Stirring Up Trouble

After introducing each other's identities, Zhao Yu, filled with curiosity and a desire to probe, asked Duàn Yì how he had met Yuè'er in Daming County and how their paths had crossed.

Duàn Yì's expression became troubled. It wasn't that he had anything to hide, but discussing how he met Helan Yue'er inevitably brought up Zhou Xiufen and Zhou Xiong, making him fall silent.

Seeing Duàn Yì's silence, Helan Yue'er seemed to recall something. She covered her mouth and chuckled softly before recounting the events of the day she met Duàn Yì in detail.

She was particularly vivid when describing how Zhou Xiufen had tried to claim Duàn Yì as her husband, mimicking the tone and mannerisms of Zhou Xiufen's infatuated demeanor with remarkable accuracy.

However, perhaps due to the inherent differences between people, Zhou Xiufen's infatuation only made others feel a headache and annoyance, while Helan Yue'er's portrayal was captivating. Zhao Yu and Ruan Dong, present at the scene, felt their hearts flutter, and even Duàn Yì felt a tickle of anticipation, a restless urge.

Upon hearing the bizarre tale of a woman pursuing a man, especially one who was Zhou Xiong's sister, not only did Leng Qingmei and Ruan Dong burst into laughter, but Zhao Yu also wore a strange expression, looking at Duàn Yì with sympathy.

"I too had the fortune to meet Zhou Xiong's sister once. She is indeed… quite substantial. I never imagined she fell for you at first sight, Junior Brother. You truly have quite the charm."

In his heart, however, Zhao Yu harbored a thought: could he use Zhou Xiong and his sister to deal with Duàn Yì?

If this marriage could be arranged, even if Helan Yue'er had feelings for Duàn Yì, she would eventually give up. Then his opportunity would arise. The more he thought about it, the more feasible it seemed, and he decided to set things in motion once he finished his current business.

Duàn Yì was unaware that his outwardly sunny, forthright, and handsome Senior Brother Zhao harbored such sinister intentions, planning to push him into a fiery pit. If he knew, he would surely curse him out and possibly retaliate with fury.

Once the conversation flowed, the relationships between everyone present became much closer. They joined forces and headed towards the arena ahead.

Helan Yue'er leaned close to Duàn Yì, biting her lip, and whispered resentfully, "That day, I kindly invited you to dinner, and you actually played a trick on me, taking advantage of me. How do you plan to handle this?"

On their first meeting, Helan Yue'er's attitude had been rude and arrogant. Duàn Yì, being a straightforward man, didn't indulge her and used the pretense of being her husband to take advantage of her. Thinking back, it was indeed a bit childish and inappropriate.

"What happened that day was my fault. Duàn Yì apologizes to you here. Miss Yue'er, you are so beautiful and open-minded, I'm sure you won't hold it against me, right?"

Duàn Yì felt the icy gazes from the two elders behind Yuè'er and subtly shifted to the side, forcing a wry smile.

She's just a young girl, not much of a schemer. A few kind words, an apology, and the matter should be settled. Does she expect me to kneel and apologize?

"Hmph, I don't care about all that. You took advantage of me, made me call you 'old,' and call you that. So, you have to promise me one thing, and then I'll forgive you."

Helan Yue'er was about to blurt out "husband" but then remembered others were present, and they were all accomplished in Internal Energy. She quickly covered her mouth, substituted a vague phrase, and then made her demand.

She appeared fierce, but her sparkling eyes were full of anticipation.

Duàn Yì was speechless. This is too casual. I'll agree to anything? What if she asks me to kill myself?

However, he also knew that a child's heart wasn't that malicious, so he nodded, casually brushing it off.

Helan Yue'er thought Duàn Yì had agreed, and her little face bloomed into a smile. She was more radiant than a flower, momentarily stunning Zhao Yu and Ruan Dong, who were accompanying them.

But it was precisely because of this smile that Zhao Yu and Ruan Dong became even more convinced that Duàn Yì, this "boy toy," posed a significant threat. If things continued like this, where would they have any standing beside Yue'er?

Although Zhao Yu was young, he was quite astute and rational, knowing how to control his expressions. He said nothing.

Ruan Dong, however, was just a teenager in his prime. Seeing the girl he admired flash such a sweet and shy smile at another man, his anger and jealousy erupted. He could no longer hold back and said coldly, "Uncle Bai is known as the top expert of our Golden Cauldron Sect, with exceptional martial arts, renowned throughout Hebei. I wonder how much of your uncle's style you've learned, Duàn Yì? I'm very curious."

