"Good!" Li Bai exclaimed the moment Tian You agreed. "We're both men—definitely not Qi Cultivators! And judging by your noble bearing, young master, you're clearly no martial artist either!"

Tian You nodded vaguely, only half-understanding. He'd awakened mere days ago; his knowledge of this world came solely from Hua Zhaoxue's words yesterday. The only adults he'd met were Hua Zhaoxue and Nie Wangqing. Though Tian You sensed Li Bai was deliberately provoking him, he found Li Bai's demeanor far more normal than Nie Wangqing's—at least he didn't trigger that instinctive unease.

Seeing Tian You nod, Li Bai gradually steadied himself, though his voice still betrayed a trace of agitation. "I've studied over ten years. I won't claim vast erudition, but I trust my skills are modestly honed. Since you're plainly no warrior, you must be a scholar. How about a literary duel? Let me witness just how brilliantly talented the 'younger brother' favored by a prodigy like Miss Hua truly is!"

His final words dripped with gritted-teeth resentment—taunting, bitter.

"You!" Hua Zhaoxue shot to her feet, unable to endure Li Bai's relentless pressure. Others might not know Tian You's condition, but she did: this ethereally graceful youth had awakened only yesterday, stripped of all past memories. How could he possibly face a literary challenge?

"Li Bai! I held back earlier only to avoid a scene! Do you truly believe I fear you?!"

Before Tian You could intervene, Hua Zhaoxue stepped swiftly before him. Her slender hands glowed crimson; black hair and long skirt stirred without wind, framing her like a celestial maiden amid blooming flowers.

The entire Flower Pavilion fell into stunned silence. Hua Zhaoxue was Huanan's sole woman blessed with Prayer Aura—yet always gentle, never wielding power to intimidate. Those close to her had nearly forgotten she was a Qi Cultivator.

How could such a serene woman transform so fiercely for a boy?

Though shocked, none dared approach. Even Sister Zhao, closest to her, stood far on the upper floor, eyes complex as she watched Hua Zhaoxue's anger-flushed beauty...

"You..."

Li Bai's handsome face flushed deep purplish-red with shock and bitterness. A flick of his sleeve summoned the yellow bead into his palm. His fingers clenched it tight; madness flickered hotter in his gaze.

A chill unease stirred in Hua Zhaoxue's heart. She disliked conflict. Though she found Li Bai's persistence tiresome, he'd never crossed propriety—so she'd never pushed back harshly.

Yet seeing him corner Tian You ignited a sudden, nameless fire in her usually placid soul. She'd only meant to scare him off.

But Li Bai showed no fear—only unraveling madness, stripped of Huanan's famed "First Young Master" grace.

How could Hua Zhaoxue, sheltered from men's hearts, know her instinctive anger was the very spark that shattered his restraint?

Had Tian You accepted the duel and lost, Li Bai would've seethed—but not broken.

But Hua Zhaoxue's intervention, just as Tian You nearly agreed? To Li Bai, it was blatant favoritism. *If he had talent, why stop him?!*

"Hua Zhaoxue!" Madness shattered decorum. He spat her name. "He and I are men! We may lack your Qi Cultivators' status, but we keep our dignity! Lose fairly? I'd accept it! But this public shielding—what does it mean?! Are you so afraid he'll lose to me?!"

Hua Zhaoxue's poised form trembled slightly. She glanced back at Tian You. Meeting his calm, pure violet eyes, she steeled herself—teeth clenched, unmoving.

"Good... good... good..."

Li Bai's fury cooled into eerie calm. The madness in his eyes receded, yet a dark ember still smoldered deep within.

"We're leaving," he told the distant servants flatly.

"B-but the gifts..." The head servant stammered, trembling. His master had been raging seconds ago—now ice-cold.

Li Bai's gaze drifted to Hua Zhaoxue. She looked almost guilt-stricken, no longer imposing. Catching his look, she averted her eyes—but stood firm before Tian You.

Behind her, Tian You remained serene, violet eyes clear and untroubled, neither stepping back nor forward.

*My honor shattered today... while he stands untouched.* Malice flashed in Li Bai's eyes. His grip crushed the yellow bead.

"Today, I yield," Li Bai declared coldly. "Hua Zhaoxue—this isn't over. Farewell!"

He strode out without a glance at the abandoned gifts or bewildered servants, the door slamming shut behind him.

Silence swallowed the Flower Pavilion.

Hua Zhaoxue kept her head lowered, mute. After a long pause, she turned to Tian You, voice soft as falling petals:

"Tian You... let's go home..."