The night fog hung low, tinted red by the fiery springs. In Luofuxian Town, the stone-paved roads had endured the erosion of time for a thousand years, now pockmarked and weathered, still carrying the charm of antiquity. The evening glow danced as Li Qingyue radiated with a sacred light. Her presence was commanding, her words carrying great weight. Li Qingxu, dressed in purple, felt his complexion shift, sensing that something was amiss.
In an instant, a group of disciples from the outer realms began to murmur, even those beside Li Qingxu could not shake off their discomfort.
"Li Qingyue, this is not your concern," Li Qingxu spoke, gripping his gleaming bamboo staff, maintaining a semblance of calm.
He understood that undercurrents were beginning to swirl; his old rival was already trying to provoke him, and now Li Qingyue was taking a firm stance, seemingly shifting the balance of the situation. "I won’t repeat myself!" Li Qingyue declared, her white attire glowing with a soft golden hue in the glow of the fiery sky.
"Li Qingxu, if we enter the Spirit Cave, we can settle old scores." Tang Xumi said, breaking the tension.
"Li Qingxu, there will be a duel in the Spirit Cave tomorrow!" The voice of a core disciple, Jiang Shengyu, cut through the air, offering no explanation. "Count me in!" another person chimed in.