The Return of the Void Emperor

The clearing seethed with power as the void surged outward, twisting through the formations like serpents of light and shadow. Li Tian's pulse hammered in his ears, each beat echoing the rhythm of the void. The woman didn't flinch. Instead, she moved like a specter, weaving between the surging tendrils of energy as if she had rehearsed this dance a thousand times before.

Li Tian's jaw tightened. He could feel the strain in the formations—the cracks spreading, the symbols dimming. The void demanded more, but he was already pushing his limits. Sweat streamed down his face, and his arms trembled, yet he refused to falter.

"You're holding back," the woman said, her voice cutting through the chaos like a blade. "Why? Are you afraid?"

Li Tian didn't answer. Instead, he shifted his stance, directing the void into the nearest formation. The symbols pulsed, their light flaring to blinding intensity as a wave of energy erupted outward.

The woman darted to the side, her robes swirling like smoke. She was fast—too fast. Li Tian barely had time to raise a shield before her blade struck, the impact rattling his bones. Sparks danced where steel met energy, and for a moment, Li Tian saw her eyes—cold, calculating, and utterly calm.

He shoved her back, pouring more power into the formations. The earth trembled as void energy coiled outward, forming jagged spires that erupted from the ground. The woman dodged them with ease, her movements almost effortless.

"Is this all the void can offer?" she taunted, her voice dripping with disdain. "Desperation?"

Li Tian growled, pushing the void harder. The formations rippled, their patterns shifting as the energy condensed into spears of light. He thrust his hand forward, and the spears launched toward her.

She moved to dodge—but one struck her shoulder. She staggered, her robes tearing as dark blood seeped into the fabric.

Li Tian pressed the attack, forcing the void into the formations until the symbols glowed white-hot. Energy exploded outward, forcing the woman to retreat. She landed at the edge of the clearing, her gaze narrowing.

"Not bad," she said, wiping the blood from her arm. "But you're running out of time."

Li Tian didn't respond. He could feel it too—the void's hunger growing wilder, harder to control. The formations were buckling under the strain. He needed to end this.

The woman straightened, her blade gleaming as she raised it. "Let's see how far you can push yourself before it breaks you."

She charged, her speed blurring the edges of her form. Li Tian braced himself, channeling the void into a barrier as her blade struck. The impact cracked the shield, sending shockwaves rippling through the clearing.

Li Tian staggered but didn't fall. He countered, releasing a pulse of energy that forced her back, but she recovered almost instantly.

"You're fighting the void as much as you're fighting me," she said, circling him like a predator. "It's consuming you."

Li Tian's vision blurred, the edges darkening as the void clawed at his control. He forced it back, but the strain tore at him. Sweat poured down his face, and his breaths came in ragged gasps.

The woman struck again, and this time, her blade sliced through his barrier. Pain flared as the edge grazed his shoulder, drawing blood. Li Tian stumbled but caught himself, his hand snapping out to release another blast of void energy.

It missed. She was already behind him.

Her blade pressed against his throat, cold and unyielding.

"It's over," she whispered.

But the void roared.

A surge of energy erupted from Li Tian, shattering the formations and sending both of them flying. He hit the ground hard, his vision swimming, but he didn't stop. He pushed himself up, the void raging around him.

The woman rose as well, her robes torn and her expression dark. "So that's what you're hiding."

Li Tian's hands trembled as he steadied himself. The void was no longer a tool—it was alive, writhing and clawing to be unleashed.

"You have no idea what you're dealing with," the woman said.

Li Tian's eyes burned with light as he raised his hands, the void answering his call. "Neither do you."

The clearing erupted in chaos once more as the void consumed the space between them, and the battle began anew.

The woman's strikes came faster, sharper. Li Tian dodged, barely keeping pace. Each movement drained him further, yet the void surged, feeding his desperation.

She lunged, her blade humming with power. Li Tian deflected it, his hand igniting with dark energy as he retaliated. The blast sent her skidding back, but her eyes gleamed with excitement.

"You're breaking," she said. "I can feel it."

Li Tian gritted his teeth. The void pulsed harder, twisting his thoughts. He roared, unleashing a torrent of energy that shattered the ground. The woman vanished into the smoke, only to reappear at his side, her blade cutting through the haze.

Pain ripped through him as the blade pierced his side. Li Tian staggered, clutching the wound, but he refused to fall. The void screamed, lashing outward, forcing her back.

Blood poured down his side, but he forced himself upright. The woman hesitated, her smile faltering.

"You should have run," Li Tian said, his voice low.

He released the void. The clearing erupted with light, drowning them both in its fury.

The ground quaked, splitting beneath their feet as energy tore through the clearing. Flames erupted where the void touched, igniting the air itself. The woman lunged again, but Li Tian met her strike with raw force, the collision rippling outward. Dust and debris filled the clearing, obscuring everything but the violent hum of power.

Li Tian's eyes burned brighter. He wouldn't stop—not until one of them fell.