Chapter 70 The Defeat at Hanshan... I couldn't argue with him. (Two chapters combined)...

Ever since witnessing the head of a disciple of the Lu family fall and die, the atmosphere in the viewing platform has never been as peaceful and harmonious as before.

The central mirror platform overlooked the entire city, reflecting several flashes of sword light and blood shadows beneath the calm surface. Unlike the cultivators in Spring City who were completely unaware of this, they had seen far too many cultivators who had stopped under the claws of demonic beasts and had not even made it out of the Heavenly Pillar.

For a moment, I couldn't tell whether I felt a chill or a sense of relief.

Several Holy Spirits departed one after another, leaving only one person to guard the place. His figure was like a mountain, standing tall and majestic. His long beard cascaded down like a waterfall, while his gray topknot was tied high, sometimes loose and sometimes tight, yet always relaxed.

This is the legendary healer, Murong.

Murong was his surname, but his given name was unknown. His portrait hung high above the Langhuan Pavilion, and all those who went to Langhuan Gate for medical treatment would pay their respects. Therefore, many people present recognized him.

Although only one person remains, he is highly respected!

The ancestor of medicine leaned back against the towering chair, slowly closing his eyes. Everyone felt a surge of warmth in their hearts, realizing that he truly deserved to be called their ancestor, possessing a benevolent heart and a broad spirit of charity!

A moment later, a soft snoring sound came from the high seat.

The tense atmosphere paused slightly. No one dared to look away, so they couldn't help but turn their eyes to the location of Langhuan Gate, scrutinizing it.

There are many saints among the human race. Although many of them have passed away and are no longer seen, the holy spirits who left behind a trace of their divine consciousness here mostly come from various sects.

Sometimes, the name of a saint represents the reputation of a sect.

The indifferent disciple of Langhuan Sect: "..."

Suddenly, a man said without looking up, "Managing the Flying Flower Gathering is such a tiring task, what's wrong with taking a nap? Being able to accompany the Ancestor to rest is our good fortune."

The other disciples of the sect suddenly began to whisper among themselves. They were not talking about the ancestor of medicine, but rather speculating about the identity of the saint who had just appeared. After all, everyone only knew that there were holy spirits left in the Pilgrimage Valley, but they did not know which ones they were. If their own ancestors were present, it would also bring good fortune to their sect.

Suddenly, the atmosphere changed abruptly, and whispers began to circulate within the viewing platform.

Unlike the sects, which were engaged in lively discussions, the demon race and the Canxing Domain were unusually quiet, with everyone watching Lin Feiran, who was about to have a literary duel with Hanshan Jun in the mirror.

Bi Qing stared at it, a question lingering in her mind: "Xun Feifei, have you noticed that although this mirror image keeps changing, it always flashes with the figures of Lin Feiran and the Venerable One? Right now, they are about to have a match, and the image stops here and doesn't change anymore."

Xun Feifei nodded, but then corrected, "It has nothing to do with the Venerable One. This mirror image always shows Lin Feiran's face."

Biqing suddenly remembered something, slapped her head and said, "Everything happened so fast just now, I forgot to tell Xuanzhen to tell Lin Feiran about the viewing platform! This so-called Flying Flower Gathering is too strange!"

Xun Feifei remained silent, looking down at the mirror, but said, "Look to your right, there are a few people missing from those noisy sects and aristocratic families."

The two exchanged a quick glance. Bi Qing's heart stirred slightly. She pretended to get up and look, silently concealing Xun Feifei's figure. After looking for a while, she sat back down, but there was no one beside her.

Lin Zhengqing sat upright on the stage, his deep eyes looking at the central mirror and at the young man who had reappeared.

To everyone present, she was far too young. It was easy to tell that she was only at the Sea Illumination Realm. Although her expression was calm, the ambition emanating from her eyes was undeniable.

Young people are often passionate, but also reckless and arrogant. Perhaps she also had these common flaws, but her seemingly arrogant words were suppressed by her deep and calm eyes, revealing only an inner sharpness. This was her unique aura, and it was this aura that supported her in facing Hanshan Jun.

...

Inside the spacious courtyard and hall.

Everyone held their breath, staring blankly at the girl who sat down calmly, feeling a strange sense of overestimation and naivety rising in their hearts.

Who is Hanshan Jun?

