Grandmaster, master, semi-master

The night stretched endlessly, the sky a vast abyss that mirrored the suffocating presence of Mingyao. Her qi pressure rolled outward in waves, a force so immense it felt as if the air itself was lead. The Su residence quaked under the weight of her power, its very foundations groaning in protest.

Yue Ying was the only one who could pacify the monster that was Mingyao. With each wave of qi pressure, It was becoming harder to breathe, move, or even stand.

The weaker members—Su Mei, her family, and the others—dropped where they stood, their bodies crumpling like paper beneath an invisible mountain. Even Xiulan, arriving moments later, barely had time to process the scene before her consciousness slipped away, overcome the instant she set foot inside.

Mo Yan wanted to act, to do something, but she was trembling in the face of the immense power. She couldn't move. Her instincts, honed through years of battle, were useless against the primal terror that gripped her body. Her body recoiled, paralyzed by the presence before her.

Against such power, she felt like a candle flickering in a storm.

Yue Ying was the least affected, but her body was already exhausted from the previous battle and the strain of absorbing the excess cold energy from Mingyao.

Traces of ice still clung to her skin—a testament to the overflowing yin energy within her.

Summoning what strength she had left, Yue Ying leaped toward the floating, meditating figure before her, a celestial entity removed from mortal constraints.

The ground cracked under Yue Ying as she leaped forward, forming a barrier of condensed qi in a desperate attempt to stem the tide of crushing energy.

The translucent shield shimmered for a heartbeat before fracturing, a spiderweb of cracks lancing through it before it exploded into nothingness.

Yue Ying barely had time to reinforce her stance before Mingyao abruptly broke out of her meditative state. She rose from her seated position in midair before slowly descending toward the hot spring, where the ice had just thawed.

She landed lightly atop the steaming water, her hair—now an alternating mix of silver and black strands—dancing in the wind, her form untouched by the heat. The rippling surface shuddered as she reached down. Water splashed into the air, and from within the cascading droplets, she grasped and unsheathed a rugged ice sword. As she drew it, the blade froze solid, radiating a deadly intent.Then, she attacked.

Yue Ying barely saw it coming. A blur, then a deafening crash as their swords met. Yue Ying barely managed to shield herself from the devastating strike. The impact sent shockwaves through the air, obliterating the surrounding structures.

Mingyao stood menacingly as Yue Ying struggled to rise to her feet.

She didn't know what to do. This was her master. Her loyalty forbade her from raising her sword against Mingyao, yet she knew her master was not in her right mind. Yue Ying studied her closely—her once-bright eyes were now dull and lifeless, as though she were moving purely on instinct. All Yue Ying could do was try to curb her rampage.

Mingyao struck again, faster, stronger. Yue Ying dodged, countered, but every move pushed her body to the brink. Then—A feint—a flicker of movement from Mingyao that baited a reaction. Yue Ying took the chance, shifting her stance to counter. But the moment she committed, she realized her mistake.Too late.

Mingyao was already behind her. A vice-like grip closed around her throat, lifting her effortlessly into the air. The qi around them solidified, forming crystalline steps beneath Mingyao's feet as she ascended, dragging Yue Ying with her. The night stretched below them

Yue Ying gasped, her vision swimming, frost creeping along her skin where Mingyao's grip tightened. Her body screamed for air, but the void of icy qi surrounding them left her lungs empty. The difference in strength between a master and a grandmaster was as vast as legend claimed.

She had to act—now.With a final burst of strength, she twisted her wrist, her ice blade slashing upward. It struck true, forcing Mingyao to release her grip. Yue Ying tumbled downward, breaking through the shattered roof of the Su residence and crashing into the rubble below.

For a moment, she lay there, gasping for breath. Above her, Mingyao hovered in the sky, her lifeless eyes still locked onto her.

The first light of dawn broke over the horizon.

Yue Ying leaped to her feet, her sword pointed at her master—but her strength was waning. Mingyao easily countered, disarming Yue Ying and turning her blade against her. It seemed like the end.

Then, suddenly, the roaring energy calmed.

Slowly, life returned to Mingyao's eyes.

Yue Ying's lips twitched slightly at the sight—before she collapsed to the ground.

Her master had regained control.

----

Mingyao's eyes fluttered open to a scene of devastation. Bodies lay scattered across the ground. Yue Ying's blade was gripped tight in her hand.

Before she could make sense of the situation, a blade cut through the air, missing her face by mere inches, cleanly severing a strand of her hair.

She spun around.

Xue She.

Xue She had trailed Yue Ying, Mo Yan, and Mingyao from the moment they left Yin Lian Pavilion. Even with the Moon Veil technique, staying undetected was nearly impossible. Her master easily sensed her presence, forcing her to keep her distance.

Then pressure.

A crushing wave of qi pressure crashed down on her, driving her to her knees. Stealth was impossible. She had no choice but to abandon her concealment and rush forward, desperate to protect her master.

But when she arrived, she found herself frozen.

The oppressive energy weighed her down, her body refusing to respond. She was trapped in place, forced to watch as their so-called grandmaster unleashed brutal attacks on her master.

Rage burned hot in her chest, but her body refused to move.

Then—suddenly—the weight lifted.

She surged forward, her blade flashing. She would avenge her master.

Mingyao dodged, The attacks came fast, relentless. She parried on instinct, confusion swirling through her mind. But then—her gaze fell to the sword in her hand. The destruction around her. Realization dawned.

Xue She thought she was responsible.

I wasn't in control!" Mingyao shouted, but Xue She didn't hear her. Didn't want to.

Blade clashed against blade. Xue She's strikes were vicious. Her blade came fast and strong, slicing and thrusting without hesitation. Mingyao had no choice but to dodge and parry, barely managing to keep up.

They raced across the rooftops, Xue She relentless in her pursuit.

Mo Yan, still recovering, realized what was happening and immediately took off after them.

The three ran across the rooftops in the early morning, like children playing a game of tag—except this game was deadly.

Suddenly, the sky darkened.

Thunder rumbled as dark clouds gathered above them.

Mingyao recalled her master's words: For every breakthrough, there will be a tribulation.

Was she about to break through to the level of a semi-master?

Panic surged through her. She had to get as far away as possible—if the lightning struck here, innocent people could be hurt.

Pushing herself to her limit, she sprinted toward the western walls of Xianyang City and leaped over them.

Xue She was still close behind. Mingyao had to find a way to make her stop.

She shouted a warning, telling Xue She that she was about to undergo a lightning catastrophe. But Xue She refused to listen, her determination unwavering.

The thunder grew louder, the sky churning with ominous energy.

Mingyao spotted Mo Yan behind Xue She and yelled for her to stop Xue She from following.

Xue She remained stubborn—until Mo Yan tackled her to the ground and swiftly bound her.

That brief moment was all Mingyao needed. She fled, seeking an isolated place where she could withstand the tribulation alone.

Then, the storm struck.

The first bolt of lightning crashed down with terrifying force.

It wasn't the searing heat she had experienced before. This time, it was different—cold, freezing and burning all at once.

The second strike was worse.

The third, unbearable.

With each bolt, the pain intensified, coursing through her body in relentless waves.

Then, at last, the dark clouds dispersed.

She collapsed to the ground, panting.