I Don’t Talk About Love With My Martial Sister Chapter 10

Wanshao glanced at Shang Can’s dark circles under her eyes, wanting to say something but hesitating.

… Ever since arriving at Tianwaitian, that dark circle had never faded. Even though the morning bell of Tianwaitian rang very early, was it really necessary for a distinguished cultivator like her to become so haggard just because of an early wake-up?

If it weren’t for her knowing that Shang Can was indeed under some psychological pressure, she would genuinely suspect that Shang Can was secretly meeting someone every night, which was why she looked so sleep-deprived.

“I found the formation eye last night.” Shang Can immediately dispelled her suspicions as she spoke. Wanshao looked at Shang Can in shock and shame, seeing her half-closed eyes that were devoid of energy, completely unaware of the change in Wanshao’s expression. “Yesterday, I was worried that if I rashly broke it, I might alert others, so tonight we’ll dismantle the barrier and then leave.”

“Okay—huh?” Wanshao replied halfway before stopping, her mouth agape as she looked at Shang Can, a glint of wariness flashing in her eyes. “We? Me and you? What about the Dao Heart Lotus Seed? Is it coming with us?”

“That’s a good question. You might as well go ask it yourself.”

Shang Can turned her head away, appearing fatigued.

“I’ve tried hard to find it, but given the current situation, it’s highly likely that it’s under the pillow in the Master’s bedroom of Tianwaitian. If you want to investigate, I won’t stop you, but there’s no need to drag me along.”

“… If we just go back like this, doesn’t that mean we only went out for a stroll?”

Seeing Wanshao’s eyes widen in anger, her voice rising, Shang Can cleared her throat and started to spout nonsense seriously.

“Look, even if I stay here, I might not be able to get first place—don’t be in such a hurry to get angry, hear me out. Even if, by some chance, I really do get first place, defeating Yunduan and Yushan Jun would make me the center of attention, and that’s definitely not a good thing.”

Shang Can gestured with her eyes to indicate that their fabricated background couldn’t withstand scrutiny, then shifted her tone. “Moreover, just because I’m leaving today doesn’t mean I won’t be able to get the Dao Heart Lotus Seed.”

“We can just snatch it from the first place winner! That’s much simpler than fighting in the arena for so long, right?”

… It sounded reasonable, but given the current situation, the credibility was quite low.

Wanshao was not easily fooled, sneering with disdain. “What if Yunduan got first place?”

Shang Can’s expression was earnest. “I’ll just snatch it.”

“Your eyes are wandering. Look at me when you speak.”

“I’ll snatch it, I’ll snatch it.”

“It sounds like you’re lying!”

Choosing to selectively ignore Wanshao’s outburst, Shang Can felt that the most important thing was to escape from Yunduan’s side as quickly as possible; everything else could wait.

Though she didn’t know where her ominous premonition was coming from, she just felt that if things continued down this path, nothing good would come of it.

For her and for Yunduan alike.

Finding the formation eye took much longer than expected. It had been three days since she last parted from Yunduan, and thanks to Shang Can’s cautiousness, she had managed to avoid encountering Yunduan during these three days.

This precarious mindset was truly exhausting. That night, Shang Can tossed and turned, falling into a fitful sleep for a few minutes only to wake in fright, her nightmares filled with Yunduan’s cold, frosty face and emotionless inquiries.

【Why?】

The simplest of three words was heavy with complex entanglements between them. Shang Can could think of several possible directions for that question, yet none were ones she could answer clearly.

If she could, she’d want to ask why as well; for instance, why did she have to avoid her once-beloved junior sister like the plague? And also, why—

“The next match has been decided, Senior Sister.”

The sudden call startled Shang Can, causing her to shiver. She shot a glare at the nonchalant Wanshao, temporarily interrupting her thoughts as she followed the cultivators up to the arena to line up for her draw.

Even though she had already decided to make a break for it today, she still needed to act more conventionally beforehand to avoid drawing suspicion.

