"CALLING JIANG WANYIN AND JIN ZIXUN TO THE ARENA!"

The sect leaders were watching from the highest grounds and the rest were around the place.

Both contestants entered from opposite sides and drew out their swords.

'This will be an easy win' Jiang Wanyin thought before the two started clashing their swords at each other.

Jiang Yanli was cheering for her brother quietly.

She was then staring at her sparring partner Jin Zixuan who was cleaning his sword before getting a few experimental slashes.

Jiang Yanli was going to make her way towards him before the Jin Heir had called someone out which made her stop.

"Wei Wuxian!" Jin Zixuan called the younger male "What do you want peacock!?" Wei Wuxian walked up to his direction.

"Stop calling me that and do you have a talisman that can like clean clothes or something? This one is nasty." Jin Zixuan said pointing towards the cloth he used to clean his sword.

"How long has it been since you last cleaned your sword!?" Wei Wuxian held the bridge of his nose.

"Hey! I was busy! Also I think it had been 2 months? I don't know but do you have a talisman for this?"

Wei Wuxian groaned "Do I look like I can make anything out of this air? No, I do not, just put it aside or something and wash your hands."

Jiang Yanli decided that she will talk to Zixuan later, she went back to see her brother fight.

She turned just in time to see her brother win against Jin Zixun.

"THE WINNER HERE IS JIANG WANYIN WHO WILL BE PARTICIPATINGIN THE SECOND ROUND! JIN ZIXUN HAS BEEN ELIMINATED."

If Jin Zixun was conscious he would have retorted back for this!

"MOVING ON TO THE NEXT PARTNER JIN ZIXUAN AND JIANG YANLI!"

Loud cheers came from the Jin Sect as they heard their heir's name and soft cheers came from the Jiang sect mostly because they didn't want to get punished.

"READY,

SET,

SPAR!"

Jin Zixuan attacked first and Jiang Yanli managed to dodge a few hits and block attacks before her sword was removed from her grip and Jin Zixuan's sword on her neck to say that he had her on check.

This all happened under atleast a minute.

"JIN ZIXUAN WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN THE NEXT ROUND! JIANG YANLI HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!"

Jiang Yanli thought that Jin Zixuan would help her up but to her surprise he just bowed and left the circle.

She got up and dusted herself before smiling sadly towards where her brother was.

The next spars were either simple, graceful, ruthless, and name the rest.

The next round came up and it was between Jin Zixuan and Lan Wangji.

'Lan Wangji please go easy on me!' Jin Zixuan mentally prayed as they were the first to spar for the second round before the championship round.

Swords clash, yellow and blue sword glares shown on each other.

Of course in the end Lan Wangji won because well...he had years of training?

And so on the next spars went on.

Soon enough the last partner for the second round were Jiang Wanyin and Wei Wuxian.

"Wei Wuxian, you'll pay for all this." Jiang Wanyin pointed his sword at the slightly older male who shrugged "Only one way to find out."

And so purple clashes with red.

A few minutes into the fight, Jiang Wanyin realizes he's being toyed with.

"ARE YOU UNDERMINING ME!? STOP TOYING AROUND AND FIGHT ME PROPERLY!"

Jiang Fengmian who was watching from above can only frown when he heard those words from his son.

The same words his mother always used.

"Are you undermining me!?"

Wei Wuxian smiled as he got onto stance "You asked for it."

And so Wei Wuxian did not hold back and went on to attack Jiang Wanyin with full force.

Jiang Wanyin didn't get any chance to attack as his focus was to block and dodge all of his attacks.

Once Jiang Wanyin tripped, Wei Wuxian kicked the sword on his hand and it landed out of the arena.

"JIANG WANYIN IS OUT! CULTIVATORS PREPARE FOR THE LAST ROUND!"

Wei Wuxian looked down at Jiang Wanyin who was openly glaring at him but...when does he not glare exactly?

"You should work on your footwork, you balance is lacking."

