In the quiet courtyard outside the room, two graceful figures stood at ease. As the wind blew, their long hair swayed gently, exuding a cool elegance with a touch of alluring charm. Given the striking resemblance in their delicate features, the sight was especially captivating. After standing for a while, seeing no movement from within the room, Han Yue lazily stretched her arms, her perfect curves accentuated by the silver gown, revealing a most enticing presence. She then settled into a nearby stone chair, her jade hands resting on the stone table, supporting her cheek, her eyes gliding softly—natural allure unfolding effortlessly. While Han Yue remained composed and serene, Han Xue found herself slightly restless. After waiting for a while, still seeing no signs of movement from within, she grew increasingly anxious, saying, "How long has he been inside? It's already the third day now—our father and the others have been preparing to head to the Heavenly Stone Platform." "What's there to be anxious about?" Rest assured, based on my knowledge of him, he’s not someone with a vague sense of time. Once he commits to doing something, it won’t fail under any circumstances.” It was rare to see her sister, usually so reserved, display such warmth, and Han Yue couldn’t help but lightly smile and cover her mouth. Upon hearing this, Han Xue did indeed pause her movements, though she hadn’t settled down for long before suddenly asking, “Sister, do you think he’ll be all right? When we found him in the desert, he was seriously injured—so badly that he couldn’t even manage to get up.” Han Yue was momentarily startled, gently lifting her gaze and earnestly studying her sister’s face—cool and elegant, yet subtly radiant, as if a quiet concern was quietly taking shape. “What are you looking at?” Han Xue murmured, slightly annoyed by being so closely observed. “Xue, have you… have you developed feelings for Xiao Yan?” Han Yue hesitated, then asked suddenly. Hearing this, Han Xue's cheeks instantly flushed with a delicate blush, shyly saying, "Sister, what are you talking about? We've only just met recently." "Sister merely wanted to remind you that Xiao Yan is indeed outstanding, but such an outstanding man is hard to keep someone's heart. Moreover, he himself also has a girl he particularly likes," Han Yue said earnestly. Han Xue lowered her eyelids slightly, turned her head slightly, and murmured, "It's not quite as you think..." After a moment of silence, she suddenly added, "Is that girl also very excellent?" Han Yue gently parted a strand of shimmering silver hair from her forehead, a nostalgic glint passing through her beautiful eyes. After a moment, she chuckled wistfully, "Not just outstanding—indeed, if we're being precise, she might actually be the most quietly exceptional among our class of inner academy students. I once mentioned Lin Xiu'ya, who was ranked among the top three in strength, yet even she couldn't manage ten rounds against her. Moreover, her age is actually younger than Xiao Yan's. Such cultivation potential is nearly divine." Observing Han Yue's gentle sigh, Han Xue lightly bit her red lips, a subtle sense of tenderness and dimmed emotion flickering across her beautiful eyes—though it swiftly faded as she smiled and dashed toward Han Yue, asking, "So, are you saying I'm not as remarkable as she is?" "Laughing softly, Han Yue replied, "Even my sister falls short. Otherwise, I would have claimed her right then in the inner academy." "Creak…" As soon as Han Yue had finished speaking, the tightly closed door suddenly swung open, and a young man dressed in plain cotton robes stepped out slowly, pausing upon seeing the two girls playing and laughing in the courtyard. The sudden appearance of Xiao Yan caused Han Yue and the other two girls to pause momentarily, and Han Yue's cheeks flushed instantly. She quickly stopped playing, straightened her clothes, and regained her composed demeanor. ... Tian Shi Tai stands at the very heart of Tian Bei City. The platform spans roughly a hundred zhang in area, and upon closer inspection, one notices that it has been entirely constructed upon a massive, single stone block—a stone that has existed since the founding of Tian Bei City. Over the years, despite the passage of time and the wear of nature, it has remained remarkably untouched, bearing little trace of erosion. This area has always been the city's most prominent and celebrated spot, as whenever factions within the city face disputes without wishing to engage in full-scale conflict, they invariably choose to settle their differences here. Surrounding Tianshi Platform, there are densely packed seats carved from massive stones. At this moment, countless heads gather like a tidal wave, filling the seats—this clash between the Hong and Han families has captured the attention of the entire Tianbei City. At the highest points on the eastern and northern sides of Tian Shi Platform, there are several particularly elegant seating areas. These seats are reserved exclusively for the leading figures of Tian Bei City's most influential factions. From these vantage points, one can overlook the entire plaza. Currently, the northern seating is already filled with numerous figures, most of whom wear red robes adorned with substantial insignias—symbols of the Hong family. As time passed, more and more people gathered on the Tian Shi Platform, their bustling clamor rising straight into the clouds, forming a powerful wave that spread out like ripples, carrying the noise throughout the entire Tian Bei City. When the seats on the platform grew increasingly crowded and began to fill up, a large group of figures finally emerged at the entrances and exits of the square, their arrival instantly stirring a wave of excitement across the plaza. "The Han family members have finally arrived." "It's said that Hong Chen declared that as long as the Han family can find a peer to defeat him, the Hong family will remain neutral toward the Han family for the next ten years." "Hey, even if it sounds nice, that guy may be rather annoying—yet among the younger generation in Beibei City, no one can truly surpass him. Even Han Yue of the Han family might find it difficult..." "If the Han family loses this time, they’ll have to sacrifice a daughter as magnificent as a celestial being..." Amidst the countless murmurs around, the Han family members slowly ascended the stone platform and paused at their designated seat directly across from the Hong family's platform. "Ah, Master Han, you've finally arrived! I thought you'd call off the match today." As the Han family members appeared, a middle-aged man of similar age to Han Chi stood up and chuckled warmly. "Hong Master is mistaken. Since Hong Family has committed to a decade of peace with our family, I naturally have to come and continue the engagement—otherwise, we’d be disappointing Hong Family’s good intentions." Han Chi lifted his eyes, speaking calmly. "That is Hong Li, the head of the Hong family." A soft, fragrant voice drifted to Xiao Yan's ear. He turned to see Han Xue. "I'm afraid our good intentions might go unheeded—bringing the daughter along as a gesture. Hah, but don't worry, our Hong family is quite tolerant when it comes to spouses." Hong Li chuckled coldly. "Enough! There's no point in wasting more words—I'm short on time and must return to the Northern Pavilion for training in just a couple of days..." Hong Chen frowned, rose to his feet, and his figure shimmered as a faint rumble of thunder echoed through the air. In an instant, he materialized like a ghost upon the spacious stone platform below. Raising his head, he fixed his gaze with an unruly, determined intensity upon the Han family's seat, and declared, "No more delays—let's fight right now. Who shall step forward?" Upon hearing Hong Chen's command, the attention of the entire hall instantly shifted toward the Han family's seat, where only Han Yue—sitting quietly—had reached the level of Duke of Battle. The rest of the Han family's younger generation seemed to have fallen short. Under the collective gaze of the crowd, Han Yue smiled gently, then slightly shook her head, her slender fingers—like jade stalks—pointing toward her side. Her clear, captivating voice resonated throughout the hall. "Your opponent isn't me. It's him!"