No Different from Elementary Schoolers

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

"Oh heavens, why are the Holy Son and Saintess here? Are they here to watch the outer disciple grand tournament?"

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

"They are both wearing light gold clothes with such high looks, they look so well-matched."

Hearing the surrounding discussions, Xiao Rui could not help looking toward Xia Wantang and Ye Xing.

He saw that both of them wore light gold robes with equally delicate, fair faces.

Xia Wantang's amber eyes lowered, her long hair cascading like silk, her face like the bright moon, peerlessly exquisite and out of this world.

Ye Xing was looking at her sideways, his profile quite perfect, every line of his contours exquisite, his nasal bridge high, his eye sockets deep, and his thin lips parted slightly as if he were speaking in a low voice.

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

This scene, seen in Xiao Rui's eyes, was blindingly glaring:

He had never seen the Holy Son before, only hearing that the Holy Son Fu Lingyun was exceptional, handsome, and utterly perfect.

Now seeing him in person, he really was... living up to his reputation.

Thinking this, his fists clenched involuntarily, his fingernails digging into his flesh.

It was Elder Sword who snapped him back to reality:

Kid, calm down, you don't want to make a fool of yourself in front of that lass, do you?

Only then did Xiao Rui recover his wits, his gaze dropping slightly.

Just at that moment, Luo Ao's incredulous voice rang out abruptly:

"H-How is this possible? How could I actually lose to a good-for-nothing like Xiao Rui?"

He saw his eyes bloodshot, his eyelids splitting apart in rage, as if he had suffered a massive blow.

Beside him, Ye Yilan bit her lip, almost breaking the skin, her heart filled with both vexation and remorse:

Could it be that Xiao Rui had hidden his true skill and refused to tell her because he was already guarding against her? Or was this some kind of test for her?

Xia Wantang and her companion had also arrived a moment ago, roughly gathering what had just happened from the crowd's discussions.

"Luo Ao, your skill is inferior, so go back and cultivate properly. From now on, do not bully your fellow disciples again, or I will report this to the Palace Lord and have you sent to the back mountain to face confinement and reflect on your mistakes."

"As for the remaining disciples, focus on participating in the outer disciple grand tournament."

Thinking for a moment, Xia Wantang still took the initiative to speak, breaking the current deadlock.

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

Seeing the other disciples gradually disperse, Ye Yilan felt deeply unreconciled:

Clearly she had once been the person closest to Xiao Rui. Had she known Xiao Rui was this strong, she never would have curried favor with Luo Ao.

Since childhood, Xiao Rui had always been exceptionally soft-hearted and special toward her. Right now... perhaps there was still a chance to turn things around?

Thus, she opened a pair of watery eyes, her already pretty features appearing all the more pitiful and touching:

"Brother Xiao Rui, actually I was coerced by Luo Ao. He said that if I wasn't willing to be with him, he would bully you even more harshly, and even drive you out of Azure Cloud Palace. I..."

However, her act had only reached the halfway point when Xiao Rui ruthlessly interrupted her:

"Ye Yilan, I said last time that there is a clean break between us."

"I didn't expose you simply because I couldn't be bothered, which doesn't mean I am stupid and still believe your sweet words to this day."

Ye Yilan was filled with agonizing regret, but it was too late. She could only hold back her tears and depart in bitter disappointment.

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

Feeling the atmosphere grow somewhat awkward, Xia Wantang immediately stepped in to smooth things over:

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

"Senior Brother Fu, this is the junior brother with great potential I mentioned to you, Junior Brother Xiao Rui."

She still remembered that in the original text, the two Sons of Destiny got acquainted through a fight, met as soulmates during the inner disciple grand tournament, and cherished each other's talents.

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

Logically speaking, these two shouldn't be acting this awkwardly upon meeting.

Although Ye Xing found Xiao Rui extremely grating to the eye, he still gave Xia Wantang face.

Only when he spoke, he turned sarcastic again:

"Junior Brother Xiao truly lives up to being a dragon among men, not only possessing extraordinary talent and strength, but also attracting quite a few romantic debts."

This was pointing directly at the relationship between Ye Yilan and Xiao Rui.

Sensing Ye Xing's hostility, Xiao Rui countered neither humbly nor arrogantly:

"That certainly cannot compare to the Holy Son. I hear the Holy Son has numerous admirers, the most fanatical of whom is Lu Jiuyan, the granddaughter of the Martial God Peak's First Elder."

"I heard that Lu Jiuyan even caused trouble for Senior Sister Xia?"

This remark twisted the knife with ruthless precision.

Moreover, although Xiao Rui was willing to call Xia Wantang Senior Sister, he was unwilling to address Ye Xing as Senior Brother.

Wouldn't that mean letting the other party take advantage of him?

He refused to let his love rival take advantage of him.

Xia Wantang:...

Why did it feel like these two sarcastic fellows were no different from elementary schoolers?

Ye Xing was just about to snap back when he saw four figures soaring over on flying swords, none other than Azure Cloud Palace Lord Fu Hanqiu and the three great elders.

The three great elders were respectively Ye Yigeng of Sword Slaughter Peak, Zhao Zhixuan of Idle Cloud Peak, and Lu Shenxing of Martial God Peak.

Ye Yigeng had a majestic and domineering appearance, resembling a middle-aged man.

Zhao Zhixuan looked around thirty years of age on the outside, but her actual age was not small. Thanks to her delicate skin and refined temperament, she still retained her alluring charm.

Lu Shenxing was Lu Jiuyan's grandfather and looked the oldest of the four, with a head of white hair and a long beard, his eyes filled with astute calculations.

The moment he landed, Fu Hanqiu stated:

"Lingyun, Wantang, the outer disciple grand tournament has concluded, and the inner disciple grand tournament is about to begin. Make haste to prepare."

Hearing this, Xia Wantang and Ye Xing both lowered their heads and said:

"Yes!"

Before leaving, Xia Wantang even glanced toward Xiao Rui and blinked.

Xia Wantang has obtained 3 Xiao Rui favorability points, current favorability 63, redeemed for 30 faith points.

Hearing the system announcement, Xia Wantang finally relaxed:

Although the meeting atmosphere between Xiao Rui and Ye Xing had been bristling with tension, it had ultimately stimulated a rise in favorability.

Xiao Rui's favorability had not changed at all for an entire month, regardless of whether she sent medicinal pills or showered him with flattering praise.

Previously, although Xiao Rui had heard of Ye Xing, he had never laid eyes on him, failing to feel the other party's competitive threat directly.

Now Xiao Rui had genuinely experienced a sense of crisis, while simultaneously firming up his own feelings.

After Xia Wantang and the others left, Fu Hanqiu looked toward Xiao Rui:

"You are Xiao Rui?"

Xiao Rui lowered his head in a salute:

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

Fu Hanqiu wore a solemn expression, yet the corners of his eyes held a smile:

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

Hearing these words, a warmth surged in Xiao Rui's heart:

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