“Elder Wu, be careful. Chu Chuyan is dubbed the number one prodigy of the younger generation, a genius among geniuses. You mustn’t get careless,” Yuan Wendong reminded him. 

He had set Wu Di against Chu Chuyan because the latter had always been the Chu clan’s pride, a symbol of the Chu clan’s strength. If they could defeat her in public, they could deal a huge blow to the Chu clan’s reputation, and further the subsequent rise of the Yuan clan.

“Rest assured, I’m a rank stronger than her. It’ll be a walk in the park for me to defeat her,” said Wu Di calmly. 

Right now, all he was worried about was how he should win the battle without revealing his cultivation. He studied the spectators who had turned up for the duel. Governor Sang Hong won’t be a problem, but it’ll be hard to pull wool over the eyes of Chu Zhongtian or Principal Jiang. If they notice something, it could spell trouble.

In the opposite corner, Yue Shan was also advising Chu Chuyan. “First miss, your opponent is someone we have never heard of before. Given the circumstances, it’s safe to assume that he’ll be a tough opponent. You must be careful.”

Chu Chuyan nodded calmly in response.

Yue Shan couldn’t help but chuckle softly. I guess I’m worrying too much. How could the first miss possibly lose against a fellow junior?

As the fighters were preparing, Qin Wanru was deep in discussion with her husband about the current state of affairs. “Hubby, even if Chuyan wins this match, we’ll only be leading by four matches to three, with two matches to go. Are we really going to lose just like that?”

She had confidence in her older daughter, but the same couldn’t be said about their two remaining fighters.

Chu Zhongtian could not hide his concern. 

“The Yuan clan has already fielded all of their experts, so Huanzhao’s opponent shouldn’t be too strong. Given the special attributes of the Wailing Whip, she still stands a chance at winning,” he said, but his tone was uncertain and devoid of confidence. He knew that his second daughter was a wilful girl who spent little time on her cultivation.

As for Zu An’s duel, he had already dismissed it as a hopeless match.

Honestly, he found the situation incredibly bizarre. Even with the Wu clan’s help, the Yuan clan should still have been no match for the Chu clan. How could they have so many experts hidden away? This was truly puzzling.

… 

As they fretted, Chu Chuyan descended gracefully into the dueling ring, her footsteps light and soft. Her dress fluttered lightly as she stood serenely before the crowd, her elegant presence drawing enthusiastic cheers.

“Young miss Chu, you have our support!”

“Young miss Chu sure is gorgeous. How lucky Zu An is to have her as his wife!”

“What’s wrong with the guys? Why are they all acting like adolescent boys meeting a girl for the first time?”

… 

Shi Kun smiled upon hearing the cheers ringing from all corners of the arena. As expected of a woman I have set my eyes on. Her popularity truly knows no bounds. Only I am worthy of a woman as perfect as her!

The unwelcome image of Zu An rudely interrupted his thoughts. His smile slipped, his face wrinkling in disgust. He felt like he had just eaten a fly. 

Zu An, who had intended to watch the show quietly, was suddenly surprised by a huge wave of Rage points. Once again, Chu Chuyan’s beauty had managed to stoke the envy of the men, leading them to direct their indignance toward him.

“Ahhh, this must be what it means to be outstanding! Even when I’m not doing anything at all, the cash just continues to roll in!” exclaimed Zu An.

Chu Huanzhao’s interest piqued instantly. “Cash? Roll in? What cash?” She tugged at Zu An’s sleeves, her voice full of excitement.

Zu An gave her a silent glance before shaking his head. Looks like this lass has gotten hooked after the easy money she earned the last time.

“Nah, you heard wrongly.” In order to distract her, he quickly changed the topic, “What’s your older sister’s cultivation rank?”

“She should be at the pinnacle of the fifth rank, I think. I’m not too sure about the details,” replied Chu Huanzhao.

Zu An was amused. “She’s your older sister though. You don’t know her cultivation rank?”

