Lian followed closely behind Bai Ye, his footsteps quiet on the winding garden path. "Old monster," he said, his voice tinged with curiosity, "why don't you teach me how to wield my sword properly? I want to be a good martial artist, and you seem to know your way around martial arts, despite being a demon."
Bai Ye chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I'll teach you martial arts and powerful techniques, but you need to learn how to cultivate energy first."
Lian nodded, his face scrunched up in thought. "Oh, that's true. Master was trying to teach me, but... well, let's just say he was as useful as a chicken dancing."
Bai Ye's eyebrows rose, his lips twitching. "Do you have a problem with chickens?"
Lian shook his head, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "No, I don't have a problem with chickens, but my master made me have a problem with chickens."
Bai Ye's eyes sparkled with laughter, and he smiled, his face creasing with amusement. "I see."
Lian continued, his voice taking on a dramatic tone. "Master treats those chickens like his own children! It's annoying. He takes care of them like they're precious eggs, and if I ask him for something, he just clucks at me and chases me away."
Bai Ye's chuckles deepened, his shoulders shaking with mirth. "I see," he repeated, his voice trembling with laughter.
Lian's face fell, his expression turning tragic. "You won't understand the pain, old monster. People look at me, and I'm like a forgotten issue, but those chickens... they're Master's favorites, and I hate them for it. I'm sure Master has been teaching the chickens more martial arts than me."
Bai Ye's laughter burst forth, his eyes shining with tears. "Then the chickens will be stronger than you!" he exclaimed, his voice dripping with mirth. "You know what? I'm going to teach the chickens instead of you, Lian."
Lian's face contorted in mock outrage, and he opened his mouth, acting like a drama queen. "I'm never talking to you again! Shen Mochen is the only one I'll talk to." he declared, his voice trembling with false tears. He blew his nose, pretending to cry, and turned away, facing the other direction.
Bai Ye laughed, shaking his head in amusement. "Mochen will be thrilled to hear that he's your new favorite," he teased, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Lian's back stiffened, his shoulders squaring in indignation. "I mean it, old monster!" he exclaimed, his voice muffled by his pretended tears. "Mochen, Mochen, Mochen! You're my new favorite! I don't want to get close to this old monster again!"
Bai Ye's laughter echoed through the garden, mingling with the scent of blooming flowers and the soft chirping of crickets.
Suddenly, Bai Ye's eyes narrowed, his grip on his sword tightening as he sensed a sudden shift in the atmosphere. It was as if a powerful being had appeared, casting a shadow over the garden. Lian, still pouting, didn't notice the change, but Bai Ye's instincts were on high alert.
"Tianlian, go inside with Mochen," Bai Ye said, his voice low and urgent.
Lian turned to him, his face scrunched up in protest. "Why? I don't want to—"
But before he could finish, a figure descended from the sky, his white coat billowing behind him like a cloud. His hair was tied back, adorned with intricate pins, and his eyes gleamed with an otherworldly intensity.
Lian's eyes widened as the stranger sent his sword flying towards Bai Ye, who dodged it with ease. Without hesitation, Lian turned and ran inside to find Mochen.
Bai Ye watched him go, then turned to face the stranger, his sword still at the ready. The stranger smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement.
"Bai Ye, Bai Ye, Bai Ye," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"What do you want?" Bai Ye growled, his patience wearing thin.
The stranger's smile grew wider. "You dare to take on a disciple after killing mine?"
Bai Ye's eyes flashed with anger. "I didn't kill your disciple. Stop being persistent on that fact."
The stranger's face darkened, and he screamed, his voice causing thunder to rumble in the sky. Bai Ye winced, but stood his ground.
"Shut up," the stranger spat, sending another sword flying towards Bai Ye.
Lian, watching from inside the house, felt a shiver run down his spine. This stranger was incredibly powerful, and seemed to have a deep-seated grudge against Bai Ye. He wondered what had happened between them, and why this stranger seemed so determined to destroy Bai Ye.
As he watched, Lian saw Bai Ye dodge the sword with ease, his movements swift and deadly. But despite his skills, Bai Ye seemed to be holding back, as if he didn't want to engage in a full-blown battle.
Lian's curiosity was piqued. What was going on here? And who was this stranger, with his incredible powers and his vendetta against Bai Ye?
Jian Wushi's eyes blazed with fury as he launched another attack at Bai Ye. "Skybreaker's wrath!" he bellowed, his sword shooting towards Bai Ye like a bolt of lightning.
Bai Ye stood firm, his own sword at the ready. With a swift motion, he raised his sword to meet Jian Wushi's attack. The two blades clashed in mid-air, the sound of their impact echoing through the garden like a crack of thunder.
As the blades met, Bai Ye wheeled his sword around, using the momentum to deflect Jian Wushi's attack. The move was executed with precision, a testament to Bai Ye's mastery of the sword.
"I don't want to fight you, Jian Wushi," Bai Ye said, his voice firm but controlled.
Jian Wushi's laughter was like a cold wind, sending shivers down Lian's spine. "When did you decide to take the righteous path?" Jian Wushi sneered. "You won't change, Bai Ye. You will never change. There is no redemption for you."
Bai Ye's expression darkened, his eyes flashing with anger. He pointed his sword at Jian Wushi, his voice low and menacing. "Jian Wushi, don't make me fight you."
Jian Wushi's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with malice. "Then bring back my disciple," he spat, his voice dripping with venom.
With a swift motion, Jian Wushi raised Skybreaker, his sword slicing through the air with deadly precision. Bai Ye met the attack head-on, their swords clashing in a flurry of steel and sparks.
The battle raged on, the two combatants exchanging blows with lightning speed and deadly accuracy. The air was filled with the sound of clashing steel, the ground shaking beneath their feet as they fought.
Lian watched in awe, his heart pounding in his chest. He had never seen anything like this before. The two fighters were evenly matched, their skills honed to perfection.
As they fought, the sky grew darker, the air thickening with an eerie energy. The ground shook, and the trees trembled, as if the very existence of reality was being torn apart.
Lian felt a surge of fear, his mind racing with the implications of this battle. He didn't know what was at stake, but he knew that the outcome would be catastrophic if Jian Wushi emerged victorious.
Slowly, Lian began to shiver, his mind whispering silent pleas for Bai Ye's safety. He didn't know if Bai Ye was strong enough to defeat Jian Wushi, but he knew that he had to try.
As the battle raged on, Lian's panic grew the more, his heart pounding in his chest with every clash of steel. He knew that the outcome was far from certain, but he couldn't help but hope that Bai Ye would emerge victorious.