The forest wind stirred once more, thick with killing intent.
Yue Yunzhao stood at the edge of the woods, silver talisman in hand, spiritual energy flooding into it. Thunder and wind roared across the sky. A crushing pressure descended, vast and overwhelming, like a mountain bearing down.
Xuan Chen and Xiao Chen exchanged a glance. They both understood—this battle could not be avoided.
Yue Yunzhao's voice rang out cold and sharp, his gaze like a blade.
"Hand over the residual essence of the fruit. If you behave, I might let you die quickly. Otherwise… you'll beg for death and find none."
Xiao Chen laughed coldly, his tone as sharp as steel.
"Starseizing Palace's orders might bind your dogs—but they don't bind me."
Yue Yunzhao's eyes darkened, killing intent surging.
"Keep talking. Let's see if you're still so bold once you're lying in the dirt."
As the words fell, his figure flashed forward, footsteps like thunder. The seal in his palm burst into violet light, streaking downward with force.
Xiao Chen launched forward with Heaven's Scar, No Return, his sword striking like lightning, aimed straight at Yue Yunzhao. From Xuan Chen's sleeve flew several talismans, forming a protective star array—ready to support at any moment.
But Yue Yunzhao didn't dodge. He stood firm, seemingly unafraid of Xiao Chen's blade. As the sword closed to within three inches, a sharp clang rang out—metal against metal. Xiao Chen's strike was halted mid-air, unable to advance another inch.
Xuan Chen's eyes narrowed. He stepped forward, preparing to unleash Starbreaker Draw in the opening.
But Yue Yunzhao moved.
His right fist rose, wind roaring like a tidal wave. It was the Starseizing Palace's martial art: Seize the Star, Strike the Moon.
The punch came down like a mountain, aimed straight at Xiao Chen's face.
Xiao Chen leaned back to evade, but caught in the corner of his eye the shockwave trailing behind the blow. A sudden burst of pressure swept across the field, forcing Xuan Chen's expression to shift. He scrambled to change tactics, raising his star array shield just in time.
Boom!
The shockwave exploded. Leaves flew, branches snapped like rain.
Xuan Chen was blasted back several meters. Cracks split the earth beneath his feet. Xiao Chen, too, struggled to stay upright. Before he could catch his breath, Yue Yunzhao's left leg spun in a vicious arc—its force like an axe—and slammed into his back.
Xiao Chen let out a muffled grunt as his body was flung several meters back, crashing into an ancient tree deep within the forest. Leaves scattered wildly, and his blood surged violently.
In just the first exchange, both Xuan Chen and Xiao Chen had suffered setbacks. Yue Yunzhao's strength was no empty reputation.
A faint glow surrounded his body—a protective aura formed from condensed spiritual energy. It could deflect blades and absorb impact, a technique only achievable by those with immense spiritual depth.
Xiao Chen rose, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and glanced toward Xuan Chen. The latter gave a subtle nod, signaling he was unharmed. Their eyes met—and in that instant, a silent understanding passed between them. It was this sudden, unspoken connection that had caused their brief hesitation moments earlier.
Xiao Chen charged forward once more.
Yue Yunzhao sneered.
"A mantis trying to stop a chariot."
Just as he prepared to strike, Xiao Chen shifted sideways. At that moment, three dark shadows flew from Xuan Chen's sleeve behind him. Mistaking them for hidden weapons, Yue Yunzhao dodged instinctively—only to see the shadows pass harmlessly by.
Then—boom! A blast erupted behind him.
Caught off guard, Yue Yunzhao found Xiao Chen already upon him. The sword swept in a wide arc, its intent sharp as a crescent moon slicing through the sky, aimed directly at his face.
Yue Yunzhao retreated, but a fraction too late. The blade grazed his cheek, carving a bloody line just two inches below his eye. Blood trickled down.
Fury surged within him. Twenty years of reputation, and now wounded by two juniors—shame and rage collided, and his killing intent exploded.
But beneath the anger, a deeper doubt stirred: How had these two developed such seamless coordination? Had Xiao Chen not dodged at the last moment, those talismans would have detonated on him—leaving no chance of survival.
Xuan Chen and Xiao Chen exchanged another glance. Both were startled, yet neither showed it.
As they simultaneously circulated their spiritual energy, their qi flows intertwined. Suddenly, deep within their minds, a faint whisper echoed—like someone speaking softly within their thoughts.
It was each other's voice.
Xiao Chen froze, focusing his mind.
Xuan Chen? Can you hear me?
Xuan Chen hesitated, then responded through thought.
…You heard me too? Is this… a side effect of the spirit fruit?
They understood at once—the fruit had not only enhanced their mental strength, but triggered a resonance at the level of consciousness. For ordinary cultivators, sharing such a fruit might cause mental interference, even madness. But for them, it became a hidden advantage—a trump card in a deadly battle.
Their thoughts now flowed like lightning, swift and precise.
Xiao Chen's voice echoed in Xuan Chen's mind.
Xuan Chen, this man's strength far exceeds ours. That last wound was pure luck—we can't repeat it.
Xuan Chen replied.
Agreed. That tactic won't work again. Do you have another plan?
Do you have a talisman that can block a single strike? Xiao Chen asked.
Xuan Chen hesitated.
I do… but its range is limited. What are you thinking?
Xiao Chen's tone was calm, resolute.
When I charge forward, place the talisman on my chest. I'll take his blow head-on. You strike his soul sea while he's exposed.
Xuan Chen's thoughts flared.
Are you insane? If he changes his move or targets your vital point—what then?
Xiao Chen replied calmly through thought.
