Li Hao rose from his seat, his aura once again concealed. Though his cultivation remained at the peak of the Apprentice Realm, his presence was on par with the great masters of the town.
With a soft push, he opened the door of his residence and stepped into the courtyard. There, Xian Ling sat at a stone table, chin resting on her palm, visibly bored as she waited for him.
"It seems you've been waiting for a while," he remarked.
"Of course I have," she said with a playful smile. "How could I not? I want to test my swordsmanship against Brother Hao."
Li Hao's expression remained calm. "Then let's go."
Together, they stepped beyond the courtyard walls, making their way toward a secluded area deeper within the forest.
Along the path, Xian Ling broke the silence. "Brother Hao, did you hear? The Martial Academy is holding a selection contest in about a week."
She continued, her voice gaining excitement. "Apparently, the Tower Master of Black Jade Tower and the Academy's Dean had a heated argument—something about which sect has the stronger disciples."
"Mm," Li Hao hummed. "And what are your thoughts?"
He could sense the deeper intention behind her words.
"Well..." She glanced at him with a spark in her eyes. "I want to enter the martial competition."
Li Hao met her gaze. "If you can land a single scratch on my robe," he said calmly, "I'll agree to your request."
"Mm! Then I'll do my best!" she replied, her confidence shining through.
2 KM AWAY, IN THE EDGE OF THE ACADEMY GROUNDS
Void, the dark abyss of emptiness where no being exist, yet those who seek the path of void dare enter the void.
amidst the trees, the western breeze swayed the branches as li hao and xian ling walked to their destination.
as the secluded plane was but 30 meters away, li hao perceived the life aura that was similar to a human.
His steps posed as he stood quietly, staring at the forest ahead. His eyes narrow, looking into the distance.
"What's wrong brother hao" xian ling asked as she stopped to see what was wrong.
"Mm, it seems that our spot has already been taken" li hao said .
"Huh, by who" she asked as her eyes widened.
"it seems to be an inner disciple of the mid tier master realm, equal to you in strength" li hao replied.
Just then, li hao thought. "xian ling, since you want a chance to enter the competition, here it is"
"If you can defeat him in a Martial spare, then i will agree for you to enter the competition" li hao stated as he stare at her.
"then what about you, brother hao" she asked curiously.
"I'll be watching you from a distance" li hao disappeared before her eyes.
As she looked around, she only saw the trees, feeling the breeze. She took of walking to their previous direction.
...
Amid the trees, a young fellow, looking to be in his twenties stood spear in hand.
[name: Lei Ran
Age: 24
Realm: proficiency martial master
Relation: martial academy, inner disciple]
He had black Shoulder-length hair with side locks tied behind the ears. And black eyes. He worn a Outer Garment: Black battle robe with deep indigo highlights, streamlined and tight to the frame for combat mobility.
And Inner Robe: White with gold vertical stripes, ornamented with fine embroidery.
As he stood below the trees he held a long black spear with golden yellow extending to hold the spear blade, 195 cm in length.
The spear twirls as the wind curved to it's direction, the grass swayed as the spear moved in arcs.
Crack
The sound of a branch cracking grabbed his attention as he stare at the direction it came from.
There, walked a beautiful girl with silver hair that reached her knees and increasingly turned pink as one goes down.
Her curves under the battle short skirt could not be hidden as her mid sized breast just the right size bounced around.
She walked holding a slander white straight sword, with dark blue flowing rever patterns at it's hilt, her elegant steps made the air around her feels cold and worn at the same time.
"who might you be" he asked suspicious, but his thoughts were calm as he recognized the academy uniform.
Xian ling stare at him, her steps slow with a calm pace as she murmurs "I'm really sorry for this, but i mast do this in order to enter the competition"
She stopped mid way, gazed at the disciple, her hands raping around the sword hilt tightly.
Lei Ran's hands tightened around the spears body, his brows furrowed as he stare at xian ling.
The world went silent as the breeze passed by, the leaves swayed under the wind.
With focus, xian ling took a step in as she swung her sword in a Diagonal Slash upward.
Sword Qi cut through the air as it slashed out towards Lei Ran. Lei Ran saw the sword Qi as he took a step in and swung his spear in a Horizontal Sweep – A wide side slash across the waist.
His spear Qi shot out as it broke the sword Qi, fragments of sword and spear Qi floured as they fell to the ground.
Lei Ran daahed forward with incredible speed, as he swung his spear in a Twisting Shaft Cut – Slash using a twisting motion through the pole.
Spear Qi shot out of the blades edge as it slashed out with intensity. Xian ling raised her sword high as she took a step in, slashing down in a direct block - confronting the attack straight on.
CLANG
The sword Qi and spear Qi clashed as they broke apart, xian ling stepped forward as she pulled her sword back.
With a thrust of her sword she performed a Midsection Thrust – A centerline thrust aimed at the chest or abdomen.
The sword Qi shot out with precision, cutting through effortlessly. Lei Ran leaped forward as he twirls his spear.
As the attack came close, he swung his sword in a spinning parry-slashing the blade from the side as you push it towards another direction.
The sword Qi struck the trees behind as it cut effortlessly into the base, the trees fell to the ground with a loud bang as Xian Ling and Lei Ran stare at each other.
Lei Ran stepped in as he murmured softly "spear gale art, third form - world wind Slash" Continuous spinning cuts with footwork and precise Qi control.
He stepped forward as he turn around and slashes out in a wrirlwind style, spear Qi constantly shooting out as it cut through the trees.
Xian ling not wanting to be out done, stepped in as she pulled her sword back with force.
She whispered through clinched teeth, "inliten sword art, second form - Horizon Split (Slash)" A horizontal slash executed with minimal motion.
"CLANG"