It was soon her turn. Shang Can gently touched the drawing cylinder, infusing a bit of spiritual energy. The cylinder shook slightly before smoothly releasing a slender wooden stick, which landed in her palm.

A quick glance made her change her expression instantly.

The small seal on the slender stick seemed to mock her, remaining unchanged no matter how she looked at it. The surge of anger and shock within her caused Shang Can to laugh instead.

【Three hundred seventy-five, Qingyu Yunduan.】

Great, she couldn’t believe that there was no foul play involved…! Who was behind this—

Gritting her teeth, Shang Can walked down from the arena, feeling dazed and unsure of whom to confront.

She tried not to think about whether Yunduan already knew about this matter, only seething internally, wondering why she needed to ask so many whys.

… Why was it that since arriving at Tianwaitian, she and Yunduan seemed like two magnets—she just couldn’t escape?

“I don’t want to go.”

Crouching on the ground like a mushroom, Shang Can spoke with a muffled voice. Wanshao stood beside her, arms crossed, coldly laughing.

“Senior Sister, your match is coming up soon, what are you still doing here crouching?”

“Watching ants move their house. Can you stop calling me that?”

“You didn’t soften your tone when you called me your junior sister, did you?”

What a vengeful character! Shang Can couldn’t be bothered to respond, continuing to focus intently on watching the ants carry food.

“What’s so interesting?” Wanshao asked, puzzled. She leaned in to take a peek before pulling back, impatiently saying, “If you don’t go over soon, the acting head will shout your name throughout Tianwaitian— even the ants can’t afford to lose you!”

What’s embarrassing about it? Anyway, they would be calling a fake name then.

Shang Can remained silent, slowly pulling out a piece of candy, unwrapping it and placing it on the ground, clearly prepared to observe the ants eat sugar until nightfall.

“Why are you wasting food!” Wanshao became suddenly angry, trying to tug at Shang Can’s sleeve to pull her up. “What’s wrong with fighting a match? You’re—”

As she spoke, she stumbled over her words, and after a long pause, she finally spoke again, her voice inexplicably weak, as if she had shrunk three sizes. “Yun, Yunduan.”

Shang Can jumped up as if faced with a great enemy, but looking around, she saw no one.

Coming back to her senses, she glared at the chuckling Wanshao, crossing her arms expressionlessly.

“Oh, look at you.” Wanshao, who had tricked someone yet felt no remorse, grinned and playfully winked. “Since you care so much, why not just act on it?”

“I don’t know your business that well, but I think…” Wanshao glanced at Shang Can, shrugging. “You seemed pretty happy lately.”

“…”

Shang Can reflexively opened her mouth, but her mind went blank, unable to retort.

Being a little willful won’t bring down divine retribution,” Wanshao said confidently, giving Shan Can’s shoulder a firm pat. She continued earnestly, “You cultivators worry too much! If something makes you happy, just go for it! It’s ridiculous that you just said you’d steal the Dao Heart Lotus from the champion, and now you won’t even participate in a competition. I think you’re just trying to fool me—”

As she spoke, Wanshao grew frustrated, but Shan Can was too distracted to respond.

If someone asked her if she was happy lately, Shan Can would have to admit that there was indeed a bit of joy within her.

It had been a long, long time since she last saw Yunduan.

If only life could be as straightforwardly joyful as the saying “like a long-awaited rain after a drought” or “meeting an old friend in a foreign land.”

“…Fine, I’ll go,” she suddenly changed her mind and turned, wobbling slightly as she made her way to the arena.

She would treat it as a chance to say the words she had never spoken: “Take care.”

Being a little willful won’t bring down divine retribution.

At least, she hoped so.

When Shan Can reached the arena, the timing was perfect.

The cultivators below, eager to see Yunduan take action, were growing impatient and urged her to hurry onto the stage.

The person on stage remained silent, quietly watching her. Dressed in white like snow, Yunduan had a commanding presence that was hard to ignore.

