Xu Wang’s Desperate Struggle

  Xu Wang's body ached in pces he didn’t even know could hurt. Blood dripped from his split lips, his vision blurred, and his breath came in ragged gasps. He was on his knees before Master Yu, who towered over him like an immovable mountain. The stone floor beneath him was slick with his own blood.

  Master Yu folded his arms, disappointment flickering in his aged eyes. "Still standing, are you? You’ve got a spine, I’ll give you that." He exhaled sharply and shook his head. "But it’s not enough."

  With a surge of Mudhara Qi, a deep crimson aura erupted around his legs. The sheer force of it caused the ground to crack beneath him. Before Xu Wang could react, Master Yu vanished, his body propelled forward by an explosive burst of Qi.

  Xu Wang braced for another impact, but instead of striking him, Master Yu leapt into the air, kicking off the ground with a force that sent dust and debris flying. Within seconds, he was gone, leaving only a fading red afterimage in his wake.

  Xu Wang colpsed onto the ground, struggling to stay conscious. His head spun as darkness threatened to consume him.

  "Dammit…" he whispered, his voice barely audible.

  Somewhere deep inside, his Ajna Qi stirred—but it was weak, unfocused. He needed more power, more control. But right now, his priority was survival.

  He clenched his fists. Wang Li… Mei Ling… I hope you’re coming soon.

  ---

  The Race to the Yang Cn

  Wang Li and Mei Ling sprinted through the streets of Lianhua, their hearts pounding. The towering estate of the Yang Cn loomed in the distance, its high walls casting long shadows under the moonlight.

  Wang Li gritted her teeth. "Xu… just hold on!"

  Mei Ling was just as determined. She had seen how powerful Master Yu was—if they didn’t act fast, Xu Wang might not survive whatever torment he was going through.

  As they neared the main gate, two Yang Cn guards in crimson armor stepped forward, blocking their path.

  "Halt! State your business!" one of them barked, gripping the hilt of his curved sword.

  Wang Li took a deep breath. "Please, let us enter. Our friend was kidnapped by an old man, and he told us that if we wanted to find him, we had to come here!"

  The second guard narrowed his eyes. "How do we know you’re telling the truth?"

  Mei Ling quickly reached into her dress, searching for the jade ring Master Yu had given them.

  But her fingers found nothing.

  Her face paled. "It’s… it’s gone. The ring! I must have dropped it when we were chasing him!"

  Wang Li’s expression darkened. "We don’t have time for this! Just trust us! Let us through!" She tried to push past them, but one of the guards shoved her back, making her stumble.

  The first guard sneered. "That old man? You mean Yang Shen, father of our cn leader, Yang Wei? You’re messing with the wrong family."

  Mei Ling’s stomach dropped. Master Yu’s real name is Yang Shen? That means Xu Wang was taken by one of the most powerful figures in the Yang Cn!

  The second guard smirked as his gaze lingered on Wang Li and Mei Ling. "Maybe you should forget about that man. Look at us—both single, and you two are quite beautiful. Why waste your time?"

  Wang Li’s eyes bzed with fury. "Watch your tongue. I only belong to Xu Wang!"

  The first guard chuckled. "Is that so? What if I—"

  Before he could finish, his hand shot forward, reaching for Wang Li’s chest.

  A fsh of green light erupted.

  Mei Ling struck with a fist coated in Anahata Qi, her palm glowing with vibrant emerald energy.

  Her punch connected with the guard’s face—sending him flying backward. His body crashed against the stone wall of the gate, leaving cracks in its surface.

  The second guard snarled, drawing his weapon, but Mei Ling was faster. Her other hand surged with green Qi, and she delivered a devastating uppercut, unching him off the ground. He flipped through the air before smming face-first into the dirt, unconscious.

  Wang Li gave Mei Ling a nod of approval, then turned toward the now unguarded gate. "Let’s move!"

  The two women rushed through the entrance, their eyes scanning the vast courtyard of the Yang Cn estate.

  Rows of grand houses lined the inner compound, each adorned with crimson banners dispying the Yang Cn’s insignia—a burning lotus.

  "This pce is massive," Mei Ling muttered. "How are we supposed to find Xu Wang in all of this?"

  Before Wang Li could respond, a powerful aura surged in the distance.

  A voice, sharp and commanding, rang through the courtyard.

  "That’s enough, intruders. You’ve come too far."

  ---

  The Arrival of Yang Rui

  From the far end of the courtyard, a woman approached, fnked by two maids. She was dressed in a flowing royal robe, the crimson silk embroidered with golden patterns. Her presence was imposing, her gaze sharp and unwavering.

  As she stepped forward, a deep red aura surged around her legs, swirling like fmes.

  Mei Ling tensed. "She’s using Mudhara Qi…"

  The woman’s golden eyes narrowed as she examined them. "You’ve assaulted our guards and broken into our cn grounds. Do you realize what that means?"

  Wang Li stood her ground. "We don’t care about your ws. We’re here for Xu Wang."

  The woman tilted her head slightly, a faint smirk forming. "How bold." She crossed her arms. "You two must be the women traveling with that boy. No wonder my father took an interest in him."

  Mei Ling’s hands ignited with green aura. "If you know where he is, tell us now."

  The woman’s smirk faded, repced by cold amusement. "And what if I don’t?"

  Mei Ling dashed forward, her emerald Qi fring. She threw a powerful palm strike, aiming for the woman’s chest.

  But just as her attack was about to nd—

  BANG!

  The woman lifted her leg, her Mudhara Qi surging, and blocked Mei Ling’s attack with a single kick.

  The sheer force of the impact sent a shockwave through the courtyard. The ground beneath them cracked, and a gust of wind swept outward.

  Mei Ling’s eyes widened in shock.

  She blocked it? With just her leg?!

  The woman’s smirk returned, her golden eyes fshing with confidence. "I hope you didn’t think this would be easy."

  Wang Li clenched her fists as Mei Ling pushed against the woman’s leg, their Qi colliding in a battle of raw energy.

  Xu Wang was somewhere in this estate, possibly dying.

  And now, Mei Ling was locked in combat with a formidable Mudhara Qi user.

  Wang Li had no choice.

  "I’ll find Xu!" she shouted before breaking into a sprint, vanishing into the maze of buildings.

  Mei Ling gritted her teeth. "Fine. I’ll handle you."

  The woman’s leg pulsed with Mudhara Qi, and she smiled. "Come, then. Let’s see what Anahata can do."

  To be continued…...