Han Jianyu listened as Xiao Lingxi divulged the details regarded the most talented youngster in the clan, carefully formulating a strategy as she spoke.
The most promising young talent in the entire clan was a nineteen-year-old young woman, Xiao Mingyue, who was reportedly in the Spirit Spring Realm's middle stage. This was of considerable merit, since the Elders were all in the latter stage of the Spirit Spring Realm, and the Patriarch was in the subsequent realm, the Sea Expansion Realm.
Just below Xiao Mingyue was Xiao Wei, a young man of similar age, and Xiao Ran who was actually older than both of them by a year. Finally, the rising star of the clan, Xiao Qi, had recently entered the early stages of the Spirit Spring Realm despite being only eighteen.
Xiao Mingyue was adept at the fundamentals of body strengthening magic, rune technology and magic that focused on the usage of light and water.
"However, real spells can only be cast when one becomes a Sea Expansion level expert. Before then, the kinds of spells we use are really just quasi-spell techniques- weaker version of spells that require less mana to cast." Xiao Lingxi explained as she sipped her tea.
Han Jianyu nodded as he did the same, gently exhaling as the aroma of herbal tea filled the tea room. Looking out through the open screen to his right, Han Jianyu further admired the First Elder's garden.
"I'll challenge Xiao Mingyue then. Can you make it happen?" He said without looking away from the lush greenery and sparkling water of the stream.
Xiao Lingxi put down her empty cup and reached for the teapot to refill it. "I suppose I can invite her out of seclusion. That would get her in the open and give you a chance to extend the challenge, but my involvement in the matter can't be made known until after you defeat her."
Pausing, looking back at her, Han Jianyu was about to ask before a thought came to him and he nodded in understanding. "I see. That's fine. Just get her to appear and I will handle the rest."
Xiao Lingxi watched as Han Jianyu finished his tea and stood up, walking over to the open screen to admire the view. She wondered how he was going to pull this off, given that he was only at the Peak of Body Strengthening.
In the end, she closed her eyes and continued drinking her tea.
The next day.
Xiao Mingyue emerged from seclusion shortly after sunrise.
The young woman stepped out of the eastern cultivation hall dressed in a simple white-and-blue training robe, her long black hair tied neatly behind her. A faint radiance surrounded her body, the natural result of the mana constantly circulating through her spirit springs.
At nineteen years old and already in the middle stage of the Spirit Spring Realm, Xiao Mingyue had long since become accustomed to the attention.
Several younger disciples immediately approached.
"Senior Sister Mingyue!"
"You're finally out!"
"How was your cultivation?"
Xiao Mingyue smiled politely and answered a few questions as she walked toward the central courtyard. She had barely crossed the courtyard when a familiar figure stepped directly into her path.
Han Jianyu. He stood there with his hands behind his back, his expression calm.
Xiao Mingyue stopped and the surrounding disciples slowed as well.
"You're Xiao Mingyue, aren't you?"
Her eyebrows rose. "I am."
Han Jianyu looked her up and down, then he sighed. "How disappointing."
The courtyard went silent.
Mingyue's expression changed. "...What? Do I know you, servant?"
Han Jianyu shook his head as he clicked his tongue, "I was told the number one genius of the Xiao Clan was supposed to be impressive."
He clicked his tongue again, most disappointedly. "But you just look like a spoiled little brat."
A few disciples exchanged horrified looks.
Someone whispered, "Is he insane?"
Another immediately recognized him. "Wait... that's the Monk, isn't it?"
"The Monk? Oh, you mean that Buddhist servant who always makes the weird hand gesture?"
"Yeah. Look, he's doing it right now."
"I also saw that strange fellow going in and out of First Elder Xiao Lingxi's abode."
"What's he doing?"
Han Jianyu continued before Mingyue could properly assess their words and said, "Middle-stage Spirit Spring Realm at nineteen."
He folded his arms, "So that's all it takes to be the number one young genius around here?"
Mingyue's eyes narrowed. "What exactly are you implying?"
"You know what I'm implying," Han Jianyu shrugged as he shook his head. "You're overrated."
A collective gasp went through the courtyard.
One of the younger disciples nearly dropped the basket he was carrying.
"Senior Sister Mingyue is overrated?"
"Who does this guy think he is?"
"He isn't even in the Spirit Spring Realm!"
