Exiting Dual Cultivation Chamber

Wan Ling steadied her breathing, her eyes narrowing as she remembered all the things Shen Yuan had taught her.

"Whenever you're ready," he murmured, lowering his stance.

She dashed forward, her sword gleaming with a faint Radiant aura, remnants of her newly consolidated Light Intent. Shen Yuan sidestepped calmly, deflecting her strike with minimal effort. The clang of metal rang sharply in the enclosed room.

Wan Ling reacted quickly, shifting her approach—each swing weaving in a subtle flash of Light Qi designed to momentarily blind or distract. Shen Yuan countered calmly; he gently swung his sword to perfectly intercept or redirect her moves.

Despite her now higher cultivation base, the gap seemed to have increased between them.