[Hung Zhi's POV]
'How dare he stand there like we're equals?' I glared at Long Tian, his calm stance sending a surge of anger through me. He looked... relaxed, almost mocking me with that infuriating smirk on his face.
"Long Tian," I sneered, taking a step forward, "do you even realize what you're up against? You're nothing but an ant, and I, a god compared to you. Kneel, and kowtow while begging for mercy, and maybe, just maybe, I'll make your death quick and swift."
But to my surprise, he didn't even flinch. No reaction. Nothing at all. That smirk—it grew wider. It was as if my words had no weight, as if I were a clown speaking to air.
'Does he think I'm joking? Goddamnit, how dare you underestimate me, the young master of the Hung family!'
'Fuck, I'll do whatever it takes to make sure that this arrogance will be his downfall.'
"You think you're safe behind that smile?" I scoffed while taking out my beloved sword, Heaven's Wrath, the immortal-grade sword that beamed and glowed in white, showing its assertive dominance.
"Humph! I'll show you what true power looks like and make sure you will regret ever crossing paths with me and showing me that ugly smirk."
Without waiting for anything else, I charged at him, my sword fully raised, fully prepared to end his miserable existence.
'Heh! I'll show this fool what true power looks like... At least, it'll also help me remove a competition... a hindrance that can hinder my family in taking over the Long family.' I thought with a smirk while rushing at Long Tian.
###
[3rd POV]
Long Tian remained calm, watching as Hung Zhi advanced with relaxed muscles, as if he didn't care at all.
Hung Zhi rushed at him with his Heaven's Wrath that cut through the air with ease, but Long Tian didn't flinch, not even giving him any reaction. He stood there in a relaxed stance.
As he saw Hung Zhi closing the distance between them, he took out his spear, Akhilleus, the vibrant red weapon pulsing with raw power, exuding a bloody killing intent, fully ready to execute yet another fool who dared to stand in front of his owner.
"Are you done?" Long Tian's tone was dry, unbothered by the threat before him.
Hearing Long Tian's mocking words, Hung Zhi's sneer deepened, his confidence burning brighter as he swung his sword down with full force.
But his grin faltered and disappeared when Long Tian effortlessly raised Akhilleus and clashed with the sword in a burst of light and sparks.
The sheer force of the impact sent shockwaves rippling through the air, cutting down nearby trees with ease.
"How?" Hung Zhi's eyes widened. "How the fuck are you also a Nascent Soul stage cultivator?"
Long Tian chuckled, his tone low and mocking. "You really thought I'd fight you if I wasn't your equal?"
"How stupid of you to believe that there exists someone just as foolish as you, haha!" Long Tian laughed, mocking Hung Zhi, whose face darkened as he gritted his teeth so hard it was a surprise they didn't break.
Disbelief and rage swirled inside Hung Zhi's chest as he angrily thought, 'How did I miscalculate this? He should've been beneath me!' With newfound fury, he pressed the attack, but Long Tian danced through his strikes with fluid grace, his spear a blur of motion, meeting every slash and thrust of Heaven's Wrath with perfect timing, their strength perfectly matched as neither of them gave up.
The two clashed relentlessly, their weapons slicing through the air, the sound of metal on metal echoing throughout the forest.
"Just give up and let me cut you down!"
"No matter if you're on the same stage as me or not; I'm more powerful."
"GIVE UP AND DIE, YOU BASTARD!" As he screamed in rage, his movements grew faster and more frantic, his attacks becoming more reckless, yet Long Tian remained there, always one step ahead of Hung Zhi, showing no signs of being overwhelmed, just clashing with Hung Zhi with ease.
'Damn, this is really energy-consuming! If not for the fact that I also got Long Tian's experiences and all that, it would've been me that raged and attacked like that instead of Hung Zhi!' he thought, grateful for the fact that he inherited everything his predecessor had.
'But... Since I have them... Let me see how long you can last like that... I've got a couple of schemes just for you...'
'So, it's only a matter of time before I kill this fool,' Long Tian thought as his smirk widened.
As Hung Zhi thrust his sword at Long Tian once again, Long Tian simply dodged it, sidestepping and delivering a heavy strike, counterattacking with a swift thrust, forcing Hung Zhi to back off.
"You're over 200 years old, aren't you?" Long Tian's voice carried through the din of battle, his tone taunting.
"Is this really the best you can do at your age? I reached this stage at 18, and I can do so much better than you." He stepped closer, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Imagine how pathetic that makes you look, being equaled by a young man who's younger than you by 200 years."
Hearing that, Hung Zhi's blood boiled with rage.
"You goddamn bastard!" Hung Zhi roared, his voice raw with anger. He lunged, moving with blinding speed, his sword glowing with violent energy. He was going to crush Long Tian, wipe that smug look off his face for good. He poured all his power into the next swing, intending to cut Long Tian down.
His sword glowed white as it sliced through the air with deadly hum. But Long Tian ducked just in time, letting the sword miss him.
As Hung Zhi regained his balance, Long Tian quickly scooped up some mud from the ground and thrust his spear, Akhilleus, toward Hung Zhi's chest.
Seeing it, Hung Zhi quickly moved to block the strike; however, something felt off. The attack was too slow and predictable.
'It's a trick!' he realized, but it was already too late. He parried the feigned blow, leaving his side open.
Long Tian smirked and threw the mud into Hung Zhi's face.
"Argh! You bastard!" Hung Zhi yelled, stumbling back as mud blinded him. He dropped his sword, trying to clear his eyes in fury and desperation.
Long Tian stepped back calmly and then gestured with his finger, summoning a small, two-tailed white fox with glowing red eyes that had been watching from a distance. The fox's fur was a pristine white, its tails swirling like smoke as it moved with ethereal grace.
Her gaze sharpened as her crimson eyes glowed fiercely, lines appearing in them, suggesting an intelligence beyond mere instinct.
###
A/N: How's the cliffhanger? I'm trying to practice making cliffhangers! ✌️
Also, throw in some golden tickets my way; it's much appreciated! 👍