“How… How is this real?” “A Wandering Immortal matching an Earthly Immortal for ten volleys, he’s a monster!”
“With determination and power like that, his future is limitless!” The murmurs swelled into a tide of reverence. Every eye followed the battered swordsman now, wide with shock, and grudging respect.
Eleventh strike! Alice’s enormous palm finally slipped past Jared’s desperate guard and slammed into his chest.
“Ugh…” The sound burst from with a mouthful of dark blood. He shot backward like a severed kite, smashed into the stone wall, and slid to the floor, limp and silent.
Flaxseed’s eyes bulged with panic.
“Jared!” cried, thrashing against the guards who pinned his arms, their armor creaking as they forced to stay where was.
Bent over and panting, Alice stared at the crumpled figure had just crushed. Conflicting emotions flickered across face, victory soured by the sting on own arm.
She had needed far too long to subdue a mere seventh-tier Wandering Immortal, and the scratch left behind only deepened humiliation. Step by deliberate step, approached, intent on finishing the job.
“Enough!” The single command rolled in from beyond Whispers Tower like distant thunder. A column of Sword Sect disciples marched through the doorway, silver robes flashing. Corin strode at their head, Lyra at his side.
The moment Lyra saw Jared motionless on the tiles, all color drained from cheeks.
Corin swept the wrecked hall, Alice’s wound, Jared’s blood, shattered furniture, and his gaze went glacial.
“Well, Madam Pudge-such magnificence,” Corin said, voice calm yet edged with authority. “A disciple of mine is beaten half to death inside your tower? I assume there is an explanation…”
Alice‘s smirk faltered, knew the tales of Corin’s depthless sword force. Both of them were Earthly Immortals, yet couldn’t guarantee a win. Still, with the momentum on side. refused to yield.
“Corin, your boy went on a killing spree in my tower,” answered coldly. “I merely offered some discipline. Is that not allowed?”
“A killing spree?” Corin snorted. “There is always a reason where Jared is concerned. Let us end it here. Whatever damage your tower suffered, the Sword Sect will pay, ten thousand celestial gems.”
He kept his tone even; this was not his territory, and had no wish for outright war.
Alice’s lips curled. “Ten thousand? Are you tossing coins at beggars? My loss isn’t a broken vase and a maid, my reputation lies in tatters.”
“Name your price,” Corin said, patience fraying.
“One million,” answered sweetly, then pointed at the unconscious man. “And crawls over to beg for my mercy. Perhaps then I’ll spare his life.”
Hearing this, Lyra’s composure shattered.
“You’re beyond cruel!” shouted, fists trembling at sides. Jared was already drenched in blood, yet Alice demanded further humiliation.
Corin’s eyes darkened. “So you choose to stand against the Sword Sect?”
Alice lifted chin, fearless in the ruin she’d caused. “Against you, against your sect… It makes no difference. Either meet my terms or prepare for consequences.”
Corin nodded once, the motion crisp as a drawn blade.
“Very well,” said, a lethal spark igniting behind his calm mask. “Allow me to test your skills with my sword.”
Before the last syllable could even fade, Corin moved. His silhouette shuddered.
A pressure heavier and fiercer than Alice’s rolled across the hall. A plain-looking longsword materialized in his grip, and its first flash drove straight for chest with murderous precision.
