Eloquent Ascent

"Looks like we're going to have a show," Xu Qi smilingly said as he jumped onto the stage, trying to keep up appearances just like earlier, his robes fluttering in the light breeze that swept through the mountain peak. "Let's not disappoint the crowd."

Ji Feiyang nodded, her eyes gleaming with challenge. She knew she had the upper hand in terms of cultivation but Xu Qi's unpredictability was something she had to consider.

She gripped her wooden sword tightly and pointed it at Xu Qi, "You won't make fun of me like Zhou Feng, will you?"

"Oh, I'd never," Xu Qi replied with a gallant bow, his smile never faltering. "I find that a true gentleman should always respect his opponents, especially one as lovely and formidable as yourself."

The crowd gasped at his sudden charm offensive. Everyone always goes for the throat right away but Xu Qi... He was different.

The tension seemingly thickened as they awaited her response.

Taken aback by his refined approach, Ji Feiyang's expression wavered slightly, her cheeks flushed at the unexpected flattery. She did expect that Xu Qi would try something with that snake tongue of his but not like that.

"Well then, I shall look forward to your performance," Her voice sounded steady but her eyes betrayed a hint of curiosity at this young man. She hadn't heard a lot of rumors about him this past week because of her closed-door cultivation to reach the fifth stage. But now she was here, facing the man who had captured the hearts of many female disciples, and she couldn't help but feel a strange mix of excitement and wariness.

The match began with a signal from Elder Qiang. The old man's voice echoed through the arena, and the crowd fell into a tense silence. Even without anything happening yet, Xu Qi's match was instantly put on the center screen as if every spectator had been waiting for his next match. And that includes the Elder presiding over the competition.

Xu Qi took a deep breath, maintaining the calmness in his dantian and his subtle control over the surrounding primal elements. He knew that this was no time for playful banter but the Celestial Eloquence was his handy tool albeit it was far from invincible.

He had to be careful in applying the uniqueness of an Elemental Whisperer and continue making use of what he does best. His way with words.

"Forgive me for saying this, Miss Ji. But watching the lightning dance around you was too mesmerizing. Perhaps, after this match, you'd be kind enough to give me a private show?" Xu Qi paired his words with correct facial expressions and gestures. It was like an invisible knife formed from his charm that aimed to stab straight and become like a lightning rod for the lightning maiden.

The crowd winced at Xu Qi's audacity, expecting a fiery backlash from the usually stoic Ji Feiyang. She was known to be aloof. And yet, to everyone's surprise, Xu Qi's words drew a chuckle from the young maiden. The tension around her dissipated slightly.

"A private show, you say? Perhaps if you can keep up with me in this dance," She replied, a spark of amusement in her eyes. Her lightning-infused wooden blade crackled, leaving a trail of purple light, "However, Xu Qi, will your woman approve of it?"

Her words were a deliberate jab at his relationship with Ling Lian, and Xu Qi knew it. He put on a smile and glanced at Ling Lian and Xiao Yue's direction before replying, "Ah, Miss Ji, you flatter me. But I assure you, I am as devoted to the art of cultivation as I am to the heart of the one who holds the key to it. However, keys can be duplicated, can it not?"

The crowd murmured in shock. Those who had just watched him cuddling Ling Lian couldn't believe the audacity. Many wondered if Ling Lian would be in a fit of rage. But to everyone's surprise, Ling Lian just burst into laughter. They knew Xu Qi was just playing his usual game.

She was well aware of how deadly his words were. It's like an irresistible whisper for women. But at this time, Xu Qi was a sincere person. She experienced it herself that's why she's as secure as she could be.

With the first move, Xu Qi didn't go for an attack. Instead, he whispered to the wind, "Miss Ji. I'm not an uncouth man who will simply humiliate his opponent. And even though my words could be taken as audacious, I assure you they're as gentle as a caress."

As he commanded the primal elements of wind, he took the basic stance of the Wind Whisper Art, its elegance being its highlight, he prepared to receive Ji Feiyang's sword.

The Lightning Maiden's eyes narrowed as she sized him up, she knew she could easily beat him in a straightforward fight, but there was something about his demeanor that was unsettling. He was too calm, too composed. It's as if he had an ace up his sleeve. She took a step forward, her blade sizzling with electricity.

She couldn't deny that his words carried something else within, it was like it was drawing her in. But she remained steadfast. Her resolute heart that she cultivated helped her resist the urge to be swayed by his eloquence. She knew that she had to be focused on the fight.

The match began in earnest, and the first clash of a weapon to a fist rang through the air. The wind whipped up around Xu Qi as he performed the movements of the Wind Whisper Art, dodging, parrying and counterattacking with a grace that seemed almost ethereal. The primal element of wind that danced around him didn't feel like they were there to harm, rather it felt like it was embracing him, guiding his movements to match those of someone of the two-stages higher cultivator like Ji Feiyang.

However, Ji Feiyang's blade was just too fast. Xu Qi's Elemental Whisperer technique, while unique, was still in its early stages. Despite his eloquent words and clever tactics, the raw power gap was too significant. Her blade, a blur of purple lightning, struck down upon him, and the crowd collectively held their breath.

"Miss Ji." Xu Qi groaned in pain as he felt the lightning crackle against his skin but his voice remained calm, "Your blade is as sharp as your wit, my eyes have been opened."

He mumbled quietly, his qi coating his words as he whispered to the primal elements of lightning infused in her wooden sword.

Ji Feiyang's eyes widened as she felt her blade, which she had complete control over, started to tremble slightly. The lightning's dance grew erratic as it was now dancing to the tune of Xu Qi's words.

She took a step back, not understanding the sudden change. "What just happened? I didn't fail to resonate, right?" She wondered in her head, her heart racing.