Transmigrating into the world of Jade Dynasty, I was targeted by the female lead in a reverse romanc

The next day, the Qian position arena.

"good!"

The applause and cheers nearly lifted the stage. On stage, red and blue lights intertwined and collided, dazzling and spectacular.

Tian Ling'er's amber crimson silk transformed into a sky full of rosy light, as agile as a dragon, sometimes coiling around and sometimes stabbing swiftly.

Her face was pale, and her forehead was covered in a fine layer of sweat, but her eyes were frighteningly bright, filled with only one stubborn, almost obsessive thought: I can't lose! I can't lose!

Lu Xueqi's Tianya Divine Sword shone with a deep blue light that flowed like mercury across the ground, vast and cold.

Her movements were graceful and her swordsmanship simple, yet she always managed to deflect Zhu Ling's most ferocious attacks at the last possible moment, or force Tian Ling'er to retreat and defend with a sharp sword aura.

Her expression remained aloof, revealing no emotion, though occasionally her gaze would sweep towards a certain direction below the stage.

Below the stage, Tian Buyi and Su Ru's palms were sweating with nervousness. Master Shuiyue sat silently, his gaze calm.

Dao Xuan Zhenren sat at the head of the table, a smile on his face, nodding occasionally. Around him, disciples from various lineages watched with rapt attention, marveling at the two beautiful figures and their spectacular battles.

An hour has passed. The two are still locked in a battle. Tian Ling'er has actually held out for so long under Lu Xueqi's Tianya Divine Sword, displaying remarkable skill in both offense and defense, which has truly surprised many.

"Relax, it's okay," Tian Buyi whispered to comfort his wife, but his own fists were clenched so tightly that his knuckles were turning white.

On Jiang Xiaochuan's side, his opponent was a female disciple named Xu Lin from Xiaozhu Peak. He hardly took the initiative to attack, but simply used the shaft of his spear to block and deflect the force. Finally, seizing the opportunity, he gently flicked the shaft of his spear, "sending" his opponent and her sword off the stage without harming her in the slightest.

After winning, he immediately ran to watch Zhang Xiaofan's match. Zhang Xiaofan was facing Peng Chang of Feng Hui Peak, wielding the Wu Hook Immortal Sword, forged from thousand-year-old fire copper, which was incredibly powerful and heavy. Zhang Xiaofan fought extremely hard, sustaining several wounds, but in the end, he won by sheer grit and solid foundation.

Jiang Xiaochuan was both surprised and delighted, but when he saw the injuries on Zhang Xiaofan's body, his brows furrowed. Without saying a word, he pulled Zhang Xiaofan back to his residence on Dazhu Peak, secretly "snatched" two large yellow pills from Tian Buyi's room, and stuffed them into Zhang Xiaofan's mouth, using his spiritual power to help him neutralize the medicinal effects. Seeing that Zhang Xiaofan's breathing had stabilized and his injuries had begun to heal, he breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly returned to the Qianwei Arena.

He squeezed next to Zeng Shushu, who was watching intently. Seeing him, Zeng nudged him with her elbow and asked in a low voice, "Old Jiang, who do you think will win?"

Without a second thought, Jiang Xiaochuan said matter-of-factly, "Of course it's Lu Xueqi."

His voice wasn't loud, but it wasn't quiet either amidst the deafening cheers around him.

At least, Tian Ling'er, who was giving her all on stage and listening intently, clearly caught those words.

It was like a string stretched to its limit being gently plucked.

Then, it snapped.

Tian Ling'er felt a sudden darkness before her eyes, a sharp pain in her chest, and her already dwindling spiritual energy instantly dissipated. The red light on the amber silk ribbon abruptly dimmed.

At that very moment, Lu Xueqi's Tianya Sword, carrying a not particularly sharp but perfectly smooth blue light, gently touched the weakest point of Zhu Ling's strength.

A soft "ding" sounded.

Tian Ling'er could no longer hold onto the amber ribbon. It flew out of her hand, like a lifeless red ribbon, falling limply to the edge of the arena. The gentle force sent her staggering back several steps, her legs giving way, and she collapsed to her knees on one knee, bracing herself with her hand to keep from falling. Sweat streamed down her pale face, dripping onto the smooth wooden floor.

She lowered her head, her long hair falling loose and obscuring her face. Only her slightly trembling shoulders betrayed her disheveled state and resentment.

The audience fell silent for a moment, then erupted into an even louder uproar. Some marveled at Lu Xueqi's brilliant victory, while others lamented Tian Ling'er's near miss.

The referee announced loudly, "Xiao Zhufeng, Lu Xueqi, wins!"

Lu Xueqi sheathed her sword and looked down at the audience. Jiang Xiaochuan was also looking at her, nodded, and silently mouthed, "Thank you."

Lu Xueqi saw his lip movements clearly and nodded slightly, almost imperceptibly. In her clear and cold eyes, there seemed to be a very faint sense of relief, as if she had completed a task.

She also said something silently, and judging from her lips, it was: "Don't forget the gift."

Jiang Xiaochuan smiled and nodded. But in his heart, he began to ponder: after the Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament, it seemed the story would turn to the Ten Thousand Bats Cave at Kongsang Mountain? He would be passing through Heyang City on his way down the mountain. What should he buy for her then? Rouge and face powder? She didn't seem to need them. Pretty clothes? She seemed to only wear a few colors. Jewelry? She seemed to only have that jade bracelet…

Ugh, what a headache. Giving a girl a gift is such an age-old problem.

……

Two players from Dazhu Peak made it into the top eight – Jiang Xiaochuan and Zhang Xiaofan.

Tian Buyi grinned from ear to ear, his chubby face swaying, and he walked with a swagger. A genius and a prodigy—Dazhu Peak had truly made a name for itself at this Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament! Although Ling'er lost, losing to Lu Xueqi wasn't shameful.

As dusk fell, the setting sun bathed Yunhai Square in a warm golden hue.

Jiang Xiaochuan thought for a moment and decided to go to the residence of the female disciples of Xiaozhu Peak to find Lu Xueqi.

During the day, with so many people around, he wanted to ask about some details regarding the "gift," or perhaps... make an "appointment" in advance, just in case she was dissatisfied.

He walked slowly along the bamboo path, mentally preparing his words. As he approached the moonlit houses, a shadow moved beside him, and a person suddenly appeared, blocking his way.

It is Tian Ling'er.

She had changed out of the tight-fitting outfit she wore during the competition and was now dressed in her usual bright red dress. Her hair had also been recombed, but her face was still somewhat pale, and her eyes were a little red, as if she had been crying or hadn't slept well. She stood there straight, blocking the way, looking at Jiang Xiaochuan without saying a word.

Jiang Xiaochuan stopped, somewhat surprised: "Senior Sister Ling'er? Are you... alright? Your injuries..."

"Jiang Xiaochuan." Tian Ling'er interrupted him, her voice calm, even a little too calm. She raised her eyes, her usually bright and lively eyes now seeming to be covered with a layer of gray, staring straight into Jiang Xiaochuan's eyes.

"I like you."

She looked at him, speaking each word with utmost seriousness and difficulty, as if she were using all her strength, "It's not the kind of love a sister has for her brother, or a younger sister for her older brother. It's... a woman's love for a man. I want to be with you, like Father and Mother."

She paused, her chest heaving, her voice trembling slightly, but her gaze remained stubbornly fixed on him, refusing to waver.

"And you?"

"do you like me?"