Azazel smiled arrogantly, his eyes glowing with unmistakable suffering.
"You think you can stop me with an imperfect body and an immature soul?" he taunted dismissively.
The girl replied with a voice as sharp as a drawn sword, filled with determination.
"You don't know who I am. But my body remembers every wound you inflicted on my mother."
She stood tall, one hand pulled back while the other stretched forward, entering the classic Cultivation stance: Wind-Silence Style.
Her long hair flowed, caught by the slowly swirling wind around her. Surrounding her, a Dao aura formed a ring of shimmering white-blue spirits, emitting a sacred energy that was both calming and powerful.
✨ Technique 1 — 「逆命·天脈開」
Nì Mìng · Tiān Mài Kāi ("Defying Fate: Opening the Heavenly Veins")
With a steady leap, the girl struck the ground below her. The tremendous impact shattered reality into faint spiritual pathways, while heavenly veins (天脈) radiated from the earth, floating into the air.
The glowing veins formed a complex aether network, like a delicate yet strong web, sealing Azazel's movements within an invisible magical circle.
Azazel raised his hand, intending to summon Qayïn's shadow for assistance, but his incantation was halted by a white spirit circle that blocked his dark energy.
"You used the heavenly veins to... block the invocation?" he said in shock, his voice tinged with disbelief.
Suddenly, Azazel furrowed his brow as his pitch-black eyes turned into terrifying flashes of darkness—an intense shadow that seemed alive, ready to devour the light.
With a low, demonic growl resonating through the air, he launched the first attack—a wave of rapidly spinning black shadows sweeping across the battlefield, attempting to engulf the space around the girl and bring a deadly horror into the air.
Unfazed, the girl gracefully raised both hands and executed her next move: 「Sāo Yǐng·Kháng Hài」 ("Shadow Rainbow: Poisonous Shield"). From her motion emerged a shimmering curtain of light that radiated like a rainbow, forming a protective barrier around her. The light moved softly yet powerfully, absorbing every particle of dark energy attempting to invade, then transforming it into a dazzling white aura, as if swallowing all the surrounding darkness. This radiant glow spread several meters, dissolving the remaining black shadows until the air felt cooler and fresher. The sharp effect of the aura forced Azazel to retreat several steps, his dark energy being drained and weakened by the protective light.
The girl reacted swiftly; her feet planted firmly on the cracked ground as she channeled energy from within herself into the earth beneath. With a loud, confident voice, she unleashed a combined offensive and defensive technique called 「Fēng Yǐng·Quán Mén」 ("Wind Shadow: Gate of Full Prevention"). From her palms and the surrounding area, a whirlwind of white wind rapidly spun, enveloping the floor where she stood. The clean gust pierced through the creeping black darkness, shattering the menacing shadows into nearly invisible fragments. The swirling wind also lifted tattered cloth and scattered leaves around her, creating a mini storm that acted as a protective barrier, preventing the demonic shadow attack from breaching her strong perimeter. This technique not only maintained her balance and freshness but also exerted pressure that made Azazel increasingly uneasy and cornered.
Sensing his position growing increasingly desperate, Azazel unleashed the full extent of his dark power, gathering a shadowy energy that coalesced in his hands into a swirling black mist chain. With a thunderous roar that shook the air, he launched his strongest shadow attack, 「Huǐ Mèi·Yīn Lián」 ("Blazing Wrath: Chain of Darkness"), spinning sharply as it sped toward the girl, aiming to trap her within its grasp. When the chain struck the vortex of white wind, a dazzling explosion erupted, releasing a burst of blue-white light that clashed violently against the dense shadows with a sharp ringing sound. The black chain shattered into tiny fragments that quickly dissolved, while the girl's aura flared even brighter, signaling her temporary victory over Azazel's dark assault.
