The air between them shivered, distorting under the pressure of their clashing auras.
Silver light spilled from Lu Xiang's palms, shimmering like liquid moonlight.
Lin Feng's Azure Flame roared in answer, its hue deepening until the ground beneath him glowed blue-white.
The Starfall Abyss, already half-collapsed from his battle with the serpent, began to tremble again.
"You shouldn't have come here, Lin Feng," Lu Xiang said quietly. His tone carried no malice — only inevitability.
"You've awakened the second seal of the Azure Sword. That makes you a threat not only to me… but to everyone above."
Lin Feng's grip on his sword tightened.
"I'm not interested in politics. I came here for strength."
Lu Xiang smiled faintly. "And strength will make you an enemy of heaven whether you wish it or not."
---
The two moved at once.
A blinding arc of silver energy tore through the crater, meeting a surging wave of azure fire head-on.
The collision shattered space — fragments of dimensional rifts exploded outward, creating tiny voids that devoured rock and light alike.
Lin Feng spun, his sword tracing a burning circle of flame that severed the silver beam in half.
Lu Xiang blurred, reappearing behind him, palm extended.
"Moonshadow Mirage Palm."
The blow landed with divine precision, slamming into Lin Feng's back.
Azure fire burst from the impact point, burning away the lunar energy before it could sink in, but the force still sent him skidding across the ground.
Lin Feng's body ached — even in his Celestial form, that strike felt like being hit by a falling star.
He looked up, eyes narrowing. "Half-step Divine Realm… no wonder."
Lu Xiang's silver eyes gleamed.
"Not bad. You noticed. But that only means your death will be quick."
---
The next exchange was blinding.
Lu Xiang vanished, leaving behind only motes of moonlight.
Lin Feng closed his eyes, relying on his Void Perception instead — the ability to feel space rather than see it.
Every shift in the air, every flicker of divine energy — he sensed it all.
When the killing intent flared behind him, he turned, Azure Sword already in motion.
Clang!
The two blades met, silver and blue intertwining like comet tails.
Sparks rained down, forming spirals of destructive energy that carved lines through the crater floor.
Each strike from Lu Xiang was elegant, precise — the hallmark of a true Heavenly Palace swordsman.
Each counter from Lin Feng was raw, instinctive — born from countless battles where death had been a constant companion.
The duel raged across the abyss for minutes that felt like hours.
---
Finally, Lu Xiang leapt backward, his hand flicking through a series of seals.
A vast moon materialized behind him, ethereal and radiant, filling half the sky.
Lin Feng's heart froze. "A domain…"
"Correct," Lu Xiang said softly. "Silver Moon Domain — Eternal Reflection. In here, every move you make, I've already seen."
The moonlight expanded, swallowing Lin Feng whole.
Inside, the world changed.
He stood in a vast silver wasteland, endless mirrors of light stretching in all directions.
His own reflection surrounded him — thousands of Lin Fengs, all holding Azure Swords, all staring back with calm defiance.
Then they moved.
Each reflection attacked at once, unleashing the same technique he had just used seconds ago.
The real Lin Feng gritted his teeth. Every strike from the illusions carried weight; every cut drew blood.
This was no simple illusion — it was a domain of fate, where the opponent's future actions became reality.
"You cannot defeat your reflection," Lu Xiang's voice echoed across the mirrored sky. "Because you cannot surpass your own destiny."
Lin Feng's sword trembled, its flames flickering — until the sword spirit's voice whispered again in his mind:
"Azure Flame burns not to rule… but to defy."
He smiled faintly. "Destiny, huh? Then I'll cut that too."
He sheathed his sword slowly.
The mirrored world froze — even the reflections paused.
Then Lin Feng drew, faster than the eye could follow.
"Azure Sword Art — Sixth Form: Heaven-Sundering Flame."
The sword light that followed didn't simply shine — it devoured.
The entire mirrored world erupted in blue fire, the reflections screaming before dissolving into smoke.
The domain trembled violently, cracks spreading across the silver moon itself.
Lu Xiang's voice grew strained. "Impossible… no one should be able to—"
"Break free?" Lin Feng finished, his gaze blazing. "You said you'd seen my future. But I've never followed it."
With one last slash, the silver domain shattered completely, the moon dissolving into dust.
---
When the real world returned, Lu Xiang was kneeling, blood dripping from his mouth.
The moonlight around him had dimmed; cracks spiderwebbed across his spiritual core.
Lin Feng approached slowly, sword pointed downward.
"I don't kill unless I must. Leave."
But instead of retreating, Lu Xiang laughed — a hollow, bitter sound.
"You think this is victory? You've only hastened what's coming."
Lin Feng's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
Lu Xiang raised his head, blood staining his lips.
"The Silver Moon Sect… is not of this realm. We are emissaries — agents of the Divine Courts above. And the moment you merged with the Azure Fragment, you were marked."
He pressed a trembling hand against his chest, drawing a glowing sigil in the air — a crescent moon entwined with chains.
"This mark will call them. You'll see soon enough."
Before Lin Feng could move, Lu Xiang crushed the sigil.
A blinding column of light descended from the sky, engulfing him entirely.
When it faded, nothing remained — not even ashes.
Lin Feng stood alone amid the ruins, the Azure Sword humming faintly in his hand.
"Divine Courts…" he murmured. "Even the heavens want me dead?"
The crater was silent except for the soft rustle of the wind.
---
Days later, news of the battle spread through the Heavenly Sword Palace.
Elders whispered that Lin Feng had slain a Silver Moon envoy within forbidden grounds.
Some praised him for his strength; others condemned him for provoking powers beyond comprehension.
The Palace Master himself summoned him to the summit.
Inside the grand hall, radiant with divine energy, the master's voice was calm but grave.
"Lin Feng, the Azure Flame you wield has drawn the attention of the Divine Courts. They will not overlook this."
Lin Feng bowed, eyes steady. "Then I'll be ready. I didn't come here to kneel before heaven."
A faint smile touched the master's lips.
"Defiance suits a swordsman. But remember, every defiance demands a price."
As Lin Feng turned to leave, the Azure Sword pulsed faintly — the mark of the second seal glowing beneath its surface.
Far above, beyond mortal skies, the Divine Courts stirred.
In one of their celestial palaces, a group of radiant beings watched a projection of Lin Feng's battle.
The one seated on the throne of starlight spoke quietly:
"The Azure Flame has awakened. Send the Seraph Envoys. The Heavenly Sword Domain must not birth another Sovereign."
And thus, Lin Feng's path toward the divine battlefield began.