A max-level player in Jade Dynasty: Awakening the Innate Dao at the start.

The Shoujing Hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

The sandalwood incense burned in the incense burner, and the blue smoke rose straight up three feet high.

A gust of wind blew it through the room, and it scattered into tangled, winding strands.

Tian Buyi sat in the main seat, holding a teacup in his hand.

The lid scraped against the rim of the cup, making a soft "click, click, click" sound.

Each strike felt like a blow to the heart.

Su Ru sat down next to him, holding a cup of tea in her hand.

But he didn't drink it; he just looked down at the tea leaves floating in the cup.

Her face was expressionless, but her back was ramrod straight, like a taut bowstring.

On the lower left, Qi Hao and Lin Jingyu were standing.

Qi Hao wore a moon-white long robe made of silk from southern Xinjiang ice silkworms, which shimmered with a fine, flowing luster under the light.

He held a teacup in his right hand, his left hand behind his back, his fingers tapping the knuckles of his back intermittently.

A smile played on her face, just the right amount, neither appearing obsequious.

It didn't seem cold at all, as if it had been measured with a ruler.

He took a sip of tea and placed the teacup back on the rosewood tea table beside him.

The movements were very gentle, without making a sound.

"cough."

A soft cough broke the silence.

Qi Hao raised his head, looked at Tian Buyi, and his smile remained unchanged:

"Uncle Tian, ​​is the tea here made from newly picked Yunwu tea this year?"

The tea liquor is clear and bright, with a lingering sweet aftertaste; it is truly a fine tea.

Tian Buyi hummed in response, without even lifting his eyelids:

"It can't compare to your Dragon Head Peak. I heard that Senior Brother Cangsong recently obtained two ounces of 'Dragon Saliva Incense,' and he treasures it like it's the most precious thing."

His words were barbed.

Qi Hao's smile froze for a moment, then returned to normal:

"My master has indeed acquired some fine tea leaves. I will definitely send them over for Uncle Tian to taste another day."

"No need."

Tian Buyi put down his teacup. "My Dazhu Peak is poor; we can't afford such expensive things."

The air seemed to freeze again.

Lin Jingyu stood behind Qi Hao, her brows furrowed.

He took a step forward, his voice clear and bright, carrying the undisguised frankness of a young man:

"Uncle Tian, ​​we've come here to report something important."

The moment the word "notice" was uttered, Tian Buyi's face darkened.

He put down his teacup, the bottom of which hit the table with a dull thud.

Those small eyes lifted and stared at Lin Jingyu, their gaze like two freshly sharpened knives:

"Notify? Notify whom? Me?"

Lin Jingyu felt a pang in her heart at that gaze, but she still held her head high:

"By order of my master..."

"Who does your master think he is?"

Tian Buyi interrupted him, his voice not loud, but every word was like hailstones hitting the ground.

"The Qingyun Sect has seven branches, each governing a peak. When did it become the turn of Dragon Head Peak to 'report' to my Great Bamboo Peak?"

Lin Jingyu's face turned red.

Qi Hao took half a step forward, blocking his way, and bowed slightly to Tian Buyi:

"Uncle Tian, ​​calm down."

Junior Brother Jingyu is young and may speak inappropriately; please forgive him, Martial Uncle.

He paused, straightened up, and spoke in his usual gentle tone.

"But this matter is indeed urgent, and our sect leader has already given his approval."

My master is in charge of all affairs related to this Seven Clans Martial Arts Tournament, which is why we were sent to 'inform' each clan.

He changed "notify" to "inform".

Tian Buyi stared at him for three breaths, then snorted through his nose: "Speak."

Qi Hao breathed a sigh of relief, but the smile on his face faded slightly:

"This Seven Sects Martial Arts Tournament is different from the previous ones."

The sect leader, my senior uncle, gave an order, in order to demonstrate fairness,

To further encourage disciples from all branches to practice diligently, the competition format was specially changed.

He paused, then said, word by word:

"Each of the seven lineages produced nine people, and Tongtian Peak produced ten people."

Once you have sixty-four people, draw lots to determine the opponents, and the competition will continue until a winner is decided.

As soon as the words were spoken, gasps of astonishment filled the Shoujing Hall.

It was Song Daren who had just entered.

He stood at the door, holding a vegetable basket filled with freshly picked greens.

At this moment, his mouth was agape, his eyes were wide open, and the vegetable basket slipped from his hands.

It fell to the ground with a "thud," scattering the vegetables all over the ground.

Nine people.

At most, Dazhu Peak only has eight disciples, including Zhang Xiaofan who just started.

Even if you include Tian Ling'er, there are only nine.

