BOOOOOOOM!!!
The tempest slamd into Yi Ran with an earth-shattering force.
The section of the Grand Platform beneath her feet erupted into debris, completely obliterated by the impact of Reon’s lightning-infused attack.
Shards of shattered stone spiraled into the air, caught in the lingering storm, swirling like blades within a tornado.
At the center of the rising dust and rubble, Yi Ran’s figure was obscured—her condition unknown, lost within the chaos.
The Low-Tier Grade-5 Protective Formation that surrounded the platform shuddered violently, humming under pressure.
Fine cracks began to spread across its shimring surface, a visible testant to the terrifying force that had just been unleashed.
A stunned silence fell for a heartbeat—then the crowd erupted.
Disciples in the audience rose from their seats, voices trembling with shock.
"I-Is this real?! Did he just do that?!"
"That power... just how strong is he?!"
"W–Wasn’t he supposed to be powerless without his Artifact?!"
"Y-Yeah!! I thought the sa thing!’
"L-Look at the protective barrier—it’s actually cracking!"
"I-Impossible! That barrier was supposed to withstand a full-power strike from a Peak-Stage Golden Core cultivator!"
"Y-Yeah! Even Goddess Yi Ran’s Saber Qi couldn’t break through it!"
"W-Will Goddess Yi Ran be okay after taking that attack head-on?!"
"O-Of course she’ll be fine! She’s not soone who’d fall that easily!"
"Y-Yeah! She’s the Saber Phoenix of our Supre Dao Sect! She’ll definitely be alright... right?"
Above, even the Elders seated in their grand chairs began murmuring among themselves, unable to hide their astonishnt.
"T-That... was an outer disciple’s attack?!"
"Th-That attack is insanely powerful—for an Outer Disciple!"
"Y-Yeah! I can’t believe soone from the Outer Sect has reached this level of strength!"
"Exactly! That’s the kind of power you’d expect from soone ranked in the top hundred of the Inner Sect!"
"He’s a monster—and so is she. Once they join the Inner Sect... they’ll shake the entire power balance."
"Monsters, both of them..."
Amidst the wave of confusion and whispers, a rough, hearty laugh echoed out.
"Hahaha! Xue Taiyang... You’ve even surpassed the expectations I had for you!"
It was Elder Qin Shi, his eyes gleaming with pride and amusent.
He cast a sidelong glance toward a few Elders who sat silent and grim-faced.
"Tch... So people really are quite ignorant. Not only do they fail to recognize the might of Imperial Lightning, they don’t even acknowledge the one who wields it."
His voice was calm, but each word carried the sting of sarcasm—clearly aid at those who had mocked Reon earlier.
A few Elders clenched their jaws.
"Tch..."
"How boring..."
’Damn it! That smug bastard is mocking us again!’
’Humiliated... by a re useless outer disciple! I’ve never been so insulted in my life!’ Elder Shing Li seethed in silence, his face contorted with rage and disbelief.
Their pride had been shattered.
...
On the Grand Platform, Reon stood several ters away from the blast zone, having retreated slightly to avoid the shockwave of his own attack.
Though he appeared calm on the surface, a storm of surprise churned within his heart.
’This power... it completely eclipses what I unleashed against Xiao Yan! It’s even stronger than I imagined!’
His gaze fell to the dagger in his hand, still humming with residual Imperial Lightning Qi.
’So this little dagger amplified the technique even more than I anticipated...’
—Suddenly—
Ding!
A familiar chi echoed in his mind as a series of translucent system panels flickered to life before his eyes.
[The Host has created a new form of technique derived from the Nine Yang Sword Technique.]
[Usable with any blade and any Elental Energy.]
[Host, please na the technique.]
Reon blinked.
’Huh? I was just experinting—using a dagger and channeling Lightning Qi through it. I didn’t think I’d actually create sothing new... and so effective!’
He tapped a finger against his chin thoughtfully.
’A fitting na, huh... how about Swirling Elental Tempest?’
[The Host has nad the technique: Swirling Elental Tempest.]
[Technique Grade: Evaluated to be comparable to a Peak-Tier Epic Grade Technique.]
[Note: The technique’s power will scale with higher realms of Elental Manifestation.]
A faint smile tugged at the corner of Reon’s lips.
’Heh... not bad. Not bad at all.’
’Not only did I create a new technique, but it’s even stronger than the Nine Yang Sword Technique it evolved from.’
But the system wasn’t finished.
[Host’s comprehension in Weapon Cultivation has increased significantly.]
[Congratulations! Host has reached Pinnacle-Stage of Aura Expansion.]
[Sword Mastery Level: Upgraded from Proficient-Level to Advanced-Level Sword Adept.]
Reon nodded slowly.
’As expected. My understanding of weapon-based cultivation improved imnsely during that clash.’
But then—
[The Host’s understanding of Weapon Cultivation has deepened considerably, allowing him to comprehend Sword Qi.]
[Congratulations! Host has entered the Awakening-Stage of Sword Qi.]
[Sword Mastery Level: Upgraded from Advanced-Level Sword Adept to Novice-Level Sword Elite.]
Reon’s eyes widened in disbelief.
’Damn...!’
’Sword Qi?! That was completely unexpected!’
