Prologue

Clang!

Clang!

Deep and loud sounds of metal clashing against metal echoed through the air, each strike sent out a thunderous wave, evoking the eerie stillness of the surrounding space. 

Two men were locked in a brutal fight, their bodies illuminated by the sparks created with each clash. They were in a confined space, encircled by half-transparent barriers that shimmered with an otherworldly white fog. The barriers separated the chaos, keeping it at bay, while the two fought within it with an intensity that was both exhilarating and terrifying to behold.

The caged space looked like a cube from the outside. Its barriers were the only thing holding back the storm inside, as they glowed faintly in the center of nothingness. Just like a point of light, in the vast expanse of blackness that surrounded it.

Outside the cube was the abyss, a void of pitch black that swallowed everything it touched. It was a place of deathly silence, so profound that it was almost tangible. It was a place of utter desolation. The only sounds that pierced the silent void were the faint noises that came from the fight within the cube, and it only served to make the gloomy outside feel even more oppressive.

"Hahaha...to think you can still keep up with me. Good! Very good!" exclaimed one of the guy with a big muscular build, wielding a blood-soaked halberd in his hand. His shoulder-length long hair floated wildly around his face as he kept swinging his weapon with full strength. He had a deep cut on his chest which he had been suppressing using his inner Qi. Blood had already been congregated on his wound. The man moved in a rapid pace that belied his incredible big figure.

The other man was a handsome guy, with a scholarly-air about him, dressed in white robes that fluttered with his movement. He held a sword in his palm. He used his sword with nimble dexterity, even though he was at a distinct disadvantage with the loss of one arm which still had blood gushing out endlessly, dyeing his white clothes red. 

Under normal circumstances, gazing upon him would have been a pleasant sight. However, at that moment, his bloodless, pale face looked dreadful. Despite his physical state, he clenched his teeth and tightly grasped his sword with his right hand, displaying a determined focus as he kept his gaze fixed on his opponent. 

The two men fought with ruthlessness, ignoring their severe injuries as they relentlessly delivered lethal blows to each other. The only sounds that could be heard were the screams of their weapons as they clashed. 

The sturdy man struck with ferocity, his weapon whistling through the air and striking with a thunderous impact. The scholar dodged and parried as best he could, but he was outmatched in terms of raw power. He managed to land a few strikes, but it was clear that he was fighting a losing battle. 

Blow after blow, strike after strike, they lost count of the number of attacks and defenses. The sturdy man mostly went on the offensive, while the scholarly man focused on his defense. Yet, even while sustaining heavy injuries, the scholarly man managed to land a few heavy blows on his opponent. 

But suddenly the sturdy man let out a loud roar and swung his weapon horizontally with all his might, sending the scholarly man flying. 

Boom 

A deafening boom resounded as the scholarly man was blown backward, crashing into the barrier with a resounding thud. The whole space trembled but not a single crack appeared on the seemingly thin and weak barrier. It was like a unstoppable object proudly standing with little to no care about anything. 

The scholar felt as if his insides were in disarray, and a salty liquid reached his throat, which he involuntarily swallowed back. Struggling to stay on his feet, he finally sat down against the barrier, using every last bit of his energy to do so. He gasped for air, attempting to calm his nerves and catch his breath. 

On the other side, despite the significant damage he had inflicted on his opponent, the sturdy man was not in great condition himself. He had been suppressing his wounds for a long time, but the immense effort he had just exerted in delivering that massive strike had taken a serious toll. 

Falling to his knees, he spat out a mouthful of blood onto the ground, his chest wound reopened and blood started to drip from it. Despite this, he acted like nothing happened and forced himself to stand, taking a long, deep breath to regain his composure before slowly making his way toward the scholarly man dragging the halberd with him as the scratching sound of the halberd dragging across the surface accompanied him. 

Still gasping for breath, the scholarly man lifted his head slightly, his bloodshot eyes fixing on his approaching opponent. He felt the man's presence looming over him, but he couldn't bring himself to lift his head to face him. He knew he couldn't fight back anymore. Nonetheless he still continued to tightly hold on to his sword. His body gave up but his heart was still resolute. 

The sturdy man's steps echoed loudly, his presence almost suffocating as he approached the scholarly man, who lay motionless on the ground. Despite his firm steps, there was a certain heaviness to his movements, almost as if he was carrying a mountain on his shoulders. 

Step by step he came to a stop right before the scholar, however, the fight did not continue again. They remained still, neither of them moved or said anything. It was as if they were both waiting for something. 

Following the sudden impasse, a tranquility and silence settled over the area once again, only their heavy breathing sounded in the room as they tried to regain some of their strength. 

And then it happened. 

The barrier, once as tough as a concrete wall, shook violently, cracks spiderwebbing across its surface. Suddenly, it started to disappear, engulfed by a rapidly spreading darkness. The two men watched in silence, knowing what it meant. 

"So it's finally the end," the sturdy said, breaking the silence between them. 

The scholarly man said nothing, still keeping his head down as if he didn't hear anything. 

"You lost," seeing no response from the other party, the sturdy man declared in a flat tone, devoid of any joy or sarcasm. It was an indifferent tone, one that didn't reveal any emotion because he knew it clearly in his heart that he didn't win either. 

The scholar still remained silent, but he continued, "Do you regret it?" 

Finally, the scholarly man made a reaction. His eyes quivered like a ripple in a still lake. He couldn't help but ask himself, "Do I regret it?" 

The scholar closed his trembling eyes and let his mind wander back to the past. He remembered the days when he was young and full of potential, a brilliant mind with abundance of ideas. He thought of the opportunities he got and the ones he let slip away, the mistakes he made, and the paths he never took. He remembered his family, his friends, and all the people he met along the way. 

In his mind, he relived every moment of his life, his good memories and the bad ones. He remembered the sacrifices he made and the ones he failed to make. He thought of the people he hurt and the ones he helped. He thought of his dreams which now seem to be so distant. 

He had lived a life of regret, but he had also lived a life of passion and purpose. He had loved and been loved, laughed and cried, and experienced everything that life had to offer. He had fought for what he believed in, even when the odds were against him. 

He, who had never given up, who had always found a way to overcome every obstacles on his way, who had defied the odds time and time again, was now finally defeated. Yes...He had lost. Not to anyone but to himself. 

He opened his bloodshed eyes and looked directly into the man who was in front of him. There were no emotions in them, but the scholar knew what they were trying to say. 

"Yes. I regret it," he said, his voice trembling with emotion.