The girl exhaled sharply, her eyes burning with a fierce blend of anger and determination. With swift and decisive steps, she surged forward, unleashing her advanced offensive technique called 「Bái Huǒ Yǐng·Yǐng Huǒ」 ("White Flame Shadow: Shadow Fire"). This move harnessed her Dao aura to emit a flickering white-blue flame without actual fire, enveloping her hand in a shimmering glow like morning dew. With agile swings of her hand, she launched repeated strikes at the lingering black shadows on the battlefield. Each motion released warm energy that subtly scorched the dark elements, carefully avoiding damage to the physical surroundings and preserving the environment. This attack demonstrated extraordinary control over the spiritual fire element, exerting a graceful yet deadly counterpressure, as if a dance between fire and shadow was unfolding in fierce competition.
Azazel grinned slyly, his body moving with increasing speed and aggressive intensity. He exploited the power of his shadows by suddenly doubling his attacks, manipulating the darkness into multiple shadowy figures that launched merciless assaults from every direction. The dark energy surged through the air, instantly lowering the temperature and expanding the shadows to dominate the surrounding space, creating an impenetrable, thick darkness that obscured all vision and silenced almost every trace of light in the area.
The girl quickly adjusted her strategy, closing her eyes briefly as she took a deep, steady breath. When she reopened them, she unleashed her signature defensive technique: 「Qīng Lóng Dùn·Bái Yún」 ("Blue Dragon Shield: White Cloud"). An aura radiated around her, transforming into a large shield shaped like a graceful yet powerful blue dragon, enveloping her entire body with majestic strength. The shield emitted gentle but resolute waves of energy that pierced through the veils of darkness, dispelling the black shadows with a soothing hissing sound, like a soft breeze brushing away a storm.
Besides protecting her, the dragon shield also absorbs every shadow attack swirling around her and redirects them into the air, creating sparks of white light that rise and slowly fade into delicate clouds. This technique significantly drains the girl's energy but provides the much-needed breathing space to control an increasingly intense battle.
Amid the fierce fight, perfectly balancing offense and defense, the girl's aura shines ever brighter, proving that although her body is not yet perfect, her advanced technique and iron will are far deadlier than Azazel's dark shadows. Her eyes radiate a mix of fury and unwavering determination; every move she strikes is a response to past suffering and a testament to how rapidly she has grown strong enough to avenge her mother's old wounds.
🔥 Technique 2 — 「魂燃·無聲焚」
Hún Rán · Wú Shēng Fén ("Soul Burning: Silent Blaze")
The girl closed her eyes, her breathing slowing down until it became calm, like a sea that settles after a storm.
Her body began to warm from within, yet strangely, no flames erupted. Instead, a soft white aura radiated outward, burning with a deep intensity without a sound, as if her soul was aflame in eternal silence.
Azazel stepped back in surprise, his eyes wide as he observed the unusual transformation.
"This isn't ordinary cultivation. This—"
"You're burning your own soul to accelerate your technique!" she interrupted confidently.
The girl placed her hand over her chest, feeling the fierce beating of her spirit.
"I was born from incomplete love.
But I learned to perfect my soul... through profound solitude.
Now, feel my power... the Nameless Dao."
With swift motion, Azazel summoned a thick darkness. Black shadows twisted into a whip-like flame in his hand, emanating a demonic aura capable of incinerating an opponent's soul instantly—he named this attack 'Umbra Lash.'
Despite this, the girl remained calm, channeling her white energy to envelop her body in a glowing shield, a defensive technique known as "Luminous Veil." This shield not only absorbed the darkness but transformed it into a gentle shimmer that flowed like the morning light.
When the shadow whip struck the shield, the explosion of darkness turned into a burst of light that surged outward, touching the ground with a soft rumble and leaving behind glowing scratches as proof that Azazel's attack had been successfully deflected.
Seizing the moment, the girl swiftly shifted to offense, manipulating her aether energy with deadly precision. She launched the technique "Silent Ember Strike," a soundless spark of white flame that slipped skillfully into Azazel's shadows. The fire not only burned away the negative energy surrounding her foe but also drained his stamina and significantly slowed his movements. Amidst the swirling energy, Azazel staggered back, his gleaming eyes radiating both rage and deep surprise.
Determined not to be outdone, Azazel unleashed his full power, swirling his shadow energy into a dense, ominous black mist. The mist spread rapidly, surging through the air like a wave of calamity, whispering demonic threats as it sought to seize the girl's consciousness. However, she calmly opened her previously closed eyes, focused intently, and immediately activated the "Echoing Dao Barrier". This defensive technique created layers of inaudible energy waves that vibrated subtly, shattering the black mist's power and transforming part of its effect into soothing Dao vibrations that protected her.
