Hundreds of kilometers north of Gao Ling City, the land rose and spread wide into a vast valley crowned by towers of white stone and golden roofs. If Gao Ling was a hill, this was the mountain that cast its shadow — the Blue Wind Imperial City.
Built at the empire's very heart, the city stood as both fortress and symbol — its walls gleaming under the morning sun, its banners bearing the azure sigil of the Blue Wind line. This was the pulse of the weakest empire on the Profound Sky Continent, yet its heart still beat strong.
The streets below bustled with life — merchants shouting over the crowd, carriages rumbling across stone roads, cultivators in bright robes striding with quiet pride. Flying was forbidden within the city walls; even Sky Profound experts walked the ground like ordinary men.
Here, power had its hierarchy. Sky Profound cultivators were treated as nobles, but those at the Peak of the Sky Profound Realm were few — rarer still were those allowed beyond the palace gates.
At the very center of the city stood the Imperial Palace — sprawling halls of white jade, gardens veiled in mist, and golden towers that pierced the clouds. Within those sacred walls, the affairs of the empire were decided under the banner of the Cang family.
Yet the empire's heart was ailing. Whispers drifted through the city — the Emperor's illness deepens,he may not last the season. The people prayed for the kind ruler who had kept their peace, but the court whispered instead of succession. Two princes. Two ambitions. Only one throne.
On the palace veranda, a man stood overlooking the endless roofs and distant horizon. The wind tugged lightly at his golden robe — a robe only a member of the imperial bloodline could wear.
His features were sharp, refined — his fuschia hair glimmering under the sunlight, marking him unmistakably as one of the royal Cang line.
This was Cang Lin, the Crown Prince of the Blue Wind Empire.
His gaze was steady, but his silence carried weight — a man accustomed to waiting for fate to move in his favor.
The soft creak of a door behind him broke that stillness. His trusted attendant stepped into the room, closed the door, and locked it carefully. Cang Lin didn't turn.
"What is it?" he asked, his voice calm — too calm.
The attendant knelt low before speaking. "Your Highness… we have received confirmation from our scouts." He hesitated. "The third prince, Cang Shuo, is dead."
Cang Lin froze. His eyes widened — a flicker of shock, or perhaps disbelief — before composure returned as swiftly as it had left. The attendant, however, caught the fleeting glint of satisfaction that sparked beneath his calm.
"How?" Cang Lin asked, his tone even, his hands clasped behind his back.
"Our scouts report the third prince accompanied the Burning Heaven Clan's young master, Fen Juecheng, to the Wasteland of Death. They sought what they called a treasured cave. We found the corpses of several guards nearby — their bodies desiccated, as if their life force had been drained. The prince's personal guards were all slain."
The attendant bowed lower. "We believe the rest were devoured by demonic beasts or the white-masked creatures that roam that region."
Cang Lin's face went pale. Those guards were no ordinary soldiers—if they'd been slaughtered, whatever struck them had to be devastating."Who could possibly have done this?" he demanded. "Any survivors?"
"One of our informants within the Burning Heaven Clan reports that their young master, Fen Juecheng, survived," the attendant said. "All his Sky Profound attendants returned with him, though his lower-level men were wiped out. They say the prince and Fen Juecheng encountered the Princess herself. Fen pursued her; she rebelled. Her current whereabouts are unknown."
Cang Lin's jaw tightened. "Cang Yue was there?" He felt a flicker of irritation flare into something far more dangerous. "That girl… I let her off as harmless — but now she's caused more trouble than I expected."
The attendant lowered his head. "Reports say she traveled with two companions — a male named Yun Che, and a female cultivator named Retsu. Yun Che emerged from the cave with something… apparently gained from within."
Cang Lin's expression changed. "Yun Che and Retsu?" He remembered the news: two outsiders who'd liberated New Moon City from the Seven Sects. If those were the same people backing his sister, the implications were dire. His scheme to bind the Xiao Clan through marriage, the way he'd counted on Cang Shuo's interference to fail him — everything shifted.
"She's found dangerous backing," he said through clenched teeth. "If she returns with them, she could overthrow the princes. My father may be ill, but he still matters. And Cang Yue knows my plans."
