"I'll give you time to catch up, until you…"
"…can no longer even glimpse my shadow!"
The clear, resonant voice carried a trace of aloof pride and unshakable confidence. The striking figure's back radiated the spirited vigor of youth.
In that moment, Qi Hao froze.
He stared blankly at Ji Changfeng's retreating silhouette, as if the distance between them had stretched to an unreachable chasm.
But… hadn't Ji Changfeng been standing right before him?
Could he truly have broken through to the Upper Purity realm?
No!
Impossible!
Absolutely impossible!
No matter how prodigious Ji Changfeng was, breaking through to Upper Purity in a mere five years was unheard of in the entire history of Qingyun Sect…
Qi Hao refused to believe it.
We're both at the ninth layer of Jade Purity. This defeat was merely due to my carelessness.
Next time!
Next time we clash, I will win!!
Qi Hao roared inwardly, his heart ablaze with defiance.
At that moment, the hall of Shoujing Tang fell into a heavy silence.
Everyone present had witnessed the scene unfold.
Ji Changfeng's confidence and pride; Qi Hao's resentment and defeat.
When they heard Ji Changfeng's bold declaration, a shiver ran through them, their blood surging with excitement.
"Those I've defeated are never worthy of being my rivals?"
What audacity!
What arrogance!
And yet, Ji Changfeng had the strength and the right to back it up.
Qi Hao, a favored contender to win this generation's Seven Peaks Tournament, had reached the peak of Jade Purity's ninth layer decades ago.
Yet even someone of his caliber…
…couldn't withstand a single move from Ji Changfeng?!
What's more, Ji Changfeng hadn't even drawn his sword.
The legendary blades, Moxue and Zhanlong, cradled in his arms, hadn't so much as twitched.
Who could imagine the terrifying heights his strength would reach if he unsheathed them?
Tian Linger gazed at the captivating figure, her eyes sparkling with an unfamiliar glimmer. As she studied Ji Changfeng's chiseled profile, a strange emotion stirred in her heart…
Young women naturally admired the strong.
And this particular powerhouse had doted on her like a daughter for five years!
In that moment, her filial affection began to shift.
Zhang Xiaofan stared at Ji Changfeng in a daze, the young man's words echoing in his ears, igniting a fire in his chest…
This is Seventh Senior Brother?
Yes.
Only Seventh Senior Brother could utter such domineering words!
"Well said!"
"Brilliantly said!"
Tian Buyi, unable to contain his excitement, slapped the armrest of his chair. He even rose to his feet, eager to cheer loudly for Ji Changfeng's offhand remark.
What a "beyond your reach"!
Truly magnificent!
Su Ru, watching the striking figure, saw her own words from years past come to life…
This era belonged to Ji Changfeng!
It was the era of Ji Changfeng!
Qi Hao could no longer bear to look at that dazzling silhouette.
He turned to Tian Buyi, bowing respectfully. "Uncle Tian, I was sent by my master to accompany Junior Brother Lin to visit friends at Dazhu Peak. If we've caused any offense, I beg your forgiveness…"
Tian Buyi waved a hand dismissively.
He was in high spirits today.
No need to nitpick.
Relieved, Qi Hao exhaled softly.
He hurried to the unconscious Lin Jingyu, gently rousing him. "Junior Brother Lin? Junior Brother Lin?"
Lin Jingyu stirred awake.
The moment his eyes opened, he glared at Ji Changfeng with burning resentment.
Ji Changfeng, unfazed, ignored the fool.
Tian Buyi, meanwhile, felt a pang of gratitude.
Thank heavens I didn't outbid Cang Song back then and take in that dimwit Lin Jingyu…
"Jingyu, let's step aside and talk," Zhang Xiaofan said, pulling Lin Jingyu away.
Otherwise, would he stay to get beaten again?
In an instant, Qi Hao was the only outsider left in Shoujing Tang.
He stood awkwardly, his gaze sweeping the room, searching for someone to speak with but unsure who to approach…
Finally, his eyes landed on Tian Linger.
"Hm?"
His expression brightened.
Tian Linger, around sixteen years old, was in the bloom of youth. Clad in vibrant red, with amber silk tied at her waist, her fair skin glowed like jade, her demeanor lively and charming…
"Could this be Junior Sister Tian Linger?" Qi Hao stepped forward, offering what he thought was a warm smile.
"You know me?" Tian Linger's brows furrowed slightly.
The earlier events had soured her impression of Qi Hao. A senior brother of their sect, yet he schemed against his own junior brother?
Hmph!
And that fool Lin Jingyu couldn't even see it.
Tian Linger subtly shifted closer to Ji Changfeng's side.
Qi Hao's smile stiffened.
He avoided looking at Ji Changfeng, whose brilliance was too blinding. He feared the confidence he'd painstakingly rebuilt…
…would be shattered by Ji Changfeng without mercy!
Forcing a smile, Qi Hao said to Tian Linger, "Junior Sister Tian, at just sixteen, your mastery of the Taiji Xuanqing Dao is already remarkable."
"Your reputation has spread throughout Qingyun Sect. I've long admired you…"
The words hung in the air, and the room's atmosphere shifted subtly.
Long admired her?!
If memory served, wasn't Qi Hao well over a hundred years old?
And he knew Tian Linger was only sixteen?
Tian Buyi's face darkened.
Su Ru's brows knitted slightly.
But as elders, they couldn't intervene directly.
They could only watch in silence.
Tian Linger, faced with Qi Hao's flattery, felt only embarrassment.
Please.
My parents and all my senior brothers are right here.
Can't you pick a better time to spout nonsense?!
I've never even fought in Qingyun Sect. How would you know my cultivation is remarkable?
With a hint of disdain, Tian Linger retorted, "You're quite something, aren't you? Leading your junior brother astray is one thing, but now you're spouting nonsense…"
"I've never fought in Qingyun Sect. How would you know my cultivation is impressive?"
Her words drew stifled chuckles from the crowd.
Su Ru, her tone neutral, chided, "Linger, don't be rude to your senior brother."
Qi Hao's face paled.
With an awkward smile, he pulled a small box from his robe. "My words were careless and offended Junior Sister Tian…"
"This 'Cooling Pearl' in the box was something I chanced upon while exterminating a group of demonic cultivators. It's no rare treasure, but it can enhance beauty and vitality."
"I offer it to Junior Sister Tian as an apology."
All eyes turned to the box.
"Enhance beauty?" A spark of curiosity flickered in Tian Linger's eyes.
Then she remembered Ji Changfeng's Youth-Retaining Pill.
Compared to the Cooling Pearl, the Youth-Retaining Pill was far superior, preserving one's appearance for a century. A mere Cooling Pearl was nothing!
Ignoring Qi Hao, Tian Linger turned to Ji Changfeng with pleading eyes.
"Hey! Ji Changfeng."
"Can't you give me another Youth-Retaining Pill?~"
She tugged at his arm, her soft, warm frame pressing close, her eyes gleaming with longing as she swayed gently.
Ji Changfeng glanced at her, a touch of exasperation in his eyes.
Fine, I'll indulge her a bit more.
No helping it.
If I don't cherish her, some slick fool will.
When Qi Hao presented the Cooling Pearl to Tian Linger, Ji Changfeng couldn't shake the feeling that Qi Hao was taunting him—
Old man, is my shiny ride safe parked downstairs at your place?
…
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