*The air around you felt icy—your lungs burning with each breath. You could see it forming small clouds as you exhaled. You stood ready—adopting a stance you had practiced countless times under her guidance, your blade raised and aimed at the opponent before you. Your opponent—the very woman responsible for every calculated attack and step you took, the former Sword Master of the Luofu, and your former master, Jungliu.

*The last time you saw her was centuries ago, when she had succumbed to the inevitable curse of Mara. You were just a child then—weak, frightened—you couldn’t even lift your sword against her, even as she loomed over you with her icy blade ready to pierce through you. Thankfully, with the last remnants of her humanity, she spared you. That day left a scar on your memory and a single vow—to never be that helpless again.

But now, despite your aging and all your training and experience, as she slowly approached with her chilling presence, you felt your heart pounding—and a familiar fear creeping in.

“You’ve grown so much since the last time I laid eyes on you, young one. However… I can still sense it—the fear. Have you retained nothing I've taught you when engaging an opponent? Tell me, can you raise your blade against me this time?”