However, Tian Ling'er is the daughter of the chief, and according to the rules, she cannot participate in the competition.

In reality, only seven people were able to participate.

Seven people need to make nine.

Tian Buyi's face darkened.

He stared at Qi Hao, his eyes so gloomy they seemed to drip water:

"Senior Brother Cangsong...you've got a good plan."

Qi Hao bowed and said, "Uncle-Master, you flatter me. This is the Sect Leader's way of thinking about the long-term future of the sect. My master was just following orders."

Tian Buyi fell silent.

He picked up the teacup, his hand trembling slightly, and some tea spilled out, splashing onto the back of his hand and leaving a red mark.

He didn't pay attention, just staring blankly at the tea leaves floating in the cup.

Just then, Zhang Xiaofan, Tian Ling'er, and several other senior brothers walked in.

Footsteps broke the deathly silence in the hall.

Lin Jingyu was the first to turn around, his gaze falling on Zhang Xiaofan.

It's been three years since I last saw him, that skinny, somewhat dull friend from before...

Now I've grown taller, my shoulders are broader, and my back is straighter.

Standing there, like a green bamboo rooted in the soil, calm and quiet.

But those eyes...

Lin Jingyu's heart skipped a beat.

Those eyes were so calm.

It's not dullness, but calmness, like a still pond in late autumn, its surface undisturbed.

But something seemed to be slowly flowing down below, its depths unfathomable.

"Xiao Fan!"

Lin Jingyu blurted out, his voice filled with barely suppressed excitement.

He rushed over and grabbed Zhang Xiaofan with such force that it could break bones.

Zhang Xiaofan stiffened for a moment as he was held, then slowly relaxed.

He reached out and patted Lin Jingyu on the back.

"Jingyu".

The voice was very soft, but Lin Jingyu heard it clearly.

He released his grip, then grabbed Zhang Xiaofan's shoulders, looking him up and down:

"How are you? Are you doing well in Dazhufeng? Has anyone been bullying you?"

A series of questions poured out like beans from a bamboo tube.

Zhang Xiaofan shook his head: "Either is fine."

Lin Jingyu's eyes reddened.

He sniffed and vigorously wiped his face: "That's good...that's good..."

The blood feud in Caomiao Village, and the two surviving children...

On this unfamiliar Qingyun Mountain, they were each other's only family.

This feeling transcends that of fellow students and even surpasses that of friends.

It's an unbreakable bond etched into our bones.

Qi Hao stood to the side, watching this scene, his smile unchanged.

But a very faint, almost imperceptible chill flashed deep in his eyes.

Lin Jingyu's talent is terrifying.

Having entered the sect for three years, I've reached the fifth level of the Jade Purity Realm. At this rate, I'll catch up with him in less than twenty years.

By then, the position of the senior disciple of Dragon Head Peak, the future head disciple...

He shifted his gaze and fixed it on Tian Ling'er.

Then, it froze.

The girl in the red dress stood next to Zhang Xiaofan.

She was tilting her head to look at Lin Jingyu, a curious smile on her lips.

The morning light streamed in through the door, illuminating her face.

Her skin was as white as a freshly peeled lychee, with a healthy, light pink hue.

Her eyes were large and bright, with amber-colored pupils.

When she looks at people, it's as if she's holding two pools of clear spring water, crystal clear.

The red dress was cinched at the waist, outlining her slender curves.

As she moved downwards, the hem of her skirt swayed gently, revealing the tips of her shoes embroidered with lotus blossom patterns.

Qi Hao's throat bobbed.

My heart skipped a beat.

It's not that I haven't seen pretty girls before.

There are many female disciples on Dragon Head Peak, and those on Little Bamboo Peak are all exceptionally beautiful and refined.

But this one in front of me...

Bright and vibrant, like the most beautiful camellia in the mountains.

Dew-kissed and facing the rising sun, it blooms without a care in the world.

Countless thoughts raced through his mind in an instant.

Tian Buyi's daughter. Dazhufeng's only treasure.

Marrying her is like binding Dazhu Peak to Longshou Peak's chariot.

Although Tian Buyi has a bad temper, he is very protective of his own. For his daughter, he would give up all his resources and connections.

What good will Lin Jingyu's talent do then?

With the entire Dazhu Peak as his backing, Qi Hao's position as the head of the group is as stable as Mount Tai.

The thought flashed through his mind like lightning, but his face remained expressionless.

Tian Buyi and Su Ru stood up at this moment.

"You two go first."

Tian Buyi's voice was muffled. "I'm going to the back room with your master's wife to talk about something."

