Senior Disciple Luo was chatting with Princess Yuqi with utmost enthusiasm, his face beaming with smiles.
If he knew about the grudge between Elder Lin and Princess Yuqi's father, he probably wouldn't be so warm.
However, this so-called grudge is also a form of emotional connection, and Meng Fan could vaguely guess that Elder Lin actually had a deep friendship with the emperor of the Great Dragon Empire.
A friendship that grew from childhood!
In one's life, there are countless friends, but most are just passersby, only childhood bonds are the deepest, possibly lasting a lifetime.
Therefore, although Meng Fan was prepared to teach Princess Yuqi a lesson, it was really just a playful jest.
He understood that Elder Lin shared this sentiment!
One could imagine, if he really went too hard on Princess Yuqi, Elder Lin would definitely leap out to stop him.
Tsk tsk!
"Junior Brother, you've arrived just in time. This is Princess Yuqi of the Great Dragon Empire," Senior Disciple Luo said eagerly as he introduced her to Meng Fan.
Meng Fan nodded and said to Princess Yuqi, "Meng Fan of the Shu Mountain Sword Sect, at your service, Your Highness."
Princess Yuqi looked at Meng Fan in surprise and exclaimed, "You are Meng Fan?"
Meng Fan, equally surprised, asked, "Your Highness knows of me?"
Being relatively unknown within the Shu Mountain Sword Sect and always keeping a low profile, there were few within the sect who knew his name, let alone outsiders.
How could Princess Yuqi have heard of him, and with such a look of astonishment?
Princess Yuqi smiled and said, "A few days ago, I sparred with several Shu Mountain disciples in your Training Hall, but unfortunately, not one could defeat me.
After losing, one female disciple claimed that a Senior Brother named Meng Fan would surely best me.
I've been looking forward to meeting this Meng Fan.
I waited for a long time, but Meng Fan never showed up.
To think, you are Meng Fan!"
Hearing Princess Yuqi's words, Meng Fan couldn't help but show a wry smile.
Only Liu Yanping, that young lady, could say something so childish.
No wonder she came to him that day, insisting that he challenge Princess Yuqi – she had already made bold claims herself.
Meng Fan chuckled and said, "It seems I'm going to disappoint Your Highness. The person you've been waiting for is just a disciple at the eighth level of the True Martial Realm, with a cultivation level not even matching yours!"
Princess Yuqi shook her head and said, "I am indeed disappointed, but not by your cultivation level. I'm disappointed that you never showed up, lacking even the courage to face me in battle!"
This was rather annoying, too arrogant.
Senior Disciple Luo, standing nearby, showed a look of anger upon hearing Princess Yuqi's words.
Meng Fan was Elder Lin's direct disciple, and Princess Yuqi's belittling of Meng Fan was indirectly disrespecting Elder Lin.
He looked at Princess Yuqi with dissatisfaction and said in an unhappy tone, "Princess Yuqi, my Junior Brother Meng didn't spar with you not out of fear, but because he prefers not to engage in conflicts!"
Princess Yuqi just smiled, not responding further.
However, her smile clearly carried a hint of a sneer.
Because what Senior Disciple Luo had just said… indeed seemed a bit self-deprecating.
Even Meng Fan himself found it unconvincing, let alone Princess Yuqi.
Princess Yuqi said with some disdain, "If that's the case, Senior Brother Meng, are you willing to have a spar with me now?"
Although she addressed Meng Fan as Senior Brother, the term was laced with obvious mockery.
Meng Fan had just agreed to "teach a lesson" to Princess Yuqi at Elder Lin's behest, and now that she had brought it up herself, he naturally wouldn't refuse.
"I wonder if Your Highness has prepared the Dragon Fish Pill?" Meng Fan asked with a smile.
His question seemed to veer off topic, but in fact, Meng Fan was implying that Princess Yuqi's defeat was certain.
Because a couple of days earlier, Princess Yuqi had declared that any Shu Mountain disciple below the Heavenly Origin Realm who could defeat her would be rewarded with a Dragon Fish Pill.
Meng Fan, being at the eighth level of the True Martial Realm, certainly fell within that category.
Princess Yuqi scoffed, "A mere Dragon Fish Pill is nothing to me, but thinking you can defeat me is quite a fantasy."
The best warriors don't boast of their victories!
Meng Fan had kept such a low profile that Princess Yuqi didn't take him seriously at all.
Soon, she would regret uttering the words "quite a fantasy."
"Then please, Your Highness, draw your sword," Meng Fan said, noticing the maid beside Princess Yuqi holding a sword weapon, prepared for her.
An outsider using a sword at the Shu Mountain Sword Sect was akin to playing the lute to a cow.
Yet, this young lady had indeed managed to do just that.
Within the vast Shu Mountain Sword Sect, no one of the same realm could match her.
To be honest, this was a disgrace to Shu Mountain!
It had to be said, the Great Dragon Empire had some skill to have trained their princess to be so strong.
Meng Fan hadn't seen Princess Yuqi spar with others, or he would have been able to easily crush her.
Even without witnessing her swordsmanship, Meng Fan could still effortlessly overpower her!
After all, Meng Fan's sights were already set on opponents within the Heavenly Origin Realm.
"What arrogance, daring to ask me to make the first move?" Princess Yuqi said coldly, her tone filled with scorn.
Meng Fan remained calm.
He glanced at Princess Yuqi and said evenly, "If I were to strike first, you'd surely be dissatisfied, claiming the need for another match. That would be too troublesome."
If Meng Fan were to make the first move, he would undoubtedly crush Princess Yuqi with overwhelming force.
Then, feeling her true strength hadn't been shown, she would likely be unsatisfied, just as Meng Fan had mentioned.
"Presumptuous!" Princess Yuqi waved her hand and drew the sword weapon that the maid was holding.
She could tell that Meng Fan's tone was dismissive of her.
Having been unbeatable within the Shu Mountain Sword Sect at her level, this man dared to underestimate her!
Princess Yuqi, having practiced martial arts from a young age, naturally had a temper to match.
Meng Fan's words had successfully angered her.
So without further ado, she drew her sword, twirled it into a flourish, and with a speed faster than lightning, unleashed a flurry of sword shadows towards Meng Fan.
"Chasing Dragon Sword Technique"
The first move!
"Dragon's Cry"
This sword technique was the pinnacle of the Great Dragon Empire's sword arts, exclusive to the royal family.
Combined with the empire's secret "True Dragon Nine Transformations Technique," it could truly make one invincible within their realm!
Unfortunately, the phrase "invincible within their realm" was insignificant in the face of Meng Fan.
Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan