At the foot of Heavenly Evolution Peak.
The evening breeze carried the crisp fragrance of mountain vegetation as Chu Yunhai and Su Muyuan walked side by side, making their way slowly up the peak.
The last rays of sunset fell upon them, stretching their shadows long.
Both were outstanding figures among Heavenly Evolution Peak's younger generation. Some had once hailed them as the Twin Prides of Heavenly Evolution. Having known each other for years, they were far closer than most disciples.
Chu Yunhai turned toward Su Muyuan, a faint smile on his lips, and said slowly, "That Yang Jing is a rare talent. To think he brought two martial arts into the Qi-Devouring Realm in such a short time. The strength he showed when defeating Ma Guoliang today was truly extraordinary. Are you confident about facing him tomorrow?"
Su Muyuan did not break stride. He merely gave a crisp, cold snort, a trace of pride flashing through his narrow eyes. His voice held not the slightest hesitation. "Tomorrow, I will cut him down beneath my sword."
With that, Su Muyuan said no more. He pushed off lightly and strode up the peak, his blue-green robes fluttering in the evening breeze. His retreating figure stood straight as a pine, radiating an immense confidence that came from deep within.
Watching him grow distant, Chu Yunhai shook his head with a helpless smile.
Others thought Su Muyuan a calm, composed scion of a great family, gentle and polished as jade. Only someone who knew him as well as Chu Yunhai did understood the fierce pride buried in the bones of this legitimate son of the Su Family.
The stronger his opponent, the hotter that pride burned. Tomorrow's match would likely be anything but peaceful.
Night deepened.
Candles burned brightly in the great