Chapter 17: Unintentional Involvement

The daily exchange began.

"Clang!"

The collision of long sword and staff burst into sparks. Both of them, at the same level of Dou Disciple, fought without reservation.

Nalan Yanran practiced Wind Attribute Dou Qi, her movements graceful and swift. The long sword in her hand thrust rapidly, creating sword techniques that dazzled the eyes.

However, for Yun Tianming, visibility didn't matter; his powerful perception allowed him to instantly predict all the actions of his opponent.

There's an opening!

Yun Tianming's eyes flashed with sharpness. He vigorously swung his staff, precisely lifting the opponent's long sword and following up with a close-range elbow to push her back. Yun Tianming seized the advantage, preparing for a powerful palm strike.

"Withering Grass Palm!"

Nalan Yanran, well aware of the corrosive Dou Qi in his palm strike, avoided direct contact. She used her left hand to block while simultaneously retreating.

"Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle~"

As Yun Tianming's palm brushed past her sleeve, a large area quickly corroded, revealing the fair and jade-like skin underneath.

"Tianming Senior Brother, be careful! I'm going to use my ultimate move next!"

Nalan Yanran's pretty face became solemn. She injected Dou Qi into the sword with two fingers on her left hand, causing the long sword to tremble rapidly. It then moved slowly, leaving behind a substantial sword-shaped afterimage.

"Wind Spirit Fractal Sword!"

This was a Black Rank Mid-Level Dou Technique taught to her by Yun Yun. It could split into multiple energy sword qi to attack targets. Limited by her Ninth Stage Dou Disciple strength, Nalan Yanran could currently control only one stream of energy sword qi.

"Go!"

Nalan Yanran held a seal with her left hand, manipulating energy sword qi to attack from behind Yun Tianming. Her right hand held the long sword for a frontal assault.

Faced with the aggressive attacks from both directions, Yun Tianming had no choice but to dodge and evade in all directions.

Taking advantage of a slightly superior speed, Nalan Yanran relentlessly pursued Yun Tianming. Her long sword swiftly slashed, and energy sword qi flashed by, leaving numerous sword marks on Yun Tianming's body.

"Hiss, hiss, hiss~"

Yun Tianming maintained a calm demeanor on his face. Using his powerful Soul Power, he shifted his body to avoid vital points. Despite appearing to be covered in wounds from the energy sword qi, they were merely superficial injuries that couldn't harm him fundamentally.

On the other side, the continuous use of the Black Rank Mid-Level Dou Technique drained Nalan Yanran's energy. Her breath became rapid, and sweat poured down her face. However, with her stubborn personality, she gritted her teeth and persisted in activating the Dou Technique.

Seizing the opportunity, Yun Tianming suddenly accelerated, soaring into the air, and brought down his staff with both hands heavily!

"Overhead Strike"

This was a Black Rank Low-Level Dou Technique Yun Tianming borrowed from the Misty Cloud Sect's Dou Technique Pavilion. After systematic strengthening, it reached the level of Black Rank Mid-Level!

There were no fancy moves with this strike—just a pure, high-speed, powerful physical impact!

Nalan Yanran's pupils contracted as she tightly gripped her long sword for defense.

"Bang!"

The strike directly bent her sword, and the immense force landed on her shoulder. Nalan Yanran's face turned pale, and she couldn't help but let out a muffled groan of pain.

"You were careless, Yanran Junior Sister."

"This time, I won again."

Yun Tianming swung his hand, placing the staff upright on the ground. Then, he leaned down and extended his hand to the kneeling Nalan Yanran.

"Hiss~ Tianming Senior Brother, you really show no mercy at all."

Nalan Yanran covered her sore shoulder with one hand, which made her groan in pain, and put her other hand firmly on Yun Tianming's hand, forcing herself to stand up.

"I'm sorry, Yanran's strength is formidable, and I don't have the luxury to hold back," Yun Tianming spoke frankly. Both of them were at the Ninth Stage of Dou Disciple. Nalan Yanran received personal instruction from Yun Yun, while Yun Tianming relied on the system to barely match her level.

"Hmm, let's take it as a compliment from Senior Tianming," Nalan Yanran's lips curled slightly. She enjoyed being taken seriously and challenged.

At Misty Cloud Sect, she had sparred with other senior brothers and sisters, but they either held back due to her status as the Sect Master's direct disciple or struggled in battle. Only Yun Tianming showed no mercy; he seized every opportunity to strike her. Despite the bruises, Nalan Yanran found it oddly satisfying.

"Let's take a Pill for recovery first," Yun Tianming swallowed a Pill he exchanged with medicinal ingredients. The First Grade Rejuvenation Pill, coupled with his Wood Attribute Dou Qi, quickly healed his wounds.

"Yes, yes."

Nalan Yanran obediently took a healing Pill, sat in meditation to recuperate, but the soreness in her shoulder occasionally brought tears to her eyes. However, her strong-willed nature kept her from shedding tears.

"Let me see the wound."

Yun Tianming skillfully untied the knot on Nalan Yanran's collar, and though the girl's body trembled slightly, she didn't resist. Her cheeks blushed faintly, and her eyes remained closed.

"Hold on, I'm removing it."

Carefully pulling apart the robe, he revealed the clean shoulder with red swelling and bruising, appearing quite painful. Yun Tianming nodded in satisfaction, confirming the effectiveness of his Dou Technique. His palm emitted a gentle Wood Attribute Dou Qi, touching the wound, and his fingers applied a light massage, alleviating the pain.

"Mmm~"

Nalan Yanran's small mouth opened slightly, emitting a comfortable moan. She opened her eyes silently, gazing at Yun Tianming, who was focused on healing her. In the depths of her heart, there was an inexplicable sense of emotion.

...

"Elder Gu He truly deserves to be the top Alchemist of the Jia Ma Empire. The quality of this Qi Gathering Powder is truly exceptional!"

Yun Yun's willow-like eyebrows lifted, and a beautiful and charming curve appeared at the corner of her mouth.

"Sect Master, considering we've known each other for such a long time, may I call you Yun?"

Gu He was momentarily stunned, feeling elated inside, about to seize the opportunity to say something that would bring them closer.

However, the next moment, Yun Yun's brows furrowed, and the smile on her face vanished in an instant. This was because when she opened the second wooden box, the pill inside was not the Qi Gathering Powder.

"Elder Gu He, what is the meaning of this?"

"If I'm not mistaken, this should only be the Third Grade Pill: Condensing Qi Pill, right?"

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