Chang Le'an was momentarily stunned, then broke into a smile. "Second Brother, you're awake!"
Shen Yue had been possessed that day, and True Man Lingxu had spent a great deal of resources to invite a deacon in the Spirit Transformation Stage to suppress the flames within his body. Since then, Shen Yue had been in a deep sleep—until now.
He slowly nodded, his voice still weak. "The Langya Secret Realm is about to open. Tell me… has Senior Sister registered for the screening round?"
"Second Brother, you still call her Senior Sister?" Chang Le'an grit his teeth. "You don't know what's happened while you were asleep. That woman no longer regards us as fellow disciples, and she's become cruel and ruthless! If not for her, Junior Sister wouldn't have suffered so much, and Lingxu Peak wouldn't be in such chaos."
Shen Yue's lips pressed together, his throat dry. "…I heard as much from Senior Brother."
"Second Senior Brother, are you feeling all right?" Ye Zhaozhao asked gently, her eyes full of concern.
Shen Yue forced a faint smile. "Junior Sister, you shouldn't have acted on my behalf."
Ye Zhaozhao lowered her gaze. "But when I saw you vomiting blood and unconscious, I panicked. I couldn't stand by."
Shen Yue sighed. Zhaozhao had always been softhearted and innocent. If she hadn't been so desperate to defend him, she wouldn't have made such reckless choices—nor suffered punishment from the sect.
"Second Senior Brother, I won't do it again next time," Ye Zhaozhao murmured, sounding aggrieved.
His expression softened. "If there's fault, it lies with me."
For a long moment, Shen Yue fell silent.
These past days had been like a long, unending dream. In that dream, the teachings of Senior Sister—teachings he had once dismissed—returned to him with haunting clarity, each word striking deep.
If only he had listened…
He had been ungrateful, betraying her kindness.
Neither Senior Sister nor Zhaozhao had been in the wrong. The one who was wrong… was himself.
Eldest Brother had told him that five years ago, when he lost his mind, it was Senior Sister who saved him.
After the deacon suppressed his inner fire, Shen Yue still required months of seclusion to recover. And yet Senior Sister—what had she endured back then, to be able to stand so calm and composed when she reappeared?
A trace of sadness flickered in Shen Yue's eyes.
"Second Brother, you've only just woken up," Chang Le'an said with concern. "You can't even wield your sword yet. I know you want revenge against Li Shuang, but let me handle it for you this time. With her current strength, she won't be able to withstand me."
"There's no need, Third Brother," Shen Yue replied quietly.
Chang Le'an frowned, but before he could insist, Ye Zhaozhao tugged at his sleeve. "Sister Li is still our Senior Sister. If we truly meet in the arena… I'll know how to handle it."
Shen Yue nodded faintly. Zhaozhao's kindness was genuine; his worries had been unnecessary.
Ye Zhaozhao then led Chang Le'an away under the pretense of practicing sword.
Shen Yue remained, his eyes full of struggle.
Five years ago, because of him, Senior Sister had been misunderstood.
Now, again because of him, Junior Sister had erred and been punished.
Zhaozhao he could repay slowly in the future.
But Senior Sister… would she even be willing to see him again?
After two days of hesitation, Shen Yue finally gathered his courage and went to Wuqing Peak. Whatever else, he had to thank her for what she had done five years ago.
The sky was clear, the air crisp.
At the Wuqing Peak training grounds, Li Shuang and the others were practicing sword.
Two days prior, she had signed up for the Langya Secret Realm. Lin Qingling had been slightly concerned, given her disciple's current cultivation, but she respected Li Shuang's decision—it was her path to walk.
Among Wuqing Peak's disciples, Luo Mingyue, already past fifty, was downcast at missing her chance to enter the Secret Realm, though there was nothing she could do. Jiang Yi, who had never once left Wuqing Peak, chose not to participate either. Their third senior brother was still away on a mission and likely wouldn't return in time.
Thus, only Li Shuang and Liu Juncheng were participating this time.
On the training ground, Luo Mingyue and Jiang Yi stood to the side, watching as Li Shuang sparred with Liu Juncheng.
Shen Yue arrived quietly, just in time to witness their exchange.
Liu Juncheng's swordplay was fluid and vast, like the ocean itself—befitting his water spiritual root. He was also the one who had defeated Shen Yue during the last competition.
But against him, Li Shuang remained composed and unhurried, unraveling his moves with ease. She even had the leisure to offer pointers.
For a moment, Shen Yue was lost in thought.
When he first joined Lingxu Peak, it had been Senior Sister who patiently guided him in swordsmanship, pointing out every weakness.
But now, she was guiding another.
His hand clenched slightly.
On the training ground, Li Shuang suddenly paused, her expression turning apologetic. "I'm sorry… Second Brother, your swordsmanship is already quite refined. My comments may not be accurate—please don't take them to heart."
She remembered, belatedly, her mistake with Shen Yue. Not everyone welcomed unsolicited guidance. Perhaps she was being too eager.
But Liu Juncheng looked surprised. "Junior Sister, why would you say that? I've gained a lot from your guidance. I only fear I've wasted your time."
"Xiaoshuang, what nonsense are you talking about?" Luo Mingyue scoffed. "His swordsmanship is far worse than yours! He should be grateful you didn't beat him into the ground!"
Li Shuang blinked, startled. Wouldn't Liu Juncheng be offended?
But he only gave Luo Mingyue a helpless glance. "Senior Sister, mock me if you wish, but what about you? Do you dare spar with Junior Sister yourself?"
"Is it so strange that I'd lose to her?" Luo Mingyue replied confidently. "When it comes to swordsmanship, even Senior Brother Jiang wouldn't be able to win against her! Crushing you, though, would be no problem."
Unable to retort, Liu Juncheng sighed and turned to Li Shuang. "Junior Sister, if you spar with Senior Sister next time, please let me watch."
"You won't get the chance!" Luo Mingyue huffed, pulling a face.
Jiang Yi simply smiled throughout, quietly watching the banter, nodding and shaking her head from time to time like a small, amused spectator.
Li Shuang looked at them, the corners of her lips lifting into a faint smile.
Yes. This time… things were different.
She resumed sparring with Liu Juncheng.
From the sidelines, Shen Yue lingered, lips parting as though to call out. But in the end, no words came.
He turned and left, dejection in his step.
Perhaps… his thanks were no longer needed.