A Clash of Twin Blades · Fierce Battle on Two Fronts (Part One)

An hour had passed since the first round of one-on-one matches ended. News of the Li Family's narrow four-to-three victory over the Ye Family had swept through all of Blue Moon City like a gale.

In streets and alleys, teahouses and taverns, everyone was heatedly discussing those seven heart-stopping duels.

"Li Xuansheng really beat Ye Zhongguan! He met him head-on and fought his way to victory!"

"Li Longyue was the terrifying one. Ye Lingtian's Heaven-Splitting Sword struck him without even breaking his skin!"

"And Li Xiaochen! Ye Lingfeng was so fast, but those metal particles pinned him down until he couldn't move."

"Too bad they lost three matches. Otherwise, it would've been a clean seven-to-zero sweep."

"Four to three is already incredible. The Ye Family is a mighty clan of the southern region. After a showing like that, the Li Family has truly proved itself a dark horse."

Inside the Li Family's quarters,

Li Xuansheng sat cross-legged in his room, soul power circulating slowly around him as he tended the subtle internal injuries left by the day's fierce battle. He had beaten Ye Zhongguan, but he had nearly exhausted every trump card he possessed. The drain of his Divine Phoenix Avatar, the repeated bursts of his Azure Luan Heaven-Burning Strike, and that narrow victory at the very end had left his meridians aching faintly.

A soft knock came from outside the door.

"Come in."

The door opened, and Li Huayu and Li Qingluan entered. Li Huayu carried a steaming bowl of medicinal broth and set it before Li Xuansheng.

"Drink this, young master. Grand Elder Qianqian brewed it specially to nourish your meridians."

Li Xuansheng nodded, lifted the bowl, and drained it in one gulp. The broth tasted faintly bitter, but once it reached his stomach, it became a