Just as the Lu Clan team approached the outer boundary of the Drowned Mist Mangrove Forest, where the thick gray mist finally began to thin and patches of firm earth appeared beneath their feet—
—they halted.
Not by choice.
But by instinct.
—
Ahead of them, emerging through the fading mist like drawn blades, stood a group of cultivators.
Nearly twenty in total.
Their robes were uniform—white and silver, embroidered with sword patterns that seemed to shimmer faintly even in the dim light.
Their formation was tight.
Disciplined.
Dangerous.
—
At the front stood two men.
They did not move.
They did not speak.
Yet the pressure they emitted alone was enough to make the surrounding air feel heavy.
Foundation Establishment Realm.
—
The moment both sides saw each other—
the atmosphere froze.
—
Lu Chanki's steps slowed to a stop.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
Behind him, the Lu Clan disciples instinctively shifted.
The injured moved inward.
The stronger ones stepped forward.
Weapons were not drawn yet—
but they were ready.
—
The Wind-Grazing Wolf beside Lu Chanki lowered its body, a faint wind swirling around its limbs as it bared its fangs.
—
Opposite them—
the other group reacted just as quickly.
Hands hovered near sword hilts.
Eyes sharpened.
Killing intent quietly surfaced.
—
Then—
a young man stepped forward from their ranks.
—
His robes were more refined than the others.
His posture carried natural arrogance.
His chin slightly raised.
As though he stood above everyone present.
—
His gaze swept across the Lu Clan group casually—
pausing briefly on their injuries…
their fatigue…
their condition after battle.
—
Then—
it stopped.
—
On Lu Yanshi.
—
More precisely—
on the egg in her hands.
—
A faint, mocking smile appeared on his lips.
"That thing," he said lightly, pointing with two fingers as if selecting an item from a market stall,
"bring it here."
—
The words were not loud.
But they carried absolute confidence.
—
Silence fell instantly.
—
Lu Yanhai's brows furrowed deeply.
"…Did he just—"
—
Yanxi's voice was low. "Don't speak."
—
Yanshi did not move.
Her grip on the egg tightened slightly.
Her eyes turned cold.
—
Lu Chanki stepped forward.
One step.
Two steps.
—
Each movement calm—
but carrying invisible pressure.
—
"What," he said slowly, his voice controlled but laced with suppressed anger,
"is the meaning of this… Young Master Mei?"
—
The name alone carried weight.
—
The Mei Clan.
A clan that cultivated the Dao of the Sword.
Fierce. Aggressive. Proud.
They claimed descent from a legendary Sword King—
and they never let anyone forget it.
—
Their strength was well known.
Two late-stage Foundation Establishment experts.
Three mid-stage Foundation Establishment experts.
A host of elite disciples.
—
Far stronger than the Lu Clan.
—
But—
they resided far to the west, beyond the city territories of the Lu Clan.
Encounters between the two clans were rare.
They were not allies—
but neither were they open enemies.
—
Until now.
—
Young Master Mei smiled faintly.
"You ask a question you already know the answer to," he said lazily.
His gaze drifted again to the egg.
"Hand it over."
—
Lu Chanki's expression darkened.
"That egg belongs to the Lu Clan."
—
Mei's smile slowly faded.
The air around him sharpened.
—
"Give me the egg," he said again, this time his voice colder,
"if you don't want all your disciples… buried here."
—
The words fell like stones.
—
For a brief moment—
no one moved.
—
Then—
anger erupted.
—
"How dare you!" one of the Lu Clan senior disciples shouted, stepping forward despite blood still staining his robes.
"To threaten our elder so openly—do you think we're afraid of you?!"
—
Another disciple gritted his teeth.
"If you want to fight—then fight!"
—
"Enough talking!" a third added. "We didn't survive that swamp just to bow our heads here!"
—
Even the injured disciples straightened, forcing strength into their trembling bodies.
—
Lu Yanhai muttered under his breath, "These people… are asking for trouble."
—
Yanxi's eyes flicked toward the two Foundation Establishment experts behind Mei.
"…No," she whispered. "They are the trouble."
—
Yanshi remained silent.
But golden qi had already begun to gather faintly around her palm.
—
Lu Chanki slowly raised his hand.
Instantly—
the Lu Clan disciples fell silent.
—
His gaze locked onto Young Master Mei.
Cold.
Unyielding.
"Young Master Mei," he said, each word measured,
"you are crossing the line."
—
Mei chuckled softly.
"Line?"
He tilted his head slightly.
"In the cultivation world…"
"…strength is the only line that matters."
—
He took a step forward.
The ground beneath his foot sank slightly into the damp earth.
—
"Your people are injured."
"Your qi is depleted."
"And yet…"
His eyes glinted.
"You still think you can keep that egg?"
—
Lu Chanki's aura surged slightly.
"Try," he said coldly.
—
The two Foundation Establishment experts behind Mei finally moved.
They stepped forward in unison.
Their presence pressed down like mountains.
—
One of them spoke calmly.
"Chanki," he said, "do not make this difficult."
—
Lu Chanki didn't even look at him.
"Then control your junior."
—
The elder frowned slightly.
But before he could respond—
Mei raised his hand.
Stopping him.
—
Then—
he smiled.
A slow.
Dangerous smile.
—
"Well," he said, almost amused,
"so be it."
—
He turned his head slightly.
His voice became indifferent.
—
"Elders…"
—
The two Foundation Establishment experts stepped fully forward.
—
Spiritual pressure erupted.
—
The mist around them was pushed aside.
Water rippled violently.
The very air seemed to tremble.
—
"Make your move."
—
The moment those words fell—
everything changed.
—
Lu Chanki's aura surged to meet theirs.
The Wind-Grazing Wolf stepped forward with a fierce snarl, wind swirling violently around its claws.
—
Behind him—
the Lu Clan disciples moved as one.
Weapons drawn.
Talismans ignited.
Qi surged.
—
Fear was there—
but no one stepped back.
—
Lu Yanhai exhaled slowly.
"…So much for leaving peacefully."
—
Yanxi's voice was steady.
"Stay behind me if things get chaotic."
—
Yanhai snorted lightly.
"You should be saying that to yourself."
—
Yanshi stepped forward—
placing herself slightly ahead.
Still holding the egg.
—
Her gaze locked onto Young Master Mei.
—
"If you want it," she said calmly,
"come and take it."
—
For a brief moment—
even Mei paused.
—
Then—
he laughed.
—
"Interesting."
—
Behind him—
the Mei Clan disciples drew their swords fully.
SHING—
A chilling metallic hum filled the air.
—
The Lu Clan answered in kind.
—
Two forces.
Two clans.
Standing at the edge of the forest.
—
Between them—
only a few steps remained.
—
Lu Chanki's voice rang out like thunder:
"Lu Clan disciples—!"
—
"Prepare for battle!"
—
And in the next instant—
the edge of the Drowned Mist Mangrove Forest erupted into war.