Monster discord

As Rover and Yinglian approached, the battle had already ended.

Before them, several monsters lay motionless on the ground—scorched by the luminous scars left by Meixue's energy whip. Their bodies flickered briefly before vanishing, yet not a single Orb Resonance remained in their wake.

Meixue stood at the center, poised and composed. Her breathing was steady, as if the fight had been nothing more than a mere warm-up. Behind her, her summoned dragon floated in the air for a moment longer before dissolving into shimmering fragments of light.

She turned, her sharp emerald eyes meeting Rover's gaze.

"You're from Qinshu?" Her voice was soft, yet laced with an edge—someone accustomed to being on guard.

Yinglian stepped forward, raising a hand in a casual gesture. "We just arrived. Looks like you didn't need any help."

Meixue flicked her long hair over her shoulder. "No. Creatures like these are nothing more than a nuisance."

Rover studied her up close. Now that she was still, her presence felt even more commanding. The contrast of her dark attire against her pale skin, the golden accessories catching the sunlight—there was elegance in her stance, but also a hidden lethality beneath the surface.

"What's your name?" Rover finally asked.

Meixue regarded him for a moment before replying, "Meixue. And you?"

"Rover."

A brief nod. Then, her eyes narrowed slightly, scrutinizing him. "Rover… Your name sounds unfamiliar, yet oddly familiar. Have we met before?"

Rover frowned. "I don't think so."

Meixue held his gaze a second longer before exhaling. "Perhaps it's just my imagination."

Yinglian crossed her arms and smirked. "So, why are you out here alone? I was worried when your trail disappeared near the village."

Meixue cast a glance toward the ruins in the distance—ancient stones, worn by time, now cloaked in moss. "I'm looking for something. Or rather… someone. That place isn't my home, it's where I was stationed. I live in Qinshu."

Yinglian raised a brow. "Oh? Then who are you searching for?"

Meixue hesitated before answering, "A woman. Her name is Jiayi. I believe she returned to Qinshu ahead of me."

At the mention of the name, a faint shift crossed her expression—a fleeting softness that disappeared as quickly as it came.

"Jiayi?" Rover echoed. "Who is she?"

Meixue turned toward him, her emerald eyes gleaming with something indecipherable. "That's none of your concern… But if you're heading to Qinshu, we might as well travel together."

Yinglian chuckled. "I'd say that's a good idea."

Meixue said nothing but also did not refuse. With effortless grace, she turned and began walking. Rover and Yinglian exchanged glances before following, the cool breeze accompanying their silent footsteps as their journey began.

Without warning, the sky darkened. Thick storm clouds churned above, swirling with unnatural ferocity. A chilling wind howled through the air, sending shivers down their spines.

WHOOSH!

Lightning split the heavens, illuminating a shadow darting through the storm. And then—emerging from the abyss—a figure descended.

Tall. Broad-shouldered. Its form encased in silver armor veined with pulsing streaks of violet light. Eyes glowing with a menacing radiance, its angular face bore the semblance of a war demon. A low, guttural growl rumbled from its throat, shaking the very air.

"GRRRAAAAHH!!"

The creature moved with impossible speed. Before Yinglian or Meixue could react, it struck—its powerful leg colliding with Yinglian's torso in a devastating kick.

"UGHK!"

Her body was sent hurtling backward, crashing into the ground with a violent impact. Stones shattered and scattered.

Meixue, more alert, sensed the presence behind her. Instinctively, she raised her hand, summoning her dragon.

ZWWOOSH!

A radiant shield of white light formed around her—but

"KGHH...!"

The monster's sheer strength shattered the barrier in an instant. The next blow sent her flying, her long black hair billowing in the storm-wrought wind before she struck the earth with bone-rattling force.

"Meixue!" Yinglian groaned, pushing herself up despite the pain clawing at her limbs.

But the creature vanished again, melting into the shadows. Silence stretched. Then—

ZAP!

It reappeared behind Rover.

A split-second warning. His instincts screamed. Without thinking, he spun, unsheathing his sword in one fluid motion—

CLANG!!

Blade met claw. Sparks of violet energy exploded upon impact.

"Tsk!" Rover grit his teeth, bracing against the monster's overwhelming strength.

The creature snarled, pressing harder. The force rattled through Rover's arms, but he held firm, refusing to falter.

Yinglian and Meixue struggled to rise. The wind howled, carrying dust and leaves in a chaotic swirl around them.

CLANK!

A surge of energy erupted, sending both Rover and the creature skidding backward. Rover planted his feet, sliding across the rocky terrain before coming to a halt. Across from him, the monster dug its heels into the ground, stabilizing itself.

A tense silence settled between them.

The storm raged overhead. Wind whipped their hair, cloaks billowing in the unnatural gale.

Their eyes locked. Neither moved.

Then, as if guided by an unspoken signal, both lunged.

ZWOOOSH!

The monster slashed, razor-sharp claws aiming to tear Rover apart.

CLANG

He parried, steel meeting steel, energy crackling in the air.

"HAAH!!"

Rover retaliated, swinging upward in a counterattack. The creature leapt back, avoiding the strike with inhuman agility.

Once more, they stood at an impasse—watching, calculating.

Then, Rover murmured—

"Storm of the Veil.

The moment the words left his lips, wind surged around his blade. White-green energy gathered, forming a spiraling tempest. The very air quivered, charged with power. And then—

WHOOSH!

The vortex shot forward, colliding with the monster in a violent explosion. Dust and debris erupted as the force pushed the creature back several paces.

On the sidelines, Meixue winced as pain throbbed through her arm—a lingering mark from the monster's attack. But there was no time for weakness. She grasped the pendant at her throat, shutting her eyes.

"Rise, my guardian..."

A soft glow ignited, then burst into brilliance. In an instant, her summoned dragon materialized, wings unfurling in a halo of celestial light. Meixue's emerald eyes glowed with ancient power as she extended her hand. A golden-green radiance enveloped her, mending her wounds, erasing her pain.

The dragon circled above Rover and Yinglian, a divine presence in the chaos. As it soared, healing energy rained down upon them—light misting over their wounds, fatigue fading from their limbs.

Yinglian inhaled sharply, feeling warmth return to her body. Strength reignited within her. She cast a glance at Meixue, offering a firm nod.

Rover, though still locked in combat, felt the difference instantly. The trembling in his fingers ceased, his breaths steadied.

And across from him, the monster rose once more.

Its violet gaze burned with seething hatred

But this time—

They were ready.