Chapter 40: Hero Saves Beauty

Lu Xueqi, recognizing the dire situation and the threat of imminent defeat, resolved to use the advanced technique her master had taught her, despite her current condition and her master's warnings.Although she had not fully mastered the move and was aware of the risks, her determination to win drove her to take the gamble.Lu Xueqi ascended into the sky, her movements precise and deliberate, each gesture fluid yet sharp, like the very blade she wielded.As her fingers danced through a series of intricate hand motions, her sword responded with uncanny precision, soaring upward into the storm-darkened sky.The blade carved through the air, leaving behind a glowing trail of pure energy, shimmering like the remnants of stardust in its wake.The once calm weather around the arena shifted violently, dark clouds rolling in with a foreboding speed, gathering ominously as if summoned by her very will.A deep rumble echoed across the battlefield, and the storm clouds above churned restlessly, crackling with jagged veins of lightning that twisted and snapped like hungry serpents.With a sudden flash, the bolts of lightning began to converge, streaking downward with terrifying speed toward Lu Xueqi's sword. The blade absorbed the energy hungrily, glowing brighter with each strike of the storm.The once gleaming silver metal was now bathed in a blinding electric brilliance, as arcs of lightning coiled around it, crackling viciously as if ready to strike at any moment.The entire arena was bathed in an eerie, flickering light, casting long, shifting shadows that seemed to dance with the turbulence of the storm.The atmosphere grew heavy and oppressive, the air vibrating with raw, untamed energy. It felt as though the very earth beneath the fighters was trembling in anticipation of the coming storm.Dark clouds swirled above, thick and heavy, pulsating with electric tension as they roiled and churned in an otherworldly display of nature's fury. Thunder boomed in the distance, a warning of the devastation about to unfold.Lu Xueqi stood at the center of this maelstrom, her expression as cold and unyielding as the storm she had summoned.Her sword, now a conduit for the very essence of the tempest, was enveloped in a furious aura of lightning. Sparks leaped off the blade like wild animals, snapping and hissing, filling the air with the acrid smell of ozone.The sheer power emanating from the sword was palpable, making the atmosphere feel charged and volatile, as though a single misstep could unleash chaos.With each breath, Lu Xueqi could feel the storm's power coursing through her, infusing her movements with an otherworldly grace.The lightning around her sword crackled louder, more violently, the energy intensifying to a fever pitch.As the storm reached its peak, a brilliant flash of light lit up the battlefield, the clouds overhead glowing with an unholy luminescence. Lightning spiraled around her blade, the chaotic energy now fully harnessed, surging and crackling with lethal potential.On the ground, Grey watched the transformation with sharp focus, his calm expression masking the growing tension that surrounded him.The storm churned violently above, and the air was charged with the raw energy that Lu Xueqi was summoning. He could feel it, a force so immense it seemed to weigh down on him like a physical presence.Yet, despite the magnitude of the technique, Grey remained steady. With his defenses in place, he could confidently say that this attack, formidable though it appeared, wouldn't scratch him much. Lu Xueqi hadn't mastered it fully—if she had, things might have been different. He might actually be in danger.But then, something changed.Grey's sharp eyes caught the shift immediately. Lu Xueqi's movements, once precise and controlled, faltered. Her lithe form, previously flowing with grace, now trembled under the immense strain. Her face, previously cold and focused, twisted in pain.The storm around her seemed to reflect her struggle, the once smooth flow of lightning turning erratic and unpredictable. She coughed, blood spilling from her mouth, the bright red staining her lips as the unmistakable signs of her worsening internal injuries became clear.Grey sighed inwardly, his earlier calculation confirmed. She was pushing herself far beyond her limits. A fleeting sense of frustration crossed his mind, mingling with reluctant admiration for her tenacity.He couldn't deny her strength, but he found her stubbornness exhausting. "Why do women always have to be so stubborn?" he thought, shaking his head slightly. "If only they'd just give up before risking everything."On the elder's side, Elder Shui Yue's face was etched with anxiety as she observed Lu Xueqi's condition.She clenched her fists, her eyes never leaving her struggling disciple. The technique Lu Xueqi was attempting was indeed advanced, but its toll on her body was clear. The signs of internal damage were all too apparent, and Shui Yue could only watch in helpless worry."Junior sister, you taught her that technique, but it seems she's still not ready," Dao Xuan remarked. His voice was filled with concern watching the unfolding chaos.Shui Yue nodded, her worry palpable. "Yes, she hasn't fully mastered it yet. I had hoped she would be able to handle it by now, but it's clear she's pushing herself beyond her limits," she replied, her eyes never leaving Lu Xueqi's form, which now trembled under the immense strain.Suddenly, Grey, still standing on the battlefield, sensed a change in lightning's behavior. The chaotic energy and unstable crackling felt all too familiar, sparking a memory of his own.He recalled a similar experience when he had first attempted a powerful technique and lost control. The image of being struck by his own summoned lightning flashed through his mind, bringing with it a wave of urgency.Realizing the danger, Grey knew that if the uncontrolled lightning struck Lu Xueqi, it would cause severe harm.With her exhausted state and the internal injuries she had already sustained from their intense battle, she wouldn't survive unscathed. The situation had become critical. He could not allow her to bear the brunt of this volatile, unleashed power.The elders, too, noticed the impending danger, but it was too late for them to intervene. Their hearts raced as the lightning, now wild and uncontrollable, surged toward Lu Xueqi with a menacing crackle.

