The City Lord's courtyard had grown unusually quiet.
Shaurya stood in the center of the stone pathway with his arms folded across his chest while Muo Qian faced him calmly.
A faint breeze stirred her hair.
"So," Shaurya said, raising an eyebrow, "what was this important thing you wanted to discuss?"
Muo Qian took a slow breath before speaking.
"I want Su Quan to participate in the competition instead of me."
The courtyard instantly fell silent.
Even the birds seemed to stop chirping.
Shaurya blinked.
The City Lord blinked.
Su Quan blinked.
For several seconds, nobody reacted.
Then Shaurya pointed at his own ear.
"I just want to confirm something."
His expression became suspicious.
"Did you actually say what I think you said?"
Muo Qian nodded without hesitation.
"I did."
The Sect Master's face immediately twisted.
"Why?"
He scratched the side of his head.
"No, seriously. Why?"
Before Muo Qian could answer, Su Quan hurried forward.
Her eyes were wide with alarm.
"What are you doing?"
She looked genuinely shocked.
"Why would you give up your spot for me?"
Muo Qian turned toward her.
Her expression softened slightly.
"Because you should be the one standing on that stage."
Su Quan froze.
Muo Qian continued.
"You finally awakened your talent."
Her gaze sharpened.
"You finally have the strength to fight back."
A flicker of anger appeared in her eyes.
"And more importantly, there is someone who deserves to be taught a lesson."
Everyone immediately understood who she meant.
Su Quan lowered her head.
Her hands clenched unconsciously.
Memories of humiliation flashed through her mind.
The ridicule.
The insults.
The contempt.
"Muo Qian..."
Her voice came out quietly.
"Please don't do this."
She shook her head.
"That place belongs to you."
Muo Qian stepped closer and placed both hands on her shoulders.
The movement surprised Su Quan.
A warm smile appeared on Muo Qian's face.
"No."
She looked directly into Su Quan's eyes.
"That place belongs to whoever can use it best."
Su Quan opened her mouth to argue.
Muo Qian didn't give her the chance.
"You keep doubting yourself."
Her voice remained gentle.
"You keep looking at your past."
"Because my past is real."
"So is your future."
Su Quan fell silent.
Muo Qian squeezed her shoulders lightly.
"I know what it feels like."
The smile on her face became smaller.
More personal.
"I know what it's like when nobody believes in you."
For a brief moment, something flashed through her eyes.
A memory.
A wound that had never fully disappeared.
Then it was gone.
"That's why I'm telling you this."
Her voice carried absolute certainty.
"You don't need my spot."
"You need your own."
Su Quan's lips trembled slightly.
The words struck deeper than she expected.
Nearby, Shaurya watched the exchange with a strange expression.
His eyes moved from Muo Qian to Su Quan and then back again.
They had known each other for what?
An hour?
Maybe less.
Yet somehow they were already talking like old friends.
A familiar notification echoed inside his mind.
[Host, Muo Qian likely sees part of herself in Su Quan.]
[Both experienced rejection.]
[Both experienced humiliation.]
[Both were underestimated.]
[Psychological compatibility: Extremely High.]
Shaurya slowly nodded.
That explanation actually made sense.
The system immediately followed up.
[As expected, I am always correct.]
The corner of Shaurya's mouth twitched.
"Don't ruin the moment."
[You are welcome.]
The system sounded very pleased with itself.
Meanwhile, neither Muo Qian nor Su Quan noticed the conversation taking place inside Shaurya's head.
They continued looking at one another.
One offering trust.
The other struggling to accept it.
Shaurya stepped forward.
"Muo, I hope you're making this decision after careful thought—not purely out of emotion."
Muo Qian met his gaze calmly.
"I've thought it through, Master. I have no regrets. It's just a small tournament."
Shaurya sighed.
"Alright then. Su Quan, get ready. You'll be participating in the competition alongside Wang Tian and Luo Chen."
Su Quan froze, completely stunned.
Muo Qian patted her shoulder reassuringly.
Su Quan nodded slowly, then bowed.
"Yes, Master. I promise I won't let your trust go to waste."
Wang Tian, who had been watching quietly, felt unexpectedly moved. He smiled faintly, then turned to Luo Chen with a smirk.
"Hey, big bro," Luo Chen said teasingly, "your girlfriend is really pure-hearted."
Wang Tian nodded absentmindedly—
Then realized what Luo Chen had just said.
His eyes widened.
"WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?!"
Luo Chen immediately began backing away, waving his hands nervously.
"Hey, big bro! I was just joking! Just a joke!"
A sudden chill ran down his spine.
Please don't let it be what I think it is…
From behind him, a cold voice cut through the air.
"Luo Chen."
He slowly turned around, forcing a stiff smile.
"S-Senior… what happened?"
"Luo Chen," Muo Qian said coldly, "not only is your face sharp—your tongue is sharp too."
She began walking toward him.
"Senior, it was just a joke! Please don't take it seriously! Senior—wait—!"
BAM! BAM! BAM!
Muo Qian started beating him mercilessly.
Wang Tian watched from a distance, eyes wide, and silently took a few steps back.
Shaurya wore a half-smile.
Luo Chen… oh, Luo Chen. This kid has absolutely no control over his mouth. And honestly, it's a good thing he said it—otherwise, I might have…
Shaurya glanced nervously at Muo Qian.
Nope. I'm safe. Narayan, Narayan.
---
The scene shifted.
Luo Chen now sat on the ground, his face covered in bandages, swollen like a potato. His lips were puffed up, and his eyes were half-open.
Shaurya and Wang Tian sat beside him, both struggling to hold back their laughter.
Finally, Luo Chen snapped.
"If you want to laugh, then just laugh already! Stop pretending you're holding it in!"
That was all the permission they needed.
Shaurya and Wang Tian burst into uncontrollable laughter.
Luo Chen puffed his cheeks angrily.
Wang Tian wiped a tear from his eye and said,
"Hey, Luo Chen… your Master—Elder Wu—was right. You really lack experience. Not just in battle, but in life too. You always say the wrong things at the worst possible time."
Luo Chen scoffed.
"When did you get so close to my Master? Oh right—you're an old fossil just like him. Of course you two match the same vibe."
Wang Tian's expression turned serious.
Luo Chen instantly panicked.
"S-Senior, I didn't mean that!"
BAM!
Another blow landed on his head.
Luo Chen trembled while holding it. Shaurya laughed loudly.
Wang Tian pulled Luo Chen into a friendly chokehold and began mock-beating him.
Shaurya watched the scene quietly, his smile slowly fading into thought.
Wang Tian… he's a Great Emperor. When he first joined the sect, I thought handling him would be a nightmare. I expected arrogance—someone who believed he was above everyone else.
But he blended in so easily…
Shaurya shifted his gaze toward Muo Qian and Su Quan, who were practicing together nearby.
And those two… they bonded so quickly as well.
Suddenly, realization dawned.
He looked back at Wang Tian and Luo Chen.
Not just them… Wang Tian with Muo Qian. Luo Chen with Su Quan.
All of them grew close so fast—not just in cultivation, but in relationships too.
The system's voice echoed again.
"And here you are, Host—single in both your lifetimes. Maybe it's time you learned something from your disciples."
That hit harder than any punch.
Shaurya sulked, walked to a corner, and sat down with a gloomy expression.
The system panicked.
"Host! I was just joking! Don't take it seriously!"
To Be Continued…