After exchanging pleasantries for a while, the members of the Xiao Clan very considerately gave Xiao Yan and his many beloved companions some private time. What was going to happen next was clear to everyone—no one needed it spelled out. But unlike before, both Xun'er and Hun Dai'er had now broken through to the Dou Saint realm, qualifying them to take part in the "climax tournament."
During the warm-up phase, Zi Yan shamelessly declared she would "drain all of Xiao Yan's mana" and even proclaimed her imminent victory. Yet what she didn't realize was that Xiao Yan's current strength had long since transcended the need for any kind of "blue bar." And so, after a fierce bout, it was no surprise that Zi Yan was once again defeated—this time lamenting that she hadn't even forced Xiao Yan to use his full strength.
Without wasting a second mourning Zi Yan's defeat, the next one to charge onto the battlefield was the venomous beauty, Xiao Yixian.
But her physical endurance wasn't even on par with Zi Yan's, and her defeat came even quicker. Of the remaining women, only Cai Lin, possessing a magical beast body, managed to last a bit longer. Even when the rest ganged up on Xiao Yan together, they were swiftly overwhelmed. Zi Yan's proposed tactic of a group melee followed by a rotating assault ended in utter failure.
What shocked Xiao Yan most, however, was that the weakest of them all turned out to be none other than Hun Dai'er—the very same person who had arrogantly dismissed the challenge at the start. While the others held out for more than an hour before collapsing from exhaustion, she lasted less than ten minutes before she was on her knees begging for mercy.
Though it was her first real "battle," the embarrassing performance became the joke of the entire group. Especially since Xun'er—also a first-timer—had performed far better. During their post-battle analysis, Zi Yan didn't hesitate to mock her mercilessly: "You're just weak. Train harder."
Perhaps it was that taunt which stirred Hun Dai'er's competitive spirit. Since she couldn't defeat Xiao Yan head-on, she decided to improve her "technique" in other ways. For the next few days, she clung to Xiao Yan, claiming she needed to train diligently. Xiao Yan, naturally, played along.
And so, three days later, Hun Dai'er dislocated her jaw.
With that, her pursuit of "advanced study" ended in complete failure. From that day on, Hun Dai'er surrendered completely. If she once dreamed of salvaging some dignity, she now simply accepted her fate.
She even briefly considered pivoting into a more "submissive" role—only to be utterly crushed when she witnessed Qing Lin's level of professionalism. After watching her in action, Hun Dai'er realized the harsh truth: everyone here had their own unique skillset—except her. She was the true rookie of the group.
During this time, Lin Jing also finally returned from her training. In just a short period, her cultivation had grown at a shocking pace—already reaching the Life Profound Realm, and faintly touching its peak. Compared to the Dou Qi Continent's system, she was nearing the level of a Dou Zun.
Upon hearing that Xiao Yan had returned, Lin Jing was thrilled. But her joy was short-lived—completely doused when Xiao Yan said:
"I'm with your adoptive mother, Qing Tan now. From today, you'll have to call me father."
This revelation hit Lin Jing like a thunderbolt. Even as she left Xiao Yan's room, she looked utterly heartbroken.
"I was first... Whether I met him first, or liked him first... Why did it have to end like this..."
"Tsk, tsk... How tragic." A mocking voice interrupted her self-pity. Lin Jing looked up and saw a girl with a blue jade ruler strapped to her back, leaning lazily against a tree.
This girl was none other than Xiao Yan's first disciple, the infamous Blood Calamity Witch who once brought a storm of blood across the Central Region—Ye Lingyu. Here at Starfall Pavilion, she held another identity: the named disciple of the pavilion's young master, known as You Quan.
"Go ahead and laugh. Is it really that funny?" Lin Jing snapped irritably. But her expression quickly darkened even more. Her already slim chance had now shrunk to nothing. The master-disciple bond was already an obstacle—but now that had been upgraded to a father-daughter dynamic, what hope was left?
"You care too much about societal norms. That's why you're hesitating." Ye Lingyu scoffed coldly. "If I were you, this wouldn't be the situation."
"You speak as if we didn't have that relationship. He doesn't even like me back!" Lin Jing rolled her eyes.
"Happiness isn't handed to you—you have to fight for it. If you keep playing the good little disciple, he'll never see you as anything else." Ye Lingyu sighed. "Whatever. Since we share the same master, and the same goal, I'll help you achieve your dream."
"You'll help me? How?"
"Like this..." Ye Lingyu leaned in and whispered her entire plan into Lin Jing's ear.
After hearing it, Lin Jing's cheeks flushed crimson. "That's... That's kind of shameless, isn't it?"
"If you think it's too shameless, you don't have to join. But if I succeed, you'll have to respectfully call me 'Master's wife'." Ye Lingyu grinned wickedly and turned to leave.
She hadn't taken more than a few steps when Lin Jing suddenly called out, "Wait!"
"Hmm? Changed your mind?" Ye Lingyu glanced back, smirking.
"Take me with you..." Lin Jing mumbled awkwardly. Though she still felt Ye Lingyu's plan was utterly indecent, she also knew that if she truly wanted to win Xiao Yan's heart, this was probably her only shot. On her own, she would never have the courage. But teaming up with Ye Lingyu? Maybe, just maybe, it was possible.
If Xiao Yan had been present to hear what the two disciples he'd painstakingly trained were now plotting, he would've been utterly speechless—and likely question every decision he ever made as a teacher.
"Since we're agreed, you go get ready first." Ye Lingyu gently patted Lin Jing's shoulder before sending her off. Then she turned and strolled toward Xiao Yan's room.
"Master... I'm coming in now~"
(End of Chapter)
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