I'll create the opening. Draw his strike to my chest. If you seize the moment, I can endure it. If we don't risk it now… we won't get out at all.
Xuan Chen fell silent, then clenched his jaw and nodded.
Suddenly, Xiao Chen turned and bolted, his figure flashing like lightning, his footwork erratic—seemingly trying to flee the battlefield.
Yue Yunzhao sneered.
"Tricks and illusions. You think you can run?"
His killing intent had long solidified. This boy—descendant of the Starmark Sect—was growing too fast in battle. If left unchecked, he could become a future threat. He no longer held back. His aura exploded, and he shot forward like a phantom.
Sensing the pressure closing in, Xiao Chen abruptly stopped and spun back.
Xuan Chen moved in a blur. A flash of talisman light burst from his sleeve, and with a sharp snap, a seal struck Xiao Chen squarely on the chest.
Yue Yunzhao's brow lifted. Misreading the scene, he assumed the two had turned on each other.
"Heh… infighting. Saves me the trouble."
But before he could think further, Xiao Chen flipped into the air. His sword swept overhead, both hands gripping the hilt, descending like a blade from the heavens. It was a technique from the Starmark Sect: Starwall Echo Blade—Leave Your Mark on the Wall.
The strike carried fury and resolve. The sword light tore through the air like thunder across stone, fierce and unstoppable.
Yue Yunzhao's expression shifted, but he did not retreat. He leapt diagonally to meet the blow head-on. His plan was simple: strike Xiao Chen's heart before the blade could fall, ending the threat in one move. With the boy dead, the other would crumble.
Xiao Chen's sword descended like a comet. Yue Yunzhao's right palm, charged with power, lashed out—striking Xiao Chen squarely in the chest.
Thud!
A dull impact echoed. Xiao Chen spat blood, his body flung backward, crashing hard into the ground.
Yue Yunzhao's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. His cold smile had just begun to form—
Boom!
A searing pain tore through his abdomen, as if his core had ruptured. His spiritual sea shattered, energy scattering in chaos.
His face twisted in shock. He looked down—and saw Xuan Chen, already at his side, left finger pressed precisely against his soul sea. A faint afterimage still lingered at his fingertip.
"You…!"
Yue Yunzhao roared in fury. His palm lashed out, striking Xuan Chen's right shoulder. The blow landed hard—bone cracked, blood sprayed, and Xuan Chen was hurled backward, crashing to the ground.
Though gravely wounded, Xuan Chen's gaze remained sharp as fire.
He had long gathered force into his fingertip, waiting for that single flaw—when Xiao Chen drew the enemy's attention, he struck, shattering the core.
Yue Yunzhao staggered backward. When he landed, his face was pale as paper. A quick check revealed the truth: his soul sea was shattered, his inner core ruptured, spiritual energy pouring out like a broken dam—no longer able to condense.
His expression twisted. He let out a crazed, bitter laugh.
"Hahahahaha… I, Yue Yunzhao, who've roamed the martial world for twenty years—brought down by two snot-nosed brats?! You won't die easily now—flaying you alive won't be enough to soothe this hatred!"
Before the words had finished, he drew a dagger from behind his back, its blade dark and sharp. Killing intent surged as he stepped toward the fallen Xuan Chen.
Xuan Chen's breath was erratic. Lying on the ground, he caught the approaching figure in the corner of his eye. He tried to lift a finger—but couldn't move at all. A bitter smile crept onto his lips. He closed his eyes, ready to meet death.
—Then, a scream tore through the air, piercing the soul.
His eyes snapped open.
Yue Yunzhao stood frozen, staring down at his chest.
A sword blade had pierced straight through him. Blood dripped like rain.
He turned, disbelief and confusion flooding his eyes.
"You… how… how are you… still standing…"
Behind him stood Xiao Chen, breath shallow, aura faint—but his eyes were sharp as winter steel.
"Hell's getting crowded. I came to find a replacement."
With that, he twisted the sword and pulled it free.
"Ah—!"
Yue Yunzhao let out one final cry before collapsing. His eyes remained open, death unyielding, hatred unresolved.
Xiao Chen staggered forward, helping Xuan Chen upright. Following his instructions, he retrieved a healing pill and fed it to him. Xuan Chen sat in meditation, regulating his breath. Xiao Chen moved around the clearing, gathering supplies and tidying the scene.
Soon after, Xuan Chen rose with effort and walked to Yue Yunzhao's corpse. He drew out an ancient talisman and traced a mark upon the body. The light shimmered like starlight—then vanished.
Xiao Chen looked on, startled.
"What… kind of mark is that?"
Xuan Chen replied calmly.
"Just a test. If he's truly connected to what I suspect, the seal will stir his lingering consciousness. If not—no one will know I was here."
Xiao Chen nodded, saying nothing.
Xuan Chen gazed at the blood-stained leaves, murmuring to himself.
"The technique he used… doesn't belong to the six sects of the Central Plains. The Stellar Suppression wasn't broken—but he pierced it through a gap using sorcery… That's no coincidence."
Xiao Chen's voice was low.
"He's already dead. Isn't that enough?"
Xuan Chen's gaze was deep as the stars.
"Not enough."
Xiao Chen fell into thought.
"You mean… someone else knows what happened here?"
Xuan Chen tilted his head toward the sky, sighing softly.
"If the Starseizing Palace is truly involved… then this battle was only the beginning."
The two exchanged a glance. Xuan Chen leaned against Xiao Chen for support, guiding them slowly back toward the serpent's cave.
The night was silent. Wind brushed the treetops. Only the fading embers remained, silent witnesses to the lingering traces of killing intent scattered across the forest floor.