The instant the dragon's roar rang out, Ye Yun's expression changed. He formed a sword seal, and a blazing crimson flame shot from behind him, streaking toward Lin Jingyu, who was enveloped in a hazy dragon-shaped aura. Ye Yun darted forward at the same time.
Qi Hao, who had been watching the scene intently, saw what was happening and his expression shifted. He took a step, drew his Frost Ice Sword, and ignored Lin Jingyu and the Dragon Slaying Sword behind him, placing himself in Ye Yun's path. A faint, mocking smile tugged at his lips.
The mockery on Qi Hao's lips was faint and fleeting, but Ye Yun saw it. He had been ready to strike, but now he muttered, "Idiot," and changed his sword seal. Crimson Flame's glow surged, and, to Qi Hao's disbelief, the sword slammed into his Frost Ice Sword with brute force, sending it flying. It stopped steadily in front of him, its tip barely an inch from his brow. He could clearly feel the scorching heat radiating from Crimson Flame.
Ye Yun didn't push things too far. He feinted, then recalled Crimson Flame. Tian Ling'er landed lightly beside him. Looking at Ye Yun standing quietly beside Tian Ling'er, Crimson Flame in hand, Qi Hao wore a bitter expression. In that moment, Ye Yun had utterly crushed his pride, in love and on the battlefield alike.
Qi Hao had seen plenty in his time. After composing himself, he formed a sword seal and put away Frost Ice. He respectfully saluted Tian Buyi and Su Ru. "Martial Uncle Tian, I've delivered my master's message. We still have to return and report, so we won't impose on you any longer. Junior Brother, let's go!" He turned and headed for the exit. He couldn't bear to stay here any longer.
Lin Jingyu looked at Qi Hao, then at Zhang Xiaofan. He opened his mouth, but in the end all he managed was, "Take care." Then he followed Qi Hao out. Zhang Xiaofan opened his mouth and, dejected, replied, "Take care." The others, meanwhile, looked at Ye Yun standing beside Tian Ling'er with delighted expressions.
Tian Buyi nodded in satisfaction and said with a smile, "All right, that's enough. Seventh, Eighth, and Ling'er, stay. The rest of you can go back."
Song Daren and the others glanced at Ye Yun and his companions, their eyes full of curiosity, but Tian Buyi had spoken. No matter how curious they were, they could only leave obediently. In the end, only Tian Buyi and his wife, Ye Yun, Tian Ling'er, and Zhang Xiaofan remained in Shou Jing Hall.
Once everyone else had left, Tian Buyi smiled and nodded at the three of them. "Seventh, you've made rapid progress lately. For your age, you're doing quite well. But cultivation isn't just about shutting yourself away and practicing hard. If you have questions, ask your eldest senior brother. Take this pill. The Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament is coming up, so don't let your training slip."
Tian Buyi tossed a small, elegant porcelain bottle to Zhang Xiaofan, then continued, "The Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament begins in a little over a year. You two weren't here just now, so I'll tell you about it now. The rules are very different this time. Instead of four disciples from each peak, there'll be nine from each. The main peak will send one extra to make up the full sixty-four. That means everyone from Great Bamboo Peak has to compete. I wasn't going to have you enter, Xiao Yun, since you're still young, but now that the rules have changed, you'll have to take part too. I don't expect anything from Xiao Fan, but you'd better do us proud, Xiao Yun. Show the others that Great Bamboo Peak isn't to be trifled with."
Ye Yun cupped Crimson Flame in both hands and said respectfully, "Master, I won't let you down. But I still don't have a weapon that suits me. Could I go down the mountain for some experience and seek out an opportunity to forge a magical treasure of my own?"
At Ye Yun's words, Tian Buyi's hand, which had been reaching out to take back Crimson Flame, paused. His eyes shifted, then he reached out and picked up the sword. "You're strong, but you're still very young. I'd planned to let you go down the mountain for experience after the Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament. But since you've brought it up, you can leave in a couple of days. Your trip will last only half a year, and you may go no farther than the area around Qingyun Mountain. Can you agree to that?"
At Tian Buyi's words, Tian Ling'er looked as if she was about to speak, but Su Ru stopped her. Ye Yun hadn't expected Tian Buyi to agree so readily, and he was momentarily stunned. About two seconds later, he broke into a delighted grin and exclaimed, "Thank you, Master!"
Tian Buyi nodded and gave a quiet "Mm." "You may leave. Ling'er, come with us."
Zhang Xiaofan and Ye Yun answered, "Yes," and left Shou Jing Hall. As soon as Ye Yun was outside, he hurried back to his little courtyard to pack. He had been in this world for more than three years, and in all that time his days had been nothing but training. If Tian Ling'er hadn't been there with him, he would probably have gone crazy from being cooped up. After all, he was a modern man. Now that he finally had a chance to leave Qingyun Mountain and see the world beyond, he wished he could set off that very moment.
He hastily gathered the things in his room, only to realize he had nothing to bring besides two sets of clothes. The sect provided his food, clothing, and lodging. He got around on foot or by riding a magical object. The refrigerator and fan he'd made over the years couldn't be taken with him. He didn't have a magical treasure—or even any money. The only thing of value he owned was the three-foot sword forged from refined iron that he used for transportation.
In the end, Ye Yun flopped onto his bed and stared blankly at the ceiling. Once he'd calmed down, he realized that Tian Ling'er filled his thoughts. Only now did he understand that his clever, mischievous senior sister, who was always teasing him, had long since claimed a large place in his heart. Every smile and frown of hers had been etched deep inside him. He had already fallen in love with this sweet, lovely girl. As he recalled all the little moments they'd shared over the years, the heart that had already flown down the mountain slowly came back.
"Staying on the mountain doesn't seem so boring after all." A sweet smile appeared on Ye Yun's lips.
While Ye Yun lay there staring blankly at the ceiling, Tian Ling'er was gritting her teeth and saying nothing as she faced her parents. Her father had come back and immediately asked, stern-faced, what was going on between her and Ye Yun. To keep her junior brother from being punished, she decided to shoulder it all herself.
"All right, stop teasing Ling'er. You're clearly overjoyed inside, but you're trying so hard to hide it. That must be exhausting. Ling'er, ignore your father. Tell your mother, how did you and Xiao Yun get together? Come on, tell me. We cultivators live long lives, so an age gap of a few years—or even a dozen—means nothing. It'll pass in the blink of an eye. Now, tell me all about it." Su Ru couldn't bear to see her daughter suffer and was the first to reveal the truth.
"Mother, you don't mind me and my junior brother being together?" Tian Ling'er stared at her in shock.
Su Ru gently stroked Tian Ling'er's head and smiled. "Silly girl, why would we mind? You're my precious daughter, and he's your father's beloved disciple. Your father and I would be delighted if you two got together. Why would we object?"
"But my junior brother is still so young..." Tian Ling'er blushed and lowered her head. She was embarrassed.
Seeing his daughter blush, Tian Buyi laughed heartily. "Xiao Yun is a little young, but he's mature and knows his limits. He's no different from an adult. As for age, it's nothing for cultivators to live for hundreds or even thousands of years. In the Qingyun Sect, Dao Companions with age gaps of decades or even a century are everywhere. What's a few years between you two? Still, you're both young, so you shouldn't become Dao Companions just yet. You'll have to wait until Xiao Yun comes of age."
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