Re-birth: The Beginning after the End-Chapter 251: A PERFORMANCE

Instead of executing another formal technique, Li Wei launched into a series of unpredictable strikes. Li Hua recognized the combination of a few different fighting styles—evidence that her brother had indeed been training with others.

One particularly clever combination forced her to block rather than dodge, and Li Wei capitalized immediately. His palm struck her forearm with precise force.

"Two-one," he acknowledged, satisfaction evident in his voice.

Li Hua nodded approvingly. "Well executed. You learned well." She settled back into her stance, but this time with a subtle adjustment—shifting her weight distribution to something distinctly non-standard.

What followed was a display of physical mastery that few in this world could match without spiritual energy. Drawing on her intensive training, Li Hua moved with mechanical efficiency—each step, pivot, and strike calculated to use the minimum energy for maximum effect. Her movements became increasingly unpredictable, mixing combat styles from multiple cultures and eras that didn't even exist in this world.

Li Wei defended admirably, his mind clearly attempting to catalog and analyze her techniques even as he struggled to counter them. For nearly two minutes, they exchanged strikes and blocks in a display of martial prowess that drew appreciative murmurs from the gathering observers.

The end came suddenly. Li Hua executed a combination that appeared to target Li Wei's right shoulder. When he moved to defend, she instantly changed levels, dropping to a kneeling position. Before he could adjust, she had already risen on his opposite side, her knuckles gently pressing against the base of his spine—a touch that in real combat would have paralyzed.

"Three-one," she announced quietly, stepping back and placing her hands on her hips.

Li Wei smiled, genuine admiration shining in his expression. "Again," he requested, already returning to his starting position with renewed determination.

Li Hua laughed, wiping a bead of sweat from her brow. "As you wish, Brother." Despite completing several intense rounds, she too felt they had merely warmed up—her endurance allowing her to continue far beyond normal limits.

The siblings continued their physical combat display until late afternoon, the sun casting long shadows across the training ground as they executed increasingly complex martial sequences. When they finally called a halt, they collapsed onto the stone floor—which had reverted from the illusory grassland back to the standard arena surface. Limbs aching pleasantly from extended exertion, they lay side by side, unable to suppress their laughter.

"We should do this daily," Li Hua suggested between breaths.

"Agreed. Though perhaps with fewer spectators," Li Wei replied, nodding toward the arena perimeter.

Only then did Li Hua notice the substantial crowd gathered around the training ground—dozens of disciples seated on the surrounding grass, watching with undisguised fascination. Some had clearly been there for hours, scrolls open but untouched beside them. The realization that their private sparring session had become a public performance momentarily startled her.

Approaching footsteps drew her attention. Two disciples walked toward them—Li Wei's companions whom he had introduced before her departure to the Forbidden Zone. Disciple Chen and Disciple Zhang, she recalled.

"Li Wei! You two were absolutely magnificent!" Disciple Chen exclaimed as they approached, genuine admiration evident in his voice.

Her brother sat up, assuming a more dignified posture despite his obvious exhaustion, one arm resting casually across his knee. "Hello, friends." He smiled, his formal demeanor softened by the day's exertion. "I didn't realize we had an audience."

"The lecture concluded early, and we were heading to the practice grounds when we noticed the crowd," Disciple Zhang explained, gesturing toward the gathered disciples. "Word spread quickly that two disciples were demonstrating unprecedented physical combat techniques. Several classes apparently dismissed early specifically so students could observe."

The two disciples now stood beside them, though Li Hua remained comfortably sprawled on the stone floor, allowing herself this small breach of etiquette after such strenuous activity.

"Yes, my younger sister," Li Wei confirmed with an unmistakable note of pride. "Quite skilled, wouldn't you agree?"

"Skilled?" the two echoed in perfect unison, exchanging incredulous glances.

"She's absolutely extraordinary!" Disciple Chen blurted, then immediately reddened. "No offense intended with the enthusiastic assessment, but your technique was mesmerizing. I found myself unable to look away."

Li Wei's expression must have shifted protectively, because Disciple Chen quickly clarified, "I meant from a purely scholarly perspective! The precision of your movements—both of you were fighting without spiritual enhancement, using only physical capabilities, yet executing techniques that most cultivators require essence support to perform or many, many years to master." ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm

Li Hua and Li Wei exchanged amused glances before breaking into synchronous laughter—the kind of genuine shared mirth that transcended hierarchy.

"The performance was so inspiring that Senior Liu brought her guzheng to provide accompaniment," Disciple Zhang added, indicating the far side of the arena. "She said the rhythm of your exchanges deserved proper musical appreciation."

