Xue Xiaoyao opened her blood red eyes, feeling the fresh mountain air assault her senses.
She was standing atop a large boulder, balanced precariously atop a high cliff. It felt like if the air was even the slightest bit stronger, the boulder would topple over, throwing the young girl over the cliff.
Catching herself, she quickly gained her bearings and drew a double edged sword that hung to the side of her belt.
A rough voice spoke behind her, "Good, even when you can't find balance and peace, you must remain steadfast nevertheless"
Xue Xiaoyao paid the voice no attention, instead spreading her feet farther apart to gain a better footing on the slightly slippery rock. Raising her sword, she brought it down in front of her in a single slash that seemed to cut through the winds.
"Your left foot is crooked. In a real battle, someone skilled would have stabbed you in the knee already"
