Lingxuan moved silently along the rooftops and alleyways of the city, his black robes blending with the fading evening shadows. His sharp eyes followed Su Qingyue from a distance, careful not to draw attention to himself. He wanted to see her safely return home but knew he could not reveal himself just yet. Patience, he reminded himself, was necessary.
Su Qingyue walked briskly toward her home, her small frame tense with anxiety. Her white hair caught the last rays of the sun, giving her an almost ethereal glow, but her face was clouded with worry. As she neared the familiar gates, her heart sank.
Inside, Xuan Yue paced angrily, his arms crossed and a scowl darkening his handsome features. "Where have you been?!" he demanded sharply. "Do you have any idea how worried I've been?"
Su Qingyue's eyes welled with tears, her lower lip trembling as emotions overwhelmed her. "I… I just… I wanted a little time…" she choked out, tears spilling down her cheeks.
Lingxuan, perched atop a nearby rooftop, clenched his fists but forced himself to remain still. He could feel the anger emanating from Xuan Yue, the tension thick in the air, yet he knew this was not the right moment to intervene. Patience… wait for the right time, he reminded himself quietly.
Xuan Yue's scowl deepened as he advanced toward her. "You think you can disobey me just like that?" His voice was sharp and laced with authority. Then, almost imperiously, he commanded, "Come here. Massage my back. Now."
Su Qingyue flinched, her face pale, and began to comply reluctantly. Tears continued to fall, her heart heavy with frustration, fear, and helplessness. Every movement she made was careful and hesitant, yet she could not hide the trembling that ran through her hands and body.
Just as the tension reached its peak, a sudden, powerful presence appeared at the city gate. The air shifted as a group clad in emerald-green armor and flowing cloaks entered—Emerald Moon Valley. Their presence radiated authority, strength, and protection, a clear signal that they had come to intervene.
Su Qingyue's eyes widened in surprise and relief. She instinctively stepped back, her tears still flowing, and stared at the approaching figures. "Emerald Moon Valley…?" she whispered, a mixture of astonishment and hope in her voice.
The members of Emerald Moon Valley moved swiftly and decisively, positioning themselves between Su Qingyue and Xuan Yue. Their leader, calm yet commanding, gave a subtle nod to Su Qingyue, signaling that she was now under their protection.
Xuan Yue's anger faltered for a moment as he observed the formidable presence of Emerald Moon Valley. His scowl deepened, but he could not immediately act against them. The balance of power had shifted, and it was clear that any rash action would come at a cost.
Su Qingyue's breathing began to steady, her tears slowing as relief washed over her. For the first time since arriving at her home, she felt a sense of safety. Her gaze flickered toward the shadows where Lingxuan watched, unseen and silent. Though he remained hidden, she could feel his concern as if it were a tangible force enveloping her.
Emerald Moon Valley's members formed a protective barrier around her, their presence calm but unyielding. They were ready to act at a moment's notice, ensuring that Su Qingyue would not be harmed. For Su Qingyue, the combination of their protection and Lingxuan's distant vigilance gave her a new sense of security—a reassurance she had never experienced before.
Lingxuan's eyes, dark and sharp, never left her as he observed the scene. His expression was calm, yet beneath the surface, a strong current of emotion ran through him. He felt the urge to step forward, to act, to confront Xuan Yue, but he forced himself to remain still. Timing was everything. He would intervene when the moment was right, when he could guarantee her safety without unnecessary confrontation.
Su Qingyue, standing amidst the protective formation, felt a quiet gratitude swelling within her. Her gaze lingered on the distant rooftop where she knew Lingxuan watched over her, her heart beating faster at the thought. Even without seeing him clearly, she felt his presence and care, a protective shadow that seemed to follow her everywhere.
For now, the tension in the courtyard had been halted. Xuan Yue's anger simmered, Emerald Moon Valley held their ground, and Su Qingyue stood protected. The evening sky deepened into twilight, casting long shadows over the city as the calm after the storm settled in.