Strictly speaking, Duàn Yì wasn't a member of the Golden Cauldron Sect, so Ruan Dong addressed him directly by name, and the hostility in his tone was almost palpable to anyone.

Zhao Yu frowned, seemingly displeased with Ruan Dong's rudeness, but inwardly he gave him a thumbs-up. Well done! Go ahead and provoke him. Let Yue'er see what a gilded exterior with a rotten core looks like.

Zhao Yu knew Ruan Dong's little scheme but didn't take him seriously at all, let alone consider him a rival. It was fine for him to expend his energy now and put Duàn Yì in his place.

Of course, Zhao Yu also had another idea: to instigate Ruan Dong to test Duàn Yì's martial arts and verify if the martial arts he practiced had any connection to the Invincible Treasure Codex, thereby completing the task assigned to him by Qu Dongliu.

Leng Qingmei, who had been silent, her expression changed. She glared sternly at Ruan Dong.

"Junior Brother, do not speak such nonsense. You know that Junior Brother Duàn only arrived on the mountain not long ago. Even if he practices martial arts under Uncle Bai, he is still laying his foundation. How can you strike at his confidence like this?"

One must understand that martial arts training, apart from those with extraordinary encounters, usually progresses step by step. Someone like Duàn Yì, who had only practiced martial arts for a few days, would at best be slightly stronger than an ordinary person, with no significant progress.

Especially in the cultivation of Qi, it requires the most patience and aptitude.

Once one's confidence is shattered, it's easy to lose motivation for martial arts.

As one of the few female disciples in the Golden Cauldron Sect, and a personal disciple of the Vice Sect Master Liu Zhiwei, Leng Qingmei, despite her usual gentle and soft-spoken demeanor, commanded a certain authority when she put on a stern face. This made Ruan Dong flinch, feeling resentful but not daring to retort.

"Junior Sister Leng, your words are not entirely accurate. What you speak of applies to ordinary people. Beginners in martial arts are indeed not worthy of praise. However, Junior Brother Duàn is different. In just a few days, he has already succeeded in Qi Nourishing and has glimpsed the mysteries of Internal Energy. How can he be compared to ordinary mortals? In my opinion, Junior Brother Duàn possesses extraordinary talent and is steady and wise, embodying the spirit of Uncle Bai in his youth. Do Senior An and Senior Qiu agree with my assessment?"

Seeing that Ruan Dong was silenced by Leng Qingmei's words, Zhao Yu cursed him as useless. At the same time, he narrowed his eyes, seemingly defending Duàn Yì against Leng Qingmei's underestimation, and sought confirmation from Granny An and Eunuch Qiu, who had been standing beside Yue'er.

His intention was certainly not to genuinely praise Duàn Yì but to further provoke Ruan Dong.

"Zhao Yu speaks the truth. I recall when I first met young Duàn in Daming County, he only knew one technique, Capturing Hand, and had no understanding of Internal Energy breathing methods. Now, his internal Qi is formed, and his breathing methods are proper. His progress is clearly rapid. This is not only due to the skillful guidance of a renowned teacher like Bai Xiwen, but his own innate talent and comprehension must also be rare. He is worthy of being called a prodigy. Little Leng, you underestimate him."

Eunuch Qiu had previously admired Duàn Yì's skills and decisiveness. When asked by Zhao Yu, he did not hesitate to offer praise, showing his appreciation for talent. Moreover, these were his genuine thoughts.

"The old man is absolutely right. Ruan Dong, you boast of your martial arts. However, solely in terms of Internal Energy, you have been on the mountain for three years, and your current realm is only comparable to his. Your True Qi is merely slightly thicker."

While Eunuch Qiu adhered to objective facts, Granny An seemed to be leaning towards praising Duàn Yì and belittling Ruan Dong. It was unclear whether she disliked Ruan Dong or felt Duàn Yì was having too easy a time and decided to create some trouble for him. Her words clearly told everyone that Duàn Yì's achievements in a few days were equivalent to Ruan Dong's three years of arduous training. The more talented Duàn Yì was, the more foolish and dull Ruan Dong appeared.

Even though Granny An was a senior figure in the martial arts world, unfathomable in her depth, Ruan Dong, with his youthful temperament, was angered to the point where his face turned red, his eyes blazed like fire, and his heavy breaths were filled with indignation.

However, he dared not target Granny An and could only vent his frustration at Duàn Yì.

"If that is the case, Duàn Yì, do you dare to fight me? So I can see just how brilliant you, this martial arts prodigy, truly are?"