A slow, thin smile spread over his face — the smile of a man whose patience had its limits. "Prepare a contract," he said, voice low. "Put a bounty on their heads. Not on her — on her backers. No witnesses. Use the Dark Guild."
The attendant hesitated. "Your Highness… a contract like that will command a price. Naming the Princess herself would draw consequences—but if it's the backers—"
"Then name whatever price they demand," Cang Lin snapped. "I don't care. If the Dark Guild fails, I'll escalate. If I can't take the throne by other means, I'll take it by force. With Cang Shuo dead, the path is clearer. Remove their support. Burn every lever they might use."
The attendant bowed. "As you command, Sire."
Cang Lin turned back to the window, watching the palace grounds like a hawk. His voice, barely above a whisper, was a promise."If they stand between me and the throne… then they will die. With or without Cang Yue."
=========================
Thunderous cheers filled the arena, echoing off the protective formations as the dust of battle settled.Dracule Mihawk — Hawk Eyes — had won again.
Two of the empire's strongest sects had fallen before him: the Qin Clan of the South and the Heavenly Spear Thunderfire Fortress of the North.Now, the crowd was chanting his title — some in awe, others in disbelief.
Hawk Eyes.
Yun Che smirked beneath the shadow of his hat.Coincidence or not, he liked the name.By the time this selection ended, the entire Blue Wind Empire would know it — the name of the man who stood above every swordsman beneath the Emperor Profound Realm.
And when the dust settled…The world would remember Dracule Mihawk — not Yun Che.
As he stepped off the stage, his sharp eyes caught the heavy gaze directed at him from across the arena.
Sitting among the spectators of the Heavenly Spear Thunderfire Fortress was a man whose aura was anything but calm — his narrowed eyes glowing faintly with restrained power.
Mu Tianbei.
Yun Che's system quietly identified him, and his smile widened faintly.So, this was the man who, in another timeline, would chase him through the secret realm — only to die by Jasmine's hand.But that was then.
This time, he was the hunter.
Mu Tianbei, unaware of the murderous amusement in the swordsman's mind, was deep in thought.To defeat one of his elders so decisively — and to forge his own weapons — such a man could not be allowed to wander free.
If the Heavenly Spear Fortress could claim him, their rise would be inevitable.But how to cage a hawk that refused every perch?
One of his disciples broke the silence. "Sect Master, he defeated both the northern and southern elders without even drawing his sword. Do you think he'll defeat the last one the same way?"
Another shook his head. "Impossible to say. Did you see those Thunderfire parries? He didn't even blink."
"The last opponent's from the Heavenly Sword Villa," a third said quietly. "It'll be a battle of swordsmen. The empire's strongest sect against the man called Hawk Eyes."
"Hah, strongest? I thought the Frozen Cloud Asgard held that title?"
"Maybe. But the Asgard only has one throne and a handful of high-level disciples. The Villa's influence stretches across the entire empire — and they've got ties to the Heavenly Mighty Sword Region."
That name silenced them.
"The Sacred Ground…" someone muttered. "If he wins against them, even the Sacred Grounds will take notice."
"Assuming they don't try to kill him first," another replied. "Rumor says that black sword on his back — the black sword — is at least of Emperor-grade."
"Emperor-grade?!" gasps rippled across the group. "That kind of weapon exists only in the outer empires!"
"If that's true," one whispered, "every eye in this arena is already filled with greed."
Yun Che settled back into his seat, crossing one leg over the other and closing his eyes beneath the shadow of his hat.Keeping up Mihawk's composure was… tiring.
Sure, the persona was cool — cold, collected, untouchable — but damn, it was boring.He'd rather be himself, just for a moment.Still, he let the spectators drown in their own speculation. The more they wondered, the bigger the legend grew.
He smirked slightly.If he ever revealed the truth — that the Black Sword, Yoru, wasn't a Throne or Overlord weapon but a Monarch-grade sword capable of evolving — the entire arena would erupt into chaos.
A weapon that could grow stronger… that could level up.That kind of sword would drive even the Sacred Grounds insane.