A man of exceptional talent and brilliance, born into the Langhuan Sect, he was surrounded by books and pens from a young age. He possessed a sharp mind and, upon reaching adulthood, entered the Imperial Academy to cultivate the art of the wondrous pen. He was the first disciple in the Imperial Academy's history to be granted the title of "Jun" (君).

In terms of cultivation level, he is among the best in the Ascending Realm; in terms of literary combat, he is the leader in the Free and Unfettered Realm.

This girl who spoke so arrogantly was not only nameless and unknown, but also had an ordinary appearance. Apart from her eyes, which were somewhat remarkable, she had no trace of the elegance and grace of a cultivator.

"Young lady, which sect do you belong to?"

"Who is this young man to you? If he is family, you should think twice before letting him in, as serious injury would be disastrous."

"Yes, since the start of the betting, not only has no one won, but all the close associates they've called in have been seriously injured and collapsed. If they don't take proper care of their injuries, they could lose their lives."

The cultivator who had just been so helpful in explaining things to her clicked his tongue in surprise and deliberately gave her a way out: "Don't you know who Lord Hanshan is?"

Lin Feiran did not follow the lead. After calling out Xuanzhen, she took out a handkerchief in full view of everyone and carefully wiped the sand table in front of her, sweeping away all the dust that had been raised. Only after she finished doing all this did she raise her head.

"Of course I know who Hanshan Jun is. I have read hundreds of volumes and kept books as my companions. I have a thorough understanding of all the martial arts techniques in the world."

As the man sitting opposite her looked up, his usually gentle eyes finally lit up, as if someone were looking through them, slowly scrutinizing her, and then suddenly a smile appeared on his face.

He replied through the words of a commoner: "You flatter me."

Among those present, Hanshan Jun was one of only two people who knew Lin Feiran's real name. He had never met this unknown female cultivator before, and the first time he had seen her name was when he was in the hands of his Uncle Gebu.

At that time, Ge Bu was compiling this year's Qingyun Ranking. He glanced at it and thought it was no different from previous years, except that the bottom of the list had changed and the top ten were still the same people. However, he saw a name he had never seen before in the blank space at the top of the list: Lin Feiran.

It was only then that he learned about the Little Immortal Gathering from Ge Bu.

Ge Bu felt that if that person was Lin Feiran, then she should have a place on the Qingyun Ranking, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that she was ranked first. Whether it was swordsmanship, temperament, opportunities, or courage and decisiveness, she was undoubtedly superior to everyone on the Qingyun Ranking, even Wei Changzai was somewhat inferior.

However, she lacks fame, and very few people know her. Therefore, it would be against the rules to include her on the list, and it would be difficult to convince the public.

The Qingyun List was originally intended to recruit talents, and Ge Bu was saddened that Lin Feiran could not be included on the list, as if he had missed out on some outstanding talent. Therefore, he wrote her name in the blank space at the top as a consolation.

Han Shan Jun found it all very mysterious: three times teasing the master, angrily blowing up the Liu Zhu Pavilion, rushing to save people, swiftly exchanging swords, opening up the sword realm, and directly taking the Dan Shu...

Each and every one of these acts was considered extremely disrespectful in the Imperial Academy, yet Ge Bu repeatedly praised them, which aroused both his curiosity and suspicion.

It must be said that on the day he engraved the jade plaque, when he learned that she was Lin Feiran, the one who had kept his uncle tossing and turning at night, he felt an indescribable disappointment and speechlessness.

This person is really unremarkable, except for having a contracted demon that is somewhat special, but it is not very powerful. It is obvious at a glance that she is being manipulated by that contracted demon and has lost the initiative.

Thinking of this, he turned his head and glanced at the demon. The demon stood with his arms crossed in the crowd, his expression unchanged, but the others inexplicably dared not approach him and spontaneously made room for him.

Her contracted demons were much more imposing than her, and she must have been manipulated by him quite often.

Han Shan Jun sighed inwardly, withdrew his gaze, and asked, "And who is this?"

He pointed to Xuanzhen, who was hanging his head.

Lin Feiran replied simply, "He is my friend."

Han Shanjun looked at her meaningfully: "If I were you, I would summon my enemy right now. Even if I couldn't win, I could still vent my anger."

Upon hearing this, the surrounding cultivators suddenly realized what was going on and exclaimed in admiration, "As expected of Lord Hanshan, there is no Hanshan without poison!"

