The whistling sound of Sword Qi gradually ceased.
Jiang Huai’s sword moves were simple and unadorned, yet they forced Chihuang to focus entirely, summoning every bit of her concentration to respond.
The stubborn streak in Chihuang’s heart was thoroughly ignited, especially when she caught a glimpse of Qin Xuange from the corner of her eye.
She absolutely could not show any weakness in front of that woman again.
Qin Xuange remained seated quietly in her chair.
Her pale face carried no expression, but her eyes followed Jiang Huai’s every movement.
The more she watched, the harder it became to calm the turmoil in her heart.
Strength and grace were perfectly balanced, offense and defense were integrated, and there was almost no wasted motion.
Every strike carried a natural beauty that bordered on Dao Rhyme.
Of course, they did not know that Jiang Huai’s unwavering daily sword practice involved sinking the majority of his consciousness into the Jade Sword Space gifted to him by Wu Zhaohua.
Additionally, he could repeatedly visualize the combat records of the previous generation’s Yin-Yang Body fighting to the death against Outworld Heavenly Demons.
It was the most suitable practical teaching for him.
His own innate comprehension was already exceptionally high.
By drawing on the strengths of two different schools and mastering them through comprehensive study, his skill had reached heights far beyond his peers.
Although he was limited by his cultivation Realm and could not unleash many high-level powers, his swordsmanship was already sophisticated and profound.
“That’s enough for today.”
Jiang Huai suddenly stopped his movement.
The sword light vanished, and the overwhelming pressure disappeared in an instant.
His tone was flat, devoid of any lingering sentiment or polite formalities.
“Farewell.”
With that, he didn’t even wait for Chihuang’s reaction.
He sheathed his sword and turned to leave.
Qin Xuange had been right; practicing with Chihuang provided very little benefit to his progress in the Dao of the sword—it was almost useless.
“You!” Chihuang leaned on her sword, her chest heaving as she struggled to steady her breathing.
Seeing Jiang Huai turn and leave so decisively, the awkwardness and grievance she had just suppressed resurfaced. ‘Could his attitude not be a little better?’
When he had come to the Red Dragon Clan to propose marriage, he might not have been overly attentive, but he was at least polite and respectful.
Why did it feel like even looking at her now was a waste of his time?
Just a few days ago, he had gently caught her when she was injured below the martial stage, wiped away her blood, and even made a massive bet with Qin Xuange just to vent her frustrations.
Why had he become so cold and distant in the blink of an eye?
Was it truly because he had married Chi Lian, so he was now alternating between hot and cold toward her, the “former candidate,” or even deliberately keeping his distance? Furthermore, he had clearly had the chance to choose her back then, knowing full well she was the Saintess.
Jiang Huai put away his sword and left, naturally missing Chihuang’s hesitant gaze, which was a mix of grievance and reproach.
Even if he had seen it, it wouldn’t have mattered.
He wasn’t being cold on purpose, nor was he ignorant of social graces.
It was simply because Chi Lian had mentioned being jealous of Chihuang that day.
Therefore, he didn’t intend to get close to her; keeping his distance was enough.
As Jiang Huai walked past the chair where Qin Xuange was sitting, the previously silent woman stood up. Her movement was abrupt, even carrying a hint of tension.
Her hands subconsciously clenched and relaxed, making her look somewhat at a loss.
Her sudden action made Jiang Huai pause his footsteps, and he couldn’t help but glance at her sideways. ‘What is she doing?’
Qin Xuange became even more uncomfortable under his gaze.
Her eyes flickered away, landing on the table beside her.
She reached out and gently pushed a cup toward Jiang Huai, her voice much lower than usual.
“Would you like some tea?”
After asking, she lowered her eyes to stare at the tips of her black boots, feeling awkward to the extreme.
‘What should I say? Apologize? Admit defeat? Reiterate the bet?’ In front of Chihuang, whom she had just been mocking, any of those words were difficult to utter.
The four words “become a slave or maid” made her ears burn just by thinking about them. For the proud Black Dragon Saintess, it was an unbearable humiliation.
But who could have predicted that a dignified Half-step Soul Transformation expert would actually lose to someone in the Golden Core Stage?
Facing Jiang Huai now, she felt that all her usual composure and cold arrogance had vanished, leaving only an indescribable embarrassment and confusion.
Jiang Huai looked at the tea cup that had been pushed toward him, then at Qin Xuange’s tightly pursed lips. He shook his head, his tone still flat.
“I won’t drink it.”
A silence fell between the two. Just as Qin Xuange thought the conversation had ended—feeling a sense of relief mixed with a strange emptiness—Jiang Huai suddenly spoke again.
“By the way.”
Those three words made Qin Xuange’s heart tighten. She snapped her head up to look at Jiang Huai, tension flashing in her eyes.
Jiang Huai met her gaze calmly. “Visiting the Black Dragon Clan is not out of the question.”
Hearing this, the taut strings of Qin Xuange’s heart loosened slightly, and a glimmer of hope flashed in her eyes.
“But I need to clarify one thing first. Nine Heavens Palace was personally entrusted to me by my Madam, Qin Qingyue.”
“Please inform Clan Leader Qin Qingran that it would be best if she gave up on that idea as soon as possible.”
Qin Xuange nodded silently, indicating she would pass on the message.
Although it was a bit regrettable, this had always been the most difficult goal to achieve.
Being able to use this opportunity to ease their relationship and invite Jiang Huai into Black Dragon territory was already a good start.
Jiang Huai was not finished. “Also.”
The two simple words caused the heart Qin Xuange had just settled to hang in suspense again.
She even subconsciously leaned forward slightly, holding her breath.
She looked at Jiang Huai with a trace of pleading, hoping he would not bring up the bet that embarrassed her the most.
“To be honest, I have no favorable impression of the Black Dragon Clan,” Jiang Huai said.
“Because in the past, you hunted my Madam.”
A cold wind swept across the platform, kicking up fine snow.
“Now that a great enemy is upon us and my Madam is in the Immortal Realm, let us put aside past grievances for the time being,” Jiang Huai said calmly.
He took a small jade bottle from his Storage Ring.
The bottle was warm and transparent, with a faint black and white light swirling inside.
“There are a few pills in here refined with Yin-Yang Spiritual Qi as a base. They should be of some help in recovering from your injuries.”
These were pills Su Yingman had refined using Jiang Huai’s Yin-Yang True Qi, not the specific Essence version meant for his concubines.
“Thank you.” Qin Xuange did not refuse pretentiously.
She reached out to take it, finding it cool to the touch.
She gripped the jade bottle, her emotions complicated.
For a moment, she didn’t know what else to say. After a moment of silence, she spoke in a low voice.
“Actually, I have always admired Lady Qin Qingyue. I look up to her as a role model. I met her a few times before, and I truly admire her…”
She tried to describe that sense of isolation and power, but Jiang Huai raised his hand to interrupt her.
“That is your business.”
“Many people admire her. After all, she is a Heavenly Immortal. That isn’t surprising, and I have deep respect for her as well.”
“I know.” All of Qin Xuange’s unfinished words were blocked back, turning into helplessness and loss. Indeed, in his eyes, her admiration was no different from anyone else’s.
“Lastly,” Jiang Huai spoke again.
Qin Xuange’s heart felt as if it were being gripped by an invisible hand, lifted and suspended in mid-air. This repeated rising and falling made her suffer.
She almost wanted to blurt out: ‘Kill me or cut me, just get it over with! Do you want me to be a slave or a maid!’