The battle lasted for a long time. It wasn’t that the two people on the stage fought for long, but rather that the two peaks had been at odds for a long time.

In the first match, Moonrise won, but Twilight was not convinced. In the second match, Twilight won, but then Moonrise was unwilling to accept it. In this way, they competed for four or five rounds, and the disciples watching had already lost interest.

“Alright, alright, how long do you two peaks plan to hog the stage? Get down now. We’ll set up a special match just for you after the Grand Competition. It’s our turn now.”

A disciple from Endless Cup stepped forward to stop the seemingly never-ending competition.

The disciple from Endless Cup jumped onto the stage and directly challenged Shu Ran.

Immediately, the atmosphere became lively again.

Shu Ran decisively accepted the challenge and stepped onto the stage.

“Gong Xue, look! The main event is starting!”

Bing Duoduo, holding Gong Xue’s hand, was extremely excited.

Gong Xue was puzzled, “Duoduo, isn’t Shu Ran the most powerful person in Cloud Academy? Why would anyone dare to challenge him?”

Ning Chifeng explained, “Shu Ran is indeed the strongest. So, the purpose of challenging him is not to win but to gain experience, understand the gap, and motivate oneself.”

“I see.”

However, while they were talking, Shu Ran had already knocked the Endless Cup disciple off the stage. Shu Ran won, and then came successive challenges, which Shu Ran faced with ease.

Gong Xue leaned in and whispered to Mu Xian, “What do you think is the gap between Shu Ran and you?”

Mu Xian gave Gong Xue a look as if to say, “How could you ask such a silly question?” and replied bluntly, “No comparison!”

Gong Xue blinked sincerely and asked, “Then, what’s the gap between you and me?”

Mu Xian, with a sarcastic smile, said, “Girl, where do you get the confidence to compare yourself to me? Though I am a Deity Lord, I am at the Third Heaven level. Even deities from the First and Second Heavens have to show me respect. Shu Ran is now a demigod, someone who has one foot in the divine realm. You! You aren’t even a whole person right now, at most a half-cripple. Can you compare yourself to him, or to me?”

Mu Xian’s harsh words left Gong Xue emotionally numb.

Not willing to accept it, Gong Xue mumbled, “I’m trying hard to get back to how I was!” Seeing Mu Xian’s smug expression, she was still unsatisfied and snatched the wine gourd from Mu Xian’s hand, angrily taking a drink.

Mu Xian didn’t dare to snatch it back. After all, the wine was brewed by her. If he angered her, there would be no wine to drink, and that wasn’t worth it.

Having won three consecutive battles, Shu Ran found no one else willing to challenge him. Just as he was about to take his leave, a handsome young man dressed in dark green brocade flew onto the stage from the crowd. He cupped his fists and said, “Shu Ran, it has been a long time!”

Shu Ran froze for a moment before regaining his composure and smiling in return, “Wanggui, you have finally come back.”

A sudden commotion erupted from the audience.

“It’s Wanggui! Wanggui has returned!”

“Wanggui looks even more handsome!”

“Look! That’s Cheyan!” someone pointed towards the crowd, where a strikingly elegant man in white clothes, with white hair and eyes as red as fire, stood out.

Everyone gasped in astonishment.

When the two men entered Gong Xue’s line of sight, her pupils trembled violently.

Cold sweat dripped down her face as a wave of guilt and shame grew stronger with every heartbeat in her chest.

“It’s them… How can it be them?”

Suppressing the urge to run away, Gong Xue pulled Mu Xian close and hid behind him, leaving Mu Xian bewildered.

In the pavilion, the four Elders were equally surprised by the return of An Wanggui and An Cheyan.

“Dean, why didn’t you tell us that Wanggui and Cheyan were coming back?” Chang Wan reproached.

An Xuqian, however, remained calm and unmoved, “Their legs are attached to their bodies. If they want to come, I can’t stop them. If they want to leave, I can’t make them stay. They’re grown-ups now and know where they should go.”

On the stage, the battle intensified, and everyone marveled at the profound skills of the two combatants.

Hiding behind Mu Xian, Gong Xue watched An Wanggui and An Cheyan discreetly.

Both looked exhausted, their eyes devoid of light, leaving only a pale, aimless expression-all thanks to Gong Xue.

Gong Xue couldn’t help but feel heartache, “Why have they both become so thin? And why has Cheyan’s hair turned white?”

A thousand questions filled her heart, yet she dared not ask them, feeling too ashamed to face them.

Gong Xue poked Bing Duoduo beside her and feigned ignorance, asking, “Duoduo, who are they? Why did Shu Ran call them senior brothers? Isn’t Shu Ran the top disciple of Cloud Academy?”

Bing Duoduo replied, “Shu Ran is indeed the top disciple, but those two are the Dean’s sons, An Wanggui and An Cheyan!”

Gong Xue’s mouth twitched as she shrank back behind Mu Xian, cursing herself inwardly.

An Wanggui, An Cheyan-how could she have not realized? How could she have forgotten? The Dean’s last name is also An!

Gong Xue couldn’t help but recall her conversation with An Wanggui: “Yun’er, this ‘Soul Reviving Spell’ is something that demons, deities, and humans all covet. It is incredibly precious.”

“Where is it now?”

“Naturally, it is at Loong Head Mountain, in Cloud Academy.”

“Hidden Immortal Sect, Cloud Academy?”

How foolish she was at that time! How could she not have figured it out? Why did he know that the ‘Soul Reviving Spell’ was in Cloud Academy? Because this Cloud Academy was their home!

Gong Xue’s expression turned pained. Making a fool of herself in front of these two was like playing tricks at the feet of Death. Gong Xue, you’re digging your own grave!

Mu Xian, though unsure of Gong Xue’s relationship with the two brothers, could clearly feel the growing agitation in the person behind him.

“You know them? Are they enemies?”

Gong Xue smiled bitterly from behind him, “If they were just enemies, that would be better.”

“Oh! Could they be lovers?” Mu Xian teased casually. When Gong Xue didn’t retort, Mu Xian was surprised, “They really are lovers!”

Gong Xue clung tightly to his waist, preventing him from turning around and trying to hide herself completely. Mu Xian, laughing gleefully, received a sharp pinch from a disgruntled Gong Xue.