"Xu Yi."
Just as Xu Yi emerged from the Pill Building, she heard someone call her name.
Turning around, she asked with a hint of surprise, "Senior Sister Xue?"
Xu Yi recognized Xue Qi not by her face, but by her relatively plain attire.
It was strange, as she had been at Kunlun Academy for nearly fifty years and had seen Xue Qi many times, yet she could never recall Xue Qi's appearance.
Later, she had asked others and confirmed it wasn't just her own perception. After that, she didn't dwell on it.
She and Xue Qi had never interacted before, so Xue Qi suddenly calling out to her was quite unexpected.
"May I have a word in private?"
Xue Qi's voice was as hard as metal and stone, yet it didn't easily evoke dislike.
"Alright."
Xu Yi didn't refuse. She also wanted to understand why the top disciple of Kunlun Academy was seeking her out.
Xue Qi and Xu Yi walked to a pavilion beside the tower. There were no obstructions around, so they didn't have to worry about eavesdroppers.
"I have a few things I'd like to ask you. You don't have to answer if you find it difficult."
Xue Qi sat opposite Xu Yi, her tone carrying a hint of hesitation.
"Senior Sister Xue, please ask," Xu Yi said earnestly, her curiosity growing.
"Does Bei Xinghan, who entered the academy in the same batch as you, have a Dao companion?"
"Ah?"
Xu Yi's eyes widened, finding it hard to believe what she had heard.
Xue Qi had been hesitant before, but after speaking, she seemed much more at ease.
This was her nature: direct and straightforward.
Since she had chosen to reveal her feelings, she was determined to get an answer.
"Are you not familiar with Bei Xinghan? Or is it inconvenient for you to say?"
"Familiar, we can be considered somewhat familiar, it's just..."
Xu Yi's eyes darted around, and instead of continuing, she asked, "Senior Sister Xue, could you tell me why you're asking this? Do you perhaps have feelings for Bei Xinghan..."
For some reason, Xu Yi felt a surge of excitement, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
"That's right, I have feelings for him, and I want to try to get closer."
Xue Qi openly stated her intentions.
"Then, what is it about him that you like? Is there anything particularly attractive about him?"
Xu Yi eagerly pressed on.
Ever since she first experienced the benefits of the Time Realm, Xu Yi had dedicated all her time to cultivation and learning, spending less and less time with her companions in Courtyard Forty-Four.
Of course, others were in a similar situation.
Therefore, Xu Yi had no idea how Bei Xinghan met Xue Qi or what had transpired between them.
Now, seeing Xue Qi so frankly express her feelings, Xu Yi's curiosity skyrocketed.
"We both studied under the same teacher in the Sword Pavilion. While his talent in the Way of the Sword is not much different from mine, I believe we won't lack common ground in the future."
Xu Yi nodded as she listened.
Bei Xinghan's talent in the Way of the Sword was indeed the most she had ever witnessed.
As for Xue Qi, although she hadn't seen it firsthand, the fact that she could consistently dominate the top spot on the rankings indicated her profound attainments in the Way of the Sword.
Looking at it this way, they seemed quite well-matched.
Yet, Xu Yi felt something was still missing.
She pondered for a moment, a flicker of understanding crossing her eyes.
Xue Qi's words felt more like she was looking for like-minded teammates rather than a Dao companion.
"Besides these, is there anything else about Bei Xinghan that attracts you?" Xu Yi asked cautiously.
"He's good-looking."
Xue Qi answered without hesitation.
Xu Yi: ...
She hadn't expected Xue Qi, the top disciple of Kunlun, to be swayed by appearance.
However, it was true that Bei Xinghan was exceptionally handsome. While all the disciples of Kunlun Academy were outstanding individuals, very few could surpass him in beauty.
"Is there anything else besides these two points?"
"Aren't these two points enough?" Xue Qi frowned and retorted, "His talent and appearance are already merits that surpass ordinary people. It's only natural that I'm attracted to his strengths, isn't it?"
Xu Yi was momentarily speechless again.
Senior Sister Xue's logic was sound, yet she felt something was amiss. Was she overthinking it?
"You're asking so many details. Do you also like Bei Xinghan? Don't worry, even though you have a fellow disciple's camaraderie, I will compete with you fairly." Xue Qi said, her expression unchanging.
"Ahem, ahem!" Xu Yi choked on her words, quickly waving her hands. "Senior Sister Xue, you've misunderstood. Bei Xinghan and I are at most like siblings. I would never dare to have improper thoughts about him."
"Why are you so agitated? Bei Xinghan is so outstanding, you don't need to be shy about admitting you like him."
Xue Qi had prepared herself mentally for anything and was puzzled by Xu Yi's reaction.
"Senior Sister Xue, you've misunderstood. There's really nothing between him and me. Moreover, he doesn't have a Dao companion. If you plan to develop a relationship with him, I suggest you take the initiative. His personality is rather reserved. If you can't tell what he's thinking, you must ask him directly."
Xu Yi had been entrusted by True Person Qinglian to enter Bei Xinghan's sea of consciousness and help him overcome his inner demons.
In Xu Yi's eyes, Bei Xinghan had always been that crying child who called out "Sister."
Therefore, if someone could help Bei Xinghan step out of his own world, Xu Yi would gladly see it happen.
"You don't like him? Why? Isn't he outstanding?"
After confirming that Xu Yi truly had no other intentions towards Bei Xinghan, Xue Qi's doubts shifted.
"I only see him as a younger brother."
"You are not related by blood, nor do you come from the same sect."
"Regardless, there's no possibility between him and me."
Xu Yi naturally wouldn't reveal what happened between her and Bei Xinghan, as it involved Bei Xinghan's privacy.
"Alright, thank you for your answers today."
Whether Xue Qi believed her or not, she flicked her sleeves and left.
Xu Yi sat alone in the pavilion, trying to recall Xue Qi's appearance.
What had been a relatively clear face soon became blurry, and in the end, her mind was filled with a vast expanse of white, remembering nothing.
"This is too strange."
Xu Yi shook her head and hesitated about whether she should inform Bei Xinghan about this matter and give him a heads-up.
But thinking of Bei Xinghan's distant personality, Xu Yi dismissed the idea.
Whether they could end up together depended on their own destiny.
She shouldn't interfere unnecessarily.
As she rose from the pavilion to leave, the communication disk at her waist suddenly flashed. She picked it up, looked at it, and turned towards the Formation Building.
"Teacher Yuwen."
Teacher Yuwen, who managed the Formation Building, was a man with a fiery temper but a gentle appearance.
Upon seeing Xu Yi, he immediately beckoned her over. As soon as she approached, he began to scold profusely.
Of course, his target wasn't Xu Yi, but the Formation Heaven Alliance.
Hearing the name Formation Heaven Alliance after so many years still evoked a sense of disgust in Xu Yi.
Although she didn't know what the Formation Heaven Alliance had done to incur Teacher Yuwen's wrath, it didn't stop her from listening with keen interest.
"Xu Yi, I have something for you to do."