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"Alright then, I'll go and welcome Xifeng and Miss Su. Both of you, please wait here, alright?"

Mo Suyin, who had been befriended by Yin Xifeng eagerly agreed with a cheerful "Yes!" while Xin Guang replied with a more subdued "Yea..."

Seeing this, Jianyu couldn't help but smile, shaking his head at their contrasting reactions.

As he made his way towards the path leading to the mountain's entrance, Jianyu discreetly extended his spiritual sense to observe Yin Xifeng and Su Wen as they ascended the mountain on foot.

Normally, seeing Xifeng's upright and principled demeanor would have brought a smile to his face.

However, since the morning, his mind had been clouded with a sense of unease.

Even though he had taken a significant step toward achieving 'harmony' earlier in the day, he found himself unable to feel any genuine joy or contentment about his accomplishment.

Instead, his emotions seemed to grow more tangled with each passing moment.

As he continued to observe Xifeng and Su Wen, Jianyu couldn't shake the unsettling feeling that something was amiss.

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...

The landscape at Lunar-frost Yin Peak during dawn was truly mesmerizing. The frost that had gathered on the pale blue willow leaves throughout the night sparkled like precious jewels under the morning sun's golden rays, transforming the trees into ethereal treasures.

As the sun's yang energy bathed the mountain, certain insects that had burrowed underground emerged, absorbing the energy and releasing a mist that enveloped the entire area, adding to its mystical beauty.

"I've been told that these willow trees grow crystalline flowers after absorbing yin energy on winter nights. Mother said that those flowers are truly a sight to behold," Jianyu explained as he led his guests towards the training grounds where Mo Suyin and Xin Guang practiced their daily sparring and training.

"If Mother said so, then it must truly be an exquisite sight~" Xifeng commented, walking side by side with Jianyu.

"Mhm, Mother isn't one to give compliments lightly after all."

Behind the two, Su Wen awkwardly followed. Over the past two days, Su Wen had lost her initial motivation to fight Xin Guang. Her original goal had been to defeat Xin Guang and challenge Jianyu.

Her reason for that was simple: love, or rather, affection. Su Wen had grown to admire Lady Xifeng for her strength and her ability to plan ten steps ahead.

However, two days ago, when she had attempted to gather information about Jianyu from her lady, she had to endure hours of Xifeng's praise for Jianyu, even for the most trivial of accomplishments. Su Wen's image of her lady as a strong and wise figure had crumbled, along with her budding attraction.

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Now, the only reason for her to spar against Xin Guang was to enjoy the battle.

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As they reached the training grounds, Jianyu and the others spotted Xin Guang and Mo Suyin waiting there.

"Greetings, Lady Xifeng!" Mo Suyin cheerfully greeted Xifeng, while Xin Guang remained silent.

Jianyu couldn't help but shake his head inwardly at Xin Guang's behavior. Despite all the 'education' he had received, Xin Guang still had trouble with such basic politeness.

However, Jianyu recognized that this trait could serve him well on his path as a cultivator. Xin Guang's ability to maintain his pride, whether dealing with those above or below him, was a unique quality that reminded Jianyu of one of his former disciples.

Instead of indifference, it was Xin Guang's way of life. This was one reason Jianyu had decided to create a cultivation method specifically for Xin Guang, despite his rather questionable loyalty.

"Brother Guang, I assume you're prepared, right?" Jianyu asked.

"Yes," Xin Guang replied tersely, feeling goosebumps all over his body. Even though it was the second time he had encountered Jianyu's polite and eerie demeanor, it still creeped him out.

"Alright, if Miss Su Wen is also ready, then we can begin in a few moments. However..." Jianyu's expression turned serious as he looked at both Xin Guang and Su Wen. "As this is a spar between cultivators, I know that injuries can be considered inevitable... But if you go out of your way to injure or cripple your opponent... Then..."

Jianyu paused for a moment, his expression shifting to a mischievous smile. "I'll rip apart a limb or two off you~"

Xin Guang's face turned pale as he heard this, and Su Wen was visibly scared by Xin Guang's reaction. Mo Suyin, unsure of how to lighten the mood, awkwardly attempted to do so but struggled to find the right words.

Jianyu couldn't help but laugh heartily at their reactions. "Haha, that was a joke, of course. After all, there's no way anyone would be stupid enough to do something like that, right?"

Hearing Jianyu's reassurance, Xin Guang let out a sigh of relief and Su Wen managed an awkward laugh, inwardly wondering what Xin Guang had gone through.

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"Alright, stop! The winner's Su Wen!" Jianyu declared as Xin Guang fell to his knees, yet the victor, Su Wen wore a bitter expression.

The battle between the two had not been overly long, but it had not been too short either. Both of their techniques had been affected by the suppression of the ambient elemental qi.

While Xin Guang had fought skillfully against the spear-wielding Su Wen and managed to keep up with her swift movements, he had ultimately lost.

However, Su Wen couldn't contain her frustration and roared, "Why... Why did you hold back?!"

Xin Guang, still on his knees, replied, "...I am not holding back," tightening his fists in frustration.

Before Su Wen could continue her questioning, Jianyu intervened, "Xin Guang can't use that move right now."

Su Wen, who was perplexed, asked "Why?"

With a mischievous smile, Jianyu explained, "Well, since his flame qi has grown more potent and purer over the last few days, if he tried to gather it into a "bud" without having a resistant physique..." pausing for a moment, he continued, "... he will explode."

Su Wen's eyes widened in disbelief. "What?"

To which, Jianyu playfully gestured with his hands as if mimicking an explosion, adding a comical 'boom' sound. "I said that if he used that technique, he'd explode."

As Xin Guang hung his head, feeling utterly humiliated. Jianyu continued, "To begin with, he wasn't supposed to use that technique. His current cultivation is too low for it." Jianyu turned his gaze to glare at Xin Guang as he spoke, "Yet, he used it like an idiot."

Su Wen remained silent, absorbing the bizarre turn of events. Eventually, she meekly agreed, "Yes."

On that day, Su Wen came to understand that Jianyu, who could smile while discussing such grim matters, and her lady, who chuckled along, were both a bit eccentric.

"By the way, since it's getting quite late already, how about joining us for a meal?" Jianyu suggested to Xifeng, who responded with a smile, "I'd love to!"

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"Senior brother is really good at cooking!" Mo Suyin claimed proudly.

"I would've won if I was allowed to use the ascendant flowers!" Xin Guang claimed shamelessly.

"Say that after you can defeat me," Jianyu teased him playfully.

"You-!" Xin Guang started to retort before Jianyu's laughter interrupted him.

"Haha," Xifeng chuckled, and Su Wen smiled as they watched the two interact.

Their youthful laughter faded into the night as the skies took a darker hue...