79: Chapter 79 Yu Tianheng's Challenge

Two and a half months had passed, and the evening breeze now carried a hint of crisp coolness.

Along the academy walls, the flowering vines were still blooming sporadically.

Bai Qi walked leisurely from the training grounds toward the courtyard.

Xiao Wu walked ahead of him, her steps light as she chattered about the recent training, saying that if Zhu Zhuqing's strike had been just a bit faster, they would have definitely won this time.

Meanwhile, Zhu Zhuqing walked silently to her left, her face expressionless and her eyes downcast, as if she had already grown accustomed to the chatter beside her. She simply walked on, a faint curve at the corner of her mouth and her posture upright.

Ning Rongrong followed behind, covering her mouth and chuckling softly. When Xiao Wu heard her and turned back to glare, she only laughed harder, even winking at Xiao Wu.

Dugu Yan walked at the very back of the group, holding Ye Lingling's hand. Occasionally, she would lean down to whisper a word or two to Ye Lingling, creating a particularly peaceful atmosphere.

Meng Yiran, on the other hand, had some matters to attend to at home and had been away for a few days, but she would be back soon.

When they returned to the courtyard, the gate was slightly ajar, leaving a narrow gap. Ah Yin, wearing a plain cotton apron, glanced at the group entering the courtyard from the kitchen where she was busy, her eyes crinkling with a smile.

Spare ribs were stewing on the stove, and the mouth-watering aroma had already spread to every corner of the courtyard.

"The stewed ribs smell so good today! I could smell them even before I entered the courtyard!"

Xiao Wu, the first to enter, took a deep sniff. Her eyes immediately lit up, and her pace unconsciously quickened, as if she couldn't wait to rush into the kitchen and have a taste.

"Don't worry, you'll be eating them very soon."

Hearing Xiao Wu's words, Ah Yin poked her head out and called back.

Next, everyone helped Ah Yin in an orderly fashion, as if performing a routine task. During this time, Meng Yiran also returned.

Once everything was ready and the group had been sitting and eating for a while...

A series of footsteps came from outside the courtyard, sounding somewhat hurried.

Hearing the footsteps, Bai Qi stood up to open the gate.

As soon as the gate opened, Liu Erlong was standing outside. Her face was grim, and a hint of hostility radiated from her.

"What's wrong?"

Bai Qi still had a faint smile on his face as he asked in a calm tone.

Liu Erlong didn't look pleased at all. Her tone was hurried and tinged with anger; clearly, she had just come off the worse in a verbal confrontation.

"A group of people is blocking the academy entrance. They're from the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, led by someone named Qin Ming. They specifically asked for Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling. Go deal with it quickly; don't let them block my academy's main gate."

"Alright, I'll head over now."

Bai Qi responded, his smile undiminished.

Still fuming, Liu Erlong gave him another fierce glare before turning to leave. Her long boots clicked against the bluestone path, her steps full of impatience.

Bai Qi casually closed the door and followed behind her at an unhurried pace.

Just as Bai Qi stepped out, Xiao Wu immediately poked her head out from the kitchen, a half-eaten rib still in her mouth. Her cheeks were bulging as she called out indistinctly.

"Xiao Qi, what happened?"

"It's nothing. You guys keep eating; don't worry about it."

Bai Qi waved his hand without looking back, continuing to walk out.

Xiao Wu chewed the rib in her mouth, her eyes following his back. After a moment's hesitation, she finished the rib in a few bites, wiped her mouth, and quickly followed him toward the gate.

Seeing Xiao Wu chase after him, Zhu Zhuqing immediately put down her bowl and chopsticks, stood up swiftly, and followed.

Ning Rongrong and Meng Yiran exchanged a glance, then both stood up and followed as well.

Finally, Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling also slowly stood up and followed, leaving Ah Yin alone to continue eating.

Walking from the courtyard to the academy's main gate, Bai Qi moved calmly, while Liu Erlong, walking beside him, seemed somewhat anxious.

"How many people are there?"

Bai Qi asked casually.

"Eight."