And that was precisely why he needed to cement this legend — the Strongest Swordsman in the World.Only with that title could he shield the creations that would soon reshape the continent.
His gaze drifted back toward the woman in black — Li Yue.He tried using the system to scan her, but it denied the command. Facial recognition required.
"Tch. Of course." He exhaled, resting his chin on one hand.
He hadn't actually met anyone from the Frozen Cloud Asgard aside from Qingyue. Even her master he'd barely paid attention to. But that cold profound aura radiating from Li Yue left no doubt.
Frozen Cloud Asgard.
The question was who.There were six other fairies in that sect, and any of them could have risen to this level with the right resources.If Little Fairy had trained one of her sisters using the materials he'd given her… it was entirely possible.
And if the Asgard aimed to secure the Moon Empress's legacy, sending one of their best would make perfect sense.
Still, he thought, Cang Yue's cultivation comes first. The Asgard can wait.
Then, a familiar voice echoed inside his mind.
"Why are you so keen on that woman?"
Yun Che nearly jumped in his seat."Jasmine?! How long have you been there?"
"From the beginning, you idiot."
She sounded calm, almost amused. He could see her in his mind's eye, lounging with Mizu and Kaze curled against her lap, Ryu snoozing around her neck.
"These three are quite the handful," she added softly.
Yun Che chuckled. "You're getting attached to them."
"It's like looking after little sisters," she admitted, then shifted the topic back in a blink. "So. This Li Yue — you think you know her?"
"Maybe." He frowned slightly. "Her aura feels familiar. I've definitely sensed it somewhere before, but I can't place it."
"You didn't memorize her energy?"
Yun Che sighed. "Jasmine, I'm a man, not a walking aura detector."
"Typical. You memorize how to recreate a sword's resonance, but not a woman's spiritual signature."
He sweat-dropped. "You make that sound creepy."
"That's because it is creepy," she said, matter-of-factly.
He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Do you have a grudge against me or something?"
"No grudge. Just facts."
"Right…" He leaned back, muttering, "Remind me why I keep you around again?"
"Because you'd be dead without me."
That shut him up.
After a brief silence, she continued more softly,
"Still… I want to see this legacy for myself. Mortal or not, anything tied to the Moon Empress intrigues me."
He smirked. "Patience, toots. We'll get there soon enough."
"Don't call me that."
He ignored her usual protest, eyes drifting back toward the arena as the announcer began calling the next match.The tension was building again.
The final duel was near.
The following matches passed like ripples on still water — loud, but quickly fading. None could match the spectacle that Hawk Eyes and the Mysterious Fairy Li Yue had burned into the crowd's memory.
The others fought with desperation, pouring everything into their blows.Those two, however, had barely lifted a finger.
Every swing, every glance, carried a calm authority that screamed difference.
So when the final match of the semifinals was announced, the arena fell into a hush of anticipation.
"Fellow guests and cultivators,"the announcer's voice boomed through the air,"we now proceed with the final match of the semi-final round of the Moon Empress's Selection Tournament!Once again, welcome our mysterious fairy — Li Yue!She will face Elder Zhang Yu of the Zhang Clan, one of the great houses of the Blue Wind Empire!"
Cheers erupted the moment Li Yue stepped back onto the stage.Her black robe rippled in the wind, the faint shimmer of a silver-lined sword gleaming beneath.
Her opponent, however, was unlike any she'd faced before.Zhang Yu stood in full armor — polished plates etched with the Zhang Clan's crest — and bore both a shield and sword.A rare sight in this empire, more knight than cultivator.
Yun Che's golden eyes narrowed slightly from the spectator's seat.A sword and a shield, he mused. That's going to be troublesome for her. Defensive-type cultivators are always the hardest to push out.
Zhang Yu cupped his hands politely before assuming his stance."This elder has the honor of crossing blades with the famed Mysterious Fairy Li Yue," he said, his tone steady but respectful."Yet, I too seek entry to the tomb. Forgive me if my blade shows no mercy."
Li Yue mirrored the gesture, her hood dipping low as she drew her sword with one graceful motion."The honor is mine, Elder Zhang.But I will not yield my chance either."