But his grin only grew wider.
’Sword Qi... it’s on a completely different level from Sword Aura.’
’It’s the refined essence ford from compressing Sword Aura— which itself is refined from Spiritual Energy... aning Sword Qi is far sharper, purer, and deadlier.’
’Even a massive mountain could be cleaved like tofu under the blade of one who’s mastered it.’
’While it’s not as strong as Elental Qi when not fully mastered... in the hands of a skilled cultivator, it’s still a terrifying force.’
’They say that out of ten thousand gifted Weapon Cultivators, maybe a hundred can awaken Sword Aura...’
’But only ten will ever touch Sword Qi in their lives.’
’And I... awakened it in the middle of a battle with Yi Ran...?’
He exhaled sharply.
’...Unbelievable.’
Then...
Whoooosh!
As the swirling dust slowly faded, the battlefield was laid bare for all to see—a massive crater had torn open the Grand Platform, proof of the devastating might of the last exchange.
At its center stood Yi Ran.
Her body trembled slightly, blood trickling down her flawless face, from her brow, the corners of her lips, her delicate hands, and her smooth, pale legs.
Her once-immaculate robe was torn in several places, revealing glimpses of her lithe, graceful figure beneath.
And yet—she stood.
Reon’s gaze locked onto her from afar, eyes narrowed in silent awe.
’Incredible... Yi Ran, you truly are sothing else. Even after taking my strongest attack, you’re still standing,’ he mused inwardly.
The crowd erupted—but not with admiration for her tenacity.
Mostly, it was the boys who lost their minds.
"Kyah~ Goddess Yi Ran took that head-on! She’s still standing! She’s the best!"
"Who cares about the battle?! Look—Goddess Yi Ran’s bare skin is showing!"
"Aaahhh! I saw it—I really saw her belly! I can die fulfilled now!"
"Kyaa~ Those long, flawless legs of Goddess Yi Ran... Oh heavens, take now! I’ve no more reason to stay in this mortal realm!"
"Ahhh! I want to rest my head beneath those divine, shapely thighs!"
"Let lick the blood from her legs—it would be the sweetest nectar in existence!"
"Oh, my Goddess! Please... step on with those elegant, slender legs of yours!"
Reon’s eyes swept over the crowd with a look of disgust.
’These are her so-called admirers? She’s bleeding and battered, and all they care about is glimpsing her body...’
’How Utterly Disgusting!’
anwhile, Yi Ran ignored the vulgar voices completely.
Her sharp, focused eyes remained locked on Reon.
’Damn it... I used the full strength of my Physique and still barely survived that attack!’
Her legs trembled uncontrollably beneath her.
’If he hits with one more strike of that caliber... I’ll be bedridden for a month!’
And then—
Thud!
Her knees buckled. She collapsed.
’Shit...’
But it wasn’t just pain that clouded her heart.
’It’s not that I hate him for being stronger than , or for overwhelming without even relying on his artifact—although that is infuriating!’
’No... what truly drives mad is not him—but myself. Because with every blow he lands, every ti he crushes down... I feel sothing else stirring inside .’
’Not fear. Not anger. But... pleasure? Satisfaction?’
’But... I still want to get back at him—for the humiliation I suffered that day!’
’Augh! Fuck! I don’t know anymore! What the hell is really wrong with ...?!’
As she lay there, eyes blazing and heart pounding in confusion and denial, Reon approached her with calm, unhurried steps.
His expression was unreadable—detached, composed. Almost... pitying.
Whoosh!
Reon silently draped his own robe over her trembling shoulders.
Yi Ran’s eyes widened in surprise, her breath catching for a mont.
’Why...? Why is he helping ?’ she thought, stunned. ’After everything—I tried to humiliate him in front of everyone...’
Reon spoke calmly, his gaze unwavering.
"Yi Ran, you shouldn’t let yourself be chained to the past. I defeated you once, and yes—you were humiliated, forced to apologize before everyone."
"But you were at fault too back then!"
He paused for a mont before continuing.
"And now... you want to defeat just to return the humiliation?"
Reon turned away, clasping his hands behind his back.
"Rember this—We were never enemies... only opponents."
His voice was quiet, yet it struck like thunder.
"If your only goal is to sha in return, then you’ll never surpass —not in this lifeti."
"You must temper your heart before you sharpen your saber."
A faint smirk tugged at his lips as he walked away.
’Heh... with those words, she’ll never seek revenge again.’
But to his surprise—
Yi Ran felt a jolt within her chest, as if sothing inside her had shifted.
’W-What was that...?!’
She lowered her gaze, a flicker of realization dawning on her.
’I really... was just obsessed with getting back at him for our previous duel. I never even realized how clouded my thoughts had beco...’
’I was truly a fool... for thinking that way.’
A faint smile blood across Yi Ran’s bruised face.
’Xue Taiyang... you’re far more than I ever imagined you to be.’
Ding!
A crisp system notification echoed in his mind.
[Yi Ran’s Favorability toward Host has increased by 20.]
’H-Huh?!’
Reon blinked in surprise, stunned by the unexpected system notification.
But just then—
A loud voice bood from behind.
"Xue Taiyang! From now on—you’ll be my manservant!"
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