Spring Winds

Landing gracefully into the arena, Zhu Na Ran waited for the battle to commence. Above in the Sect Master's box, Long Yuan's amiable smile disguised the brief glimmer of malicious intent.

"Junior Brother, as you sure you wish to challenge Yu Lan Peak? You being a cultivator dueling with a martial artist doesn't seem wise."

Turning to Bai Chen, Long Yuan gave a reassuring smile to his senior brother. "Senior Brother. I hope that from this experience, I will gain some pointers from our Martial Aunts." Long Yuan looked down at Zhu Na Ran and sneered within his heart. "And, I believe that I would be able to stand on my own against her."

"If that's what you wish," Bai Chen responded. He gently shook his head. Master will not be pleased, he thought. Ahh, why is junior brother so stubborn.

"Would Host like to activate battle mode?" The pearl suddenly popped up next to Long Yuan.

"What are you doing here? Did you crash an hour ago? How is it that you recovered so fast?" Long Yuan demanded. Just after he looked over to where the Yu Lan Peak disciples sat, his potential radar suddenly crashed. However, after about a minute, the system rebooted, and all his progress wiped! He had finally reached 10% of his goal after running back and forth for two months, and now it was back at 0%!

The system stated that all information and progress that he had lost were no recoverable and that he would need to do makeup tasks to regain what he missed!

In other words, he had faced another setback to his final goal!

Whenever Long Yuan thought about that incident, a bitter taste coated his tongue, and he couldn't help but grit his teeth in frustration. It was all smooth sailing until any topic involving Yu Lan Peak was brought up.

However, not all was lost. As the first day of Summer Selections began to conclude, the system recovered some of the tasks that he had accepted.

[Woo Harem Members]

[Gain Master Luo's Appraisal]

In addition to a new trigger task that was activated.

[Challenge Yu Lan Peak]

When Long Yuan questioned the system what the heck this new task was, it's robotic voice replied," A trigger task."

"I know that it's a f*cking trigger task!" Lashed Long Yuan. "What I mean is, what do I do with it, and what do I gain."

"By completing this task, Host may gain back 10% of the progress bar; however, Host would not gain back any lost rewards previously gained."

Long Yuan's interest peaked at that 10% progress recovery. "I'm listening."

"If Host manages to defeat a member of Yu Lan Peak, Host will be back on track in plot progression."

"Hmm, and if I lose?"

"Then Host would also fail tasks [Woo Harem Members] and [Gain Master Luo's Appraisal] also face the punishments of all three tasks."

"F*ck, you are not giving a choice, are you." Long Yuan rubbed between his brows in frustration. Why couldn't the plot go as smoothly as initially intended?

"Of course Host has a choice," the robotic voice called out. "Reject this task and face punishment or accept and possibly gain more than you could have achieved in two months of tasks. Higher risks often come with higher rewards."

A screen popped up in front of Long Yuan.

[Accept or Reject]

Long Yuan stared at this small holographic screen for a few moments. The risk of facing punishment or gain more than he could've hoped within a short time. His finger finally landed on a choice as his eyes flashed with greed and ambition.

[Accept]

Now faced with his current predicament, Long Yuan ordered, "Activate Battle Mode."

"Please wait a moment." The small screen displayed a little loading bar. "Battle Mode activated."

Similar to the potential radar, the lens displayed an opponent's power and project of their strengths and weaknesses. Also, it would calculate the opponent's next move based on said weaknesses and strengths. Long Yuan focused his lens onto Zhu Na Ran; however, strangely enough, it seemed that the lenses couldn't pick up anything from her. Could this be one of the changes that the system mentioned?

Jumping down from his seating box, Long Yuan landed ten paces from Zhu Na Ran. "Thank you for accepting my request, Martial Aunt," Long Yuan smiled. "This junior hopes to learn from you." He gave a courteous bow while sneering within his heart.

Zhu Na Ran stood passively to Long Yuan's grand gesture. Her posture remained informal and relaxed in contrast to Long Yuan's formal greeting as her arms laid crossed against her chest. Her long sleeves were tied securely around her wrists to avoid them from getting ripped or someone grabbing them. Zhu Na Ran considered them a liability and thought it was illogical to have long flowing sleeves while fighting someone.

Eyeballing Long Yuan's long flowing white sleeves, she knew what her first target was. "Eh, it's not an issue, mos- martial nephew. This martial aunt is glad to impart some knowledge onto the younger generation."

While Long Yuan was attempting to maintain his perfect image, Zhu Na Ran analyzed her opponent.

Long Yuan had a rather average physique but leaned more towards the scholarly type, in her opinion. In other words, he was a lot leaner. Senior Sister mentioned that mosquito had Golden Lighting roots and that his cultivation was on par with her own. Hmm, so I would be at a disadvantage in terms of cultivation; however, she pondered as she continued to size up Long Yuan. He should be relatively weak to direct hits, as I can see that his martial arts are fragile.

"Martial Aunt, I wonder why you chose to step up to the challenge? I hear that Martial Aunt specializes in martial arts." Long Yuan asked. His lens told him only some necessary information, however the rest where question marks.

---

Name: ???

Titles: Martial Aunt of Yun

Gender: F

Age: ???

Martial Arts: ???

Cultivation: ???

---

He already knew that she would practice dual cultivation, as Master Luo was known for his abilities in martial arts and cultivation. However, what wasn't known was her level. For all knew, she could be extremely high or low.

Long Yuan was only able to deduce that she was the one to specialize in martial arts because he knew that her senior sister was a cultivator.

Other than that, absolutely nothing. And this lack of information infuriated Long Yuan to no end.

"Eh, this martial aunt decided it was a good opportunity to practice my skills," Zhu Na Ran responded passively. "Also, my senior sister does not need to involve herself with minor tasks."

Minor task! Long Yuan raged at Zhu Na Ran's dismissive comment. Did she see him, the protagonist, as only a 'minor task!' B*tch! Long Yuan jeered, you think that you're so high and mighty just because you're that bone sac's disciple!

Long Yuan's eyes flickered to the seating box where Master Luo and Ye Lian Hua sat. You'll see, he thought as he looked across to his opponent. Once they see you defeated, you'll be nothing in their eyes. Heck, they might come and beg the Sect Master to let me join them. I'd like to see you so confident then! Long Yuan rid any remaining thoughts of failure with his arrogant remarks within.

What can she do anyways, she is just a mere stepping stone on my path to being a god!

The entire arena could feel the thick tension between the two. The participants and audience nervously waited to see the showdown between the gifted youth of Yun Duan Peak and the mysterious female disciple from Yu Lan Peak. Each pondering on who would be victorious in the end.

"Hey, mos- Martial Nephew, are you going to start or what?" Zhu Na Ran called out, snapping Long Yuan back to reality.

"Eh, if you don't mind, may this junior start first?" Long Yuan asked cheekily. His lens already gave him an attack that would yield a 60% success rate. Though it was a little low for his tastes, it was enough.

Zhu Na Ran remained laid-back and relaxed. Heck, she was even beginning to doze off again. "Eh, whatever. This martial aunt can wait."

"Then, I won't hold back!" Long Yuan immediately lunged towards Zhu Na Ran, hand ready to lay down a punishing strike. Much to his surprise, his target remains unfazed.

Watching Long Yuan coming closer, palm ready, a small smile makes its way onto her lips.

"Heh, well, this should be interesting."