Jiang Na stood under the cherry shade outside the shop. When the two stepped out, she raised her hand gently and suggested softly,
"We have nothing else to do. Let me show you around Sakura Street. The cherry blossoms are at their most beautiful right now."
Before she finished, vendors and neighbors along the street recognized the two and greeted them warmly.
"Lord Chiba! Miss Jiang Na!"
"Out for a stroll again today?"
Their voices were familiar and affectionate.
Jiang Yu nodded faintly along the way; the pale blue magic around him dimmed slightly but did not fade, still holding quiet vigilance.
Jiang Na responded with a bright smile, her relaxed expression softening the atmosphere.
Shi Jin walked beside them, watching the scene, and joked casually like an old friend.
"Looks like you two are remembered everywhere you go on this street—more eye-catching than the cherry blossoms."
He glanced at children chasing petals down the road and added,
"The warmth of Floating Sakura Island is even more moving than the scenery."
His tone was lazy and natural, without the slightest trace of probing.
Jiang Yu glanced at him from the side, said nothing, but quietly slowed his pace. The faint blue light at his fingertips dimmed silently.
Jiang Na smiled and turned back.
"Naturally. Everyone on the island is very kind."
They walked on, cherry blossoms brushing their shoulders.
Neighbors' greetings, children's laughter, and the sweet scent of street food drifted in the wind.
Shi Jin occasionally joked about the scenery, harmless and light.
The stiff magical tension from the table quietly relaxed amid the street warmth, casual banter, and friendly calls.
Jiang Yu's blue magic faded further; Jiang Na's soft cherry magic bloomed gently with her smile. Even the试探 in the air thinned.
The sun climbed high. Cherry branches filtered dappled gold onto the blue stone pavement.
Jiang Yu suddenly stopped, turned to look at Shi Jin, who was observing the cherry trees, and spoke in a cool tone with a clear invitation.
"Your magical foundation is extraordinary. Floating Sakura Island happens to have several skilled mages practicing at the martial arena. Why not join us for a friendly spar? A battle to forge friendship—not wasted on such a leisurely day."
It sounded polite, but it was a direct test of strength.
He wanted to force Shi Jin to reveal his true magic style, gauge his depth, and uncover the power that could resonate with the Kiyotaki Sword.
Jiang Na paused, her cherry magic trembling slightly at her wrist. She looked up at the two, surprised but understanding her brother's intention. She stood quietly, waiting for Shi Jin's reply.
Shi Jin pulled his finger from the cherry tree bark, brushed the petals from his shoulder, and kept his lazy smile. He saw through Jiang Yu's test immediately.
"Sounds fun. I'm a bit tired from walking. I'll accompany Lord Chiba."
His tone remained casual, but the suppressed magic around him condensed almost imperceptibly for a moment.
He did not refuse at all—instead, he accepted calmly and confidently, unafraid of this obvious probe.
Jiang Yu's eyes darkened. He said no more, gesturing toward the martial arena on the other side of the street.
"This way."
The three turned and walked. Cherry shadows swayed with their steps.
The relaxed warmth of the street quietly faded.
Noon heat wrapped around a growing magical tension.
A confrontation named "sparring," but in truth a test, loomed in the clear light.
On the way to the arena, Jiang Na broke the stillness first.
Her fingers brushed the carved stone railings beside the road. She introduced softly,
"This arena was supervised and built by the first island lord of Floating Sakura Island three hundred years ago.
It was originally for practitioners to spar and train the island-protecting formation. Later, it became a gathering place for the island's mages."
She looked toward the stone structure in the distance, her cherry magic rippling gently, voice carrying quiet respect.
"The first lord also left magic buffer patterns in the stone formation. They protect the surroundings during duels and make the clash clearer, without disturbing others.
It's said that when he built this place, he set a rule: stop at the first touch.
For three hundred years, no one on the island has fought with full force to harm another here."
Sunlight shone on the arena's pale white stone walls, reflecting mottled carvings.
Tiny white crystals were embedded in the patterns—nourished by the first lord's life magic.
They glowed softly in the noon sun, harmonizing with the buffer magic.
Traces left by centuries of practice and sparring.
Jiang Yu nodded faintly, his peripheral vision always on Shi Jin, searching for clues in his reaction.
Shi Jin looked up at the arena's structure, fingers casually brushing the stone railings.
His lazy smile mixed with inspection.
When his gaze passed the wall patterns, his suppressed magic paused slightly—as if recognizing the first lord's mark.
Yet he said little, only remarking casually:
"A place with hidden heritage."
A simple comment, no joy or anger.
But it made Jiang Yu's eyes sink again.
To see the magic heritage in the patterns at a glance—this man's vision and power were indeed extraordinary.
He quietly condensed blue magic in his palm.
If Shi Jin was truly connected to the first lord's magic, this spar would reveal the truth.
Soon the three reached the arena gate.
The guarding practitioner bowed to Jiang Yu, his gaze curious when it fell on Shi Jin.
As Jiang Na finished explaining, noon wind carried the cool breath of the stone field.
Faint sounds of practitioners sparring came from inside.
The buffer patterns on the walls glinted faintly in the wind.
