"Meanwhile, things were going terribly for Bajie..."
In the clearing at the edge of the woods, Lu Ming told the story with vivid enthusiasm.
Since he could trade for the Eighteen Green Bamboo Forms without spending any cultivation resources, of course he agreed to the terms.
That day, Feng Qingzhu seemed more relaxed, too. As she listened, she occasionally smiled.
She had bright eyes, pearly teeth, and breathtaking beauty. Her usual frostiness had always concealed some of her charm, but now that she was smiling, a strange feeling stirred in Lu Ming's heart.
This girl actually looks pretty good when she smiles, Lu Ming muttered to himself.
"When did Feng Qingzhu and Lu Ming get so close?"
Not far away, Liu Yiyi stood gracefully beneath the eaves, watching the two of them chatting in front of the woods. She furrowed her brow.
For some reason, the sight made her feel uncomfortable.
Chen Feng stood beside her and smiled.
"I heard they've been coming here every day lately to spar."
"These past few days, they've chatted every day after sparring. Today, they've been talking especially long."
Liu Yiyi felt a little annoyed and curled her lip. "Qingzhu is usually so aloof and proud. I never knew she had her own little schemes.
"She's been sparring with Lu Ming every day, so she must have known his strength for a long time—and known he was capable of breaking into the top three.
"I can't believe she didn't tell me, so I could prepare in advance.
"Now that the Heavenly Secret Pavilion has recruited Lu Ming, her relationship with him seems to have conveniently grown even closer.
"Hmph, I don't understand. Even if Lu Ming wins the Red Token, he'll only place in the top three of a mere trial. Why has the Heavenly Secret Pavilion suddenly recruited him?
"Just look at Senior Brother Chen. He's such a genius, yet the Heavenly Secret Pavilion has never given him a second glance!"
Hearing this, a trace of jealousy stirred in Chen Feng's heart, and his expression darkened.
He, too, hadn't expected the Heavenly Secret Pavilion to recruit Lu Ming. They had even reprimanded Shen Changfeng and suppressed Guo Zhengwei for his sake!
With the Heavenly Secret Pavilion backing him, Lu Ming could now move freely around the city. No one would dare assassinate him again.
However, Chen Feng had already made Chen Jinyang move against Lu Ming so he could secure a spot for himself in a Third-Rate Sect ahead of time. He and Lu Ming were now mortal enemies.
This news was a major blow to him.
He glanced at Liu Yiyi beside him and thought, The best thing to do now is win over the Flying Dragon Martial Hall, a neutral force, and make sure Zhou Zhen's faction takes the initiative as soon as possible.
Only by rendering such a great service can I earn more rewards and cultivate faster.
In the martial world, strength was ultimately what mattered.
Although the Heavenly Secret Pavilion had recruited Lu Ming, it wouldn't go after Chen Feng for his sake.
As long as Chen Feng remained stronger than Lu Ming, there was no need to fear him.
And if Chen Feng could kill him openly in the competition, the Heavenly Secret Pavilion wouldn't come after him over a fallen genius.
With that in mind, Chen Feng smiled at Liu Yiyi.
"The situation is complicated now. As the saying goes, those who follow the Way have many helpers, while those who stray from it have few. Though Lu Ming has the Heavenly Secret Pavilion's support, he's offended the city's major powers.
"If he can't keep up his progress and loses his reputation as a genius, the Heavenly Secret Pavilion won't protect him anymore.
"The next contest for the Red Token will surely be even more intense. Someone might try to intercept him before he can claim it.
"Given how few connections Lu Ming has, it's hard to say whether he'll make it through. With his limited resources, one careless move could cost him everything.
"As for me, I've already secured an invitation from Senior Zhou and locked down a place as a disciple of Lingyun Sect.
"Yiyi, according to Senior Zhou, one of the reasons he came to Red Cloud County was to find exceptionally talented disciples for Lingyun Sect.
"I'm ready to recommend you to Senior Zhou and Brother Shen, so you can become a disciple of Lingyun Sect. Then we'll be fellow disciples again."
Liu Yiyi's eyes lit up. "Is that true? I—I can become a disciple of Lingyun Sect, too?"
Chen Feng smiled. "Don't sell yourself short, Yiyi. In my view, there was a large element of luck in your losing to Lu Ming in the last trial.
"If Lu Ming had been a little slower to break through, the outcome would have been different.
"If the Heavenly Secret Pavilion could recruit Lu Ming, then you can't be far behind.
"So becoming a disciple of Lingyun Sect should be well within your reach."
Hearing this, Liu Yiyi beamed. "If Senior Brother Chen hadn't recommended me, I might never have gotten this opportunity. If I really do become a disciple of Lingyun Sect, I'll have to thank you properly."
Chen Feng shook his head. "I'm only telling it like it is. Well, I have something to take care of. I'll be going first."
With that, he took his leave.
"Take care, Senior Brother," Liu Yiyi replied. She was about to leave, too, when she spotted Feng Qingzhu teaching Lu Ming martial arts in the clearing at the edge of the woods.
"Is that the Eighteen Green Bamboo Forms?" A look of disbelief appeared in Liu Yiyi's eyes.
She couldn't believe Feng Qingzhu was teaching Lu Ming the technique she had created herself.
It was practically unthinkable. Even when Li Youning had asked Feng Qingzhu to teach her, Feng Qingzhu had refused.
Could Qingzhu have secretly fallen for him? A thought flashed through Liu Yiyi's mind. No, I can't let her keep falling deeper.
Chen Feng had just hinted that someone might try to intercept Lu Ming in the next contest for the Red Token.
The Heavenly Secret Pavilion couldn't possibly interfere in that kind of competition.
If Lu Ming suffered even a minor setback then, he could easily lose his reputation as a genius and be discarded by the Heavenly Secret Pavilion.
After that, Shen Changfeng would never let Lu Ming off the hook.
If Feng Qingzhu got too deeply involved with Lu Ming, wouldn't she be in danger as well?
She hurried over at once.
When they saw her approaching, the two stopped the lesson and turned to look at her.
Liu Yiyi shot Lu Ming a cold glance, then said to Feng Qingzhu,
"Qingzhu, why are you teaching him the Eighteen Green Bamboo Forms, too? Don't get too involved with him. It won't do you any good."
Holding a green bamboo branch, Feng Qingzhu frowned at Liu Yiyi, who had suddenly come over and said something so inexplicable.
"This has nothing to do with you."
Liu Yiyi's face stiffened. Her breathing grew slightly ragged, and her chest rose and fell as she said,
"We've known each other for years. We're friends, so how can you say it has nothing to do with me?
"I'm saying this for your own good.
"Are you really going to stop treating me as a friend for Lu Ming's sake?
"If you won't listen to a friend's heartfelt advice, then there's no reason for us to remain friends."
Feng Qingzhu's expression remained unchanged. "It's a deal."
Liu Yiyi hadn't expected Feng Qingzhu to say that. Her expression shifted as she looked from Feng Qingzhu to Lu Ming, who stood nearby with an innocent expression. Her face turned red, then white.
"Fine! Fine!"
She turned and stormed off in a fit of embarrassment and anger.
Feng Qingzhu turned her gaze away without even sparing Liu Yiyi another glance.
Lu Ming looked apologetic. "Sorry for making you argue with your friend. Should we move somewhere more secluded for the lesson?"
"Li Youning's family used to lead the neutral forces in Red Cloud County, and she and I called each other friends, too. We weren't really friends to begin with."
Lu Ming understood. So that was it.
A strange feeling stirred in his heart. Feng Qingzhu had actually explained it to him.
Before, Feng Qingzhu would never have explained something like this to him.
Before you continue