Fang Yuan was just about to speak again when the sound of approaching footsteps broke the quiet.
A familiar voice followed next which was far too cheerful for the mood.
"Brother Fang!"
Both Fang Yuan and Lin Zhaoyue turned together towards the garden path.
There stood Xiao Pei with the Crimson Soul Spear slung over his shoulder, hair slightly tousled, the grin on his face utterly self-satisfied.
"Ah, perfect timing!" he declared, stepping onto the garden stones. "I was getting bored, so I thought I’d co and grace you with my presence, Brother Fang."
Fang Yuan closed his eyes briefly. A faint sigh escaped him. Lin Zhaoyue, on the other hand, was visibly less composed.
Her smile vanished and the gentle curiosity that had filled her eyes monts before dissolved into a faint, unmistakable frown.
The shift was subtle but sharp, like a cold breeze through warm sunlight.
Xiao Pei froze mid-stride. His grin faltered as he caught her expression.
"Ah..." He blinked. "I... seem to have interrupted sothing important, haven’t I?"
Fang Yuan didn’t even need to answer as Lin Zhaoyue’s silence said enough.
Xiao Pei instinctively straightened his back, one hand scratching the side of his neck.
He even took a cautious half-step back.
"Um," he added quickly, forcing a strained laugh, "you know, the garden’s really nice today! So peaceful! Heh... I can wait, if you’re—uh—ditating or... having a... philosophical discussion about flowers?"
Fang Yuan finally opened his eyes and looked at him.
"Since you’re already here," Fang Yuan said lightly, "I assu you’ve co for sothing important."
"Important?" Xiao Pei blinked, then straightened, realizing retreat was impossible now.
"Of course! Very important. In fact, critical." He spun his spear once, trying to look impressive. "I ca to spar!"
Lin Zhaoyue’s expression did not improve.
She crossed her arms, lips pressed thin.
Fang Yuan arched an eyebrow. "To spar. Here. In the garden."
"Well—yes!" Xiao Pei’s grin returned, slightly forced but determined. "The qi here is excellent, the flowers are witnesses, and..."
He glanced nervously at Lin Zhaoyue, "uh... Sister Lin looks like she could use so entertainnt?"
Her stare sharpened just enough to make him sweat.
Fang Yuan leaned back slightly, watching the exchange with growing amusent.
"Very well, let’s have a spar here" he said at last, voice calm.
Xiao Pei’s eyes lit up in surprise. "Really?"
"Mn." Fang Yuan rose slowly, brushing stray petals from his robe.
Lin Zhaoyue sighed softly, her displeasure fading into reluctant amusent. She moved aside, shaking her head.
The two n stood at the center of the garden, petals floating between them like drifting snow.
Fang Yuan’s hands were clasped loosely behind his back, his expression calm and faintly amused.
Xiao Pei, by contrast, stood several paces away, spear in hand, posture sharp and ready.
The mont Fang Yuan nodded, Xiao Pei lunged.
The Crimson Soul Spear whistled through the air, its red aura flaring like lightning. Xiao Pei’s movents were fast and precise, refined with each thrust carrying focused intent and spiritual power.
Fang Yuan, on the other hand, moved like still water.
Every attack from Xiao Pei was t with effortless, almost lazy precision.
A turn of his wrist, a subtle shift of the foot, and Xiao Pei’s strikes found nothing but empty air.
It wasn’t that Fang Yuan was dodging, it was more like the world itself bent slightly around him, guiding the attacks away.
The clang of weapon and qi echoed lightly through the garden, the sound carried on the wind like a distant lody.
Xiao Pei gritted his teeth, pushing harder. The Crimson Soul Spear spun in dazzling arcs, its crimson glow illuminating the air with fiery streaks.
Fang Yuan raised a single hand, index finger extended, and tapped the spear mid-swing.
The weapon jolted backward, nearly flying out of Xiao Pei’s grip. He barely steadied himself.
"Not bad," Fang Yuan said, his tone casual, even kind. "Your control has improved."
Xiao Pei exhaled, tightening his hold. "Don’t go easy on , Shaoge. I can handle a bit of pressure."
Fang Yuan’s smile deepened slightly. "Then go ahead. Use all your strength."
Xiao Pei froze mid-step, lowering his spear slightly. "Eh? But... the garden."
Fang Yuan’s eyes glead faintly, that rare, teasing grin touching his lips.
"Don’t worry," he said softly. "You won’t be able to touch them."
The confidence in his tone made Xiao Pei pause. His instincts scread danger, but so did his pride.
"...Shaoge," he said slowly, his grin returning, "I know you’re stronger than you let people believe but don’t underestimate either."
He spun his spear once, planting his foot with a spark of qi. "I can pack a punch or two."
Fang Yuan chuckled quietly, clasping his hands behind his back again.
He was a Hollow Spirit Realm master. Xiao Pei was barely at Golden Core.
There was an entire chasm between them, not just power, but existence itself.
Who was Xiao Pei kidding?
But Fang Yuan’s expression was soft, almost fond, as he watched the younger man brace himself.
Everyone believed he was rely at the Peak of Nascent Soul and he saw no reason to correct them.
Still, it didn’t hurt to let Xiao Pei test the waters.
"Alright then," Fang Yuan said quietly, lowering his stance at last.
"Show ... how far you’ve co."
Xiao Pei inhaled sharply. The garden air trembled.
This ti, he didn’t hold anything back.
His golden core roared to life, spiritual energy flooding every ridian, every muscle.
The Crimson Soul Spear lit up like a burning star, the red aura coiling around the shaft like a frenzied serpent ready to strike.
Even the ground beneath him cracked, tiny fissures spreading outward in a spiderweb pattern.
Fang Yuan’s eyes narrowed a fraction.
He’s actually using everything he has.
Xiao Pei planted his foot, lowered his stance, and the crimson aura around him swelled until the flowers in the garden leaned away from the pressure.
"Brother Fang!!" he roared with all the force his lungs could muster.
Fang Yuan straightened slightly.
"Take this! My special creation —"
Xiao Pei’s voice tore through the garden.
"CRIMSON DEMON DEMOLITION!!"
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