Laurel's pupils shrank as Ling Xuan's figure closed the distance between them in an instant, the air shifting sharply around her as instinct took over.
She raised the sword in her hand just in time to block the incoming strike, the sound of metal clashing ringing loudly through the space as the force behind it sent a jolt through her arms and nearly knocked the weapon out of her grip.
Her feet slid backward across the ground, her balance faltering as she struggled to steady herself, her fingers tightening around the hilt as she sucked in a sharp breath, the impact leaving her arms slightly numb as she stared at Ling Xuan in disbelief.
"That's ten percent?" Laurel blurted out, her voice laced with shock as she barely managed to keep her footing.
"You are mocking me." She added, but the anger inside her wanted her to win…
