Ting and Xiao Yun watched as the fragments scattered into the air, like translucent flakes reflecting a different image from the landscape they now stood on. The pieces spun slowly, distorting space as they drifted, floating, and vanishing with the slightest touch of the wind.

  The change in the environment was immediate. The arid scenery turned enchanting, where tall vibrant trees rose all around and the grass and bushes seemed to breathe, taking the place of the dismal rocks. However, as the true path revealed itself and the entrance to the bloodied cave was exposed, the enchantment crumbled.

  The pressure came.

  Both hid in haste, terror eating away at their trembling legs. Their hearts shrank, as if twisting on themselves. The air vanished, the wind died down, and the world seemed to fall silent. All that remained was the dry and erratic sound of their own heartbeats.

  Until, from deep inside the cave, a hoarse, heavy voice resounded — What are you doing here, boy? I don’t remember us having any enmity. In fact... do we even know each other?

  Noah shot Ting a quick glance. She was still conscious, yet the way she clutched her chest and struggled to breathe angered him so much he clenched his fists without noticing. Still, he was torn. Witnessing the techniques of a real cultivator was too tempting an opportunity. Even during his irritation, Noah couldn't help but be curious.

  His fingers cracked, but it wasn’t a normal sound. It was as if his bones had broken, but he didn’t care.

  — Why don’t you come out of there at once? Otherwise, I’ll come in, and end up destroying whatever it is you're using.

  The wind returned, slicing through the air in weak gusts. With no more pressure, it was now silence that weighed on them.

  — We don’t know each other, and yet... — something tore through the air with speed and fury, its movement clearly heard — Well then, as you wish.

  Blades sliced the air as they left the cave. What could once be heard, now vanished.

  Noah stepped forward — This is interesting, — he said, trying and failing to catch the blades with his fingers — but I don’t think it’s very fun. — with the slightest touch, each blade shattered.

  — Besides, these things are too fragile. — he added.

  A slash came. Silent and straight. Dividing the air and stopping the wind itself. It just wasn’t enough to cut a finger.

  The tree trunks before the entrance crashed down, raising dust.

  Then, when Noah looked again, the figure appeared. Long, whitish hair, weak, as if it were about to fall out. It swayed in the wind along with flowing garments that rippled, but would break with any abrupt movement.

  — I believe this fight won’t be very fair, young one.

  Noah smirked — Are you sure you want to talk about fairness? You?

  Glancing towards the cave, a sad and crooked smile crossed the old man’s face — You're right. — he slowly swung his sword downward — Forgive me. It was stupid of me to say such a thing.

  Turning his body, Noah stepped out of the attack's way. He saw the slash traveling along the ground until it reached where the sword’s tip had landed.

  — I don’t deserve this anymore.

  The old man ascended higher, preparing for his next attack.

  — No, boy! Wait! — Ting’s voice echoed through the air.

  Noah looked down. He wasn’t sure whether to feel anxious or relieved to see Ting running into the cave. He already knew what she’d find and how much it would affect her, but he was certain that the old man wouldn’t attack in that direction.

  He returned his gaze to the old man — The way you speak reminds me of someone used to a peaceful life, but that’s not what I see now. Tell me, why have you fallen so far?

  The slashes came, fast and in sequence. Marking the ground, destroying vegetation. But never hitting their target. Noah was fast. Far too fast to be touched, and fast enough that he didn’t actually find it fun. Everything around him seemed to stand still.

  — Was it out of fear of death? — he guessed — I see, your time is running out at an incredible pace. To the point that I wonder why you’re even still alive.

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  His image flickered and vanished from the sky. The old man approached with his next attack ready. A cracking sound echoed at the moment of impact.

  Defending a kick with his arms, Noah was forced to the ground. A small crater was made from the collision.

  — But I think I already know the answer. After all, those people aren’t simply dead, are they?

  Rising, the old man positioned the sword in front of himself and began to recite;

  Pure blade,

  Reflect my soul,

  Multiply

  And eradicate the evil before my sword.

  Fall of the One Hundred Thousand Blades.

  Noah climbed out of the pit with dust rising around him. He looked at the sky. The dust had to clear a bit for him to see the swords forming. There were many. Hundreds of them floated, glowing under the stars.

