---
The forest still echoed faintly with the remnants of battle. The scent of churned soil, faint heat, and burned leaves lingered as Tianzun stood quietly, his back straight, his eyes calm. Xun'er exhaled slowly, shoulders relaxing, as she wiped the faint sheen of sweat from her brow. Her violet-gold eyes traced the boy across from her with silent awe.
Yoru limped toward them, holding her ribs, grinning despite the soreness etched across her features.
"Tch, I won't let it end like that," she said, smirking. "Tianzun, I challenge you again. Tomorrow."
Tianzun shifted his gaze to her and raised a brow.
"Don't be greedy. Your body won't heal from this one by morning unless you eat five of those pills."
Yoru grinned wider, tossing one of the pills Tianzun had handed her into her mouth. "I plan to."
Xun'er stood silently, watching both of them. There was a small smile tugging at the edge of her lips, but her thoughts spun deeper.
> "He doesn't use Dou Qi... and still dominated. His movements... effortless. Calculated. Lethal."
She clenched her hand.
> "This admiration... is it only admiration? Or something else?"
Unseen by all, high above in the canopy shadows, a figure stood.
Ling Ying narrowed his eyes, arms crossed, having watched the entire battle.
> "That boy is dangerous. Not for his strength... but for the way he hides it."
---
The trio walked in silence along the dirt path back to Xiao Clan territory, the moonlight painting dappled silver across their clothes. Yoru and Xun'er walked shoulder to shoulder, their steps relaxed.
"You were impressive," Xun'er said softly, glancing sideways. "Your speed, your strikes... especially your coordination."
"Thanks," Yoru replied, rubbing the back of her neck. "It's been a while since I got to let loose. You were no slouch either. I thought you'd knock him off balance with that chain palm."
"I tried," Xun'er chuckled. "He's... hard to read. Even when I landed hits, it felt like he was letting me."
Behind them, Tianzun walked in silence, listening.
Yoru lowered her voice just enough. "You like him, don't you?"
Xun'er blinked, then looked straight ahead. "I... respect him."
Yoru raised a brow but said nothing.
When they reached Xuner's residence, she turned and gave a small bow.
"Thank you for walking with me. Both of you."
Tianzun merely nodded.
Yoru gave her a wave. "Rest up. You'll need it."
As Xun'er entered her residence and closed the door behind her, the silence within the manor deepened. She leaned against the wooden door, heart thudding faster than it should.
> "His stance... the way he read me. He never fought me. He taught me. Even as we clashed."
She made her way to the far study room and lit a single lantern. The soft orange glow cast dancing shadows along the walls. She closed her eyes.
"Ling Ying. Come."
From the corner, as if birthed by shadow itself, the guardian emerged. Cloaked in silent vigilance, Ling Ying bowed.
"You watched the battle. I saw you."
Ling Ying nodded. "I did."
"What did you see?"
The elder paused. "I saw a battle between warriors. One who still learns... and one who pretends to."
Xun'er frowned slightly. "Explain."
Ling Ying's tone was low. "He—Tianzun—he suppresses himself deliberately. No Dou Qi. No spiritual pressure. Just raw movement, leverage, redirection, and instinct. He made you believe you had a chance. But you didn't."
Xun'er bit her lip. "So he let me dance."
Ling Ying hesitated. "No... he let you learn. That's more rare."
The room fell quiet again. The lamp flame flickered.
"Do you sense anything about him yet?" she asked.
Ling Ying looked away. "Nothing definitive. It's like standing before a foggy mirror. I can see the outline of power—but never the details."
Xun'er walked to the window, gazing out toward the darkness where the forest still brooded in silence.
> "Who are you really, Tianzun? And why... why do I want to find out so badly?"
She touched the frame of the window lightly, the cool wood grounding her wandering thoughts.
Far beyond, in another residence, Tianzun lay upon his bed, eyes open, arms behind his head.
> "She's beginning to feel it. The spark. Let her wonder. Wonder is the seed of obsession. Obsession... is loyalty unspoken."
He closed his eyes. The game was only beginning.
---
End of Chapter 25