Chapter twenty-six: Birthday

The setting sun cast its final orange glow through the window, illuminating Gu Yun's face, making her expression even more severe. She stood in the center of the training ground, holding a wooden sword, lightly swinging it through the air. The mere motion seemed to make the air tremble. The blade's movement was sharp and oppressive, as if even an ordinary wooden sword could split stone and crack walls.

"B-level martial arts, the Demon Blade." Fang Xing thought to himself, his expression growing more serious. He knew Gu Yun's strength—this cold-looking girl was not to be underestimated.

"Are you really going to fight for your life?" Fang Xing chuckled softly, but his eyes showed no sign of mockery. Gu Yun, fully powered up, brought a suffocating pressure with her.

Gu Yun didn't respond. Her gaze remained cold as ice, staring at Fang Xing while her wooden sword slightly lifted. A faint murderous aura filled the air, making it hard to breathe.

Fang Xing took a slight step back, his footwork nimble as he shifted several meters away, dodging the direct strike of the sword light.

"This girl is really fighting for real…" Fang Xing inwardly sighed but remained calm. His steps were light, and he quickly moved forward. Suddenly, his right fist swung like a giant axe cleaving through the sky, heading straight for Gu Yun's front.

"Half-step Crushing Fist!" he growled, his fist hurtling forward like a gust of wind.

Gu Yun didn't hesitate. Her wooden sword twisted in the air, bringing up a flurry of blade shadows. She followed the sword's motion and met Fang Xing's attack head-on.

In the brief moment of their clash, the sound of wood and flesh colliding resounded through the air, deafening and powerful. Fierce winds swept through, and the combatants became a blur of blade and fist as their movements became as swift as lightning.

Fang Xing felt a surge of power flow through his arm, forcing him back several steps. Stabilizing himself, he looked at Gu Yun with a mix of admiration and caution. "Damn it, B-level martial arts really are something else…"

Although Fang Xing had grown much stronger, he was well aware of the gap in martial arts skills between him and Gu Yun. Gu Yun had mastered the "Demon Blade," a B-level martial art of the Federation, while Fang Xing's "Military Boxing Twelve Forms" was merely a C-level art.

"With the same level of cultivation, the gap in martial arts mastery becomes apparent…" Fang Xing gritted his teeth, quickly calculating his next move.

Suddenly, Gu Yun accelerated, her sword slashing down. The sword light was eerily beautiful, like a long stream of autumn water. In an instant, it split into seven, blocking all of Fang Xing's escape routes.

Fang Xing's face tensed, but his eyes remained as calm as a still lake. With a swift motion of his right hand, a golden talisman appeared in his palm.

"The Golden Bell Talisman," he murmured silently. This talisman was one of his trump cards, providing first-tier mid-grade defense. Even a Puyu-tier martial artist would find it difficult to break through its defense in a short time.

However, Fang Xing didn't immediately activate the talisman. His eyes stayed locked on Gu Yun's wooden sword, and in that split second, he decided to trust her.

The sword light stopped just an inch away from Fang Xing's forehead. Gu Yun's expression remained as cold and stern as ever, but there was a fleeting clarity in her eyes, revealing some indescribable emotion.

"You won," Gu Yun said, lowering her sword. The murderous intent in her eyes disappeared, replaced by a faint sense of satisfaction.

Fang Xing looked at her and suddenly smiled. "Congratulations, you've learned to control the 'Demon Nature.' Next, you should be able to start learning A-level martial arts, the 'Ghost God Blade.'"

Gu Yun nodded, her tone still cold. "It was my father's wish. I must accomplish it."

Fang Xing remained silent for a moment, staring at the young girl in front of him. He sighed and said, "You still have a few years left. As long as you break through to the Puyu realm in your senior year of high school, getting into a university should be a sure thing."

Gu Yun shook her head. "I don't have that much time. I'm starting high school this fall."

"What? You're starting high school this year?" Fang Xing's eyes widened in surprise.

"Special admission," Gu Yun replied calmly. "I can't wait any longer. I need to get on the battlefield soon and avenge my father."

Hearing this, Fang Xing fell into a brief silence. He had long heard about Gu Yun's father—a hero in the Federation's military who died fighting the servants of an alien evil god. Now, it was clear that Gu Yun was dedicating her entire being to following in his footsteps.

"It seems you've already chosen the path of a soldier," Fang Xing said softly.

A faint flicker crossed Gu Yun's gaze, but her expression remained unchanged. "Getting into university is just to fulfill my father's wish."

Fang Xing sighed, feeling a mix of emotions as he looked at the girl. He knew there was no stopping her decision, no changing her fate.

"Well then, today's task is complete. I'll wire the payment to your account," Gu Yun said flatly, her tone as businesslike and detached as ever.

"Tsk, tsk, why does this feel so strange…" Fang Xing shook his head with a grin. "Since we're going to be schoolmates soon, at least treat me to some tea, will you?"

Gu Yun ignored his jest and left the training ground without another word.

Fang Xing stood where he was, watching her back as she disappeared from sight. His heart, however, remained unsettled for a long time. He glanced down at his palm, still feeling the lingering power from their earlier clash.

"This little girl… her potential is even greater than I thought," Fang Xing muttered to himself.

Back home, Fang Xing gazed at the starry sky outside his window, his heart full of quiet reflection.

"Just two more years… Time really flies." He whispered softly, his eyes flickering with a steely resolve.