Indignantly, Chu Huanzhao scoffed, “Why would I care about that?”

The Yuan clan’s fighter chose this moment to step into the dueling ring. 

Zu An resolved to watch this duel carefully. He had never seen his wife in action before, and he was curious to know how far behind he was from the most talented cultivator in his age group.

“My name is Di Wu. I’m looking forward to having a taste of young miss Chu’s Snowflower Sword!” As he made his way forward, Wu Di marveled at the beauty of the white-dressed woman before him. 

Her eyes were as beautiful as the stars in the night sky, and her facial features looked as if they had been carefully painted on by a master painter. Wu Di felt flames stirring in the depths of his long-dormant heart.

Despair followed swiftly, crushing him.  If he was still young and had just reached the sixth rank, he would have surely done everything he could to pursue her. But he was well into his middle years, and had no potential left to develop. There was no way he would stand a chance with her anymore.

I wonder just what kind of man in the world would be worthy of a woman as perfect as she is!

He thought about the intelligence he had received, which detailed how Chu First Miss had chosen a notorious wastrel in Brightmoon City as her husband. Envy immediately gripped him. This is unfair! How can that kind of fellow be worthy of her? If I’m not qualified to pursue her, how could a man like him be wedded to this fairylike woman before me?!

You have successfully trolled Wu Di for 999 Rage points!

Zu An had been calmly watching the show from the holding area when a sudden inflow of Rage points shocked him. Huh, what’s wrong with this Wu Di?

He quickly scanned the surroundings and caught the Yuan clan’s fighter in the dueling ring glaring at him intently. He pondered for a moment. Wu Di, Di Wu… Hm, interesting.

With the fighters in the ring, the official from the City Lord Estate declared the start of the duel. Wu Di immediately turned his attention back to the beautiful woman before him, his mind made up. Even if you’ll never be mine, I’ll make you remember me for life. I shall make you suffer a tragic defeat today!

He drew his saber, and it was immediately sheathed in red flames. Behind him, the vague avatar of a ferocious tiger could be seen. Waves of heat rippled out into the surroundings, drawing wide-eyed astonishment from the crowd.

“He’s actually a fifth rank cultivator! How did the Yuan clan find so many experts?”

“On top of that, his elemental attribute is fire, which happens to be at odds with Chu First Miss’ ice element!”

“I wonder who would curb who.”

“Fire can curb ice, but ice can curb fire too. In the end, it boils down to who is stronger.”

… 

Chu Chuyan calmly drew her sword, revealing a transparent blade tinged in light blue, trailing white mist as it moved - a result of the blade’s extreme cold condensing the water vapor surrounding it.

Zu An snorted to himself. 

It’s no wonder why my wife’s personality is so cold - even her weapon is a block of ice! 

Hmm... Her personality is cold, she practices an ice-style cultivation technique, and she brings that chunk of ice everywhere around with her… Wouldn’t the coldness result in painful menstrual cramps?

He started to turn towards Chu Huanzhao, that very question on his lips, but he immediately changed his mind. Wouldn’t I be treated as a pervert if I ask her such a question?

With a furious roar, Wu Di raised his saber and charged forth with the momentum of a ferocious tiger.

Zu An was awed by the sight. Woah, his attacks actually come with special effects! I guess he’s not just a sidekick after all. I wonder if my wife will be able to withstand his offense.

In response, Chu Chuyan slowly raised her sword. With a simple flick of her wrist, she sent her sword piercing in a straight line toward her enemy.

The tip of Chu Chuyan’s sword struck Wu Di’s blade with the sound of a high-pitched bell, shrill and loud enough to set ears ringing. The ferocious tiger avatar behind Wu Di immediately vanished without a trace, and a terrifying shockwave rippled forth from the two of them.

Half of the spectators were blasted by a wave of intense heat, while the other half shivered as if naked in the coldest winter. 

