The next morning, Song Chengming arrived as promised. Tu Nian woke up when he heard the knock on the door, and dragged himself up to wash in a daze.

Bo Qiu's spirit had returned to the sword at some point and was leaning quietly on the side of the bed, perhaps asleep. In any case, he did not disturb her, just like every morning before.

After feeding the Golden Crow Beast the spiritual fruit and Bo Qiu the blood, Tu Nian went to open the door with swollen eyes. The first thing he asked was, "Have you bought breakfast?"

Song Chengming thoughtfully didn't remind her that people can see with their eyes open. He pursed his lips as he handed her breakfast. "As you requested, three servings. But the question is, who else is here?"

As he spoke, he couldn't help but glance into her room.

Her door was clearly closed by someone yesterday, and with this third breakfast, it's hard not to think of other things.

Tu Nian was completely unaware of all this. He yawned and dodged the rope buckles he handed over. "What are you talking about? There's no one else here. That one is for my senior brother."

"Oh, no, then the door of your room last night..."

After Tu Nian finished speaking, she squinted her eyes and ran straight towards the stairs. Song Chengming chased after her. The more he looked at her, the more she looked like a beautiful woman hidden in a golden house. He wanted to ask her but couldn't, and he felt itchy in his heart.

"Breakfast?"

Chu Qiurong was standing at the door, confused by the sudden concern of these two people.

He has been fasting for two years, what kind of breakfast is he eating now?

Besides, considering his junior sister's habit of not waking up until the sun comes, could she get up so early to bring herself breakfast?

It's almost like a weasel blocking the door.

"Um."

Song Chengming was holding the breakfast and nodded nervously. After a while, he saw Chu Qiurong's face full of suspicion and she didn't move. He couldn't help but feel a lump in his throat and glanced sideways at the backbone - why don't you say something?

But eye contact has its limits.

Not to mention how vivid the eyes can be, what would you do if the other person closes their eyes?

There was no cure, so he swallowed and poked her, "Hey, say something."

"Hmm? Okay."

Tu Nian's way of expression was more direct. He squinted his eyes to determine the direction, then felt his way around the door frame and walked around Chu Qiurong into the house. Then, he slumped down on the tea table in his room as if a bone had been pulled out, and said in a muffled voice, "I declare that in the remaining days of the competition, Second Brother, you will receive two personal servants. We will take full responsibility for your food, clothing, housing, transportation, and official duties."

"What?"

"ha?"

Chu Qiurong and Song Chengming raised their doubts one after another. The former had no idea what she was crazy about, while the latter was just protesting.

Song Chengming was so anxious that he ignored the etiquette for a moment. He rushed into the room and slapped the table where Tu Nian was lying. He said anxiously, "You didn't mention this to me last night."

"No?"

"last night?"

Tu Nian tilted his head, Chu Qiurong narrowed his eyes, and Song Chengming straightened his spine and stood at attention.

Stretching and propping up half of his face, Tu Nian looked at Song Chengming with a pair of eyes filled with sleepy tears, "Why, do you think being a servant for my senior brother for two days is unfair to you?"

Looking at Tu Nian's smiling face, Song Chengming felt his teeth itch with hatred, but he didn't dare to show it. He could only grit his teeth and answer her, "Junior sister, what are you talking about? Of course I don't feel wronged."

"Don't play dumb with me. Also, were you two together last night?"

After entering the room and locking the door, Chu Qiurong looked at the two of them with a forced smile, especially at Song Chengming, as if she wanted to skin him alive.

Outer disciples like Song Chengming were all in awe of the few direct disciples except Tu Nian. Now being looked at like this by Chu Qiurong, they dared not say a word and could only stand there as gate gods.

"We were talking about the talisman competition."

In the end, Tu Nian remained calm and casually said that he had rescued Song Chengming. He then raised his eyebrows mysteriously at Chu Qiurong and said, "I caught a ghost by the way."

Chu Qiurong had been following Nie Yanchen around the various sects for years, and had heard about some of the things going on, both overt and covert. When she heard Tu Nian's words, she immediately understood what she meant. Her expression hardened, and she sat down at the table. "Tell me more."

So on the day of the alchemy competition, there was a slight change in the viewing position inside the snow.

"Big, Big Brother. Third...Junior Brother Xu."

Looking at Jin Nanfeng and Xu Ziqiao sitting next to him very naturally, Song Chengming almost tore the soles of his shoes.

That’s right, Xu Ziqiao’s qualifications were even lower than his, but when he heard the title of “junior brother”, he really had the urge to slap himself in the face.

They are the sect leader’s direct disciples!

No matter in which sect, being able to become a direct disciple of an elder is an honor and an affirmation of one's strength. Those who can become the direct disciple of the sect master are all outstanding people with absolute talent and unlimited future. It can be said that these people will take care of all possibilities in the future of the world of immortal cultivation.

This is also why Song Chengming was so against Tu Nian's arrangement. The distinction between the outer sect and the inner sect of Jixue was not just a simple class distinction, but a heartfelt respect for strength.

Protecting Chu Qiurong closely is equivalent to sticking close to the benchmark of the entire cultivation world. The mental pressure is too great for him.

However, several so-called "benchmarks" like Jixue do not have this awareness.

In response to Song Chengming's stuttering greeting, Jin Nanfeng said "hmm" lightly and continued to worry about today's competition; Xu Ziqiao replied casually and turned to talk to Chu Qiurong about the contestant they had not finished talking about yesterday. The few of them let Song Chengming sit among them without any airs. The questioning and disdain that Song Chengming had expected were not there at all.

My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!