Though Lingxuan remained unseen, his mind was already planning the next steps. He would ensure Su Qingyue's safety and confront Xuan Yue when the time was right. For now, he allowed Emerald Moon Valley to secure her, knowing that patience and strategy were as vital as strength and power.
And for Su Qingyue, amid the lingering tears and the dawning relief, a single thought repeated in her mind: I am not alone… and I am being watched over. I am safe… for now.
Xuan Yue's eyes burned with fury as he stepped forward, his aura radiating raw strength. With a swift motion, he unleashed a flurry of high-level martial arts techniques, each strike precise, powerful, and overwhelming. The members of Emerald Moon Valley, though skilled, could barely maintain their footing against the onslaught. Their formation shattered, and many were thrown to the ground, groaning from the force of his attacks.
Su Qingyue's heart sank as she watched the destruction unfold. She had trained with Emerald Moon Valley, yet even she struggled to keep up with Xuan Yue's relentless barrage. The courtyard, once calm, was now filled with the sounds of crashing wood, groaning bodies, and the echo of Xuan Yue's overwhelming power.
Lingxuan, observing from the shadows, narrowed his eyes. He tilted his head slightly, thinking to himself, How could someone like Xuan Yue be considered a protagonist in this novel? With a personality like his—arrogant, cruel, and domineering—yet somehow he still becomes the main character?
The strength disparity was clear. Emerald Moon Valley, the lowest-ranked sect, was too weak to match him. Their members were skilled but lacked the raw power and cultivation level necessary to counter Xuan Yue's techniques. It was no wonder Su Qingyue and the others struggled to defend themselves.
A surge of determination rose within Lingxuan. He could not stand by any longer while she—someone he cared deeply about—was in danger. With calm precision, he descended silently from the rooftops, landing lightly in the courtyard. His presence immediately radiated authority, and the air around him seemed to still for a brief moment, as if the world itself recognized his power.
He positioned himself in front of the fallen members of Emerald Moon Valley, his posture relaxed but his aura unmistakably formidable. Even seated, his black robes flowing around him, the immense energy he emitted was enough to make the strongest of Xuan Yue's strikes pause.
Su Qingyue's eyes widened as she recognized him. Her heart skipped a beat. It's Lingxuan… he's here to protect us… she thought, relief and admiration flooding her chest. Yet, a flicker of concern crossed her face. She quickly called out to him, her voice firm despite her panic:
"Lingxuan! Don't get involved! He's too strong!"
Lingxuan's dark eyes met hers briefly, calm and confident. He said nothing in reply. His quiet demeanor and unwavering presence were enough to convey his intent: he would not allow harm to come to her or the members of Emerald Moon Valley, no matter how strong Xuan Yue was.
Xuan Yue paused mid-strike, sensing the sudden shift in the battlefield. The previously unchallenged attacks now met a calm, immovable force. Lingxuan's aura, though restrained, exuded absolute dominance, a clear warning that anyone attempting to continue the assault would face consequences far beyond their comprehension.
Su Qingyue's chest heaved as she realized the reality: Lingxuan was intentionally shielding them. She wanted to protest, to tell him that it was unnecessary, yet the thought of facing Xuan Yue alone—and witnessing Lingxuan's presence—filled her with both awe and gratitude.
The courtyard fell into a tense silence. Xuan Yue's fury remained, yet he now faced an opponent unlike any he had encountered so far. Lingxuan's calm, controlled energy contrasted sharply with Xuan Yue's raw aggression, creating an invisible boundary that Xuan Yue could sense but could not easily penetrate.
Even as Su Qingyue stood back, she could feel the subtle vibrations of Lingxuan's energy spreading through the area, protecting everyone in the courtyard. The members of Emerald Moon Valley, bruised and battered, looked on with a mix of shock and hope. Though weak, they were now shielded by a force far beyond their own.
