Teacher by day, Farmer by passion

"The first place goes to…" The judges exchanged puzzled glances. "Wait, she didn't submit a name?"

Just then, the veiled dancer stepped forward, producing a jade seal. Her voice was calm but carried undeniable authority.

"I am Princess Soho Verilith, the fifth princess."

With that, she removed her veil, revealing a strikingly beautiful face—marred by a scar running across her cheek.

A hush fell over the crowd. Some averted their eyes, while others exchanged uneasy glances, their admiration quickly turning to discomfort.

Ignoring the crowd, she locked eyes with Ace as she made a request, "Master Ace, may I spar with one of your disciples before we begin our discussion?".

Liu Mei nudged Shan Yifeng with her elbow, a knowing smirk on her face. "Hey, isn't that the princess you were admiring during the Dragon and Phoenix Tournament? Still like her?"

Shan Yifeng's eyes stayed on the princess for a moment before he replied simply, "She's strong. And she's beautiful."

Liu Mei blinked. Then blinked again.

She squinted at the princess, then at herself, before finally sighing in resignation. "Wow… she's actually quite pretty."

Shan Yifeng barely had time to react before Liu Mei suddenly pointed at the stage. "She's asking for a spar. You go."

He frowned. "Why me?"

Liu Mei crossed her arms with an exaggerated look of wisdom beyond her years. "She's my future sister-in-law. Go and win her hand."

Shan Yifeng turned to stare at her, speechless. Deep down, he realized something unsettling—Liu Mei was just like all those scheming adults in the village.

The way she talked, how she plotted—it was almost scary.

Internally, he sighed. And here I thought I was the mature one.

Shan Yifeng stepped forward. "Master, allow me to be her opponent."

Ace raised a brow, then smirked. "Well, this can be another highlight of the night."

Turning to Liu Mei, "Mei'er, go ring the village bell—we'll enjoy the match while we feast."

Then, turning once again to the lively crowd, Ace announced, "If anyone else feels like flexing their muscles, come forward. It's all in good fun."

With a deep bow, he signaled for the match to begin as the crisp sound of the village bell rang through the air.

Shan Yifeng took his stance, his gaze locked onto Princess Soho. "Your Highness, I've admired your bravery ever since I saw you at the Dragon and Phoenix Tournament."

Soho raised an eyebrow, momentarily intrigued. "Oh? I don't recall ever meeting you."

Shan Yifeng merely shook his head, offering no further explanation.

Instead, he adjusted his posture, muscles coiling in anticipation.

A flicker of amusement crossed the princess's face, but it vanished as she lunged forward.

In one fluid motion, a dagger appeared in her left hand, gleaming under the lantern lights. At the same time, her right palm gathered a concentrated surge of soul energy, crackling like caged lightning.

Shan Yifeng didn't wait. Hit it as long as it is hittable.

He muttered under his breath, weaving through the air with rapid steps.

He struck at empty space, his fists lashing out in a seemingly erratic pattern.

Soho narrowed her eyes as she looked in confusion but she showed no hesitation with her movement.

She vanished—her speed blurring her outline—and reappeared behind him, her dagger slicing toward his thigh while her charged palm drove toward his abdomen.

It landed smoothly cutting deep into the flesh, surprising her.

Blood gushed from the wound as Shan Yifeng staggered back, a crimson trail trickling from the corner of his mouth.

He turned to the princess, a smirk tugging at his lips despite the pain.

"You're overthinking this," he said, his teeth stained red with blood.

But the moment his body hit the ground itt dissolved into wisps of smoke.

"A clone?" Soho's eyes sharpened as she spun around.

A few meters away, another Shan Yifeng stood, completely unfazed.

Something was off. Trusting her instincts, she pivoted and launched a sharp punch—right into another clone.

It dispersed instantly.

The cycle repeated twice more, each time leaving her a fraction of a second more irritated.

Exhaling slowly, Soho planted her foot firmly against the ground.

Then, she danced.

It was no longer the elegant, mesmerizing dance of a noblewoman—it was a calculated, deadly display of movement.

To the untrained eye, she was a blur, twirling and shifting unpredictably. But those who understood a battle recognized it instantly: she was weaving an impenetrable defense, her entire body cloaked in motion, every step deflecting an unseen threat.

In the shadows, Shan Yifeng watched, hovering in the air, unnoticed. No, not just unnoticed—nonexistent.

Even the audience grew restless, murmuring among themselves.

"Where is he?"

"How many clones does he have?"

The crowd chatted among themselves, their smiles lighthearted.

"Well, I don't really care about the fight—I just want to see her dance again."

Laughter rippled through the spectators, a stark contrast to the intense battle unfolding before them.

On the stage, Soho and Shan Yifeng were pushing their limits.

Soho's movements, once fluid and effortless, began to slow. She had been dancing nonstop, and her soul energy reserves were running dangerously low.

Do I have to? she wondered, biting her lip.

Summoning her soul-bound spirit would guarantee victory—but at what cost? It would be an overkill, and she knew it.

Shan Yifeng didn't miss her hesitation. Her breathing was heavier, her footwork less precise. She's growing restless.

But still, he chose to wait.

Coward?

The word lingered in his mind, but he quickly dismissed it. He could almost hear his master's voice.

"Being a coward isn't something to be ashamed of. In fact, charging in recklessly just to prove your bravery doesn't make you brave. It just makes you stupid."

A smirk tugged at Shan Yifeng's lips. I'm going to wait.

Shan Yifeng watched as the princess suddenly smiled at him.

A bad feeling crept up his spine.

His instincts screamed—this isn't good.

For the first time in a long while, worry flickered in his usually calm eyes.

Moments ago, when he had punched the air, he wasn't just throwing random strikes—he was imprinting his attacks into the space itself, a technique from the cultivation manual Ace had given him.

But now… all those imprints were gone. Erased. Wiped out completely by her beautiful dance.

"Caught you."

Soho's voice was sweet, almost hypnotic, yet laced with something dangerous.

Not good.

Shan Yifeng reacted instantly, swinging a punch to his right only for his fist to be caught effortlessly.

In the blink of an eye, they reappeared on stage wile Shan Yifeng was already laying down unconscious.