Battle Against Time

The grand hall of the City Lord's mansion was filled with an oppressive silence. Noel stood in the center, his expression calm, though his mind was already calculating his chances of survival.

Across from him, the City Lord exuded a powerful aura, his mere presence enough to make weaker cultivators tremble. Yet, the person who seemed the most affected by the situation was Yunha.

She took a step forward, her face pale with disbelief. "Daddy, are you mad?!" she cried. "Noel is only in the Middle stage of the Awakened Realm, and you're in the Top stage of the Strengthened Realm! That's not a test—it's a slaughter!"

The City Lord's gaze remained firm. "If he wishes to marry you, he must prove himself. If he can stand against me for ten minutes, I will grant my approval."

Yunha clenched her fists. "That's impossible! He'll die!"

Noel, who had been silent until now, suddenly let out a low chuckle. He cast a sidelong glance at the City Lord and smirked. "I accept."

Yunha gasped. "Noel—!"

He raised a hand, stopping her. His sharp gaze locked onto the City Lord's. "Ten minutes? That's all I have to last, right? Then let's begin."

The City Lord studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Very well."

The Duel Begins

The air in the hall grew heavy as servants and guards backed away, forming a wide circle around the two combatants. The tension was suffocating.

"Begin!"

The moment the word left the City Lord's lips, he vanished.

Too fast!

Noel barely had time to react before a powerful force exploded toward him. His instincts screamed—he twisted his body, dodging at the last second, but the sheer pressure of the City Lord's strike sent shockwaves through the hall. The ground cracked beneath them.

Noel staggered back, his arms numb from the impact. A bead of sweat rolled down his temple.

"You dodged?" The City Lord raised a brow. "Not bad."

Noel didn't answer. His mind was racing. I can't block, and I can't outrun him. My only option is to predict his attacks and evade…

The City Lord didn't give him time to think. With a single step, he closed the distance and unleashed a flurry of strikes.

Noel gritted his teeth and moved. He ducked, sidestepped, rolled—barely escaping each blow. But even as he dodged, the force of the attacks brushed past him, leaving deep cuts in the marble floor.

His heart pounded. His body ached. And only two minutes had passed.

Yunha watched with wide eyes, her breath caught in her throat. Noel was struggling, but he wasn't backing down. Even against an opponent far beyond his level, he refused to surrender.

Her heart tightened. He… He really loves me that much?

The City Lord's expression remained unreadable. "Impressive footwork, but dodging alone won't save you."

Noel smirked, though his body was already burning with exhaustion. "Then… I'll just have to keep dodging until you get tired."

The City Lord chuckled. "Bold words."

His aura surged.

Noel barely had time to brace himself before an invisible force crashed into him like a tidal wave. His vision blurred as he was sent flying, slamming into a pillar.

Yunha gasped. "Noel!"

The crowd murmured. It's over.

But then…

A figure emerged from the rubble.

Noel wiped the blood from his lips and grinned. "That all you got?"

The City Lord's eyes sharpened.

Five minutes left.

I just have to keep standing.

The next attack came even faster. A pressure descended upon him, locking him in place. Noel's knees buckled, but he gritted his teeth, forcing himself upright.

Then came the real assault.

A fist crashed into his stomach. He felt his ribs creak.

A kick to his shoulder sent him tumbling across the floor.

His vision darkened. His breathing grew ragged.

I… can't fall.

He staggered up.

Three minutes left.

The City Lord frowned slightly. "You're still standing?"

Noel coughed up blood but grinned. "Didn't you say ten minutes? I'm not done yet."

The City Lord's aura intensified again. The air shimmered with raw power. "Then endure this."

He moved. A blur. A shadow.

Noel barely lifted his arms before a palm strike slammed into his chest, sending him skidding across the floor. His back hit the far wall, cracks spreading like a spiderweb.

The world spun.

Everything hurt.

Two minutes left.

Noel clenched his fists. I can't collapse now.

With sheer force of will, he pushed himself up, swaying. His body screamed at him to give up. His mind told him to surrender.

But he didn't.

One minute left.

The City Lord exhaled. "You are more stubborn than I expected."

Noel chuckled weakly. "And you talk too much."

The final seconds dragged on like an eternity.

The City Lord took one last step forward, but as he raised his hand…

A loud gong rang through the hall.

"Ten minutes have passed!"

The City Lord lowered his hand. The entire hall was silent.

Noel stood there, barely able to keep himself upright. He had done it.

Yunha ran forward, tears in her eyes. "Noel! You're hurt!"

Noel gave her a half-smile. "Nothing… I can't handle."

The City Lord observed him for a long moment before sighing. "You've passed."

The crowd erupted in whispers. Noel didn't celebrate. He simply chuckled under his breath.

They think I did this for love…

He glanced at Yunha, who was looking at him with admiration.

Foolish girl. This was never about love.

He had passed the test. Now, his plan could truly begin.