The first light of dawn crept over the Jade Sword Mountain Range, but there was no warmth. A heavy tension hung in the air as though the land itself anticipated the storm to come. Birds had gone silent, the rivers seemed to flow slower, and the Sword Qi resonating through the Heavenly Sword Sect pulsed with an urgent rhythm.
Zhou Yu stood atop the Main Sect Hall, silver eyes scanning the distant horizon where a blood-red haze had begun to rise. The Scarlet Moon Demonic Sect's main force had arrived. They were not scouts this time—they were an army, moving with deliberate precision and overwhelming energy.
Ling crouched at Zhou Yu's side, ears twitching, body coiled for action. His Silver Core radiated faint arcs of silver energy, a new layer of power and awareness now at the sect's disposal.
"Disciples," Zhou Yu called, voice carrying across the sect, "today, your training will be tested against real enemies. Every technique you have mastered, every resonance you have formed, every formation you control… must be applied flawlessly. The Scarlet Moon will not forgive hesitation or mistakes."
The disciples gathered quickly, eyes bright with determination and nerves. Liang Chen's fists clenched as he glanced at Ling, who responded with a low, steady growl. Feng Lian's hands glowed faintly with icy Sword Qi. Su Mei's afterimages flickered around her in anticipation. Han Xiang's fingers rested on the formation plates, ready to manipulate energy flows at a moment's notice.
From the horizon, a river of demonic energy surged forward. At least a hundred cultivators, all Silver Core or higher, moved in coordinated formation. The ground beneath them trembled with the force of their presence. The red glow of their armor and weapons reflected the morning light like a field of blood.
The lead commander, a man with a jagged horned helmet, exuded pressure akin to a Silver Core Peak cultivator at full strength. His aura radiated cruelty and precision, a true elite of the Scarlet Moon Demonic Sect.
He raised his hand, signaling the advance. The army split into three columns, flanking the sect, testing perimeter defenses and probing for weaknesses.
Zhou Yu's lips pressed together. "They are strong, but predictable. Watch the flow of energy. Anticipate. Coordinate. Do not fight individually—they will exploit any gap."
Liang Chen and Ling immediately moved to intercept the left flank, forming a dual-blade projection that shimmered with silver light. Their synchronization was flawless, a testament to weeks of training.
The clash began with a thunderous roar as the Scarlet Moon's frontlines collided with the sect's patrols. Stones shattered, sword projections collided, and the air itself seemed to crack under the sheer intensity of spiritual pressure.
Liang Chen and Ling moved like one entity, Silver Qi blades slicing through the enemy, deflecting attacks and countering with lethal precision. Ling leaped, claws tearing through the air, while Liang Chen's projections struck like lightning, each blow calculating openings and weaknesses in enemy formation.
The Scarlet Moon soldiers underestimated the wolf's new Silver Core. Every strike and dodge displayed a level of awareness and intuition far beyond ordinary beasts. Liang Chen realized that his own skill had been amplified just by Ling's presence, the resonance forming a deadly extension of their combined power.
Feng Lian anchored the Ice Sword Vein, creating walls of frozen sword energy that slowed advancing enemies. Her blades slashed through the thick of the Scarlet Moon columns, each strike leaving trails of frost and silver Qi, creating zones of near-impenetrable defense.
Su Mei's Star-Stepping made her a blur of motion, flitting from one enemy to another. Her afterimages struck from angles the scouts could not predict, and her sword strikes cut down enemies attempting to flank Feng Lian's frozen barriers.
Han Xiang's formations hummed with energy, redirecting attacks, creating protective barriers, and amplifying the disciples' combined Sword Qi. Even the Scarlet Moon's strongest attacks were mitigated by the integrated defensive system.
The lead commander, Zhong Li, was not one to wait. Seeing the sect's defenses hold, he stepped forward, Silver Core power flaring in waves, slicing the air with crimson arcs of demonic energy.
Zhou Yu's expression hardened. "This is the test. The leader himself. Disciples, remember your training—react, coordinate, and exploit every opening."
Liang Chen and Ling moved first, engaging Zhong Li head-on. Silver Qi blades clashed against demonic red energy in sparks and shockwaves that flattened the nearby terrain. Ling's claws tore through the air with deadly precision, anticipating every shift of Zhong Li's movements. Liang Chen followed, projecting multiple Silver Qi blades simultaneously, striking with timing that forced Zhong Li to retreat slightly.