A long-planned test was finally about to begin inside this century-old arena.
As soon as they stepped inside, the practicing practitioners turned to look.
Jiang Yu scanned the hall, expression calm, mind racing.
The chief practitioner had the deepest magic on the island. Only he could force Shi Jin's true power and accurately identify his style.
Summoning him now would catch Shi Jin off guard.
He silently signaled his personal guard.
The guard understood, bowed, and hurried off without delay.
While waiting, Jiang Yu looked at Shi Jin standing idle in the center.
One hand behind his back, the other casually brushing the buffer patterns, feeling the magic flowing inside.
Jiang Yu formed another plan:
Sparring empty-handed would not reveal enough. Giving him a standard Floating Sakura magic sword would be perfect.
It would not be rude, and the fixed magic threshold of standard weapons would let him judge Shi Jin's control, adaptation, and depth from how he wielded it.
He called to the weapon-stall practitioner:
"Bring a standard magic long sword. We cannot be discourteous to a guest."
The practitioner quickly brought the sword.
Its scabbard was carved with faint island-protecting magic patterns, glinting coldly in the sun.
He held it out with both hands toward Shi Jin.
Jiang Na stood to the side, cherry magic winding around her wrist.
Her gaze shifted between the sword and Shi Jin, understanding her brother's plan and curious how he would accept this weapon bearing Floating Sakura's mark.
Shi Jin pulled his hand from the stone, glanced at the offered sword, and kept his lazy smile.
He lifted a finger, slowly touched the scabbard, and gently rubbed the magic pattern.
The moment his finger pressed down, the pattern on the blade trembled almost imperceptibly—as if drawn by his suppressed magic.
Jiang Yu's gaze tightened, shocked inwardly:
A mere touch could activate the standard sword's pattern.
This magic density was far beyond his expectation.
Yet Shi Jin did not take it immediately. He raised an eyebrow at Jiang Yu, speaking lazily.
"Lord Chiba is too polite. It's only a spar—no need for such formality."
Even so, his finger hooked the hanger at the top of the scabbard.
He twisted his wrist and pulled smoothly.
A clear sword cry rang through the arena, faintly harmonizing with the buffer patterns on the walls.
He shook the sword lightly at his side, the tassel fluttering.
The tip tapped the ground, lifting a speck of stone.
He glanced at the faint light flowing on the blade, appraising its quality.
Jiang Yu squeezed his palm. Pale blue magic quietly condensed at his fingertips.
Once the chief practitioner arrived, this test would truly begin.
From the corridor outside came hurried footsteps.
The summoned chief mage was approaching quickly.
A figure in black magic-lined uniform strode forward.
Hair flecked with white, but posture straight.
Stable, heavy magic lingered around him.
This was Jida, Floating Sakura Island's chief practitioner — Jiang Yu's uncle.
As soon as he appeared, his concentrated magic lightly touched the first lord's buffer patterns.
The loose magic in the hall immediately tensed.
Jida scanned the arena, first looking at Jiang Yu, and asked deeply,
"Why did you call me?"
Jiang Yu stepped forward, lowered his voice, and spoke gravely.
"Uncle. This man's power is unfathomable. A single touch can activate a standard magic sword. His ability to hide magic is profound.
During the spar, you must go all out. Uncover his true style and bottom line."
Jida's finger pressed lightly on Jiang Yu's shoulder — a reassuring, confident gesture.
"I know my limits. I will test him, but I will not break the arena's 'stop at first touch' rule."
He raised an eyebrow, looked at Shi Jin standing idle in the field, gaze turning inspecting and solemn.
His fingers quietly locked onto his own life-bound magic sword.
The peaceful magic around him slowly condensed, exuding the murderous aura of long battle.
Their conversation lasted only a breath.
But Shi Jin in the field seemed to sense it.
He looked up at Jida, lazy smile unchanged.
He raised the standard sword and made a light, provocative stance.
His fingers spun the hilt.
Suppressed magic spread over the blade, making the standard sword's pattern glow with faint silver light.
He had long seen through the uncle and nephew's plan.
Amusement flickered in his eyes.
Floating Sakura Island's chief… finally a worthy opponent.
Jiang Na stood to the side, cherry magic tightening unconsciously around her wrist.
Watching the two concentrated, relaxed auras in the field, her heart tensed.
This test disguised as a spar…
From the very start, it would be hard to truly "stop at the first touch."
Jida stepped firmly into the center of the arena.
His black uniform made his presence even more solemn in the noon sun.
The white in his hair glinted brightly, but did not dull his sharpness.
He looked straight at Shi Jin, gaze passing over his young face and casual sword-holding posture.
His fingers quietly activated magic perception.
The moment it probed out, he only felt Shi Jin's magic was almost negligible — like an ordinary low-level practitioner.
Nothing like the "unfathomable" power Jiang Yu had described.
Surprise flashed in his chest, but he suppressed it at once.
Jiang Yu was always calm and prudent, never speaking empty words.
If he told him to go all out, there must be a hidden depth he could not yet see.
Even if the man looked young and weak in magic…
He trusted his nephew's judgment.
He would not underestimate him for even a moment.