Zhang Yu smiled faintly, then glanced toward Yun Che."If I may admit, I'd rather face you than that swordsman over there," he said dryly.
His comment earned scattered laughter from the crowd.But Yun Che didn't even blink — merely lifted his cup of tea, the light catching the golden hue of his eyes beneath the hat's brim.
That small reaction — or lack thereof — sent a subtle chill through several onlookers.
Li Yue caught the elder's words as well.Without meaning to, her eyes drifted toward Hawk Eyes.
She had been watching him from the very beginning — analyzing every movement, searching for flaws in his form.There were none.
No openings, no wasted motion. Even his stillness feels dangerous, she thought.If she were forced to face him in this tournament — or inside the tomb — she would retreat, not challenge him.
Especially if that black sword were to be drawn.
Back in the arena, she refocused on Zhang Yu.He was steady, cautious, not arrogant like the others.A true veteran.
He'll defend, tire me out, and strike when I slow down, she realized, studying his stance.She couldn't overpower him — not with that armor.
So she would rely on precision.
Her sword gleamed faintly as she began channeling her profound energy — carefully, deliberately.Frost crept through her meridians, disguised by the flow of ordinary energy, but to one pair of eyes in the stands… it was obvious.
Yun Che's Sharingan caught it instantly.The faint swirl of cold essence threading along her arm, coiling into her blade — a familiar signature, faint yet distinct.
Ice profound energy, he thought, lips curling slightly. As I suspected… a disciple of the Frozen Cloud Asgard.
Li Yue's blade trembled once, then steadied as she lunged.Zhang Yu braced himself behind his shield, sparks flying as her strike connected.
Her strength was sharper than before — each blow carrying hidden force, a flash-freeze of power that numbed the air on contact.Bit by bit, she chipped away at his defense, her movements crisp and deliberate.
From the crowd's perspective, it was an even fight.From Yun Che's eyes, it was a lesson in patience — two masters playing a quiet game of timing and endurance.
She's holding back her true style, he realized. But her swordplay… it's elegant, disciplined. Not the Frozen Cloud's usual technique. Someone trained her differently.
He leaned back slightly, his interest piqued.The mystery deepened.
The clash began with a storm of sparks and the dull thud of steel against steel.
Li Yue's strikes were swift and clean, each one sharper than the last — yet every attack was absorbed effortlessly by the elder's gleaming shield.Zhang Yu's form was solid, immovable, his stance anchored like a mountain.
Yun Che's system quietly flickered in his mind.
=============
[Zhang Yu's Armor Set — Spirit Profound Grade][Shield — Reinforced Spirit Profound Grade][Estimated durability: 87%]
=============
Even if it wasn't Monarch-grade, that kind of defensive gear could still become a nightmare for Li Yue — especially that reinforced profound shield.
Zhang Yu blocked another strike with ease, the edge of his mouth curving upward. "Fairy Li Yue," he said with calm confidence, "if you continue this way, you might lose before the real battle even begins. Why not use your profound arts? Perhaps then you can put a dent in my armor."
Li Yue exhaled softly as she retreated a few steps, the impact from his shield still numbing her wrist.He's right, she thought bitterly. I can't break through like this.
Her gaze narrowed, studying him — the way his knees flexed, the heavy drag of his feet each time he swung. The armor gave him protection, yes… but it also slowed him down.
If she couldn't overpower him, she would outmaneuver him.
She dashed forward again, feinting a direct strike. Zhang Yu raised his shield reflexively — exactly as she expected.
"This will not—"
He didn't finish his sentence.Li Yue suddenly kicked off his shield, launching herself above him, twisting midair before landing behind his back. Her blade flashed, striking the exposed joint at his waist — the weakest link between upper and lower armor.
The impact wasn't enough to wound him, but it staggered him off-balance.Zhang Yu stumbled forward with a grunt, barely catching himself before crashing to the ground.
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Up in the VIP seats, Retsu's eyes glimmered as she activated her Eagle Vision."Looks like she found his weakness," she murmured.
Cang Yue turned to her, impressed. "Sister Retsu, you mean she can actually defeat him?"
