Their figures blurred.

It turned out that it wasn't a hallucination. It was just that they moved so fast, the ordinary junior disciples could only catch their afterimages. Gasps erupted in the crowd as the sound of wooden swords against each other clanked heavily.

The fight was completely different from the other rounds; it was a fight of a new beginning.

Shen Qingqiu's jaw fell open. It was almost like sparks could be seen from the impact!

"Not giving up, eh?" Luo Binghe sneered.

"Who told you that I was a pussy?" Wei Wuxian shot back.

Their swords met each other in a deadlock, then they pulled back, only to attack each other again. An unidentifiable wind blew their long and stylish hair, bringing a sense of awe and beauty to the vision. They swung their swords multiple times, each at a different angle. However, the other managed to catch notice and blocked the attack with their own sword.

Such a commotion occurred constantly.

"It doesn't ever seem to stop!" On the sidelines, Shang Qinghua watched with top-tier enthusiasm. Beside him, Yue Qingyuan agreed with a subtle nod. However, his thoughts was a chaotic bunch. Such superb swordsmanship skills... where did that black and red cultivator come from?

"Give up already!" Luo Binghe sneered.

"Hah! You think that I would let you?" Wei Wuxian snickered. "This is just the warm up for me!"

As he said that, his speed and paces of swinging the sword had gradually become faster. Luo Binghe's eyes widened in shock. He gritted his teeth while picking up the pace to block as well. Every impact between the two wooden swords was powerful enough to rattle an ordinary cultivator's bones to the core.

Abruptly, Luo Binghe's eyes sharpened as he flicked his sword upwards.

Wei Wuxian was caught off guard as his sword was flung out from his hands. He was about to dart to the floor, but something else occurred in his mind. Instead of moving closer to the ground, Wei Wuxian moved upwards.

Luo Binghe's sword pressed against the other cultivator's neck. "I win." He seethed.

Wei Wuxian nodded. "Ah, my skills are getting rusty. That wasn't my real power, so don't get a big ego."

The wooden sword's blade was taken off his neck, and Wei Wuxian picked up his sword to move back to the crowd. "That was a superb fight." Shang Qinghua had gasped. He still couldn't believe how outstanding the older cultivator was; practically the same power as Luo Binghe's!

"Look at who's next." Yue Qingyuan nudged him.

Indeed, the next contestant appeared stronger than Wei Wuxian!

Lan Zhan moved forwards, clenching a wooden sword by his side. His white robes fluttered elegantly in the breeze, and the clouds above him had clouded around to make the blank atmosphere befitting. Additionally, his muscle was practically protruding out from his clothes! With one look, and Luo Binghe realized that Wei Wuxian's hubby really mustn't be reckoned with.

Luo Binghe's eyes darkened with caution. He stepped backwards once.

"Scared?" Wei Wuxian snickered on the sidelines. Xie Lian nudged him gently to quiet down.

Lan Zhan stepped forwards again. He held the sword in front of him, his gesture belonging to a celestial being. Luo Binghe cowardly stepped backwards again.

Then, the two began exchanging attacks.

Every time Lan Zhan shot forwards with his sword, the heavy impact would always force Luo Binghe to tighten his grip on his sword. Every attack pained his wrist, and marks were left on his palms from clenching at the hilt tightly.

Luo Binghe gritted his teeth. A vein popped on his forehead.

He kept silence while enduring the harsh attacks. Continuously blocking Lan Zhan's sword, Luo Binghe was already sick of being played around. His face burned red from irritation as he poured strength into his arms. He swung his sword quickly at an indecipherable speed.

Then, he knocked Lan Zhan's sword out from his hands.

Lan Zhan's expressionless face had cracked from the impeding strength.

Before he could jump away, Luo Binghe had already placed his sword against his neck. "I've caught you."

Lan Zhan returned back to his cold face and nodded. "Mn."

Slowly, Luo Binghe's sword was pried off his neck and the former stretched his wrist. A small crack resounded through his wrist, which was sore from being dealt with the phenomenal strength from Lan Zhan's attacks. He pulled his punches... Luo Binghe knew that, but stayed quiet.

He couldn't help but feel a nauseous feeling in his stomach. Are they looking down on me?

Shaking his head, Luo Binghe couldn't believe it. If it wasn't for the use of a wooden sword, he would've dealt greater damage!

Returning back to his eager look, Luo Binghe had an arrogant smile. "Who's next!"

On the side, Yue Qingyuan was still pondering over who the newcomers were. He couldn't believe that Shen Qingqiu could get ahold of such powerful cultivators that even rival the power of a Sect Master. "The cultivator with the cold face and white robes; he's strong and his strength lies in his hands."

Shang Qinghua agreed. Then, they continued to watch the battle.

Luo Binghe's smile had only widened when he saw who was next. Xie Lian gently trudged along the pathway, with his clean white robes brushing past his ankles softly. His arms were wrapped in clean bandages, which showed just how skinny and beauteous he was. He wore a bamboo hat, with its translucent veil hanging and dangling down before his face.

"Luo-xiong," Xie Lian smiled while distancing his feet a shoulder-width apart. "It looks like I'm next. Please pardon my swordsmanship."

