Chapter 108

Time has passed, and the little girl of yesteryear has grown up, but her eyes remain as pure as ever. Time has made her grow up, but it has not changed her innocence.

Qiaoqiao asked, "How did Master recognize me?"

Fifteen years have passed, and time has left no trace on Master, but Qiaoqiao has grown from five to twenty years old. She has blossomed into a beautiful young woman. How could Master recognize her at a glance?

Bai Fu's lips curled slightly, but she did not answer.

Before she could ask any more questions, the white crane under the tree cried out excitedly, "Qiaoqiao, I got it! I got it!"

A Xue flew to Qiaoqiao like she was presenting a treasure, carrying a green pear in her mouth, and handed it to her. "Gah, I won!"

Qiaoqiao smiled and patted its head. "Good boy, as a reward, you can eat all the fruit from this tree."

A Xue was dumbfounded.

The fruit on this tree is free for it to eat, okay?

No, we offered it some, but it wouldn't eat it! As a spirited crane, how could eating a pear be worthy of its status?

A Xue realized she had been completely fooled. She snorted angrily, flapped her wings, and flew away, not even bothering to acknowledge Bai Fu standing to the side.

Qiaoqiao chuckled to herself, glancing at the green pear in her hand. Her eyes darted around, and she said, "Master, please have some."

The newly formed green pears of early autumn were small, their deep green color and rough skin making her hands appear even more like jade. Her almond-shaped eyes curved into crescents, and her voice was soft, "Would you like to try some, Master?"

At that moment, Bai Fu didn't know what had bewitched him, but he picked up the green pear, put it to his lips, and took a bite.

"Is it delicious?" Qiaoqiao asked eagerly.

Her eyes were filled with curiosity, and Bai Fu returned the fruit to her.

Judging from Master's expression, the pear shouldn't be bad?

Qiaoqiao switched sides and took a bite.

Juice from the green pear overflowed, followed by a surge of tartness that sent shivers down one's spine and made gums tingle. The sourness was absolutely indescribable; Qiaoqiao's features scrunched up, she shuddered, and spat twice, "It's so sour!"

She guessed the pear might be sour, but she didn't expect it to be this sour.

She had only meant to joke with her master, but instead, she was fooled by his expression and ended up being the one who fell for it. This was the first time she had ever been tricked like this.

Master must have done it on purpose!

I never expected that my seemingly serious master would also be a person who can joke around.

Having learned her lesson this time, she was determined to make her master fall for her tricks again!

Unfortunately, Qiaoqiao never had the chance to trick him again. After he emerged from seclusion, everything changed too quickly, and in the end, he was left alone to recall that day, the unfading bright sunlight, and the smiling girl under the pear tree.

And then there's that indescribably sour and astringent taste of green pears.

"Master, did you arrange for Aqi to come?" The night breeze gently blew, Qiaoqiao's voice pulled him back to reality.

"Yes."

"I guessed right!"

[Master is truly a great teammate in the cultivation world!]

[Best assist!]

Bai Fu's lips curled into a subtle smile.

Are you prepared for tomorrow's competition?

"Yes, but not much," she answered honestly to her master.

Bai Fu had anticipated this, and asked again, "Do you want to win?"

"Think!"

She flipped over and jumped into the courtyard from the window, her eyes bright. "Master, are you going to teach me some amazing skills?"

You've already learned what you needed to learn.

Bai Fu raised his hand. The lines on his palm were clear, his skin was as white as jade, and his fingers were long and slender like bamboo. It was a flawless hand. Qiaoqiao peeked in, wondering if her master was... letting her read his palm?

Unfortunately, she couldn't understand it; she only thought her master's hands were very beautiful, and upon closer inspection, the life line seemed to have some bumps.

A cold glint flashed, and a slender white longsword appeared in his hand. The silver scabbard reflected the moonlight, giving it a texture like snow. Bai Fu handed the longsword to her.

The sword was cold, like holding a handful of ice and snow. It was lighter than I had imagined. A few inches after it was drawn from its sheath, it gleamed with a cold light. The blade was light and ethereal, like a thin veil.

"What a fine sword!" Qiaoqiao couldn't help but exclaim.

She looked at the sword as if she had found a treasure, and Bai Fu looked at her with the same expression.

"Master, is this your sword?"

"This sword is called ' Remnant Snow,' and it's a sword I used to use."

Wow.

The light in Qiaoqiao's eyes shone even brighter; her master had actually given her his sword to use!

It seems it's only a matter of time before she replaces the senior brother as the senior sister of Ethereal Peak!

[Hmm...] She secretly glanced at Bai Fu, muttering to herself: [Is Master being a little biased towards me?]

Perhaps it was just her imagination?

A slight unease stirred within Qiaoqiao.

Bai Fu's gaze darkened slightly as he said, "I will show you the sharpness of this sword."

"Good."

He stepped forward and grasped the upper part of the sword hilt.

The cool fragrance of plum blossoms wafted around me.

Qiaoqiao wanted to turn around and look at him. What expression would her master have at that moment?

But the sword's momentum had already begun, and she had no choice but to shift her attention back to the sword moves. When the person behind her raised their sword, the world around her seemed to lose its color, and she involuntarily immersed herself in practicing the sword moves.

The moonlight shifted gently, Sword Qi crisscrossed, and the two shadows cast in the courtyard seemed to be nestled together.

--

The venue was packed with people on the day of the final competition.

The disciples of the Flowing Cloud Sect were finally able to hold their heads high, no longer having to face the sarcastic remarks and sarcasm from the other three sects. They were even greeted with smiles wherever they went.

"How's your preparation going, Junior Sister Qiao? You must do your best!"