Ultimate Magus in Cultivation World

The night air in Cloudveil City grew cooler as the lanterns burned brighter. Vendors called out their wares, children darted between the crowds, and cultivators with swords at their backs passed by in groups.

Yuxin leaned back slightly, finishing her last skewer with an air of satisfaction. "See? Worth it."

Tian Lei set down the wooden sticks in silence, though the slight ease in his shoulders betrayed that he agreed. He scanned the street, however, his gaze sharp. "We should leave soon. Crowded places attract trouble."

Yuxin chuckled lightly. "You always expect danger, even in the middle of a marketplace."

"Because danger doesn't wait for you to be ready," Tian Lei replied, his tone calm but firm.

Before Yuxin could tease him further, a loud laugh echoed from across the street. A small group of cultivators, their robes marked with the emblem of the Iron River Sect, stepped out from a tavern. Their steps were heavy, their voices louder than needed, and several were clearly half-drunk.

One of them pointed toward Yuxin, his gaze narrowing on the faint outline of her features behind the veil. "Heh, a fairy hiding her face. What's the point of a veil if it only makes men curious?"

His companions chuckled, egging him on.

Yuxin's eyes darkened behind the veil. She didn't speak, but her hand slid toward her sword.

Tian Lei shifted slightly, already putting himself between her and the men. His voice was cold, steady, and cutting through the noise like a blade. "Walk away."

The drunken cultivator snorted, stepping closer. "And who are you to order us around?" His hand hovered near the hilt of his saber.

The street began to quiet as the tension thickened.

Yuxin glanced sideways at Tian Lei. Her voice was soft, calm, but there was steel under it. "I told you this would be better than dried rations. Still think so?"

Tian Lei's hand tightened on his sword hilt, his eyes locked on the approaching group. "I said crowded places attract trouble. Looks like I was right."

The drunken cultivator grinned, mistaking Tian Lei's calm tone for weakness. "What's wrong? Afraid to draw your sword in front of everyone? Then maybe I'll take off her veil myself—"

Before his hand could even reach forward, Tian Lei moved. His blade wasn't fully drawn; instead, with a flick of his wrist, the sheathed sword struck the man's wrist with sharp precision.

Crack!

The drunk cultivator cried out, stumbling back as his saber clattered to the ground.

The crowd stirred. Whispers rose as people recognized Tian Lei's quick strike.

The Iron River disciples froze for a moment, then three of them stepped forward, anger flashing in their eyes. "You dare—!"

But before they could finish, Yuxin finally moved. She drew just a single inch of her sword, silver light flaring briefly. A thin arc of qi flashed out and carved a clean mark into the stone street at their feet.

The sound was soft—shhhk—but the result was clear. The crack in the stone smoked faintly as if burned by lightning.

The men stopped dead, their anger replaced with a sudden cold sweat.

Yuxin slid her sword back into its sheath without a word. She didn't even look at them—her eyes were on the skewer in her hand, calmly taking the last bite.

Tian Lei finally spoke again, his tone even colder. "Pick up your friend. Leave."

The drunk cultivator clutched his wrist, glaring but too shaken to speak. His companions quickly hauled him up, muttering curses under their breath as they retreated down the street.

The crowd, sensing the danger had passed, slowly resumed its noise. But many still glanced at the pair with a mix of awe and wariness.

Yuxin sighed, brushing her hands together as if dusting off crumbs. "See? Not even ten minutes without trouble."

Tian Lei sheathed his sword fully, his eyes still scanning the crowd. "That's why I said we should have gone back to the sect."

But Yuxin smiled faintly behind the veil, her eyes glinting. "And yet, you didn't hesitate to protect me first. Maybe you're learning to live a little after all."

Tian Lei gave her a flat look. "…You're impossible."

She only laughed softly, linking her hands behind her back as she walked ahead through the busy street.

Tian Lei and Yuxin finished their food quietly after that, though the mood of the street had shifted. Where earlier the vendors had smiled casually, now they bowed slightly as the two passed, wary of offending cultivators of obvious strength.

Once they left the food street, Tian Lei finally spoke. "We're done here. Let's head back."

Yuxin gave a small nod, still calm. "Fine. But admit it—the food was better than dry rations."

He didn't answer. Which, to her, was as good as admitting.

They made their way out of Cloudveil City and back to where the cloud crane waited. As they mounted, Tian Lei felt a faint ripple of qi in the distance—someone's gaze lingering on them from a rooftop. His eyes narrowed briefly, but the feeling vanished.

The crane took off, carrying them back toward the Azure Feather Sect.

