The night wind grew cooler, carrying the unique, crisp scent of the Inner Sect as it swept across every corner of the square.
Within the “Small Qian Kun Realm”, many disciples had already taken their seats in the spectator stands, either to watch the battles or to await the next round of assessments.
The low murmurs blended into a continuous hum in the background.
Ye Chen and Xiao Xiao found a relatively secluded spot to sit.
From here, the view was wide and unobstructed, allowing them to take in the entire Small Qian Kun Realm at a glance.
Xiao Xiao stretched out a slender index finger and waggled it lightly in front of Ye Chen, her tone laced with deliberately playful reproach.
“I’ve already told you, Young Master. Today, I’m here to watch your battle. So…you can’t slack off or lose on purpose!”
To add to her conviction, she puffed her cheeks slightly and widened her eyes, doing her best to look like, “If you don’t take the competition seriously, I’ll be really angry.”
Yet, in those bright eyes, there was no anger at all—only laughter and anticipation.
Ye Chen watched her slightly awkward performance and responded with a simple “Mm”, accepting her request.
In this somewhat strange tranquility, more and more figures began to appear in the spectator stands.
The night did nothing to dampen the disciples’ enthusiasm.
Ye Chen’s performance from yesterday had already spread throughout the Inner Sect, drawing countless curious and probing gazes.
A crisp jingle of ornaments approached from afar.
Following the sound, Ye Chen looked over and saw several familiar figures.
It was Su Ying, along with several Inner Sect Female Disciples she was close with.
Su Ying walked at the front.
She had changed into a clean, fitted white outfit, her long hair tied high—different from her usual style, giving her a valiant and spirited look.
As her gaze swept across the area and landed on Ye Chen, a flash of surprise lit her eyes, and her steps quickened.
However, when she drew closer and saw the figure seated right next to Ye Chen, her steps involuntarily slowed.
It was a young girl in a pale purple dress.
The light seemed to favor her, casting a soft halo over her flawless, delicate profile.
She sat quietly, her slender form radiating an indescribable aura, turning her presence into a stunning painting that overshadowed everything around her.
While Su Ying observed Xiao Xiao, Xiao Xiao also seemed to sense something.
She lifted her head slowly, her gaze meeting Su Ying’s in the air with precise alignment.
In Su Ying’s eyes, there was surprise, curiosity, and a hint of instinctive wariness she herself did not notice.
Xiao Xiao’s eyes, however, were more direct—a declaration of territory that brooked no trespass.
This brief standoff was broken by Ye Chen’s calm voice.
“Junior Sister Su Ying.”
He nodded slightly to the newcomers, greeting them.
Su Ying snapped back to herself, quickly withdrawing her gaze and forcing a polite smile.
“Senior Brother Ye Chen, you arrived so early.”
The other female disciples behind her also greeted him, though their eyes couldn’t help but wander curiously to Xiao Xiao.
“This is…”
Su Ying’s gaze finally fell on Xiao Xiao, a note of uncertainty in her voice.
“Xiao Xiao.”
Ye Chen’s introduction was as concise as ever.
Xiao Xiao rose and gave Su Ying and her companions a graceful bow, her face adorned with an impeccable, gentle smile.
“Greetings, Senior Sister Su Ying. Greetings, Senior Sisters.”
Her manners were flawless, her voice soft and pleasant, leaving no room for criticism.
“Hello, Junior Sister Xiao Xiao.”
Su Ying hurriedly returned the gesture, though her heart was in turmoil.
So… she was the rumored maid who had always been by Senior Brother Ye Chen’s side?
Rumors were just rumors, far less impactful than seeing it in person. The girl before her, whether in looks or demeanor, could never be summed up by the word “maid”.
The fresh, lively charm that radiated from her very bones might even surpass the most outstanding prodigies on the main peak.
Su Ying and her companions sat down a short distance from Ye Chen.
Originally, by custom, she might have naturally sat beside Ye Chen—but that spot was already firmly occupied by Xiao Xiao.
She glanced at Xiao Xiao, whose body was almost pressed against Ye Chen, and recalled all the rumors about their relationship.
Suddenly, she understood everything.
So that’s how it is.
She felt a pang of discouragement—not just because of the girl’s breathtaking beauty, but also because of the intimate atmosphere that no outsider could ever intrude upon.
Sigh, she’s so pretty, and so talented, too…
Su Ying’s thoughts involuntarily drifted to another person—the sacred figure who had descended above the Assessment Arena like a goddess.
Shengnü An Yao.
Whether it was the Xiao Xiao before her or the distant Shengnü, both felt like beings from another world—existences she could never hope to reach, no matter how hard she tried.
