Chapter 76: Congratulations You Passed
Akane led Damian and Raika toward a quieter side area of the Mission Hall.
Compared to the crowded main hall, this place was calmer. There were fewer disciples around, and the noise from the mission boards became much softer.
Only after they stopped near a side window did Raika turn around and look directly at Damian.
Her yellow eyes were sharp. "Who are you?"
Damian blinked. "That’s a very direct question."
Raika did not smile. "You are suspicious."
Akane glanced at her helplessly. "Raika, at least let him sit first."
Raika ignored her and continued staring at Damian. "Elder Selvara has never accepted a disciple before. Then suddenly, you appeared, and she brought you back as her core disciple."
Her voice became colder. "Not only that, your Qi is strange, your movement art is not weak, and your attitude is too relaxed for someone who just entered the Heavenly Sword Sect."
Damian touched his chin. "So basically, I’m too handsome, too talented, and too mysterious?"
Raika’s eyebrow twitched. "That is not what I said."
Akane laughed softly. "But it is what he heard."
Damian turned toward Akane and smiled. "See? Senior Sister Akane understands me."
Akane’s amber eyes curved slightly. "I only understand that you are shameless."
Damian placed a hand over his chest. "Beautiful women always wound me the deepest."
Raika’s thunder flickered faintly. "Answer the question."
Damian immediately became serious. "Alright, alright."
He leaned against the wall and sighed. "The truth is simple. I was a rogue cultivator. During a life-or-death crisis, I used a token that had been passed down to me by someone connected to Senior Loren Veyr."
Raika’s eyes narrowed. "Loren Veyr?"
Damian nodded. "That name should mean something to Master Selvara. I don’t know the full story, but because of that old promise, she accepted me as her disciple."
Akane looked thoughtful. "So Elder Selvara accepted you because of a promise?"
"Pretty much," Damian said. "Although I would like to believe my handsome face helped a little."
Raika stared at him coldly. "It did not."
Damian sighed. "You don’t have to destroy my confidence so quickly."
Akane covered her lips and chuckled. "At least you are honest about being shameless."
Damian smiled at her. "I prefer calling it emotional openness."
Raika looked at Akane. "He is worse than I expected."
Akane nodded. "Much worse."
Damian raised both hands. "Hey, I am standing right here."
Then he looked at both women and smiled helplessly. "But what can I say? I’m a man. I’m weak against beauty."
Akane blinked once before laughing softly.
Raika, on the other hand, stared at him for several seconds.
Then she suddenly asked, "Then what do you want from us?"
Damian raised an eyebrow. "Shouldn’t I be asking you that?"
Raika’s yellow eyes sharpened slightly.
Damian spread his hands. "You attacked me yesterday, stopped me earlier, called me suspicious, and now you’re questioning me here. So, Senior Sister Raika, what exactly do you want from me?"
For a moment, Raika was silent.
Then, to Damian’s surprise, a faint grin slowly appeared on her face. "I want to test how powerful you really are."
Damian stared at her.
Then he sighed deeply. "Of course you do."
Akane smiled with interest. "Oh? Are you two fighting again?"
Damian glanced at her. "Senior Sister Akane, why do you sound excited?"
Akane’s amber eyes curved slightly. "Because it sounds fun."
Damian felt his mouth twitch.
These two were definitely troublesome.
After thinking for a moment, Damian finally nodded. "Fine. Then let’s go to the arena. I’ll show you."
Raika’s grin became clearer. "Good."
A short while later, the three of them returned to the Sword Trial Arena.
Naturally, the moment the disciples saw Damian and Raika walking onto the platform together, the crowd exploded again.
"Again?"
"Senior Sister Raika is really fighting him this time?"
"Damian is dead."
Damian ignored the whispers and drew his dark-silver sword.
Raika stood opposite him, thunder flickering around her fingers. This time, she did not attack without warning.
"Ready?" she asked.
Damian smiled. "As ready as I can be."
The moment his words fell, Raika moved.
Thunder burst beneath her feet as she rushed forward with shocking speed.
Damian’s eyes narrowed.
[Thunder Flash Steps]
His body blurred, barely avoiding her first palm strike.
Raika immediately followed with three lightning talismans.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Damian dodged two, but the third exploded close enough to numb his left arm. "Damn, you really don’t hold back."
Raika’s eyes brightened. "You can still move."
She attacked again.
This time, Damian stopped retreating.
Flame and Thunder Qi wrapped around his sword as he stepped forward.
[Mountain Breaking Sword Art]
BOOOOM!
His sword collided with Raika’s thunder palm, and the impact shook the arena.
Raika was pushed back half a step.
Damian was pushed back three.
The crowd gasped.
Raika immediately rushed in again, faster than before.
Damian gritted his teeth and used [Thunder Flash Steps] to circle behind her.
Raika sensed him and turned, but Damian had already inhaled deeply.
[Lion Roar]
ROOOOAAARRR!
The violent roar exploded across the arena.
Raika’s thunder barrier cracked, and her body staggered for a brief instant.
That tiny opening was enough.
Damian appeared in front of her and stopped his sword an inch from her throat.
At the same time, Raika’s palm stopped in front of his chest, thunder crackling dangerously.
Both of them froze.
Then Raika slowly lowered her hand. "You win."
Damian exhaled heavily, sweat dripping down his face. "Barely."
Raika stared at him for a moment before smiling faintly. "Good. You are worth testing again."
Damian’s face stiffened. "Again?"
Akane laughed from the side. "Congratulations, Damian. She likes you now."
Damian looked at the sky. "Damn it... why does that sound like bad news?"
Akane sighed and lightly tapped Damian’s shoulder. "Okay, stop making that face."
Damian looked at her. "What face?"
Akane grinned. "The face of someone who just realized his peaceful life is dead."
Raika remained silent.
Akane smiled. "Follow me. Now we can talk for real."
