Trial by Combat

Jiu Hui and Anya stood facing each other on the training grounds. Anya gazed at Jiu Hui, her expression serene as she began to speak.

“Since your goal is to grow stronger and enter the battlefield, there isn’t ample time for a gradual progression of power,” Anya stated. “If we were to take that approach, the war might have already reached an unforeseen stage by the time you’ve acquired enough strength for self-preservation. Too many unpredictable events could occur.”

“Therefore, I won’t have you follow a conventional training regimen,” she continued. “Instead, I will guide you to acquire formidable power in the shortest possible time, to achieve rapid mastery!”

Anya paused after her words, her gaze fixed on Jiu Hui’s expression.

Jiu Hui’s demeanor remained largely unchanged. She held no particular preference for either a gradual approach or rapid mastery; her sole objective was to become stronger.

However, she readily agreed with Anya’s assessment. Should she only grow powerful after the war had ended, or worse, been lost, the significance of her newfound strength would be greatly diminished. Furthermore, if unforeseen events transpired while she remained powerless to intervene, then her journey to strength would be utterly meaningless.

Anya continued, looking at Jiu Hui. “While I possess methods for your rapid advancement, you must understand that no quick path is a true shortcut. It is always an exchange between what you give and what you receive.”

“Therefore, these accelerated methods can empower you quickly,” she elaborated, “but you must also pay a significant price to gain that strength.”

Jiu Hui offered no objections. She fully grasped this principle: so-called shortcuts were mere illusions, demanding an equivalent or even greater sacrifice in return.

Nodding, Jiu Hui asked, “I understand. What must I give?”

Anya’s eyes gleamed with a flicker of appreciation at Jiu Hui’s question. Her gaze settled on Jiu Hui as she declared, “The price you must pay is pain, blood, tears, sweat, and perhaps even… death!”

When she uttered the word ‘death,’ Anya’s voice abruptly deepened, and the very aura around her grew chilling. A brutal, overwhelming sensation, akin to a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood, enveloped Jiu Hui.

Jiu Hui felt as though she had instantly plunged into an ice cellar. Her movements froze, a profound chill swept through her body, her pupils constricted sharply, and her heart seemed to cease beating altogether.

After an immeasurable moment, Jiu Hui gasped, exhaling sharply before beginning to pant heavily, a layer of cold sweat beading on her forehead. She looked at Anya, who was now smiling faintly, and a trace of fear involuntarily surfaced in her eyes. ‘Just now, I almost died, didn’t I?’

“Indeed, that was the sensation of death,” Anya stated calmly, observing Jiu Hui, who was now hunched over and gasping for breath. “You will experience that feeling frequently from now on. So, prepare yourself and begin your training.”

Jiu Hui regarded Anya, a slight apprehension in her heart, yet also a surge of excitement.

‘This person didn’t lie to me; she truly is powerful! If she helps me, I can definitely become stronger!’

A sharp glint appeared in her eyes. Jiu Hui straightened her posture, her gaze now filled with unwavering determination.

Anya looked at Jiu Hui, then suddenly smiled, unfastening the long saber from her waist and tossing it to her. Observing Jiu Hui’s bewildered expression, she instructed, “Take it. Attack me!”

Jiu Hui cradled the saber in both hands, her eyes wide with confusion as she looked at Anya.

‘I’ve never even touched a blade before! Shouldn’t she teach me how to use it first? Just hand me a real weapon and tell me to attack someone?’

Anya discerned Jiu Hui’s confusion. “There’s no need for doubt,” she said. “Neither I nor the war has the luxury of time for you to learn step-by-step. Therefore, you will grow directly through combat!”

“It will be painful at first, but this is the fastest way to develop,” Anya assured her. “Don’t worry, I’ll hold back appropriately. After all, you are Lisa’s person.”

With that, Anya offered Jiu Hui a smile of ambiguous meaning.

At that moment, Jiu Hui’s face suddenly flushed crimson, revealing a mix of embarrassment and fury. She drew the long saber from its scabbard and lunged, aiming a direct cleave at Anya while shouting, “Go to hell!”

“Oh my, someone’s overcome with indignation now, aren’t they?” Anya chuckled playfully, shifting her feet to easily evade Jiu Hui’s blade.

Hearing this, the indignation in Jiu Hui’s eyes intensified. She swung the saber horizontally, aiming directly for Anya’s waist. Had that strike connected, Anya would have been cut in half.

However, it was impossible for Jiu Hui to land such a blow on Anya, at least not at this stage.

With a slight shift of her foot, Anya’s body half-turned and retreated. Jiu Hui’s saber sliced past Anya’s waist by mere millimeters.

Observing this, Jiu Hui felt no regret. She knew that despite the minuscule miss, that tiny margin was something she wouldn’t be able to overcome for a long time.

“Oh dear, oh dear, that was close! You almost killed me,” Anya exclaimed, patting her ample chest with a look of feigned terror.

Jiu Hui watched Anya’s antics, a flash of anger crossing her eyes.

“What are you pretending for?! Take this seriously!” she yelled, swinging her saber once more towards Anya, who was still patting her chest.

“Seriously, you say?” Anya’s expression abruptly shifted as she watched the incoming saber. The playful smile vanished, replaced by a hint of seriousness.

Just as the long blade was about to cleave her face, Anya’s foot suddenly spun, narrowly evading the strike. Her hand instantly clenched into a fist, and she slammed it into Jiu Hui’s abdomen.

Jiu Hui’s pupils constricted sharply as a sudden, intense pain erupted in her gut. Her body was sent flying backward.

Boom!

Jiu Hui slammed into the wall behind her with incredible force. Cracks spiderwebbed across the masonry.

“Cough, cough, cough!”

Jiu Hui coughed violently, the excruciating pain making even breathing a struggle.

She watched Anya approach step by step, her eyes wide with terror. ‘Is she trying to kill me?!’

Anya scratched her head, a hint of annoyance on her face as she looked at the terrified Jiu Hui. “Oh dear, I clearly held back my strength, yet I still managed to hit you this hard. Why is your body so weak?”

Jiu Hui froze at her words, a twitch appearing at the corner of her mouth.

‘I apologize for my weak physique, then!’

‘Still, this person is truly formidable. I barely saw anything; I was slammed into the wall before I could even react.’

She watched Anya, who was now smiling somewhat awkwardly and extending a hand to her. Jiu Hui took Anya’s hand and was pulled back to her feet.

‘When will I become as strong as her?’