Time flew by swiftly.
In the blink of an eye, three months had passed.
Today, Qingyun Sect buzzed with excitement.
For it was the day of the Seven Peaks Tournament, held once every sixty years. Elite disciples from each peak gathered at Tongtian Peak, including those from Xiaozhu Peak…
For disciples who spent their days in secluded cultivation, such an event was irresistibly captivating.
After all…
It's Xiaozhu Peak!
The peak that only accepts female disciples~
_
Dazhu Peak, Before Shoujing Tang
All the disciples assembled together.
Tian Buyi had been so thrilled the previous night that he hadn't slept a wink.
The thought that this tournament's champion would hail from Dazhu Peak sent his heart soaring…
"Look at you, all smug!" Su Ru, now radiating the elegance of a youthful matron, shot Tian Buyi an exasperated glance.
She was dressed stunningly today.
A deep green palace gown accentuated her graceful figure, her raven-black hair swept up and secured with a golden hairpin. Her lightly powdered face was flawless, brimming with youthful vitality…
"Is everyone ready?" Su Ru asked softly, her gaze lingering on the disciples.
Of course, her eyes rested most on Ji Changfeng.
At that moment, Ji Changfeng stood at the back with Tian Linger, the two whispering conspiratorially, as if plotting something.
"Little Senior Sister, how about a bet?" Ji Changfeng proposed.
"What kind of bet?" Tian Linger raised an eyebrow.
"Let's bet on my first opponent. If I guess right, you lend me your Amber Silk Sash for a bit."
"And if you guess wrong?" she countered.
"If I guess wrong, I'll refine some beauty-enhancing pills just for you."
Ji Changfeng smiled faintly.
Guess wrong?
As if!
How could I possibly guess wrong?
Ever heard of having connections in high places?
"Beauty-enhancing pills?" Tian Linger's eyes sparkled. "You're on!"
"Great! I bet my first opponent will be Lin Jingyu from Longshou Peak!" Ji Changfeng said with a light chuckle.
"Lin Jingyu?" A flicker of disbelief crossed Tian Linger's face.
How could that be?
Her first instinct was skepticism.
The Seven Peaks Tournament matchups were decided by a draw. How could Ji Changfeng predict his opponent?
Tian Linger shook her head.
This bet's as good as mine!
"Hmph! Ji Changfeng, start preparing those beauty pills!" A triumphant smile spread across her face.
Ji Changfeng only smiled, saying nothing.
Who would win or lose?
The draw would soon reveal all.
"Let's go," Tian Buyi commanded.
With that, he took to the air on his sword, heading toward Tongtian Peak.
Su Ru followed close behind.
"Little Senior Sister, let me hitch a ride," Ji Changfeng said, cradling Moxue and Zhanlong. In a flash, he appeared beside Tian Linger.
Without hesitation, he sprawled onto her Amber Silk Sash, ready to catch a quick nap.
Did you think he was after her sash for no reason?
Of course, it was for sleeping!
Tongtian Peak was cramped, and with disciples from all seven peaks gathered, nighttime would be a squeeze. By coaxing the Amber Silk Sash from Tian Linger, he planned to fashion a hammock outside for a comfortable night's rest…
After all, he had no interest in bunking with a bunch of sweaty men.
_
Whoosh—
A flash of swordlight streaked by.
Tian Buyi led the Dazhu Peak group to land at the midpoint of Tongtian Peak.
A Tongtian Peak disciple noticed their arrival and hurried forward. "Greetings, Uncle Tian, Aunt Su. The Sect Leader awaits in the Jade Purity Hall to discuss arrangements. Please proceed there…"
"Mm." Tian Buyi nodded.
He glanced back at Song Daren, then at Ji Changfeng. "Daren, Old Seventh, wait here and don't wander off…"
He swept his gaze over the other disciples.
That goes for the rest of you too.
"Yes, Master!" Ji Changfeng and the others bowed slightly.
With his instructions given, Tian Buyi and Su Ru headed to the Jade Purity Hall, leaving Ji Changfeng and the others behind.
Du Bishui and the other senior brothers looked around curiously. Unlike Ji Changfeng, who visited Tongtian Peak every few months, their trips here were rare.
Whoosh—
Just then, another swordlight flashed.
A group of female disciples, led by a coolly elegant Taoist nun who looked no older than her twenties, descended at the midpoint of Tongtian Peak.
The Dazhu Peak disciples hurried forward, bowing. "Greetings, Aunt Shuiyue!"
It was none other than Master Shuiyue, the head of Xiaozhu Peak.
"Mm…" Shuiyue nodded slightly. Her gaze instantly found Ji Changfeng lurking at the back, and her expression hardened. "Changfeng, am I that unwelcome to you?"
Her words startled the Dazhu Peak group.
Under Tian Linger's gleeful stare, Ji Changfeng stepped forward reluctantly, forcing a serious expression. "Aunt Shuiyue, why would you say that? In my heart, you're on par with shi niang!"
Indeed… in terms of beauty, Master Shuiyue, especially after taking the Youth-Retaining Pill, was every bit Su Ru's equal in Ji Changfeng's eyes.
Shuiyue's lips twitched upward, a glimmer of amusement in her eyes, though she kept her face stern. "If that's so, why do you always dodge my invitations to Xiaozhu Peak?"
Ji Changfeng grimaced. "Aunt, I swear, I've been in seclusion cultivating lately. I truly haven't had the time…"
Shuiyue nodded, noticing the growing crowd. She decided to let him off the hook. "Very well. The next time I invite you to Xiaozhu Peak, you'd better not refuse!"
"I obey your command!" Ji Changfeng replied solemnly, as if facing a noble sacrifice.
Pfft—
The Xiaozhu Peak disciples burst into giggles.
Even Shuiyue couldn't help but shake her head with a chuckle.
She turned to two disciples behind her. "Xueqi, Wen Min, wait here."
"Yes, Master!" The two bowed.
But as Lu Xueqi raised her eyes, her gaze locked with Ji Changfeng's.
Whoosh—
An invisible tension crackled between them.
A spark of defiance glinted in Lu Xueqi's eyes, her stare burning with intense battle intent.
Strong-willed and unyielding—that was her nature.
She might not match Ji Changfeng's talent, but she believed that with enough effort, she could catch up to him!!
For four years, every moment of her training had been haunted by that peerless silhouette and the wager they'd made…
Now, after four years, they finally met again!
Ji Changfeng smiled faintly, utterly unfazed by her challenge. He merely said softly, "Junior Sister Lu, it's been a while."
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