"Hey, Cousin Xiao Yan." Xiao Ning walked up and lightly rested one hand on Xiao Yan's shoulder. "Are you really going to take a year off?"
"Yeah."
Xiao Yan said little else and nodded heavily.
Gazing at Xiao Yan's unquestionable expression, Xiao Ning froze for a moment before letting out a soft sigh.
"Honestly. I was hoping we could have some fun together at the academy." Xiao Ning then lightly punched Xiao Yan's shoulder and smiled. "But since this is your own decision, I naturally have no right to stop you. Good luck~"
After saying that, Xiao Ning retreated to the edge of the field and waved for the Xiao Family Disciples to step back and clear the area. The others also moved away, and in an instant, only Xiao Yan and Ruolin remained standing opposite each other in the courtyard.
Ruolin flicked her delicate hand and snapped the long whip from her waist. Azure Dou Qi surged forth as she lightly raised her chin at Xiao Yan.
"Go pick a weapon that suits you from the rack over there."
"No need." Xiao Yan looked at Ruolin and replied calmly, "This student has never trained with weapons. Using one would only be a burden."
"Is that so?"
Ruolin murmured, her long whip lightly tapping the floor tiles and leaving a streak of moisture out of thin air. She then raised an eyebrow.
"Ready?"
Xiao Yan took a deep breath of relief, turned slightly sideways, and clenched both fists tightly. Keeping his eyes fixed on Ruolin's graceful figure, he answered sharply.
"Begin!"
Bang!
The moment his words fell, the whip shadow arrived above Xiao Yan's head. He suddenly tensed and instinctively twisted aside, barely avoiding it. A long trench immediately appeared in the floor tiles where the whip struck.
So fast!!!