Retsu nodded once, her tone calm and analytical. "Why can't she? That armor gives him power, but it's also his cage. He has to channel his weight into his legs for stability. The waist is always lighter — it's the only point that allows limited mobility. If she keeps hitting that spot, he'll collapse under his own weight."
"So she's using his defense against him," Mio said, her sharp eyes never leaving the fight.
"Exactly." Retsu smiled faintly. "He's a fortress that can't move. Once she starts circling him, his shield becomes useless."
Mio folded her arms, thinking aloud."If he faced Danna-sama, I think it'd end in one strike. He'd slice that armor apart with a haki-coated dagger or just… blast him with that black sword."
Retsu giggled softly. "He'd probably do both."
Kon perched on Cang Yue's shoulder, tail flicking in amusement. "Sigh. We're not even at the finals and he's already broken the crowd twice over. Imagine when he draws that sword for real."
He glanced down at the roaring spectators below and shook his tiny head."Lucky bastard. Perks of being overpowered, I guess."
Zhang Yu steadied himself, his eyes narrowing."You… You're faster than I thought," he admitted, flexing his gauntleted hand. "But it's not enough to defeat me."
He slammed his fist into the ground, channeling profound energy into it until the air hummed.Boom!
A wave of blazing force erupted outward, engulfing the spot where Li Yue had stood only moments before. The shockwave shattered stone and scattered dust across the arena.
From above, Li Yue hovered mid-air, her robes fluttering as she stared down at the smoking crater.So that's the power of his Sky Profound art, she thought grimly. One hit like that, and I'm finished.
Without hesitation, she dove back through the smoke, blade flashing as she closed the distance. Her strike arced for his throat — fast, clean, decisive.
"Not bad," Zhang Yu muttered, raising his shield just in time. The impact rang out like thunder.
But Li Yue had already vanished from his front, her feet tapping against the edge of his shield before she vaulted behind him again.
"Oh no, you don't!"
Zhang Yu roared and drove his empowered fist into the ground once more. The resulting blast cracked the earth beneath him — but in his fury, he destroyed his own footing. His heavy armor shifted, balance faltering.
Li Yue slid to the side, narrowly avoiding the strike, and spotted her opening. Zhang Yu, desperate, swung his sword in a wide arc, firelight gleaming along the edge.
For an instant, time seemed to slow.
Li Yue inhaled deeply, focusing every ounce of her concentration — and then her figure blurred.
SWOOSH!
To the crowd, she simply vanished, reappearing a heartbeat later at Zhang Yu's flank.
Zhang Yu froze mid-swing, his eyes wide. "That move again… How—?"
He didn't finish the thought. A sharp chill kissed his neck as a thin line of blood trickled down from where her blade had stopped — resting precisely at the crook between his jaw and collar.
Li Yue's voice came quiet and cold."It's over."
For a long moment, the arena fell silent.
Then Zhang Yu let out a rough, self-mocking laugh and dropped both his sword and shield, the metal clattering across the floor."Grr… Sigh… I was too eager to win. I forgot my own weakness." He lowered his head in defeat. "I, Zhang Yu of the Zhang Clan, concede."
The crowd erupted into thunderous applause as Li Yue lowered her sword.Two victories. Two upsets.
She had just defeated Zhang Yu, the elder famed for his impenetrable armor — a man known as the hardest to topple among the participants. His profound arts could shake the arena itself, yet she had danced past them all.
The Zhang Clan, the so-called Knights of the Blue Wind Empire, had fallen.Their reputation for indestructible defense cracked in one precise strike.
It was poetic. Knights always watched each other's backs — but when one stood alone, their defense had a fatal gap. Today, the mysterious fairy had proven it.
In the VIP section, Cang Yue leaned forward, eyes sparkling."Incredible! How did she do that?" she said, unable to hide her excitement. "She avoided that strike before it even reached her! It's not like using haki — she just blurred away. It's… amazing!"
Retsu's gaze sharpened, her usually serene face turning serious.
Kon, perched on her shoulder, tilted his head."Yoo, Nee-san? You okay?"
