The sun had barely risen over the academy when the air turned heavy with pressure. A dark cloud loomed over the horizon, but this was no mere storm. A convoy of armored figures marched toward the academy gates, their presence radiating an oppressive aura. The emblem of the Thunder Kingdom gleamed on their chests, signifying the arrival of true warriors—not mere infiltrators or spies, but elite enforcers sent to reclaim what they had lost.
Asura stood on the academy's outer wall, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. Beside him, his allies—Ling Mei, Wei Shen, and the core members of the Sword Clan—watched in silence. The enemy had arrived. It was only a matter of time before battle erupted once more.
A loud voice boomed from the approaching army. "Asura of the Flame Kingdom! You have overstepped your bounds! The Thunder Kingdom will not tolerate such insolence!"
A figure stepped forward, clad in royal blue robes with golden lightning patterns embroidered along the edges. His long silver hair shimmered under the morning sun, and his piercing violet eyes exuded dominance. Lei Wuxian, the Thunder Kingdom's Young General.
A hush fell over the academy. Even some elders flinched at his presence. Lei Wuxian wasn't just a noble—he was a prodigy, rumored to have been trained directly by the Thunder King himself.
He raised his hand, and the air crackled with electricity. "Kneel now, surrender your position, and I may let you live. Resist… and you will be buried beneath the might of the Thunder Kingdom."
A slow smirk formed on Asura's lips. "Big words, coming from someone who hasn't even drawn his sword yet."
Lei Wuxian's eyes darkened. "You think this is a game?"
"Everything in life is a game," Asura replied casually. "The real question is—do you know how to play?"
The Confrontation
The moment was tense. The Sword Clan's disciples gripped their hilts, sensing the battle that loomed. The academy's elders, too, watched with concern. This was no longer an internal struggle—this was becoming a war between kingdoms.
Elder Jian, usually reserved, finally spoke. "This academy is neutral ground. If you bring war here, Lei Wuxian, you risk turning all eight kingdoms against the Thunder Kingdom."
Lei Wuxian chuckled, a deep, resonant sound that sent shivers through weaker disciples. "Neutral? You think neutrality exists in war, old man? The moment you allowed this dog from the Flame Kingdom to take control, neutrality was broken."
Lightning coiled around his body, flickering wildly. His battle intent surged, causing the weaker students to fall to their knees from sheer pressure.
Yet, Asura remained completely unfazed.
He stepped forward, standing just beyond the academy gates. The moment his foot touched the ground, an unseen force rippled outward.
BOOM!
A powerful wave of killing intent erupted from him, crashing against Lei Wuxian's thunderous aura like an unstoppable tide. The very ground cracked beneath his feet. For the first time, Lei Wuxian's smirk faded.
"You're not the only one who can exert pressure," Asura said lazily. "If you're going to threaten me, at least try harder."
The air between them sizzled, the clash of their auras sending violent winds whipping through the academy. The spectators could barely stand. The sky itself seemed to darken as two monsters faced each other down.
Lei Wuxian's fingers twitched. "I see. So you're not just a reckless fool. That's good—it means killing you will be far more entertaining."
His hand shot forward, lightning surging down his arm—
But Asura vanished.
BOOM!
In an instant, Asura reappeared behind Lei Wuxian, his sword drawn just enough to glint in the sunlight.
A single drop of blood slid down Lei Wuxian's cheek.
Everyone watching gasped.
For the first time in years, the prodigy of the Thunder Kingdom had been cut.
Asura's voice was deadly calm. "I suggest you rethink your approach."
Lei Wuxian stood frozen, his mind processing what had just happened. He hadn't seen Asura move. Not even once.
The War Begins
The academy elders knew that this was no longer a mere rivalry. This was the beginning of something far greater.
The Thunder Kingdom would not take this humiliation lightly.
And Asura? He was just getting started.
End of Chapter 70