahata Lotus Strike!"
The attack roared through the air, the energy expanding outward in a violent surge.
But Yang Rui had been waiting for this moment.
The second Mei Ling was airborne, Yang Rui’s eyes fshed. She pnted her feet firmly, her Mudhara Qi erupting like a volcanic explosion. The ground beneath her cracked as she focused all her energy into her next move.
At the very st second, she dodged.
Mei Ling’s lotus strike hit nothing but air.
Before she could react, Yang Rui struck.
In one swift motion, she pivoted and drove her knee directly into Mei Ling’s back.
CRACK!
The impact sent a shockwave rippling through Mei Ling’s body. Her breath left her in a strangled gasp, her vision fshing white as pain shot down her spine. The force of the blow sent her plummeting toward the earth like a falling star.
She hit the ground with brutal force.
A deep crater formed beneath her body, dust and debris exploding into the air.
Silence fell over the courtyard.
Mei Ling did not move.
Yang Rui nded softly a few feet away, her crimson aura flickering around her. She exhaled, gncing at the fallen warrior. "It’s over."
She turned to leave.
Then—
Something grabbed her leg.
Yang Rui’s entire body tensed. She looked down, eyes narrowing in disbelief.
Mei Ling—unconscious, her face bloodied and her body broken—had somehow managed to wrap her fingers around Yang Rui’s right leg. Her grip was weak, trembling, yet unyielding.
Even in defeat, she refused to let go.
The gathered warriors of the Yang Cn whispered amongst themselves. How was she still conscious enough to move?
Yang Rui’s smirk returned, though this time, there was a flicker of respect in her gaze. "Even now, you still fight for him?"
Mei Ling’s Qi was no longer active, yet her aura still flickered faintly, as if her very soul refused to surrender.
Yang Rui crouched slightly, peering down at her. "You’re a good warrior, Mei Ling. But unfortunately, I don’t give mercy to intruders or criminals."
Without hesitation, she raised her foot, crimson energy crackling around her.
Then—
CRACK!
She stomped down on Mei Ling’s left arm.
A faint, broken gasp slipped from Mei Ling’s lips, but her unconscious body did not flinch. Yet her fingers… still refused to release.
Yang Rui’s expression darkened. "Let go."
CRACK!
A second, harder stomp.
A sickening pop followed. Mei Ling’s shoulder twisted at an unnatural angle, her arm dislocated from the sheer force of the blow.
And finally—her fingers loosened.
Yang Rui yanked her leg free, watching as Mei Ling’s aura flickered one st time before vanishing entirely.
She was done.
Yang Rui sighed, stepping past her fallen opponent. "Now, where is Wang Li?"
She disappeared into the shadows, leaving Mei Ling broken and motionless on the cold, shattered ground.
---
Elsewhere…
The house was silent.
Wang Li moved cautiously, her heart pounding in her chest. The wooden door creaked as she slowly pushed it open, her fingers trembling.
Inside, the dim candlelight flickered against the walls, casting eerie shadows. The scent of dried blood and something acrid filled the air, making her stomach churn.
Her gaze fell upon the figure lying on the futon.
Xu Wang.
Her breath hitched.
He was barely recognizable. His skin was pale, drenched in sweat. His chest rose and fell in shallow, uneven breaths. His arms were limp at his sides, but the worst part—
His legs.
Glowing red cracks ran along them, pulsating like molten veins of agony. His flesh looked burned from within, the eerie red glow casting a haunting light in the room.
Wang Li felt her knees weaken.
"Xu…?" Her voice barely escaped her lips.
His eyes fluttered open for a brief moment, but they were unfocused, dazed. A groan slipped from his lips, the sound so weak, so fragile.
Tears welled up in Wang Li’s eyes, blurring her vision.
What happened to him?
Who did this?
Her fingers trembled as she reached forward, hesitating, afraid to touch him and cause him more pain. Her mind raced, trying to make sense of the horror before her.
Her breathing quickened. Her emotions cshed violently—rage, sorrow, helplessness.
She wanted to scream.
She wanted to tear apart whoever had done this to him.
Then—
A hand cmped down on her shoulder.
Wang Li’s entire body froze.
A voice, cold and unfamiliar, whispered behind her.
"That’s enough."
The world seemed to stop.
A shiver ran down her spine as she slowly turned her head, her heart hammering violently against her ribs.
And then—
Darkness.
---
To Be Continued…...