"Elite disciples attended?" Li Hua asked with surprise, finally sitting up to survey the audience properly. The idea that their sparring had attracted the sect's elite disciples was unexpected—and potentially concerning if her techniques had appeared too extraordinary.

Scanning the crowd, she recognized several familiar faces. Senior Ming and Senior Chen, who had given her and her elder brother a tour, sat with a group of other inner disciples. When their gazes met, both seniors offered respectful waves, their expressions showing genuine excitement rather than suspicious assessment.

More surprising, at the edge of the gathering sat the three elite disciples who had accompanied her to the Forbidden Zone expedition—though they barely talked to each other, let alone focus on one another's combat ability, their expressions showed amazement and appreciation.

At the center of their group, Liu Fei sat with a guzheng balanced across her lap, her fingers still resting on the strings. When she noticed Li Hua's attention, she offered a gentle smile of acknowledgment—the reserved gesture carrying more meaning from the typically aloof senior disciple.

Sun Wei and Zhao Jun gave them two thumbs up for an "exceptional display," their smiles wide. Li Hua chuckled at the unexpected support, nodding respectfully in their direction.

The scene reassured her that her performance had struck the proper balance—impressive enough to earn genuine admiration, yet not so supernatural as to provoke dangerous scrutiny. In the complex world, such calibrated displays helped establish her position while deflecting unwanted attention from her true capabilities.

As Disciple Chen launched into an enthusiastic analysis of their combat techniques, Li Hua exchanged another glance with her brother. His subtle smile confirmed their shared understanding—the day's public demonstration had accomplished far more than mere training. It had established Li Hua's persona perfectly: exceptionally talented but appropriately bounded, worthy of respect without triggering suspicion.

"Come on, oh mighty scholarly warrior," Disciple Chen teased, extending his hand dramatically toward Li Wei. "Let's replenish those impressively depleted reserves before you collapse entirely. The dining hall is serving five-spirit congee tonight."

Li Wei accepted the assistance with a dignified nod that couldn't quite hide his exhaustion. He turned and pulled Li Hua to her feet with a fluid motion that spoke of years of sibling synchronicity.

"You'll join us?" he asked, already knowing her answer from the particular way she was rolling her shoulders—a habit she'd had since childhood before seeking solitude.

Li Hua shook her head, brushing imaginary dust from her robes. "You scholarly types go discuss all the theoretical applications of what you've witnessed. I need to soak in a bath before my muscles decide to scream at me."

Her brother's eyes narrowed slightly. "All good?" he asked, the casual question carrying deeper meaning between siblings—a check on her condition after such extended exertion.

"Always," she replied with a smile. Despite the physical demands of their sparring, she felt more centered than she had in weeks—the physical activity helping calm the itch in her body.

With casual waves to the group, she departed along the separate path toward the women's residence area, her stride light despite hours of intensive training.

As she walked, her mind drifted pleasantly through memories.

Unlike her current combat-focused self and past life as an assassin, the Celestial Princess had prioritized different talents—diplomatic acumen, cultivation theory, and particularly alchemical mastery. Her cauldron had been her most treasured possession—a gift from Mo Xing that remained one of her most precious memory from that existence.

The recollection surfaced with unexpected clarity—she and Mo Xing sitting beneath golden-leaved trees in the Forgotten Gardens—a liminal realm that existed in the boundary between the Celestial Court and the Underworld Kingdom. Just right beside the human realm.

"What is this?" she had asked, genuinely puzzled as he placed an exquisite cauldron before her. It gleamed with inner light, ancient formations etched into its surface with precision impossible for mortal crafting.

"My specialized cauldron," he replied with false casualness, though she detected the subtle tension in his posture—the mighty Underworld Emperor, who commanded legions of immortal generals, anxious about a simple gift. "I had it made for my own use, but your alchemical talents far exceed mine. It would be inefficient for such a tool to remain in less capable hands."

"I cannot accept this," she protested, recognizing the cauldron's immense value. The formations alone represented knowledge restricted to realm patriarchs. "You commissioned this personally. It bears your essence signature."

"Precisely," he interrupted, golden eyes meeting hers with an intensity. "Which means it will protect you even in my absence. The Celestial Court has eyes everywhere, Princess. This will shield your more... creative alchemical experiments from unwanted attention."

She had recognized then what he couldn't say explicitly—that he worried for her safety, that he had noticed her increasingly unauthorized experimentation with forbidden formulations. That this gift represented not just appreciation for her talents but a desire to protect her from consequences.

"Always watching over me, aren't you?" she had teased, hoping to lighten the moment.

His expression had softened then, a rare smile transforming his typically severe features. "Someone must. Your courage consistently exceeds your caution, Princess."

"And if I simply wanted to make beauty pills with it instead?" she had challenged playfully.