When Senior Sister Zhao visited Li Fan the following day, she was startled to find that he had already achieved a large degree of mastery in the Taiyuan Unity Art. Only some final refinements remained.

She was pleased for him, yet an inexplicable emptiness welled up inside her.

"Senior Sister, spar with me!" Li Fan said suddenly.

"Huh?" Senior Sister Zhao blinked. "What?"

"What’s your current cultivation realm, Senior Sister?" Li Fan asked.

She hesitated briefly, then answered honestly. "Late-stage Foundation Establishment. Why?"

Li Fan showed no surprise at her rapid progress. Instead, he clapped and praised her warmly. "Senior Brother Zhang was right about you. Your talent really is exceptional."

The compliment brought a faint flush to her cheeks.

"Still,"...