After a match between Meng Anli and Guang Ling,
Guang Ling withdrew his stance, breathing a little heavily as well. He teased, "Thank you, Princess Anli, for showing mercy."
Meng Anli found that strange. "I clearly lost. How was I the one showing mercy?"
"If you had used the speed you used against Meng Xiuchen on me, I would have been defeated without a doubt."
Meng Anli smiled. "But you had no intention of beating me to death either. Naturally, I wouldn't use that kind of speed. We're sparring to improve."
"And you can still smile?"
Guang Ling only felt a pang of bitterness.
He had seen it just now. If Meng Anli had not dodged quickly, Meng Xiuchen's first move would have left her dead or half-crippled.
What kind of older brother treated his own younger sister like that?
As for his own younger sister, he would willingly give her everything he had.
If anyone bullied her, he would fight them to the death.
Meng Anli's brows and eyes curved in a smile. "Why shouldn't I smile?"
At this point in her previous life, she had already been locked in the dark dungeon.
In this life, she had met her older brother and her master, and regained her inner core.
She had obtained the Colored Feather.
She could sit in a spacious, bright classroom and cultivate alongside her fellow students.
She had even... defeated Meng Xiuchen.
She was happier than words could say.
That evening, when Meng Xiuchen returned home and saw his elder brother, he rushed over and shouted, "Big Brother, Meng Anli is truly incredible now."
Meng Liangmiao had spent the entire day tending the fire. After enduring the open mockery and veiled barbs of those fire-tending immortals, he was already nursing a bellyful of anger.
Hearing Meng Xiuchen shout like that, he pretended not to hear and walked on, suppressing his emotions.
Meng Xiuchen chased after him. "Big Brother, Meng Anli, she..."
"Don't mention her again!"
The taut string within Meng Liangmiao snapped. His expression turned agitated as he roared at Meng Xiuchen.
Meng Xiuchen had never seen his elder brother like this. Somewhat stunned, he blankly called, "Big Brother?"
Meng Liangmiao realized he had lost his composure. He rubbed his brow and returned to that gentle, jade-like appearance.
"Sorry. I'm too tired. What happened to Meng Anli?"
"She learned some incredible skills from Yuan Tuo and even defeated me."
"What!"
Meng Liangmiao was shocked, then immediately guessed, "Did Yuan Tuo forcibly raise her cultivation?"
"No. She's still at Foundation Establishment Late Stage."
Meng Xiuchen recounted the scene of their fight.
Meng Liangmiao understood. "It was her speed. Her speed was enhanced. There's a saying in the mortal world: [Of all martial arts under heaven, only speed cannot be defeated]. Yuan Tuo enhanced her speed."
Meng Xiuchen was furious. "Why does she get to?"
"Yes," Meng Liangmiao said, looking at his hands roughened from tending the fire. "Why does she get to?"
Meng Xiuchen followed his gaze and called out painfully, "Big Brother..."
Meng Liangmiao lowered his hands. "It's nothing."
"Now that Yuan Tuo is protecting her, what should we do?"
A gleam flickered in Meng Liangmiao's eyes. "Since we can't act openly, we'll act in the shadows. Your academy has a rest day tomorrow. She'll definitely go to the palace to find the Crown Prince. Take the fastest disciples from our residence and seize her on the road to the palace."
"Excellent!" Meng Xiuchen instantly brightened. "Once we capture her and bring her back, we'll cripple her immediately. Then Yuan Tuo will surely lose interest in a cripple."
"No!"
Meng Xiuchen did not understand. "Big Brother, why are you still protecting her? She has gone too far!"
Meng Liangmiao's gaze was vicious. "I'm not protecting her. We'll cripple her the instant we capture her, to prevent unforeseen complications."
Meng Xiuchen's eyes lit up, and he raised a thumb in praise.
"Big Brother truly deserves to have traveled far and wide with the Crown Prince. Your considerations are so thorough. I'll make the arrangements right away."
At the same time, the Crown Prince had also received word that Meng Anli had defeated Meng Xiuchen today.