Liu Erlong lowered her voice, her tone solemn.

"The leader is named Qin Ming, a Spirit Emperor of over level sixty. There are also seven students with him."

Bai Qi nodded slightly and said no more, his expression remaining calm.

"As soon as they arrived, they specifically asked for Dugu Yan by name. They don't look like they've come with good intentions."

Liu Erlong glanced at him, her brow still furrowed.

"What do you plan to do?"

The corners of Bai Qi's lips curled up slightly, a hint of indifference flitting through his eyes.

"No rush. Let's see what they actually want first."

As they spoke, the two of them reached the academy's main gate.

Twilight had completely fallen, and a dim light shrouded the open ground. The group from Heaven Dou Imperial Academy stood tall before the gate.

"May I ask what business you have?"

Looking at the group before him, Bai Qi spoke. His tone was as usual, yet carried a hint of detachment.

While speaking, Bai Qi also took a moment to size them up.

Before Qin Ming could speak, the man behind him spoke up.

"Dugu Yan."

He slowly uttered those three words, his voice deep and resonant.

However, Bai Qi's expression remained indifferent. His gaze first swept over Yu Tianheng, then landed on Qin Ming nearby, observing him briefly before returning to Yu Tianheng.

At the academy gate, the group from Heaven Dou Imperial Academy had various expressions. The brothers Shi Mo and Shi Mo were calm, while Yufeng and Oslo stood with their arms crossed, watching coldly.

After Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling left, the newly joined female Spirit Master of the Mental Control System from Heaven Dou Imperial Academy held a crystal ball, quietly sizing up Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing behind Bai Qi. After a moment, she withdrew her gaze. The round-faced chubby support was about to give a simple-minded laugh but was glared at by a companion, immediately schooling his expression.

"So, your Heaven Dou Imperial Academy blocks the entrance of Lanba Academy after dark just to call out a single name?"

Bai Qi finally spoke, his tone flat and without a hint of anger.

Seeing this, Qin Ming took half a step forward, a polite smile on his face.

"Student Bai Qi, we mean no ill will. It's just that my students were former classmates and friends with Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling. Not having seen them for a long time, they came specifically to catch up. Furthermore, they have a new teammate and are in need of practical combat experience. Having heard that Lanba Academy has been producing many talents recently, they thought to take this opportunity to come and request a friendly match."

"Catch up?"

Bai Qi chuckled softly. He glanced sideways at Dugu Yan behind him.

Dugu Yan stood silently in place, her fingertips unconsciously tightening, her knuckles turning slightly white.

Ye Lingling stayed by her side, her expression still gentle and calm. Her gaze swept over the people behind Qin Ming, as if looking back at the past, yet finding no trace of lingering attachment.

"There's no need to catch up."

Bai Qi turned his gaze back, his tone indifferent.

"It's late. Whatever it is can wait until tomorrow. However, Teacher Qin Ming, to specifically investigate our academy before coming here shows quite a bit of calculation."

The polite smile remained on Qin Ming's face, but the corners of his mouth stiffened, and his eyes darkened slightly.

Just as he was about to speak again, Yu Tianheng stepped forward from behind him.

"I'm not here to catch up."

Yu Tianheng's gaze went straight past Bai Qi, locking onto Dugu Yan behind him, his tone stubborn.

"I've searched for her for three whole months. I've come today only for an answer."

Seeing this, Bai Qi also took a step forward, blocking Yu Tianheng's line of sight without yielding an inch.

"What answer?"

Yu Tianheng raised his hand to point at Dugu Yan, then looked at Bai Qi, asking word by word.

"Did she leave the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy because of you?"

Bai Qi didn't answer directly. He simply turned slightly, tilted his head toward Dugu Yan with a smile, then looked back at Yu Tianheng and spoke calmly.

"What if it is, and what if it isn't? If you have doubts, just ask her yourself."

Yu Tianheng's mouth twitched slightly, and his fingers slowly clenched, his knuckles turning white from the strain.

Receiving a bit of encouragement from Bai Qi, Dugu Yan looked up, her gaze meeting Yu Tianheng's.

