Friends Without Benefits

"Gwaaaaaah!"

A single gale palm into the abdomen was all it took for a cultivator of the Verdant Dragon sect to experience a ring out.

"What an easy fight! The victor, Yanmei from the Transient Blades, had been breezed through battle, a fearsome wind qi practitioner indeed!" Up in the announcer's box, a man blessed with the rare voice qi had his words ripple across the entire stadium.

The crowd cheered for the appearance of a dark horse in this year's tournament.

As expected, the Transient Blades sect bulldozed through the competition. Even if Yanmei and Luqing had to hide their real cultivation due to its release being tied to their nature as a spirit beast, their watered down strength was enough.

Yanmei headed back into their waiting room and gave a high five to Fang Xuan who was about to fight the next Verdant Dragon disciple.

"You did great out there." Xiao greeted her lover with a smile.

"Then where is my rightful reward?"

"Reward?"

Yanmei turned and tapped her cheek, making her desired reward obvious.

To which Xiao happily obliged, planting her soft lips on Yanmei's cheek. Snippets of tender moments like these are what made Yanmei to think that maybe being with only Xiao wasn't that bad in hindsight.

A tender moment witnessed by Lin.

"Xiao, Your sect is doing good, I am here to…"

At that exact moment, Lin's heart sank. She knew. Lin was jealous. Even when she was aware she had no right to be.

"Lin! This is the lover that I spoke of! Come, I will introduce you to each other!"

Lin's eyes narrowed at Yanmei with the intensity of a hawk about to swoop down its prey. Of course, Yanmei failing to hide her emotion was immediately picked up by the two.

"Lin, why are you glaring at Yanmei like that? You told me you would be open to meeting with her."

"For no particular reason. I know I said that, it's just that... I suddenly fell ill. Anyway, I only came here to congratulate you on your team's performance. I shall now take my leave." With a heavy heart, Lin walked away to return to their own team's waiting room.

"Lin wait!"

Xiao glanced at Yanmei. With a gentle smile, Yanmei responded, "Go, chase after her."

+++

Into the stadium's corridor, Xiao chased after Lin who was acting as if Xiao wasn't practically shouting as she called for her attention.

"Lin, don't ignore me!" Xiao grabbed Lin by the shoulders and turned her around. "Is there problem!? Talk to me!?"

The problem was how open they are in expressing their affection for one another. How unafraid they are of other's judgement. Something Lin wished she could do with Xiao.

"No, there is no problem, Xiao. I was…I was just surprised to see you so happy with this Yanmei, it felt like I was intruding so I had to leave."

The gears suddenly clicked for Xiao.

"Lin, are you jealous?"

"Me, jealous!? That's preposterous! Why would I be when I know that I am just a dual cultivation partner for you!?"

Xiao grabbed Lin's hand.

With a hearty smile, Xiao said, "You're not just that. You're also my friend. And we could he more than that if that's what your heart desires."

By reflex, Lin yanked her hand away from Xiao's, she can't risk her family ever finding out.

How torn Lin was appeared on her face, she wanted to follow her heart, but in doing so would estrange her from her family.

"I-I can't, Xiao. You know my reasons."

Logic dictates that now would be the perfect time to end Lin's arrangement with Xiao, that they should just return to being friends without the added benefits. But Lin…doesn't want to let go.

"I understand. Let's talk about this after the tournament." Xiao didn't want to press her friend more, it was clear that the situation tormented her. At least Xiao knew now that there's a chance that and that Lin was thinking if being involved romantically with her.

"Yes. Good luck on the rest of the tournament, Xiao."

"To you too, Lin."

Thus, the two separated and returned to each sect's waiting room.

+++

A dashing young man with flowing black hair flawlessly deflected Fang Xuan's Bagua Dao despite its weight. The man's jian sword remained unbent as it braved the unrelenting attacks from Fang Xuan.

The man retaliated by firing up his sword with his fire qi in an attempt to skewer Fang Xuan in his shoulder.

As the man was about to make his attack, Fang Xuan's rigorous training kicked in, now would be the time to turn the tables and end the march in one swift blow.

Fang Xuan pierced downward with his greatsword, planting it like a mighty tree. Using it to face the man's fearsome thrust with a devastating flying kick.

As if time had slowed, The Man's fiery skewer slid past Fang Xuan's leg, the long reach of his kick allowed Fang Xuan to deliver a crushing blow into the man's plexus, sending him flying for a right out.

"Long Ao has been kicked out of the ring! The battle of Young master vs Young master has ended, Fang Xuan is now the victor!" The announcer shouted, hyping up the audience as they clamored for the victor.

Fang Xuan rushed by the arena's edge to see if the man was okay.

The dust from the debris cleared, Long Ago stood up and vomited blood. With a bloody smile, he cupped his hands, "This one is grateful for an epic fight. I have never heard of your sect, do you mind if the Verdant Dragons pay you a visit?"

Such questions were understood to be the proposal for a sect alliance. Their plan was working, heck, even sects couldn't wait to develop ties with them, new disciples are sure to come in droves.

Grinning from ear to ear, Fang Xuan cupped his hands, "Anytime, brother Ao."

"Then I'll see to it, brother San."

+++

The three women congratulated Fang Xuan on another victory. The four of them decided to take a little tea break before the next round of matches.

Half an hour later, the announcer's voice echoed through the entire stadium, announcing the next battling sect.

"The Next battle would be the Transient Blades sect vs. the Tranquil Waterfall sect! And our first match of the round would be, Yanmei vs. Lin!"