Eloquent Ascent

A while later, Xu Qi found himself in a quieter, more secluded training hall with Ling Lian.

Apparently, the place was something that she claimed for herself. It was smaller than most general training halls but it gave one the privacy and peace that a top disciple of the outer court like Ling Lian needed to improve further. After the upcoming Test of Competence, she was already expected to pass the next Inner Court Exam.

It was filled with Ling Lian's personal touches. The smell of incense filled the room, and the walls were decorated with the traces of her hard work.

Xu Qi looked at her with a serious gaze, "Are you sure I can use this place?"

"Why not? Are you going to refuse your sister's generosity? Better here than let Zhang Han find you again, no?" Ling Lian's playful smile made Xu Qi's heart race. He knew that she was teasing him, but the way she said "sister" had a different ring to it today. Furthermore, the way she arrived at his rescue earlier was pretty cool in his books.

"Right. Right. Sister Ling Lian is so generous, I'm starting to fall for her." Xu Qi teased back which effectively made Ling Lian blush.

"Shut up!" She playfully swiped at his arm, brushing her hair behind her ear. "If you keep flattering me like that, I might just take it seriously."

Xu Qi grinned, understanding that this was his silver tongue working in his favor again. But truthfully, he truly appreciated Ling Lian's gesture. To offer her 'private' training hall for his use showed how much their relationship had grown.

If they hadn't met each other that night, would things have progressed this way? Xu Qi couldn't help but muse as he stepped further inside Ling Lian's training hall.

"By the way... Since you keep provoking Zhang Han, let me see your current strength," Ling Lian suggested as she looked him over with scrutinizing eyes.

Xu Qi didn't expect that but he nodded, agreeing to Ling Lian's proposal. With Ling Lian, he didn't need to hold back his abilities even though he was also keeping the true nature of it to her. She's aware of how peculiar his 'enlightenment' is, after all.

"Ling Lian, go easy on me." He said, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

"Sure. If you pass out, I'll carry you back to your quarters," Ling Lian said with a smirk, as she took a battle stance.

The young woman was stronger than Zhang Han. Xu Qi knew better not to underestimate her. She even showed a glimpse of that earlier. Zhang Han's charge was like a child's play compared to Ling Lian's swift movement and power.

"What if I didn't pass out?" As always, Xu Qi couldn't help but use his gift of gab, even in a serious moment.

Ling Lian rolled her eyes at his response, "I'll let you sleep with me if you survive our spar without passing out."

Xu Qi first thought he had heard her wrong, "Sleep with you? You mean...?"

"What? Did I say something wrong?" Ling Lian pretended to be innocent, her cheeks flushing slightly.

"No, no," Xu Qi stuttered, trying to regain his composure, "I just didn't expect that kind of reward, is all."

For the first time since his transmigration, Xu Qi was taken aback. His intimate moment with Xiao Yue was a result of his sensual massage but this was different.

His gaze met hers, and Xu Qi could see the challenge sparkling in Ling Lian's eyes.

Did she want him to pass out or not? He had no idea.

Unbeknownst to him, Ling Lian's face was already fiery hot from embarrassment.

That was a slip of her tongue but she couldn't take it back anymore. Xu Qi had always been in her mind these past few days. His charm was working perfectly on her.

"Come at me," she said, her voice firm and steady, trying to cover up the awkwardness she just created. The wisp of her qi that was thicker than Zhang Han's swirled around her like a gentle storm.

Her cultivation of fifth stage Elemental Awakener Realm was considered to be the ceiling for the outer court disciples. And it's been a while since she reached the bottleneck, preventing her from breaking through to the next stage.

"Alright," Xu Qi said, stepping back and adopting a battle stance, "Let's see if I've got what it takes to handle you."

Celestial Eloquence was activated as Xu Qi started whispering to the primal elements present, seducing them to do his bidding. He focused on the wind, the most versatile of all, as it danced around the edges of the training hall.

He asked them to wrap around his feet as he charged forward, the sound of rushing wind accompanying his movements. As he approached, he whispered to the earth covering his whole body like natural armor.

Ling Lian's eyes narrowed as she watched Xu Qi, she knew she had to take this seriously. Her heart raced not just because of the spar but also because of the promise she had made.

"You're slow!" She exclaimed as she dodged his clumsy attempt to land a hit. Following that, she weaved his qi along with her resonance to the primal element of wind, the one she was attuned the most.

The air around them grew thick with the power of wind, swirling around them in a dance that was mesmerizing to behold.

Ling Lian activated a spell formation that she had practiced countless times, the Wind's Embrace. Her slender figure vanished into the swirling maelstrom of wind, reappearing behind Xu Qi in a heartbeat.

Xu Qi widened his eyes as he felt the air thicken around him.

Using the ability borne from his unique cultivation path, Xu Qi didn't hold back. He whispered to the wind available to him, bending it to his will as he quickly turned around striking Ling Lian before she could hit him.

Each punch of his made the wind howl like a beast eager to devour its prey.

However, the gap between them was still huge. His punches were all easily deflected by Ling Lian. Her movements were so swift it was like she was gliding through the air. She countered with a palm strike of her own, the wind behind her hand creating a piercing sonic boom.

Xu Qi crossed his arms as he whispered to the primal elements of the earth to protect himself from Ling Lian's onslaught.

His eyes carefully observed the resonance of her qi to the elements that he failed to seduce and from his perspective, it was as mesmerizing as when Xiao Yue showcased her affinity to the primal elements of water. With Ling Lian's assault growing more intense with each passing second. He knew he had to be careful; her strength was no joke. He would really pass out if she managed to land a hit.

Furthermore, he could sense it.

Even though it looked like he could keep up with her, it was easy to notice that she was still holding back to match his current ability. She wasn't attacking his openings and only matched his movements.

He had to admit that Ling Lian's movements were indeed fascinating. Her grace was like a dance, each step calculated and precise, leaving no room for error.

"Xu Qi. Is this all you've got? You won't be able to defeat Zhang Han with this," Ling Lian called out, her eyes gleaming with challenge. The earlier embarrassment disappeared as she swayed gracefully through the air, like a fairy dancing on the wind.