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Despite Bai Ye's promise for tomorrow, I somehow managed to control myself and avoid him the next day. With the challenges coming right up, I couldn't afford to get more sore and exhausted than I already was.

I woke up at daybreak on the morning of the tournament, though Bai Ye was even earlier and had already left by the time I got ready. I felt a strange sort of relief—at least I wouldn't be too distracted before the real business began. I packed up the new talismans that were replaced for me after the incident with Zhong Yilan, and I made my way to the north field well before noon.

The first thing I saw when I arrived was the grandstand where judges and overseeing masters were seated. My steps slowed a bit, and I moved my gaze carefully over the crowd to search for Bai Ye. When my eyes landed on him, he cast a glance my way as well, giving me a faint but unmistakable smile.

My heart swelled. I knew this was what he came here for, to encourage me on my first ever tournament and to acknowledge my achievement. Maybe even to witness my victory. I would not disappoint him.

Xie Lun hadn't arrived yet, so I found a seat in the general stands and watched a few rounds of matches, observing the various techniques and analyzing the tactics used against opponents with different styles. I was busy following a disciple's fast counter-attacks when I heard a few whispering voices behind me.

"That's Yun Qing-er, isn't it? Master Bai Ye's disciple?" a girl's voice said.

"I think so," a different voice replied. "If I remember correctly, this is the first year I've seen her at the tournament."

The first girl huffed. "I heard she didn't even know how to use a sword till a month ago. What is she doing here?"

"That's probably just a rumor," the other one replied. "Did you not hear about what happened to Zhong Yilan? I don't know how long Yun Qing-er has been using a sword, but when she challenged Zhong Yilan two weeks ago, everyone there saw who won. If she did manage to learn all that in one month, then she's putting all the rest of us to shame."

"Who knows what shortcuts she took?" the first girl retorted. "Maybe she found some wicked forbidden technique. Or maybe she dual cultivated with someone to accelerate her progress. Although … she doesn't seem to have a pretty enough face to pull that off easily."

Well, that was a bit beyond what I was willing to take for the day. I turned back towards them, ready to remind the girl that whatever technique I used was none of her business, when I saw Xie Lun walking up towards us.

"Pretty faces are certainly better at hiding filthy thoughts behind them," he shook his head and said as he sat down next to me, though he spoke loudly and clearly meant those words for the girl behind us to hear. "It never ceases to amaze me how well some people can disguise their true selves," he added.

I didn't expect Xie Lun to have overheard the conversation. Obviously, neither did the girl, as her face ashened at Xie Lun's remark. "S-Senior Xie!" she stood up and gasped. "I … I didn't mean it like that …"

She looked so desperate to explain herself that I thought I saw tears rolling in her eyes. I glanced at Xie Lun in curiosity. "She's not one of your admirers too, is she?" I asked.

Xie Lun sighed. "I'm afraid she is, and I feel embarrassed for it."

I chuckled, the little tinge of anger in me gone at the thought of how much that girl must be regretting what she just said. "I feel a little bad for you that people like this keep swarming you," I joked. "No wonder you said before that you didn't mind your reputation ruined."

Xie Lun laughed. "I hope I didn't bring this one onto you as well … I didn't hear the beginning of their conversation."

"No, no, you didn't," I explained in a hurry, not wanting him to feel guilty for it. "I hear comments like this all the time. It's alright, and I'm somewhat used to them by now."

Besides, what she speculated was … mostly true, anyway.

Xie Lun looked at me for a moment. "I'm starting to understand now why you challenged me. It's unfair and certainly discouraging when others keep treating you like this." He paused, then suddenly lowered his voice. "Do you want me to hold back during our match? It won't hurt me to lose just one round, and a victory against me will help you stop those comments a lot more easily."

My jaw almost dropped at his words. Xie Lun was offering me to … cheat for a win? I stared at him, suspicious that this was a test of honesty, but he only smiled. "I mean it, Yun Qing-er. I'm already touted as the top disciple at Mount Hua, and these challenges mean far less to me than they do to you. Take it as my thanks for saving me from that poison."

He sounded sincere, and from what I knew of him, I believed that he was truly trying to help me. I thought I should've at least considered it, but I surprised myself by shaking my head almost right away.

"I appreciate your thoughts," I said. "But I've been looking forward to this match, and I want to take pride in what I can achieve with my own effort, no matter the result. Besides … Gossips are hard to stop. If I try to fight back against all of them, it'll only be a waste of my time. Best to focus on my own goal and let them prove themselves wrong."

Those words were out of me before I knew it. When I finished, I could hardly believe that I said such things. Ever since I came to Mount Hua, I had always wanted approvals and praises from others, and I had always fidgetted over every criticism against me. Since when did I start seeing gossips this way and treating judgments from others with peace of mind?

Xie Lun gave me a somewhat surprised look. "You are quite admirable." He lowered his head in a respectful nod. "Forgive me if my offer offended you. I wish more people could see you for who you truly are."

I smiled. "I'm not offended at all. And who knows? Maybe I'll still win."

We both laughed. As we continued to chat casually and wait for our turn, I darted a glance over the grandstand. To my surprise, Bai Ye was glancing my way as well, and our gazes met across the busy field with hundreds of disciples shuffling through. I wondered if he heard the conversation between Xie Lun and me—Bai Ye's spiritual power was strong enough that if he wanted to, he could hear whispers from across the length of the stands.

But it didn't matter.. I realized with relief that I had finally learned what he always wanted to teach me, and if he did hear us, he would be proud.