It has been a month since the conclusion of the Strong Ranking Grand Competition.
However, the peak showdown between Yun Tianming and Xun'er from days past still deeply imprints in everyone's mind, unforgettable for a long time. This battle will surely be recorded in the history of Jia Nan Academy, becoming a legendary tale revered by future generations.
Due to timely treatment of his internal injuries, Yun Tianming recovered completely in less than half a month.
Xun'er, in her attempt to maintain her image of strength, chose to suppress her internal injuries, but subsequently required over a month of recuperation to barely recover.
"Mentor Yun~"
"Mentor Yun~"
"Mentor Yun~"
Outside the door came the shouts of several girls at the same time.
"Come in."
Yun Tianming waved his hand afterward.
It turned out that the visitors were Han Yue, Xiao Yu, and Xiao Mei, each carrying a delicate food box in their hands, their faces adorned with youthful and sweet smiles full of vitality.
"I've already said, my body has completely recovered, there's no need for you to bring food."
Yun Tianming glanced at the various foods piled up like small mountains on the table, saying somewhat helplessly.
"Mentor Yun, you saved my life, I should repay you properly."
Han Yue reached out and twirled a strand of silver hair, her cheeks slightly flushed.
Beside her, Xiao Mei immediately cast a cautious glance.
"Mentor Yun, I see that you live alone and have no one to take care of you. Do you need a maid? Mei'er is willing to serve you, and if that's not enough, we can include my elder sister Xiao Yu!"
As she spoke, Xiao Mei pulled over Xiao Yu, who had long legs, trying to launch a sisterly offensive.
"How, how did I get dragged into this?"
"Sister Xiao Yu, don't you often mention Mentor Yun too?"
"No, I don't! Don't talk nonsense! I just occasionally mention Mentor Yun!"
Young and handsome, with strong abilities, Yun Tianming is considered the perfect prince charming in the hearts of many female students. Being adored and cherished is only natural for him.
"Everyone, I appreciate your kindness."
Yun Tianming remained calm, not feeling elated at all because of the flattery from the girls in front of him.
After all, he was a man who had seen much in life; how could he be swayed by a few sweet words from girls?
After chatting for a while, Yun Tianming casually rewarded the girls with some Pills and sent them away.
Late at night, a girl came to visit quietly, and Yun Tianming welcomed her gladly.
On the same night, another girl came knocking.
"It seems like I came at the wrong time."
The girl blushed and covered her face shyly.
"No, you've come at just the right time."
Yun Tianming opened his arms wide.
—————
"Yun Tianming!"
A cold and clear shout came from outside the house. Though not loud, it carried far.
"Oh~ That's Xun'er's voice, what should we do about this?"
"Damn it! Xun'er, this girl, can't resist after all? She actually wants to compete with us for a man!"
"Don't talk nonsense, I don't have that kind of relationship with her."
Yun Tianming reassured the two girls beside him with a sentence, tidied his clothes briefly, and said, "I'll be right back."
The moon hung like a silver plate, casting a faint moonlight down from the sky, shrouding the entire courtyard in a hazy silver veil.
A girl in blue stood on a solitary peak, her cold gaze fixed on a luxurious mansion below.
"Xiao Xun'er, what brings you here?"
Yun Tianming walked out of the courtyard, his Dou Qi Wings spreading behind him as he flew to another peak.
"..."
Xun'er's gaze was sharp, lingering for a moment on the red marks on his cheek and neck. Unable to resist, she spat out, "Degenerate!"
"Yeah yeah yeah, you didn't just come here tonight to scold me, did you?"
Yun Tianming responded casually.
Xun'er glanced meaningfully, and below in a certain room of the mansion, a window cracked open, revealing two pairs of gleaming mischievous eyes. Sensing Xun'er's sharp gaze, the window quickly shut.
Due to the strong shielding barrier around Yun Tianming's mansion, Xun'er couldn't use Soul Perception to determine the identities of the two girls.
Although it had nothing to do with her, the thought of maintaining the integrity of her bloodline's power compelled her to remain chaste. Meanwhile, this man in front of her could do as he pleased. What's more, his strength was on par with her own, which made her somewhat uncomfortable!
"Follow me."
Xun'er took a deep breath, dispelled her distractions, and flew off into the distance.
"Okay."
Yun Tianming was also somewhat curious about why she had come to find him, so he followed.
At the secluded back mountain of the inner courtyard...
Xun'er waved her hand and unfurled a jade slip, creating an invisible barrier that enveloped the surrounding space.
"You're quite bold to use a space-locking jade slip like this."
Yun Tianming twitched his mouth.
"Alright, now we can talk."
Xun'er sighed deeply, her eyes showing a hint of complex emotions.
Though she came to discuss something important, Xun'er fell into a long silence.
Yun Tianming didn't rush to disturb her, simply standing quietly and waiting for her to speak.
"I'm leaving."
"Mm."
"I hope to ask you for a favor."
"Compensation."
"..."
Xun'er paused, her mouth twitching slightly, speechless. "You really never lose out, do you!"
"I can't help it. You're the young lady of a super big Family. As for me, I'm just a disciple of the small Misty Cloud Sect. I have to fight for all my resources."
Yun Tianming shrugged, speaking earnestly.
"But you defeated me!"
Xun'er silently thought.
Seeming to understand her thoughts, Yun Tianming continued, "That's why you're standing here having an equal conversation with me, isn't it?"
In the Dou Qi Continent, strength is respected. He understood the gap between their backgrounds well. Normally, someone like Xun'er wouldn't even look at him. Just like when they first met at the Xiao Family, Xun'er had decided to use Misty Cloud Sect as a stepping stone for Xiao Yan's growth. It was Yun Tianming's strength that defeated her, allowing them to have some interaction.
Of course, Yun Tianming didn't believe that there would be any ambiguous relationship between him and Xun'er in the future.
"..."
Xun'er fell silent for a while, then slowly spoke, "I thought that at least we would become friends."
Finding a formidable rival was difficult, and Xun'er sincerely regarded Yun Tianming as a lifelong competitor!
"Is that so? Then I am truly honored."
A trace of surprise flashed across Yun Tianming's face, though he didn't think much of it.
He cultivated the Flame Mantra and would inevitably pursue the Heavenly Flame. Xiao Yan, who also cultivated the Flame Mantra, was a natural competitor. In the future, the two would inevitably be rivals.
So, when that time came, which side would this self-proclaimed "friend" Xun'er stand on?
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