But Retsu didn't respond right away. Her golden eyes stayed fixed on the woman in the arena.Finally, she whispered, "So… I was right."
"Retsu-chan?" Mio asked, puzzled.
"I noticed it before," Retsu said quietly, "but I thought it was just coincidence. Seeing it again confirms it. I'm sure Yuu-kun noticed too."
Cang Yue blinked, confused. "What do you mean, Retsu-onee-sama?"
Retsu turned her eyes toward the arena again. "That movement — the way she vanished and reappeared. It's one of Yuu-kun's techniques, one he taught me long ago. He called it Table Hopper."
Kon's ears perked up. "Wait, that's his move? The dodge thing?"
Retsu nodded slowly."It's an evasion art. You concentrate every drop of adrenaline and instinct into a single instant — moving at your body's maximum possible speed, just before the attack connects.It doesn't use haki, but it requires flawless focus. One heartbeat too early, or too late… and it fails.
"Her version isn't perfect, but the rhythm, the blur, the timing — I'd know it anywhere."
Cang Yue's eyes widened. "Yun Che taught you that technique?"
"Along with another," Retsu replied softly.
Mio's lips curled into a knowing smile. "Let me guess — that friend of yours, Chu Yuechan, right?"
Retsu took a measured breath, her tone gentle but firm. "Hnn. Yes. Back then, when we first met her, Yuu-kun trained both of us — helping me refine my spiritual cultivation, and teaching her that same evasion technique. She was curious, despite being on bad terms with him at the time. Only the three of us could use Table Hopper. Until now."
Kon's tail twitched. "So that means… Sis Yuechan must've taught someone else!"
Retsu nodded, her expression thoughtful. "That's the only explanation."
Mio folded her arms. "But she'd never share our techniques unless…"
"She trusted that person deeply," Retsu finished for her.
Cang Yue raised her hand slightly, eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Maybe a family member? Or… her disciple?"
Retsu paused, her brows furrowing faintly. "Maybe. But Yuechan never spoke of family. I always thought she was a loner — like I once was."
Her eyes softened, watching the calm figure of Li Yue exiting the arena."I don't know who she is yet," Retsu murmured. "But I'm certain Yuu-kun's already figured it out… or he's close."
=================
With Li Yue's victory, the final sixteen were officially set.Each of them would now battle for one of the eight coveted spots to enter the Moon Empress's tomb.
Yun Che, however, barely spared the others a glance. His focus was fixed solely on his next opponent — the Heavenly Sword Villa's elder.
Then, his gaze drifted to the next pairing list projected above the arena. The name of Li Yue's opponent made him pause.Wu Clan.
A faint, amused smirk crossed his lips.Well, now… that name rings a bell.
"Wu Clan?" he murmured quietly, leaning back in his seat. "So that clan of that crackpot old fool is still breathing, huh? Figures they'd crawl their way into this selection too. Backed by the sacred grounds, no doubt."
He closed his eyes briefly, remembering that blood-soaked day."That old bastard Wu Nie and his precious little grandson… what a pair of degenerates."
Jasmine's voice echoed in his mind, laced with her usual dry amusement."You mean the one you killed using your Bankai? The one who tried to toy with Retsu?"
"Yeah," Yun Che said, his tone flat but laced with quiet venom. "They tried to corner her — wanted to squeeze Hadō #1: Thrust out of her, thinking they could replicate it. The old man's eyes… I can still see that greedy look."
Jasmine chuckled darkly. "I remember. You stabbed him clean through the heart before he could even scream. And his so-called disciples— blown to dust by that gigai of Retsu's."
"Exactly." His eyes narrowed as he gazed at the Wu Clan's representative entering the arena. "And now they crawl back into the light again. Heh. If Li Yue can't handle them…"His tone grew colder, a dangerous gleam in his golden eyes."…then I'll take the mantle of butcher again inside that tomb."
Jasmine sighed softly in his mind. "Hmph, your bloodlust hasn't dulled one bit."
"Only when it's justified."
Her voice turned more serious. "That woman— Li Yue— she's walking a thin line. I can tell she nearly burned out her reserves in that last match. She's holding back her Frozen Cloud Arts, probably afraid of revealing her origin."
