I don't talk about love with my Martial Sister

Chapter 43

"Victory goes to Qingyu's Yun Duan!"

The final match on the stage ended without dispute. Yun Duan sheathed her sword and bowed slightly to her opponent before turning to look at the crowd below.

The audience, a sea of cultivators, erupted into applause, many of them eagerly discussing the recent battle. The mix of cheers and chatter left Shang Can with a headache, but she found the noise tolerable this time.

This is the kind of noise I can allow, she thought, clapping along as loudly as she could.

"That was a clean win," she said with a hint of pride. "The opponent didn't stand a chance against Duan'er."

Chu Ming, who was also clapping nearby, gave her a sideways glance and clicked his tongue. "You're talking big now, huh? When Yun Duan's opponent made that final move, I saw your hand on the hilt of Wuyou."

"...It was just a reflex. I didn't actually draw it."

"Thank the heavens you didn't. Otherwise, you would've rushed onto the stage, and Shishu Wangyue would've had you hanging from the top of Yuheng Peak."

Ignoring Chu Ming's teasing, Shang Can watched as Yun Duan claimed this year's top spot in the Tianwaitian tournament. Feeling elated, she met Yun Duan's gaze from the stage and mouthed silently: Duan'er, you're amazing.

Yun Duan clearly understood the lip movement, a faint smile appearing on her face—brief, but enough to make the young male cultivators in the crowd stare in awe.

"No wonder people have been saying lately, 'A beauty as distant as clouds above,'" a woman's voice suddenly said, breaking Shang Can's thoughts. The tone was calm and soft, yet something about it didn't sit right with her. Shang Can's expression immediately darkened.

"...I didn't expect someone as busy as the acting sect leader of Tianwaitian to have heard my shimei's name. Well, on her behalf, I thank you for the compliment," Shang Can responded lazily, turning to face the tall woman now standing beside her. The woman wore an intricate robe, her features gentle, and she carried an air of elegance and authority.

"You're too kind," the woman smiled warmly. "Your shimei is indeed a rare talent, both in looks and ability. She's truly a treasure of Qingyu Sect. Please pass on my congratulations to Wangyue Zhenren for having such an outstanding disciple."

The words, despite their surface politeness, felt laced with thorns. Shang Can sighed, rolling her eyes. "Qin Yi, could you maybe say what you mean? Doesn't this way of talking bother you?"

"Have I said anything to make you misunderstand, Shang Can?" Qin Yi's eyes, soft yet unsettling, landed on Shang Can as she continued, "I only came to offer my congratulations to Qingyu Sect for taking first place again—truly deserving of being called the top sect in the cultivation world."

Noticing Shang Can's worsening expression, Chu Ming quickly interjected, "We appreciate your kind words, Acting Sect Leader, but really, Qingyu is unworthy of such praise—"

"No need to be humble."

Qin Yi's smile deepened as her gaze briefly flickered to the sword hanging at Shang Can's waist, Wuyou. "To win two spirit swords from Tianwaitian back-to-back, that's proof enough of your sect's exceptional disciples."

"But..." her tone shifted slightly, a hint of concern creeping in, "I've heard that Shang Can herself still hasn't passed the Wenxin test this year, which is... puzzling."

"Is this still about losing to me in that sparring match a few years ago?" Shang Can sneered, unable to hold back. "If you lose, you lose. Can't you just accept it? You've been sulking for years now. What, you couldn't find a flaw in Duan'er, so you're having a hard time today?"