Night descended upon Tongtian Peak.
A gentle breeze rustled through the grove, the branches swaying and whispering with soft whooshing sounds.
Ji Changfeng lay on the hammock crafted from the Amber Silk, gazing quietly at the inky night sky, his thoughts adrift…
It was now the fifth day of the Seven Peaks Tournament.
He had just finished his third-round match today, securing his place in the top eight.
One more victory tomorrow, and he'd advance to the top four.
Swish—
At that moment, Ji Changfeng seemed to sense something.
He turned his head subtly.
There, atop the Sea of Clouds, a cool, composed girl clutching the Tianya Sword stood silently under the moonlight.
Lu Xueqi stood motionless, like a white lotus blooming beneath the moon. Her white dress fluttered lightly in the breeze, as if she might drift away with the wind at any moment.
The moonlight bathed her, casting a hazy glow around her form. Her skin was as fair as snow, her eyes carrying a trace of aloofness and distance.
Lu Xueqi hadn't intended to come.
Because…
She realized her encounters with Ji Changfeng had grown suspiciously frequent lately.
The first night, unable to sleep, she'd gone for a walk and happened to meet Ji Changfeng.
The second night, seeking peace from a noisy environment, she'd gone out to clear her mind and happened to meet Ji Changfeng again.
The third night, by chance.
The fourth night, by chance.
Tonight, Lu Xueqi had planned to stay in.
But her Senior Sister had pleaded relentlessly, saying her opponent tomorrow was Ji Changfeng. She begged Lu Xueqi to intercede, to ask Ji Changfeng to go easy on her…
To avoid an utterly humiliating defeat.
With no other choice, Lu Xueqi came out to see if she could happen to run into Ji Changfeng and plead her Senior Sister's case.
And, lo and behold?
She happened to find him.
Ji Changfeng noticed the solitary girl atop the Sea of Clouds.
He waved lightly to her.
No helping it.
That was just how Xueqi was.
If you didn't call her over, she'd simply stand there on the Sea of Clouds, watching you quietly, lingering for a while before slipping away…
Ji Changfeng had figured this out by now.
So, during their nightly meetings, he always took the initiative, at least to some degree.
Whoosh—
The breeze stirred, her dress fluttering.
The cool girl, clutching the Tianya Sword, approached slowly.
"Sit," Ji Changfeng said casually, gesturing to the spot beside him.
Lu Xueqi didn't hesitate. She smoothed her skirt and sat primly on the Amber Silk hammock.
Familiarity bred ease.
That's just how people are.
They leaned back on the hammock, their gazes fixed on the night sky.
For a moment, silence hung between them.
But then, Lu Xueqi spoke, her voice cool, tinged with her usual air of distance. "Your opponent tomorrow is my Senior Sister."
"Hm?" Ji Changfeng turned his head slightly. He didn't sense any so-called distance in her. Quite the opposite…
He found her surprisingly approachable.
Perhaps because they'd spent so much time together?
"I won't go too hard tomorrow," Ji Changfeng said softly.
In his recent matches, he'd dispatched opponents with a single sword intent, then left the arena with a flourish…
Such flair could indeed embarrass those who cared about face.
"Mm." Lu Xueqi nodded lightly.
She lingered a while longer.
When the moon hung high, she rose and left.
Ji Changfeng watched her retreating figure, a sense of contentment settling in his heart.
He had to admit.
This life was pretty nice.
With a beauty by his side, it surpassed countless worldly pleasures.
The next day, on the Tongtian Peak arena.
Ji Changfeng stood in white robes, hands clasped behind his back. His eyes glinted with sharp sword intent, his presence vibrant, like an unsheathed blade waiting to strike.
"Su Yi of Xiaozhu Peak. Please, Junior Brother Ji, enlighten me," a woman said with a warm smile.
Her features were soft, her eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief. Though not as striking as Lu Xueqi or Tian Ling'er, she was quite charming in her own right.
"Ji Changfeng of Dazhu Peak. Please, Senior Sister Su, enlighten me," Ji Changfeng replied with a slight bow.
Su Yi noticed he carried no treasures but thought little of it.
She knew her own limits.
Even without a treasure, Ji Changfeng could trounce her with ease.
"Junior Brother Ji, be careful~" Su Yi's expression grew serious.
She brandished her treasure and charged at Ji Changfeng.
Swish—
The treasure gleamed with sharp light.
Ji Changfeng's expression remained unchanged.
Hands still behind his back, he dodged the attack with a flicker of movement.
Boom—
At the same time, he flicked his finger lightly.
A measured burst of Azure Serpent sword intent erupted, speeding toward Su Yi.
"Hm?"
Su Yi's face shifted slightly.
She knew the power of Two Sleeves, Azure Serpent.
Not daring to underestimate it, she raised her treasure, casting a spell to defend.
Bang—
The spell successfully blocked the Azure Serpent sword intent.
Su Yi blinked, stunned.
That's it…
Blocked so easily?
Glancing at Ji Changfeng's calm demeanor, she instantly realized he was holding back.
No, not just holding back—more like unleashing an ocean of mercy.
With her Jade Purity sixth-layer cultivation, how could she possibly block Ji Changfeng's Azure Serpent sword intent otherwise?
A smile spread across Su Yi's face.
It seemed Junior Sister Lu's plea last night had worked.
Her eyes flicked to the crowd below, spotting Lu Xueqi, who stood clutching Tianya.
Su Yi winked playfully at her.
Swish—
At that moment, a flash of sword light erupted.
The faint cyan sword intent suddenly pulsed with killing intent, surging toward Su Yi's face.
"Not good!"
Su Yi's expression changed.
Ji Changfeng, watching her scramble to defend, spoke up. "Center yourself, hold fast to unity!"
He could see this Xiaozhu Peak Senior Sister was at a critical juncture. With a nudge or two, she could break through to the Jade Purity seventh layer…
So, Ji Changfeng decided to lend her a hand.
Su Yi froze briefly at his words but quickly grasped his intent, her heart leaping with joy.
She followed his advice, calming her mind and centering herself.
The next moment, the Azure Serpent sword intent struck again.
At the same time, Ji Changfeng's steady voice followed. "Reach the pinnacle of emptiness, hold fast to serene stillness."
"Unite heart with intent, intent with spirit, spirit with strength!"
Guided by Ji Changfeng's words, Su Yi wielded her treasure, its radiant light fending off the encroaching sword intent…
Swish!
In a trance, her mind began to align.
Heart, intent, spirit, strength, and soul gradually merged, unveiling a new realm before her.
Jade Purity seventh layer!
Boom—
In an instant, vast spiritual energy converged upon her.
Ji Changfeng dispelled the surrounding sword intent.
The scene captivated everyone.
Qingyun disciples looked at Su Yi with envy. A breakthrough, just like that?
Jade Purity seventh layer! That level of cultivation marked her as an elite disciple within Qingyun Sect.
At the same time, their gazes couldn't help but shift to Ji Changfeng.
A few casual pointers, and he'd helped someone break through to Jade Purity seventh layer? Could it be…
Had this monstrous genius truly reached Upper Purity?
Below the arena, Lu Xueqi's face remained impassive.
But inwardly, she was surprised…
Did he guide Senior Sister Su for my sake?
Lu Xueqi's thoughts lingered.
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