He set down his brush. "Her cultivation truly hasn't improved?"
Across the desk sat a master from Xuantian Academy, surnamed Zhang. He was the Heavenly Emperor's younger brother from a collateral branch.
Master Zhang nodded. "I saw it very clearly. She is still in the Foundation Establishment Realm. She defeated Meng Xiuchen solely through speed and skill."
The Crown Prince was greatly stirred. "Great Emperor Dangmo is truly formidable! His subordinate Yuan Tuo needed only five days to turn a foolish young lady like Meng Anli into an expert."
Master Zhang somewhat disagreed. He knew that Meng Anli sparred with Guang Ling every day.
Meng Anli was no longer the foolish young lady who trailed behind the Crown Prince.
But he did not dare refute the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince said with satisfaction, "She has at least brought some honor to me."
He summoned Liuyin and instructed her, "For Master Yuantuo's sake, when she comes to find me tomorrow, just make her stand outside the door for one hour before letting her come in to see me."
Liuyin was somewhat displeased and coquettishly called, "Crown Prince~"
Master Zhang was so embarrassed that his entire face turned red.
The Crown Prince gave a light cough and waved Master Zhang away.
Liuyin swayed gracefully as she sat in his lap. "Crown Prince, you said you would not forgive her so easily."
The Crown Prince kneaded her small hand. "Her status is different now. She has acknowledged Yuan Tuo as her master, and Yuan Tuo belongs to Great Emperor Dangmo. Naturally, I must give Great Emperor Dangmo face."
"Then fine. The Crown Prince must compensate me."
The Crown Prince's gaze instantly turned fiery. "Compensate you? I'll properly compensate you right now."
Red candles swayed, and the room was steeped in springtime allure.
At dawn, Liuyin had the immortal maidens prepare his usual brocade robe and helped him dress.
The Crown Prince was dissatisfied. "Bring the gilded cloud-pattern brocade robe newly delivered from Shu, woven of brocade. And bring the white jade belt, along with the dragon-pattern jade pendant."
Liuyin's expression turned sour. "The Crown Prince is certainly putting thought into seeing her."
The Crown Prince pinched her waist. Only after hearing her soft moan did he grow somewhat satisfied. "Don't be so sour. I said it's only for Great Emperor Dangmo's sake."
"Yes~"
Liuyin pressed herself against him and said softly.
At Xuantian Academy, Anli was currently fighting Lu Yao over a place to meditate.
Meng Anli asked her, "You really aren't going home? Won't your father miss you?"
"If he misses me, he can come see me. I have far too much to cultivate now. I simply have no time to go back."
Meng Anli nodded. "Just don't tell me you're staying to keep me company."
"How could that be?" Lu Yao pulled her down to sit cross-legged. "Now I understand that only when one's strength is great can one speak with confidence and do as one pleases. I have to grow stronger!"
"Alright. Let's do it together."
After Meng Anli finished meditating, she went to Gui Class.
Yuan Tuo had said that he did not rest on academy rest days. He would still lecture in Gui Class during the morning, and anyone willing to listen could come.
When Meng Anli and Lu Yao arrived, the other ten were all there.
Meng Anli was not surprised. Master Yuantuo's cultivation methods were simple and easy to understand. Whatever they did not know, he could explain clearly in a few concise words.
Just a few sentences could make them feel as though clouds had parted and moonlight had appeared.
She loved the feeling of tangled knowledge being untied, leaving her mind clear and her whole body transparent and refreshed.
When Yuan Tuo entered and saw that everyone was present, his delight overflowed from his face. He teased Guang Ling, who was sitting on a desk.
"Guang Ling, no other arrangements outside the academy today?"
Guang Ling shot back, "No matter how important the arrangements, I had to push them aside to listen to our master spin tall tales."
All the disciples held back their laughter.
Meng Anli's lips curled faintly as she fiddled with the Golden Toad.
The Golden Toad let out a "Ribbit~."
The entire Gui Class burst into laughter.
Yuan Tuo smiled helplessly. "Very well, then. I'll continue spinning tall tales."
Before you continue