The combatants only clashed for an instant before swiftly retreating, creating some distance between them to recover. Wu Di stared at the beautiful figure several meters away in astonishment. He could tell that her ability to manipulate ki was above his. Is this the difference between me and a true genius?

But, no matter how prodigious you might be, you can’t erase away the twenty years of experience I have over you! You’re bound to lose this battle!

Across from him, Chu Chuyan frowned. Her enemy’s ki reserves turned out to be greater than she had expected. It looks like he’s the strongest fighter from the Yuan clan, joining this tournament to specifically deal with me.

Neither let their thoughts affect their intensity.  After the barest of breaks, they swiftly engaged each other again. Their speed of movement blurred their bodies into mere silhouettes. Chu Chuyan’s attacks were elegant but deadly whereas Wu Di’s offense was forceful and direct. 

It was a surprisingly even contest. 

“That man is actually able to keep up with young miss Chu!”

“Does the Yuan clan have an expert of this caliber?”

… 

Qin Wanru watched her daughter worriedly as she listened to the whisperings of the crowd.  “Hubby, what is that man’s background?”

Chu Zhongtian frowned deeply. “I don’t know, but something isn’t right about him. Chuyan’s Snowflower Sword is embedded with a chilling aura that affects the movement of her enemies, gradually slowing them down and tilting the battle in her favor. Yet, Di Wu seems unfazed by her chilling aura. This is truly weird.”

“Could it be that his fire cultivation technique is offsetting Chuyan’s chilling aura?” asked Qin Wanru.

“It could be,” replied Chu Zhongtian as he continued assessing the situation.

In the dueling ring, Wu Di and Chu Chuyan had again parted from one another as they tried to regulate the agitated ki in their body.

Wu Di’s hands were cloaked in a layer of ice, but he dispelled it with a surge of flame. His lips wore a fawning smile. “I’ve long heard of the amazing prowess of Chu First Miss’ Snowflower Sword. It seems the rumors aren’t exaggerated at all. It looks like I’ll have to get serious, then.”

Observing from the Yuan clan holding area, Yuan Wendong frowned. Why is Elder Wu Di speaking so much today? He’s usually proud and reticent; this is unlike him.

Zu An, however, had an answer to that question. “Hmph! That fellow must have found my wife pretty, so he’s doing all sorts of things to capture her attention. Tsk, that attention whore!”

Fortunately, Chu Chuyan was unfazed. True to the cold beauty she was, she stood there quietly, her eyes perfectly composed.

Wu Di felt his heart racing yet again as he met her pristine gaze. What a pity that fate has denied me such a fine woman! With a deep sigh, he channeled his regrets into the duel.

“Inferno Edge!”

Wu Di leaped into the air, his saber pointed skyward. The flames cloaking the saber intensified, forming a sword of solid flame ten meters long.

“Holy shit! Even Jiumozhi’s Flame Blade isn’t as dashing as this!” Zu An straightened upward, impressed by the spectacle. “If I could learn such a cool technique in the future, I could easily win the fancy of any girl!”[1]

“I don’t see anyone falling for Di Wu even after he executed the technique though,” replied Chu Huanzhao.

Zu An kindly explained, “That’s because he is fundamentally unappealing. You need someone as good-looking as me to execute the technique in order for it to work.”

Despite his off-hand tone, he was very worried for Chu Chuyan. He wasn’t certain if she could cope with this technique. It would be a huge loss if she were to even lose a few strands of her hair to this Wu Di!

In the ring, Chu Chuyan calmly swung her sword, and snowflakes began to appear, growing more and more numerous. They encircled her in a swirling column several meters wide, creating the image of a goddess summoning a ferocious snowstorm. 

The spectators were awestruck.

“Woah, that’s beautiful!”

“Beneath that beauty lies great danger. Just a single snowflake could turn you into an ice pop.”

“Say, if young miss Chu is that cold, wouldn’t her husband freeze to death just by hugging her?”

“What do you know? She might be cold on the surface, but I bet that she’s steamy hot on the inside.”

“You’re such a horrible person.”