Destined to Be Surpassed

"I'm leaving now..."

With a swift movement, Wushuang's figure shot across seven or eight yards of space, leaping onto the rooftop opposite. His pristine, snow-white attire stood out in sharp contrast to the dark night. 

"Your injuries aren't fully healed," Yang Fan reminded him, knowing he couldn't stop Wushuang from leaving.

"It's fine. Thank you for your treatment," Wushuang turned back, his eyes glowing with a deep light. In the vast, dark depths of his gaze, Yang Fan's reflection lingered as Wushuang added with a cryptic tone, "Don't forget our agreement."

Whoosh!

A blurry white shadow traced an arc through the night sky, vanishing from the sight of Yang Fan and the others at the estate within just a few breaths.

Yang Fan stood there, slightly perplexed by Wushuang's decisiveness. He had just finished treating Wushuang's internal injuries, and his own cultivation had seen a significant leap in the process. In his heart, Yang Fan couldn't help but feel a surge of satisfaction.

Furthermore, he and Wushuang had struck a deal: in the future, if Wushuang were to suffer injuries in the capital, he would seek Yang Fan for healing. Of course, Yang Fan had his own price to pay, which was to accept any challenge from Wushuang with full effort. However, Yang Fan had managed to delay any confrontation for a few months.

As Wushuang left, Yang Fan shifted his gaze and approached Prince Yan's side, noticing that tonight's banquet had already concluded. 

At this moment, Prince Yan, Yuwen Lie, wore a rather grim expression. Whether it was due to his injuries or some other discontent, it wasn't clear. Beside him stood Yuwen Xin and the young princess, who also seemed somewhat displeased.

"Hmph!" 

Upon seeing Yang Fan approach, the young princess gave a cold huff, pouting slightly. 

Yang Fan, unfazed, maintained his usual smile and walked closer. His gaze fell on Prince Yan as he spoke, "The prince's injuries are not light. Would you like me to treat them?"

"Very well. Follow me to my study," Yuwen Lie responded after giving Yang Fan a deep look. Then he turned to Yuwen Xin and said, "Xin'er, you come too."

Yang Fan exchanged a glance with Yuwen Xin, both of them sharing a sense of curiosity, as they weren't entirely sure of the prince's intentions.

In Yuwen Xin's eyes, Yang Fan detected understanding and a hint of apology. 

"Please don't mind my younger sister. She's still a child," Yuwen Xin whispered softly.

"No worries," Yang Fan smiled as the three of them proceeded together.

"You don't need to follow us," Yuwen Lie added, casting a glance at the young princess. His tone was stern and authoritative.

Her eyes reddened, and she shot a resentful look at both Yuwen Lie and Yang Fan before turning and running off, seemingly upset.

Indeed, in the Yan Prince's mansion, there was no democracy or individual rights to speak of. Regardless of the matter at hand, once Prince Yan spoke, his word was law.

"She's still just a child..." Yang Fan thought, glancing at her retreating figure, but he didn't dwell on it.

Moments later, the trio entered a simple yet elegant study. Yuwen Lie sat behind the desk, letting out a quiet sigh as he extended his hand toward Yang Fan. "You may begin the treatment, and we can talk about other matters afterward."

An elderly servant, understanding the situation well, quickly brought Yang Fan a chair. 

As Yang Fan placed his hand on Yuwen Lie's wrist to begin healing, he smiled and said, "The prince may speak freely if there's anything on your mind."

After a brief pause, Yuwen Lie said, "You treated Wushuang earlier. In your view, who was more severely injured between us?"

"Overall, the injuries were nearly equal," Yang Fan replied steadily. "But I must say, the prince's wounds were slightly less severe, though the difference is marginal. In fact, after examining Wushuang's condition, I'd already guessed that your cultivation was far deeper than his."

Yuwen Lie gave a bitter smile. "Greater cultivation, yet it still didn't allow me to defeat him. In the future, there will be even less hope…"

Yang Fan remained silent, focusing on the treatment while also observing Yuwen Lie's body. Yuwen Lie possessed a formidable physique, even stronger in raw power than Wushuang. Yet despite his strength, his body lacked the flawless perfection that Wushuang's had.

"Does the healer have any thoughts on this?" Yuwen Lie asked, as if testing the waters.

"Wushuang's potential is the greatest I have ever seen," Yang Fan said calmly. "When I treated him earlier, I realized he possesses a body that is beyond human limits—perfect in every sense."

Yang Fan didn't hold back, continuing, "Your Highness is destined to be surpassed by him."

Destined to be surpassed!

Yuwen Xin's expression shifted slightly, her beautiful face showing traces of disbelief. From childhood, her father had always been an invincible figure in her eyes, unmatched by anyone, let alone someone surpassing him.

Yuwen Lie sighed deeply. "You're right, Master Yang. In fact, Wushuang has already surpassed me. In this battle, in some ways, I've already lost to him. Aside from one last secret life-saving move, I had used all my most powerful techniques."

"But… Wushuang never even drew his sword," Yuwen Lie added, his gaze clouded with disappointment and confusion.

"His sword?" Yang Fan was momentarily taken aback. He had noticed the sword Wushuang carried but hadn't thought much of it. "Is his swordsmanship even more formidable?"

"Six months ago, Wushuang's cultivation was far below what it is now. He was only at the mid-level of innate cultivation. A warrior of that level, I could crush with a wave of my hand," Yuwen Lie began, his voice low as if lost in recollection. "But when he drew his sword back then, he was able to engage me for over a hundred exchanges. In the end, I barely won by relying on my ultimate technique and superior cultivation."

"That time, though I emerged victorious, I was also injured by him. When Wushuang draws his sword, his power increases more than twofold."

Yuwen Lie exhaled slowly, his expression growing heavier. 

"Wushuang didn't draw his sword from start to finish this time. So… it seems he was holding back all along." Yang Fan marveled, recalling how Wushuang had almost unsheathed his sword when the demonic figure appeared to protect him earlier. 

If Wushuang's strength doubled upon drawing his sword, just how fearsome would he become?

For a brief moment, Yang Fan regretted agreeing to the pact with Wushuang. 

But then again, risk often accompanies reward. And Wushuang had already set his sights on Yang Fan as his next challenge. As long as Yang Fan remained in the capital, there was no escaping it.

"I wonder why Wushuang didn't draw his sword… Perhaps he simply didn't deem it necessary," Yuwen Lie mused. His injuries were healing rapidly, yet his inner light seemed to dim.

Yang Fan felt a shiver within. While treating Yuwen Lie, he sensed that the prince had lost the will to triumph over Wushuang, along with his last sliver of hope.

With that loss of resolve, Yuwen Lie seemed destined never to reach a higher level of power.

Sensing this change, Yang Fan felt both awed and deeply regretful.

"In truth, Your Highness, there's no need to feel so disheartened. Wushuang is no ordinary man. In fact, I even suspect there's something unusual about his origins..." Yang Fan offered in an attempt to comfort, recalling a conversation he'd had with Wushuang.

"You are a soul...?"

"No," Wushuang had replied, shaking his head. "Don't ask. I've been aware of the world since I was in the womb. It just proves one thing—I'm a genius."

"What do you mean by that?" Yuwen Lie's eyes flashed with renewed interest.