Wang Mingning never imagined that the conversation, after meandering, would circle back to this point.
For a moment, he was speechless. He turned to look at Liu Buli’s position in the audience, pondered, and then said, “I was simply curious. How can someone so beautiful also possess such high cultivation? Do I have any other thoughts besides this? Are you satisfied with this answer, fellow Daoist?”
Lu Wuming let out a nonchalant “Oh.” As he followed Wang Mingning’s gaze towards Liu Buli, his eyes couldn't help but reveal a glow of pure adoration. He said, “Because he is my Master, this is perfectly normal. It’s best not to be interested in other people’s Masters. This is the only advice I have for you.”
By the time he uttered the last sentence, Lu Wuming’s voice had returned to its icy coldness.
Recalling the water mist that had enveloped him earlier, Wang Mingning’s mind was suddenly filled with a sensational rumor that had been circulating in the cultivation world for the past year or so—
The most beautiful person in the cultivation world, Liu Buli, had found a Dao companion.
That Dao companion was a man, and moreover, his own disciple.
Most importantly, this disciple was like a mad dog, possessing extremely high cultivation, difficult to deal with, and only listened to Liu Buli.
When Wang Mingning first heard this rumor, he simply dismissed it with a smile.
After all, given Liu Buli’s status, there were far too many people in the cultivation world who coveted his beauty. Rumors of him finding a Dao companion surfaced every few years, but they had never been true.
Therefore, Wang Mingning, like most people, thought this rumor was just the gossip of some jealous female cultivator spreading rumors out of envy.
However, seeing the Dan Sect disciple before him now, Wang Mingning suddenly felt that his previous assumptions might have been somewhat mistaken.
After hesitating for a moment, he ultimately couldn't resist the curiosity in his heart. He struggled to speak and asked, “A while ago, I heard a rumor that Daoist Liu had become Dao companions with his disciple. I wonder…”
“The disciple you are referring to is me,” Lu Wuming answered without hesitation.
Their voices were not quiet. Even though the martial arts arena was vast, those in the audience with sufficient cultivation could still hear every word they spoke.
Therefore, Wang Mingning paused for a moment and instinctively looked towards Liu Buli at the edge of the arena.
Then, he saw the other party nod, seemingly acknowledging his disciple’s words.
Wang Mingning raised his hand and rubbed his cheek vigorously. He felt that this world had surely gone mad.
Liu Buli had actually gotten together with his own disciple.
It was simply too unbelievable.
Considering he was the most beautiful person in the cultivation world, it would be a lie to say he had never harbored any feelings for Liu Buli.
Wang Mingning’s only relief now was that he hadn’t said anything inappropriate when the mad disciple had questioned him earlier.
After all, judging by the rumors, this disciple was not hesitant when it came to using his hands…
With this thought, Wang Mingning raised his hand and said, “I lost this match. I cannot defeat this fellow Daoist. I concede.”
His surrender was straightforward and honest.
It wasn't because the news of Liu Buli finding a Dao companion had made him unhappy, but because he had also felt that the disciple’s attacks were not holding back. If the match were to continue, he might very well lose his life.
No one would willingly court death. Wang Mingning was no different. Although losing his first match to an unknown individual might invite criticism, staying alive was paramount. He understood this principle very well.
Upon hearing his voice, Shen Muzhi naturally struck the large bell beside him again, signaling the end of the match.
Lu Wuming, however, remained standing in place, motionless.
Seeing him like this, Wang Mingning found it somewhat amusing. “I thought you would rush to your Master’s side the moment the match ended. It seems I was overthinking things?”
Lu Wuming shook his head, staring at Wang Mingning’s face. He said, “I wanted to do that too, but my Master told me that during a past martial arts tournament, someone had attacked their opponent from behind after the match ended. Therefore, regardless of who the opponent is, one must wait for them to leave before leaving. This ensures one’s safety.”
Hearing this answer, Wang Mingning couldn’t help but twitch the corner of his mouth.
He hadn’t had much contact with Liu Buli before. Like most cultivators, his understanding of Liu Buli was limited to the fleeting glimpse of beauty he’d caught at occasional large gatherings in the cultivation world.
But after hearing his young disciple’s words, Wang Mingning suddenly felt that the image of a pure and unsullied celestial being he had subconsciously conjured in his mind seemed to have become somewhat illusory.
Liu Buli…
He was truly fascinating.
However, it was the same principle: no one would willingly court death. So, Wang Mingning waved his hand and voluntarily turned to walk off the arena.
The moment he confirmed Wang Mingning had left, Lu Wuming immediately sprinted to Liu Buli’s side at the fastest possible speed. He was like a dog that had done a good deed and was eager for its owner’s praise. His eyes sparkled with excitement as he asked Liu Buli, “Master, how did Wuming do? I listened to you this time and did very well, didn’t I?”
Liu Buli smiled and reached out to ruffle Lu Wuming’s hair.
He actually wanted to say, “Not just this time, haven’t you always been obedient? Besides, if you weren’t obedient, would you even know what to do?”
He felt a mix of amusement and helplessness, but facing Lu Wuming’s excited expression, Liu Buli nodded. Suppressing his inner feelings, he said earnestly, “Wuming is very good. You performed excellently this time. Master is very satisfied.”
Lu Wuming was so happy his tail was almost wagging.
Seeing that both of them were unharmed, You Siqi then rose to take his leave. When he returned to Shen Muzhi’s side, Shen Muzhi looked at Liu Buli and the others in the distance, then said earnestly to You Siqi beside him, “Siqi, actually, I think you might be worrying in the wrong direction.”
You Siqi blinked. “What do you mean?”
Shen Muzhi sighed. “If the matches continue like this, I worry that eventually, I will have to face one of them. Don’t you think it would be more appropriate to worry about me, rather than about them?”