Grandpa, times have changed.

On the stage.

After testing each other's skills with their first strike, the two became increasingly aggressive.

The flames swirled and rolled, and visible spiritual energy vibrations spread out continuously.

Every now and then, a few pebbles would fly off the platform, making a sharp whooshing sound, and eventually embed themselves deeply in the ground.

At first, Yuan and Xu Xing were evenly matched, and neither of them could defeat the other.

After a stalemate, Yuan actually discovered Xu Xing's secret of unleashing flames, and learned it in a very short time, and used it directly!

Xu Xing was greatly alarmed. Realizing something was wrong, he finally stopped holding back and directly used his swordsmanship.

"fencing".

As the sword technique created by Wu Shi, and the first sword technique in the world, its content includes not only moves, but also the corresponding methods of manipulating spiritual energy.

By using special methods to mobilize spiritual power, one can make the spiritual power itself even more formidable.

In the past two years, Xu Xing has mastered the skill to perfection. With each strike and flick of his longsword, a sharp sword light whistles out.

It should be noted that the spiritual power of cultivators in the Qi Refining Realm is difficult to retain outside their bodies, and they usually need to rely on weapons made of special materials.

Moreover, there are no supernatural powers or magic in this day and age.

This means that cultivators at the Qi Refining Realm basically have no ability to launch ranged attacks.

However, the sword light formed through a special method of using spiritual power can kill enemies from a distance, and its role in Qi Refining Realm combat is self-evident.

Therefore, after Xu Xing used his swordsmanship, Yuan quickly fell into a disadvantageous position and could only move around and dodge under the pressure of the sword light, and he was about to be defeated.

At this moment, apart from San Shi and Shi Jiu, almost everyone, even others in the settlement, believed that Yuan was about to be defeated.

however……

Just as Xu Xing had cornered Yuan and was preparing to end this 'farce'...

Yuan gently turned aside, dodging a whistling sword beam, and then spoke in a very serious tone.

"I learned."

Ok? !

Before Xu Xing could react, a ray of white light flashed before his eyes, causing his pupils to shrink involuntarily.

call out!
The chill seemed to seep into his bones, and the stinging pain between his brows served as a constant reminder...

This is absolutely not a bluff!
At the critical moment, Xu Xing narrowly avoided the incoming white light.

but!

Soon, several more white lights flashed and shot towards him!

Hey!
How the hell is that possible?!

The shock in my heart surged forth like a tsunami.

With a light tap of his foot, spiritual energy burst forth, propelling his body backward in a horizontal motion.

He slashed horizontally with his longsword, extinguishing the sword light that was rushing towards him.

However, Yuan seized the opportunity to close in, following closely behind Xu Xing, and thrust his three-foot-long iron rod toward Xu Xing's heart, the sharp white light flickering uncertainly.

Learned!
She actually learned swordsmanship!
What followed was a complete and one-sided 'crushing' victory.

No matter how Xu Xing attacked or defended, Yuan could instantly find the flaw in his changing moves.

Clearly, she had not only learned the "Sword Techniques," but also understood Xu Xing's fighting style from their recent exchange.

Less than thirty seconds.

clang!
The iron sword spun high into the air before falling off the platform.

Finally, most of the sword blade pierced the ground, the remaining part trembling violently.

On the stage.

Yuan held the iron rod in one hand, pressing it three inches in front of Xu Xing's brow, his tone as serious as before:

"You can't do it either."

"..."

Xu Xing's right hand trembled, and a trace of disorientation still lingered in his eyes.

Wow!
A sudden burst of enthusiastic cheers erupted from the audience.

San Shi and Shi Jiu smiled, and even Wu Shi looked at Yuan with some surprise.

To have mastered swordsmanship in such a short time and completely understood Xiao Xing's fighting style—that's some talent...

That's really an exaggeration!
While most people were cheering, Bie Xuening stared coldly at Yuan.

On a level unseen by everyone else, Chi Jiuyu stared blankly at the stage, somewhat bewildered.

No!

You've already learned it?!

Your master has been practicing diligently for two years, and you caught up in less than ten minutes?
Is this some kind of copy-paste job? This talent is a bit too abnormal!
Even her Nine Fishermen Ancestor...

wrong!

This is almost on par with her unparalleled talent in swordsmanship!

……

……

late at night.

Inside a stone house.

Xu Xing stood beside a stone bed, holding a radiant fruit that looked like a small sun in his hands, still in a daze.

In less than ten minutes, she had completely mastered the swordsmanship she was using and even used it to defeat herself.

Recalling what had just happened, Xu Xing felt increasingly distressed.

Especially Yuan's last sentence...

To be honest, he was really a bit overwhelmed.

aside.

On the other stone bed, Zhen was fast asleep, snoring loudly.

at the same time.

Inside another stone house.

Bie Xuening was arranged to share a room with Yuan.

But because of what had just happened, Bie Xuening had been staring at Yuan with a chilling gaze ever since she came in.

It made her feel uneasy and uncomfortable all over, and she couldn't sleep no matter how much she tossed and turned.

Finally, Yuan couldn't take it anymore.

He sat up in bed and glared at her fiercely.

"Are you ever going to stop?!"

“It’s not over yet,” Bie Xuening said coldly.

"..."

"My junior brother has never been rude, why did you treat him like that?"

Actually, she could accept that her junior brother lost.

After all, it's just a friendly competition; winning and losing are normal.

But what she found most unacceptable was Yuan's final sarcastic remark.

The junior apprentice was clearly devastated.

To be fair, since they and their master arrived here, they've been very polite to everyone, haven't they?
My junior brother didn't taunt me when he defeated that big guy.

This guy, however, seemed to have something wrong with his brain; he disliked his junior brother from the very beginning.

“Because he’s a fake!” Yuan blurted out instinctively.

"Is it fake?" Bie Xuening asked, puzzled.

"Hmph!" Yuan Qing snorted and turned her head away. "Why should I explain to you!"

He then lay down again.

However, Bie Xuening still kept her eyes fixed on her.

Feeling uncomfortable all over, she had no choice but to lift the blanket and cover her head.

Why does she dislike Xu Xing?
Just like the answer she had subconsciously given.

The main reason was that Xu Xing gave her a very fake feeling.

On the surface, he was humble and polite, treating everyone with courtesy.

But when Yuan spoke to him, he always felt that Yuan was being 'perfunctory', a kind of 'contempt' that showed he didn't take anyone seriously.

Especially noticeable was the stark contrast in his attitude towards his senior sister and Uncle Wu Shi during their conversations.

That feeling became even stronger.

That's why she said that last sentence.

There was only one purpose: to let him know why he looked down on him!
"..."

Yuan Weiwei pursed her lips, curled up, and bit her fingertip.
Recalling what had just happened, she suddenly regretted saying those words.

Maybe……

Or am I just being too dramatic? (End of Chapter)