The air grew sharp as a sword's edge.
The entire academy trembled ever so slightly, as if responding to a presence. Golden sword intent spread across the horizon like an unstoppable tide. All birds scattered. Wind froze. Even the Divine Ranking Board emitted a faint humming sound, vibrating in resonance.
Ashwin, Rika, Bala, and Yuvan stared upward in awe.
From the sky, a young man slowly descended. He wore a white robe embroidered with the pattern of an infinite sword. His eyes were cold, like ancient glaciers, and behind his back floated twelve phantom swords of different elements—flame, wind, lightning, ice, void, time, space...
This was Lin Fei—ranked third on the Divine Ranking Board.
Rika gripped her spear tightly. "That's... real sword intent! I feel like I'll be cut just by breathing."
Ashwin's lotus flame began circulating unconsciously, responding to the pressure.
Yuvan muttered, "He hasn't even drawn his sword."
Lin Fei gently landed in the courtyard and looked around with indifference. "So... this is the Heaven Defying Academy."
Elder Han bowed slightly. "Welcome, Sword Saint Lin Fei."
Lin Fei glanced at the four students. His eyes paused for a moment on Ashwin, who was ranked just below him.
"So, you're the one with the Eternal Lotus Flame Dao?" he asked, tone calm but sharp.
Ashwin nodded. "Yes. And you're the one with Infinite Sword Domain?"
Lin Fei's mouth curled slightly—not quite a smile, more a challenge. "Good. Then I can test how deep the competition runs."
Without warning, the space twisted.
A dueling platform rose from the ground—a stone arena surrounded by runic patterns. The Divine Ranking Board flashed, and an ethereal voice echoed:
"First Dao Clash Challenge: Lin Fei vs. Ashwin. Accept or decline?"
Ashwin's heart pounded. But before he could speak, the young man under the tree yawned loudly.
"Go. You won't die in this academy, even if you lose."
Ashwin nodded slowly. "I accept."
Rika gasped. "Ashwin—!"
But it was too late.
He stepped onto the platform. Lin Fei was already there, standing with his hands behind his back.
The runes lit up. The world fell silent.
"Begin."
Lin Fei's aura erupted.
Twelve phantom swords behind him roared, each representing a unique sword Dao. Space distorted, time slowed—this wasn't a fight. This was a domain.
Ashwin closed his eyes, exhaled, and the Eternal Lotus Flame bloomed behind him. A lotus of fire spun slowly, emanating a calm, steady heat that withstood the biting sword pressure.
Their energies clashed.
A single second stretched into eternity.
Then—Lin Fei moved.
One sword, only one, flashed forward—no blade drawn, just intent.
Ashwin raised his hand, and the lotus expanded, catching the intent in a whirl of fire and petals.
Boom!
The clash lit the skies.
Students across the academy turned their heads. Some gasped. Others knelt instinctively.
Lin Fei stepped back, eyes slightly surprised.
Ashwin's clothes were torn, but he still stood tall.
"You blocked my First Sword of Eternity."
Ashwin coughed blood. "Barely."
Lin Fei nodded once, expression unreadable.
"You have the qualifications."
The platform sank back. The clash ended.
No victor. No defeat.
Only growth.
Ashwin's name on the ranking board shimmered, briefly rising to 4, tied with Rika. Lin Fei remained 3, but his displayed Dao flickered once—acknowledging challenge.
The crowd dispersed slowly, murmuring in awe.
Back under the tree, the young man smiled.
"Good. The academy's heart is beating again."