Calculating My Way To Immortality

The Grand Elder maintained his sweet smile on the outside, though he was extremely pissed inside.

Who sends a Grand Elder to demand justice when regular sect members are killed?

It was like sending an elder to seek justice for a sect servant. This was clearly looking down on him. Was he trying to put him in his place by telling him that he was still the sect master and could order him around?

The sect master wore a serious expression on the outside, but on the inside, he was very pleased with the Grand Elder's expression. "That expression where you hate it but can't do anything about it. I love it," he thought.

"Sure," the Grand Elder responded.

The sect master was about to smile but restrained himself. "No... I can't laugh yet... I've gotta hold it in." As he thought this, the Grand Elder added, "I'll go there in a week."

"What?" the sect master asked in anger, slamming his hands on his table. "I told you to go now!" he roared.

"Although I'd also like to go now, it would be stupid to do so," the Grand Elder said.

"How so?" the sect master asked, looking at him with suspicion. What was he playing at?

"Since they dared to make a move on our sect members, then it's reasonable to assume that they have something to rely on. As just a newly formed sect, there is no way they would so easily offend the Dark Moon Hall," the Grand Elder said.

"I'm guessing it has something to do with the righteous sects." He paused. "Don't you find it strange that someone was suddenly able to take on all the five sect masters in the region and unify all the sects?" he asked.

The sect master looked at him. Dammit, what he said made sense. Fine, he would give in for now. If he pushed even more now, he would look stupid.

"Fine. Learn about the situation in a week. If you don't notice any suspicious movement by the righteous sects, make your move," he said.

"I'll do as the sect master says," he said, cupping his fists and smiling. He then turned around and left.

…

Yu Tian and Xueling stood facing each other in the training grounds, their auras flaring as they prepared for real combat. This wasn't like their previous sword practice sessions - this time, they would be using everything at their disposal.

Well, somewhat.

"Ready?" Yu Tian asked, falling into his stance.

Xueling nodded, her eyes sharp with focus. "I won't hold back so don't hold back either."

The moment the words left her mouth, she vanished from her position, her movement technique carrying her forward in a blur. Yu Tian's eyes tracked her motion, and he sidestepped at just the right moment. Causing her palm strike to whistle past his face.

He instantly countered with a swift kick aimed at her midsection before she could recover, but she seemed to have expected this and twisted her body, deflecting it with her forearm.

"Good reaction," Yu Tian said as they exchanged blows. "But you're telegraphing your strikes with your shoulder movement. Keep it tighter."

Xueling adjusted immediately, her next series of attacks flowing more smoothly.

Her sword flashed out, forcing Yu Tian to draw his own blade to parry. The clash of metal rang through the air as they engaged in close combat, their weapons dancing against each other as they navigated around each other's strikes.

Yu Tian gathered fire qi in his free hand and sent a wave of flames toward her.

Xueling responded instantly, her yin qi forming an ice barrier that hissed as it met the fire. Steam exploded between them, obscuring their vision. She used this as a cover to activate the Snow Phantom Method and circle around, attempting to catch him from the side.

"Predictable," Yu Tian called out, blocking her strike without even looking. "When you create an opening, don't always take the most obvious path. Your opponent will expect it."

She grit her teeth and pushed harder, channeling more qi into her attacks.

Her cultivation at the peak of Core Formation gave her an edge in raw power, and Yu Tian found himself being pushed back slightly. Each of her strikes carried more force, and her qi reserves seemed deeper than his.

Yu Tian created distance between them, his elemental qi swirling around him. Earth spikes erupted from the ground toward Xueling, but she leaped over them gracefully, stepping on the air and carrying herself higher.

She gathered her sword qi, preparing to strike down at him from above.

"Better," Yu Tian said, raising his hand. Metal qi formed into chains that shot toward her, forcing her to deflect mid-leap. "But you're committing too much to aerial attacks. You lose mobility options."

As she landed, Xueling immediately transitioned into a spinning slash, her blade coated in icy qi. Yu Tian barely managed to block it, the force of the impact sliding him back several meters. She pressed her advantage, unleashing a flurry of sword strikes that kept him on the defensive.

"Your combination work has improved," Yu Tian commented, even as he parried and dodged. "But you're burning through your qi too quickly. Pace yourself."

Despite his advice, Xueling could sense she was gaining the upper hand. Her attacks were becoming more refined with each exchange, and Yu Tian's defenses were narrowing. She feinted left, then struck right, her blade grazing his sleeve and drawing a thin line of blood.

Yu Tian's eyes narrowed, and he began incorporating more elemental techniques. He summoned even more qi, creating explosive bursts of energy that forced Xueling to maintain her distance. But she adapted quickly, using ice to counter his flames while closing the gap with her superior speed.

Their battle intensified, qi clashing against qi, sword meeting sword. Xueling could feel her confidence growing - she was actually pushing Yu Tian to his limits. She gathered her qi for a decisive strike, her blade humming with power.

Yu Tian seemed to stumble backward, his footing uncertain. Xueling's eyes lit up - this was her chance. She channeled all her remaining qi into her sword, the blade radiating with brilliant light as she closed the distance in an instant.

Xueling smiled widely, her sword positioned for a strike that Yu Tian seemed to have no way to defend against. He was cornered, his options exhausted...