While he was flattering Lin Feiran, Xuan Zhen remained silent. He looked at Lin Feiran with a hint of hesitation and said in a low voice, "Why don't you find someone else? I... I don't have any other special skills besides running fast."

Xuanzhen has always been carefree and cheerful, but he also has his own troubles. Among the five envoys, he has always been the weakest. Even after Lin Feiran appeared, he was still at the bottom.

In fact, no one knows better than Lin Feiran that he is not strong enough.

When he learned of the settlement of the Greyhound clan, he secretly went back there. After explaining that he had come to find his relatives, he was driven out by the clan members and returned to the Demon Capital in disgrace.

His mother and tribe abandoned him not out of desperation or because of any life-or-death crisis, but simply out of exile.

He was too weak. From birth, he had two fewer agility points than the rest of his clan, making it difficult for him to run long distances. This structure was no different from that of ordinary demons, but for the Greyhound clan, it was a natural disability.

They simply abandoned a useless child; there was no other reason they had to.

He had never told anyone about this until one night when he was patrolling with Lin Feiran and they discovered several demons trying to sneak into the city.

Some tribes in the demon realm are forbidden from entering the demon capital due to their excessive belligerence, so occasionally some people manage to sneak in.

Coincidentally, they were his own people whom he didn't know very well. The leader even looked somewhat like him, and he wondered which of his relatives they were.

Lin Feiran was unaware of the entanglement involved and could not distinguish the differences between the demons. He simply followed the law and, together with the troubled man, arrested the person.

However, during the fight, the clansmen were too fast, and the two were caught off guard and were violently slammed into an ancient banyan tree, sustaining serious injuries.

It was then that Lin Feiran learned the truth about his abandonment, the ridicule from his clansmen, and that the reason they entered the Demon Capital was to meet the Demon Lord, replace Xuan Zhen, and become the new envoy.

After all, any member of the Greyhound Clan was faster and stronger than him.

That day, his emotions were in turmoil, and he slowed down even more. He became even more helpless. It was Lin Feiran who held on until Xun Feifei arrived and finally captured the group and put them in prison.

She didn't say anything then, but ate wontons with him in the market for the whole morning. He cried silently for as long as he did so.

Xuan is truly useless, but as long as he is obedient enough, some people will overlook his weakness and show him some affection. However, he does not want to drag Lin Feiran down at this moment.

Seeing him lower his head, Lin Feiran didn't explain much, only saying, "This literary contest is about endurance and willpower. Among us, you are the best."

As soon as he finished speaking, a chorus of boos erupted from the crowd.

Xuanzhen turned to look at her, pursed her lips, and leaped into the sand table, her expression gradually becoming serious.

Xuan is truly useless, like a dog that only wags its tail and tries to please, but for his friends, for friends who don't look down on him, he would do anything.

The next moment, Chenghua entered with her sword. She didn't actually know any sword techniques, but at this moment she was just a puppet under Hanshan Jun's command. When he said "Start the sword stance," she took a half step back, holding her two swords horizontally in front of her, exuding the aura of a powerful figure.

Just as Lin Feiran was about to speak, someone suddenly grabbed her wrist, coming at her aggressively. She looked up and saw Qi Chen with a complicated expression.

She glanced at it but said nothing. She turned back to look at the sand table. Suddenly, a cold fragrance swept past her, and her wrist felt light as a hail of snowflakes forced him back.

After a brief standoff, Qi Chen finally pursed his lips and stepped back, his gaze fixed on the sand table, remaining silent.

Lin Feiran and Hanshan Jun stopped looking and focused on what was in front of them.

On the sand table, the yellow sand suddenly sinks, and the scenery changes several times, from wide plains to boundless ice fields and rugged mountain streams, constantly changing, finally stopping in a shallow sea that is knee-deep.

Quiet, clear, and silent.

The sea is at peace, and the bright moon sits alone. The enormous moon stands to the side like a pillar supporting the sky, separating the sky and the sea, like a high mountain.

The two of them stood in the shallow sea, their swords hanging on the surface, casting a faint glimmer of light.

Everyone was mesmerized, as if they too were standing between the sea and the moon, gazing at their silhouettes illuminated by the bright light.

In an instant, the light in the mortal's eyes vanished, leaving them dull and lifeless. This was because Lord Hanshan had closed his eyes and was no longer looking at this place. Lin Feiran also picked up a silk ribbon, tied it in front of his eyes, and remained as steady as a mountain.

