NOVEL NEXT Chapter 94: The crimson war begins
The morning sky burned red.
It wasn't dawn — it was Qi. Violent, scorching Qi.
Li Ming stood on the training platform, looking at the horizon where the clouds twisted like fire. "That's not sunrise…"
Bai Guo landed beside him, feathers bristling. "No. That's an army."
Lan Yue arrived next, her blade already drawn. Her calm eyes carried a rare weight. "The Crimson Sect… they're coming for revenge."
All across Azure Sky Sect, bells tolled — deep and steady.
The sound carried through the mountains like thunder.
Disciples rushed through the courtyards, forming battle lines. Elders appeared in the air one by one, robes fluttering with spiritual energy.
The Sect Master floated above them all, his aura like a storm.
"Everyone, listen well!" his voice boomed.
"The Crimson Sect dares to bring chaos to our gates. Today, we show them — Azure Sky will not bow!"
A cheer rose from thousands of disciples. Qi surged like a living wave.
Li Ming tightened his fists. "This… this isn't another exam."
Lan Yue nodded. "No. This is war."
---
The Crimson Sect appeared at the edge of the valley — dozens of cultivators in dark red robes, their leader standing tall on a black cloud.
His eyes glowed faintly as he shouted, "You killed one of ours. Now, we burn your sect to ash!"
The ground shook as both sides unleashed their aura.
Wu Jian stepped forward, fire burning around his arms. "If you think you can destroy Azure Sky, you'll have to go through me first."
Li Ming smirked. "And me."
Bai Guo hopped onto his shoulder. "And me—though I'd prefer to not die doing it."
The Sect Master raised his hand. "Formation ready!"
Instantly, glowing blue lines formed in the air — the sect's defensive array came alive, wrapping the mountains in light.
"Defend the sect! Don't let them breach the barrier!"
---
The first clash was deafening.
Fire met lightning. Swords met fists.
The valley exploded with color — blue Qi and crimson flame crashing together like waves in a storm.
Li Ming darted through the air, dodging a crimson spear that sliced past his face.
He twisted midair and countered with a Lightning Burst, his palm cracking against his opponent's chest.
"Stay down!" he shouted, landing in a roll.
The enemy cultivator flew back, crashing into a rock wall.
Before Li Ming could breathe, three more surrounded him.
"Found the lightning brat!" one snarled.
Li Ming cracked his knuckles. "Great. I was just starting to get bored."
He spun, his Qi erupting into a storm. Arcs of blue light slashed in every direction, the air screaming as his Thunder Flow Technique hit full power.
Two enemies fell instantly. The third stumbled back — only to be kicked across the field by Wu Jian.
Li Ming blinked. "You saved me?"
Wu Jian scoffed. "Don't flatter yourself. I just didn't want you dying before I beat you myself."
"Fair enough."
They turned together, facing the next wave.
---
Lan Yue was a blur of silver on the other side of the battlefield.
Her sword flickered faster than sight, deflecting fireballs and blades alike.
Each strike she made sang with precision, cutting down the chaos around her.
Bai Guo, in his human form, was flapping his sleeves and yelling at disciples. "Left flank, move faster! You call that formation? My grandmother flies straighter than that!"
Qi blasts rained from the sky, and the mountain trembled with every explosion.
Li Ming glanced around — smoke, shouting, the clash of techniques. It was chaos.
Yet deep inside, his blood burned with something sharp — purpose.
This is what all that training was for.
He drew his sword, lightning running along its edge. "Alright then…"
His eyes locked on the crimson leader above the valley.
"…let's finish this."
He launched himself skyward, a streak of blue tearing through the red haze.
The Crimson leader turned, sneering. "A mere foundation cultivator dares—"
Li Ming's sword met his staff midair, the impact splitting the clouds apart.
Lightning and fire clashed, and the sky itself seemed to scream.
---
Below, Lan Yue looked up — her eyes widened.