Yun Che nodded slightly. "Yeah. I noticed too. The way she used Table Hopper— the strain in her movements, the subtle lag before she stabilized her footing… she's still new to it."
"Exactly," Jasmine replied. "Even with her mastery over ice, she's not used to moving that fast. Her profound strength's nearly drained. One more fight like that, and she'll be running on fumes."
He folded his arms, eyes sharp but thoughtful."That's the problem with first-time users. Table Hopper eats through energy like wildfire if you don't pace yourself. The farther you move, the more your body burns through stamina and mental focus. You need precision — not distance."
"Unlike Retsu," Jasmine noted. "She's mastered it. She can glide through multiple slides without even breathing hard."
"Right," Yun Che said with a faint grin. "Li Yue's version is… raw. But the foundation's there. If she keeps calm, she'll make it through this round."
Jasmine's tone softened slightly. "Still, she won't last long if multiple elders gang up on her in the tomb. One mistake, and she'll be crushed before she knows it."
Her words hung in the air.
Yun Che's gaze lingered on Li Yue's figure across the field — the hooded robe, the faint glimmer of frost emanating from her aura. His thoughts drifted not to the present, but to the echo of a quiet smile from the past.
Little Fairy…
He exhaled quietly. "Then maybe I'll watch her back — for old time's sake."
Jasmine didn't answer, but he could almost feel her faint smirk through their bond."Always the hero, aren't you?"
"Not really," he said softly. "Just… keeping a promise she never asked for."
============
The semifinals finally drew to a close, and the final eight were set.
Excitement rippled through the crowd, but the city lord's voice soon brought it to order.The last round would begin in two hours, giving the remaining contenders time to rest and recover.Behind the arena, private courtyards had been prepared — quiet sanctuaries for meditation, each sealed with profound formations to block noise and prying eyes.
The decision satisfied both sects and spectators. The people would get their long-awaited conclusion before sundown. The city lord, meanwhile, had other plans — a private banquet for the eight finalists later that night. A chance to meet the two mysterious dark horses up close.
Away from the crowd's roar, Li Yue quietly slipped into the restricted zone.Her hooded figure drew countless eyes, but no one dared to follow her beyond the threshold guarded by imperial soldiers.
Inside, the courtyard was serene — birdsong and wind the only sounds that remained. She chose an empty chamber near a small pond and sank cross-legged onto the stone floor, the cool air soothing her exhausted body.
Her breathing slowed. A pale frost gathered faintly around her skin.
Then she pulled a small jade vial from her sleeve and swallowed a recovery pill.As the warmth spread through her meridians, she exhaled slowly.
"Never expected…" she murmured softly, "…that using that move twice would drain me this much. Even with this pill, I doubt I can use it again today."
A calm, masculine voice suddenly broke the silence."If you keep this up," it said, low and composed, "you'll lose before you even realize it."
Her eyes snapped open.
She spun around—
—and froze.
Sitting casually atop the low branch of a nearby tree was a man in black.A long, jet-dark sword rested across his back, its edge gleaming faintly under the light.Those unmistakable golden eyes watched her with the quiet sharpness of a hawk.
Dracule Mihawk.
She hadn't even sensed his presence.
Li Yue rose instantly, her instincts screaming at her to stay cautious. "Dracule Mihawk," she said warily, her hand tightening on her sword. "When did you get here? I thought I was alone."
The man didn't move — he merely leapt lightly from the branch, landing soundlessly before her, hands still tucked in his coat pockets.
"I came here to kill some time," Yun Che said in that smooth, composed tone. "Didn't expect to find one of them here."
Her brows furrowed. "One of… what?"
He studied her quietly for a moment — the stillness in her stance, the faint mist escaping her lips, the chill that clung to her aura. Then he smiled slightly.
"To see a disciple of the Frozen Cloud Asgard here," he said, "is quite unexpected."
Li Yue stiffened. A sharp intake of breath escaped her lips as she instinctively glanced around, scanning the courtyard's boundaries for any hidden presence. No one else was here — not a whisper of spiritual energy besides theirs.
Her eyes returned to him, alert and wary. "You… how did you know?"
