Void Saint: Eternal Ascendancy

The air was still in the valley's throat, silent but tense, like a spirit watching from behind stone. The team had rested, barely, and morning mist clung to their robes.

Su Feilí stepped forward, rolling her shoulders with a lazy elegance. Her crimson braid swayed behind her as she unsheathed a slender curved sword wrapped in talisman thread.

"I want a warm-up," she said with a smile. "How about… all five of you?"

Feng Ruo blinked. "Wait, what?"

"One versus five," Su Feilí repeated. "Treat it as preparation. If you can't beat me, you won't last long down there."

Xuanye folded his arms. "They won't beat you."

"That's the point." She smirked. "Come. Show me the strength of Qingling's elites."

The others exchanged glances then drew their weapons.

 ⚔️ The Duel Begins

Huo Shan was first. He stomped the ground, sending shockwaves that shattered the moss beneath him.

"Earthbreaking Step: Iron Mountain Descent!"

He charged like a moving cliff, his fists glowing orange-red.

Su Feilí danced around him, twirling like fire.

"Crimson Petal Shift."

She moved just inches past his strikes, blades grazing his armguards.

Ruo followed next, dual flame whips spiraling behind her.

"Sunflare Vines: Blooming Spiral!"

Searing trails carved through the mist, targeting Su Feilí from all sides.

Su Feilí flicked a talisman from her wrist.

"Second Seal: Fire-Borrowing Lotus!"

A barrier of burning lotus petals bloomed around her, absorbing Ruo's heat and exploding outward.

Shui Lin stood back, his hands weaving rapid sigils.

"Four-Direction Mirage Matrix!"

Illusions flooded the battlefield multiple Su Feilís appeared.

But Su Feilí narrowed her eyes, flipped her sword backward, and launched:

"Heaven-Cutting Flame: Twin Fang Arc!"

Two blades of condensed flame roared from her strike, tearing through three illusions.

Meanwhile, Yue Chányīn moved silently, blade glowing with frost.

"Silent Snow Form: Frost Veil Cleave."

She struck from behind, her blade nearly touching Su Feilí's spine.

But Su Feilí ducked, pivoted on her back foot, and blocked with the edge of her wrist guard.

Their blades rang in a burst of Qi.

They exchanged five, ten, twenty blows each one a blink in the mist.

Finally, Su Feilí leapt back, exhaling. "Excellent form," she said to Yue. "But too reserved."

She flipped her sword into a reverse grip, aura blazing.

"Let's end this."

"Third Seal: Vermilion Sky Rend!"

The flame around her surged upward, forming a crimson phoenix that dove across the battlefield.

The team regrouped into a defensive stance.

Xuanye, still standing aside, finally spoke.

"Enough."

He clapped his hands.

The flame phoenix paused in the air, then burst into harmless mist.

Su Feilí landed with a slide, sword spinning back into its sheath.

"Not bad," she said. "You're worthy of the Young Master's time."

Ruo groaned. "What the hell was that seal move?!"

Feilí smirked. "I've got seven. You've seen three."

Huo Shan was on one knee. "Remind me never to spar with you again."

Yue Chányīn didn't speak she just cleaned her blade in slow, measured movements.

Xuanye grinned.

"Now you've seen why she's our guardian."

As they rested, Xuanye drew Su Feilí aside.

"I think I'm close to breaking the threshold," he whispered.

She tilted her head. "Core stage?"

"Not yet. But something is… waking up."

Feilí nodded solemnly. "Then we'll need to hurry."

To be continued...