Su Qingyue's eyes glistened as she whispered to herself, He's here… he's protecting us… even though I told him not to… Her gaze never left Lingxuan, a mixture of worry, admiration, and something more—a growing recognition of the depth of his strength and care.
Lingxuan remained seated, his aura calm yet overwhelming, a silent promise that no one under his protection would be harmed. And in that quiet, tense moment, the battlefield's balance shifted, as the seemingly insurmountable threat of Xuan Yue now faced an unseen power, patient, restrained, and unyielding.
The courtyard trembled with tension. Xuan Yue's laughter rang out, bold and defiant, echoing through the narrow alleys. "You say I am no match for you?" he shouted, his eyes burning with arrogance. "Then prove your words!"
Lingxuan remained calm, his black robes swaying slightly in the evening breeze. He exhaled slowly, his aura subtly shifting as he focused inward. A chilling wave of Killing Intent emanated from him, spreading like a dark fog across the courtyard. The very air seemed to thicken, making Xuan Yue's chest tighten and his breaths shallow.
As Xuan Yue's gaze met Lingxuan's, his eyes widened in horror. The calm, handsome figure he had underestimated now transformed in his vision into something far more terrifying—like a demon born from the depths of nightmare, his presence suffocating and inescapable. The Killing Intent radiating from Lingxuan was absolute, demanding obedience and respect, leaving no room for defiance.
Xuan Yue's bravado crumbled instantly. He staggered backward, choking on the oppressive energy, tears streaming down his face as fear replaced arrogance. "P-please… forgive me!" he stammered, his voice trembling. "I… I won't ever interfere again! I promise!"
Lingxuan's dark eyes, cold yet composed, met Xuan Yue's gaze. "Very well," he said quietly, his voice calm but carrying undeniable authority. "But heed this: never disturb the Emerald Moon Valley Sect or Su Qingyue's family again. If you violate this warning, I will not only deal with you—I will destroy your entire family as well."
The weight of his words, combined with the terrifying aura he projected, struck Xuan Yue with full force. His knees weakened, his face pale as terror coursed through him. Without another word, he turned and fled, his figure disappearing into the alleyways as fast as his legs could carry him.
Su Qingyue, standing nearby, watched the scene unfold with wide eyes, still trembling slightly from the earlier chaos. She finally realized the depth of Lingxuan's power—the reason he had remained calm amidst Xuan Yue's aggression. Her heart swelled with a mix of awe, gratitude, and a subtle sense of relief.
The members of Emerald Moon Valley, still on the ground, looked up at Lingxuan with astonishment. Though beaten and battered, their spirits lifted instantly upon seeing the silent figure who had just turned the tide. They whispered among themselves, awe and reverence in their voices.
Lingxuan remained seated in his composed posture, the aura of absolute dominance slowly receding but still palpable. The courtyard was quiet now, the oppressive tension lifted, yet the lingering presence of his Killing Intent served as a permanent reminder of his power.
Su Qingyue stepped forward cautiously, her blue eyes reflecting admiration and concern. "Lingxuan… you… you saved everyone," she said softly, her voice filled with emotion.
Lingxuan glanced at her briefly, his expression unreadable but calm. "It's nothing," he replied, his tone steady. "I only protect what matters. Remember the warning. Protect yourselves, and do not provoke those stronger than you unnecessarily."
For Su Qingyue, the events of the evening left an indelible mark. She had witnessed firsthand the terrifying might of Lingxuan, the unyielding force that protected those he cared about. Her heart thumped rapidly as she realized not only his power but also his unwavering resolve to safeguard her and those under his protection.
Xuan Yue's terrified flight into the city streets marked the end of his confrontation, leaving Lingxuan's dominance and the safety of Emerald Moon Valley undeniable. The young girl's eyes glimmered as she looked at him, a mixture of gratitude, awe, and something more—a recognition of the man who would not allow harm to come to her, no matter the cost.