While Su Ying’s thoughts were in turmoil, Xiao Xiao suddenly leaned closer.
“Senior Sister Su Ying,”
Her voice was bright and sincere, full of innocent enthusiasm—as if the silent confrontation from moments ago had never happened.
“I just heard Young Master mention that you went undefeated in the assessments too. Amazing!”
Su Ying blinked in surprise, not expecting the other girl to initiate conversation.
Looking at Xiao Xiao’s sincere smile, some of the unease in her heart faded, and she responded modestly.
“It’s nothing. Compared to Senior Brother Ye Chen, my skills are insignificant.”
“Senior Sister, you’re too modest!”
Xiao Xiao shifted slightly, linking arms with Su Ying in a familiar gesture, like old friends.
“I’ve always stayed on Heavenly Sword Peak and rarely came to the Inner Sect. I don’t know much about… about Senior Brother Ye Chen’s life here. You seem to know him well, Senior Sister—can you tell me more?”
It was here.
An alarm bell rang in Su Ying’s mind.
She met Xiao Xiao’s eyes, which appeared pure and innocent but held a deeper, probing gleam.
This wasn’t just small talk—it was a subtle interrogation.
Instinctively, she glanced at Ye Chen, only to find him also looking her way.
His expression was as calm as ever, merely observing their interaction without any special emotion.
That one look helped Su Ying decide.
She turned back to Xiao Xiao with an even warmer smile.
“Of course. What do you want to know?”
As Xiao Xiao’s eyes lit up at the ready agreement, Su Ying quickly, almost imperceptibly, winked her right eye in Ye Chen’s direction.
It was a playful yet meaningful signal.
—Senior Brother, watch carefully.
Leave this to me.
“Actually, there’s not much to say,”
Xiao Xiao turned back to Su Ying, beginning her subtle inquisition.
“I’m just curious—was Young Master always so… quiet in the Inner Sect? Do people find him hard to approach?”
Su Ying laughed softly, her voice ringing like silver bells.
“Senior Brother Ye Chen is just steady by nature. He doesn’t talk much, but he’s a good person. During the last assessment, he even helped Senior Brother Chen San with his sword technique. Everyone respects him.”
She deftly shifted the focus from “personality” to “public deeds”, praising Ye Chen while avoiding personal commentary.
Xiao Xiao blinked and pressed on.
“Then… are there any Senior Sisters or Junior Sisters who, because Senior Brother is strong, always try to pester him?”
Now, the question carried clear intent.
Su Ying’s smile remained, but she inwardly exclaimed, “Goodness!”
Feigning thought, she shook her head with an innocent air.
“I don’t really know. The Senior Sisters in the Inner Sect are all very dignified, and everyone is usually busy cultivating—who has time to… pester others?”
Her answer was watertight, both denying knowledge and subtly implying that no proper Senior Sister would act so.
“I see…”
Xiao Xiao looked a bit disappointed, but didn’t give up.
She changed tactics, adding a hint of reverence to her tone.
“By the way, I heard Shengnü descended before! Senior Sister Su Ying, did Shengnü also pay special attention to our Young Master?”
“Shh!”
Su Ying instantly made a hush gesture, her expression turning serious.
“Junior Sister Xiao Xiao, you mustn’t say such things! Shengnü is devoted to the Sect. She appeared at the Assessment Arena to evaluate our abilities, treating everyone equally and without favoritism.”
She invoked righteous reasons, cutting off all speculation.
After that, no matter how Xiao Xiao probed about Ye Chen’s daily life, relationships, or even cultivation habits, Su Ying managed to respond with polite, vague answers that deflected the questions.
Su Ying didn’t know much about Ye Chen herself—most of what she knew came from rumors.
No matter how Xiao Xiao pressed, she gained little useful information.
Their conversation appeared warm and friendly, full of sisterly closeness.
Xiao Xiao asked with skill, Su Ying answered even more deftly—their back-and-forth resembling an elegant tea party rather than a silent battle.
And the focus of this “battle”—Ye Chen—simply sat quietly to the side.
He listened to their exchange, sensing the unfamiliar, lively aura emanating from Xiao Xiao.
To him, all of this meant:
Xiao Xiao was trying to fit into her new environment.
She was actively building friendly ties with her fellow disciples.
She was no longer withdrawn, but had become open and talkative.
It was, without doubt, a great and positive change.
Deep inside, a faint sense of relief blossomed.
It seemed that what she said on the mountain road wasn’t just bravado—she truly was working to live her own life.
Still, he couldn’t relax completely.
These things needed to be taken slowly.