Separated by more than ten paces of open ground in the courtyard, the two remained silent, simply staring at each other.

"Come out with me for a moment."

Yu Tianheng was the first to turn around, striding toward a tree not far away. He waited there silently, without looking back.

Dugu Yan stood still for a moment, gently released Ye Lingling's hand, and slowly followed. As she passed Bai Qi, he spoke in a voice only the two of them could hear.

"Relax, don't be nervous. I'm here."

Dugu Yan paused slightly, nodded gently, and continued walking toward the spot.

No one else at the gate spoke. The brothers Shi Mo and Shi Mo exchanged a glance, their expressions complex. Yufeng and Oslo also watched the two of them quietly, the atmosphere around them faintly tense.

The female Spirit Master of the Mental Control System looked down at the crystal ball in her hand, appearing somewhat nervous. The round-faced chubby support scratched his head awkwardly. If Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling returned, they would have to step back, which they didn't want to see. Thus, the female Spirit Master was praying that the two of them would never return.

After speaking to Dugu Yan, Bai Qi leaned lazily against a pillar. Liu Erlong stood by his side, her brow furrowed, but she suppressed her temper and didn't interrupt.

Xiao Wu quietly sidled up to Bai Qi and asked in a low, worried voice.

"Xiao Qi, Yu Tianheng looks like he has a bad temper. He won't try to hurt Yanzi, will he?"

"He won't."

Bai Qi's tone was calm.

"How can you be so sure?"

"If he really wanted to fight, he wouldn't have wasted so many words just now. There would be no need to go through all this trouble."

Yu Tianheng stood under the tree, his back straight, his fingers unconsciously rubbing against each other repeatedly.

Dugu Yan stopped two paces away from him, not approaching any closer.

"You've lost weight."

Yu Tianheng spoke first, his voice dry and raspy.

Dugu Yan looked down in silence, feeling somewhat speechless, and did not respond.

"Why did you leave without saying goodbye back then?"

Yu Tianheng lowered his voice, his final words carrying a trace of an indiscernible tremor.

“Do you know how long I’ve been looking for you? I’ve asked throughout the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, and even Teacher Qin Ming didn’t know where you were.”

Dugu Yan kept her eyes downcast, and only after a long silence did she speak softly.

“You never asked me what I wanted or where I wanted to stay.”

Yu Tianheng was instantly rendered speechless, unable to argue.

“All you have ever cared about is the team's wins and losses and the connection with my grandfather.”

Dugu Yan's voice was gentle, yet every word was clear.

Yu Tianheng's face flushed red, and his lips parted several times as if to defend himself, but he couldn't say a single word.

Then he slowly lowered his head, looking at the dust covering his feet.

“When the team was defeated a few days ago, I was full of frustration and wanted to find someone to talk to, but I couldn't find you.”

His voice grew even lower.

“It wasn't until I returned with Teacher Qin Ming and asked the Three Education Commissioners that I learned you had come here.”

Dugu Yan remained silent, neither denying nor responding.

Yu Tianheng slowly raised his head, his gaze fixed firmly on her face, lingering between Dugu Yan's brows.

He gazed quietly for a long time, as if trying to etch her image into the depths of his heart.

“You chose to leave and stay here to live a stable life... because of Bai Qi, right?”

His tone was strained, filled with a sense of unwillingness and helplessness.

Dugu Yan neither nodded nor shook her head, still looking at him quietly.

Yu Tianheng twitched the corner of his mouth, letting out a bitter smile.

“Fine.”

He nodded slowly, his expression calming down, though it seemed somewhat suppressed.

“Then I want to see for myself exactly what kind of ability he has that makes you willing to let go of the past and stay here in peace.”

Having said that, he turned and strode out of the bamboo forest, going straight to the courtyard gate and standing before Bai Qi. Shi Mo, Shi Mo, Yufeng, and Oslo immediately stepped forward, lining up behind him, their auras tense.

Yet Dugu Yan didn't move at all, only turning to watch; knowing Bai Qi's strength, she didn't think Yu Tianheng would be a match for him—of course, even if they all attacked together, it wouldn't work.

