He grabbed a handful of newly crafted talismans and handed them to Du Siwen, saying solemnly, "Senior Sister, thank you! I just crafted these talismans. Take them! Don't be afraid to use them up. Once you enter the arena, just pelt them to death with talismans!"
"Then I won't stand on ceremony! We're family, after all. Being too polite would only make us seem like strangers!"
Xu Qingtong's face darkened with exasperation. This Third Senior Sister of his really would say anything!
"Oh, right, Little Junior Brother, there are two people you need to watch out for in the competition the day after tomorrow. One is Zhuang Shengren of Sword Peak, and the other is Hong Wuyang of Heavenly Pillar Peak. Both have reached the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining, with deep reserves of magic power and plenty of tricks. They're among those most likely to place in the top five in this Autumn Sword-Tournament." Remembering her real reason for coming to see her junior brother, Du Siwen began introducing them to Xu Qingtong.
"Sword Peak's master, Martial Uncle Chen Tianzhuo, doesn't get along with Master, and we've often been at odds with Sword Peak as well. We haven't had much conflict with Heavenly Pillar Peak, but Hong Wuyang is Chai Long's cousin. Those two have always been close, so you must be on your guard."
Xu Qingtong nodded silently, committing the two to memory. After a moment's thought, he asked, "Third Senior Sister, how do those two compare to you?"
Du Siwen said, "Before, I would have been a little weaker than either of them. But now, with the Spirit Artifact armor you gave me, I should have a sixty or seventy percent chance of winning."
"Mm, then I can rest easy!" Xu Qingtong let out a breath and