The Duel, the Assassins, and the TsundereThe Hall of Ruins

The battle had left the grand hall in utter disarray—pillars crumbled, shards of precious ornaments scattered across the floor, and a haze of dust hung in the air like a testament to the chaos that had just unfolded. Amid the wreckage stood Ling Jie, eyes wide in disbelief, staring at the shattered remnants of his once-prized sword lying pitifully on the ground.

"My sword… It's… shattered," he murmured, his voice trembling. The severed connection between him and the blade left him feeling hollow, as if a part of his soul had been ripped away.

Meanwhile, Raja, standing nonchalantly amid the destruction, idly examined his nails as though obliterating a sword with a casual block was something he did every other Tuesday.

"Don't feel bad, Ling Jie," Raja quipped, offering a lopsided grin. "It's not you—it's me."

Ling Jie fell to his knees, equal parts astonished and humbled. "Brother Raja, your strength is beyond comprehension! A True Profound Realm cultivator… doing this?! It's—" He paused, searching for words. "It's monstrous, magnificent, miraculous! From now on, consider me your little brother!"

Raja smirked, folding his arms. "Little brother, huh? Bold words. Prove yourself, and I might—might—share a morsel of my training wisdom."

Ling Jie's eyes sparkled like a puppy promised a treat. "R-Really?! I'll do anything! Just name it! Heck, you could even be my teacher if you want!"

"Whoa, whoa, let's not get carried away," Raja replied with a chuckle. "Let's see how you handle being a 'little brother' first."

Before Ling Jie could embarrass himself further, a regal figure entered—Ling Yun, his older brother, carrying an air of authority that could silence a crowd.

Ling Yun bowed slightly to Princess Lan Xueruo before addressing the room. "The Heavenly Sword Villa extends an invitation to the noble imperial family. Six months from now, we request your presence at the Blue Wind Ranking Tournament."

His gaze shifted to Raja. "Your abilities are impressive, especially for your realm. It's rare to encounter such talent. I look forward to seeing how far you'll ascend."

With that, Ling Yun turned and left, leaving a stunned silence in his wake.

After Ling Yun's departure, Princess Lan Xueruo approached Raja, holding the ornate invitation. "The Blue Wind Ranking Tournament happens every three years. This one's for cultivators aged 16 to 20. You'll have to wait until the six months."

"six months?" Raja groaned. "Might as well schedule my nap now."

"Don't be so dismissive," Lan Xueruo replied. "The current champion, Ling Yun, was only 17 when he claimed first place. Ninth level of the Spirit Profound Realm—unbeaten."

Raja raised an eyebrow. "He's that good?"

"Better than good," Lan Xueruo continued. "He defeated Mu Lingxue of Frozen Cloud Asgard with ease. He's the pinnacle of genius among the younger generation."

As Lan Xueruo recounted Ling Yun's achievements, Raja mused silently. Geniuses, huh? Every city, every world has them, but they're nothing if they can't adapt. Arrogance makes them predictable. Cultured opponents, like Ling Yun, though… Those are the real threats.

Bidding farewell to the imperial palace, Raja left alone. Lan Xueruo had stayed behind, concerned about her father's mysterious illness. Raja, however, had his own path to walk.

The Blue Wind Profound Palace loomed in the distance, but Raja took a detour through an isolated field, his instincts prickling. Someone—or something—was following him.

Out of the shadows emerged two figures: Xuelang, a man of wiry build with a menacing red blade, and Feng Baiyi, a smug spear-wielder with an aura of overconfidence.

"You've made some enemies, boy," Xuelang sneered. "Time for you to pay the price."

Raja " Let me guess Murong Yi".

Raja stretched lazily, unfazed. "Two against one? Generous odds. I'll try to hold back."

With a growl, Xuelang lunged, his red sword slicing through the air with incredible speed. Yet, as fast as he was, Raja was faster, vanishing from sight before reappearing a few paces away.

"Shave," Raja remarked casually. "Handy little trick."

Frustrated, Xuelang launched a series of rapid strikes, but Raja countered with a smirk, igniting his phoenix flames.

Fire Fist: Phoenix Inferno

With a roar, Raja's fist erupted in blazing flames. "Let me show you how hot things can get."

The fiery punch collided with Xuelang's blade, shattering it like glass before consuming the assassin in a whirlwind of flames. Within seconds, there was nothing left of Xuelang but a faint scorch mark.

Feng Baiyi froze, his confident smirk replaced by sheer terror. "I-It's impossible! Xuelang was one of the Heavenly Profound's top ten!"

"Relax," Raja said, cracking his knuckles. "You'll be joining him soon."

Desperate, Feng Baiyi launched his most powerful attack: "Blue Dragon Stirring Sea!" The spear art summoned a vortex of energy, hurtling toward Raja with tremendous force.

Raja yawned. "Cute trick."

Haki Punch: The Stormbreaker

Raja's fist, imbued with unyielding Haki, collided with the vortex, unleashing a shockwave that obliterated the attack and sent Feng Baiyi flying. His spear, now a twisted heap of metal, clattered uselessly to the ground.

"Your spear's defective," Raja quipped. "You should ask for a refund."

As Feng Baiyi struggled to stand, a third figure appeared—Old Man Fang, his face twisted in fury. "You dare defy us?! Die!"

Before Fang could strike, a dazzling icy-blue dagger descended from the heavens, embedding itself in the ground. A profound chill swept through the field, freezing Fang mid-motion.

"It's a trick!" Feng Baiyi shouted, though his voice wavered. "Finish him, Fang!"

Encouraged, Fang resumed his attack—only to freeze entirely, his body encased in a glimmering layer of ice. With a faint crack, he shattered into a fine mist, leaving nothing behind.

Terrified, Feng Baiyi turned to flee, but Raja was faster. Channeling his energy, Raja unleashed his Tempest Breaker—a devastating punch that landed with the force of a storm, pinning Baiyi to the ground and ending his life.

Believing the icy intervention to be his elusive Tsundere companion, Raja called out. "Tsundere, is that you? Don't be shy!"

A familiar voice responded, laced with exasperation. "Yes, it was me. No, I'm not meeting you. My help has limits, and so does my patience."

"Cold as ever," Raja muttered. "Pun intended."

Raja looted Feng Baiyi's belongings, finding a spatial ring brimming with wealth, techniques, and personal items. Among them, he discovered the assassin's identity—son of a Great General from the Western Plains.

"Well," Raja said, pocketing the ring. "That explains the arrogance."

With a final gesture, Raja summoned his phoenix flames, reducing the corpses and battlefield to ash. As the flames flickered out, he turned toward his next destination, ready for whatever awaited him.

Raja, disguised as Feng Baiyi, instructs the guard to prevent interruptions and enters Murong Yi's room.

Murong Yi, Eagerly waiting, assumes Raja (as Feng Baiyi) has succeeded in killing him. Raja reveals his true identity and mocks Murong Yi for his failed plan to kill him.

Raja strangles Murong Yi, breaks his neck effortlessly, and kills him.Jasmine comments on Raja's cruelty and past experience with killing, which he acknowledges nonchalantly.

Raja, still disguised as Feng Baiyi, leaves Murong Yi's room unnoticed, instructing the guard not to disturb "Murong Yi's rest."

Murong Yi's death shocks the capital, and Feng Baiyi is framed as the murderer. The Murong and Feng families descend into conflict, leading to chaos and mutual destruction.

Raja remains undetected and uninvolved publicly.