Rankings

After a brief silence, Qin Yan spoke first, breaking the tense stillness.

"Miss Ruyan, congratulations. It seems your journey to Azure Dragon Ancient Mountain brought you an extraordinary opportunity. Such an improvement in strength is truly admirable."

At his words, Liu Ruyan turned her head, her cool eyes settling on Qin Yan.

"You did well yourself."

"Qin Yan, the 'Spear Demon,' who slew the Strange Ancient Tree and made his name throughout the Northern World. Your gains must have been astonishing too."

Clearly, she had also heard the rumors about Qin Yan.

Liu Ruyan paused, then abruptly changed the subject. A fleeting, almost imperceptible glint seemed to cross her eyes. "Qin Yan, on the martial path, only by sparring and testing ourselves against others can we recognize our strengths and shortcomings and grow.

I hope that someday, when the opportunity is right, we can spar.

We can test each other's strength and hone ourselves together."

Her tone was calm, as though she were merely stating an objective fact and making a reasonable suggestion.

Yet for some reason, Qin Yan felt that beneath her composure lurked a trace of... eagerness for battle?

Qin Yan gathered his thoughts and met Liu Ruyan's gaze. With an easy smile, he accepted. "It would be my honor to spar with an expert like you, Miss Ruyan."

"Then it's settled."

"It's settled."

Upon hearing Qin Yan's answer, the corners of Liu Ruyan's lips lifted ever so slightly, almost imperceptibly.

Then her usual cool expression returned.

The next day, July eleventh.

Dawn dispelled the last traces of night from the Elf Clan's Ancestral Land, but it could not dispel the tension and solemnity hanging in the air.

Following Su Zhiming's instructions, Qin Yan and Liu Ruyan arrived early to wait outside Princess Anya's temporary palace.

Before long,