Chapter 16

Last time, Song Weizhi only touched the small ear on the right side of Song Zhixia. She had been thinking about the untouched left ear. This time, she certainly wouldn't miss it. Song Weizhi reached out and gave a gentle touch to the small ear on the left side of Song Zhixia, confirming that it was indeed soft.

Song Zhixia was stunned. She hadn't expected Song Weizhi to be so skillful at touching. The fair skin on her body quickly turned red, visible to the naked eye. Like a startled little kitten, she took a step back and touched the ear that Song Weizhi had just touched, whispering in a low voice, "Senior Sister, why, why are you touching my ear again?"

Song Weizhi looked at the shy Song Zhixia with a smile and teased her, "Look at our Zhixia, so cute. Can't Senior Sister touch you a little? Is Zhixia so petty?"

Song Zhixia glanced at Song Weizhi, her face still not recovered from the redness. She pursed her lips as if gathering great courage and said, "If it's Senior Sister, it's not impossible."

After saying that, Song Zhixia's face became even more flushed, and she dared not look at Song Weizhi again, turning around and running away.

"Zhixia is so shy, so adorable." Song Weizhi laughed as she watched Song Zhixia fleeing.

Remembering that she had something to discuss with Song Zhixia, Song Weizhi followed her, lightly knocking on Song Zhixia's door and saying, "Zhixia, I forgot there's something else to tell you. Don't worry, I won't tease you this time."

After a while, Song Zhixia opened the door. The redness on her face had faded a bit, but her two small ears were still rosy, appearing charming. Afraid that Song Zhixia might feel embarrassed, Song Weizhi withdrew her gaze from her.

"I came to tell you that the assessment for outer sect disciples is in a few days. After advancing to the inner sect, we can explore the Linlang Secret Realm together with the inner disciples. Zhixia, this is an opportunity to prove yourself. I believe you can do it." Song Weizhi looked at Song Zhixia with gentle eyes.

"Will Senior Sister go to the secret realm too?" Song Zhixia asked. She didn't care about being an inner disciple, but she didn't want to embarrass Senior Sister. She also wanted to become stronger to protect Senior Sister.

"Of course, I'll go with Zhixia." Song Weizhi kept looking at Song Zhixia, making Song Zhixia a bit embarrassed.

"Then, I will work hard. I also want to stand by Senior Sister's side." Song Zhixia looked at Song Weizhi firmly.

"Yes, I know. My pretty little girl is the best." Song Weizhi couldn't help herself, reaching out and gently rubbing Song Zhixia's soft hair. This time, Song Zhixia didn't dodge, but a blush quickly appeared.

"Practice diligently these days. When the exam comes, show those shortsighted people what you're made of."

Song Zhixia obediently nodded. She also wanted to prove that she wasn't a useless waste. She remembered that day in the Martial Arts Field. If it weren't for Senior Sister, she might not have survived. She wanted to become stronger, to do something for Senior Sister.

Back in her room, Song Zhixia revisited the Burning Sword technique in her mind. The sword technique had a total of seven forms, and among them were numerous variations. Even someone as talented as Song Zhixia had only comprehended the first four forms of the Burning Sword. The remaining three forms were inexplicable to her. Bored, she summoned her Spiritual Beast, the little fire chicken.

The fluffy little chicken blinked its round eyes and looked at Song Zhixia, rubbing its head against Song Zhixia's hand like a spoiled baby.

Song Zhixia couldn't help but smile at the coquettish little chicken. She reached out and poked its head, saying, "You're so leisurely. Do you know if there's any way to enhance your combat power, little chicken? What abilities do you have?"

The little chicken raised its head, glanced at Song Zhixia's face, opened its chicken beak, and spat out three mouthfuls. A few water stains appeared on the table. Then, the chicken spat out a mouthful, and this time, a small flame the size of a fingernail emerged from its beak. The chicken's eyes lit up at the sight of the tiny flame. It took a few steps towards Song Zhixia, as if asking for praise.

Song Zhixia sighed lightly. Still gently, she praised the illusory chicken head, "The little chicken is the best. The tiny flame you spit out is so cute. Alright, don't spit anymore. Don't tire yourself out."

The little chicken nodded its chicken head, rubbed against Song Zhixia's finger a few times, and then Song Zhixia put it back into her spiritual sea.

Thought that she just needed to work a little harder, and become a bit stronger, even if the little chicken couldn't fight, she could still protect it.

