Su Jue stepped forward and touched An Ke's forehead, then touched his own.

Nope, the temperature was normal, no fever.

"I'm not sick, Junior Brother!"

An Ke's beautiful eyes shimmered as she looked at Su Jue, "Junior Brother, I understand your feelings!"

"What feelings?"

Su Jue asked curiously.

"Stop pretending, Junior Brother, I know everything."

An Ke blinked shyly.

Su Jue was a bit confused, "Huh? Senior Sister, I really don't understand."

"Alright, I know you're shy and embarrassed, but I understand."

An Ke had a look of complete understanding.

"....."

Su Jue felt something was off, something didn't seem right.

"Senior Sister, are you sure we're talking about the same thing?" Su Jue asked in confusion.

An Ke asked knowingly, "Is it because of the poem you wrote for me?"

"Yeah."

Su Jue replied.

If it weren't for An Ke, he wouldn't have wanted to stand out like this.

Seeing his Senior Sister so cute and innocent, and having upset her just now, he thought he should make it up to her.

"Then that's it, I understand your feelings, Junior Brother."

An Ke was both touched and happy, patting Su Jue's shoulder as she spoke.

He had taken the trouble to understand her past, encouraged her, recognized her, praised her, and even made sacrifices for her.

How could she not be moved by such a Junior Brother who quietly did so much for her?

"......"

Su Jue still felt like they were talking about different things, but he couldn't figure out where the misunderstanding was.

An Ke's pretty face was tinged with a blush, "But we should take it slow, I'm a bit slow to warm up."

"...... I hope we're talking about the same thing."

Su Jue's mouth twitched, what was with this sudden shyness?

"Don't worry, Junior Brother."

An Ke completely believed that Su Jue was just shy, so she didn't bring it up again.

"Since the painting session is over, let's go, Senior Sister."

Su Jue noticed that everyone's attention was somewhat focused on him, and he didn't want to be watched like a monkey.

Luckily, the painting session was over, and he had no interest in the upcoming poetry session.

"Alright."

An Ke nodded with a smile as bright as a flower.

She guessed that Junior Brother must want to take a walk with her, otherwise, he wouldn't be in such a hurry.

It seemed all her guesses were correct!

If Su Jue knew what was going on in An Ke's mind, he would definitely feel wronged and think, "Senior Sister, are you a drama queen?"

Su Jue couldn't have imagined that An Ke had painted Lushan, it was too much of a coincidence, he might not even believe it if he were told.

Li Changle keenly noticed Su Jue and An Ke quietly leaving the scene.

No wonder he refused her invitation, the woman beside him was a stunning beauty, equally as captivating.

Xiao Qing also noticed Su Jue, silently noting that this was the first time a man showed no interest in the Eldest Princess.

"Su Jue, I'll remember you."

Li Changle softly murmured Su Jue's name, her eyes flickering slightly.

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"Junior Brother, where are we going?"

After leaving the tavern, An Ke tilted her head and asked.

Su Jue stretched lazily, feeling a bit tired after a busy day, "Let's find a place to rest."

He paused, then turned to the stunning beauty beside him and smiled, "And take a walk while we're at it."

"Alright~"

........

The next day.

The Prodigy Tournament began.

In the vast plaza of the Zhenguan Dynasty, disciples from various sects gathered and took their seats.

In front of each disciple's seat was a special token engraved with their sect's emblem.

This not only helped them find their seats without confusion but also allowed the young participants of the Prodigy Tournament to have options to choose from.

Su Jue and An Ke were among them, but their seats were clearly higher and more spacious, offering a full view of the event.

On stage, many young boys and girls were eager to try their luck, as this was the closest they had ever been to the Immortal Pathway.

There were also many spectators, including independent cultivators, who came to watch the excitement.

Many of the disciples' gazes lingered on the Sword Sect's representatives on the platform.

The Sword Sect was well-known, after all, it was named after the sword.

The sword, being the king of all weapons, symbolized elegance and grace, making it the most admired weapon among young people.

In addition, the Sword Sect was powerful, with an Emperor-level expert overseeing it, attracting countless disciples who wanted to join.

Coincidentally, not far from the Sword Sect was the Repair Heaven Pavilion.

The Repair Heaven Pavilion was a sect on par with the Sword Sect, both having Emperor-level experts.

Su Jue curiously glanced over and saw a woman wearing a veil and another without one, both dressed in palace attire.

The unveiled woman was also a beauty, but compared to An Ke and Lin Qingchen, she was a few levels lower.

However, she was still quite striking among the crowd.

Su Jue's attention wasn't on the unveiled woman, but on the veiled woman beside her.

Her white clothes were spotless, and a cold arrogance emanated from her.

Due to the veil, her face was unclear, but her exposed eyes were like autumn water, calm and without a trace of distraction.

She was extraordinary, ethereal, like a fairy, clearly sitting beside him, yet as distant as the bright moon.

She must be Fairy Yuechan, Yue Qinglian.

Su Jue felt she was quite extraordinary, reaching Foundation Establishment Perfection at eighteen, truly terrifying!

Su Jue also took this opportunity to observe the other forces on par with the Sword Sect, all having Emperor-level experts.

The disciples they sent were all outstanding, with exceptional talent.

"Su Jue, what are you looking at?"

An Ke asked curiously. Just yesterday, after the two of them enjoyed the evening breeze and took a walk, their relationship had warmed, and An Ke no longer called him Junior Brother.

"Nothing."

Su Jue shook his head and withdrew his gaze.

Some of the prodigies might be pressuring him now, but as time passed, this pressure would only diminish.

An Emperor was just the beginning; he was destined to become a god.

"Mm-hmm, the Prodigy Tournament is about to start. Master told me our task this time is to recruit thirty disciples with Fine-grade talent."

"Recruit fifty with Excellent-grade talent, and try to bring all those with Supreme-grade and Sacred-grade talent into the Sword Sect, if there are any with Sacred-grade talent."

An Ke explained the task for this Prodigy Tournament.

"I understand."

Su Jue nodded.

There were six levels in total, aside from the five levels An Ke mentioned, there was a Low-grade talent below Fine-grade.

The Sword Sect had no interest in recruiting those with Low-grade talent, and even those with Fine-grade talent were only recruited in limited numbers, only enough to survive in the outer sect.

Su Jue himself had Sacred-grade talent, as expected of a villain, everything except his brain was top-notch.

Sacred-grade talent hadn't appeared in a long time, usually only once every few hundred years, but in this era of rising prodigies, the frequency of Sacred-grade talent appearing was increasing.

An Ke, on the other hand, had Supreme-grade talent, just shy of being considered Sacred-grade, but unfortunately, she couldn't quite make the leap.

Su Jue's attention was fully on the high platform, remembering the sect task while also not forgetting the system task.

On the high platform stood a massive stone pillar, covered in Sanskrit, used for testing talent.

Whether one was a dragon or a worm, a bull or a horse, this pillar would reveal all.