Reon stood off to the side, his eyes glinting with quiet amusement as he watched Yang Lie's confusion unfold before him.
The subtle laugh that tugged at the corners of his lips was carefully concealed, for he knew exactly what was transpiring.
Having read about this moment in the novel, Reon understood what was going on between Yang Lie and Ming Yuen all too well.
There was no fault on Yang Lie's part. He had simply come here today to pick up a high-quality dagger—an essential companion to his sword for added defense.
Yang Lie had already been preparing to enter the Mystic Evergreen Forest for a cultivation breakthrough, unaware that his peaceful errand would soon turn into a battlefield.
As Yang Lie approached the Weaponry Hall, a voice sliced through the air—Ming Yuen had appeared, accusing him of blocking his path.
In the original timeline, Yang Lie had handled Ming Yuen's subordinates effortlessly, dismissing them with ease. But now, things were different.
When Ming Yuen, enraged beyond reason, prepared to attack, Yang Lie had realized that a simple swordfight wouldn't suffice.
Revealing his hidden trump card would be foolish—he wasn't ready to expose everything yet.
Quick-witted, Yang Lie had suggested they settle their differences at the Monthly Dueling Event, a far more prestigious event than the Weekly Dueling, where more disciples would bear witness to their clash.
Ming Yuen, ever the opportunist, saw the chance to boost his reputation before a larger audience.
He agreed, but fate had cruel twist—Ming Yuen was utterly crushed during the Monthly Dueling Event, a spectacle that had shattered his pride.
But now, just as Yang Lie was about to propose the same challenge, Ming Yuen noticed the crowd of disciples gathering around him.
Sensing an opportunity, he decided this was the perfect moment to showcase his newly awakened Sword Aura.
If he could defeat Yang Lie in front of so many witnesses, his reputation would skyrocket—far more than if he waited for the Monthly Event, where there was no guarantee he'd even get the chance to face him.
This was the moment he had been waiting for, the perfect opportunity to solidify his status.
"Yang Lie, be prepared!" Ming Yuen's voice was filled with a chilling confidence, the air thick with the promise of violence.
Yang Lie's face hardened, but his mind raced.
"Wait, let's settle this at the Monthly Dueling Event. There will be more witnesses, a grander stage," he urged, hoping to buy more time.
But his words fell on deaf ears, their weight as futile as the air around him.
"Damn it! Why did he have to go and get so worked up?" Yang Lie cursed inwardly, frustration flaring.
"I provoked him, thinking I had a whole month before the Monthly Dueling Event to grow stronger in the Mystic Evergreen Forest.
How did things escalate so quickly?
And how did such a massive crowd gather in such a short time?
Do I really have to use my two-minute Low Stage Foundation Establishment Realm experience card from the System's Novice Gift now?"
Ming Yuen's eyes flashed with an ominous gleam as he activated his Awakening-Stage Sword Aura, the energy surrounding him surging violently, casting ripples in the air.
His sword pulsed with a sky-blue glow, humming with immense power as spiritual Qi poured into it.
The air around him rippled, and a sharp pressure filled the area, forcing the surrounding disciples to instinctively take a step back.
Slash.
With a swift motion, Ming Yuen swung his sword, and a brilliant arc of energy shot forward, straight toward Yang Lie, carrying the full force of his awakened Sword Aura.
The ground trembled as the attack tore through the air, aiming to overwhelm Yang Lie in a single strike.
Yang Lie's eyes widened as he saw the power behind Ming Yuen's attack. He quickly raised his sword, channeling all his Spiritual Qi into a desperate block.
His weapon clashed against the incoming arc of Sword Aura, but the sheer force behind it was too overwhelming.
His arms shook violently, his footing faltered, and cracks spread beneath his feet as the ground buckled from the impact. Despite his best efforts, Yang Lie could feel his defenses crumbling.
The sword in his hand trembled as the energy from Ming Yuen's strike broke through, sending a shockwave through his entire body, and forcing him back several steps.
"I didn't even use the full force of my Sword Aura, and you couldn't even block that properly," Ming Yuen said, his tone laced with mockery.
He swiftly closed the distance, his movements a blur as he appeared behind Yang Lie.
"Whatever," Reon retorted, a fire in his eyes, "Take this!"
As Yang Lie struggled to regain his balance, a chilling sense of danger crept up his spine.
He barely had time to react before a sword strike descended from behind, its cold edge already upon him.
Realizing he couldn't block it in time, he desperately shifted his body, dodging the attack by mere inches.
Although he avoided a direct hit, the blade still grazed his cheek, leaving a sharp sting and a thin trail of blood.
He quickly distanced himself, retreating several steps, his breath uneven as he assessed the situation.
"Damn it! Do I really have no choice but to use that now?" Yang Lie thought, frustration building inside him.
"I was saving it for a stronger opponent, but if I don't use it now, I'll be beaten to death!" The urgency of the situation gnawed at him, forcing him to reconsider his strategy.
He quickly opened his Inventory and activated the two-minute Low Stage Foundation Establishment Realm experience card.
As the card activated, energy surged from the surrounding atmosphere, swirling around him like a tempest.
Yang Lie felt a warm, invigorating current envelop his body, filling him with a surge of power that coursed through his veins.
His muscles tightened, and his senses sharpened as if he were awakening from a deep slumber.
In that moment, he transformed into a conduit of spiritual energy, his strength amplifying as he prepared to face Ming Yuen's relentless onslaught.
"I need to finish this fight quickly before the two minutes are up," Yang Lie thought, urgency fueling his determination.