Chapter 21: Handsome

As Dao Wei and Liu Mingxia ventured deeper into the heart of the forest, the landscape began to change. The air grew warmer, and the dense forest opened into a lush, verdant valley. Birds sang from the treetops, and the scent of blooming flowers filled the air. It was a serene and beautiful place, but Dao Wei remained vigilant, knowing that danger could lurk even in such tranquil surroundings.

They walked side by side, their conversation light and easy, when suddenly Dao Wei felt a shift in the atmosphere. The air grew heavy with a sinister energy, and the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. He glanced at Liu Mingxia, who had also sensed the change. Her hand instinctively went to her dagger.

"Something's not right," Dao Wei murmured, his eyes scanning the trees around them. "Stay close."

As Dao Wei and Liu Mingxia continued forward, the sense of unease grew stronger. The shadows seemed to deepen, and the forest grew unnaturally quiet. Suddenly, a figure stepped out from behind a tree, blocking their path. He was a tall, imposing man, his eyes gleaming with malice.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" the rogue cultivator sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. "A little princess of the Demon Sect and her protector. How fortunate for me."

Dao Wei stepped forward, placing himself between Liu Mingxia and the rogue. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword, ready for action. "Who are you, and what do you want?" he demanded, his voice steady and calm.

The rogue cultivator laughed, a harsh, grating sound. "Who I am is of no importance. What matters is that I've been hired to capture the princess and bring her back to her enemies. And you, boy, are just in my way."

Dao Wei's eyes narrowed. "If you think you can harm her, you're gravely mistaken."

The rogue's expression darkened, and he unsheathed his sword, a wickedly curved blade that glinted menacingly in the dim light of the forest. "Let's see if you can back up those words."

As the two young men prepared to face off, Liu Mingxia watched from the sidelines, her eyes locked on Dao Wei. Intrigued by his mysterious aura and intrigued by the depth of his gaze, a subtle shift began in her heart, planting the seed of admiration.

With a sudden burst of speed, the rogue lunged at Dao Wei, his sword aimed for a lethal strike. Dao Wei moved swiftly, his sword meeting the rogues with a clash of steel. The force of the impact sent a shockwave through the air, and the ground beneath them trembled.

Dao Wei countered with a series of precise, lightning-fast strikes, each one aimed to exploit a weakness in the rogue's defense.

His movements were fluid and graceful, a testament to his mastery of the Heavenly Techniques.

Pang!Pang!Pang!

The rogue, however, was no novice. He parried Dao Wei's attacks with practiced ease, his strikes swift and deadly.

The two combatants moved in a deadly dance, their swords flashing in the sunlight that filtered through the dense canopy above.

Dao Wei's eyes were focused and intense, his every movement calculated and precise. He drew upon the Void Sword technique, his blade moving with a fluidity that seemed almost supernatural. Each strike was infused with his qi, the energy radiating from his sword in a shimmering aura.

The rogue cultivator snarled in frustration, his attacks growing more desperate and frenzied.

He unleashed a powerful burst of dark energy, the force of it knocking Dao Wei back a few steps. Liu Mingxia watched with wide eyes, her heart pounding in her chest.

Dao Wei recovered quickly, his expression calm and composed. He channeled his energy into the Dragon Palm technique, his hand glowing with a fierce, golden light.

With a swift motion, he struck the ground, sending a shockwave of energy toward the rogue. The ground cracked and splintered, the force of the attack sending the rogue staggering backward.

"You've got some skill," the rogue growled, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth. "But you're still no match for me."

Dao Wei's eyes flashed with determination. "We'll see about that."