Emperor's Reckoning

Karina, with a swift and calculated movement, was the first to act, and her target was none other than Drako. With a burst of energy, she closed the distance between them, her focus and determination evident in every step.

Drako, now aware of the formidable opponent he faced, readied himself for the incoming challenge.

Drako's quick reflexes and combat experience allowed him to intercept Karina's jolting palm strike, grabbing her wrist in a powerful grip. With a smirk, he taunted her, highlighting the one aspect where he believed she fell short.

Drako: "You think that's enough? You lack speed!"

But Karina was far from finished. In a surprising turn, she used her leg to push him away, employing a technique that took Drako off guard. As the kick connected to his chest, Drako had a moment of realization, he gritted his teeth, "Heavy!"

The sheer force of the impact sent him hurtling backward, only to be caught by the waiting members of his clan. With a fierce determination, he roared a command, and his clan moved in unison to respond to his call. "Kill her!"

The army he led mobilized, and the battlefield was filled with the cacophony of clashing weapons and determined combatants. 

Surrounded and encircled by the small army, Karina remained steadfast, her unwavering determination unshaken. The presence of Shen, the True Dragon, lent her a reassuring aura of strength.

Drako smirked, "Not bad, but how long will you last?!"

Drako's confidence showed no signs of wavering as he watched Karina engage with the elite members of the Wrymheart Clan. His focus then shifted to the two women, Cecile and Selena. His brows furrowed before walking up the stairs to meet them— with five elites of his clan following behind him close.

Cecile, ever the commanding presence, couldn't help but comment with a hint of sarcasm as Drako decided to face her and Selena with the support of five elites. "Pretty brave of you to go against two helpless women. You even bring the whole family with you. What a young master."

Drako's irritation was evident, but as he caught a glimpse of Lyon standing behind their back, his demeanor shifted. He crossed his arms, his smirk carrying a hint of defiance. "Better than your man that stays behind you."

Lyon smirked, "I can stay wherever I please, behind is good, front is good, sides are great, top is better, bottom is best." Lyon's response, delivered with a sense of nonchalance, revealed his unwavering confidence and adaptability in any situation.

Drako's confusion was palpable as he responded with a puzzled, "Huh?" Lyon's cryptic words had clearly left him perplexed.

On the other hand, Cecile's deep shade of embarrassment hinted that she had deciphered the meaning behind Lyon's words, but she chose not to comment on it directly. Selena, with a knowing smile, briefly acknowledged Lyon's statement before redirecting her focus back to Drako.

Ceciles sighed, "Don't humor him, Selena."

Selena with a glint of blade in her eyes answered coldly with a clear defiant tone, "I do what I want."

"L-Let's focus on the matter at hand." Lyon, recognizing that the banter between the two might be counterproductive, attempted to steer the conversation back to the more pressing matter at hand with a wry smile.

Drako's anger and frustration had reached its breaking point, and he vehemently shouted, laying out a stark ultimatum. "Enough! I will give you two choices. Surrender to me now, and Lyon will die under Wrymheart's crest, or all of you die before noon. Of course, I will not treat you two unjustly. As you chose the former, an honor will be bestowed to the two of you as my concubines."

Cecile's scowl reflected her disdain for Drako's ultimatum, and she made her own threat in response. "That is way lower than what you're going to be before the sun reaches its peak."

Drako was taken aback by her words, prompting him to inquire further. "And what's that?"

"A corpse," Cold tone from the Blade Empres herself.

Selena, utilizing her skills and her mastery as Rui the Moon Hare, began to dawn upon her abilities. Despite being at a geographical disadvantage in terms of cultivation, her unique combination of technique, blessing, and her surmounting experience as a sword master allowed her to hold the upper hand. 

Selena, with a display of unparalleled skill and mastery in blade handling, clashed with all six opponents simultaneously. Her movements were a breathtaking spectacle, a testament to her years of training and experience.

Each strike was precise, each parry flawless, as she weaved through the opponents' attacks with grace and efficiency that left them in awe. Her swordplay was a work of art, and the clash of blades and the dance of combat became a mesmerizing spectacle.

"Watch out for that black sword! That is the one that severed my arm!" Drako's warning served as a stark reminder of the danger posed by Selena's black sword, which held a sinister reputation for having severed his arm in the past.

The five elites, who had initially approached the battle with confidence, now found themselves struggling to handle Selena's unparalleled mastery of the blade. Their reactions ranged from astonishment to frustration.

The elite was in awe, "She's incredible!"

Another one was gritting his teeth with cold sweat adorning his forehead, "What kind of mastery is this?!"

The third elite was pushing as hard as he could, "Focus, everyone! We can't let her get the upper hand!"

The fourth was having a hard time breathing, "I've never seen swordplay like this, how can she keep that pace!?"

The fifth was determined, "We can't back down now. Keep pushing!"

Drako was furious as he was helpless seeing his elites couldn't land a single hit at all, furthermore, Selena's blade was clearly aiming at his vital points in every small gap of opportunity.

Unbeknownst to the participants in the fierce battle between Selena and the six warriors, a pair of eyes hiding behind the forest's tree observed the clash with a growing sense of inspiration. As they widened, they followed Selena's dark blade with unwavering focus.