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Chapter Image Source: Pixiv Artist Code "72057969" / Pixiv Art Code "111991778"
-Flashback Start-
The training ground was bathed in the soft glow of dawn, a serene backdrop to a battle that transcended mere combat. Y/N and Jingliu stood face to face, their eyes locked in a fierce determination. They were not teacher and student, but the closest of friends, engaging in a sparring match that had become a cherished ritual between them.
Y/N, his towering figure clad in formidable armor, gripped his greatsword with the confidence of a seasoned warrior. Jingliu, her lithe form adorned in the attire of a disciplined fighter, brandished her lightsword with grace and agility. Both warriors eyed each other like hawks preparing for a dance of blades.
With a lightning-fast lunge, Jingliu initiated the attack. Her lightsword sliced through the air with the swiftness of a shooting star, aimed at Y/N, who settled into a defensive stance. Blow after blow, she unleashed a barrage of strikes, each one a testament to her speed and agility. Y/N, ever the stalwart defender, met her onslaught with a steadfast guard, the clang of their weapons ringing through the training ground.
But as the spar continued, Y/N's aura began to change. A cerulean hue, like the vivid sky before a storm, began to envelop him. It hummed with energy, resonating through his greatsword. It was a subtle shift, yet one that spoke volumes.
Jingliu noticed the change in her friend's aura, a sign that Y/N was ready to bring the match to a close. His determination blazed brighter, his movements more deliberate. The cerulean glow intensified, casting an ethereal light that danced along the blade of his greatsword.
In response, Jingliu redoubled her efforts, her strikes coming faster and more furious. She recognized Y/N' intent—to end the battle in one fell swoop. It was a challenge she welcomed, a testament to their mutual growth as warriors.
Their sparring reached its zenith, and with a mighty swing of his greatsword, Y/N launched his final strike. It was a calculated move, a culmination of their shared experiences and unspoken communication. Jingliu, her senses heightened, met the blow head-on, their weapons colliding with a resounding clash.
But as the clash reverberated through the training ground, Y/N didn't stop with a mere collision. With a sudden surge of strength, he raised his greatsword high and brought it crashing down with relentless force. The sheer power behind the strike caught Jingliu off guard, and she knew that to defend against it, she would have to muster every ounce of her strength.
Summoning her determination and skill, Jingliu met Y/N's overwhelming strike with unwavering resolve. Her lightsword crackled with energy as she held it above her, a last line of defense against the titanic force of Y/N' greatsword. The impact sent shockwaves through her body, and for a moment, it felt as if the weight of the world rested upon her shoulders.
But she held her ground. Beads of sweat formed on her brow as she strained against the tremendous force, her muscles trembling with the effort. It was a test of strength and willpower, a testament to the unbreakable bond between them. Jingliu's lightsword held fast, and she averted the potentially devastating blow.
Finally, Y/N eased his stance, his greatsword lowering. Jingliu, panting heavily, lowered her lightsword as well. The spar had ended, and though it had pushed her to the brink, she had proven her mettle.
"Jingliu," Y/N said, his voice carrying the weight of a comrade's wisdom, "your growth as a warrior is truly remarkable. Trust in your instincts and the skills we've honed together. That's what makes you a formidable warrior."
Jingliu nodded, catching her breath after the intense spar with Y/N, she felt a sudden surge of warmth and love. Unbeknownst to her and Y/N, they had unwittingly garnered an audience. The members of the High Cloud Quintet—Ying Xing, Jing Yuan, Dan Feng, and the foxian, Baiheng—had been silently observing their bout, appreciating the skill and dedication displayed by their fellow warriors.
With smiles on their faces and admiration in their hearts, the members of the High Cloud Quintet couldn't contain their appreciation any longer. They erupted into applause, their applause echoing through the training ground like a thunderous ovation.
Y/N, caught off guard by the unexpected applause, looked sheepish and scratched the back of his head, his towering figure a stark contrast to his bashful expression. Jingliu, on the other hand, simply smiled in response to the heartfelt appreciation.
The bond between the members of the High Cloud Quintet ran deep, forged through battles, hardships, and shared moments of camaraderie. In that moment, as they applauded the skill and dedication of their comrades, that bond only grew stronger. They were not just warriors fighting for a noble cause; they were a family, and their unity was their greatest strength.
-Flashback End-
The memory of those cherished moments lingered as Jingliu stood alone on the training ground, a bittersweet reminder of the friend and sparring partner she had lost.