Wei Wuxian advised him but all he got was a "I don't need your useless advice!" From Wanyin before the other stood up and grabbed his sword.

"Like I said, With or without an arrow shoot on his head. he will never learn." Wei Wuxian heard Jin Zixuan's voice from behind.

"Nevermind him, Wei Ying let's get refreshments before the last round." Lan Wangji held out his arm for Wei Wuxian who gladly took it.

"Sure! Let's get something cold or sweet!"

—————————

Half an hour later the contestants have returned and the last round had begun.

"Your brother has improved more than the last time I saw him." Nie Mingjue commented.

Lan Xichen sighed sadly "He's growing up too quickly, he even beated me when we spared twice, I need to up my game."

Nie Mingjue looked at Huaisang "Atleast I don't have to worry about that."

Nie Huaisang smirked as Lan Xichen unlanly groaned.

The competition went in smoothly, as smooth as it could.

And in the finals we have Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian.

"Those two are familiar with each other's skills, Wanna bet who's going to win?" Nie Huaisang asked Jin Zixuan.

"Winner get what?" Jin Zixuan asked "Loser will be the Winner's servant for a day." Huaisang challenged.

"Deal, who's your pick?" Jin Zixuan asked.

"I'll go with Ji-Xiong" Nie Huaisang sounded confident.

"I'll go with Wei Wuxian then." Jin Zixuan shrugged.

"And if they both are tied?" Nie Mingjue asked the two who shrugged "Then nothing."

"Lan Zhan, you ready?" Wei Wuxian couldn't help but ask "Always." and so their spar started.

It was aggressive yet graceful.

Gold meets silver.

Blue meets red.

The fight had lasted around 15 minutes surprising the crowd.

"I yield."

Wei Wuxian said as soon as Lan Wangji's sword had met his neck.

"LAN WANJI IS THE FINAL WINNER!"

"Great." Jin Zixuan grumbled "Now, now, Jin-xiong, mind getting me some sweets?" Huaisang teased before the Jin Heir grumbled and stood up.

They met up with the other's.

Jin Zixuan was talking with them before a girl came up towards them.

"ZIXUAN!"

"Oh? Mianmian." Jin Zixuan questioned before he turned to his friends "This is my childhood friend, Luo Qingyang, mostly known as Mianmian."

Mianmian smiled "Pleased to meet you all, I thought I would have to be responsible

with him making friends because he can't socialize even if it's a life or death Situation!"

"Mianmian!" Jin Zixuan smacked her arm.

"Don't hit a girl would ya? Also your father is calling for you." she said.

"Well l'll see you all later." Jin Zixuan said.

"Pleased meeting you Mianmian." Nie Huaisang said.

"Next time we meet, mind sharing some embarrassing stories about Jin Zixuan?" Wei Wuxian asked and Mianmian raised a brow "Mianmian...don't you dare." Jin Zixuan said.

"Sure! I'II tell you what you need to know!" With that she ran away from Zixuan knowing the other was going to be following her because she'll probably die.

—————————

"Wei Ying did well." was the first thing Lan Wangji said as the two entered their shared room.

"Lan Zhan also did well!" Wei Wuxian laughed as he finally made his hair back onto a ponytail.

"How do you Lans deal with this hairstyle? It's so hot!" Wei Wuxian whined.

"We live on the mountain."

"Of course, that makes a lot of sense."

Wei Wuxian tolled his eyes.

"Anyways, we're all heading back Tommorow afternoon aren't we?"

Lan Wangji hummed.

"I suppose I would make a shortcut heading towards Dafan, I was planning to visit them after all this."

Lan Wangji hummed "Do you mind if I go with you?" He asked as Cloud Recesses wasn't going to get burnt down until 4 months later.

He hid the copied books and scriptures in the cave, but he has to make sure brother doesn't meet up with Jin Guangyao.

