Descending the Mountain for Training

The moment the dragon's roar sounded, Ye Yun's expression changed. He formed a sword seal with his hand, and a crimson flame erupted from behind him, charging straight towards Lin Jingyu, who was shrouded in a dragon-like mist. Ye Yun also shot forward instantly.

Qi Hao, who had been closely watching the match, changed his expression at the sight. He moved his feet, drew his Frost Sword, and directly ignored Lin Jingyu and the Dragon Slaying Sword behind him, blocking Ye Yun's path. A faint, almost imperceptible sneer appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Although the sneer at the corner of Qi Hao's mouth was very faint and fleeting, Ye Yun saw it. He, who was already prepared to strike, inwardly cursed "idiot" before changing his sword seal. The crimson light on Crimson Flame surged, and in Qi Hao's disbelieving eyes, it forcefully smashed through his Frost Sword and hovered steadily in front of him. At this moment, the tip of Crimson Flame was only an inch from Qi Hao's brow, and he could clearly feel the scorching heat emanating from it.

Ye Yun didn't go too far. After a feint, he retracted Crimson Flame. Tian Ling'er also lightly landed beside Ye Yun. Qi Hao looked at Ye Yun, who was holding the Crimson Flame Sword and standing quietly next to Tian Ling'er, his face filled with bitterness. At this moment, his proud heart had been completely shattered by Ye Yun, both in love and in battle.

Qi Hao was, after all, someone who had seen a lot. He tidied up his emotions slightly, formed a sword seal, and sheathed Frost. He respectfully bowed to Tian Buyi and Su Ru. "Uncle-Master Tian, my master's instructions have been conveyed. We must return to report, so we will not disturb you further. Junior Brother, let's go!" With that, he turned to leave. He no longer had the face to stay here.

Lin Jingyu looked at Qi Hao, then at Zhang Xiaofan. He opened his mouth but finally only managed to say, "Take care," before following Qi Hao away. Zhang Xiaofan opened his mouth and replied with a dejected, "Take care." The others, however, looked at Ye Yun standing with Tian Ling'er with expressions of pleasant surprise.

Tian Buyi nodded with satisfaction and said with a chuckle, "Alright, it's fine. Xiao Qi, Xiao Ba, and Ling'er will stay. Everyone else can go back first."

Song Daren and the others glanced at Ye Yun and the others. Although their eyes were filled with gossip, since Tian Buyi had spoken, their curiosity had to be suppressed, and they obediently left. In the end, only Tian Buyi, his wife, Ye Yun, Tian Ling'er, and Zhang Xiaofan remained in Shou Jing Hall.

Seeing that everyone else had left, Tian Buyi smiled and nodded at the three of them. "Xiao Qi, although your progress has been rapid recently, it's still acceptable compared to children your age. However, cultivation isn't just about secluding yourself and training hard. If you have any problems, ask your Senior Brother often. Take this pill. The Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament is about to begin, so don't neglect your cultivation."

Tian Buyi tossed a delicate small porcelain bottle to Zhang Xiaofan and continued, "The Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament will begin in just over a year. You two weren't here just now, so I'll tell you now. This Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament is different from previous ones. The rules for participation have changed significantly. Instead of the usual four disciples per peak, each peak will now send nine disciples, with the main sect adding one more to make a total of sixty-four people. This means everyone from Great Bamboo Peak must participate. Originally, I didn't plan to let you participate, Xiao Yun, because you're young. But now that the rules have changed, you have to compete. I don't have high hopes for Xiao Fan, but you, Xiao Yun, must bring honor to me and show others that Great Bamboo Peak is not to be trifled with."

Upon hearing this, Ye Yun cupped Crimson Flame in his hands and respectfully said, "Master, this disciple will not fail your expectations. However, Master, this disciple does not yet have a suitable weapon. May I ask for permission to descend the mountain to gain experience and seek opportunities to forge my own magic treasure?"

Hearing Ye Yun's words, Tian Buyi's hand, which had been extended to take back Crimson Flame, stopped. His eyes darted around, and he continued to reach out and take Crimson Flame. "Although your strength is not weak, you are still too young. I had originally planned for you to descend the mountain for experience after the Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament. But since you've said so, you can go down the mountain in a couple of days. However, your training period will only be six months, and you are only allowed to stay near Qingyun Mountain. Do you agree?"

As soon as Tian Buyi finished speaking, Tian Ling'er seemed about to speak, but Su Ru stopped her. Ye Yun also didn't expect Tian Buyi to agree so readily and was momentarily stunned. After about two seconds, he said loudly with a face full of joy, "Thank you, Master, for granting my wish."

Tian Buyi nodded and hummed. "You three may go. Ling'er, you will come back with us."

Zhang Xiaofan and Ye Yun responded with a "Yes" and left Shou Jing Hall. After leaving, Ye Yun quickly returned to his small courtyard to pack. He had been in this world for over three years, and during these years, his life had been nothing but practicing. If it weren't for Tian Ling'er accompanying him, he would have gone crazy from boredom long ago. After all, he was a modern person, and now he finally had the chance to leave Qingyun Mountain and see the outside world. He couldn't wait to descend the mountain.

After haphazardly packing the things in his room, Ye Yun realized that besides two sets of clothes, he didn't seem to have anything else to bring. On the mountain, food, clothing, and shelter were all provided by the sect. Travel was by foot or by controlling objects. The refrigerator and fan he had made over the years couldn't be taken with him. Forget magic treasures, he didn't even have any money. The only thing he could show off was the three-foot-long green sword forged from iron essence, used for transportation.

Finally, Ye Yun slumped onto the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. After calming down, Ye Yun suddenly realized that his mind was filled with images of Tian Ling'er. It was only now that he realized that the clever, mischievous senior sister who always liked to tease him had already occupied a large part of his heart. Her every smile and frown had long been deeply etched into the depths of his heart. He had already fallen in love with this pure, lovely girl long ago. Recalling the moments they spent together over the years, his heart, which had already flown down the mountain, slowly flew back.

"Staying on the mountain doesn't seem so boring after all," a sweet smile appeared on Ye Yun's lips.

While Ye Yun was staring blankly at the ceiling, on the other side, Tian Ling'er was gritting her teeth and staring silently at her parents. As soon as her father returned, he had sternly asked her about her situation with Ye Yun. To prevent her junior brother from being punished, she decided to take all the blame.

"Alright, don't tease your Ling'er anymore. You're clearly overjoyed in your heart but forcing yourself to endure. It must be tough, right? Ling'er, let's ignore your father. Tell Mother, how did you and Xiao Yun get together? Tell Mother. We cultivators have long lives; a difference of a few years or a decade is nothing. It passes in a nap. Hurry up and tell Mother." Su Ru, still doting on her daughter, couldn't hold back and revealed the truth first.

"Mother, you don't object to me and Junior Brother?" Tian Ling'er's face was filled with shock.

Su Ru gently stroked Tian Ling'er's head and smiled. "Silly girl, why would we object? You are my precious daughter, and he is your father's beloved disciple. Your parents wish you two would get together. How could we object?"

"But Junior Brother is still so young..." Tian Ling'er said, lowering her head with a blush. She was embarrassed.

Seeing his daughter's blushing face, Tian Buyi laughed heartily. "Xiao Yun is a bit young, but he is steady and acts with great discretion. He's no different from an adult. As for age, it's common for us cultivators to live for hundreds or thousands of years. In our Qingyun Sect, couples with age differences of dozens or even a hundred years are common. What's so strange about a few years' difference between you two? However, you are both still young and it's not appropriate to become Dao companions yet. You must wait until Xiao Yun comes of age."