Xue Qinghe sat there quietly, trying to keep himself calm under the watchful eyes of everyone around him. His gaze kept drifting over to Luochen, who lounged comfortably like he owned the place, his whole posture oozing a relaxed confidence. Somehow, that just made Qinghe feel even more awkward, like he didn't belong among these people who all seemed sharper and far stronger than him.
Then Luochen's eyes slid over to him, and a faint smirk crossed his lips."Alright," he said lazily, standing up. "No need to drag this out. Let's see what you're really capable of."
Felicia stretched her arms, her joints popping lightly, then walked over to Qinghe. Her eyes sparkled with something close to amusement — almost hungry, like she was eager to tear him down just to see if he'd survive.
"Come on," she said, placing a hand on his shoulder and guiding him forward. Even though her grip was casual, he could feel the heat and terrifying strength behind it. He nearly flinched, but managed to keep his face steady and simply nodded.
They left the cozy inn behind, stepping into the cool night air. Moving through the dim streets, they finally reached a broad, open space on the edge of the city. It was an old training ground, almost like a ruined arena, its stone stands cracked and overgrown, though the center was still clear and hard-packed from old battles.
"This place will do," Luochen said simply.
Felicia stepped forward, cracking her knuckles. A moment later, her martial spirit appeared behind her — the Black Divine Lion of Annihilation, its mane a swirling storm of dark flames and ominous shadow. The very air seemed to hum with deadly power, tiny black sparks drifting off to burn holes in the stray grass.
Qinghe felt the blood drain from his face. Even though he had tried to brace himself, seeing Felicia's martial spirit up close was something else entirely. The crushing aura weighed on his shoulders so heavily he had to clench his fists to stop them from shaking.
Felicia's red eyes narrowed on him."You're level 30 — pretty normal for your age. But with that frail body of yours, you'll never reach your potential without pain. A lot of it."
She raised her hand, and the giant lion behind her mimicked the motion, jaws opening in a silent roar.
"So here's how this works: I'll be your wall. You'll keep throwing yourself at me until you either break or become strong enough to stand. If you fail… well, the ground will gladly drink your blood."
Qinghe swallowed hard, then lifted his chin and stood a little straighter.
As his Holy Imperial Phoenix spread its wings, glowing silver-white feathers tipped with faint gold, something powerful and majestic filled the space. It wasn't wild or savage like Felicia's lion, but grand and steady, like standing before a sacred palace. The crushing darkness from Felicia's spirit still pressed down on him, but now there was a layer of gentle, regal power around him that softened it — a protective halo of light.
Under that holy glow, Qinghe stood tall, his eyes steady and hands flexing, ready to push forward. Felicia's oppressive aura still weighed on him, but instead of crushing him, it seemed to forge his resolve even sharper.
Felicia's crimson eyes glittered, and a wide grin spread across her face."Oh? Not falling apart anymore? Good. That means we can get serious."
The shadows of her lion flared, flames twisting with dark power. Across from it, Qinghe's phoenix shone even brighter, its feathers crackling with faint golden arcs. The collision of their auras made the ground tremble, sending grass and dust swirling up around them.
Qinghe lifted his head proudly, his voice calm and firm."I'm ready."
Felicia nodded, her usual playful cruelty fading into something more focused — a rare, sharp approval."Then let's really begin."
They both burst forward — Qinghe a streak of blazing holy gold, Felicia a rush of dark, abyssal fire. When they collided, the impact sent out a shockwave that flattened the grass for meters around.
Off to the side, the others watched closely.
"Wow… it's like two totally opposite worlds smashing into each other," Xiao Tian whispered, eyes wide as the blast ruffled his hair.
Mo Luochen stood there calmly with his arms crossed, while Renxue leaned a bit closer to him. Zhu Zhuqing also watched intently, her sharp gaze never leaving the clash.
"What a shame," Renxue said quietly. "If he'd trained from a young age, maybe he'd give Sister Xue some trouble. But as he is now, he's nowhere close."
Luochen let out a faint laugh."Even with years more practice, Xue — Felicia — would still win. Her element is annihilation itself. Qinghe's phoenix holds holy light and imperial majesty. Strong, yes, but when it comes to sheer destruction, he's far behind."
At that moment Felicia's lion roared, sending out a wave of dark flames that forced Qinghe to brace himself, his wings flaring out in golden arcs. His face hardened, refusing to step back.
"Still…" Luochen added, his eyes glinting with interest, "he's growing. Faster than I thought."
Felicia's eyes sparkled with cold excitement as her aura rose. Behind her, the towering black lion covered in flames and shadow opened its jaws wide.
"First spirit skill: Abyssal Flame Rend!"
Dark claws wreathed in black-purple fire formed around Felicia's hands. She vanished, reappearing beside Qinghe in a flash and slashing down hard. The ground split where she struck, black flames creeping along the cracks.
Qinghe's golden eyes lit up. His Holy Light Swan — slightly changed from the grand phoenix, more nimble and precise — let out a sharp cry, power bursting around him.
"First spirit skill: Radiant Ward!"
A glowing shield of holy light snapped up before him, layers of golden runes stacking together to block the flaming claws. Sparks and burning shadows scattered everywhere.
Felicia didn't slow down. She spun, her lion spirit howling.
"Second spirit skill: Lion's Abyss Howl!"
A cone of crushing darkness blasted from her mouth — a storm of shadow fire that ripped toward Qinghe like a living creature.
Qinghe's face tightened, his wings of light snapping shut in front of him like a protective barrier.
*******
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