The so-called "literary battle" is like talking about war on paper, but it is also like playing blind chess, where you do not rely on your eyes or hands, but only on your heart and ears.

The first move should be made by Lin Feiran.

She pondered for a moment and simply said, "The sixth move of the Elephant Mountain Sword Technique is 'Adding Feet to a Snake'."

Xuanzhen, who was still worried, was suddenly jolted and drew his sword from his waist. He moved with a swift step, three steps to the left and four steps to the right, the sword swirling in his hand like a snake as he moved quickly to Chenghua's side. With a flick of his wrist, he delivered three strikes in an instant.

This was a sword technique he had never seen before, and now he was using it. He was surprised and even more impressed by the human race's literary skills. When he swung his sword, a sense of spirit flowed through his heart!

Xuan Zhen had no idea that this literary contest required one to act as a puppet, willingly allowing oneself to be controlled, in order to achieve the greatest effect. At this moment, he had no complaints and followed the instructions, just as Lin Feiran was personally coaching him, naturally carrying some of her true intentions.

The onlookers suddenly realized that if one wanted to move underwater, a snake would be faster, but at the same time, one would have to fight back. It seemed that starting with the snake step of the Elephant Mountain method would be the most appropriate.

However, the Xiangshan sword technique is not powerful enough and is rarely used. As a result, it is difficult for people to recall it. Even if they do recall it, the moves are very vague. Lin Feiran's opening move is refreshing.

Ignoring the surrounding noise, Hanshan Jun sat alone on the Heavenly Pillar, peeled open the pomegranate in his hand, and said only: "Twelfth move, Swallow Returns".

He naturally used the Xiangshan Sword Technique as well. In the blink of an eye, Chenghua took a half step back, lowered his body and spun around to bring down his real sword, seemingly to dodge, but then suddenly flipped over in mid-air and slashed down, aiming straight for his unsuspecting back, launching a surprise attack.

Lin Feiran smiled slightly and immediately said, "The swallows return."

Hanshan Jun paused in peeling the skin.

Xuanzhen immediately swooped down to the water's surface, quickly retreated into the air, and when Chenghua was in mid-air and unable to dodge, she used the same method to strike the gap behind her, knocking her into the water.

Fortunately, the water beneath her absorbed most of the weight. She sank half a foot into the water before standing up, with no watermarks or injuries on her body.

The two exchanged three moves in quick succession, and within just a few breaths, Lin Feiran won the first move.

Those around them were puzzled. What was this "Eighteen Swords"? It was a sword technique from some small sect that they had never heard of or seen before. How were they supposed to deal with it?

They stared intently and saw that Chenghua stepped forward without hesitation, her two swords twirling in her hands. The left sword was soft, the right sword was hard. She took three steps to the left and two steps to the right, engaging in a chain-like entanglement, forcing her opponent to retreat step by step. But then she would suddenly thrust upwards, as if to freeze her opponent in place!

"The first move of the Wind-Breaking Blade: Full Moon and Sorrowful Wind."

Xuan Zhen retreated three steps and immediately stepped forward to meet the attack. The blade light she unleashed was like a full moon, striking down with great force. Although it broke the entangled sword momentum, it did not repel the opponent.

Although Hanshan Jun could not see the actual scene, he could tell from the sound of the water and the moves that the two were not far apart. He immediately said, "The final move of the Mountain Moving Greatsword, Mountain Splitting."

Orange Blossom immediately leaped up, and as she flipped over, she brought her two swords together and slashed down, their dark light shimmering, as if mountains were about to collapse, a single force overcoming ten techniques!

Lin Feiran's ears twitched slightly, unsure of Xuan Zhen's current location, and he immediately said, "Dragon Step!"

Xuanzhen suddenly realized, but her figure had already swung backward as she had said, the waves rising and falling beneath her legs, the water rippling gently, using the momentum to help him escape.

However, the force of the fall was too great. Even with the crashing waves, there was still enough force to slam Xuanzhen straight into the water!

With the outcome already clear, Hanshan Jun peeled off a pomegranate and put it in his mouth, slowly eating it. Then he picked up the remaining shell and threw it straight at Xie Kanhua's hand that was playing the pipa.

Xuanzhen, who was hit by the water, cried out in his heart that he could not swim. He choked hard, but when he got out of the water, he shook off the water that had not gotten on him. His eyes changed slightly and he was no longer as nervous as before.