After he finished speaking, he pulled Su Ru away, his steps heavy, as if he were stepping on a thousand-pound stone.

The hall was left with only the younger generation.

Qi Hao's eyes lit up.

The opportunity is here.

He straightened his clothes, a gentle smile that he had practiced a thousand times and that was most likely to touch a girl's heart appeared on his face, and he walked towards Tian Ling'er.

"This must be Junior Sister Tian, ​​right?"

He softened his voice.

"I often heard my teacher mention that Uncle Tian has a beloved daughter."

"Exceptionally gifted and intelligent, seeing it today, I can see that his reputation is indeed well-deserved."

Tian Ling'er blinked, a hint of shyness on her face as she said, "Senior Brother Qi, you flatter me."

"That's absolutely not just being polite."

Qi Hao's smile deepened, his gaze fixed intently on her.

"Junior Sister Tian is so young, yet she can already use the Amber Crimson Silk with such superb skill."

This talent is extremely rare, even within the entire Qingyun Sect.

When he spoke, he leaned forward slightly, maintaining just the right distance—appearing friendly without being too abrupt.

He had a faint sandalwood scent mixed with a certain crisp, cedar-like masculine aroma that wafted over with his movements.

Tian Ling'er's cheeks flushed slightly.

Senior Brother Qi Hao... seems to have quite a refined demeanor.

Just then, a figure cut in.

Zhang Xiaofan stood in front of Tian Ling'er, completely blocking Qi Hao's view.

He raised his head and looked at Qi Hao, his eyes calm, but something was churning deep within his pupils.

"Senior Brother Qi," he spoke, his voice low but clear, "how old are you this year?"

Qi Hao was taken aback.

He didn't expect Zhang Xiaofan to ask this.

The smile on his face remained unchanged, and his tone was still so gentle: "You've wasted your life and are already over a hundred years old."

"Over a hundred years old."

Zhang Xiaofan repeated it, then nodded, "My senior sister is seventeen this year."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across Qi Hao's face like a knife:

"A centenarian elder, facing a seventeen-year-old girl,"

Don't you find it...a little disgusting to say such mushy things?

The hall fell into a deathly silence.

Qi Hao's smile froze completely.

Tian Ling'er stared wide-eyed at Zhang Xiaofan, then at Qi Hao.

My mind went blank for a second; all that shyness and attraction I felt earlier vanished.

It was like being doused with a bucket of ice water, instantly extinguishing the flames.

Over a hundred years old...

Senior colleague...

cheesy words...

The way she looked at Qi Hao changed.

He went from being a "refined senior" to a "scheming old man".

Qi Hao dug his fingernails into his palm.

He stared at Zhang Xiaofan, a cold rage surging deep within his eyes, yet he maintained his composure to the very end.

"Junior Brother Zhang, what do you mean by that? I was just praising Junior Sister Tian a few times, how did that become 'cheesy'?"

"Praise?" Zhang Xiaofan laughed, a cold laugh.

"Senior Brother Qi, when you praise someone, where do you look?"

Should I look at my senior's face, or her chest? Should I look at her eyes, or her waist?

He took a step forward, lowering his voice, but every word was like a knife:

"Over a hundred years old, having cultivated for over a hundred years, his temperament has long been tempered into that of an old fox."

What are you pretending to be, some innocent young man? Your thoughts are written all over your face, it's disgusting.

Qi Hao's face darkened completely.

He stopped looking at Zhang Xiaofan and turned to Tian Ling'er, wanting to explain something.

But Tian Ling'er had already taken a step back and hid behind Zhang Xiaofan.

His eyes were filled with wariness and... disgust.

It's like looking at a poisonous snake.

Qi Hao felt a tightness in his chest.

He knew it was over.

My first impression was ruined.

Getting close to Tian Ling'er again is harder than climbing to heaven.

He took a deep breath, suppressing his surging anger.

A smile returned to her face, but it looked so fake, as if it were painted on.

"Junior Brother Zhang has misunderstood. Since Junior Sister Tian doesn't like it, then I won't say anything more."

After he finished speaking, he turned around and walked back to Lin Jingyu's side, his back to everyone, his fingers clenched tightly in his sleeves.

Zhang Xiaofan watched his retreating figure with icy eyes.

Old man, are you trying to make a move on your senior sister?

No way.

At this moment, Lin Jingyu suddenly spoke up.

He looked at Zhang Xiaofan with burning eyes, filled with the undisguised fighting spirit of a young man:

"Xiao Fan, it's been three years. Let me see what you're capable of."

He raised his hand and pointed to the cobblestone plaza outside the hall:

"Let's go there and have a match."