Zhou Yu remained calm, subtly guiding the flow of Sword Qi to reinforce Liang Chen and Ling, enhancing reaction speed and accuracy. "Do not overextend," he reminded them silently. "Strike, withdraw, and preserve your energy. The battle will not be won in one clash."
Feng Lian's icy defenses froze the ground beneath Zhong Li's soldiers, slowing their advance and breaking formation. Su Mei darted through openings, exploiting the chaos to cut down key targets. Han Xiang adjusted formation plates in real-time, bending energy flows to channel enemy attacks away from weaker disciples.
Zhou Yu's strategy was working flawlessly. Even as the Scarlet Moon main force pressed forward, the Heavenly Sword Sect's coordination allowed them to hold key points, repel flanking maneuvers, and maintain a continuous flow of offensive pressure.
Liang Chen's Silver Qi blades began resonating with Ling's newly awakened Silver Core, forming temporary bridges of energy that allowed them to strike multiple enemies simultaneously. The scouts were being overwhelmed not by raw strength but by the seamless integration of Sword Qi, formations, and disciples' movements.
The wolf's growth in intelligence and combat perception became evident. Ling anticipated movements, adjusting attacks before enemies could react. He guided Liang Chen's strikes to maximize impact, redirecting Sword Qi in midair to hit enemies outside their line of sight.
At one point, a Scarlet Moon soldier attempted to flank Feng Lian, aiming to break her frozen barrier. Ling intercepted with a pounce, slashing the enemy with claws, while Liang Chen's Silver Qi blade sliced through the soldier's weapon.
"Good," Zhou Yu murmured. "Ling's awareness is now battlefield-level. He is more than a companion—he is a force multiplier."
Feng Lian smiled faintly, recognizing how Ling's presence allowed her to control the Ice Sword Vein with greater freedom and power.
After hours of relentless fighting, the Scarlet Moon army began to falter. Their formations broke under coordinated pressure, key soldiers were eliminated, and their commander, Zhong Li, realized that brute force alone would not penetrate the Heavenly Sword Sect's defenses.
He signaled a retreat. "Pull back!" His voice carried authority, quelling panic among his subordinates.
Zhou Yu remained vigilant. "Do not let them regroup," he commanded. "We will strike—but carefully. We are defending, not pursuing recklessly."
Liang Chen and Ling moved to intercept the retreating soldiers, cutting off isolated targets with surgical precision. Su Mei and Feng Lian reinforced the barriers, ensuring no one could escape to report the sect's internal structure. Han Xiang adjusted formation plates, closing gaps and preventing any breach.
By midday, the Scarlet Moon army had withdrawn beyond visible range. The battlefield was littered with traces of energy, frozen barriers, and residual Sword Qi.
Exhausted but victorious, the disciples regrouped in the courtyard. Ling lay beside Liang Chen, tail wagging faintly but muscles tensed, ready for the next challenge. Zhou Yu surveyed the aftermath, expression calm but intense.
"Today, you have faced real enemies," he said. "Not scouts, not minor threats—but a coordinated force with Silver Core cultivators. You held your ground, defended the sect, and demonstrated that training, resonance, and unity can surpass individual strength. You have taken a major step toward revival."
Liang Chen panted, sweat and blood streaked on his face. "Master… Ling… we did it… we really did it!"
Feng Lian wiped frost from her sword. "The Ice Sword Vein… it responded perfectly. Even against multiple Silver Core enemies."
Su Mei's eyes sparkled. "Star-Stepping… it worked. The afterimages disoriented them completely."
Han Xiang adjusted a formation plate, faintly glowing from overuse. "And the Grand Sword Formation… it held. Not a single breach."
Zhou Yu nodded. "Excellent. But do not let victory make you complacent. The Scarlet Moon Demonic Sect will regroup, study our tactics, and return stronger. Tomorrow, we must refine every technique, every formation, every resonance. Only then can we withstand the true assault."
Ling's ears twitched, a low growl resonating from deep in his chest. Even he seemed aware that this was only the beginning.
The Heavenly Sword Sect had proven its strength—but the storm of the Scarlet Moon Demonic Sect was far from over.
And the real battle had yet to begin.