Announcement 2

With the two girls working together, the batch of steamed buns were ready in no time. They packed them up and carried them out to where the table was set up then placed them in the centre.

The first person to reach in got burned, Jiao.

'Why didn't you say it was this hot,' he cried through a mouthful of buns.

He glared at Xueyu and Daiyu while chewing quickly and trying to cool what was in his mouth.

The table burst out into laughter at his puffed up cheeks. They all quietened down when Qui Yang cleared his throat.

'Now for the announcement,' he paused dramatically and the table was filled with silent anticipation.

'The Frost Fighters Sect has proposed a competition, a friendly tournament... and I agreed.'

Everyone groaned.

'Wu Yen is still trying to prove that's he supposedly better than you?'

Xi Xi scoffed at Daiyu's question.

'Does the old man ever stop?'

Qui Yang shook his head with uncertainty on his face.

'This year...'

Qui Yang was uncertain because there had been certain rumours circulating that Wu Yen had a new disciple that was so innately talented, it seemed like he descended straight from the heavens.

Ning Ye, that's what they called him.

Wu Yen sure took a lot of pride in him and that was the sole reason why he was so confident in proposing a tournament.

Moreover, the general of CuiXang's son was going to be there as well. There was no doubt about it that the trip was for scouting purposes.

'Master don't doubt your disciples. They couldn't possibly beat us,' Jiao said with- for once- a serious expression.

Everyone chimed in with various responses of agreement.

'We'll just start training harder. That Ning Ye person can't be as good as they say,' Xi Xi added with hard set determination.

A million thoughts ran through Xueyu's head.

The general's son...

It had been six years of constant searching and listening to find out everything she could. If she could win the competition then she would get recognised. If she got scouted then it would only be a matter of time before she got what she wanted.

A peculiar light twinkled in her eyes as she thought about her possible plans.

This month was going to be a month of backbreaking training. If she could get close enough to the Celestial Realm then everything would be just fine. Her Alchemy level was at a fast moving rate so levelling up would be a breeze.

Bao Wei sat across from Xueyu, noting how far away her mind seemed to be. He studied her, seeing all the little twitches of her lips and flashes in her eyes.

She was planning something and he had a clue to what it was about.

He had always had his suspicions. It was just a matter of proving them all.

As soon as meals were done and everything was clean, Xueyu excused herself and went to her room.

Bao Wei nodded to Qui Yang and followed right behind her. He found her preparing to meditate.

'Xueyu?'

She turned her head to look at him and her expression lightened up a bit.

'Bao Wei, I haven't seen you as much recently. What happened to being joined at the hip?'

He chuckled at her joke, remembering their little pact from years ago.

'What did you want?' A faint smile remained on her face as she waited for an answer.

'I wanted to ask a few questions,' he replied.

He leaned on the wall at her threshold held his head skyward.

Xueyu raised a brow but answered anyways, 'Go ahead.'

'Why didn't you tell Master, or anyone for that matter, your last name?'

Xueyu's eyes narrowed.

'What exactly are you implying?'

He shrugged.

'I'm not implying anything but you have many secrets.'

'Don't we all,' she said as a reply.

He laughed at her unenthused expression.

'The fall of Xianglu. Six years ago and close enough to where I found you. You were at the palace?'

Xueyu scoffed at him.

'I could've been from the village too.'

Bao Wei smirked and his fave clearly said 'gotcha.'

'You said could've.'

'That means nothing at all,' she rebutted.

'Lu Xueyu, I know who you are so you don't have to pretend,' he said In finality.

'Fair enough, no use in pretending now I guess,' she muttered under her breath.

Bao Wei slumped more onto the wall, getting comfortable.

'So tell me all about what happened and what you're going to do about it.'