Two blinding beams of light erupted like twin miniature suns above the lakeshore. The balance of heaven and earth was thrown into chaos; even the howling wind seemed frozen in place. The handsome man’s body shuddered. From his left nostril trickled a bright red stream, blooming into a sinister flower upon his robes. Instinctively, he raised his hand, fingers brushing the blood at his nose. The sight of crimson on his fingertips filled his once-cold eyes with blazing fury. Never before had he suffered such humiliation. Not only had his spiritual force failed to suppress his foe, but he himself had been injured in turn. “You dare court death!” His roar cracked the skies like thunder. The white light around him suddenly swelled severalfold. The once-clear heavens darkened, black clouds boiling with writhing purple lightning serpents that hissed with searing sound. With one hand raised high, he drew upon the storm. His dwindling spiritual force merged with the fury of heaven’s thunder. Fro...