The First Confrontation

The figure atop the cliff watched Lin Xuan's charge with cold detachment, their dark robes billowing in the wind. Despite the distance, their oppressive aura was palpable, as if the weight of their power pressed against the air itself.

Lin Xuan's sword gleamed with his qi as he leaped, his strike aimed directly at the figure's heart. However, as his blade closed in, a barrier of shimmering energy materialized before him, deflecting his attack with a deafening clang.

The force of the repulsion sent Lin Xuan skidding back, his feet digging into the rocky ground to regain his balance. He glanced at his blade, unscathed but trembling slightly.

The figure lowered their hand, the shimmering barrier dissipating like mist. Their voice carried across the valley, filled with disdain. "Impressive for one so young, but raw strength alone will not be enough. Did you truly think you could reach me so easily?"

Before Lin Xuan could respond, the beasts below surged forward again, their snarls filling the air. Li Fengxian moved with unmatched precision, cutting them down one by one, but even she was beginning to show signs of fatigue.

"Lin Xuan!" she shouted, her voice sharp and commanding. "Don't waste your energy! This isn't the time for reckless attacks!"

He hesitated for a moment, then nodded, retreating back to her side. The two stood shoulder to shoulder, their breathing heavy as the creatures encircled them.

"They're stalling us," Li Fengxian said, her tone grim. "That figure up there—they're testing us, waiting to see how far we can go."

Lin Xuan tightened his grip on his sword, his gaze fixed on the mysterious figure. "Then we give them no more time to prepare."

Li Fengxian shot him a sidelong glance. "And how do you propose we do that? They're holding all the cards."

Lin Xuan's lips curved into a faint smirk. "Not all of them."

With a sudden burst of qi, he leaped high into the air, his movements so quick they seemed to blur. The creatures below lunged to intercept him, but Li Fengxian anticipated their move. Her sword became a whirlwind of light, her strikes cutting through the oncoming horde with ruthless efficiency.

"Go!" she shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos. "I'll hold them off!"

Lin Xuan didn't hesitate. Using the momentum of his leap, he propelled himself toward the cliffside, his qi reinforcing his limbs as he scaled the jagged rocks with astonishing speed. The figure above remained still, their posture relaxed but watchful.

"You're persistent," they said, their voice devoid of emotion. "But persistence without wisdom is the path of fools."

Lin Xuan ignored the taunt, his focus unshaken. As he reached the top of the cliff, the figure raised their hand, and the ground beneath him cracked and shifted. Sharp, black tendrils of energy erupted from the earth, snaking toward him with alarming speed.

He twisted mid-air, his sword glowing brightly as he slashed through the tendrils. Each strike was precise, each movement a testament to his growing mastery. Yet, for every tendril he destroyed, more appeared, their relentless assault forcing him to stay on the defensive.

"Impressive," the figure said, a hint of amusement creeping into their voice. "You're stronger than I expected. But strength alone will not save you."

With a flick of their wrist, the figure summoned a sphere of dark energy, its surface swirling with ominous patterns. They hurled it toward Lin Xuan, the sphere hurtling through the air like a meteor.

Lin Xuan braced himself, channeling his qi into his sword. With a roar, he swung with all his might, the collision sending a shockwave rippling across the cliff. The impact forced him to his knees, but he remained unyielding, his eyes blazing with determination.

The figure tilted their head, as if reevaluating him. "You carry the spark of potential," they mused. "But potential without guidance is wasted. Join me, and I will show you true power."

Lin Xuan rose to his feet, his expression cold. "Power gained by submission is no power at all."

The figure's amusement vanished, replaced by a flicker of annoyance. "Foolish. You cling to ideals that will only lead to your destruction."

Lin Xuan's voice was firm, unwavering. "Maybe. But I'll face destruction on my own terms."

The figure sighed, as though