C7 Junior Sister, I will Protect You from the Wind and Rain!
In that instant, a hush fell over the crowd.
All eyes turned to Chiang Yun in unison.
"Is Chiang Yun really challenging the Eldest Senior Brother?"
"She's got guts, challenging the Eldest Senior Brother who's condensed the Golden Core. Is she looking for trouble?"
"You've got it wrong, my friend!"
"The Eldest Senior Brother is known for his kindness. He would never harm his junior sister."
"Hold on, hold on, just who is this Chiang Yun?"
That question silenced everyone.
Yeah, who is Chiang Yun, really?
What's her story?
"She can't possibly be a new recruit to the sect, can she?"
"Elder Li, is that the case?"
Chiang Yun was indeed a newcomer to the sect.
She wasn't well-known among the inner sect and core disciples.
...
The buzz of conversation filled the air.
But Ye Ning was well aware of the situation.
To him, it seemed only natural that this impulsive junior sister would challenge him.
He observed Chiang Yun.
She stood taller than most women.
Consider Qingwei, who was by no means short, standing tall and graceful.
Yet, Chiang Yun towered a full two heads above her!
But don't be fooled into thinking her height was her only attribute.
She was the kind of woman who embodied a perfect blend of softness and strength.
If one word could encapsulate her, it would be:
The epitome of a warrior woman.
But to Ye Ning, that phrase hardly did her justice.
"She's the very image of the war goddess from the tales."
During his time in the Mysterious Heaven Cave, Chiang Yun was only briefly mentioned.
"If memory serves, Chiang Yun is quite the fighter."
Yet in the original story, she went straight for the Eldest Senior Brother from the get-go.
Normally, Ye Ning would have dispatched her with ease and been done with it.
But in the story, it was the first time Ye Ning felt the influence of the Heart Devouring Bead.
He was oblivious at the time.
And so, he struck hard!
To Chiang Yun, the warrior goddess, it was a deep insult, compounded by severe injury.
From that point on, Ye Ning became the man she vowed to defeat!
"The plot reveals that the original Ye Ning exploited her rash nature multiple times to further his own dark agenda."
"He even plotted to defile her when she least expected it!"
Despicable!
The very thought is vile!
How could I, Ye Ning, stoop so low?
The Heart Devouring Bead will not sway me!
"Still, I need to figure out how to handle this situation."
It's not just about dismissing her, but doing so with tact!
Once the seeds of enmity are sown, they can be dangerously hard to uproot.
With Chiang Yun issuing a challenge before an audience, dodging her is out of the question.
"I could simply refuse the fight now,"
"But that would seem cowardly."
And with Master Jin Lingzi watching, I must weigh my personal concerns against the bigger picture.
I represent the hope of the Irontalons!
I'm acutely aware that today's audience includes members from other sects, not just my own.
They're here to see if I, Ye Ning, truly possess the talent they've heard about.
If I prove myself, the Irontalons' potential for ascendance will be undeniable.
The other sects' stance towards the Irontalons is bound to shift.
However, if Ye Ning were merely a paper tiger.
Sure, Jin Lingzi is formidable, but the Irontalons Sect is still in dire straits, lacking a successor.
If the righteous path doesn't hold the sect in high regard, then the evil path certainly will.
After all, without the skin, where can the hair cling?
Ultimately, Ye Ning is in grave danger!
"Alas, there's no helping it. The stage is set."
"The situation demands it, so the battle is inevitable."
"But we can't go overboard like in the original story."
We need to strike the right balance and measure our actions carefully!
It's about defeating you in such a way that you can't help but admire and even feel grateful to me.
It sounds simple enough.
But Chiang Yun is characterized by her exceptionally strong pride!
"Well, let's just go with it."
...
While Ye Ning was lost in thought, he failed to notice Qingwei's intense gaze fixed upon him.
Chen Qingwei's face had regained its composure.
Yet, she hadn't fully recovered from the earlier shock.
At that moment, she noticed a shift in Eldest Senior Brother Ye's demeanor.
"He's been seriously hurt!"
"His brow furrowed ever so slightly when Chiang Yun issued her challenge."
Ye Ning knew Chen Qingwei well.
And she felt she knew her Eldest Senior Brother just as intimately.
After all, she had "watched Eldest Senior Brother grow up"!
Whenever he was troubled, his brow would instinctively crease.
"Could a mere outer sect disciple cause Eldest Senior Brother to waver?"
Could his injuries be so severe?
"No, Senior Brother has already sacrificed so much for the sect!"
"I, Chen Qingwei, cannot let him face these unnecessary burdens."
With a determined furrow of her brow, she thought as she looked at Chiang Yun,
"Who is this thoughtless junior sister?"
"I, Chen Qingwei, will take care of you!"
...
Ye Ning was about to respond when Chen Qingwei suddenly stepped forward.
She addressed Chiang Yun with an air of superiority,
"Junior sister!"
"I, Chen Qingwei, will offer you some guidance. What do you say?"
Chen Qingwei certainly had the standing to offer "guidance"!
She was, after all, Jin Lingzi's direct disciple.
In contrast to Chiang Yun, a newcomer to the sect, she was rightfully the Eldest Senior Sister!
And despite her tendency to be laid-back, she was on the cusp of reaching the Spiritual Pedestal Tier.
Chiang Yun's frown deepened, clearly displeased.
True, you're a core disciple, but I, Chiang Yun, am here to challenge the strongest, Eldest Senior Brother!
Before she could voice her objection, Chen Qingwei went on to explain,
"Eldest Senior Brother has just emerged from seclusion, surrounded by swirling sword qi and an aura of miracles."
"Challenging him now would be perilous."
"With his Green Profound Sword Qi, a single strike could leave you grievously wounded."
"If you persist in challenging him at this time, and an accident occurs, wouldn't that put Eldest Senior Brother in an uncharitable position?"
Upon hearing this, Chiang Yun's expression softened considerably.
The explanation made sense.
Her own cultivation level was merely at the Foundation Establishment Stage.
She had hoped Eldest Senior Brother would suppress his own power to match hers for the duel.
But clearly, she had overlooked the danger.
Could she really withstand the Green Profound Sword Qi at her current level?
Considering the dazzling display of sword qi...
It was simply not feasible.
Chiang Yun's sense of pride was exceptionally strong.
People like her usually had sharp minds.
And yet, they were also remarkably straightforward.
So, without hesitation, she bowed to Ye Ning and said,
"Eldest Senior Brother, I, Chiang Yun, am new to the sect and still unaware of its full might. Please excuse my ignorance."
Then, turning to Chen Qingwei, she requested, "Senior Sister, I seek your guidance!"
Chen Qingwei responded with a gentle smile, "Very well, I will limit my power to the foundational level for our match!"
With that, she stealthily brushed the back of Ye Ning's hand, taking advantage of the angle.
Ye Ning caught her drift: Senior Brother, your Junior Sister is here to cover for you!
Watching Chen Qingwei stride away, a realization dawned on Ye Ning, sparking a burst of inspiration.
"Indeed!"