"Yeah! This Body Strengthening brat thinks he's something? I hope Senior Sister Mingyue castrates him!"
Han Jianyu calmly ignored them as Xiao Mingyue stared at him for several seconds before saying, "Can you stop beating around the bush? What is it you wish to say to me, truly?"
"I already said it."
Scoffing and making to walk away, Xiao Mingyue waved her hand in annoyance, "Then stop wasting my time."
Han Jianyu smiled faintly, once again blocking her path, sneering. "I just remembered. There's just one more thing, Mingyue."
He stepped closer. "I challenge you for the number one spot."
Silence.
Complete, utter silence.
Xiao Mingyue blinked, "Right here? Right now?"
Han Jianyu affirmed with a nod, "Right here. Right now."
One disciple finally found his voice.
"He's challenging Senior Sister Mingyue?!"
"He's only at the Peak of Body Strengthening!"
"Is this some kind of joke?"
Mingyue herself seemed almost incapable of processing what she had just heard. "You're... challenging me?"
"Yes."
"To an actual battle?"
"Yes."
"You realize that I am in the middle stage of the Spirit Spring Realm?"
"I know."
"And you're at the Peak of Body Strengthening."
"I know."
"Then you're either incredibly arrogant, "She paused, "...or incredibly stupid."
Han Jianyu nodded. "Probably. I guess we'll find out, won't we?"
That answer somehow made the situation even more absurd.
Several disciples started laughing nervously.
Xiao Mingyue's face remained calm, but the mana surrounding her body grew noticeably denser. "You've insulted me several times in front of my fellow disciples and clan members, and now you're challenging me.
"Correct," Han Jianyu plainly stated.
"Why?"
His eyes suddenly became slightly sharper, his sword seal changing subtly as a dangerous aura wafted from him. "Because I want to know whether the Xiao Clan's number one youngster is actually worthy of her title."
Mingyue stared at him, then she smiled. She didn't seem angry. Instead, she sported the look of someone who had just been handed an opportunity. "Very well."
The surrounding disciples erupted.
"Senior Sister Mingyue accepted!"
"The Buddhist Monk is finished!"
"Someone should go get the Elders!"
Han Jianyu turned toward the courtyard's open training grounds and began walking. "Good."
Xiao Mingyue followed, but after several steps, she stopped. "Wait."
Han Jianyu looked back at her as she pointed toward the spectators.
"Why did you provoke me in front of everyone?"
For the first time, his expression shifted just slightly. "Because something told me you wouldn't have accepted otherwise. Us 'number one' types aren't easily swayed by challengers, are we?"
Mingyue regarded him differently after he said that. There was something strange about his eyes and his demeanor, as if he had never placed her or anyone in his eyes. What was really bugging her, though, was what he said.
What did he mean 'us number one types?' Why was it that, despite the absurdity of his challenge, and the fact that it was a totally unfair matchup, he didn't seem afraid in the slightest?
Given his level, he could have challenged someone ranked much lower. Why was he challenging the person in the first-place spot?
It was almost as though everything that had happened was proceeding according to a plan.
Mingyue's eyes narrowed. "Interesting."
Han Jianyu turned away and continued walking, "Come."
As they entered the training grounds, word of the confrontation spread rapidly throughout the Xiao Clan. Within minutes, disciples began pouring into the courtyard. Even several older members of the clan came to see what was happening.
After all, Xiao Mingyue was the clan's undisputed number one young talent.
And now some mysterious outsider-turned-servant who hadn't even reached the Spirit Spring Realm, had publicly called her a spoiled brat and challenged her.
Nobody wanted to miss what happened next.
High above the courtyard, behind the latticed windows of the First Elder's residence, Xiao Lingxi quietly watched the gathering crowd from afar, using a particular technique to enhance her vision.
She lifted her teacup, a faint smile appearing on her lips. "Just what are you planning, sword cultivator?"
Below, Han Jianyu calmly stepped onto the center of the training ground and Xiao Mingyue stood opposite him, her aura gradually beginning to rise.
Han Jianyu closed his eyes and his breathing slowed. His right hand rested loosely at his side as the sword seal of his other hand tightened.
Then— A faint, almost imperceptible sword intent emerged around him.
The surrounding chatter died down; Mingyue's eyes sharpened. For the first time since accepting the challenge, she realized something.
Perhaps this wasn't going to be quite as simple as she had assumed.