Rise of a Lunar Legend

Tang Chun Xi stepped out of her room with determination, her mind set on the upcoming training. Outside, Ah Tao, ever watchful, immediately followed her. The morning seemed peaceful, but that tranquility wasn't destined to last. As observant as always, Ah Tao noticed something different about her lady.

— "Miss, is everything alright? I was worried. You asked me to call your father..." — Ah Tao said, her voice tinged with concern as she walked alongside Tang Chun Xi.

Still immersed in the changes she had felt within herself, Tang Chun Xi turned with a soft smile and replied calmly:

— "I'm fine, Ah Tao. But tell me, haven't you noticed anything different about me?"

The maid blinked a few times, confused. Her initial worry gave way to hesitant curiosity. She scrutinized Tang Chun Xi more closely, and suddenly, her eyes widened.

— "Different? Miss… you've entered the Body Tempering Realm!" — she exclaimed, her voice a mix of joy and astonishment.

But as she continued observing, something else caught her attention. Narrowing her eyes slightly, she tilted her head and murmured:

— "It doesn't seem to be just that... Your eyes, Miss… they're shimmering purple. And your aura... it's different. It feels... nobler, more imposing."

For a moment, Ah Tao became lost in Tang Chun Xi's eyes, captivated by the mesmerizing brilliance that seemed to carry the light of stars. Quickly regaining her composure, she blushed slightly and averted her gaze, shaking her head to dispel the distraction.

Tang Chun Xi chuckled softly, her relaxed expression revealing a rare moment of lightheartedness.

— "It's true, Ah Tao, I've changed. But I still need to get used to all of this," — she said, running her hand through her now-black hair. — "Now, I need to change. I'm still wearing yesterday's auction outfit, and it's hardly practical."

Ah Tao nodded quickly, but she couldn't hide the gleam of happiness in her eyes. Seeing her lady finally reach a milestone that once seemed unattainable was more than she could have hoped for.

After changing, Tang Chun Xi returned with a determined look. Her attire was now light yet elegant, perfect for what she had in mind. She glanced at Ah Tao, who appeared more excited than herself, and smiled.

— "Let's head to my training ground," — she declared firmly. — "I need to test my power and adapt to it."

Ah Tao nodded enthusiastically, but before she could say anything, Tang Chun Xi added, turning slightly to the side:

— "Chen Kai."

From a nearby shadow, a figure emerged with silent steps. It was one of her secret guards, assigned to protect her. His dark blue and black mask concealed most of his face, but it couldn't hide his commanding presence. The only visible feature was a striking scar on his left cheek, hinting at stories of past battles.

— "You'll be my sparring partner," — Tang Chun Xi said, meeting his gaze directly.

The guard gave a short, formal bow, nodding in agreement. His silence was no surprise; it was a requirement of his role. Yet, his eyes conveyed respect and readiness.

Ah Tao, watching the scene, could barely contain her excitement. Her lady, now stronger and more confident, seemed destined for greatness.

With renewed determination, Tang Chun Xi led the small group to the training field, where the air already seemed to hum with the promise of a challenging and revealing confrontation.

Tang Chun Xi and Chen Kai positioned themselves on opposite ends of the training ground. The silence between them was broken only by the soft rustling of the wind through the surrounding trees. She took a deep breath before speaking, her confidence clear in her voice:

— "Chen Kai, let's start as usual. Restrain yourself to the third level of Body Tempering. I need to gauge the difference."

Chen Kai tilted his head slightly in acknowledgment, his eyes sharp and focused. He remembered their previous training sessions well. Even when he suppressed his power to the agreed level, Tang Chun Xi could barely keep up. But now, something felt different.

He was the first to move. His body shot forward with speed far beyond that of a mortal, closing the distance between them in the blink of an eye. His fist rose in a direct, rapid strike aimed at the center of Tang Chun Xi's defense.

Tang Chun Xi reacted instinctively, raising her fist to block the strike. The impact echoed across the training field like muffled thunder. The force sent her sliding three steps back, while Chen Kai, with his experience and strength, remained unmoved. His body only trembled slightly before stabilizing.

Wasting no time, both of them advanced again. The exchange of blows was fierce and precise, each attack a testament to their strength and skill. Tang Chun Xi felt her arms tremble with each collision, yet instead of retreating, a determined gleam lit up her eyes.

— "The difference is real..." — she thought, adjusting her movements.

In previous training sessions, she would have been forced to retreat more than ten steps within moments, her energy nearly depleted after only a few minutes. Chen Kai's true strength was at the Mid Primary Origin level, and even with his power restrained, he remained overwhelming for anyone of the same rank. Yet this time, she managed to hold her ground. Her body, now accustomed to the changes, withstood the impact of each strike, a testament to how far she had progressed.

For a moment, her thoughts drifted. She recalled the day her father assigned Chen Kai as her personal guard, one of his most trusted and powerful men. She had protested, arguing that someone so strong should remain by her father's side, but he had been insistent.

— "I will only be at peace if he is by your side." — her father's words echoed in her mind, filling her heart with a mix of gratitude and responsibility.

Shaking off the memories, Tang Chun Xi refocused on the fight. As the blows continued, an idea crossed her mind. It was time to test not only her body but also her ability to manipulate aura.

She concentrated her energy, channeling the earth attribute into her fists. A shimmering, earthy hue enveloped her hands, making her strikes heavier and more solid. As she unleashed her next attack, Chen Kai immediately sensed the shift.

Without hesitation, he infused his movements with the earth attribute as well. His strikes grew more robust, his stance even more unyielding. The training field seemed to tremble under the clash of elemental forces.

Tang Chun Xi retreated momentarily, observing her aura and adjusting it. Resolute, she launched a powerful punch aimed at Chen Kai's arm. Recognizing the threat, he shifted into a defensive stance at the last moment, raising his aura from the third to the fourth level.

The impact was staggering. Chen Kai slid four steps back, the ground beneath his feet sinking slightly under the pressure. For an instant, he felt an acute sense of danger.

"If I had kept my aura at the third level, my hand would've broken." — he thought, astonished.

Both paused briefly, their eyes meeting. The air between them crackled, not just with the tension of battle, but with mutual acknowledgment of each other's abilities.

Tang Chun Xi, her fist still clenched, gave a faint smile.

— "Chen Kai, it seems I'm starting to understand what has changed within me."

The guard didn't respond, but the way he adjusted his stance made it clear he was ready to continue. The training field seemed to hold its breath, awaiting their next move.