“I want to challenge you.”

Yu Tianheng's tone was steady and firm, as if he had rehearsed it countless times in his heart, without a hint of panic.

“If I lose, everything from the past is wiped clean, and I won't bother you again. If you lose, let her come with me.”

After finishing, he looked around, saw Ye Lingling, and added.

“And Ye Lingling.”

Bai Qi looked at him, then turned his head toward Dugu Yan, who was slowly walking back from the forest, his expression remaining calm.

“They are not objects to be used as stakes; winning or losing cannot dictate their will.”

Yu Tianheng's brow suddenly furrowed, and his expression darkened; he now clearly knew where he had already lost.

“However, I accept your challenge.”

Bai Qi straightened up.

“Let's change the bet to something simpler. If you win, I'll host a feast for you; if you lose, you'll treat me to a drink. That's all.”

Yu Tianheng froze on the spot, and his companions behind him were also full of shock, completely unexpected that Bai Qi would make such a proposal.

“Are you... looking down on me, thinking I'm not worthy of a serious bet?”

Yu Tianheng's tone was tinged with a bit of anger.

“It's not that I'm looking down on you.”

Bai Qi's gaze was peaceful, without a hint of mockery.

“It's just that there's no need to involve others, and certainly no need to use people's feelings as stakes.”

Yu Tianheng stared intently into Bai Qi's eyes, observing for several seconds, unable to find any trace of disdain or arrogance, and finally said in a deep voice.

“Fine. As you say. After this fight, you'll treat me to a drink.”

Bai Qi gave a soft laugh, as if he hadn't expected the other to act as if he'd already won before the fight even started, but he still nodded slightly and turned to walk to the open space in the center of the courtyard.

Yu Tianheng followed him into the courtyard, while the others stayed at the gate watching, their faces full of tension. Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and the others stepped aside to watch the battle quietly.

“I won't use my Spirit; just go ahead and show your full strength.”

Bai Qi turned to look at Yu Tianheng, his tone indifferent.

Yu Tianheng thought he was being belittled, his face showing a fierce expression. He said no more, his Soul Power suddenly surging around him as he instantly released his Spirit.

The brilliant Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon emerged in the air behind him, surrounded by crackling lightning.

Two yellow and two purple spirit rings slowly rose from beneath his feet, revolving in the night.

His figure dashed out, his lightning-clad fist carrying the force of breaking wind as it smashed directly toward Bai Qi.

Bai Qi didn't even use Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track; he just tilted slightly to the side, calmly dodging the first punch. Immediately after, the second punch came swiftly; Bai Qi raised his hand and steadily caught the punch. The lightning between his fists exploded with a bang, yet it couldn't shake Bai Qi in the slightest.

Yu Tianheng quickly withdrew his fist and retreated, his breathing becoming heavy. The first spirit ring under his feet instantly lit up with a dazzling light—First Spirit Ability: Thunder Dragon Claw.

Then he struck at Bai Qi again with a claw.

But Bai Qi just smiled slightly and didn't even move, standing in place to take the claw strike head-on.

Yu Tianheng, having landed the blow, stood frozen on the spot, his eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

He had seen it clearly: from beginning to end, Bai Qi had never released his Spirit, neutralizing his strike effortlessly with just his body.

Bai Qi stood still, his breathing as steady as ever and his expression calm, as if he had just been bitten by a mosquito.

“Do you want to continue?”

Bai Qi asked softly.

Yu Tianheng stared fixedly at Bai Qi; the clothes that had taken the hit only had a tiny black spot and weren't even torn.

He slowly closed his eyes, suppressing all the turmoil in his heart, and silently withdrew his Spirit, his powerful aura completely dissipating.

“No need. I lost.”

His voice was dry, but he was completely convinced of his defeat.

“My skills are inferior; I have nothing more to say. This drink should be on me.”

Yu Tianheng looked up, a faint smile of relief appearing on his face. Though there was the bitterness of defeat, he had finally let go of the obsession and unwillingness in his heart.