The surrounding environment roiled violently amid this fierce energy battle. The thick black mist exuded a penetrating scent of death, while the sacred white light left trails of tranquil hope. Amid the chaos, the girl's body began to emit a warm, pulsating aura, as if becoming a beacon of calm in the storm. Though this aura radiated warmth, her mastery of Dao arts remained perfectly balanced, reflecting an inner struggle between peaceful silence and overwhelming chaos. Every technique she executed was not only a shield against the demon's attack but also a reinforcement of her spirit—rekindling the eternal flame of the Nameless Dao within her.
Azazel, realizing his old strategies were no longer effective, shifted to a more cunning and deadly shadow attack, "Nightmare Reap". Sharp tanto blades crowned with spikes emerged from the dark earth, writhing like giant lurking shadows, attempting to strike and pierce from every relentless angle. However, with extraordinary agility, the girl gracefully spun her body while raising her glowing hands as a shield, channeling the power of "Soulforge Guard". This ironclad technique condensed her aura into a solid wall of light that reflected every assault with resounding force. Each shadow blade that struck the surface of the barrier shattered and fragmented, turning into shards of energy that floated into the air before exploding in bursts of light, forcing Azazel to retreat and leaving a brief silence on the battlefield.
As fatigue began to creep over Azazel's body, the girl seized the brief silence to steady her breath. Inhaling deeply, she unleashed her signature offensive technique, "Quiet Inferno Wave". The white energy wave surged forward slowly but irresistibly, like a silent flame burning without sound, piercing through the pitch-black shields surrounding Azazel. Its scorching radiation not only tore through Azazel's body, trapping him in a spiraling vortex of repeated wounds, but also altered the very atmosphere of their battleground—dark shadows melted away, leaving behind wisps of thin white smoke that faded into the eerie stillness.
Realizing his attacks were faltering, Azazel let out a furious roar, summoning his demonic energy to its peak for his ultimate technique, "Abyssal Eclipse". A grip of total darkness arose, engulfing sky and earth within a chilling corridor of dense shadows. However, the girl moved swiftly, activating her final defense: "Nameless Dao Purge", a radiant aura field enveloping her like a blazing shield, incinerating all darkness with the heat of a burning soul—silent yet deadly. The clash of these two techniques erupted into a tremendous explosion of energy that thundered through the earth, shaking the ground with a deafening roar and leaving an undeniable aura of victory lingering in the air.
💥 Technique 3 — 「碎空·道聲無名」
Suì Kōng · Dào Shēng Wú Míng ("Shattering Sky: The Nameless Sound of the Dao")
With swift yet calm hand movements, he formed an ancient mudra.
The air around him cracked, sending ripples of energy surging outward.
The sky and earth seemed to split apart, shattered by an invisible force.
From this chaos echoed a sound undefined—neither word nor chant, but the pure essence of existence itself.
Azazel roared in fury.
The demonic blood running through his veins began to boil, unleashing an unbearable heat.
"This voice... it has no name... no meaning... it's exactly like—like Fitran!" he shouted in despair.
"No," the girl replied calmly but firmly.
"This is the voice of the self that has yet to be born. The voice of possibilities not yet woven by fate."
The energy blast exploded, shaking the universe, and Azazel was thrown backward, his black wings torn and ripped.
The Qayïn symbol etched on his forehead cracked—a sign of undeniable destruction.
He collapsed to his knees on the glowing glyph floor, weak and defeated.
Meanwhile, the girl stood tall, breathing heavily, her eyes serene yet filled with determination.
Light and shadow, attack and defense, sound and silence—all balanced within her in a profound silence charged with power.
"Impossible... you're not... just an ordinary child...
You... a Void cultivator..."
"You... a challenger of Kronos..." Azazel's voice broke with a mix of astonishment and fear.
Standing amid the ruins of the battle, blood dripped slowly from the corner of the girl's mouth.
Yet deep in her eyes shone an unwavering calm.
"I am not a hero.
