No Different From a Primary Schooler

The appearance of the Holy Son and Saintess caused the already lively atmosphere to explode:

"Oh my god, why are the Holy Son and Saintess here? Are they here to watch the outer disciple competition?"

"The Saintess is too beautiful, and the Holy Son is so handsome."

They're both wearing light gold clothes, and with their high yanzhi, they look so well-matched.

Hearing the discussions, Xiao Rui couldn't help but look towards Xia Wantang and Ye Xing.

They were both wearing light gold robes, with equally delicate and fair complexions.

Xia Wantang's amber eyes were lowered, her hair like silk cascading down, her face like the bright moon, stunning and otherworldly.

Ye Xing was looking at her with his head turned, his profile exceptionally perfect, every contour exquisite, his nose high-bridged, his eye sockets deep, his thin lips slightly parted as if whispering something.

Anyone who saw them would praise them as a talented man and a beautiful woman, a match made in heaven.

This scene, however, was incredibly jarring to Xiao Rui:

He had never met the Holy Son before, only hearing that the Holy Son, Fu Lingyun, was outstanding, handsome, and perfect.

Seeing him now, it was indeed... as rumored.

Thinking this, he unconsciously clenched his fists, his fingernails digging into his flesh.

It was Elder Sword who finally roused him:

"Kid, calm down. You don't want to embarrass yourself in front of that girl, do you?"

Only then did Xiao Rui snap back to reality, his gaze lowering slightly.

Just then, Luo Ao's incredulous voice suddenly rang out:

"H-how is this possible? I actually lost to trash like Xiao Rui?"

His eyes were bloodshot, his pupils about to split, as if he had suffered a great blow.

Beside him, Ye Yilan bit her lip, almost breaking it, her heart filled with both anger and regret:

Xiao Rui hid his strength and didn't tell her. Was he guarding against her all along? Or was this a test for her?

Xia Wantang and Ye Xing had also been there for a while, and from the crowd's chatter, they had a general understanding of what had just happened.

"Luo Ao, if your skills are inferior, then go back and cultivate properly. From now on, do not bully your fellow disciples. Otherwise, I will report to the Palace Lord and you will be confined to the back mountain for reflection."

"The rest of the disciples, focus on participating in the outer disciple competition."

After thinking for a moment, Xia Wantang finally spoke up, breaking the current stalemate.

Hearing this, Luo Ao shakily stood up and left in a daze.

Seeing the other disciples dispersing one by one, Ye Yilan was unwilling:

She had been the closest person to Xiao Rui. If she had known Xiao Rui was this strong, she would never have shown favor to Luo Ao.

Ever since they were young, Xiao Rui had always been soft and special towards her. Now... perhaps there was still a chance to turn things around?

So she opened her watery eyes. Already possessing a delicate beauty, she appeared even more pitiable and charming:

"Brother Xiao Rui, actually, I was all coerced by Luo Ao. He said if I didn't go along with him, he would bully you even more, even drive you out of Azure Cloud Palace. I..."

However, her act had barely begun when Xiao Rui ruthlessly interrupted her:

"Ye Yilan, I told you last time, we are now estranged."

"I didn't expose you, it's just because I was too lazy, not because I'm stupid enough to still believe your sweet talk."

Ye Yilan was filled with regret, but it was too late. She could only leave with tears in her eyes, full of regret.

When the crowd had dispersed, only Xia Wantang, Xiao Rui, and Ye Xing remained.

Sensing the somewhat awkward atmosphere, Xia Wantang quickly tried to smooth things over:

"Junior Brother Xiao, this is the Holy Son, Fu Lingyun, Senior Brother Fu."

"Senior Brother Fu, this is the junior disciple I mentioned who has great potential, Junior Brother Xiao Rui, Xiao."

She remembered that in the original story, the two Sons of Destiny met by chance and hit it off immediately during the inner disciple competition, appreciating each other's talents.

As the two main male protagonists, although their stances might not have been unified, they were good friends from beginning to end.

Logically speaking, these two shouldn't be this awkward when meeting.

Although Ye Xing found Xiao Rui extremely displeasing, he still gave Xia Wantang face.

However, when he spoke, he became passive-aggressive:

"Junior Brother Xiao is indeed a dragon among men. Not only is his talent and strength extraordinary, but he also attracts quite a bit of romantic trouble."

He was referring to Ye Yilan's relationship with Xiao Rui.

Sensing Ye Xing's hostility, Xiao Rui retorted neither subserviently nor obsequiously:

"That naturally can't compare to the Holy Son. I've heard the Holy Son has many admirers, the most fervent among them being Lu Jinyan, the granddaughter of the First Elder of Martial God Peak."

"I heard Lu Jinyan also caused trouble for Senior Sister Xia?"

Those words were like daggers, and they hit hard.

Furthermore, while Xiao Rui was willing to call Xia Wantang "Senior Sister," he didn't want to call Ye Xing "Senior Brother."

Wouldn't that mean the other party was taking advantage of him?

He didn't want his love rival to gain any advantage.

Xia Wantang: ...

Why did these two seem no different from elementary schoolers with their passive-aggressive behavior?

Just as Ye Xing was about to retort, he saw four figures arrive on swords. It was the Azure Cloud Palace Lord Fu Hanqiu and the three Great Elders.

The three Great Elders were Ye Yigeng of Sword Execution Peak, Zhao Zhixuan of Idle Cloud Peak, and Lu Shenxing of Martial God Peak.

Ye Yigeng had a majestic and imposing appearance, looking like a middle-aged man.

Zhao Zhixuan appeared to be around thirty years old, but her actual age was much greater. Thanks to her delicate skin and elegant demeanor, she still possessed considerable charm.

Lu Shenxing was Lu Jinyan's grandfather. He looked the oldest among the four, with white hair and a long beard, his eyes full of shrewd calculation.

As soon as they landed, Fu Hanqiu said:

"Lingyun, Wantang, the Outer Sect Competition has concluded, and the Inner Sect Competition is about to begin. Hurry and prepare."

Upon hearing this, Xia Wantang and Ye Xing both bowed their heads and replied:

"Yes!"

Before leaving, Xia Wantang glanced at Xiao Rui and winked.

[Xia Wantang gained 3 Favorability Points from Xiao Rui. Current Favorability: 63. Converted to Faith Points: 30.]

Hearing the System's announcement, Xia Wantang finally felt relieved.

Although the atmosphere between Xiao Rui and Ye Xing was tense, it had ultimately stimulated an increase in favorability.

Xiao Rui's favorability had not changed at all for a month, no matter if she gave him pills or showered him with praise.

Xiao Rui had heard of Ye Xing before, but he had never met him and couldn't directly perceive the other's competitiveness.

Now, Xiao Rui genuinely felt a sense of crisis and, at the same time, became more certain of his own feelings.

After Xia Wantang and Ye Xing left, Fu Hanqiu looked at Xiao Rui.

"You are Xiao Rui?"

Xiao Rui bowed his head respectfully.

"Outer Sect disciple Xiao Rui greets the Palace Lord."

Fu Hanqiu's expression was serious, but his eyes held a smile.

"No need for formalities. Wantang mentioned that your current cultivation has reached the peak of the Mystic Martial Realm?"

Hearing this, Xiao Rui's heart warmed.

Senior Sister Xia is speaking up for me in front of the Palace Lord. She truly thinks highly of me and wants to help me!