Early the next morning, when Song Zhixia arrived in the courtyard, Song Weizhi had already been waiting by the stone table for a while.

"Senior Sister?" Song Zhixia was puzzled. Senior Sister usually meditated in her room, so why was she in the courtyard so early today?

"Yeah, I guess you've gained some insights into the Burning Sword these past few days. However, there's still a significant difference between practicing on your own and real combat. Starting today, I'll be your sparring partner." Song Weizhi understood this world is where strength was paramount. Although there were limits to sparring among fellow disciples, signing a life-and-death contract was required before each match. Even if someone died during a match, it could only be blamed on their lack of skill. The original story's female lead had a lot of misfortunes, making Song Weizhi cautious.

Song Zhixia stood still, surprised that Senior Sister would spend so much time on her. Mixed emotions flooded her heart.

"Senior Sister, I…"

"Alright, no need for too many thanks. As long as it helps you, I'm happy." Song Weizhi smiled. "Let's get started. Zhixia, don't hold back. I am your opponent now. Attack me with your sword."

With that, Song Weizhi had already taken out Li Shuo Sword. Song Zhixia unsheathed her sword as well.

"Then, Senior Sister, I'll attack you." After speaking, Song Zhixia unleashed the first move of the Burning Sword, the Fiery Conflagration. Flames blazed on both sides of the blade, and with a slash and a stab, the flames took the form of the blade and slashed towards Song Weizhi's face. Unfortunately, with just a bit of spiritual qi, Song Weizhi extinguished the flame blade.

Song Weizhi retaliated with a sword, without using much spiritual qi. The light thrust felt like a thousand pounds to Song Zhixia, causing pain in her mouth. However, judging from Senior Sister's appearance, she hadn't used much force in that strike.

Enduring the pain in her wrist, Song Zhixia turned the blade in the opposite direction, using spiritual qi to unleash the fourth move of the Burning Sword, the Spirit Flame. Flames burst out around the long sword, heading straight for Song Weizhi's face. Unfazed, Song Weizhi seemed to treat these flames as if they were soft and afraid of hard, making it impossible for them to gather around her. Looking at Song Zhixia's sword, it was held between Song Weizhi's fingertips.

Gathering her spiritual qi, Song Zhixia attempted to pull the sword out but found it stuck, like it was wedged between giant rocks, unyielding. At this moment, Song Weizhi let go of Song Zhixia's sword and slapped her with a palm. The calm gust of wind from the palm sent Song Zhixia flying, falling seven or eight steps away, with her sword scattering to the side.

"Again, use all your strength. If this were a real arena, you might have already died once." A cold voice came from Song Weizhi. She stood still, showing no intention of going over to help Song Zhixia.

Song Zhixia bit her lip. Had Senior Sister become disappointed in her? Suppressing the slight redness in her eyes, Song Zhixia forced back her tears. If all she knew was to cry, Senior Sister would surely think she was useless.

Ignoring the pain in her arm and body, Song Zhixia picked up her sword and stood up from the ground. She took a few deep breaths, focusing only on the sword in her hand. This time, when she attacked, she quickly used the first four sword moves of the Burning Sword in a disorderly order. Flames suddenly rose along the blade, and the flames propelled by spiritual energy moved toward Song Weizhi. Unfortunately, Song Zhixia's fire attacks were fast, but Song Weizhi's sword blocked even faster. Those fireballs couldn't even get close to Song Weizhi's clothes.

Song Zhixia could only support herself while trying to find an opening in Song Weizhi's defense. Unfortunately, Song Weizhi didn't give her a chance. She reversed her palm and sent Song Zhixia flying with an unrippled gust of wind.

Song Weizhi composed her expression and said coldly, "Again."

Ignoring the pain in her body, Song Zhixia lifted her sword and charged once more. She managed to endure five moves from Song Weizhi this time, but Song Weizhi still forced her into a corner in the courtyard. With no room to retreat, Song Zhixia suddenly turned the sword tip, using the remaining spiritual qi in her body to create a surging flame that swept across the ground. This continuous flame burned Song Weizhi in the face, forcing her to take a step back. This was the fifth move, the Flame Blaze, which Song Zhixia had been unable to comprehend until now, and she unexpectedly grasped it during the fight.

However, this only made Song Weizhi take a small step back. After that, Song Weizhi counterattacked with a palm, and Song Zhixia was sent flying to the corner, falling to the ground. Her whole body ached, and she had exhausted all her spiritual qi.