Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan
The Emerald Sea Tide Rises Sword Technique, though Meng Fan had only seen Liu Yanping practice it a few times yesterday, he had now fully mastered it.
Especially after returning to the Sword Pavilion yesterday, in his quest to create his "Myriad Swords Returning to me" he had repeatedly deduced and perfected various sword techniques, including the Emerald Sea Tide Rises Sword.
Liu Yanping unleashed three consecutive strikes.
The first was deflected by Meng Fan.
The second was dodged by Meng Fan.
The third was met with Meng Fan's blade piercing her sword's body.
This infuriated Liu Yanping, igniting her competitive spirit.
The fourth, fifth, and sixth strikes came faster and fiercer than the last.
These were the moves she had optimized after returning home yesterday, following Meng Fan's advice.
Yet, as three moves were executed, Meng Fan countered each effortlessly.
Liu Yanping, stubbornly, continued with the seventh and eighth strikes.
The Emerald Sea Tide Rises Sword had a total of eight moves.
With the seventh, her sword tip was precisely met by Meng Fan's.
Before the eighth could fully descend, Meng Fan's sword slapped against her wrist.
"Clang~~~~~"
The wooden sword flew from Liu Yanping's grasp, landing on the ground.
Total defeat! She looked at Meng Fan in disbelief, feeling utterly crushed, doubting her life choices.
After optimizing the Emerald Sea Tide Rises Sword yesterday, she was confident her swordsmanship had greatly improved.
Yet now, in a contest of swordplay, she was thoroughly outclassed by Meng Fan!
She was an Inner Sect Disciple, and here she was, bested by a newly promoted Outer Sect Disciple. How could she not question her life?
Although she didn't know Meng Fan, she could tell that his cultivation level was only at the first level of Qi Refining.
First level of Qi Refining, naturally, meant he had only recently joined the ranks of the Outer Sect Disciples.
"Miss…"
"What miss? Call me Senior Sister Liu!" Liu Yanping snapped, frustrated.
Being outmatched by Meng Fan in swordplay, she subconsciously sought to regain ground elsewhere.
She was an Inner Sect Disciple, and Meng Fan an Outer Sect Disciple; shouldn't he address her as Senior Sister?
"Uh, Senior Sister Liu," Meng Fan called out reluctantly.
No choice there; by rank, she was indeed his Senior Sister.
Just call her Senior Sister; it's no loss, especially with Spirit Stones to be earned.
"Senior Sister Liu, while your sword technique has improved since yesterday, remedying some flaws, it's still not perfect.
For instance, in this move, your footwork should be slower, while your sword in hand should be quicker.
And the second move…"
Since she was paying with Spirit Stones, Meng Fan felt he should be responsible, ensuring she got her money's worth.
Thus, he earnestly pointed out the shortcomings in Liu Yanping's recent swordplay, and smoothly suggested improvements.
Initially defiant, Liu Yanping found herself agreeing more and more as she listened, even asking for clarification on points she didn't understand.
Some onlookers in the Training Hall were astonished by this scene.
Who was Meng Fan? They didn't know him, but they could tell he was just a Qi Refining level one rookie.
And Liu Yanping? Her name was well-known to them.
A renowned rich woman among the Inner Sect Disciples, the beloved granddaughter of Elder Liu from the Alchemy Hall.
Most importantly, Liu Yanping's cultivation had reached the ninth level of Qi Refining, just a step away from the True Martial Realm.
A ninth level Qi Refining martial artist was humbly taking advice from a first level Qi Refining novice.
Were they seeing things?
"Senior Sister Liu, what's wrong? Did this kid deceive you?" At that moment, a young disciple approached.
He wore the attire of an Inner Sect Disciple, clearly one of their own.
Meng Fan rolled his eyes but refrained from retorting.
It was best not to offend Inner Sect Disciples if possible.
