"Begin."
The bell rang.
Tian Shen moved first.
He didn't summon flame.
Instead—he drew his sword.
A clean, fluid motion. Quiet as breath. The blade gleamed, and for the first time in a public duel—Tian Shen stepped into the realm of Sword Intent.
Let's try it, he thought. Let's see where I stand.
Li Cheng's eyes narrowed slightly.
"You're not using your spirit flame?"
Tian Shen didn't reply. His feet shifted into a forward stance, body low, blade angled slightly downward—flowing like water.
The pressure changed.
Around Tian Shen, a beastial aura emerged.
Li Cheng smiled faintly.
"I see. So you've stepped into the path of the sword as well."
He lifted his own blade.
Then—they vanished.
A single clash echoed across the arena.
CLANG!
Sparks flew from the center of the platform.
Both reappeared, skidding away from one another.
Tian Shen's eyes flickered. Li Cheng was faster. But not by much.
"Good first step," Li Cheng said. "Let's see your second."
