The rain poured down without respite, occasional flashes of lightning momentarily brightening the vast manor. 0

On many of the taller buildings, windows creaked open. Their occupants, robbed of sleep, gazed out into the tempestuous night, their minds on the brink of anticipation, waiting for a battle that could erupt at any moment.0

What they did not know was that, hidden behind the manor, an even more intense duel was unfolding between Chen Yongjie and the foremost figure from the New Arts.0

Every now and then, streaks of sword light would pierce the night. To the casual observer, these seemed like regular flashes of lightning, their deadly intent cloaked by the storm. The clash of swords combined with fiery explosions created a mesmerizing display of lights, almost making the rain around them evaporate. A thick white mist enveloped the scene, transforming it into a mythical battleground above the clouds.0

Suddenly, the blonde elder, armored in what looked like bronze but was in fact a superior material, paused, hovering in mid-air. "Should we call it quits?" he suggested.0

Old Chen, with his unyielding gaze, stayed rooted to the spot, his dark sword unwavering and aimed at his opponent. The elder tried to reason, his voice heavy with urgency, "Once we showcase our true powers, we'll become targets. We risk constant surveillance, even attracting high-powered weapons aimed at us....0