Beware

Yanyun continued to gaze at Chu Xingchen and transmitted her voice:

"What’s the matter? Have you also studied the Tianyan Art? Beating around the bush isn’t like you."

Chu Xingchen raised an eyebrow slightly and replied via voice transmission:

"Naturally, it’s because I can’t speak of it. If it were something that could be shared freely, you’d have already taken a stroll through her divine consciousness yourself."

"My body is far too precious now—I wouldn’t dare take such risks."

Yanyun’s gaze shifted back to the two sparring before them. Since Chu Xingchen refused to elaborate, pressing further would be pointless.

If Uncle Bai had willingly allowed her to peer into his divine sea, it at least meant he trusted Chu Xingchen.

That was enough for her—anything beyond this was a matter for their master to worry about.

With just a few glances, she could tell both fighters were prodigies.

Their techniques were steady and refined, their spiritual energy pure and flawless, their foundations solid.

They had clearly been tempered through real combat, likely having ventured outside the sect. Their moves were deliberate, honed through experience.

Even she, at the Nascent Soul stage back then, wouldn’t have been confident of a sure victory against either.

Truly, the tides of fate were like surging rivers—waves rising and converging, destined to meet.

"Who do you think will win?" Chu Xingchen asked casually.

Yanyun observed for a moment before answering, "Li Yingling."

Wang Lin’s expression was solemn, his gaze hesitant as he glanced toward Yanyun, who was chatting leisurely with Chu Xingchen.

Though he had been an inner disciple for some time now, his status was only slightly above that of an outer disciple—barely noticeable within the peak. Meanwhile, Yanyun was a core disciple of the Tianyan Sect, the most likely successor to the sect’s leadership.

By seniority, he had to address her as "Grandmaster Aunt."

Unlike Chu Xingchen, who was only an honorary grandmaster—a courtesy title—Yanyun was the real deal.

Her authority within the Tianyan Sect was absolute. Even the peak lords spoke to her with deference.

In terms of respect from the peak lords, Yanyun might even surpass the current sect master.

Yanyun was a legend in the Tianyan Sect. Her path to becoming a core disciple had been paved through countless battles and trials, proving herself time and again.

In an era where strength ruled, her abilities silenced all doubts.

Wang Lin sometimes fancied himself extraordinary, but after learning of the achievements of these true elites, all he could do was sigh in admiration.

To outsiders, inner disciples of the Tianyan Sect seemed like untouchable geniuses, bathed in glory.

But within the sect itself, they were merely a small, unremarkable part of the grand scheme.

Facing Yanyun in person, his nerves were taut. By rough estimate, he stood barely two or three meters away from her.

And he wasn’t the only one tense—his teammates behind him were practically suffocating under the pressure.

He didn’t even need to turn his head to hear their ragged, uneven breathing—hardly what one would expect from Nascent Soul cultivators.

Distracted for a moment, Wang Lin noticed movement and turned his gaze.

Chu Xingchen was approaching their table, carrying a pot of tea freshly brewed by Chen Baiqing.

Wang Lin hastily rose and cupped his hands in respect, but before he could speak, Chu Xingchen gently motioned for him to sit.

"No need for formalities here. Strictly speaking, you’re the hosts of this place," Chu Xingchen said with a smile, setting the teapot down before taking a seat at their table. "Come, have a taste."

Wang Lin was about to nod when he noticed Yanyun’s eyes on him and immediately froze.

Chu Xingchen glanced at Wang Lin’s expression, then turned to Yanyun.

"Do you usually intimidate them this much?"

Yanyun scoffed lightly. "If I were truly intimidating, you’d have been beaten black and blue long ago for your initial impertinence."

"That’s fair," Chu Xingchen chuckled, gesturing for Wang Lin and the others to sit. "Relax. There’s no need to be so stiff here. Yanyun might seem cold, but she’s soft-hearted toward juniors. At the very least, as a core disciple, her temperament is broad-minded."

Wang Lin found himself nodding unconsciously at Chu Xingchen’s reassuring words.

No wonder even someone as unruly as Li Xingtian had obediently bowed his head and let Chu Xingchen pat him.

First, a lighthearted tease, then a firm reassurance.

Despite the gap in seniority and cultivation, there wasn’t a trace of oppressive authority in his demeanor.

Wang Lin naturally wouldn’t let Chu Xingchen pour tea for them. He understood that Chu Xingchen’s kindness wasn’t an invitation to overstep.

He hurriedly poured tea for Chu Xingchen first, then for his teammates.

"I must say, the Tianyan Sect truly excels at nurturing disciples," Chu Xingchen remarked warmly. "Even my own disciples praised their professionalism after sparring with them."

Yanyun accepted a cup from Chen Baiqing and took a sip.

"Still, they pale in comparison to your sect, where every member is a prodigy."

Her gaze drifted to Yun Li, who was quietly sipping tea while intently observing the duel between Li Yingling and Li Xingtian.

"Even a snake is extraordinary in your ranks."

Before Yun Li could respond, Cui Hao eagerly raised his cup in agreement.

"As expected of Grandmaster Yanyun—your discernment is truly unmatched!"

Yanyun glanced at Cui Hao, likely the least talented in Chu Xingchen’s sect, now looking at her as if she were a rare patron of the arts. She said nothing, merely clinking her cup lightly against his.

Perhaps not the most gifted in cultivation, but he had his own strengths—social finesse was no small advantage.

After all, few ever attained true immortality, yet everyone strove for it.

After a few more exchanges, everyone’s attention returned to the fierce duel.

Typically, battles between evenly matched Nascent Soul cultivators could last days.

After all, neither side would recklessly charge into disadvantage—retreat and repositioning were common. But in a spar, such tactics were minimized. No one wanted a practice match to drag on for days.

In a way, it was akin to a standing brawl.

Minimal dodging, maximum clash—the essence of a good spar.

Neither fighter showed signs of backing down.

Li Yingling was likely thinking, "How can the senior sister lose to the junior brother? My dignity is at stake!"

Li Xingtian, on the other hand, was probably hung up on that one phrase—"Evil shall never triumph over righteousness."

Yet, in terms of raw spiritual power and mastery of techniques, Li Xingtian was slightly outmatched.

In a direct confrontation, he was at a disadvantage.

Within the training grounds—

Li Yingling noticed the growing audience, especially her master and Yanyun watching. Losing here would be unbearable. But to her surprise, her second junior brother was far more resilient than expected.

Her sword sliced through layers of blood-tinged energy, its edge driving straight toward Li Xingtian as she coldly taunted:

"Second Junior Brother, you’re barely breathing, aren’t you?"

"You know I’ve never held back. I’ve endured long enough—why not concede now and save yourself the recovery time?"

Li Xingtian blocked with his blade, his battle spirit only intensifying. His slightly crimson eyes locked onto her as he declared firmly:

"Senior Sister, unleash whatever you have! The outcome is far from decided!"

With a flick of her sword intent, Li Yingling sent him flying back, using the momentum to propel herself into the air. The flowing water-like sword energy around her coalesced into her blade.

Li Yingling's spirit sword nearly transformed into a flash of azure light, its oppressive aura radiating ominously as she coldly declared:

"Then don't blame this senior sister for being ruthless!"

Li Xingtian raised his blade and pointed it at her, retorting:

"Senior sister should be the one to watch herself!"