Whispers of the Azure Bloom

Liang's dagger clashed against the bandit's short blade with a high-pitched scrape that jarred his arm. The force of the impact nearly knocked him off balance, but he planted his feet firmly and pushed back. The bandit's grin faltered as Liang's Qi flared, faint embers dancing along the edge of his dagger.

"Not bad for a kid," the bandit sneered, stepping back to reassess. "But not good enough."

Liang barely had time to react as a second bandit charged from his left, a curved blade sweeping low. Instinct kicked in, and Liang leapt backward, narrowly avoiding the strike.

Alert: Qi Reserves at 65%. Defensive Evasion Recommended.

Liang clenched his teeth, ignoring the system's warning. He couldn't afford to play defensively forever. A plan began to form in his mind, and he focused his Qi into his dagger. The blade shimmered faintly, the embers growing brighter.

The third bandit joined the fray, a staff spinning in wide arcs as he closed the distance. Liang's eyes darted between his opponents, searching for an opening.

"Three against one," Liang muttered under his breath. "Great odds."

Behind him, the clash of steel echoed through the air as Master Yuan engaged the bandit leader. Yuan moved with precision, his blade cutting arcs of light as the leader barely managed to parry each strike. The difference in skill was obvious, but the leader's sheer power kept him in the fight.

"You're wasting your time!" the leader shouted. "That brat won't last five minutes against my men!"

Yuan didn't respond, his movements calm and measured. But his eyes flicked toward Liang for a split second.

The first bandit lunged again, his blade aimed for Liang's throat. Liang dodged to the side, twisting his body to avoid a follow-up strike from the second bandit. As the staff-wielding third bandit swung at his legs, Liang jumped, the Azure Bloom pulsing faintly in his chest.

Skill Activated: Ember Spark (50%).

Liang's dagger ignited in a burst of flame, and he slashed downward. The embers lashed out like a whip, forcing the staff-wielding bandit to retreat with a curse.

"Where did you learn that?!" the bandit snarled, clutching his weapon tightly.

Liang didn't answer. His heart pounded, adrenaline coursing through him as he pressed the attack. He swung his dagger in a wide arc, the embers forming a fiery trail. The second bandit raised his blade to block, but the flames licked at his arm, forcing him to drop the weapon with a howl of pain.

The system chimed again.

Enemy Status: Disarmed. Advantage Gained.

Liang surged forward, his confidence growing. He kicked the bandit's fallen blade away and turned his attention to the remaining two.

"Still think I won't last five minutes?" Liang asked, his voice steady despite the pounding in his chest.

The first bandit's grin twisted into a snarl. "You little—"

Before he could finish, Liang thrust his dagger forward, the embers flaring again. The bandit dodged, but not quickly enough—flames grazed his side, leaving scorch marks on his leather armor.

"Stay still!" the staff-wielding bandit roared, swinging his weapon in a wide arc.

Liang ducked, his movements growing smoother as he adjusted to the flow of battle. He channeled his Qi into his legs and darted forward, closing the distance between him and the staff-wielder. With a quick slash, he cut the staff in two, rendering it useless.

The bandit's eyes widened in shock. "How—"

Liang didn't wait for him to finish. He drove his dagger forward, stopping just short of the bandit's throat. The man froze, his hands raised in surrender.

"Smart move," Liang said, his voice cold.

The first bandit hesitated, his eyes darting between his fallen allies and Liang's flame-covered dagger. Then he cursed under his breath and dropped his weapon.

"You win," he muttered, backing away.

Liang exhaled, his body trembling with exhaustion. The embers on his dagger flickered and died as he lowered the blade.

Behind him, a final clash of steel rang out, followed by the dull thud of a body hitting the ground. Liang turned to see Yuan standing over the bandit leader, his sword dripping with blood. The leader lay motionless at his feet.

Yuan wiped his blade clean and glanced at Liang. "Well done."

Liang blinked. "You mean… I passed?"

Yuan nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "You handled yourself well. Your movements were rough, but you kept your focus. That's the most important thing."

Liang felt a surge of pride, but it was quickly tempered by exhaustion. He sheathed his dagger and looked at the two remaining bandits, who were now bound and kneeling under Yuan's watchful eye.

"What do we do with them?" Liang asked.

Yuan's expression hardened. "Bandits like these are pests, preying on the weak and untrained. They don't deserve mercy."

The bandits paled, their eyes wide with fear.

Liang hesitated. He didn't like the idea of executing them, but he also knew they couldn't be allowed to roam free. "Is there another way?"

Yuan studied Liang for a moment before sighing. "Perhaps. Bind them tightly and leave them here. The wildlands will decide their fate."

Liang nodded and helped Yuan secure the bandits. The men struggled, but Yuan's grip was unyielding. When they were done, Liang stepped back and surveyed the scene.

"Let's go," Yuan said, turning toward the horizon. "We have a long way to travel."

Liang followed, the weight of the battle still lingering in his mind. He had won, but the wildlands had shown him just how unforgiving they could be.

As they walked, the Azure Bloom pulsed faintly in his chest, a reminder that his journey had only just begun.