"Y/N," she whispered, her voice carrying a mix of longing and determination. "I wish you were here with me, my friend."
Her frustration had been growing steadily. She missed their training sessions, the feeling of blades clashing and souls intertwining.
"You were the one who pushed me to be better," she thought, her memories of Y/N spurring her on. "We were equals in every sense."
Together, they had forged a bond that transcended mere friendship—it was a partnership of equals, each pushing the other to greater heights.
"It wasn't just about titles," Jingliu mused, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "It was about the journey we shared."
The title of Sword Champion of Luofu had been restricted to only one person, and while she had earned it, she couldn't help but yearn for Y/N to stand by her side as an equal in title and recognition.
"I earned that title for both of us," she whispered, her voice carrying the weight of her unspoken promise to her friend.
The memory of their shared battles and the unspoken understanding between them fueled her determination.
"Your spirit lives on in me, Y/N," Jingliu vowed, her grip on her lightsword tightening. "I won't let your legacy fade."
She knew that Y/N would have been proud of her accomplishments, just as she was of his. The legacy he had left behind was a guiding light in the face of the challenges that lay ahead, a reminder that their bond remained unbroken, even across the boundaries of time and space.
"Wherever you are, my friend," Jingliu whispered to the wind, "know that I carry you in my heart."
As Jingliu stood on the training ground, her thoughts filled with memories of Y/N, she was interrupted abruptly by a messenger. The figure was dressed in dark robes, a mask concealing their face.
"Sword Champion Jingliu," the messenger's voice was muffled by the mask, "the council has summoned you. They require your presence immediately."
Jingliu's brows furrowed in curiosity and concern. The timing was unusual, and she couldn't help but wonder what mission the council had in mind. However, her resolve remained unshaken.
"Very well," she replied with a nod, her hand resting on the hilt of her lightsword. "Lead the way. I will heed the council's call."
With that, Jingliu followed the mysterious messenger, ready to face the new challenge that awaited her, her thoughts of Y/N temporarily pushed to the back of her mind.
-Xianzhou Alliance Headquarter-
Jingliu's steps were filled with purpose as she made her way through the bustling corridors of the Xianzhou Alliance headquarters. The council's summons had left her intrigued, and she was determined to see this mission through.
Councilor Li, a stern and seasoned leader, awaited her in a dimly lit chamber. His eyes held a weight of responsibility as he addressed her.
"Jingliu, we have received troubling reports of Bloodshot War Wyverns causing unrest in the rural areas of Xianzhou," Councilor Li began. "These creatures pose a threat to the local communities, and we need someone with your combat skills to investigate."
The bittersweet memories of her sparring sessions with Y/N still fresh in her mind, Jingliu's life took a new turn as she received this mission. The message was clear: she was to embark on a journey that would take her back to the rural areas where she had honed her skills, often confronting Bloodshot War Wyverns without any support under the guidance of her teacher, an unknown soldier who had taken her under his wing.
As she listened to Councilor Li, memories of her teacher's teachings echoed in her mind. Her teacher, a common soldier, had pushed her to her limits, teaching her the art of survival and making her the formidable warrior she was today. Accepting the council's task with a sense of intrigue, Jingliu saw an opportunity not only to investigate the Wyverns but also to use them as specimens to further her current swordsmanship.
Jingliu nodded, her determination evident in her voice. "I accept the mission, Councilor."
-Timeskip-
As Jingliu departed from the Xianzhou Alliance headquarters, her unease gnawed at the edges of her thoughts. The simplicity of the mission troubled her, and a sense of caution crept into her mind. She couldn't help but wonder if there was more to this task than met the eye.
"Perhaps I'm just being paranoid," she mused quietly to herself as she made her way towards the rural areas of Xianzhou Luofu. The memory of her teacher's teachings and her encounters with Bloodshot War Wyverns filled her mind, reminding her of the unpredictability of the world she inhabited.
With her trusted lightsword in hand and her senses on high alert, Jingliu embarked on her mission to investigate the Wyverns. The path ahead might have seemed straightforward, but she couldn't shake the feeling that there were secrets lurking beneath the surface, waiting to be uncovered. Determined to face whatever challenges awaited her, she continued her journey, her heart heavy with both nostalgia and a growing sense of vigilance.
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Author's Note:
I should come up with better names for each councilor. Councilor Li is a man; Councilor Lin is a woman.
On the plus side, I'm happy at how well this chapter turned up, might be my best one I've written as of yet.
Comment and vote to show your appreciation, thank you.