Chapter 186: Fan Ling (Please Subscribe and Support)

Hu Jia flashed a brilliant smile and said, "So, let's go on a date!"

"A date?!" Xun'er felt as if her entire world had turned upside down.

Without giving her time to react, Hu Jia grabbed Xun'er and rushed out of the academy.

"Miss, don't really let yourself be led astray, or the clan leader will have my hide," Ling Ying said with a bitter smile, following behind. If Xun'er were truly corrupted by Hu Jia, then upon returning to the clan, the elders would surely grind him to dust—after all, Xun'er was the perfect inheritor of the imperial bloodline. If she developed a liking for women, how could the bloodline ever be passed on?

...

In the manor at the heart of Maple City, Xiao Xie, dressed in white combat attire, was practicing Tai Chi to the tune of "Let It Be." Tai Chi, though a martial art, was even more so a technique of exertion.

To illustrate: other martial arts, when faced with a punch, typically either block or dodge. Tai Chi, however, follows the direction of the opponent's force, adding its own strength or slightly diverting the force. When someone throws a punch, their strength is somewhat controlled—if they overexert, they can't maintain balance. In that instant, when their old force is spent and the new force has yet to rise, if someone pulls along the direction of their exertion, their balance is broken, and their own strength, combined with the other's, sends them flying. This is the art of borrowing force.

When the song finished, Xiao Xie's Tai Chi routine ended as well. Centered on him, the floor beneath his feet revealed a massive bagua pattern.

Xiao Xie now used Tai Chi not powered by inner energy, but by battle aura. Compared to the original Tai Chi, its power was far greater—it should now be called Tai Chi Battle Skill. This battle skill was a growth-type skill; its power increased with the user's strength. The Tai Chi Battle Skill Xiao Xie currently wielded was only equivalent to a low-level earth-ranked skill, but if he broke through to the Saint level, it would become a bona fide heaven-ranked skill.

"Arnold! Play 'A Laugh Amidst the Sea' next!" Xiao Xie said to Arnold beside him.

Arnold, now a Nine-Star Battle Emperor, was rarely summoned for combat, yet his usefulness remained immense. He was a supercomputer, recording countless data: thousands of battle skill books, local information wherever Xiao Xie traveled, and he helped Xiaoxiao organize items in the storage space. Though now an assistant, Arnold was still indispensable.

"Yes, young master," Arnold replied emotionlessly, and soon the familiar melody of "A Laugh Amidst the Sea" filled the air.

Qing Lin, standing beside Arnold, looked at him with curiosity. She had long known Xiao Xie possessed such a wondrous puppet, but hearing music emanate from Arnold's body still felt magical.

"A Laugh Amidst the Sea,
The tides surge along both shores,
Rising and falling with the waves, only remembering today.

Heaven laughs at the world's swirling tides..."

With the stirring music, Xiao Xie drew his katana and began practicing the Nine Swords of Dugu. Though the blade was a katana, it made no difference for Xiao Xie's practice—for him, even a tree branch could suffice, let alone a proper blade.

...

Outside Canaan Academy, inside a clothing shop.

"Xun'er, you'll look absolutely stunning in this dress," Hu Jia said, holding up a red gown.

Xun'er looked at Hu Jia, her face dark with exasperation. Was Hu Jia teasing her? The dress she held was a low-cut number, entirely at odds with Xuner's conservative style. Judging by Hu Jia's expectant expression, Xun'er guessed the girl merely wanted to see her wear it for her own delight.

"Sister Jia, could you pick something more... normal?" Xun'er said helplessly.

"If you don't like it, we'll pick another. Such a waste, though!" Hu Jia put the red dress back, looking regretfully at Xuner's tall, slender, alluring figure, and shook her head mournfully.

"Youth Master Fan Ling gracing our humble shop! We're honored, truly honored!" came a commotion at the shop entrance. A handsome young gentleman in a blue brocade robe, followed by two elders, entered the store amidst a crowd.

"Bring out your best clothes for me! If I like them, you'll be well rewarded!" Fan Ling declared. The staff hurried to fetch the finest garments and respectfully presented them to him.

Fan Ling had been riding high lately. His father, Fan Lao, was the Blood Sect's master. Previously, Blood Sect was a top-tier force in the Black Corner Region, but only at the bottom of the ranks. Since Fan Lao pledged allegiance to Dragon Gate's master Xiao Xie and was granted a Bone Knight of the Battle Sect rank, Fan Lao, though only a Battle Emperor himself, gained authority at the Battle Sect level, elevating Blood Sect to one of the region's top powers.

As Blood Sect's young master, Fan Ling's own status had soared. The guards behind him used to be Battle Spirits, but now they were Battle Kings. Though becoming a Dragon Gate-affiliated sect had imposed some restrictions—such as not provoking Canaan Academy's disciples or harming innocents—the benefits outweighed the costs.

Now, even ordinary Battle Emperors gave Fan Ling face, thanks to his father's reputation, making him far more prominent than before.

Scanning the store, Fan Ling's gaze came to rest on a lovely figure in green—and he couldn't look away. At the sight of Xun'er, he felt all the women he'd played with before were nothing but vulgar powder.

"I must have her!" Fan Ling vowed silently.

Straightening his clothes, Fan Ling strode up to Xun'er and Hu Jia, gave a courteous salute, and flashed what he believed was a perfect smile. "I am Fan Ling. By chance I've met you two ladies. Might I know your names?"

"Who are you? Do we know you? Move along, move along!" Hu Jia waved her hand impatiently, shooing him off. Couldn't he see she was on a date with Xun'er? Where had this third wheel come from, so utterly clueless?

Fan Ling was momentarily speechless at Hu Jia's rebuff. Though she was a great beauty herself—if not as striking as Xun'er—he couldn't bring himself to argue with her.

Xun'er, seeing Fan Ling rendered mute by Hu Jia, couldn't help but smile.

Fan Ling, feeling disgruntled, was immediately captivated when Xun'er smiled, as if witnessing a garden in full bloom—he stood there, stunned.

"To think we'd encounter a fool today, how disappointing. Xun'er, let's go!" Hu Jia, seeing Fan Ling's piggish look as he stared at Xun'er, pulled her away.

"So your name is Xun'er. Would Miss Xun'er care to join me for a meal?" Fan Ling recovered quickly, stepping forward to block their path.

Xun'er frowned. She was used to being approached, but persistent suitors were deeply annoying. In a cool voice, she replied, "No, thank you. Please step aside, we are leaving."

"Forgive me for being abrupt. I am Fan Ling, young master of Blood Sect, a Dragon Gate-affiliated sect," Fan Ling apologized, then proudly announced his background.

"Dragon Gate? Blood Sect?" Xun'er and Hu Jia exchanged a strange look. A Dragon Gate member daring to show off before Xun'er? If Xiao Xie learned of this, what would happen?