"Li Ming, wait—! That's—"
But her voice was drowned by the roar of thunder as both fighters exploded with Qi.
The entire battlefield froze for a moment, watching two figures locked in the air — one of lightning, one of flame.
The Sect Master clenched his fists.
"So… it begins."
-----
The clouds boiled above them as lightning and fire split the heavens apart.
Every time Li Ming's sword met the Crimson Leader's staff, shockwaves tore through the air.
The barrier surrounding Azure Sky Sect flickered violently — disciples ducked and braced themselves against the storm.
Lan Yue shouted from below, "Li Ming! Don't overdo it!"
He didn't hear her. The roar of Qi drowned out everything.
The Crimson Leader thrust his staff, sending a sea of flame downward. "Burn!"
Li Ming vanished from sight — then reappeared right behind him, lightning spiraling around his sword.
"Azure Flash — Second Form: Tempest Strike!"
His blade tore through the fire, cutting the wave apart. Sparks exploded everywhere as lightning slammed into the Crimson Leader's chest, forcing him back through the sky.
The man coughed blood, but his grin stayed twisted. "Good… very good. But you're still just a boy!"
He swung his staff again — this time, the flames curved into a phoenix of pure Qi, screeching toward Li Ming.
Li Ming's body blurred. He raised his sword high, Qi bursting outward like a storm.
Lightning danced along his skin, wild and alive.
He shouted, "Then let's see if your fire can stand against thunder itself!"
"Azure Flash — Fourth Form: Heavenbreaker!"
The phoenix screamed as lightning devoured it, shattering into sparks.
The sky turned white-blue — a single bolt struck down with crushing force.
The explosion that followed rattled the entire valley.
Flames scattered, clouds vanished, and silence followed like an echo after thunder.
When the light faded, Li Ming stood midair, panting, his sword humming faintly.
The Crimson Leader was on his knees, his robes scorched and staff cracked in half.
He looked up at Li Ming, disbelief clouding his face. "Eighth… level of Foundation…? Impossible."
Li Ming steadied his breath, his voice firm. "Go back to your sect. Tell them Azure Sky isn't easy prey."
For a long moment, the man said nothing. Then he chuckled lowly.
"Perhaps… we underestimated you."
He stood, flames dimming from his body. "Enjoy your little victory, Azure brat. But this is far from over."
With a flick of his sleeve, crimson fire engulfed him — and in the blink of an eye, he vanished into the clouds.
The battlefield fell silent.
Disciples stared up at the empty sky. The red haze slowly cleared, revealing the bright blue above.
Li Ming descended, landing hard but steady. His robe was torn, his sword cracked — but his eyes burned with lightning.
Lan Yue rushed over, blade still in hand. "You're insane, you know that?"
Bai Guo dropped beside them, feathers puffed. "And yet somehow, it worked. I'd say that counts as progress."
Li Ming gave a weak grin. "Guess I'm getting better at not dying."
Wu Jian approached, arms crossed. "Tch. Don't think this makes you special. I could've done that too."
Li Ming raised a brow. "Sure you could."
The Sect Master floated down from above, his expression stern but proud.
"You've all done well. Azure Sky stands tall today."
He looked at Li Ming, his voice lowering slightly.
"But this was only the first flame. The real storm hasn't come yet."
Li Ming nodded. "Then I'll be ready."
The Sect Master smiled faintly. "You'd better be."
The bells of the sect rang once more — not in alarm this time, but in victory.
The smoke cleared, the sky brightened, and for the first time in days, the mountain felt calm again.
Bai Guo stretched his wings. "Well, that's that. Anyone up for tea?"
Li Ming chuckled softly, lowering his sword. "Yeah. Tea sounds perfect."
As the disciples cheered and laughter returned to the valley, the Azure Sky Sect stood proud under the blue horizon —
their scars proof of survival, their resolve brighter than ever.
To be continued...