"Begin!"
The moment the referee announced the start, the atmosphere of the courtyard shifted. Spiritual energy flared like the onset of a heavenly calamity.
Zhang Tianlong, heir of the Azure Sky Sect, made the first move.
With a flick of his folding fan, blue wind blades burst forth, slicing through the air like crescent moons. The courtyard's tiles cracked under the sheer pressure.
"Azure Wind Art—Nine Whirlwind Petals!"
Wang Li didn't move.
He stood lazily in the center of the arena, one hand behind his back, the other holding a single fried bun he had snatched from a passing disciple's tray before the battle began.
Mu Qingling gasped. "Is he seriously eating during the match?"
"He's mocking him," Ling Xi said with a wicked grin. "Classic Wang Li."
The crowd parted as spiritual winds roared across the courtyard.
But just as the blades reached him, Wang Li leaned slightly to the left.
Zzzz—CRASH!
The wind blades missed, slicing into a jade statue of the sect founder.
Yun Tianhai sighed as a pigeon exploded.
Wang Li took another bite of his bun.
"…Really?" Zhang Tianlong's eye twitched. "You dare mock my technique?"
Wang Li finally spoke. "Your wind arts are impressive. But your aim reminds me of a chicken after its first sword lesson."
The crowd oooh'd.
Zhang Tianlong's fan snapped shut.
"I'll make you kneel!"
He leapt forward, spiritual aura bursting into a sky-blue tempest. Lightning crackled in his palms as he executed a dive that split the air open.
"Azure Sky—Thunder Palm!"
A devastating blast of force erupted from his hands.
This time, Wang Li moved.
In the blink of an eye, he vanished, reappearing behind Zhang Tianlong with no sound, no qi ripple—just sudden presence.
"—what?!" Zhang Tianlong barely turned before a hand smacked the back of his head.
It wasn't a strike meant to injure.
It was the kind of slap one gives to a misbehaving junior.
PAP!
The audience gasped.
Even Yuechan blinked.
Bai Xueyao nearly dropped her tea. "Did he just… slap the heir of Azure Sky like a child?"
Wang Li smiled. "I call that technique: 'Heavenly Palm of Parental Correction.'"
Zhang Tianlong stumbled forward, red-faced, humiliated.
"You… you…!"
"Don't stutter, Young Master Bra," Wang Li grinned. "The crowd's waiting."
"You insolent—!"
Zhang Tianlong threw his sleeves wide. "Azure Sky—Heaven-Breaking Spear!"
A glittering phantom spear formed in the air, twenty feet long, crackling with divine lightning and hurricane winds. It shot toward Wang Li like a comet.
This time, even Yun Tianhai furrowed his brows.
"That's a peak Earth-rank technique…"
Feng Yuling narrowed her eyes. "Can Wang Li even block that?"
But Wang Li didn't look worried.
He simply raised his left hand.
With a flash of light, the Dragonblood Jade Ring on his finger pulsed.
A wall of golden scales burst from the ground—ancient, majestic, and full of tyrannical dragon might.
BOOM!
The spear collided with the shield and… shattered.
The explosion sent shockwaves rippling through the sect grounds.
Zhang Tianlong flew back, coughing blood.
The courtyard fell silent.
Then—
"Wang Li wins!"
The crowd erupted in cheers.
Zhang Tianlong, barely holding himself upright, looked up with fury and shame.
"You… this isn't over."
"Of course not," Wang Li said with a bright grin. "First, you owe me."
Zhang Tianlong's face twisted. "Don't you dare—!"
"Oh, but I do."
Wang Li snapped his fingers.
A moment later, Ling Xi handed him… the rabbit-ear bra.
Yuechan didn't even flinch.
Mu Qingling burst into laughter.
Zhang Tianlong turned purple.
"You said—"
"A bet is a bet," Wang Li said innocently. "I merely suggested. You agreed. All in front of witnesses."
"YOU—!"
"Would you rather I tell your fiancée about that little note in your robe?"
Zhang Tianlong froze. "How do you—?!"
"I have my ways," Wang Li whispered.
With trembling hands and soul-crushing shame, Zhang Tianlong accepted the rabbit-ear bra and… slowly put it on his head.
The entire courtyard exploded into laughter.
Sect disciples fell over themselves. Even Yun Tianhai turned away, trying to hide the twitch in his lips.
Bai Xueyao clapped cheerfully. "Now that is peak cultivation."
Feng Yuling nodded solemnly. "A true master of shamelessness."
Yuechan stared expressionlessly. "Not bad."
---
That Evening – Lake of Whispering Clouds
Wang Li stood at the water's edge, the breeze cool and the sky fading into twilight.
He sensed her before she appeared.
Yuechan walked toward him, quiet and poised, her long black hair flowing like ink on water. Her robe fluttered in the wind. Her sword glowed faintly.
"You embarrassed a sect heir," she said.
"You're not mad, are you?"
She looked at him for a long moment. "No."
"…You're proud?"
"I didn't say that."
She stepped closer.
He gulped.
"You once said I was your sword," she murmured, eyes shining in the moonlight. "If I am… then today, you wielded me well."
Wang Li blinked.
And then she leaned in.
Soft.
Warm.
A kiss on the cheek.
Just long enough for his brain to short-circuit.
Before he could say anything, Yuechan turned and walked away.
"You're getting stronger," she called. "Don't fall behind."
Wang Li stared after her, stunned.
"…I think I just ascended," he mumbled.
Behind a nearby rock, Ling Xi peeked out.
Then Bai Xueyao.
Then Mu Qingling.
Then Feng Yuling.
Then Lin Ruoyan.
Each one glaring at Yuechan's retreating figure.
The war had just escalated.