Although it hurt a bit, I felt a sense of exhilaration!

He wanted to say, "Come again!"

Perhaps Lin Feiran heard his thoughts, or perhaps she didn't. The moment he stood up, she immediately spoke, her words slow but without pause.

"The sixth and ninth moves of the Lantern Saber, turning around; the sixteenth move of the Lone Cloud Sword, the first and fifth moves, the Ethereal Immortal Steps, three steps to the left, five steps back..."

Like her, Hanshan Jun also opened his mouth to respond, but he had lost all leisurely mood. He didn't even notice the pomegranate juice dripping all over his hands. He just focused his mind on the move she mentioned and quickly thought of a counter-strategy.

"The second and seventh moves of the Compassionate Grass Sword Technique: Bowing, following..."

The two exchanged blows without pause, almost as soon as one move began, the next was about to follow. Their speed and intensity were so great that the onlookers dared not utter a word, holding their breath in concentration.

Not only them, but the disciples of various sects who were still discussing the name of the Holy Spirit on the viewing platform had also fallen silent, staring blankly at the battle, speechless for a moment.

They never imagined that anyone could stand up to Hanshan Jun to this extent. The two sides were almost evenly matched, pressing each other step by step. Their thoughts were quick and their reactions were equally swift, making it difficult to determine who was superior!

There are countless methods in the world, and the way of the sword alone is countless. Everyone has their own insights and their own unique methods, so there are countless sword techniques in the world.

However, while some of the moves mentioned by the two men today may be familiar, most are sword techniques they have never heard of before. They only choose one move to counter, and then use another obscure method to counter each move.

Perhaps for them, these sword techniques are not obscure, but rather familiar and well-known.

Disciples from other sects may feel admiration and longing, but for the disciples of Daohe Palace, especially those who recognized Lin Feiran and had fought with her many times, there was only unspeakable astonishment in their hearts, as if struck by lightning!

This was the first time they had looked at Lin Feiran so clearly and so closely.

Is this her? Is this really her? Is this the same person who has been a useless person for so many years?

Lin Feiran, a name that has gone through many twists and turns in Daohe Palace. First, she was bullied, then she was belittled, then she regretted her actions, and now, a chilling tremor rose in her heart, and she was afraid of her!

Lin Feiran is no longer the silent female cultivator she once was. She is like a fish trapped in shallow water, needing no rushing water to nourish her. She only needs a gust of wind and rain, and she can surpass everyone and ride the wind to become a dragon!

Those caught in the game care little for those outside. Lin Feiran sat upright, beads of sweat appearing on his forehead. He seemed unaffected, but in reality, he had already gripped the armrests tightly, suppressing the surging sword intent within him that threatened to rise up with a sword.

Han Shan Jun was no different; the pomegranate in his hand had already been crushed into mud, his eyes were tightly closed, and he did not hear a single note of Xie Kanhua's zither music. He was completely focused and ready to face the challenge!

The literary contest is just like this: it is like fighting against oneself, yet it is not like fighting against oneself. The mind is turbulent, but one cannot rely on physical memory to make moves. One must maintain a sliver of clarity to use for calculation.

With a clang, the two clashed violently. Xuanzhen and Chenghua were extremely close, their swords clashing, their tired and hot breaths covering the blades with a layer of frost-like mist.

This exchange of blows had brought them close to their limits, yet it seemed they were still far from reaching them.

Xuan Zhen was panting, but her mind became increasingly clear.

He thought this was clearly a good opportunity, a good opportunity for him to see his own limits.

What is a boundary? A boundary is something that is right in front of you, just one step away. But if you take one more step, or go one more zhang, you will find that the boundary you are about to reach suddenly stands in the distance.

The boundaries will only move forward, never stopping!

If you're not fast enough, then practice more. So what if you're missing a couple of magic stilettos? There are many fast demons, but does everyone have them?

The clansmen only know the goodness of the stilt walking, but they are also trapped in it. Can't the stilt walking transcend and transcend?

He gripped the already damaged horizontal sword in his hand, faced the orange blossom that was still empowered by spiritual energy, exerted force with his feet, and suddenly raised his hand, finally separating the two who were locked in a stalemate by half a zhang.

Suddenly, a rapid sound of water arose. Lin Feiran listened intently, composed herself, and took five steps back.

