The next morning dawned bright and clear, golden rays spilling through the windows of the inn. Zhen Huan and Yun Sha were the first to rise, dressing quickly and heading out into the hall.
Soon, the rest of their group gathered.
Stepping out into the busy streets of Marine City, Zhen Huan stretched and looked to Yun Sha. "Hey, do you know any other places like Aqua Valley?"
Yun Sha scratched her head. "Ah… not really."
Suddenly, her eyes lit up—and at that moment, so did Feng Xuan and Mu Lingyao's.
"I know!" they all said in unison. "The Thunder City Secret Realm!"
Zhen Huan blinked. "Secret realm? And you all know about it?"
Mu Lingyao nodded confidently. "Of course. It's a famous event—it happens once every fifty years."
Feng Xuan added, "Only Nascent Soul and Soul Transformation cultivators are allowed to enter. It's a perfect place for breakthroughs and finding rare treasures."
Yun Sha smiled. "Do you want to go, if it might help?"
Zhen Huan grinned. "Absolutely. Let's go."
A sharp voice chimed in behind them.
"Hey, we're a team, you don't get to make decisions without me," Qing Chen said, arms crossed.
Zhen Huan turned, grinning. "Ah—can we go there, Lady Qing?"
Her eye twitched. "Yeah, we can—HEY! I said don't call me 'Lady'!"
"Oops," Zhen Huan said with a smirk. "Sorry, Lady Qing."
"You bastard!"
And with that, they took to the skies.
"By the way," Zhen Huan asked, "when does the secret realm open?"
Yun Sha replied, "In one month."
"One month?!" Zhen Huan groaned.
"It's not that long," Yun Sha teased. "Don't be so impatient."
Feng Xuan offered, "We could use the time to cultivate."
Zhen Huan made a face. "That's boring."
Qing Chen scoffed. "If you think cultivation is boring, how did you even reach Soul Transformation?"
"Talented people can do anything," Zhen Huan shrugged.
"Ha! You're just a child compared to me," Qing Chen laughed.
"I'll have you know," Zhen Huan said with a grin, "if anyone from the upper world fought me at the same level, they wouldn't last a second."
"Bluff," Yun Sha muttered.
Zhen Huan's eyes glinted. "Fine. When we reach the city, you all go cultivate. Qing Chen and I will spar."
Qing Chen cracked her knuckles. "Good. I'm angry and I need to hit something."
Their laughter echoed as they soared faster toward Thunder City.
---
Ten Days Later — Thunder City
"Huff… finally, we're here," Zhen Huan said, floating down before the city gates.
Yun Sha nodded. "A long journey."
Feng Xuan pointed accusingly. "It's all Mu Lingyao's fault."
"I only suggested the scenic route once!" she protested.
Zhen Huan waved it off. "Forget it. Let's get rooms."
Qing Chen landed gracefully ahead of them. "You all are too slow."
"We're not slow—you're just fast," Zhen Huan shot back.
Once the group secured their rooms, the others retreated to cultivate, preparing for the upcoming competition.
Only Zhen Huan and Qing Chen remained.
"Let's fight," Zhen Huan said simply.
"Gladly."
They flew to a secluded forest outside the city.
"I'll suppress my cultivation to match yours," Qing Chen said. Her aura condensed and settled at Soul Transformation – Sixth Layer. "Now—come at me."
Zhen Huan dashed forward using Wind Steps, his blade flashing. Qing Chen parried with ease, her speed nearly identical. She countered, her palm glowing with frosty energy. Zhen Huan twisted away, barely dodging.
Then—"Inferno Slash – First Form!"
She frowned. "This low-tier attack won't—"
Her words cut short as the flaming arc collided with her weapon, shattering it in an explosion of fire and energy. She flew backward, the flames scorching her robe as she fell.
Zhen Huan vanished and reappeared beneath her, catching her in his arms.
"Hey—are you alright?"
"I'm fine," she said weakly.
He gently placed her down, concern in his eyes. "I didn't mean to hurt you."
"It's… fine," she muttered, trying to stand.
But her legs trembled—and as she staggered, Zhen Huan moved to catch her again. This time, he lost his footing, falling forward.
Their eyes met.
Their faces were only inches apart. Time froze.
Zhen Huan's heart thumped once—loudly.
He scrambled up, his face red. "S-sorry! My fault!"
Qing Chen sat there, stunned, her cheeks flushed pink. Then deep red. "I… I'm sorry too."
Without another word, she turned and flew off, her aura scattered.
Zhen Huan stared after her. "…Did I do something wrong?"