I am simply a child who refuses to be born as a tool."
Azazel roared fiercely, his body engulfed by swirling dark shadows that twisted wildly, forming terrifying claws of darkness that shot toward the girl with deadly speed. However, she swiftly raised her right hand and summoned the Void Light Shield technique. Instantly, a shimmering silver-blue light appeared, encircling her body like a sacred protector vibrating softly. The shield glowed gently yet powerfully, capable of absorbing and shattering the dark energy that crashed against it. A loud boom echoed as the shadow claws struck the shield, cracking the ground beneath them and sending fragments of stone flying through the air like a shower of debris. The girl was pushed back slightly, but her shield remained intact, radiating a steady wave of energy that strengthened her body and bolstered her resolve in the face of a life-or-death threat.
Seizing the momentum, Azazel unleashed the Shadow of Eternal Night technique. His body vanished into the thick darkness before suddenly reappearing behind the girl. With swift movement, he swung his shadow sword—a blade of flickering black flame, like a candle burning in a starless night. The girl immediately spun around, her eyes blazing with determination, countering with the Cosmic Wind Wave technique. Stretching both hands wide, she summoned a series of swirling purple and silver wind waves, forming a small storm that hindered Azazel's movements and shredded the dark shadows trying to trap her. These waves also lifted debris around them, creating a whirlwind that shook the air and sent powerful vibrations forcing Azazel to retreat momentarily, adjusting his position to avoid the next counterattack.
With a voice filled with rage echoing across the battlefield, Azazel summoned his signature move, Forbidden Darkness Trajectory. Thick, ink-black shadows coiled and transformed into sharp swords that gleamed in the darkness. These swords flew with deadly speed, spinning and hovering in every direction, intent on tearing apart any opening in his opponent's defense.
In front of her, the girl focused all her cultivation energy, channeling sacred power into her body. With raised hands, she summoned the Serenade Light Wall technique. Instantly, a glowing white-green wall appeared, shimmering with the intensity of a rhythmic pearl, repelling the dark assault with a gentle tinkling like crystal bells ringing. The soft chimes and the resonance of the failed attack created a harmonious vibration that strengthened her stamina, although her defensive energy gradually began to wear down, draining her strength.
As the battle's pace quickened, the girl moved her feet nimbly, floating atop the scattered ruins. She executed the Wind Shadow Trace technique, moving as swiftly as the night wind weaving through the trees. Her movements were agile and precise, evading the increasingly fierce barrage of shadow swords closing in. With steely determination and unwavering focus, she embraced the emptiness within, absorbing the void of energy to create an opening. Suddenly, a Void Lance appeared in her palm—a spear of energy glowing sharply with a blackish-blue aura. The lance shot forward with deadly hiss, slicing through the air toward Azazel.
The reverberating energy spear strike struck Azazel's shadow shield, unleashing a cataclysmic explosion where light and darkness collided. The blast of energy was deafening, forming a powerful vortex that made the air around them tremble violently. Dust and debris soared high into the sky, enveloping them in a dramatic, tension-filled storm of visuals.
Azazel was hurled backward, his eyes burning with fierce rage. The painful wound across his face deepened his thirst for vengeance, and the dark shadows surrounding him began to swirl and transform into a terrifying giant serpent. He roared, a hoarse sound full of fury echoing through the air, as he unleashed his ultimate attack: Shadow Hell Chains. The fiery chains writhed wildly, blazing with abyssal flames that drained the life energy of anyone caught within their grasp.
Before him, the girl raised her hand confidently, channeling all her cultivation energy into her technique, Void Sky Veil. A majestic aura resembling a star-studded night sky spread widely around her, radiating a soft yet potent light that glittered like jewels in the darkness. This burst of light cooled the atmosphere, neutralizing the raging dark energy from the fiery chains as if dispelling the darkness with the serene elegance of the night sky.
This battle was not merely a contest of physical strength; it was a profound clash within the soul. The girl felt every wave of hatred emanating from Azazel's attacks, yet the power inside her guided her steps, refusing to be a pawn in another cruel game. Each move she unleashed was a blazing testament to her determination, proving that she controlled the cultivation power she possessed, rather than being controlled by it.