"Sky Lantern Sword, First Move: Star Pointing!"

Suddenly, Xuanzhen charged forward with her horizontal sword, using the footwork of the Heavenly Lantern Sword to step over the three stars of Lianzhen, Wuqu, and Lucun. With a leap, the broken blade flashed like a shooting star, dazzlingly bright, but then instantly solidified into a single point, leaving only a cold glint, which ignited a star between the sea and the moon!

Han Shan Jun had naturally calculated the three-step star formation and knew that the situation was critical and there was no way to avoid it. He immediately spoke: "No trace, three from the right!"

Orange Blossom immediately retreated, but was also touched by that cold light, and her sleeve was torn off.

"Second from the left, turn around!"

"Point the star!"

Three strikes with the star-shaped object finally forced the person between the rocks, with the water swirling beneath their feet, making it truly unavoidable. With the final strike, the star-shaped object descended, and Qi Chen beside him cried out and stepped forward, only to be stopped by Ru Xian's outstretched hand.

The reef split open, the horizontal blade was broken in half, and the two swords in Orange Blossom's hand fell to the ground. Her exhausted hands trembled, and she no longer had the strength to fight back. Suddenly, tears slowly streamed down her lifeless eyes.

No one knew that the so-called flower farmer was not entirely unconscious; inside, she was still Orange Blossom, but outwardly she was out of control and made many actions beyond her control.

Just as the cold light was about to fall, she was so terrified that tears welled up in her eyes, finally releasing some of her emotions.

However, she was only three inches tall at the time, and no one except Xuanzhen had ever seen this tear.

Xuanzhen stared at her with wide eyes, but before she could speak, she was pulled out of the sand table.

The hall was completely silent. Not only those involved in the game, but even the cultivators watching from the sidelines were sweating profusely, but they had no time to wipe it away. Only when the outcome was decided did they suddenly come to their senses, raise their hands to wipe their faces in the heat, and look smug.

Lin Feiran removed the blindfold from his eyes and replied with his previous words: "You flatter me. It was just a narrow victory. The book is nameless, covered in dust. It is just a travelogue written by an unknown author."

Han Shan Jun chuckled, thinking that it would be appropriate for her to be listed on the Qingyun List. However, with her talent, she should stand out in any sect. Why had she never been heard of before and remained unknown?

Puzzled, he raised his hand, and the ordinary man sitting in the hall also turned his wrist, revealing a flaming cinnabar in his palm.

"One flower has three uses. Stealing hearts and lungs is only one of them. As for the other uses, I would have to ask other flowers about them, but I don't know."

Lin Feiran took the flower branch and immersed himself in the diagram. On the diagram, lush branches and leaves spread out, and vibrant red flowers appeared and disappeared among them. Thus, he obtained a branch.

She looked to the opposite side and asked, "Then what about this 'defeated' flower farmer?"

Fan Shi spoke up: "According to the rules, the next person must enter."

Orange Blossom, who was standing to the side, took a half step back, but she had not yet regained her senses. Qi Chen immediately stepped forward, checked her injuries, and then stared at Lin Feiran. After a few breaths, he nodded to her to thank her, and then hurriedly left with Orange Blossom, presumably to heal her wounds.

Xuan Zhen had a thoroughly enjoyable fight, and now his worries were greatly relieved. He felt relaxed and his face was full of joy. He showed his two tiger teeth to Lin Feiran and Ru Xian. Before he could speak, his feet disappeared.

He was immediately alarmed, whispered a few words in Lin Feiran's ear, and then returned to the viewing platform.

After Xuan Zhen left, the hall remained silent. Those who had been joking and teasing just moments before fell silent, still watching Lin Feiran.

She seemed oblivious, took out the original piece of brocade cloth, and carefully wiped the sand table, tables, chairs, and armrests that had been splashed with seawater. Only then did she nod to everyone to borrow it and leave with Ru Xian.

They arrive quietly and depart gracefully, neither arrogant nor humble, neither proud nor discouraged, drawing attention and inspiring whispers of their presence.

*

As the two walked into the streets, they suddenly noticed that Spring City was much more lively, with more and more cultivators coming and going, giving it a hint of a city that never sleeps.

Lin Feiran turned her head to say something, but found that Ru Xian was staring at her. She asked in confusion, "What's wrong?"

Ru Xian then looked away and gazed at the lights not far away: "Nothing much. I always thought you were just a bookworm, but I never imagined you were this well-read."

