“I’m sorry, Young Master, I let you down again.”
Only the two of them remained in the room.
Xiao Ran lowered her head and twiddled her fingers, feeling both unhappy and embarrassed.
Her victory hadn’t been honorable at all.
Even so, she still couldn’t avoid the fate of falling before Xiao Yun.
‘How humiliating!’
“Why apologize? You did very well, far better than I did back then.”
Without expectations, how could there be disappointment?
If anything, Yun Liu was surprised.
He never thought Xiao Ran would push herself this far, constantly redefining his perception of her.
She was a completely different person from her past self.
Was it just because she didn’t want to lose to Ji Shiyu?
A woman’s cursed competitiveness.
“Really? Then am I qualified to be your Deadpool now?”
“It won’t even take three years. Have some confidence. If you really want to turn pro, you can do it anytime. Start as a One-star Deacon of the Shanhai Pavilion. Raise your head; even if you wanted to be the Chief Disciple — “
Yun Liu laughed.
In the Misty Realm game, making the rebellious Jidao Girl a servant was something even Huangmao couldn’t do.
Now that he had severed their past engagement and given her freedom, the little girl next door had become incredibly clingy instead.
The world truly was strange.
“But I don’t want to be the Chief Disciple. I only want to stay by your side forever, no matter the capacity.”
Hearing the young man’s praise, Xiao Ran finally smiled, her pretty face flushing red.
Yun Liu massaged his temples.
He had something he had wanted to say for a long time, but he wasn’t sure if it was appropriate.
Miss Xiao was just a child.
She likely just felt like someone had stolen a favorite toy and was desperate to find it again.
Her courage was commendable and her determination strong, but those weren’t true feelings worthy of an “eternal” vow.
It was just an obsession born of unwilling resentment.
“Jueyun Peak will always have a room for you. Whether as a companion or a close friend, you’re always welcome. Like I said, you’re like a younger sister to me. That has nothing to do with the engagement.”
Xiao Ran leaned forward and reached out with her small hand to cover Yun Liu’s mouth.
Her gaze was soft like water, and this time she didn’t react violently.
“I agree. Losing the engagement actually helped me see some very important things clearly. You can think of me as a sister, but to me, you stopped being just a brother a long time ago.”
Yun Liu sighed, rubbing the girl’s head with a wry smile.
“That’s because you still don’t understand what love is.”
“Then teach me! If you teach me, I’ll understand!”
Xiao Ran grew more excited.
She suddenly jumped into Yun Liu’s lap and sat on him, wrapping her arms around his neck and clinging to him with all her limbs.
The girl’s delicate body was developing well, no longer as thin as it once was.
Her touch was full of elasticity.
“Hiss — “
This was bad.
Little Yun rose up in alarm.
With his Realm Breaking imminent, this was the worst time to face such a trial!
Yun Liu quickly grabbed Xiao Ran’s slender waist and lifted her up.
Bending over slightly, he scolded, “Enough! What is going through your head at such a young age?”
“I didn’t mean that kind of… love!”
“What? You’re so stingy! You don’t mind bathing with Huangmao, but since we’re siblings, what’s wrong with letting me have some benefits?”
Xiao Ran struggled while suspended in mid-air, but she was secretly delighted.
For a moment, it felt like they were back in the past.
Lin Shu’s advice really was useful.
Starting from the perspective of siblings made it easier to close the distance and compensate for the beautiful things she hadn’t cherished before.
It made her feel enlightened.
Yun Liu couldn’t help but sigh.
Modern girls might be psychologically immature, but they were quite rich in physiological knowledge.
She really didn’t treat him like a stranger.
‘If only Sister Qin were this bold.’
Hearing that Xiao Yun had spent a great deal of effort personally taking care of her before the match, Xiao Ran was touched.
Fortunately, she had also won.
She thought for a moment and suddenly asked, “By the way, speaking of Ji Shiyu, is she dead yet?”
“Nope! Sorry to disappoint you, but I won big!”
A golden head poked in from outside the door, topped with a Yellow Chicken.
She barged into Rosy Fragrance Pavilion with an arrogant swagger.
The two troublemakers looked at the pair in their “holding high” position with strange gazes.
Xiao Ran said crossly, “Hmph, I bet you relied on your opponent having a mental breakdown again, didn’t you?”
“How did you kn — ahem, that’s called proper tactical execution.”
Ji Shiyu covered her mouth, sounding perfectly justified.
“Hmph, you despicable, shameless jinx. Whoever gets near you is cursed!”
“Who said that? With a brilliant disciple like me, Mister must be incredibly happy. Right, Master?”
“Yeah, yeah, it’s good that you’re back. Next time, tell me before you take leave. The herb garden can’t function without you, Ji.”
Yun Liu set Xiao Ran down.
He held his knees, unable to straighten his back for a long time.
Mouth-to-mouth with Tan’er was no longer enough for him.
Unfortunately, Second Mother was watching closely, and there was also a Gengzhi boy observing him 24 hours a day in the shadows.
He had no chance to “ambush the Princess.”
“See!”
Ji Shiyu grabbed Yun Liu’s arm and pressed it against her chest—she was a master at adding fuel to the fire.
The already overburdened “little tent” grew even tighter.
Ao Tian’s expression was subtle.
‘This brat doesn’t seem to be joking this time. Every word is dripping with tea, heading straight for the pig basket.’
“How hilarious. My brother was just being polite to you, and you took it seriously?”
Xiao Ran wasn’t about to lose.
She grabbed his other arm, having learned a thing or two.
Once she accepted the brother complex setting, she would be the most capable sister!
“Anxious again? After all, Master broke the engagement just for me. Ah, I’m sorry. Did I poke your sore spot again?”
“Screw you!”
Profanities flew from her mouth, and Madam took the hit as well.
Every time these two met, it was like a collision between heavenly lightning and earthly fire.
Their conditions were worsening.
Yun Liu felt like the whole world was pushing him to fall into madness.
He was speechless.
By the time he shook his head and walked out the door, it was already dusk.
***
Sixteen names remained on the Sword Post high in the sky.
As the opponents for the next round were announced, the Sea of Clouds was buzzing with discussion.
Gelan and Yan Bingling exchanged looks.
Aside from the surprisingly lucky little Huangmao, it seemed Xiao Ran and Yun Liu’s good luck had come to an end.
Tu Gou had already forfeited for Xiao Ran.
There were few disciples left from Sunset Peak, and Clear Mist Peak and Mist Concealment Peak were in similar states.
This year, Falling Cloud Peak still held half the territory.
The Heavenly Phenomena Chief’s opponent was quite powerful: a Golden Core Stage 3 disciple of the First Peak and a veteran Yunhai Sword Guard with extensive combat experience, Gao Mingyuan, a top four finisher from last year.
But Ji Shiyu’s opponent was very interesting.
Yun Liu guessed who it was before even looking.
Ao Tian was already chuckling.
“Dammit!”
Xiao Ran snorted and raised her middle finger, saying with disdain, “Fine, you’re lucky. I’ll consider this repayment for the time you saved me. There won’t be such a good thing next time.”
“Just you try and climb up here and see if I’m afraid of you!”
Ji Shiyu made a face, her smile bright.
She had secured a spot in the top eight again.
She was incredibly happy to advance by stepping over Xiao Ran’s head.
“Ran, let’s go!”
Tu Gou flicked his sleeves and returned to Sunset Peak with a stern face, clearly quite angry himself.
Xiao Ran stomped her foot and reluctantly let go.
“Master is calling me. Young Master, I’m leaving now. Be careful.”
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