Tian Sheng's old face couldn't maintain its composure. He wanted to slap himself silly. Why didn't you mention your progress earlier? You had to wait until I mocked you to ruthlessly display your strength, forcing me to eat my words. Truly excessive.
"Dare to take a punch from me?" Di Sheng asked.
"I dare not," Tian Sheng replied.
"Sigh." Di Sheng withdrew his fighting spirit, and the surroundings returned to calm, as if nothing had happened.
At this moment, Tian Sheng didn't want to speak. He had to admit that he was no longer Di Sheng's opponent. Di Sheng's strength had improved too rapidly. It wasn't that he had cultivated some peerless boxing technique, but his fighting spirit had become even more terrifying.
At their level of competition, every move and every style was superficial. What truly mattered was the intent, the artistic conception.
"I think you could also follow Manor Lord Lin. It would be beneficial for you," Di Sheng kindly reminded him. "Based on my feelings these past few days, I believe Manor Lord Lin is truly an unparalleled expert. Every single thing he does, if carefully contemplated, can offer enlightenment."
"Even for your swordsmanship, this holds true."
"From my understanding, you rely too much on your giant sword. When your giant sword was shattered by Manor Lord Lin, your swordsmanship weakened by a third."
Tian Sheng felt a pang of discomfort listening to Di Sheng's words.
"Stop." He interrupted directly, unwilling to continue listening to Di Sheng.
"Who did you learn this from? You're actually trying to fool me."
He wouldn't admit that Di Sheng was right. This feeling was like a child being scolded. He, Tian Sheng, a dignified Sword God, was being critiqued by someone who didn't even use a sword. Just imagine how infuriating that was.
Di Sheng shook his head and said helplessly, "Facing reality is crucial."
"This isn't about facing reality or not. What you're telling me is complete nonsense. You don't use a sword, so why are you telling me these things?" Tian Sheng retorted. I am someone who cares about face. I don't want to hear you say I'm not good enough. I'm not inadequate; I just have a minor issue.
So annoying.
I should have chosen a different place to seclude myself.
I, Tian Sheng, couldn't bear to leave you, Di Sheng, wanting to stay here and accompany you. Yet, after achieving something, you come to show off to me. Truly infuriating.
Di Sheng smiled. "All methods are interconnected."
In the courtyard.
Han Yan looked at her younger sister's carefree appearance and thought, This can't continue, or there will definitely be trouble.
"Sister," she called out.
Han Xiaoxiao looked back. "Sister, what's the matter?"
"Come here."
Han Xiaoxiao wondered what her sister wanted to say. In the past, she truly wouldn't have known, but ever since she discovered that huge secret that day, she had become clever.
Her sister definitely wanted to trick her again.
"Sister, let me tell you the truth. Lin Fan's ultimate goal is to rebel," Han Yan said seriously.
If she were still naive, Han Xiaoxiao would definitely have exclaimed in shock, claiming it was impossible.
But now she knew her sister was trying to make her retreat. However, she couldn't act as if she knew everything. She still had to pretend.
"Sister, Brother Lin would never rebel. You must be mistaken," Han Xiaoxiao felt her acting was pretty good. Her sister hadn't noticed anything amiss.
The sisters' confrontations were often bloodless, a contest of who could deceive the other better.
"You don't believe your sister?" Han Yan's greatest fear was Xiaoxiao doubting her words, because a devil like Lin Fan had ruthless methods and powerful brainwashing abilities.
She had once thought of fighting Lin Fan to the death. With her strength, she might be able to protect her sister and escape. But after witnessing Lin Fan suppress both Tian Sheng and Di Sheng, she knew it was impossible.
Han Xiaoxiao looked at her sister. Again with this line. Am I really that easy to deceive? It's because I trusted you too much that I was fooled.
"I believe you, Sister," Han Xiaoxiao said as usual.
"Since you believe me, then leave. The farther away, the better," Han Yan said.
Han Xiaoxiao said, "Sister, but I also believe Brother Lin."
Almost fell for it again.
Han Xiaoxiao absolutely couldn't solely believe her sister, otherwise her sister would make her leave. Once she left, her sister would succeed. Although sometimes it was normal to give things up to her sister, she also wanted to pursue her own happiness. Wasn't it better for everyone to be fair?
Moreover, she had trusted her sister so much in the past, but who would have thought that her sister had been deceiving her all along? If she hadn't discovered it early and had unwavering determination, she would have been fooled.
Han Yan felt heartbroken. Her sister's situation was already very dangerous, her emotions fluctuating greatly. Hugging her sister, she said, "Trust your sister. Your sister would never lie to you."
Han Xiaoxiao's eyes darted around, a glint within them. "Mmm, I believe Sister, but I truly don't believe Brother Lin is a bad person."
You can be as strong as you want, but I believe Brother Lin is a good person.
No matter what her sister said, she would believe her sister's words, but she also believed Brother Lin's words. This was the best solution.
Han Xiaoxiao didn't want any conflict with her sister. She knew her sister was truly good to her. Sometimes, in the pursuit of happiness, it was normal to act against one's sister, and it was forgivable.
But she didn't want to give up either.
