Against Heaven's Will

"I'm definitely going to enjoy this," the blue-haired girl announced as she stared Yi down. "I've been waiting to test my skills against a worthy opponent. I'm Jaine from the Serpent Blade Clan."

Yi showed no fear as she chuckled, "It's good you introduced yourself because this will be the last time someone hears your name. Don't worry, I will take good care of your Sword Intent."

"Confident, aren't you? If you think your husband can save you from my sword, you are gravely mistaken," Jaine replied with a grin and her sword shone with blue light, the snowflakes around her melting from her aura alone. "Tell me when you are ready. I don't want to cut a doll too quickly."

"Don't worry, my husband won't intervene so you can aim for the kill if you can," Yi replied nonchalantly as she extended her finger like a sword. "Go ahead, I'm ready."

Yi's laidback demeanor clearly annoyed Jaine as she raised her blade with both hands, "You are clearly tired of living!"

Before anyone could blink, she launched herself towards Yi, her movements so fast that her figure became a blur. Her sword left a trail of light as it slashed into the air, cutting everything in its path.

Her attack was so precise and quick that it would be hard for anyone to defend against, but Yi didn't even flinch as she raised her finger to block the blade. The two Sword Intents clashed and a powerful shockwave swept the whole area.

Darius raised his eyebrow when both ladies came out unscathed from the impact, realizing this could end up being a close match. "Take her on seriously, Jaine," he warned, but the girl ignored him as her next attack followed right after.

"You have lost right when you accepted the duel," Yi said casually, waving her finger to counter one slash after another. "Your Sword Intent might be advanced but your swordsmanship is lacking."

"Shut up! I'm only testing you!" Jaine yelled angrily and her blade glowed once more, her aura growing with each second. "Let's see how long you can hold on."

As soon as the words left her mouth, her speed doubled, making her blade even harder to see. Yi blocked the strikes, but the impact was powerful enough to push her back. She didn't seem concerned though, treating this duel as an opportunity to strengthen her Sword Intent.

With her potential limited, she had to find another area of focus, and becoming the greatest swordsman was her best option. She had only reached the third level in the Way of the Sword and needed a push to break to another stage.

"I can do this all day," Yi replied, her confidence growing. "How about you stop playing around and use your full strength? You won't have the chance to show your Sword Arts once I get serious myself."

Jaine finally showed her frustration as she cried out, forcing Yi to dodge a powerful swing aimed at her head. "If you are that tired of living, let me grant your wish!"

The pressure in the Ice Domain rose as Jaine's eyes turned golden and her sword lit up with ancient runes. She stared Yi down while Fate Qi traveled down her blade before she launched herself forward.

'Her Sword Intent doubled?' Yi noticed the change and smiled as the blade sliced through her finger, heading straight toward her chest.

"Die!" Jaine yelled in satisfaction as the blade pierced through the heart and didn't hesitate to activate her runes again. The Sword Intent exploded in power, tearing Yi's body into thousands of shiny stars.

"This is the end!" Jaine declared proudly, only to freeze when she noticed Xuefeng's expression didn't change. He should have been saddened by his wife's death, but he was watching the whole scene with a smile.

"What's so funny? Aren't you angry that I killed your woman?" Jaine questioned, her tone filled with mockery.

"Angry? Why would I be angry when the duel is not over?" Xuefeng replied with a shrug.

As he spoke, the stardust materialized behind Jaine and Yi reappeared, attacking with a sword of her own. Her strike was so sudden that Jaine couldn't even react, only alive thanks to her now shattered Artifact.

"So this is why you are so confident," Jaine realized and gritted her teeth. "You are a Fate Holder with the Star Shaper ability. You must have also reached the second upgrade since I wasn't able to sense you. Not bad, but also not good enough!"

Jaine's figure blurred once more as she dashed forward, her sword cutting through the air with a ramping Sword Intent. Yi was pushed back with each strike, but no matter how many cuts she received, her body regenerated the very next second.

"Since you recognize my ability, you should know that you can't kill me," Yi commented, her voice sounding from every direction. "Your ability seems to be strengthening your Sword Intent. How about you tell me more about it in exchange for quick death?"

"Fuck you!" Jaine spat out as she raised her blade, her eyes turning gold once more. "I just have to cut you until you run out of Fate Qi. I can do this all day!"

"Unfortunately, we don't have time for that," Xuefeng announced as he gave Yi a knowing glance. "Yi, let's end it."

Yi only nodded in response and her body exploded with stardust that spread to every corner of Xuefeng's domain. It didn't matter how good Jaine's Sword Intent was, she couldn't block an attack coming from every direction.

Yi's body materialized around her, the shiny swords stabbing into her flesh before disappearing into another location. Jaine tried to teleport away but Yi was already by her side, piercing the blade right through her chest.

"Fuck off!" Jaine screamed in pain as she swung back, but her sword only passed through the empty air. She was in a hopeless situation and no one had any hope for her survival.

"You are leaving me no choice!" she cried again after another stab wound to her body and her body lit up with gold. A Fate Qi barrier surrounded her whole, preventing Yi from doing any damage.

"Damn, to think she would use her Gate so soon," Darius cursed, his expression changing. "Everyone! We need to get out of here or else we are dead! That witch is going to kill us all!"

The experts paled at Darius' announcement, but their reaction was too late, their bodies already stuck mid-air.

"No one is moving!" Xuefeng called out with a frown, his gaze falling on Jaine's barrier. "What is the power of her Gate? What witch are you talking about?"

"Do you think we have the time for explanations?! You better get away as fast as possible too," Darius replied in panic and withdrew an Artifact from his ring. "I didn't want to use it, fuck!"

He crashed the ball in his hands as if to activate the teleport, yet nothing happened, causing his expression to sink.

"It's too late... We are all dead now."