"..."
Jia Baoyu's words naturally made Lin Daiyu's fingers tighten slightly around her sword scabbard.
But in the end, she did not flare up. She merely turned around slowly to face Jia Baoyu, who had just spoken such outrageous words. Her eyes shifted slightly as she held her Qiushui Sword against her chest, standing straight as a bamboo stalk. Though slender and delicate, she possessed an unmistakable pride. She looked directly at him.
After gazing at Jia Baoyu for a long while with her clear eyes, she let out a soft sigh. Then, in a calm voice, she murmured each word distinctly:
"Immortal examination?"
As she spoke, the corner of her lips curled into a faint, almost mocking smile.
"Well, now that you mention it..."
"Second Brother, in a few years, once my foundations are steadier and my cultivation has advanced, perhaps I'll want to take the next examination."
"Who knows? Maybe your little sister will come back with the top scholar's title for you to see."
As she spoke, Lin Daiyu couldn't help laughing at herself.
She had no idea that a certain troublesome little girl of a master had already entered her in this very year's examination—and even "impersonated" her to take the literary test, winning first place. And in two months, she would be taking the martial test as well.
So, still in the dark, Daiyu could only sigh wistfully.
Whether her words would come true—and a year ahead of schedule, at that—remained to be seen.
"Huh?"
"T-Top scholar?"
"Hahahaha—"
At first, Jia Baoyu was stunned. Then, as if he'd heard the funniest joke in the world, he burst into laughter, rocking back and forth.
After laughing for a while, he finally managed to point at Daiyu and say:
"Lin meimei!"
"Y-you can't be serious, can you?"