  Hmm, of course, a sword technique. Predictable. At least it’s more beautiful than I expected.

  The first descended. Then the second. The storm began.

  — I know I never had a chance. I know you’re not looking for a fight, but for fun. I walked the same path as you, but I was never able to reach so high. The ability to ignore others, which is not just about how many steps you’ve climbed... Tell me, is it lonely? I wish I could have experienced that feeling, even just for a moment.

  Noah knew he was the faster one, but he slowed down. He wanted it to be fun, not boring. After all, if there's a beginning and an end, there are also intervals that must be constantly observed. A pattern. Finding and understanding it might be interesting.

  He’s not just dodging some and defending against others, but all of them..? The old man smiled. It’s not just cultivation. This boy is truly a complete monster.

  Noah's feet slid over the ruined ground, dodging severed roots, broken stones, and cracks scattered everywhere.

  His eyes caught everything.

  With every move, he saw the future of this dance. Each path anticipated, each centimeter precisely predicted. He ran between the blades, analyzing them with every glance. He even noticed the spark of darkness within them. More than just a pattern, he wanted to decipher them.

  Every thread, glow, and fall, not even the old man could keep up in his decaying state. He trembled to see such monstrosity in action, but didn’t hesitate. The next chant needed to be finished before the last blade touched the ground.

  The sword floated alone as he let go. It drifted a little from the old man and the eight-petaled flower at its stone hilt lit up with a white glow. The light spread, enveloping the entire blade. And then the chant began;

  In darkness,

  Your blade shines.

  Its marks,

  Ignite evil.

  Bring to me,

  The light that radiates from the sun.

  Enlighten.

  Noah sighed. The last blade fell beside him, shattering as it hit the ground. The sky was clear, and the land devastated.

  I think I understand part of it. He straightened up, stretching. But if there are more details not visible in the blades, I’ll still be missing something even if I—

  After a brief pulse of heat that trembled the ground, the earth glowed red. His eyes swept the surroundings.

  The marks he had made earlier...

  Smiling, Noah slid his foot out of the ever-boiling line — Old man, you’re going to ruin my clothes.

  Rising like walls that shot towards the sky, sword-shaped flames ignited every groove carved into the ground.

  The best place and direction, Noah remembered it all clearly. His nimble steps crossed the ruined field in search of a spot where the slashes had been made some distance apart from one another.

  One, two... three! He spun, and the mark beside him burst into flames. Hmm, the strip...

  The tip was incinerated.

  — Having fun, are you, young one? Things are about to get trickier. Be ready.

  Bringing both hands together, the pale blade plummeted to the ground. It crashed. Vibrated. The fire ceased. And the blade’s gleam echoed across the ground. The earth whitened.

  Noah looked around. There was no blind spot in sight.

  If this keeps up, my clothes really will be ruined this time.

  The light rose, creating an inescapable space. From below, above, and from the sides, the energy gathered equally on every face of the created cube.

  — Oh, you've decided to fight back?

  — I said you’d ruin my clothes. — with the black sword in hand, Noah leapt toward one of the faces. He readied himself, drawing the blade back — It was the first gift I ever received, you know?

  With a simple motion of the dark blade, as light as air, the barrier was slashed from one end to the other.

  Unbelievable...

  The old man smiled, pointing his fingers upward. It was a bit exhilarating, his last battle in life.

  To think it would be treated as nothing more than a game.

  — It's not over yet. — he warned.

  Noah watched the energy condense. Up above, a last blade floated. Bigger. Denser and sharper.

  Ready.

  It changed direction, targeting the cave.

  — What are you doing? Have you lost your mind?

  — This time, you won't be able to dodge, young one. This will be the last.

  Noah jumped atop the cave. Forgetting interest and fun, now he was feeling a little angrier. The rage seemed to overpower his other emotions. Something within him repeated, in a whispery, vague echo; kill him, now he had to kill him.

  The blade fell and, upon being deflected, split into smaller swords. Thousands of them.

  — No, boy! Come back!

  Noah’s eyes widened when he heard Ting’s voice nearby.

  He clenched his fist, gripping the hilt tightly. The dark blade was wrapped in his black flames.