“I thought you wouldn’t come,” she remarked.

It was difficult to tell whether there was sadness or joy in her voice. Shan Can chuckled softly and replied, “Isn’t it good to win without a fight?”

Yunduan shook her head, her right hand slowly resting on the hilt of her Wuyou sword at her waist, her dark eyes straightforwardly fixed on Shan Can, who was still standing at the edge of the arena.

“You’re very strong.”

“Don’t hold back.”

Their exchange had already stirred whispers among the audience, and Yunduan’s direct words only drew more curious glances toward Shan Can.

“Yun Zhongjun actually praises someone’s strength…”

“I think I recognize her. She only needed one move to win the last arena match without even drawing her sword.”

Shan Can was no stranger to the mix of awe and respect in the gazes directed at her, and for a moment, she felt as if she had returned to her days as the illustrious Shan Can of Qingyu, brimming with confidence and vigor.

In a fleeting moment of disorientation, she found herself asking, “What if I hold back?”

“…”

Yunduan tilted her head, pondering for a while, then hesitantly spoke up.

“…A few days ago, you ate my sweet cake.”

Oh really, she made it sound as if Shan Can had stolen Yunduan’s cake. What a master of twisting the truth, this Yunduan.

The thought made Shan Can chuckle, her lips curling as she casually reached for the sword at her waist and sighed.

“Well, it seems I have no choice. Having committed such a heinous act, I suppose I must duel with you—”

Before she could finish, a chill ran down her spine. She swiftly turned and drew her sword from its sheath, charging towards the arena’s edge and thrusting her sword decisively at the cultivator in front of her.

The strike was unadorned yet incredibly swift; no one around had time to react.

The cultivator stood wide-eyed as Shan Can’s sword came at her, too late to even scream, instinctively closing her eyes.

“…Ah, huh?”

The sound of the blade piercing flesh echoed, but the pain didn’t come immediately.

When the cultivator cautiously opened her eyes, she saw Shan Can retracting her sword, her brow furrowed as she sliced through a few strands of hair.

A heavy thud echoed behind her, mixed with a dying, hoarse cry. Finally realizing what had happened, the other cultivators turned to see a grotesque beast lying dead on the ground, its blood-red eyes and the thickening aura around it revealing its true identity—

“…It’s a demon!”

The sudden turn of events sent the cultivators into a panic. Pei Chen, the acting leader of Tianwaitian, hurried forward. After examining the demon’s corpse, his expression shifted rapidly, and he urgently instructed his disciples, “Go check the array’s focal point! How could a demon breach this place?”

The disciples, flustered, prepared to head toward the focal point, only to be blocked by Yunduan, who had left the arena.

“Don’t go.”

As she said this, Yunduan didn’t look at them but cast a deep glance at Shan Can, then turned her gaze toward the direction of Tianwaitian’s gate, her brow furrowed.

“It’s too late.”

Naturally, it was too late.

Shan Can gripped the sword hilt tightly, glancing at Wanshao hidden among the crowd, only to see her wearing a look of bewilderment, similar to the other cultivators.

The demonic aura thickened at an unimaginable speed, making it hard for the weaker cultivators to breathe.

The pressure was immense, suggesting that hundreds or even thousands of demon beasts surrounded them, nearing a point where their appearance would no longer be surprising.

…But why? Just moments ago, everything had been calm, and Shan Can hadn’t sensed any demonic energy, as if all these creatures had suddenly materialized out of thin air.

As panic spread among the crowd, the bells of Tianwaitian suddenly rang out, clearly ahead of schedule. The mocking sound resonated a dozen times before a cold, emotionless voice followed.

“—Tsk, listen.”

Shan Can abruptly raised her head, recognizing the tone that matched the false Shan Can from that day in Yanyang.

“I’m here for the Dao Heart Lotus.”

“—By the orders of Biluohuanquan.”

The demon beast that Shan Can had just killed twitched and suddenly vanished.