A Shameless Spectator

Yun Jin had only just stepped outside when Si Wanning sensed her presence.

She was about to pause her sword practice to greet her junior.

But then, she saw Yun Jin turn around and go right back in.

The next moment—

She watched, dumbfounded, as her youngest junior sister dragged out a chair and a table, casually brewed a pot of tea, and sat down with an air of utter leisure.

Next to the tea was even a small bag of sunflower seeds.

Sip the tea.

Crack a few seeds.

She looked completely at ease.

[+20 Emotional Value.]

Yun Jin blinked innocently.

Oops, she'd been spotted by Second Senior Sister.

But she was thick-skinned. No big deal.

Yun Jin kept sipping tea as she cheerfully watched Si Wanning practice.

Si Wanning had just finished a full round of sword techniques when she finally turned to speak. But Yun Jin was already eagerly offering her a cup of tea. "Second Senior Sister, sword training must be exhausting! Here, have some tea to quench your thirst."

Si Wanning was secretly pleased. She took a slow sip, then asked, "You enjoy watching me practice?"

"Senior Sister's swordplay is absolutely mesmerizing—I couldn't look away!" Yun Jin gazed at her with starry eyes. "Could you demonstrate it again for me?"

Si Wanning preened slightly. "Master is the Peak Master of Tianjian Peak, renowned for his swordsmanship. As his disciples, how could we not master the blade? Sword arts are divided into four tiers: Heaven, Earth, Mystic, and Yellow. Heaven-tier techniques are exclusive to the Four Great Holy Lands—no hope for ordinary sects like ours. Earth-tier techniques are a sect's treasured heritage. The Tianxing Sect's sole Earth-tier manual is the Green Lotus Sword Art, but it's so difficult that no one in the sect has mastered it."

"For disciples like us, the highest we can access are Mystic-tier techniques. The sword art I'm practicing, Lotus Bloom Sword Art, is a mid-level Mystic-tier manual. Junior Sister, since you're just starting, you should focus on foundational sword skills first. Once you're proficient, you can begin with the lowest Yellow-tier techniques. Only after mastering those should you consider Mystic-tier."

Si Wanning was giving Yun Jin a basic rundown of cultivation knowledge.

Yun Jin was already familiar with all this. Under normal circumstances, yes, she should follow Si Wanning's advice.

But...

Her cultivation path was anything but normal now.

Yun Jin smiled. "Senior Sister, I never thought I'd be able to learn it. I just think it looks beautiful. I wanted to watch a little more."

Si Wanning gave a soft laugh. "Alright then, one more demonstration."

She leapt down from the platform, her sword glowing with a shimmering frost-blue light. Six faint lotus petals circled faintly around her as she moved.

Yun Jin understood: this meant Si Wanning had reached the sixth level of the Lotus Bloom Sword Art.

It also meant that, by watching her, Yun Jin could only replicate up to the sixth level.

Beyond that, she'd either need to observe a higher-level practitioner or continue simplifying the technique.

But for now, Yun Jin wasn't in a rush. First things first—get the basics down.

"Senior Sister, your beauty is unmatched, and your swordplay is elegant beyond words. Just watching you, I feel blessed by heaven!"

"Such grace! Such power! How lucky am I to have you as my senior? I must've saved a country in my last life!"

"Amazing! Truly amazing! Second Senior Sister, I worship you. This sword technique is so advanced—how did you even learn it? If it were me, I'd be a confused mess."

Yun Jin poured out a stream of flattery like honeyed wine, and Si Wanning, lost in the praise, began practicing again and again.

At first, Si Wanning was thrilled. Finally, someone appreciated her skill! After years of neglect, her talent was being recognized!

But—

After five rounds, her wrists began to ache, and hesitation crept in.

"Uh… Do I really have to keep going? My arms are about to fall off!"

By the tenth round, Si Wanning was questioning her life choices.

Was her sword art really that profound? That captivating?

Sure, her junior sister's admiration was flattering…

But she was exhausted!

Meanwhile, Yun Jin was sipping tea and snacking on melon seeds like it was a show.

"Why did this suddenly feel infuriating?"

Gritting her teeth, Si Wanning finished the tenth demonstration.

She'd made up her mind—if Yun Jin asked for more, she was definitely saying no!

"Xiao Jin!" Si Wanning rushed to speak before her junior could.

"Senior Sister, you've been performing so much just for me. I feel terrible! It's my fault—I just couldn't get enough. But I understand now! Come, sit down. Have some tea and sunflower seeds. You deserve a break." Yun Jin smiled sweetly.

"Perfect timing—ten rounds!"

A prompt chimed in her mind:

[Watched sword demonstration ten times. Lotus Bloom Sword Art has reached Beginner Level.]

Her status panel updated:

[Lotus Bloom Sword Art - Level 1 (Beginner, 1%)]

Yun Jin raised an eyebrow. To increase her proficiency, she'd need to keep watching. But Second Senior Sister was clearly at her limit. Best to pause for now and progress gradually.

Si Wanning accepted the tea, feeling a bit touched.

"Sniffle. This junior sister is so thoughtful!"

She must've noticed how tired she was and held back her own desires.

"Is this what having a junior sister feels like?"

Si Wanning took a generous gulp of tea and said heroically, "Xiao Jin, this is nothing! If you enjoy it, I'll practice another ten rounds for you later!"

"Thank you, Senior Sister!" Yun Jin answered right away.

Si Wanning: "???"

She regretted the words the moment they left her mouth.

But before she could take them back, Yun Jin had already agreed.

Si Wanning's smile froze. "...Ahaha, no need to thank me..."

Her voice said no problem, but her soul was already halfway to the afterlife.

Honestly…

She'd been slacking for years. With Master situation and their resources being stripped away, any sign of progress would only invite sabotage.

They couldn't even tell Master about it, and had no choice but to lie low and muddle through each day. She'd been coasting for so long that doing ten rounds of sword technique in one sitting felt like running a marathon.

But...

She had promised her junior. She couldn't just take it back now.

As Si Wanning wallowed in misery—

"Second Junior Sister, Little Junior Sister." Yue Zhao's lazy voice rang out.

Si Wanning's eyes lit up like he was her savior.

"Eldest Senior Brother, I've missed you SO MUCH!" Si Wanning cried out, with more sincerity than she'd shown in years.

Yue Zhao was stunned. He reflexively clutched his collar. "While I do understand that I'm outrageously handsome, dashing, and charming, I must inform you—I'm dedicated to cultivation. There is no future for us."

Si Wanning: "...Heh."