Nie Huaisang is keeping him in check, Qinghe would be attacked in 3 months, Huaisang got some parts finalized especially when Xue Yang will be brought to Qinghe by Song Lan and Xiao

Xingchen.

In his timeline, Wei Wuxian never met his uncle, maybe this time they'll be able to meet, hopefully.

"Lan Zhan!"

"Eh?" Lan Wangji blinked as Wei Wuxian sighed in relief "You were thinking about something so hard, I already said that Yes, you can come if me."

Lan Wangji smiled "Nice!" He went on and hugged the younger male.

"Alright get off me! What were you thinking so hard about!?"

Lan Wangji sighed "I just have a bad feeling about something." he mumbled but he didn't mind that because his bunny had patted his head.

"I'll be there for you, tell me if that bad feeling comes again, it's probably a sign for something." Wei Wuxian said.

"How many children are there? In Dafan?" Lan Wangji asked.

"Currently there are 5, 3 are old enough to learn cultivation, one that is still learning how to walk and another one who is still in their mother's womb." Wei Wuxian counted.

"Does Lan-er-gege want to meet them? I didn't know Lan Zhan liked kids." Wei Wuxian teased.

"I like kids, isn't Yingying still 3 years old?" Lan Wang booped his beloved's nose.

"You-how is my heart going to survive you?"

"It will, I'll make sure of it."

—————————

The two were walking as they made their way towards Dafan.

"How is it like?" Lan Wangji asked.

"Hm? How is what?"

"You know, being rogue?" He questioned because well...he likes hearing Wei Wuxian's voice.

"Oh, it feels nice actually, aside from money problems, you are...free, no sect to tie you down, no need to look after your image, you're free to act as crazy as you dare!" He smiled.

"Oh! You also get to meet new people, make friends, meet other rogue cultivators and all that! If you're lucky you'll see a lot of places that other's haven't found yet." he said excitedly.

"Seems fun." Lan Wangji said.

"You should join me on a nighthunt one day." Wei Wuxian said.

"How could I say no to that request? Just say when and this er-gege of yours will meet you by then." Lan Wangji bent down and took Wei Wuxian's hand and kissed it.

Wei Wuxian squeaked "L-Lan Zhan..." he hid his face behind his free hand.

"Why are you even doing all this?" He mumbled out the question as he avoided eye contact when they started walking again.

"For you."

Wei Wuxian nearly tripped.

"M-me?"

Lan Wangji huffed out a laugh "If not you who else? I want your heart."

"B-but why me? You could have other's who are better than me?" Wei Wuxian asked.

Lan Wangji walked towards him as he talked.

"Because Wei Ying is capable."

*Step*

"Wei Ying is talented."

*Step*

"Wei Ying is my soulmate."

*Step*

Wei Wuxian was stepping back for every phrase Lan Wangji was saying until his back had touched the back of the tree.

"Wei Ying is beautiful."

"Wei Ying is kind."

"Wei Ying deserves everything."

Wei Wuxian whimpered as he avoided eye contact with the elder.

"Lan Zhan..."

Lan Wangji place his left arm on the side of Wei Wuxian's head, pinning him towards the tree and used his other hand to grab the younger's chin and make him face the older.

"Wei Ying, it can't be anyone but you, My heart belongs to you."

"Y-you mean it?"

Wei Wuxian's heart was going circles.

He knows his feelings for the older was something he couldn't tell but just now, just now that he was being pinned, he understood what he was feeling.

He fucking fell in love with Lan Wangji.

"Of course, why do you think I have been flirting with you since you arrived at Cloud Recesses?"

Wei Wuxian blinked "Y-you were flirting with me?" He pointed at himself dumbly.

Lan Wang laughed "Yes I have been, but it seems that my bunny over here was too dense, should I prove my love to you some other way?"

Wei Wuxian looked at the elder's eyes as Lan Wangji leaned in.

They were only centimeters away until...

"Xian-gege! Xian-gege is back!"