Kai tilted his head slightly in a gesture of respect, but his expression turned cold and calcuted as his aura began to shift. It was as if the air around him became sharp, filled with a murderous ihat sent chills down even Ah Tao's spine from a distahis was not the aura of a mere guard but of someone who had faced aed mortal enemies.

  Tang Xi immediately felt the weight of this ge. The invisible pressure seemed to engulf the training ground, redug her rea speed. She could barely move a her energy suppressed by nearly 30%.

  'In my previous world, I faced monsters and creatures that inspired terror, but this aura is different… Why? Why do I feel so overwhelmed?'— she thought, raising the Lunar Umbrel, her on and shield, into a defeance.

  Kai advanced without hesitation, his swleaming intensely as he unleashed his teique: "Casg Waterfall Sword." Each strike accumuted energy with every impact, being progressively more devastating. Though he remained cautious not to inflict serious harm, his attack still carried the strength and precision of an experienced practitioner.

  Tang Xi knew evasion was impossible in her current state. Her movements were sluggish, arength seemed diminished. She gripped the Lunar Umbrel tightly, brag herself for the blow, fully aware it might injure her. But instead of fear, determination lit up her eyes. She o test her limits.

  The first strike came down like thunder. At the st moment, the Lunar Umbrel reacted on its own, activating a translut silver shield that deflected part of the force to the ground. Even so, the impact was overwhelming.

  "CRACK!"

  The sound echoed as the grouh her feet fractured. The wind roared violently around her, and a sharp pain surged through her body. Her internal ans trembled, and the metallic taste of blood filled her throat. But before she could colpse, a soft, silver energy began to flow from within her, radiating from every cell and spreading throughout her body. It was almost soothing, healing her internal injuries before the pain could e her entirely.

  The relief was short-lived. The sed strike came like a wave, faster and more precise. This time, the shield absorbed less of the impact, and Tang Xi spat blood as the ground around her fractured further. The sound of breaking stones and g auras rumbled like muffled thunder.

  She fell to her knees, gasping for air, as the dust began to settle around her.— "Miss, are you alright?!" — Ah Tao shouted, running toward her with a pale face, full of .

  Kai, though impressed by her resilience, quickly approached. In his hand, he held a high-grade healing pill, ready to admi if necessary.

  Tang Xi raised her hand, signaling them to stop. Despite her apparent dition, she looked inward and noticed something remarkable: that silver energy tinued w, effitly repairing her internal injuries.'This energy… it must be the lunar energy with healing properties. It's far more powerful than I expected,'— she thought as she felt her strength returning.

  Even so, fatigue lingered. She stood up, wiping the blood from the er of her mouth. Her movements were still slightly sluggish, but her gaze burned with determination.— "I'm fine," — she said, panting but with a faint smile. — "Just exhausted and tired."

  Kai and Ah Tao exged incredulous ghe maid seemed on the verge of tears from relief, while the guard simply nodded, aowledging his dy's determination.

  Tang Xi raised the Lunar Umbrel, gazing at it with satisfa. She leased to know she could rely on it ireme situations. Taking a step forward despite her exhaustion, she spoke firmly:— "Thank you, Kai. You didn't hold back, and that's exactly what I need."

  Her voice was steady, even as she battled fatigue. Kai bowed slightly, showing his respect.— "You are strohan I imagined, Miss. But remember not to push beyond your limits unnecessarily."

  Tang Xi simply smiled, determio tinue her journey regardless of the challenges ahead. They soohe training grounds, heading to a sitting room in one of the courtyards. Ah Tao made a point to assist her.

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  After the interaining, Tang Xi felt the weight of exhaustion in her muscles, and hunger g her. She headed to her quarters to wash up and ge, leaving behind the worn training clothes. The subtle aroma of food being prepared already filled the air, intensifying her hunger.

  Once refreshed, Tang Xi sat at the table, where the meal was already id out. The dishes emanated delicious aromas, and without hesitation, she invited her faithful maid, Ah Tao, and the guard, Kai, to join her.— "e, you both o eat. There's no sense in me enjoying this alone," — she said with a warm smile.

  Ah Tao, ever shy, hesitated for a moment but gave in to her dy's invitation. Kai, maintaining his posed demeanor, nodded slightly before joining them.

  As they ate, the atmosphere eaceful. Tang Xi used the moment to recover her strength and refle the ret battle. When the meal ended, she turned her attention to Kai, her expression now serious.— " Kai, I'd like to hear your opinion about my performance during the fight," — she requested, her tone firm but with genuine curiosity.

  Kai set his utensils aside, straightened his posture, and replied with equal seriousness:— "First and foremost, Miss, your physical cultivation is impressive. It gives you a signifit edge over oppos up to the fourth level, especially sidering your mastery of it. However…"

  He paused briefly, carefully choosing his words before tinuing:— "When it es to aura manipution, there's still mu for improvement. Your ability to alterwees was admirable, but the transitions are not yet seamless. Additionally, you o master specific martial arts and develop your own personalized teiques to maximize your strength."

  Tang Xi nodded, abs every word attentively.

  — "Another important point," — Kai tinued, his tone growing mrave, — "is your rea to my killing aura. Few face it directly. Even when suppressed, you didn't freeze, which is impressive for someo your level. Most fourth-level practitioners would be crushed by an aura like mine, one belonging to a fifth-level in cultivator with tless lives taken in battle. This demonstrates your mental fortitude but also highlights the need for more experien real bat, especially life-or-death situations. Such experiences will harden your mind against these pressures."

  He paused again, gauging Tang Xi's rea before cluding:— "In summary, you need more practice. Your trol, manipution, and cultivation level must be honed further. Engaging in real battles against oppos with diverse styles and power levels will be crucial for yrowth. That said, I am impressed. Uhe right circumstances, I believe you're already capable of defeating—and perhaps even killing—fifth-level practitioners. With lud strategy, you might even escape from sixth-level oppos. But, as you yourself mentiohis would depend on factors like equipment, support pills, and battle ditions."

  Tang Xi tilted her head slightly, a determined smile f on her lips.— "Practice, then. That's what I'm missing," — she murmured to herself before looking up at Kai.— "Thank you for your hoy, Kai. I deeply value your words. I'll do whatever it takes to overe these weaknesses."

  Ah Tao, who had been watg silently, could barely tain her excitement. It was evident that her dy was on the right path to being a formidable cultivator.

  Silence filled the room once more, but this time, it wasn't unfortable. It was a silence den with determination and purpose. Tang Xi knew what o be done and was ready to fay challehat y ahead.

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