Changsun Fengye on the platform was like a bloodthirsty beast, his appearance fierce and chilling to the bone.
At this moment, he was like a dashing young master from a troubled era, dressed in white, surpassing the snow, with brows and eyes like a painting.
The temperament and disposition of his primary and secondary personalities were as different as night and day, the extremes of black and white. Astonishingly, Changsun Fengye seemed to switch between them at will, his mind clear, unaffected.
"Has Young Master Chen forgotten something?"
With that, Changsun Fengye glanced at the black sword in Chen Qingyuan's hand.
"Here, it's yours."
Chen Qingyuan handed the black sword to Changsun Fengye, his eyes reluctant.
To be honest, the sword was indeed excellent, a perfect fit for him. Just now, Chen Qingyuan had even considered keeping the sword as the promised spiritual treasure, but it seemed Changsun Fengye disagreed!
"This is what I promised you."
The sword was precious, and Changsun Fengye would never give it to someone else. After taking back the black sword, he casually tossed a common Heaven and Earth Bag to Chen Qingyuan.
Upon checking the Heaven and Earth Bag, it indeed contained tens of thousands of high-quality Spirit Stones and a high-grade spiritual sword.
Changsun Fengye was quite true to his word, without any ambiguity.
"Thanks." Chen Qingyuan smiled contentedly.
With these Spirit Stones, he could splurge for a while longer.
"No need for thanks." Changsun Fengye said with a light smile, "When we met a few days ago, you said you didn't like to drink. Now that our spar is over, would you care to join me for tea?"
"You're too dangerous, I would have definitely refused before. But now, considering your generous gesture, I'll join you for a few drinks."
Chen Qingyuan weighed the Heaven and Earth Bag in his hand, thinking Changsun Fengye did have his endearing moments.
"Aren't you the one who doesn't drink?"
Changsun Fengye asked.
"I was fooling you last time." Chen Qingyuan gave a look, "Remember to bring some good wine when you come to find me, I'm off."
Before leaving, Chen Qingyuan bowed respectfully to the elders and powerful figures of the Song Family and the Misty Sacred Ground, as a sign of respect.
"Such genuine character, I like it."
Changsun Fengye watched Chen Qingyuan's departing figure, his mood uplifted as he fanned himself with a folding fan, the corners of his mouth slightly raised.
Song Ningyan, who happened to be sitting nearby, heard Changsun Fengye's murmur and revealed a puzzled expression. Then, she recalled the conversation she had with Changsun Fengye earlier about finding a soulmate and not caring about appearances.
"Eh…" Song Ningyan felt goosebumps all over.
"Uh, I didn't mean it that way." Realizing Song Ningyan's strange expression and guessing her thoughts, Changsun Fengye hurriedly explained, "I just really admire having such a strong opponent."
"There's no need to explain to me, it has nothing to do with me."
Song Ningyan didn't care to listen to these words and swiftly ran outside.
Many of the young people nearby also heard Changsun Fengye's "I like it," and without much thought, but seeing Song Ningyan's expression and recalling the rumors of Changsun Fengye's indifference to women over the years, they couldn't help but let their minds wander.
Could the Holy Son of the Misty Sacred Ground have a preference for men?
This thought popped up, scaring many young talents into shivering, not daring to meet Changsun Fengye's gaze for fear of misfortune.
Changsun Fengye stood there awkwardly, his expression gloomy.
Soon, every corner of the Song Family was discussing the battle between Chen Qingyuan and Changsun Fengye.
After this battle, everyone realized just how terrifying the strength of the two was, not something ordinary Heaven's Prides could compare to.
Those young people who had doubted Chen Qingyuan's qualifications to be among the Ten Heroes of the Northern Wilderness had their faces figuratively swollen. They were relieved they hadn't troubled Chen Qingyuan; otherwise, they would have been beaten up, a humiliating thought.
The friendly spar between the two families had somehow become Chen Qingyuan's battle of fame.
Inside the guest hall, Chen Qingyuan sat in the courtyard.
"Hey!" Song Ningyan followed Chen Qingyuan all the way here, her heart full of questions, seeking answers: "I didn't expect you to be so powerful!"
"What's with the 'hey'? Call me Senior Brother."
Chen Qingyuan raised an eyebrow.
"No way." Song Ningyan's eyes flirtatious, she huffed, "This is the Song Family, what can you do to me?"
"You'll have to return to the Dao Yi Academy at some point!"
Chen Qingyuan's words carried a hint of threat.
Hearing this, Song Ningyan's smile stiffened.
Knowing Chen Qingyuan's temperament, it was indeed possible that he would find a way to bully Song Ningyan once back at the Academy. Song Ningyan had no doubts about this.
After holding back for a while, Song Ningyan reluctantly called out, "Senior Brother."
"Good, very obedient."
Chen Qingyuan showed a satisfied expression.
Someone with a proud and tsundere nature like Song Ningyan needed to be gradually disciplined.
As long as Song Ningyan truly regarded Chen Qingyuan as her Senior Brother, he would certainly not treat her unfairly.
"Senior Brother, how did you learn the Heaven and Earth Finger so quickly?"
Regarding the top Dao Technique of Dao Yi Academy, Song Ningyan, as Zhao Yichuan's personal disciple, could naturally peruse it. She had studied it for a long time, but unfortunately, she couldn't even condense the finger's Dao pattern, let alone operate it.
"Are you here to seek guidance? Didn't Elder Zhao instruct you?"
Chen Qingyuan asked.
"Master has been busy recently, no time. Besides, Master said there are countless Dao Techniques in the Academy, and if I can't enter the gates of a Supernatural Power on my own, then it's not meant to be, and I shouldn't force it, but instead, switch to another method."
Song Ningyan answered truthfully.
"Everything has its own destiny. Even if I tell you how to start, you probably won't be able to practice it to a high level, it's not worth wasting time."
When it came to the topic of cultivation, Chen Qingyuan became serious.
"I want to try." Song Ningyan bit her red lips, speaking softly, "Please, Senior Brother."
Her eyes downcast, her cheeks flushed with a delicate hue.
Such a demeanor was endearing.
After a glance, Chen Qingyuan coughed softly, "Since you've asked, as your Senior Brother, of course, I can't refuse."
Then, Chen Qingyuan took out a jade slip and handed it to Song Ningyan.
"What's this?"
Song Ningyan took the jade slip, examining it closely, her eyes filled with curiosity.
"It contains some of my cultivation insights, not just the Heaven and Earth Finger, but many other Dao Techniques."
Chen Qingyuan explained.
"Really?" Song Ningyan's eyes lit up, recognizing the value of the item, "Thank you, Senior Brother."
Ever since she first called Chen Qingyuan "Senior Brother," Song Ningyan had gradually gotten used to it, and now it came out naturally without any awkwardness.
"I actually prefer your tsundere attitude."
Unable to bear Song Ningyan's shy and delicate manner, Chen Qingyuan quickly spoke up.
Tsundere, huh!
Hearing this, Song Ningyan carefully put away the jade slip, slowly lifting her head. Soon, the smile on her lips vanished, and her gaze turned colder.
As she turned to leave, Song Ningyan huffed, "Stupid man."
And then she was gone.
"……"
In the courtyard, Chen Qingyuan sat on the chair, stunned.
Sister, changing faces so quickly without giving your Senior Brother any time to react, huh!
Proofreader & Editor: Lotas