Further ahead, Liu Si’er vaguely heard the sound of laughter and grumbled to himself.
’I wonder what those Fledglings are talking about.’
At that moment, Xiao Wan’er came to her senses, her face instantly flushing crimson.
"That’s not what you said at all."
"How could it not be?"
"W-Well, my second sister is more talented than I am."
"That’s true. In that case, there are only the two celestial maidens of the Xiao Family."
"And, and Little Sister Qingwu! Her talent for Martial Arts is quite good too."
"Oh, her."
Chen Yi was tempted to say Cui Qingwu was ugly, but considering her relationship with Chen Yunfan—not to mention her own rather stunning looks—he just nodded.
"That only makes three. We’re still one short of the Four Great Beauties..."
With all the lighthearted banter, Xiao Wan’er was finally pulled from her reverie, proving Chen Yi’s shameless teasing hadn’t been for naught.
Seeing she couldn’t win the argument, Xiao Wan’er quickly changed the subject.
"Some time ago, Little Sister Qingwu mentioned she wanted to come visit. I wonder when she’ll be here."
Chen Yi looked at Xiao Wan’er, who had once again burrowed her head down into her greatcloak, and asked with a smile,
"When did you two get so close?"
"The Mid-Autumn Poetry Gala."
"Actually, I can tell Little Sister Qingwu has very deep feelings for that brother of yours."
"Oh? How can you tell?"
"You might not believe it, but..."
Of course, Chen Yi believed it.
He could see it, too.
Perhaps his brother, Chen Yunfan, could as well.
It was just that he always felt Chen Yunfan was a bit of a flake—even more of one than he was.
As these thoughts crossed his mind, Chen Yi couldn’t help but recall the duel between Chen Yunfan and Cui Qingwu from earlier that day.
’Considering their respective levels in Martial Arts, Chen Yunfan should have the upper hand.’
...
The upper hand? It was far more than that.
Chen Yunfan didn’t know how to pull his punches.
If not for the fact that Cui Qingwu’s Cultivation was a full two Realms below his, he would have been itching to use his full strength.
Even so, just fifteen minutes into the duel, Cui Qingwu’s forehead was already beaded with sweat, and her arms and legs stung with a burning pain.
She furrowed her brow and glared at Chen Yunfan. "You promised you would only use your Sword Dao at the Minor Success Realm!"
Chen Yunfan, holding his sword in one hand, stood tall and straight. With a grim expression, he shook his head and said,
"Using my full strength in our duel is the greatest respect I can show you, Qingwu."
Cui Qingwu opened her mouth to retort, but she knew he was just being difficult again.
"Brother Yunfan, y-you’re cheating!"
Chen Yunfan turned away from her, executing a flourish with his sword. "Ah, Qingwu, you don’t know the pain in my heart."
"Pain?"
Cui Qingwu’s expression softened a little. "Is Brother Yunfan’s heart aching because I’m hurt?"
But to her surprise, Chen Yunfan shook his head again. "Not at all."
"My heart aches because your Sword Dao Realm is too low to help me improve my own Martial Arts."
He had been working tirelessly these past few days to raise his Sword Dao Realm as quickly as possible.
He practiced his Swordsmanship diligently, day in and day out.
But alas, the Martial Arts Realm prized intent and enlightenment, and his Sword Dao Realm seemed to have hit a bottleneck, refusing to advance in the slightest.
Chen Yunfan grew more and more anxious. ’At this rate, when will I ever be strong enough to go and beat up Brother Yi?’
That was why he had sought out Cui Qingwu for a duel—despite her being a notch below him in both Cultivation and Martial Arts—hoping the fight might spark a breakthrough.
Unaware of his true intentions, Cui Qingwu was instantly incensed by his words. Brandishing her Long Sword, she charged.
"Take this!"
"A fine strike!"
Chen Yunfan didn’t move an inch. He simply tapped his sword against her Long Sword, then with a flick of his wrist, slapped the flat of his blade against her waist.