He stepped in front of them, directly blocking Qi Hao's view. With a calm voice, he said,
"Old man, I can see your intentions clearly.
You're over a hundred years old, yet you're lusting after my senior sister, who's only seventeen.
Do you think a few sweet words can fool her like some ordinary girl from the secular world?"
Those words struck like lightning.
Tian Ling'er's face fell. She stared at Qi Hao in shock, her previous goodwill instantly replaced by disgust.
"You... you're over a hundred?" she asked coldly.
Before Qi Hao could answer, she frowned and said sternly,
"I didn't expect you to be such a lecherous old man.
If Xiaofan hadn't warned me, I might've fallen into your trap!"
Qi Hao: "…"
He was utterly speechless. Things had taken a turn for the worse, all thanks to Zhang Xiaofan.
If not for his interference, with Qi Hao's smooth words and charm, Tian Ling'er would've likely fallen for him.
And if he married her, with Tian Buyi as his father-in-law, his status would rise....perhaps even securing his future as the next Chieftain of Dragon Head Peak, no matter how talented Lin Jingyu became.
But now, her first impression of him was ruined.
It was all Zhang Xiaofan's fault!
He would have to bide his time and wait for another chance.
Meanwhile, Lin Jingyu clapped a hand on Zhang Xiaofan's shoulder and said with a grin,
"Xiaofan, let's go outside to the square and have a spar.
I want to see how far you've come in these three years!"
Zhang Xiaofan raised an eyebrow, a smile tugging at his lips as he replied playfully,
"Alright, I've been wanting to see just how much weight you've gained over these three years... Jingyu."
As he spoke, his gaze shifted momentarily to Qi Hao, standing nearby. His eyes narrowed with suspicion.
This man was cunning.. Zhang Xiaofan could sense it.
He couldn't afford to leave his senior sister alone with someone like that.
Turning to Tian Ling'er, Zhang Xiaofan said with a grin,
"Senior Sister, I'm going to spar with Jingyu. Wish me luck?"
Tian Ling'er responded cheerfully, "Of course!" Then she and Zhang Xiaofan stepped out of the main hall and into the large square outside.
Not far behind, Qi Hao followed quickly, his eyes never leaving Tian Ling'er.
His heart raced with desire and obsession. In his mind, if he couldn't win over this celestial beauty, he would never find peace.
Upstairs in the inner hall, Tian Buyi stood by the window, watching the scene unfold below. Su Ru, graceful as ever, stood beside him, hands behind her back as she softly remarked,
"It's hard to believe three years have passed so quickly."
Tian Buyi nodded, his gaze lingering on the square as he recalled the past.
"Yes.
I still remember the day we took them in, back at Yuqing Palace on Tongtian Peak.
All the sect elders were fighting to recruit Lin Jingyu—he had exceptional bones and a rare physique.
No one paid attention to Zhang Xiaofan... not even me."
Su Ru chuckled and lightly teased,
"But who would have thought? Xiaofan's talents may have seemed ordinary at first glance, but in truth, he was hiding immense potential."
As she spoke, she pointed toward the two figures below.
"Bu Yi, what do you think? Who will win today?"
Tian Buyi paused thoughtfully before answering,
"Lin Jingyu is naturally gifted and has progressed very quickly, but Xiaofan... his growth has been even more astonishing.
I don't know his exact level, but I believe he won't lose today."
Su Ru nodded in agreement. "I think the same. Let's watch.
The answer will reveal itself soon."
On the square, Lin Jingyu and Zhang Xiaofan stood three meters apart, both gripping wooden swords.
Lin Jingyu smirked.
"You've never beaten me, not even once since we were kids. This time won't be any different."
Zhang Xiaofan nodded slowly. Lin Jingyu wasn't wrong—his talent was extraordinary. Master Cangsong had even compared him to the legendary swordsman, Wan Jianyi.
Without his tenfold talent, Zhang Xiaofan wouldn't have stood a chance.
But now, after years of silent cultivation, he had reached the eighth level of the Yuqing realm.
He had also mastered several powerful Taoist sword techniques. Today, Lin Jingyu would taste defeat.
With steady eyes, Zhang Xiaofan said,
"Jingyu, I've waited three years for this. Today, I'll repay every defeat. Prepare yourself."
"Let's see if you can back up that talk!" Lin Jingyu shouted and charged, gripping his wooden sword tightly.
Zhang Xiaofan parried his strike with ease and responded with a precise stab toward Lin Jingyu's chest.
Qi Hao, watching nearby, narrowed his eyes. That sword move... It was elegant and deadly, the kind of technique one might expect from someone with decades of experience.
Incredible, Qi Hao thought. That level of swordsmanship in just three years... he's nearly caught up to me!
But he wasn't convinced just yet.
Sword skills alone aren't enough. Without a strong cultivation base, even perfect technique is worthless.
Lin Jingyu's Tai Chi Xuanqing Dao is already at the fifth level of Yuqing. Zhang Xiaofan can't possibly overpower him.
Just then—
"Ding!"
Zhang Xiaofan's wooden sword struck the jade pendant hanging from Lin Jingyu's chest. Lin Jingyu's eyes flashed with surprise, but he quickly smiled.
"Impressive. Your swordsmanship is amazing now, Xiaofan. I'm proud of you," he said. "But this won't be enough."
With that, a glowing green light erupted from his palm.
He struck toward Zhang Xiaofan's chest with half his strength, the power of fifth-level Jade Purity radiating from his attack.
To his shock, the blow landed—and Zhang Xiaofan didn't even flinch.
Lin Jingyu froze, his face full of disbelief.
"This... this can't be right," he muttered. Even if I held back, a fifth-level attack should have knocked him back...
Zhang Xiaofan tilted his head slightly and said with a smirk,
"Is that all you've got?"
"You—!" Lin Jingyu flushed, both embarrassed and excited. "Alright, no more holding back. Xiaofan, I'm coming at you full strength now!"