So, they each used their own methods, relying on their own abilities. Moreover, Brother Lin seemed to like her more, accompanying her every day. Even when her sister offered herself, she was rejected, indicating that her sister was no match for her.
Several years later.
Following Lin Fan, Di Sheng deeply understood how powerful Lin Fan was, worshipping him with utter devotion, becoming a die-hard fan. His boxing skills progressed rapidly, showing a tremendous change compared to the past.
"Brother Lin, let's go out and play."
After all this time, Han Xiaoxiao finally couldn't hold back any longer. She wanted to go down the mountain to the bustling city to stroll around and buy some things girls loved to buy.
Linking her arm with his and acting coquettishly was Xiaoxiao's special skill.
Lin Fan's feelings for Xiaoxiao were like his feelings for Xiaobao – she was like a little sister. Wasn't caring for one's little sister a normal thing? But what he didn't know was that this "little sister" had feelings for him.
"Okay, tomorrow we'll pack up and go down the mountain," Lin Fan said.
He was the same no matter where he was, never feeling bored or tired, because he had so many people accompanying him. Every day was filled with joy, even if they were doing the same things.
"Yay! Great! I'm so happy!" Han Xiaoxiao happily spun around Lin Fan. As she grew older, Xiaoxiao had blossomed into a stunning beauty, no less captivating than her sister. One possessed a mature charm, the other a youthful vibrancy; both were exquisite.
Di Sheng thought that if these two appeared in the outside world, it would definitely cause trouble. Since ancient times, beautiful women had been the cause of chaos, countless heroes falling at their feet, resulting in bloodshed and turmoil.
Han Xiaoxiao happily ran towards the distance. She was going to pack her things right away.
The surrounding maidservants smiled faintly.
They used to be afraid of staying in the Lin Manor, feeling like living there was worse than death. But now, they truly liked it here. The master was so loving and treated everyone exceptionally well.
Di Sheng pondered for a moment, then said gravely, "Manor Lord Lin, are you really going down the mountain?"
It wasn't that they couldn't go down the mountain, but Di Sheng always felt that going down the mountain would cause some trouble. If the imperial court found out, they would definitely have to face the imperial army.
He believed in Manor Lord Lin's strength to resolve this matter, but believing was one thing, facing it was another. These were two different situations.
"Yes, Xiaoxiao has wanted to go down the mountain for several years now," Lin Fan said with a smile.
Di Sheng didn't say much more. Since it was the Manor Lord's decision, there was naturally no need to say anything more. As long as they were a little careful, they shouldn't attract attention.
In the mountains.
Wooden hut.
"He's really preparing to go down the mountain?" Tian Sheng asked in surprise. He held a grudge against Lin Fan because of the shattered giant sword incident. However, over the years, because Di Sheng occasionally came over to share Manor Lord Lin's insights with him, he had also made progress.
In Tian Sheng's own words, the meaning was very clear: It turned out that the realm of the giant sword was so weak. True strength lies in willpower. I will condense my willpower into swordsmanship, severing all injustice in the world.
His realm had greatly improved.
In Tian Sheng's view, this was the so-called destruction and rebirth. If his giant sword hadn't been shattered, he might never have been able to break through to a higher realm in his lifetime.
These past few years haven't been wasted; there have been gains.
"It's inevitable."
"This is a bit troublesome. Isn't it good staying in Purple Mountain, carefree and undisturbed? Once we go down the mountain and are discovered, it will be a bloodbath. Moreover, we've been living in seclusion here for so many years. If the imperial court knows we're here, they'll definitely know what we're doing."
"If we're careful, it should be fine."
Tian Sheng pondered.
He felt that being careful might not be enough.
When Han Yan learned that her sister was going down the mountain with Lin Fan, she was shocked and disagreed vehemently.
"Sister, it's not that I want to go down the mountain with Brother Lin, it's that I want Brother Lin to accompany me down the mountain." Han Xiaoxiao didn't want to miss this opportunity. She wanted to go down the mountain and see the world. She had explored every corner of the mountain, and playing here was always the same.
"Why won't you listen to me?" Han Yan said in exasperation.
Han Xiaoxiao swayed Han Yan's arm. "Sister, don't be angry. Oh, right, Sister, you're not young anymore. Haven't you thought about finding a husband? I think with Sister's beauty, it should be very easy."
Before, it was always her sister scheming against her. Now, she also wanted to take the initiative.
Han Yan glared at her. "Mind your own business."
"Sister, I want a brother-in-law." In Han Xiaoxiao's view, if she could get her sister to leave, wouldn't Purple Mountain be just her and Brother Lin? No one would compete with her anymore. Her biggest rival now was her sister.
Han Yan poked Xiaoxiao's forehead with her slender finger. "Don't overthink things. Your sister's affairs are not for you to worry about."
"I'm just asking." Han Xiaoxiao rubbed her forehead, but her mind was racing. I knew you wouldn't look for one. You're still thinking about my Brother Lin. So annoying, the competition is so fierce. She felt that she might not be a match for her sister, but no matter what, she had to try. After all, Brother Lin's heart was with her, he just hadn't made it clear yet.
Once he made it clear, her sister wouldn't have a chance.
Thinking of this, Han Xiaoxiao secretly laughed.
A mischievous glint in her eyes, which curved into crescents.