In a small tavern at a corner of Heaven Dou City, after Qin Ming took the others back, Bai Qi and Yu Tianheng came here.

The proprietress here was already well-acquainted with Bai Qi. During this time, Bai Qi often had drinks with Liu Erlong. While serving the dishes, she couldn't help but look at Yu Tianheng a couple more times, teasingly saying that the friend he brought today was different from usual.

Inside the tavern, the lights were dim and warm. Yu Tianheng sat at a corner table, a pot of wine already empty in front of him, and the second pot was mostly gone. Bai Qi sat opposite him; his wine cup was always full, but he only took small sips.

“She's much thinner than before.”

Yu Tianheng rubbed the rim of his wine cup, his voice low.

“They've been training quite hard lately.”

Bai Qi replied indifferently.

A hint of drunkenness and melancholy appeared in Yu Tianheng's eyes.

“Just now, I actually saw her looking so gentle and relaxed. I’ve known her for several years and have never seen that.”

Bai Qi remained silent, silently raising his hand to refill his wine cup.

“The way she looks at you is full of trust and dependence, completely different from how she looks at others.”

Yu Tianheng tilted his head and drained the strong wine in his cup. The spicy liquid went down his throat but couldn't suppress the loneliness in his heart.

“Just drink; don't think too much anymore.”

Bai Qi comforted him softly.

Yu Tianheng looked up at him with a hint of self-deprecation.

“Do you also think I'm very pathetic? Obsessing over a girl and now even losing the match.”

“Not at all.”

Bai Qi's tone was certain.

Yu Tianheng pressed.

“Then what do you think?”

Bai Qi was silent for a moment before slowly speaking.

“You were just clinging to an obsession. Now that the knot in your heart is cleared, it's enough that you both are doing well.”

Yu Tianheng looked at the swaying wine in his cup. After a long time, he finally gave a relieved smile; the bitterness gradually faded, replaced by a bit of clarity.

“You speak very directly, without beating around the bush, yet somehow you don't make people feel resentful.”

“I'm accompanying you to drink away your sorrows, yet you're complaining that I'm not pleasant to listen to?”

Bai Qi replied with a smile.

Yu Tianheng was momentarily speechless and gave him a dissatisfied glare, then laughed heartily, the loneliness from before swept away.

As the night grew deeper, the tavern was close to closing. Yu Tianheng stood up and took the initiative to pay for the wine, and the two walked out of the shop side by side.

The evening breeze blew, clearing some of his drunkenness. Yu Tianheng stood on the steps, looking up at the moonlight half-hidden by clouds.

“Bai Qi.”

“Speak.”

“Yanzi has a simple and stubborn nature, but she's sensitive and values feelings deeply.”

Yu Tianheng's tone was solemn, full of parting instructions.

“I know that, of course.”

Bai Qi nodded slightly.

“If you dare to let her suffer even the slightest grievance in the future...”

Yu Tianheng's gaze was sharp, his tone incredibly firm.

“I will never let you off.”

Bai Qi met his gaze directly and calmly uttered only two words.

“Rest assured.”

Yu Tianheng looked at him deeply for several seconds. Seeing his clear and firm gaze, he finally felt relieved. He said no more, turned around, and quickly disappeared into the end of the night.

Bai Qi stood still at the tavern entrance for a moment, then walked to a street corner stall and bought a freshly baked roasted sweet potato.

Holding it in his hands, it was warm and comforting. He slowly tasted it while walking toward the academy courtyard.

When he returned to the courtyard, the small light in the pavilion was still on, and a cup of tea specially prepared for Bai Qi by Ah Yin remained on the stone table. Bai Qi sat down and took a sip; though he wasn't drunk, the effects of the wine mostly dissipated.

Looking up, Dugu Yan's room on the second floor still had a faint light shining through. The curtains weren't tightly closed, and a shadow was quietly watching Bai Qi as he returned.

Bai Qi finished the tea in his cup, tidied up the tea set, and slowly returned to his room.

Just as Bai Qi was preparing to sleep, the door was pushed open.