A Promise? Senior Sister Lu, if you lose, how about you agree to one thing for me?

Under the soft moonlight.

The evening breeze blew gently.

The bamboo leaves rustled in the grove.

The aloof maiden gripped the Heavenly Azure tightly.

The flush on her face faded, her clear, cold eyes truly returning to their icy sharpness as she gazed calmly at the youth, and spoke with quiet finality: "We'll settle this with our swords."

At this moment.

She was the real Lu Xueqi.

Because—

The Wang Quan Yan standing before her would be her rival.

Facing a rival?

Why would she blush?

It was already good she hadn't drawn her sword and struck on the spot.

Hearing this.

Wang Quan Yan nodded calmly.

Perhaps at times like this, some bootlicker would say something like, "Ah, Senior Sister Lu, since you want to take the top spot, I'll go easy and let you have it."

Those who act like that?

Without exception.

They're all idiots!

Do you think that kind of behavior will earn her favor? Dream on!

Not only will she not think well of you.

She'll despise you.

What do you take her for?

Lu Xueqi is a stubborn girl by nature—if she wants something, does she need you to hand it to her? Do you really think she's some kind of ornament?

Think again.

In this situation.

You can only give it your all.

Only then can you earn the respect you deserve.

Don't embarrass yourself with foolish behavior.

Wang Quan Yan smiled lightly and said:

"Senior Sister Lu, how about we make a bet?"

Here it comes.

The trap was finally sprung.

Did you think Wang Quan Yan said all that earlier for nothing? It was all leading to this moment!

Hearing this.

Lu Xueqi showed a hint of perfectly measured confusion.

A bet?

Bet on what?

She didn't speak.

She only lifted her eyes and calmly looked at Wang Quan Yan.

Wang Quan Yan knew her temperament well; he could read her confusion from her gaze, so he explained:

"Bet on—"

"Who will be the champion of this Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament."

The youth's voice was very calm.

Upon hearing this.

Lu Xueqi was briefly taken aback.

She tightened her grip on the Heavenly Azure Divine Sword and spoke again: "How... do you want to bet?"

The maiden's voice was clear and cold.

Betraying not a trace of emotion.

This was Lu Xueqi in her normal state.

She didn't refuse the wager, which meant she accepted it.

Wang Quan Yan gave a light smile and said, "I'm betting on myself to be the champion of this Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament. What about you, Senior Sister Lu?"

The aloof maiden lifted her gaze to look at him.

Her eyes were as still as an ancient well, so calm that not a single trace of emotion could be seen, and even her voice was filled with aloof indifference: "Then I'll bet on myself to be the champion of this Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament too."

"Go on."

"What's the wager?"

Lu Xueqi said flatly.

Was she doing this for the wager?

Of course not.

To put it bluntly—

She had no interest whatsoever in the so-called wager.

Then why did she agree to the bet? It was because she was too stubborn. With her rival pressing right up in her face, how could she afford to fall behind?!

You want to bet?

Then let's bet!

Who's afraid of who?

Did she really think Lu Xueqi was weaker than him?

Both of them were at the Ninth Layer of Jade Purity—who could say who was stronger?

He had his Ghost Slaying God?

She had her Divine Sword Controlling Thunder True Spell!

If it came down to it, they could just fight!

The aloof maiden's gaze was exceptionally cold.

That was the truest thought in her heart.

Hearing this.

Wang Quan Yan smiled and said, "The wager? I haven't thought of one yet. How about this..."

He paused briefly in thought.

"Whoever loses?"

"Then they have to grant the winner one request?"

"What do you think?"

Here it comes, here comes the trap.

Lu Xueqi was momentarily taken aback.

She lifted her eyes to stare at the young man before her, witnessing the smile lurking in the depths of his gaze. Clearly...

She saw through Wang Quan Yan's ulterior motives.

The aloof maiden pressed her lips together slightly.

But—

She still agreed.

Because Wang Quan Yan had her temperament completely figured out. He knew she was too stubborn to back down on this matter, and once she agreed, she agreed...

Lu Xueqi wouldn't go back on her word.

Besides.

She didn't think she would lose.

In that case.

Since the atmosphere had come this far.

Then she'd agree.

"Fine."

Lu Xueqi gave a slight nod.

One request?

It didn't matter.

She'd go along with it.

"Then—"

"See you at the Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament."

Wang Quan Yan noticed Su Ru walking out of Jingzhu Xuan.

He spoke to end the conversation here.

"Good."

Lu Xueqi was a woman of few words.

She watched Wang Quan Yan leave with a calm expression, gripping the Heavenly Azure Divine Sword tightly in her hand.

I will not lose!

The aloof maiden's stubborn heart was so unyielding that ten oxen couldn't drag it back.

Leaving Small Bamboo Peak.

On the way back to Grand Bamboo Peak, flying their swords alongside Su Ru.

Su Ru suddenly turned her head and said:

"Xiao Yan, you..."

"Do you have feelings for that girl Xueqi?"

Hearing this.

Wang Quan Yan was slightly taken aback.

He didn't hide it, nor did he feel embarrassed, and directly nodded: "Yes, Martial Mother."

Like was like.

There was nothing to conceal.

Besides.

His straightforward behavior today had been so blatant.

Anyone could see it.

"Sigh."

Su Ru let out a silent sigh in her heart.

By now, she had begun to blame that girl Tian Ling'er a little, but the engagement was already over—what more was there to say?

Forget it, forget it.

Children had their own fortunes.

She didn't want to meddle anymore.

Su Ru shook her head and smiled: "That girl Xueqi is the treasured heart of your Martial Aunt Shuiyue's legacy disciple. If you want to be with her? You'll have to put in some real effort."

Hearing this.

Wang Quan Yan gave a light laugh and said: "Nothing in the world is difficult for one who sets their mind to it."

"If Senior Sister Lu truly wishes to be with me, how could Martial Aunt Shuiyue stop us?"

As for this matter?

Wang Quan Yan hadn't taken it to heart at all.

After all.

From his understanding of Shuiyue.

Resolving this issue was truly a piece of cake.

Su Ru was momentarily stunned.

She looked at Wang Quan Yan's carefree demeanor and felt a stir in her own heart—yes...

If two people truly loved each other.

What else could stand in their way?

Su Ru thought of her own past, and then of Tian Ling'er now.

Back then, when she got together with Tian Buyi.

Even if Senior Sister Shuiyue repeatedly tried to stop them? It was useless.

And as for Tian Ling'er.

If she had truly liked Wang Quan Yan.

She wouldn't have been lured away by someone else's Cooling Pearl.

Forget it, forget it.

Su Ru smiled gently at Wang Quan Yan: "Xiao Yan, then do your best..."

"Alright."

Wang Quan Yan nodded with a smile.

He could feel that his Martial Mother truly wished him well.

The feelings within were not affected by Tian Ling'er.

After all.

To Su Ru, Wang Quan Yan was also one of her own.

Both the palm and the back of the hand were made of flesh.

This was precisely why Wang Quan Yan had always respected Su Ru, Tian Buyi, and the others.

If others treat me with kindness?

I repay kindness with kindness!

That was Wang Quan Yan's code of conduct.

To be honest.

His views on good and evil were not so strong; his actions all followed his own heart.

As the saying goes—

My heart and my deeds are as clear as a mirror; whatever I do is justice!

PS: I'll stay up late tonight to write two more chapters. Everyone, remember to check them out tomorrow morning~ Thank you!