Why is she staring at me?
Ji Changfeng casually tied the Amber Silk around his waist, his mind tinged with confusion.
Forget it.
No need to overthink.
Ji Changfeng shook his head lightly.
On the platform, Taoist Cangsong began another long-winded lecture on grand principles. Most of the disciples listened attentively, but Ji Changfeng slowly lowered his head…
In one ear, out the other.
Taoist Cangsong, even if he noticed, said nothing.
How could Martial Nephew Changfeng be daydreaming?
He must be pondering some cultivation matter!
Yes!
That's it!
Taoist Cangsong spoke for nearly an hour before yielding the stage to Sect Leader, Master Daoxuan.
Master Daoxuan offered a few words of encouragement, then waved his hand, dismissing the disciples to rest…
This was the usual routine.
Taoist Cangsong played the strict enforcer, while Master Daoxuan took the role of the benevolent leader.
The head elders were all accustomed to this.
It was precisely why Master Daoxuan favored Taoist Cangsong so much.
Night fell, a gentle breeze stirring the air.
The moon hung high in the sky, casting soft, radiant light. Its silver glow flowed like a delicate stream, draping Tongtian Peak in a dreamy veil.
Ji Changfeng, cradling the divine swords Moxue and Zhanlong, with the Amber Silk tied at his waist, strolled to a small grove near the Sea of Clouds.
He set the two swords aside.
Then, drawing the Amber Silk from his waist, he used it to fashion a simple hammock between two nearby trees.
"Hmm…"
"Not bad. Quite comfortable!"
Ji Changfeng tested it out, pleasantly surprised.
Swish—
Just then, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a figure standing atop the Sea of Clouds.
Clad in a white dress, she held a cerulean divine sword. Her slender waist seemed delicate enough to break with a single grasp, and her cool, refined face glowed softly under the moonlight, exuding an ethereal beauty…
Lu Xueqi?
What's she doing out here so late?
Ji Changfeng paused, momentarily stunned.
After a brief hesitation, he waved lightly to her.
Lu Xueqi, clutching the Tianya Sword, silently observed the figure busying himself in the grove, her thoughts drifting.
So…
He borrowed Junior Sister Ling'er's Amber Silk to build a hammock for sleeping?
Lu Xueqi found it faintly amusing.
If Junior Sister Ling'er found out, they'd probably end up bickering, wouldn't they?
Swish—
At that moment, the figure in the grove suddenly waved to her.
Lu Xueqi hesitated briefly.
Then, she stepped forward, making her way toward him.
Standing beside the hammock crafted from the Amber Silk, she heard Ji Changfeng say, "It's late. Why aren't you sleeping? What brings you out here?"
Lu Xueqi gazed coolly at the young man before her. Shaking her head slightly, she replied sparingly, "Couldn't sleep."
Ji Changfeng nodded, saying nothing more.
He patted the spot beside him, inviting her, "Want to try it? It's pretty comfortable."
Lu Xueqi hesitated.
She was curious to see how it felt, but knowing this was Junior Sister Ling'er's treasure…
She wavered.
"It's fine, come on up," Ji Changfeng said with a smile, seeing through her reluctance. "She won't know."
Lu Xueqi paused.
Finally, she settled onto the hammock made from the Amber Silk.
"How is it? Comfortable, right?" Ji Changfeng chuckled lightly.
Lu Xueqi nodded reservedly.
Leaning back hesitantly, her body felt light, and the hammock swayed gently.
For a while, neither spoke.
They lay there, gazing silently at the dazzling starry sky.
Before long, Lu Xueqi slowly rose.
"Heading back?" Ji Changfeng asked.
"Mm." Lu Xueqi nodded slightly. Her bright eyes met his, her tone resolute. "At the Seven Peaks Tournament, I'll give it my all!"
Giving it her all meant I'm determined to win. Ji Changfeng smiled. "Good."
Lu Xueqi lingered, as if waiting for him to say something more.
"What's wrong?" Ji Changfeng asked, puzzled.
Lu Xueqi paused, her lips pressing together briefly. "You need to give it your all too!"
Ji Changfeng grinned. "Alright, I'll give it my all too!"
Of course, that's assuming you can push me to that point… he added silently.
Lu Xueqi left.
The cool, solitary girl, clutching Tianya, blended into the moonlight above the Sea of Clouds, gradually vanishing from sight…
Ji Changfeng lay back on the hammock.
Gazing at the stars, he felt a quiet anticipation for the Seven Peaks Tournament tomorrow.
The next day, Tongtian Peak buzzed with excitement.
Under the watchful eyes of his Master and Shi Niang, and with the encouragement of his Senior Brothers from Dazhu Peak, Ji Changfeng stepped onto the arena…
At the same time, Lin Jingyu from Longshou Peak, gripping his treasure, ascended the platform.
The moment he stepped up, he glared at Ji Changfeng, his voice thick with anger. "Ji Changfeng! Last time, I was careless, and that's why I lost to you!"
"Today, I'll wash away that disgrace!"
Below, the disciples of Longshou Peak rallied, cheering for Lin Jingyu, led by Qi Hao and his group.
The Dazhu Peak disciples, on the other hand, scoffed.
Lost and still making excuses about being careless?
Tian Ling'er, clearly annoyed with Lin Jingyu, cupped her hands like a megaphone and shouted to Ji Changfeng, "Ji Changfeng! Teach this guy a lesson!"
Ji Changfeng gave a faint smile.
His peripheral vision caught a glimpse of a cool, composed girl holding Tianya not far from the arena.
Lu Xueqi was here too?
Ji Changfeng understood.
Without further hesitation, he turned his gaze to Lin Jingyu.
"One move," Ji Changfeng said, slowly raising a single finger.
"What?" Lin Jingyu frowned, confused.
Ji Changfeng's voice was calm. "I'll make one move. If you can block it, I'll consider it my loss."
His words ignited a firestorm. Lin Jingyu on the arena and the Longshou Peak disciples below erupted in fury.
"Arrogant!"
"Utterly shameless!"
"Don't be afraid, Junior Brother Lin! Go all out!"
A Longshou Peak disciple named Fang Chao shouted loudly.
In the corner, Lu Xueqi glanced at him.
At that moment, Ji Changfeng, cradling his two divine swords, regarded Lin Jingyu with an impassive gaze.
Ignoring their outrage, he leisurely raised his right hand, index and middle fingers extended in a sword gesture, and…
Pointed lightly at Lin Jingyu.
Boom—
In an instant, a towering sword intent surged toward the heavens.
The pale cyan sword intent morphed into a graceful, dancing serpent, lunging toward Lin Jingyu with unrelenting force.
Two Sleeves, Azure Serpent!
Lin Jingyu's face paled in shock.
He hurriedly raised his treasure to defend, but…
The sword intent was blindingly fast!
In the blink of an eye, it was upon him, piercing his body and disrupting his spiritual energy…
Thud—
Lin Jingyu collapsed to his knees in agony.
Unwilling, he looked up, catching only a blurred silhouette and…
A clear, resonant voice ringing in his ears.
"Can't even withstand a single thread of my sword intent?"
"You're not worthy to be my opponent!"
"Remember! Losing to me is the only thing worth remembering in your life!"
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