The moon hung high above the training ground, casting a soft glow over the freshly fallen snow. Yanqing stood on the far side of the arena, his sword glinting in the starlight. His stance was poised, balanced, but there was an unmistakable energy in his movements—a playful challenge, a spark of excitement.

“Are you sure about this?” he asked, his voice carrying across the crisp night air. “You’re not going to hold back, are you?”