The arena was a maelstrom of chaos, its once-clear skies now roiling with an unforgiving storm. The air was thick with crackling energy as lightning arced through the turbulent clouds, casting a fierce and unrelenting glow. The crowd held their breath, eyes wide with awe and fear as the drama unfolded before them.

Lu Xueqi, spent and vulnerable, stood at the center of this storm, her strength utterly depleted. Her body trembled from the exertion, her mind on the brink of fading into unconsciousness.

Her energy was exhausted, her defenses faltering. The lightning that had been gathered by her sword, now uncontrollable, surged toward her with a menacing crackle, the storm's fury seemingly intent on consuming her.

The sword, once a conduit for her power, had lost all semblance of control. It crashed into the ground of the arena, sending up a cloud of dust and debris. The impact was profound, shaking the very foundations of the battleground.

The lightning continued to spiral wildly, its energy converging on Lu Xueqi in a final, devastating surge. As Lu Xueqi braced herself for the inevitable impact, her heart pounded in her chest. Her eyes, heavy with exhaustion, were barely open.

But in that moment, she felt a sudden, intense presence in front of her. Her heart skipped a beat. She forced her eyes open, just slightly, and saw Grey standing before her, his figure a protective shield between her and the rampaging storm.His face, etched with a fierce expression, was filled with a mixture of irritation and concern."Stupid girl," he muttered under his breath, his voice carrying both annoyance and care.In a split second, Grey moved to intercept the deadly lightning. The force of the collision created a blinding explosion that lit up the entire arena, casting everything into stark contrast. The sky above roared with the sound of crackling energy, a storm of raw, chaotic power enveloping them.But Grey, unshaken, became the focal point of the storm. With an unwavering resolve, he summoned a brilliant blue sword, its blade glowing with fierce intensity.He swung it with precision, cutting through the writhing tendrils of lightning with a single, decisive slash. The sword's arc cleaved through the storm, parting the dark clouds and dispersing the seething mass of electrical energy.As the smoke began to clear, the arena was bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun. The storm had subsided, and the once chaotic battlefield now seemed calm and serene.In the center of it all stood Grey, his powerful silhouette framed against the tranquil sky. His body, though scorched and marked by the remnants of the lightning, remained tall and unyielding.In his arms, Lu Xueqi lay unconscious, gently cradled against his chest in a protective princess carry. Grey's upper clothing had been burned away by the lightning, revealing his well-defined muscles, marked by dark scorch marks.Despite the damage to his own body, Lu Xueqi remained untouched, shielded from the worst of the storm by Grey's protective Qi.He had instinctively prioritized her safety over his own, fully aware that his body could endure lightning's wrath far better than hers. In that critical moment, he had no time to focus on multiple threats or possibilities—his sole focus was on protecting her.Slowly, Grey descended into the arena, his movements careful and deliberate. The announcer's voice cut through the tension that hung in the air, loud and clear:"The winner of the contest is Disciple Grey from Big Bamboo Peak!"A stunned silence fell over the crowd before it erupted into murmurs of awe and admiration. The spectators, still reeling from the spectacle they had witnessed, could hardly believe what had just transpired.Among them, Tian Bu Yi and Shui Yue hurriedly made their way to the arena. Their expressions were a mix of relief and pride, their eyes fixed on their disciples.Shui Yue's gaze softened as she saw Lu Xueqi, though unconscious, completely unharmed. Her injuries, though minor, were a far cry from the catastrophic damage lightning could have inflicted. It was clear that the storm's wrath hadn't even touched her—Grey had protected her entirely.Relief washed over Shui Yue as she turned to Tian Bu Yi, her voice filled with emotion. "Senior Brother," she said softly, "You have a truly exceptional disciple."Tian Bu Yi, his chest swelling with pride, smiled as he replied, "Indeed, he is."