On the square before Jade Purity Hall.
Numerous Qingyun Disciples had gathered together.
They surrounded an arena, their eyes fixed tightly on the stage, traces of excitement flashing in their gaze.
"Next match!"
"Wang Quan Yan versus Lu Xueqi!"
As the Tongtian Peak elder on the arena announced the contestants, the surrounding Qingyun Disciples immediately erupted into commotion.
"They ran into each other?"
"Damn! They're facing off in the semifinals already?"
"The real show is starting!"
"Do you think they'll actually fight?"
"So what if they do? Isn't a real fight just flirting through bickering?"
The surrounding Qingyun Disciples discussed animatedly.
They looked expectantly into the distance. Wang Quan Yan and Lu Xueqi stood separately amid the crowd, their gazes meeting from afar. For a moment...
An invisible tension gradually settled over the area.
Looking around.
The aloof maiden stood in a flowing white dress, her beautiful hair fluttering in the wind. Across the crowd, she stared at Wang Quan Yan in the distance, intense fighting spirit flickering in her eyes.
Buzz!
The Tianya Divine Sword gave a faint tremor.
The stubbornness in the maiden's eyes would not allow her to concede defeat.
Boom—
In the distance, Wang Quan Yan stood with his sword on his back.
He wore a dashing azure Daoist robe, his figure tall and straight, black hair draped over his shoulders. A faint golden sword intent glimmered in his sharp eyes as he met Lu Xueqi's gaze from afar, yielding not in the slightest.
After all.
He knew very well what kind of person Lu Xueqi was.
Her temperament determined that she could never admit defeat, much less accept anyone going easy on her, because that would only make her feel that they looked down on her—
Therefore.
The best approach.
Was to go all out.
To conquer her with absolute strength.
Lu Xueqi was not someone who blindly admired strength.
But if you were far too weak compared to her, then honestly, it would be difficult even to get close to her. Her temperament was simply too aloof; being too weak would only create a sense of distance between you and her...
Whoosh!
Wang Quan Yan exchanged a glance with Lu Xueqi across the crowd.
His figure flashed, and he vanished from where he stood. When he appeared again, he was already on the arena.
Clang—
The elder on the arena struck the Bronze Bell.
Lu Xueqi hesitated no longer. She stepped directly out of the crowd, a faint, mist-like cloud forming beneath her feet and supporting her slender figure as it carried her all the way up to the arena...
Their distinctive entrances immediately drew the attention of the surrounding Qingyun Disciples.
Even the Peak Masters on the High Platform?
They all turned their gazes toward them.
Because they knew.
This match would most likely be the most exciting one of this Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament...
Whoosh!
Under everyone's watchful eyes.
Wang Quan Yan and Lu Xueqi appeared on the arena.
Their gazes met. The aloof maiden's expression was incomparably cold as she gripped the Tianya Divine Sword tightly, intense fighting spirit flickering in her eyes—
At this moment, she was not thinking about any of that messy nonsense.
Her mind was filled entirely with the match.
In her view?
No matter what Wang Quan Yan thought of her, they were opponents for now. Besides... they also had a little agreement.
Whoever won the Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament?
The losing side would have to agree to one small request from the winner!
Wang Quan Yan raised his eyes slightly.
He did not attack immediately. Instead, he looked at Lu Xueqi with a smile and said, "Senior Sister, do you still remember our agreement?"
At those words.
Lu Xueqi's expression grew even colder.
By asking that question, Wang Quan Yan was making it clear that they were now opponents!
"I remember."
Lu Xueqi coolly uttered those two words.
The moment she said that.
The surrounding Qingyun Disciples immediately widened their eyes.
It was as if they had heard some juicy gossip, and every one of them pricked up their ears.
What!?
Lu Xueqi and Wang Quan Yan had an agreement?
Hiss—
There had to be some special relationship between them!
"I guessed right, didn't I?"
"Junior Sister Lu and Junior Brother Wang definitely have an unusual relationship!"
"Tsk!"
"This Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament has basically become their personal stage. It's really boring... though watching the drama is still pretty interesting."
The surrounding Qingyun Disciples discussed animatedly.
On the arena.
Lu Xueqi heard those discussions.
She could not help but frown slightly.
Just then,
Wang Quan Yan spoke.
Only.
He was not speaking to Lu Xueqi.
Instead, he addressed the many Qingyun Disciples beneath the arena. "Recently, I've heard many rumors about Senior Sister Lu and me. Regarding that—"
"I originally had no intention of responding."
"Because those rumors are unfounded. Senior Sister Lu and I are entirely innocent and aboveboard; there is no such relationship between us as everyone claims."
"I ask all senior brothers and sisters not to spread such rumors."
Wang Quan Yan clasped his hands toward the surrounding Qingyun Disciples and said, "I can take it. I don't care much about my reputation, but Senior Sister Lu is different. She is an innocent person and cares greatly about her reputation..."
The moment he said that.
The entire venue erupted into an uproar.
Countless Qingyun Disciples turned their gazes toward Wang Quan Yan.
Traces of surprise flashed in their eyes.
They had not expected Wang Quan Yan to step forward and clarify things.
At the same time.
Lu Xueqi also looked astonished.
She stared at Wang Quan Yan before her in disbelief, clearly not expecting him to step forward and clarify matters. But soon...
She could no longer remain astonished.
"Of course."
Wang Quan Yan's tone suddenly changed.
He smiled as he glanced at the aloof maiden standing not far to his side and said, "Some of those rumors aren't false, though. For example—my liking Senior Sister Lu."
"A graceful maiden is the fair pursuit of a gentleman."
"I, Wang Quan Yan, will say it openly here today. I have admired Senior Sister Lu for a long time and wish to pursue her. If one day Senior Sister Lu and I truly end up together, then everyone may spread rumors about us as they please..."
"But before that?"
"Please do not spread baseless rumors."
"Senior Sister Lu is thin-skinned and cannot bear hearing those rumors."
Wang Quan Yan clasped his hands toward the crowd.
The moment he said that, the entire venue was stunned!
Countless Qingyun Disciples stared blankly at Wang Quan Yan on the arena, never expecting him to confess during the Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament?!
And to confess publicly, at that!
This...
"Ahhh!"
"Junior Brother Wang is awesome!!"
"He confessed in public? Awesome! Absolutely awesome!"
Countless Qingyun Disciples cheered wildly.
In this day and age, everyone was rather reserved. A public confession was definitely something that required tremendous courage!
Quite a few people turned their gazes toward Lu Xueqi.
They were all very curious about how Lu Xueqi herself would respond to this.
For a moment,
Under everyone's gaze.
Lu Xueqi stood there blankly. She stared dazedly at Wang Quan Yan before her, and a rosy blush gradually climbed onto her cool, beautiful face.
The moment she heard his public confession.
Lu Xueqi was completely dumbfounded. Her heart pounded wildly, and she had no idea what to do.
At first, she had thought that she and Wang Quan Yan were entirely innocent and aboveboard, but after Wang Quan Yan's confession, she only felt that she was no longer innocent at all...
It's over, it's over.
What should I do? Uwu~
The aloof maiden kept a straight face as she nervously clutched the Tianya Divine Sword. Her pretty face was flushed bright red, and her heart pounded wildly. She was so adorable that one wanted to pinch her cheeks.
Too cute!
Before you continue