The sharpness of his opponent's sword intent had left the golden eagle trembling with fear. She had broken through his defenses with such ease. Though he had other divine abilities he had yet to use, facing this mysterious woman, he couldn't help but feel the urge to retreat.
"Trying to leave? Don't you think it's a little too late?" The clear and lovely woman, as if she had stepped out of a painting, smiled sweetly. She raised a hand, and her sword flew into the sky. With a turn, it bloomed with dazzling radiance, like a bright moon hanging high overhead. Pale moonlight spilled down. The golden eagle was swift beyond compare, but no matter how fast he flew or where he went, he remained beneath the moonlight cast from the sky.
The golden eagle was horrified. As he dodged the killing intent concealed within the moonlight, he glanced toward the woman—only to see her figure growing fainter and fainter, until she merged with the moonlight. Even with his divine sense, he could not easily pinpoint her location.
When he came to his senses, he saw a faint figure standing still within the full moon in the sky, like a celestial maiden descended from the ninth heaven, holy and unattainable.
Even though she was his enemy, the golden eagle couldn't help but stare in a daze.
In that fleeting moment of distraction, the golden eagle sensed a tremendous danger surging toward him. Horrified, he beat his wings and darted aside, as golden light flickered around him in defense. Sssht! Sword intent, as fluid as moonlit water, sliced through his protective golden light. The golden eagle grunted as several golden feathers were cut away, and a few drops of blood fell from the sky.
Though wounded, the golden eagle pushed his