Back then, Bai Yang had heard many rumors about Lu Xingyao—how he disliked Song Wanníng, how their relationship was strained.
But now, seeing them with his own eyes, he realized most of it had been false.
Word was, Lu Xingyao came to spar with her nearly every day, leaving each time in high spirits.
And his Master… didn't seem to mind him at all.
They clashed with fierce momentum, sword intent blazing between them.
Now, catching sight of them from afar, Bai Yang didn't even dare to approach.
After the match ended, his Master was smiling—bright and radiant, a smile that reached the heart.
It had been so long since Bai Yang had seen that expression.
A surge of envy stirred in his chest. He silently hoped that Elder Gu would win today's duel.
"Gu Qingyuan still hasn't arrived?" Lu Xingyao stood with his sword strapped across his back, voice cold and direct. "I've waited half a month already. What is he trying to pull now?"
"Please don't be impatient, Lu Daoyou," the Sect Master said with a polite smile. "Junior Brother Gu had some personal matters to attend to. He'll be here shortly."
Even as he smiled, he cursed Gu Qingyuan ten times over in his heart.
"Oh? Then it seems Gu Daoyou is so confident about today's duel that he has time to run errands."
Lu Xingyao gave a mocking smirk. The sword on his back hummed with resonance. To show up late like this—he was clearly looking down on them.
His fighting spirit ignited at once. He wanted to see for himself just how capable Gu Qingyuan really was. With bold strides, Lu Xingyao took a seat, his aura sharp enough that no one dared come near.
Song Wanníng simply smiled and said nothing. She strolled over and sat down, then leisurely took out the snacks she'd prepared and began eating in plain view of everyone.
She knew exactly what Gu Qingyuan had gone to do.
Today was the day Ye Chuxue would return from Erosion Wind Cave.
How touching—their "deep bond as master and disciple"...
—
Gu Qingyuan arrived at the dueling platform with Ye Chuxue.
Countless eyes turned to them in an instant.
Curious, judgmental, scornful, disdainful…
All kinds of gazes made Ye Chuxue deeply uncomfortable.
She pressed her lips together. The irony cut deep.
So what if Gu Qingyuan liked her? It just proved how charming she was.
Why did these people look at her with such contempt?
With a stony expression, she lifted her chin and walked forward beside Gu Qingyuan, unshaken.
"Wait, am I seeing things? Wasn't Ye Chuxue punished to meditate in Erosion Wind Cave? How did she come out stronger?"
"No kidding. Most people crawl out of there half-dead. She walks out fine—and even advanced? What kind of nonsense is that?"
"Hmph. So what if she's stronger now? She's messing around with her own Master. Who knows what shady methods she used to level up?"
"Right? And just look at how protective Gu Qingyuan is. It's like he's trying to flaunt their scandal to the whole sect!"
"He even skipped out on this duel to go fetch her. Now that's what I call true love."
"…"
The watching disciples were green with envy over Ye Chuxue's advancement.
Song Wanníng paused her chewing and narrowed her eyes, gaze sharp and dangerous.
"Heh. As expected of the Heavenly Dao's precious daughter."
Even after stealing the spirit stone, Ye Chuxue had still managed to break through inside that cave. Though it was only to late Foundation Establishment rather than Golden Core like in the original story, it was still enough to be irritating.
Song Wanníng's eyes locked on Ye Chuxue, tongue pressing thoughtfully against the inside of her cheek.
"So that's where you ran off to—picking up your little sweetheart."
Lu Xingyao cast Gu Qingyuan a sidelong glance, stripping away any remaining pretense.
Gu Qingyuan's expression turned cold.
"Watch your mouth, Lu Xingyao. I simply brought back my disciple."
"Gu Daoyou, no need to pretend anymore. Everyone already knows what's going on between you and your precious disciple. Plenty of people are offering you two their blessings."
His mocking tone dripped with false sincerity, drawing laughter from the crowd.
Who hadn't privately cursed the two of them for their shamelessness?
Blessings? Please.
Lu Xingyao was ruthless with his words.
The Sect Master's eyelid twitched. This Lu Xingyao didn't used to be so sharp-tongued. What happened?
"My private matters are none of your concern," Gu Qingyuan said with a dark expression. He seated Ye Chuxue in her place without another word, then leapt onto the dueling platform.
"Enough nonsense. Let's fight."
"Gladly! I've heard you've stopped relying on... less savory methods to advance. Today, I'll see for myself just how capable our noble Gu Zhēnjūn really is."
Lu Xingyao's words stabbed straight into Gu Qingyuan's pride. He stepped forward with a single bound, drawing the long sword from his back in one fluid motion.
His presence surged like a wave.
Tension crackled across the platform. Everyone watching from the grandstands had their own thoughts brewing.
Ye Chuxue stood proudly just behind Gu Qingyuan's original seat. She said nothing, but her expression brimmed with satisfaction. She hoped Song Wanníng was shocked, irritated, even jealous.
She wanted Song Wanníng to understand that no matter what tricks she played, Ye Chuxue would always rise above it all.
Song Wanníng's smile didn't reach her eyes.
Hopefully she could still look that smug later.
—
On the dueling platform, the battle had begun.
Both were at mid-stage Nascent Soul, their power overwhelming. The arena's highest-grade defensive formation had already been activated.
As their figures moved, the disciples craned their necks, eyes wide with excitement.
Watching Nascent Soul cultivators fight was a rare opportunity.
"Go, Elder Gu!"
"You've got this! Flatten him!"
Cheers rang out across the field. Everyone was hoping Gu Qingyuan would win.
But none of those shouts reached the two men locked in combat.
The setting sun cast long shadows across the glowing runes of the dueling platform, illuminating the two upright figures.
Gu Qingyuan struck first. He slashed with his Chìtù Sword, runes flickering across the blade, its hum echoing through the air.
With a flick of his wrist, golden mountains and seas surged toward Lu Xingyao.
It was the third form of the "Supreme Sword Technique": Shan Hai Jing.
Within the golden tide, strange and fantastical beasts roared to life, charging forward like monsters out of myth.
Lu Xingyao stood tall in snow-white robes. His sword lifted before his chest like a streak of lightning. With graceful precision, he entangled the charging beasts in a spiral of silver light, deflecting Gu Qingyuan's fierce assault with a single maneuver.
The beasts struck nothing, dissolving into spiritual energy with howls of frustration.
Gu Qingyuan spun his wrist, and Chìtù shot into the air with a piercing cry.
In the next instant, countless sword shadows burst forth, shimmering with radiant light. Within a single breath, the swords weaved together into a complex formation.
The sword array fell, locking down the space around Lu Xingyao.
"Whoa, he turned his sword strike into an array? Elder Gu is amazing!"
"Right? Formations are notoriously difficult, and he combined it seamlessly with swordplay. How are we supposed to keep up with that?"
"I told you Elder Gu still had it. You all doubted him—now watch him wipe the floor with Lu Xingyao!"
"Hahaha, Elder Gu, you're incredible!"
Excitement exploded in the crowd. Confidence swelled.
Up on the high platform, the Sect Master and several elders looked visibly thrilled, fists clenched as they cheered for Gu Qingyuan in silence.