The singing duel was over. The winner was clear. Long Yifei bowed to her opponent and returned to Chen Wentian's side. It was only the first one for the singing portion. It would only get more and more competitive in later rounds.
The rest of the day passed in a blur. Because there were only four arenas for both singing and dancing and there were many competitors, especially in the initial rounds, there was a lot of idle waiting. Long Yifei dutifully spent the time meditating and practicing.
Chen Wentian didn't do much of anything. He was here as Chen Mo and his main soul was sailing toward the Temple of the Clouds. Shadow foxes tended to be sleepy during the day and active at night. Thus, he couldn't help but close his eyes and enjoy a few naps. This made him seem carefree and irresponsible to other acolytes but he didn't care.
By sundown, Long Yifei had won three rounds of dancing and two rounds of singing. The competition would resume the next day while the sacred daughters and acolytes were again invited to a dinner party, this time in the main hall.
This end-of-year examination was also an opportunity for various immortals and important figures of the continent to meet and greet each other. It wasn't uncommon to see old friendships rekindled or new alliances formed. But such matters had nothing to do with Chen Wentian or Long Yifei. Staying would only invite ridicule and cause more problems.
They retreated to her room for the evening. This time, there were no extracurricular activities unlike the previous night. Since he was here as Chen Mo, he kept his hands to himself. Long Yifei continued cultivating while he turned into a shadow and silently roamed the deserted corridors, searching for people in inappropriate situations the same way Prioress Xuan had caught them the night before.
---
Halfway across the continent, Chen Wentian was having an equally boring night on the Skyward General. The flying boat was soaring steadily toward the north. Immortal Silver Brawler Yu Yanwu was at the helm, guiding the craft with a steady hand. His disciples occupied the various private rooms onboard.
Usually, such an arrangement would have resulted in him spending the night in one of their beds. He currently held the identity of Immortal Sword Bandit Lin Huzhong and none of them wanted to do anything with him, at least when he was in his disguise. He was quite offended by this.
He could understand Lin Qingcheng, Zhou Ziyun, and a few of the others rejecting him as he had always spoiled them. However, even Wu Qianyu and Li Yuechan pushed him out of their rooms. He was supposed to be their master. Whatever happened to that?
In the end, he found solace in the only disciple who did not despise his current appearance.
"Master," Peng Lingxi said as she refilled his wine cup.
The two sat across from each other in a small cabin at the rear of the ship. A small table was between them, empty except for a bottle of wine and two cups.
Chen Wentian held up the cup and downed it in one gulp, "Hah… these bandits have really good wine. Much higher quality than what we can get in the subcontinent."
She smiled and quickly filled his cup again.
He chuckled and looked out of the window. A bright moon illuminated passing dark clouds. It was like a roiling sea from their vantage point, hiding a dangerous wilderness below.
"Master, that sword art you displayed when fighting with Yu Baosi, it was that sword art, wasn't it?"
"Oh? You recognized it?"
She glanced at him, "How could I not? I saw it once in Dugu's Cavern and I will never forget it. Does it have a name?"
"I can't teach it to you, because it's impossible to learn."
"That's okay. I just want to know."
He nodded, "Alright. There are few secrets I can hide forever from my disciples… Its name is the Descent of Ascalon. It is a sword art utilized exclusively by the dragon clans. Without a dragon's source of power, you won't be able to learn it or even mimic its might. I only know the first sword which is called the first descent, Thousand Sword Crusade."
"Descent of Ascalon… Thousand Sword Crusade…" She whispered those names reverently, "Master, you displayed this sword art's might today. You are sure it won't discovered by others?"
"That is always a risk. But it was the best of several bad choices." He replied.
"How so?"
"To quickly subdue Yu Baosi, I had to utilize overwhelming force. I didn't want to use my dragon flames as that would reveal my true identity. I didn't want to reveal my Spirit King Realm cultivation as that would reveal one of my most important secrets. Compared to those, the Descent of Ascalon seemed like the best choice for scaring him half to death. It also maintains my cover as a sword master."
"What about Dugu's Tenth Sword?" She asked.
He shook his head, "I needed him alive and in one piece."
"Ah…"
A hint of color appeared on her cheeks and she looked away bashfully. She had started to practice Dugu's Tenth Sword and understood its destructive power and killing potential. Once senior Dugu's sword was drawn, blood would flow. This was the case for mortals and even more true for immortals.
Peng Lingxi downed her own cup of wine and poured another, "Did the others really reject master tonight?"
He laughed, "What can I do? Should I have picked a better disguise? Even then, I think some of them will be reluctant as it won't resemble my real appearance."
She looked up and studied him for a few breaths, "I don't mind."
"Really?"
"Really."
"What if this wasn't a disguise? What if when you met me again after all those years, I was truly fat? Or maybe I was maimed and couldn't cultivate anymore?"
Peng Lingxi reached over and placed her hand on his. Her slender, pale fingers struck a sharp contrast against his oversized, albeit fake ones.
"Master, you will be the dearest person to me. I won't think any different."
"Oh?" He wagged his eyebrows, "Then how about a kiss."
She giggled and leaned in. She closed her eyes and patiently waited.
Chen Wentian looked down at her pink, slightly pale lips and was almost tempted. He could feel her emotions and yearned to close the distance. She was his twelfth disciple. His feelings for her couldn't compare to the others. But seeing her like this, he felt himself helplessly falling for her. To him, a woman's pure-hearted love was perhaps his greatest weakness. How could he say no to her?
"Ahem," He coughed awkwardly, "Maybe another time."
Peng Lingxi opened her eyes and pouted.
He chuckled, "You are willing but I can't bear it. I don't want to be unfair to you."
She got up and jumped into his lap, "Master, can't you bear it?"
She gave him a playful smile, "It's rare that I can get you to myself. Since my sisters have rejected you, then let this disciple keep you company tonight."
With that, she hooked her arms around his neck and pulled him in for a kiss.
---
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