"Me? You're asking me who I am?"
Li Haoran jabbed a thumb at his chest, a sneer curling his lips as he caught the irritation flickering across Yue Chan's face.
"Li Haoran. You know that. Why do I have to introduce myself again?" His voice dripped with mockery.
Yue Chan's scalp prickled—always the same joke, never a straight answer.
She squeezed her eyes shut, biting back the retort burning on her tongue.
When she opened them, her glare was sharp enough to cut steel.
She exhaled, slow and heavy, letting some tension slip from her shoulders.
Why do I even bother? He never lets me get close, never takes anything seriously. Still,
she tried once more, voice tight.
Forget it.
Turning away, arms crossed, she muttered, "Idiot."
The word was soft, but it carried the weight of everything left unsaid.
"Hey... Where are you going?"
Li Haoran called after her, confusion flickering across his face as he watched her retreating back.
"Of course, headed home, what else?"
Yue Chan shot back without slowing her pace, her tone clipped and cool.
She kept her arms folded tightly, refusing to let him see how rattled she felt.
Li Haoran's brows knit together.
"Didn't you agree to accept me as your learner? Why are you suddenly leaving?"
Yue Chan paused mid-step, her foot hovering inches above the ground.
She exhaled sharply, feeling a swirl of irritation and reluctance twist inside her.
Turning to face him, she fixed him with a steely glare.
"That won't happen!" she snapped, her voice ringing with finality.
Li Haoran scrambled after her, closing the distance in a few quick strides. His eyes searched her face, desperate for an answer.
"Why?"
"Find a suitable teacher for yourself. You've already ruined my day," Yue Chan said, her voice cold and clipped.
She turned away, shoulders stiff, trying to keep the tremor of hurt from showing in her expression.
"Wait!"
Li Haoran's voice rang with urgency as he reached out, almost grabbing her arm but hesitating at the last moment.
"Do you really believe the rumors going around lately? Just ignore them—we both know they aren't true, right?"
His eyes searched her face, a mix of worry and frustration clouding his features.
"Why does it seem like they're affecting you so much?"
Yue Chan clenched her fists, refusing to meet his gaze.
If only it were that simple, she thought.
Words and whispers had a way of burrowing under her skin, no matter how much she tried to ignore them.
Li Haoran smiled at her, a mischievous glint lighting up his eyes.
"Master... master—should I call you that?" he teased, his grin wide and unbothered, as if their argument had already been forgotten.
Yue Chan's face remained motionless for a moment, shadowed by the weight of her frustration.
Slowly, she lifted her gaze to meet his, her eyes steely and cold, lips pressed into a thin line.
The air between them seemed to chill.
"Stop pestering me," she said, each word clipped and frosted, daring him to push her any further.
"I won't hold back. You agreed already. It means you're accepting my request," Li Haoran insisted, his voice unwavering, a stubborn glint in his eyes.
He planted his feet firmly on the ground, refusing to back down, determination radiating from every line of his posture.
"LI HAORAN!"
Yue Chan's voice cracked like a whip, echoing through the quiet air.
The force of her anger made his name reverberate, and for a moment, even the birds seemed to fall silent.
"Right, master."
Before she could unleash another tirade, Li Haoran dropped to his knees, hands pressed together in a mockery of supplication.
His eyes were wide, but there was a mischievous sparkle in them, as if he found amusement even in her fury.
Yue Chan glared down at him, torn between exasperation and reluctant amusement.
Why do I even bother arguing? she thought. He always finds a way to twist things around.
A flicker of stress crossed Yue Chan's face, her brows knitting together as she rubbed both temples in slow, circular motions.
The tension throbbed in her head, and she exhaled through her nose, trying to regain her composure.
"Are you accepting me now? I mean, your final decision," Li Haoran asked, his tone suddenly sincere.
He leaned forward, studying her face closely, searching for any hint of a true answer beneath her practiced mask.
Yue Chan caught the earnestness in his gaze and felt her resolve waver.
For a brief moment, she held his eyes, weighing his persistence against her own exhaustion.
At last, she threw her hands to her waist in resignation.
"FINE!" she burst out, her voice sharp and loud, echoing her reluctant surrender. "So stubborn!" she muttered under her breath, shaking her head as a reluctant smile threatened to soften her scowl.
Silence lingered between them, heavy and expectant.
Yue Chan watched as Li Haoran rose from the ground, brushing off his knees, his stubbornness refusing to fade.
She narrowed her eyes, arms folded across her chest.
"Elder Qing Yun values you so much. Instead of focusing on training with him, why would you trouble yourself by bothering with me?"
Her words came out sharper than she intended, edged with genuine curiosity and a hint of disbelief.
Why is he so persistent? I'm no one special, not compared to Elder Qing Yun.
Li Haoran met her gaze, sincerity flickering in his eyes.