Two days later, at the Sect

The mission was formally reported, the spirit herb handed over to the elders. Both Tian Lei and Yuxin received sect points and merit contribution for their success.

But as Tian Lei was preparing to leave the Mission Peak, one of the outer disciples ran up to him in a hurry.

"Senior Brother Tian! News from Cloudveil City… The Iron River Sect filed a formal complaint. They said one of their disciples was attacked by you."

Tian Lei's expression didn't change. "Attacked? He was drunk, causing trouble."

The disciple hesitated, lowering his voice. "Yes, but… Iron River Sect won't care about the details. They're demanding compensation or… a duel."

At that moment, Yuxin approached, her presence making the disciple lower his head immediately. She glanced at Tian Lei. "So they're already stirring trouble."

Tian Lei looked calm, but his hand rested lightly on the hilt of his sword. "If they want a duel, I'll give it to them."

Yuxin tilted her head, faint amusement in her eyes. "Careful. If it's formal, the sect might make it public."

Tian Lei's eyes sharpened. "Then I'll just make sure no one mistakes the outcome."

Yuxin's smile curved faintly behind her veil. "Good. I'll be watching."

Three days later

The Azure Feather Sect's inner arena buzzed with excitement. Word had spread fast—an official duel had been scheduled between Tian Lei and an Iron River Sect disciple. The Iron River group had come in person, their elders demanding "justice" for their disciple's humiliation in Cloudveil City.

Naturally, the sect elders agreed to settle it through the duel platform—an age-old rule between sects.

Disciples crowded around the wide stone arena, whispering among themselves.

"Who is this Tian Lei? He's not exactly famous in the sect."

"Idiot, he is the Cultivation maniac from Sect Master peak"

"I heard he completed a cooperative mission with the Celestial Fairy herself."

"Wait—you mean Fairy Yuxin?"

"Then maybe he's not ordinary after all…"

At the edge of the arena, Tian Lei stood calmly, hand resting on the hilt of his sword. His expression didn't waver despite the countless eyes on him.

From the opposite side, his challenger stepped up. Iron River Sect's Chen Hao—a tall, broad-shouldered cultivator, his qi swirling with fiery aura. Ninth stage of the Spirit Lake Realm. His reputation was that of a brutal fighter who crushed opponents with raw strength.

Chen Hao sneered, pointing his blade at Tian Lei. "You embarrassed me in public, Azure Feather dog. Today, I'll return the shame tenfold."

The crowd stirred. Ninth stage versus fifth stage—on paper, it looked one-sided.

But on the viewing platform, Yuxin leaned against the railing, veil hiding her smirk. She whispered softly to herself, "They don't know him at all."

An elder raised his hand. "This duel is bound by sect rules. No killing, no outside interference. Begin!"

The signal dropped.

Chen Hao charged immediately, blade glowing red with fire qi. His strike aimed to split Tian Lei down the middle with overwhelming force.

Tian Lei's sword left its sheath in one smooth motion. The clash rang out, sparks flying as steel met steel. Tian Lei slid back three steps, his feet steady, his expression calm.

Chen Hao's eyes narrowed. "Not bad… but let's see you stop this!"

He unleashed a storm of fiery slashes, each strike burning through the air. The crowd gasped at the sheer intensity—his strikes were heavy enough to scorch the stone floor.

Yet Tian Lei parried each one. His movements were sharp, efficient, no wasted energy. His blade traced simple arcs that cut through the chaos.

Then, on the tenth exchange, Tian Lei's qi flared—calm, controlled, precise. His sword carried the faint shimmer of Bow Intent, the arc of his slash bending like a curve through space.

Chen Hao's fiery strike was diverted, slipping past harmlessly.

"What—?!"

Before he could react, Tian Lei's sword flicked forward, stopping just short of Chen Hao's throat. The audience fell silent.

Chen Hao froze, sweat dripping down his temple. He hadn't even seen the movement clearly.

Tian Lei lowered his sword. "You've lost."

The Iron River disciples erupted in protest, but the Azure Feather elder raised his hand firmly. "The outcome is clear. Tian Lei wins."

The arena exploded with noise—disbelieving shouts, gasps, and whispers.

"Fifth stage… beat a ninth stage?"

"His sword… it moved like a bowstring snapping."

"No wonder Fairy Yuxin chose to partner with him…"

On the platform, Yuxin's eyes glinted with satisfaction. Behind her veil, a small smile curved her lips.

Tian Lei sheathed his sword and stepped down from the stage, ignoring the stares. To him, it was just another step forward.

But to the rest of the sect, a new name had just been carved into memory.

Tian Lei.