I alone am the Honoured One!

A smile appeared on Qi Nue's face looking at Zhao Tian winning the challenge and defeating an Empyrean Deity rank Alchemist.

Her gaze lowered, and she looked down at the badge in her hand 'I am just in Flame Forger rank...'

'He is so talented...'

'I really want to catch up to him, but when i take one step, he has already crossed 10 steps...'

'That is the difference between us.'

Looking at the faces of the people around him, Zhao Tian sighed in his heart and glimpsed at Yong Wu "I guess that settles the challenge."

Qi Nue stepped forward with a smile "He already proved he is worthy enough to oversee a Flame Forger examination and to even hold out the badges..."

Yong Wu stayed silent and the crowd also buzzed.

Without another word, Zhao Tian quietly left, and Qi Nue followed him out of the Pavillion.

...

Outside, the afternoon air is still crisp as it gently caressed their skin.

Qi Nue leaned to him and hugged his arm "Shall we go somewhere to eat?"

With a smile, he nodded his head "Sure."

They went to one of the finest restaurants in the city, a luxurious establishment built on the edge of a serene lake.

Zhao Tian and Qi Nue were led to one such private chamber by an attendant, who bowed deeply before leaving them alone with a menu.

Qi Nue reached across the low table and picked up the menu "Since we are celebrating for my success, I am selecting the menu."

Zhao Tian simply nodded his head. "As you wish..."

With a smile, she muttered "Let's get lotus dumplings, glazed fire carp, roasted snow lamb with spice, petal rice cakes, and... oh! Spirit nectar."

Looking at her, Zhao Tian just smiled and soon the ordered food was served to them.

Qi Nue's eyes sparkled with delight as she looked at the feast laid before them.

She picked up her chopsticks, selecting a small, steaming dumpling.

But instead of eating it, she held it out toward him.

"Here. Open up."

Zhao Tian looked at her for a moment, then leaned forward and took the dumpling into his mouth.

He chewed thoughtfully and nodded. "Great."

He picked up another and gently held it toward her lips.

Qi Nue slowly leaned forward and took the bite.

Her eyes closed for a moment as she savored it. "Mmm… It's perfect."

As they ate, they took turns feeding each other little bites.

The spirit nectar was sweet, yet light, with a calming aftertaste.

They both drank slowly as their cheeks slightly warmed from the energy-infused alcohol.

After having a good meal, both of them returned to the Alchemy Chamber.

...

Reaching the Alchemy chamber, Zhao Tian raised his gaze and squinted slightly before a smile appeared on his lips.

Zhao Tian and Qi Nue went upstairs and opened the door before entering in.

There are three women sitting on a couch at the side of the chamber, chatting with each other.

Qi Xue, Li Jia, and Xia Shenyi rose from their seats almost at once, their conversation halting mid-sentence "Tian."

Qi Nue blinked in surprise looking at Xia Shenyi's beautiful face '...Who is she? She looks gorgeous.'

Meanwhile, Li Jia hurriedly rushed to him with a big smile on her face "Tian..."

She jumped into his arms, and Zhao Tian hugged her tightly with a chuckle as his one hand went to cradle her head while the other gently patted her back.

Looking at this, a faint ache settled in Qi Nue's heart.

Qi Xue hastily walked to her sister with an expectant smile "Nue'er, how was it?"

With a giggle, Qi Nue took her Flame Forger badge and showed it to her "Hehe..."

Seeing this, Qi Nue's eyes lit up in excitement "You did very well, Nue'er."

Without a second thought, she wrapped her arms around her sister and hugged her tightly. "You did very well, Nue'er. I'm so proud of you."

Qi Nue melted into the hug for a moment. "Thank you, Sister…"

Zhao Tian gently patted Li Jia's back and kissed her forehead "What are you doing here, Jia?"

Li Jia, still snuggled against him and her voice was slightly muffled as she buried her face into the crook of his neck "I missed you so I came here to see you..."

Qi Nue glanced at Zhao Tian and Li Jia in the corner of her eyes.

Qi Nue's eyes flicked toward them again, and though she quickly looked away, not wanting to caught staring.

Her eyes trembled for a moment 'So they really are...'

Qi Xue, who had known her sister all her life, noticed the subtle change in her expression instantly.

The slight dip in her smile along with the distant look in her eyes.

Without saying anything directly, Qi Xue reached out and gave her sister's back a comforting pat "Don't worry…"

Qi Nue looked at her confused, and Qi Xue just smiled knowingly.

"Sometimes, even when it feels like you're behind, your light reaches the one it's meant to. You'll understand soon."

Xia Shenyi stepped forward and gave Zhao Tian a look "Junior brother."

Holding Li Jia in his arms, Zhao Tian smiled dryly "Senior Sister."

He turned to Qi Nue and spoke "Let me introduce her, this is Xia Shenyi, my senior sister."

Qi Nue's eyes narrowed in thought 'Senior Sister? From that master?'