If this were in the Sword Pavilion, with backers, he wouldn't fear Inner Sect Disciples.
But outside, he had to keep a low profile.
After all, he wasn't truly a match for Inner Sect Disciples yet.
Unless he was willing to unleash the seed of the Supreme Heartless Sword Intent, but that was a one-time use he couldn't afford to waste!
"Ye Feng? Do you think I'm an idiot, to be fooled by an Outer Sect Disciple with just first level Qi Refining?" Liu Yanping glanced at Ye Feng and scoffed.
This Inner Sect Disciple named Ye Feng suddenly felt awkward.
He had meant well, but Liu Yanping's response was harsh.
"Senior Sister Liu, I was just concerned about you, why are you so hostile towards me?" Ye Feng said helplessly.
Liu Yanping looked at him coldly.
"Why am I hostile? Don't you know why?
I've always treated you as my best brother, drinking and practicing swordplay together, and yet you confessed your feelings to me!
You knew I liked Senior Disciple Nie, and your confession could have caused misunderstandings. What then?
I've made it clear that I don't like you and asked you to keep your distance from me!"
Meng Fan, overhearing this, was dumbfounded by their exchange.
This sounded like a juicy story!
It had the vibe of a drama involving a green tea b*tch and a spare tire bestie.
"Can't we remain friends if we can't be lovers?" Ye Feng said, his voice filled with a pitiful resignation.
"Being friends with you might cause misunderstandings with Senior Disciple Nie!" Liu Yanping's words were cold and ruthless.
Meng Fan couldn't help but offer Ye Feng a sympathetic look.
Initially, Ye Feng had accused him of being a swindler, which naturally didn't endear him to Meng Fan.
But now, his feelings had shifted from annoyance to pity.
Ye Feng, with a melancholic gaze, struggled to say, "But Senior Disciple Nie doesn't even like you. Why give up on me for him?"
Liu Yanping replied flatly, "Ye Feng, don't you get it? Even without Senior Disciple Nie, I wouldn't like you."
Meng Fan nodded to himself; such a direct rejection was something he had misunderstood earlier.
Describing Liu Yanping as a green tea b*tch was indeed unfair!
A green tea b*tch would neither agree nor clearly refuse, keeping someone on the hook.
"Ah…" Ye Feng sighed deeply, resigned. "Alright, then I'll leave."
As he turned to go, he heard Liu Yanping's voice.
"Wait!"
He turned back excitedly, hoping for a change of heart.
"Apologize!" Liu Yanping demanded, looking at Ye Feng.
"Huh?" Ye Feng was baffled.
Liu Yanping pointed at Meng Fan, "Apologize to him."
Meng Fan felt unexpectedly honored, thinking this was unnecessary.
It was like being the center of a drama he'd been watching from the sidelines.
Wasn't it a bit cruel to demand an apology now?
Even Meng Fan, the wronged party, felt sympathy for Ye Feng.
"No need, no need, it's fine," Meng Fan quickly assured Ye Feng.
Ye Feng, who had hoped for a reversal, was left with dashed hopes and utter despair.
Apologize?
How could he be in the mood to apologize now?
What did I do wrong?
Why is fate so cruel to me?
"I was just concerned for you, afraid you were being deceived," Ye Feng said to Liu Yanping, struggling to breathe.
"Then you wronged someone and should apologize," Liu Yanping insisted.
Even Meng Fan thought Liu Yanping was being too harsh and tried to intervene, "Senior Sister Liu, I'm fine, please don't be hard on this Senior Brother."
As he spoke, he wondered why he felt like he was stirring the pot.
Meng Fan chuckled bitterly, banishing these messy thoughts from his mind.
Ye Feng looked at Liu Yanping, then at Meng Fan.
His eyes held a tender sorrow when looking at Liu Yanping, mixed with a helpless pain.
But his gaze towards Meng Fan was filled with hostility and anger.
Meng Fan…how can you blame me for that?