Lin Feiran smiled shyly, but also somewhat helplessly: "When I have nothing to do and don't want to cultivate, I read books. Books contain landscapes, local customs, and stories of joy and sorrow, which are much more interesting than my life. And I happen to have a good memory, so I can remember things after reading them once or twice. As a result, I read a wide variety of books."

Ru Xian looked down and remained silent.

Just now, under the moonlit sea, while everyone was watching the battle with bated breath and trepidation, he unconsciously looked at her. She stood tall and imposing, like a pine tree that never gave up, outstanding and unique, or like the bright moon hanging high in the sky, radiant and magnificent.

The full moon, the vast sea, the glint of swords, the shadows of blades—everything became mere backdrop to her beauty.

When he saw Xuan Zhen fighting, he couldn't help but think that if Lin Feiran were to perform these sword moves under the moon, what a breathtaking sight that would be.

Whether cultivators or mortals, everyone loves to appreciate beautiful scenery. The sword is the king of all weapons, and dancing with it is considered a great art. When a master swordsman wields his sword, it is like a celestial maiden dancing. It is never boring; it only makes people linger and forget to leave.

On the day of the grand banquet, he had a feeling when he saw her training the sword in the palace, and seeing this today, he was even more satisfied.

Halfway there, he suddenly said, "After you retrieve the sword from the Pilgrimage Valley and I obtain the elixir, we will return to the Demon Capital."

Lin Feiran naturally nodded in agreement: "Definitely."

He added, “After I go back, I will definitely not be able to sleep at night. When I have nothing to do, I will call you and have the ginseng boys transplant a laurel tree in the courtyard. At that time, I will enjoy tea under the tree while you practice your swordplay. It will truly be a wonderful sight.”

His voice trailed off at the end, as if in a sigh, but his words carried no longing, only pure appreciation, like waiting for a flower to bloom or for a breeze to come.

Lin Feiran shook her head decisively: "I want to sleep."

Ru Xian glanced at her sideways and said in a cool voice, "You wake up at dawn, so come dance at dawn."

"..." Lin Feiran was speechless for a moment. After a pause, she found something else to say, "Why don't you practice your spear skills under the tree while I enjoy tea? If we work up a sweat, won't we sleep better during the day?"

Ru Xian was not angry when he heard this. Instead, his eyes curved into a smile. He crossed his arms, and the hem of his civil and military style robe hung down, swaying slightly with his steps, making him look very light and agile.

"Not bad, you've got some of the original style when you shut people up now. You won't be so tongue-tied in the future and let others take advantage of you."

Lin Feiran was still a young man, and he had just made a small splash, so he was still feeling quite pleased with himself. Hearing his words, he couldn't help but add a few words to his own defense: "I've always been eloquent, but I just don't like to talk too much."

Ru Xian readily agreed, saying, "Good, good, eighteen or nineteen is the perfect time for someone to be eloquent."

Lin Feiran: "..."

I couldn't argue with him.

Ru Xian turned around and saw her hopeless expression, so she couldn't help but smile.

For some reason, he inexplicably stretched out a finger and touched the side of her lips, leaning slightly forward to push the corner of her lips up a little, revealing a hint of sharp white teeth.

His fingertips touched her cheek, and he realized it was also soft and warm. He lowered his eyes and stared at her for a few moments before speaking, "Why are you keeping quiet? You do seem clever, and I wasn't lying to you."

His gaze shifted upwards, and he saw her eyes wide with confusion... His eyes flickered slightly, and he didn't know why he was like that. Just as he was about to subtly withdraw his hand, he saw several streaks of stars suddenly fly overhead.

Lin Feiran suddenly looked up and brushed her cheek with his fingertip.

Above the night sky, four star lines bursting from the celestial pillars intersected and converged, forming a soft curtain woven from spiritual light at the center. On the curtain, the names of eighty-one cultivators were clearly listed, descending in order from highest to lowest.

The eightieth character is written with the words "Wenran".

On the second night, the rankings of Spring City were revealed and changed frequently. Without a doubt, whoever could secure a place on the curtain would be guaranteed a great victory in this Flying Flower Gathering.

Author's Note: Lin Feiran's self-perception: Phew, a narrow victory, I'm drenched in sweat from the fight. Next time I need to read more books.

Like Lin Feiran in Hail's eyes: everything else became her backdrop.