Xia Shenyi nodded her head before glacing at Qi Nue "I heard about your test. Congratulations, Miss Qi Nue."

Qi Nue blinked, "Ah… thank you," she replied, bowing slightly.

Zhao Tian gently released Li Jia and turned to the others. "Let's all sit and talk."

...

That day night-

Qi Nue and Qi Xue were sitting cross-legged on the large bed in their shared chamber.

Qi Xue sat upright with a thoughtful look.

Meanwhile, Qi Nue had already slumped back against the pillows with her arms sprawled as she let out an exhausted sigh.

"So…" Qi Xue spoke, "…you spent the entire day with him, went to the Pavilion, shared a meal, celebrated, walked back together and still got no progress?"

Qi Nue groaned, flopping her face into a plush pillow, muffling her voice. "Yesss… Sister, I don't know what to do anymore! I thought the meal would be something, that maybe he'd hold my hand a bit longer, or say something maybe, but… nothing!"

"It's like we're still stuck in that senior sister-junior brother relationship!"

She rolled over dramatically, hugging a pillow to her chest "He's so close and kind, but so distant at the same time! I don't even know what he wants from me. Wahhhh!"

Qi Xue leaned forward, brushing some strands of hair from Qi Nue's flushed cheeks.

She poked her sister's cheek "Nue'er, this is war. We can't let the other girls win while you're stuck in the friendzone."

"Well, to be fair," she mumbled, her tone smooth and teasing, "you're also not doing anything bold. You can't just float along beside him and expect him to suddenly realize, 'Ah, I'm in love with Qi Nue.' Men aren't that smart."

Qi Nue blinked. "So… what do I do? Seduce him?"

Qi Xue's smile widened. "Exactly."

Qi Nue jolted upright and her eyes widened in shock "Wait- what?!"

Her elder sister chuckled, flicking her on the forehead. "Relax, I'm not telling you to throw yourself at him naked... Well, not immediately."

"Sister!" Qi Nue squeaked, as a deep blush covered her cheeks.

With a chuckle, Qi Xue spoke "I'm serious though. You've got to stir him. Make him see you as a woman. Right now, he probably still sees you as the sweet, responsible senior."

Qi Nue frowned, clutching her pillow tighter. "But how do I change that image?"

Qi Xue leaned closer, whispering like a devil, "There are... several ways."

Qi Nue narrowed her eyes. "I'm listening…"

Qi Xue ticked her fingers as she listed the ideas...

"Option one: slip a tiny bit of aphrodisiac into his tea. Nothing too crazy, just enough to… heat the mood."

Qi Nue stared in horror. "Sister?"

"What? It's a classic! One sip, and he'll start seeing how soft your skin is, how glossy your lips look..."

Qi Nue shook her head vigorously "That's basically drugging him!"

"Okay, okay." Qi Xue raised her hands in with a giggle "Let's move to plan two, then: sneak into his bed at night."

"W-what?!"

"Not for that," Qi Xue laughed. "Just… crawl in while he's asleep. Pretend you had a nightmare or that you were scared. Curl up beside him and let nature take its course."

Qi Nue's face turned even redder. "You're insane! What if he wakes up and throws me out?!"

"He won't," Qi Xue said with a smug grin.

"Tian isn't the type to push a girl away, especially not one he cares about. And if he holds you, even just for warmth… well, it starts the physical intimacy. Emotional follows soon after."

Qi Nue gulped as she imagined a scene where she hugs him tightly and rolls on the bed.

Qi Xue went on, "Option three: wear something very light around him. Silks. Thin robes that hint at the curves beneath. Let him see what he's missing every time he turns his gaze away."

"Men are weak to visual attacks. Trust me."

Qi Nue buried her face in her hands. "Sister, that's shameless…"

Qi Xue let out a sigh "Love requires a little shamelessness."

There was a beat of silence before she added more seriously, "Nue'er… you like him, right? Deeply."

Qi Nue nodded and mumbled in a quiet voice "More than I ever expected to…"

"Then you have to fight for him," Qi Xue said firmly.

"You've seen the women around him Jia, Shenyi, and probably others we don't even know about. They all like him."

"Tian may be strong, but he's not heartless. He's bound to respond to the one who makes him feel desired, not just admired."

Qi Nue looked down at her hands. "But what if I mess up? What if I make things awkward and he pulls away?"

"Then you fix it," Qi Xue said without hesitation. "But better to regret being bold than to regret doing nothing while someone else takes his heart."

There was a long pause as Qi Nue absorbed her sister's words.

"…Fine," she mumbled at last. "I won't go as far as drugging him, but… maybe I can try some other ideas."

Qi Xue grinned. "That's my brave little Nue'er."

Then she tilted her head with a deep smile "Should I lend you some of my silk nightgowns?"

Qi Nue groaned and fell back onto the bed, covering her face.

"Sister, please stop corrupting me…"

But her heart beat a little faster with excitement, with fear, and maybe… with a flicker of hope.

Because if she want Zhao Tian, she'd have to take that step.

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I hope you guys liked this chapter!