The evening air, thick with the mingled scents of incense, roasted meats, and blooming jasmine, vibrated with the energy of the ongoing duels. Each clash of steel, each flash of spiritual energy, illuminated the courtyard in a fleeting dance of light and shadow, the vibrant banners and lanterns swaying gently in the evening breeze like colorful spectators caught in the excitement. Tian Hao, however, found his attention drifting, the rhythmic clang of weapons and the shouts of exertion fading into a dull background hum. He was far more interested in the quiet conversation unfolding beside him than the spectacle of formalized combat.
Big Sister System, sensing his waning interest in the duels, chimed in, her voice a sarcastic whisper in his mind. "Oh, I see. So, this is how you prepare for future duels? Wine, whispers, and witty banter? A truly formidable strategy, Little Hao. I'm impressed. Or rather, I would be if it weren't so utterly ridiculous."
Tian Hao coughed lightly, trying to suppress a smile. "Big Sister, you wound me," he replied inwardly, his mental voice laced with mock indignation. "Cultivation is about balance, remember? A little pleasure, a little power, a little… social interaction. It's all part of the PINA method."
"Social interaction? Is that what you call this clumsy attempt at flirting? You're about as smooth as a bag of rocks, Little Hao."
"Rocks have their own charm, Big Sister. Besides, I'm making progress. See?" He gestured subtly towards Zhao Fei, who was laughing softly at one of his whispered jokes, the flickering lantern light highlighting the warmth in her eyes.
Tian Hao shrugged, pouring more wine into her glass, his movements deliberate, almost theatrical. "Why so serious? We're here to enjoy ourselves, right? Besides," he added with a wink, "life's too short to be a statue." He nodded towards the dueling platform, where two disciples were locked in a tense standoff, their faces contorted in expressions of fierce concentration.
Big Sister System, never one to miss an opportunity for commentary, continued her sarcastic quips, her voice echoing in Tian Hao's mind. "Oh, look, another disciple attempting the 'Drunken Monkey Style.' I'm sure he practiced that one extensively... at the bottom of a wine jar." Tian Hao suppressed a chuckle, shaking his head slightly, trying his hardest not to laugh out loud as he and Zhao Fei found enjoyment in what they viewed as overly performative martial displays.
He leaned towards Zhao Fei, keeping his voice low. "You know, I think I've seen better moves from street performers," he remarked, his tone laced with amusement.
Zhao Fei glanced at him, her lips curving into a smile. "Perhaps you should offer them some pointers, Young Master Tian. I'm sure your… unique… style would be quite enlightening."
"Oh, I wouldn't want to steal their thunder," Tian Hao replied with a wink, raising his glass towards her. "Besides, I prefer a more… refined approach to cultivation."
BSS snorted. "Refined? You call lounging in a garden and eating your way to enlightenment refined?"
Tian Hao ignored her, focusing on Zhao Fei, who seemed genuinely amused by his irreverent commentary. He poured more wine into her glass, noting the slight flush that was starting to color her cheeks. The wine, combined with the lively atmosphere of the courtyard, seemed to be loosening her usual reserve.
"You really don't take anything seriously, do you?" she asked, her voice soft, almost a whisper.
Tian Hao shrugged, his smile widening. "Life's too short to be serious all the time. Especially when there's good wine and good company to be enjoyed."
As the duels continued, Tian Hao's commentary became more outrageous, his descriptions bordering on the absurd. He compared one disciple's overly dramatic leaps to a startled frog, remarking, "He's got the jumping part down, but I'm not sure about the landing." Another time, he pointed out a cultivator whose swordsmanship seemed more like a frantic dance than a martial art. "He's got more moves than a jellyfish in a hurricane, but I'm not sure any of them are effective," he whispered, making Zhao Fei laugh, the sound soft but genuine, a melody that he found more captivating than any duel.
Big Sister System was quick to chime in, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she provided her own commentary on the fights. "Ah, yes, the classic 'Stiff Crane Stance.' Very effective if you want to impress statues. Not so much if you're facing anything alive," she quipped. Tian Hao tried not to laugh aloud, instead coughing lightly into his hand.
He turned to Zhao Fei, leaning over slightly. "You know, if they were fighting statues, they'd probably be undefeated," he said, barely able to keep a straight face. Zhao Fei glanced at him, her expression shifting from surprise to amusement, her lips curving into a smile. "Is that so?" she replied, her eyes glinting with interest.
BSS, sensing her own commentary being "borrowed," made her displeasure known. "Excuse me, Little Hao, I didn't realize my brilliance was open for public use. Should I start charging a fee for these gems?" Tian Hao ignored her, though a slight grin tugged at his lips.
With each shared joke, each whispered observation, the space between them seemed to shrink. Tian Hao, emboldened by the wine and Zhao Fei's growing receptiveness, leaned closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.
"You know," he began, "I'm starting to think these duels are just a way for these guys to show off their fancy robes. They're certainly not hurting each other very hard."
Zhao Fei raised an eyebrow, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "What makes you say that?" she asked, her voice playful.
Tian Hao gestured towards the dueling arena, where two disciples were locked in what appeared to be a fierce exchange of blows. "Look at them. They're more concerned with looking graceful than actually landing a hit. It's like a choreographed dance, not a real fight."
Zhao Fei chuckled, shaking her head. "You have a point. I suspect they save their true skills for when it actually matters."
"Exactly," Tian Hao agreed. "It's all about appearances. A bit like a peacock showing off its tail."
He leaned closer to Zhao Fei, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "You know," he began, his tone casual, almost teasing, "these duels are all well and good, but they lack a certain… creativity. Don't you think?"
Zhao Fei glanced at him, her eyebrow arching slightly. "Creativity?" she echoed, her voice laced with amusement. "And what, pray tell, would Young Master Tian suggest? A duel with calligraphy brushes? Or perhaps a competition of flower arranging?"
Tian Hao grinned, his eyes twinkling mischievously. "Now there's an idea. A duel of flower arranging. Imagine the possibilities – thorns as weapons, petals as projectiles, pollen as a… subtle… incapacitating agent."
Zhao Fei laughed, a genuine, unrestrained sound that caught the attention of a few nearby disciples. "You're ridiculous," she said, shaking her head, but her eyes sparkled with amusement. "Though," she added, her voice dropping to a whisper, "I have to admit, it would be far more entertaining than watching these… rigid displays of supposed strength."
Just then, Jin Bao, the Golden Feather disciple Tian Hao had faced earlier, stumbled past their table, his robes messy and his face bruised. He glared at Tian Hao, his eyes narrowed with resentment.
"Still enjoying your wine, Young Master Tian?" he sneered, his voice laced with a bitter edge. "Perhaps you should spend less time drinking and more time practicing your… unique… fighting style."
Tian Hao grinned, raising his glass in a mock toast. "Don't worry, Jin Bao. I'll be sure to dedicate my next meditation session to the art of dodging and spilling wine. It's a highly effective technique, as you've witnessed."
Jin Bao scowled, turning away with a muttered curse. Zhao Fei, however, burst out laughing, her shoulders shaking with amusement. Tian Hao couldn't help but chuckle at the sight, the warmth of his interaction with her far more satisfying than any victory in the dueling arena.