Yun Che's gaze didn't waver. "The frost in your meridians. The purity of your profound energy. Even the way you breathe. The Frozen Cloud Asgard has a unique flow — cold, refined, deliberate. You can mask your face, your name… but not your aura."
Li Yue's heart skipped a beat. His words cut too precisely — as though he'd studied her sect's methods before.
The courtyard was silent, broken only by the faint hum of Yun Che's barrier.
He sighed softly, his golden eyes calm."Don't worry. I cast a barrier — no sound, no aura, nothing will leak out. As for how I knew…"He gestured idly at her.
Li Yue froze, her mind racing.He detected it that easily?
Even she had been confident that her disguise was flawless — that no one, not even a Throne Realm expert, could see through it.Yet the man before her had peeled it apart as though reading a book.
Her grip tightened around her sword hilt. "You… How much do you know?"
Yun Che tilted his head slightly. "Enough to know you're not here by accident."
He stepped closer, his shadow stretching long across the courtyard tiles."Tell me something," he said evenly. "Why didn't your sect send anyone? This event draws every major clan and hidden sect across the empire. Even the cautious ones couldn't resist the Moon Empress's inheritance. And yet…" His eyes glinted faintly. "…the Frozen Cloud Asgard sent no one — until you."
Li Yue hissed softly, the air around her chilling a few degrees."Why should I tell you anything? What if you plan to use it — or sell it to others?"
Yun Che chuckled lightly. "I'm not interested in secrets." He leaned against a nearby pillar, utterly relaxed. "If I wanted to expose you, I wouldn't have bothered with a barrier. I'm just… passing time."
Her frown deepened. "Passing time by interrogating me?"
"Indeed," he replied simply. "You're a curious anomaly — that's all."
There was a long silence before she finally exhaled. The cold mist that escaped her lips shimmered faintly under the courtyard light.
"Hmph… very well." Her tone softened, though the wariness never left her eyes. "Even if we wished to, our sect lacks the manpower. Aside from our Asgard Mistress — a Throne Realm cultivator — none of us have reached the Peak Sky Profound Realm until recently. The Frozen Cloud Asgard's strength lies in purity, not numbers."
She paused briefly, her expression unreadable beneath the mask. "I… broke through not long ago. But if the sect discovered it, they would chain me to the mountain — turn me into another tool, another treasure to guard their reputation. So I left. Quietly."
Yun Che studied her quietly, his expression unreadable. "Risky move," he said at last. "You do realize entering that tomb is a one-way entry? Even if you survive, the moment you step out, the other clans will come for you. They'll devour whatever secret you carry."
"I'm aware." Her voice held a trace of quiet defiance. "But so what? The tomb's secret tempts everyone — even you, doesn't it?"
He smiled faintly beneath his hat. "Maybe. But my sword doesn't harm those it isn't meant to. I kill only when I choose to."
Her eyes flickered. "Then why are you here, if not for power?"
He turned slightly, the black coat fluttering in the breeze."I'm not here for myself."
That was all he said before walking toward the courtyard's exit.
Li Yue watched him go, unsure why her chest tightened slightly at those words. His back was straight, his steps unhurried — each one deliberate, unshakable.
Then, as if remembering something, she called out softly, "Dracule Mihawk!"
He stopped but didn't turn.
"You'll be facing the Heavenly Sword Villa next. Their elder is no pushover — a true swordsman, and one of the strongest beneath the four great sects. Consider that… advice from one lone cultivator to another."
For a brief moment, he said nothing. Then—
"Same goes for you," he replied. "I've crossed blades with the Wu Clan before. They'll do anything to win — even unleash what they shouldn't. Don't give them a chance to bite."
With that, his figure blurred — and vanished into the fading sunlight.
Li Yue stood motionless for several heartbeats, staring at the space he'd occupied. The barrier still hummed softly before fading away, leaving only silence.
A faint chill spread around her — this time not from her profound energy, but from the quiet realization that the man she'd just met was far more dangerous, and far more noble, than he appeared.
"Dracule Mihawk…" she murmured softly, fingers brushing her mask. "Just who… are you?"