"I told you, I admire you..."
His voice softened, and he paused, searching for the right words.
"I've heard your name for a long time, but my master kept me within the sect. This is only my third time attending the tournament, but yesterday was the first time I actually saw you. Still, your reputation echoes everywhere—I already knew how resonant your name was."
"Is that so?"
Yue Chan's tone was cool, but curiosity flickered in her eyes.
"And also, my master didn't allow me to participate in the tournament," Li Haoran continued, a hint of frustration coloring his words.
"Why?" she asked, her brows knitting together.
She couldn't help but wonder what reason could keep someone so persistent on the sidelines.
Li Haoran shook his head, a rueful smile tugging at his lips.
"I don't know either. So, taking you as my young master today—I consider this my biggest achievement. Isn't that right, Supreme Warrior?"
His eyes sparkled with a mix of pride and playful deference as he looked at her expectantly.
Yue Chan felt a reluctant amusement rise within her, despite herself.
This boy really doesn't give up.
"Speaking of my rank, don't mention it again. We aren't on the battlefield," Yue Chan said firmly, her tone brooking no argument.
She turned away, making it clear the conversation was over—or at least she hoped it was.
Suddenly, Li Haoran cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted to the open sky, his voice ringing out across the plain.
"THE PLAIN IS VAST! WHY DON'T WE GIVE IT A TRY, YOUNG MASTER!"
Yue Chan spun around, mortified and exasperated.
Does he have no sense of restraint at all?
She glared at him, heat rising in her cheeks as Li Haoran's laughter echoed in the open air.
"Aren't you tired of yourself?"
Yue Chan shot him a withering look, exasperation tightening her features.
Li Haoran only smiled, unfazed by her irritation.
"It makes sense. Since we're master and disciple now, let's have a duel."
Yue Chan fell silent, turning his words over in her mind.
For a moment, she just watched him—his eager posture, the spark of challenge in his eyes.
Is he really serious? she wondered.
His persistence was both maddening and strangely infectious.
She weighed her options, arms folded and expression unreadable, unsure whether to indulge him or walk away.
Reasoning with herself—it was just a practice match, nothing serious.
If granting his request would finally shut him up, then so be it.
"Alright. I agree," Yue Chan said at last, her voice calm but resolute.
She met Li Haoran's expectant gaze, a hint of challenge flickering in her eyes, determined to show him exactly what he was asking for.
It wasn't long before they found themselves standing a short distance apart, the shimmering expanse of the wide lake stretching out behind them.
The air was still, charged with anticipation.
"Are you ready?"
Yue Chan asked, her tone even as she squared her stance.
Li Haoran grinned, confidence radiating from him.
"I'm waiting," he replied without hesitation, eyes fixed on her, eager for the challenge to begin.
A hush fell over the lakeside as Yue Chan and Li Haoran faced each other, the wind barely whispering through the reeds.
For a heartbeat, neither moved.
Then, like a spark igniting dry grass, Yue Chan sprang forward, her movements fluid and precise.
Her foot barely touched the ground as she closed the distance in a blink, palm striking toward Li Haoran's shoulder.
Li Haoran twisted aside, a grin flashing across his face as her strike skimmed past him.
He countered with a sweeping kick, aiming to unbalance her, but Yue Chan met his attack head-on, blocking with her forearm and retaliating with a quick jab to his midsection.
The sound of their movements echoed over the water—swift, sharp, controlled.
Sand sprayed as Li Haoran slid back, regaining his footing.
"Not bad, Master!" he called, breathless but exhilarated.
He rushed in again, this time feinting left before launching a series of rapid punches.
Yue Chan parried each with practiced ease, her concentration absolute.
In her mind, she measured his form—the eagerness in every attack, the promise of raw potential.
She spun, ducking beneath his next swing, and swept his legs from beneath him with a well-timed kick.
Li Haoran crashed to the ground but rolled instantly, springing up with a laugh.
"You won't get rid of me that easily!"
Yue Chan's lips twitched, almost forming a smile.
She advanced, their movements a blur—strikes and counters, strength and agility, the world narrowing to the rhythm of their duel.
Li Haoran's determination fueled each attack, while Yue Chan's skill and calm kept her always one step ahead.
The match continued, neither willing to yield. Their breaths grew heavier, sweat beading on their brows.
The lake shimmered behind them, reflecting the dance of shadows and sunlight as they moved.
As the duel wore on, the air around them seemed to hum with anticipation.
Both Yue Chan and Li Haoran began to draw deeply on their spiritual energy, a shimmering aura blooming around each of them—Yue Chan's cool and focused, Li Haoran's bright and crackling with excitement.
With a surge of power, they both left the ground, feet barely brushing the grass as they soared into the air above the lake.
Their robes fluttered in the rising wind, light refracting off the surface of the water below.