Widow Shen, Shen Sanniang

The Martial Practice Ground's fighting platform had been cleared, but the Qi Condensation duel had left a deep impression on everyone: even among Qi Condensation cultivators, there were vast differences in strength.

"Chief Disciple Ye's movement technique was truly impossible to predict. There was almost no difference between his phantom and his real body."

"I couldn't even react from below the platform."

Ye An knew Yu Shaowei was only being polite. "You flatter me, Miss Yu. It was nothing but a petty trick. If you fought me, you could see through my Secret Art just by circulating your cultivation technique."

Yu Shaowei smiled. She knew Ye An was being modest, and judging by that fight, he clearly hadn't used his full strength.

Elder Zhou had come over from the edge of the Martial Practice Ground. When he reached Ye An, he made a show of looking him up and down before speaking cautiously.

"Chief Disciple Ye... are you hurt?"

"You worry too much, Elder Zhou. I'm fine."

Elder Zhou pressed a hand to his chest and let out a long breath. "No one at the same cultivation level can match Chief Disciple Ye. How could you be hurt? I spoke out of turn."

After saying that, Elder Zhou did not leave. He lingered, looking as though he wanted to say something.

Ye An noticed and asked directly, "If something's on your mind, Elder Zhou, just say it."

Elder Zhou gave two dry chuckles, edged half a step closer, and lowered his voice. "Chief Disciple Ye... I have a personal matter to attend to in Clear River Commandery City."

"So I wanted to ask whether we could delay our return to the Sect by two days before reporting back."

Afraid Ye An would refuse, Elder Zhou hurried to explain. "I know