Luo Binghe nodded without haste. He examined his opponent first. His eyebrows jumped up as he noticed the stance that Xie Lian took upon. Xie Lian bent one leg, while leaning backwards and holding his sword horizontally with its tip pointing at Luo Binghe. His one free hand was gestured into a II position. It all appeared especially majestical.

Luo Binghe stepped backwards. However, it was too late to avoid the attack.

Although Xie Lian appeared weak, short, and pitiful, he was extraordinarily fast. With one second and he already appeared in Luo Binghe's face. Instantly, he slammed the sharp side of his wooden sword against Luo Binghe, who blocked the attack with his own sword. Luo Binghe practically gasped at how monstrous the force used was.

I thought he was just a small scrap picker! Luo Binghe swallowed those words and continued blocking. Every time he blocked, he could feel his heart throbbing against his throat.

His adam's apple bobbed anxiously.

Xie Lian's movements had only sped up faster. His figure had blurred even in the eyes of Luo Binghe! Gasping for air, sweat dripped down Luo Binghe's forehead. As they blocked each other's swords, Luo Binghe abruptly stiffened for a moment. He could've swore that his wooden sword had formed a crack! Indeed, his wooden sword did have a crack.

However, Xie Lian's sword was still fully intact.

Biting his bottom lip, Luo Binghe could hardly keep up at that point. In the crowd, Shen Qingqiu fiddled with his thumbs. In the end, he was still worried about his lover. When Luo Binghe was about to collapse, a sudden mishap occurred.

Xie Lian accidentally stopped on the hem of his robes, slipping and falling onto the ground.

Holding in his sympathetic laughter, Luo Binghe hurriedly raced towards him. He helplessly placed his sword against Xie Lian's neck, and the latter admitted defeat right away.

Sitting in the crowd, Yue Qingyuan began brainstorming again. That white-robed cultivator has extreme flexibility, speed, and power. It seems like there are people up and beyond Luo Binghe's imagination.

A sour taste filled Luo Binghe's mouth. Xie Lian was so strong. How did he end up tripping earlier?

A kind and perpetual smile revealed on Xie Lian's face. "Luo-xiong... the sword."

It was then, Luo Binghe realized he hadn't taken his sword away. Dejectedly, Luo Binghe took his sword off Xie Lian's neck, waiting for the next fight. He watched Xie Lian pat the dust off his robes, then set back off to the crowd. Luo Binghe didn't dare to blink, as if afraid to lose whatever he was thinking in his mind.

However, he didn't get to think for long.

A heavy and oppressing sensation lowered on his back, crushing his spine like a mountain set on top. Luo Binghe suddenly had the urge to throw up whatever he had for breakfast, and his face went pale. Goosebumps had unearthed themselves from his arms, and his hair rose up like the tail of a fierce cat. Strangely enough, the sound of clear footsteps rang in the back of his head.

Luo Binghe rubbed his temples. It didn't help fix his headache, and what he felt wasn't a hallucination. What he felt... was real, and was truly terrifying.

Cold sweat soaked his back. Thankfully, he wore black and red clothing, otherwise the audience would've recognized the sweat thoroughly soaking his robes. Additionally, the audience's applause had also died down, as if they felt the oppressing atmosphere as well.

The sound of bells rang.

Hua Cheng stepped out from the pathway, his face holding a clear sign of coldness. It was cold, so extremely cold that Luo Binghe felt as if he was caught up in the middle of an avalanche.

As if sensing Luo Binghe's fear, Hua Cheng raised his lips in an arrogant curl. "What's wrong?"

Luo Binghe didn't answer. He shrank back.

Hua Cheng walked closer, his hands outstretched in a casual manner. He flicked up an eyebrow, his face full of confidence. As he came closer, Luo Binghe could feel the source of the ominous feeling within himself. It was oppressing, as if the deaths of a thousand ghosts were placed upon himself.

Luo Binghe didn't like it one bit.

Before he knew it, Hua Cheng arrived in front of him. Wanting to move away, Luo Binghe's muscles twitched, but didn't give way. He closed his eyes pitifully. The outcome of the fight was obvious.

However, he felt a cold feeling on his hand.

Opening his eyes in astonishment, Luo Binghe's eyes almost fell out when he realized that Hua Cheng held his hand and pointed the sword against Hua Cheng's own neck! "You win." The Ghost King smirked. A silence ruptured in the crowd. It was so quiet that even the snores of the leaves could be heard.

The corner of Luo Binghe's mouth twitched twice. He was irritated.

Extremely irritated.

"You..." Luo Binghe tried to take back his sword, but it was locked tight within Hua Cheng's grip. "Are you mocking me!?!"

Hua Cheng let go of the sword. "Nope." He popped the 'p'.

Anonymously, the silence had resumed.

However, Luo Binghe didn't have enough. He threw the sword down and reached to grab onto Hua Cheng's collar. Luo Binghe's face was full of irritation and anger. "Are you sure about that? You look like you're mocking me-"

"That's enough." The cold and stern voice had resounded through the air.

Instantly, Luo Binghe's attention was diverted. Shen Qingqiu had walked towards the battlefield until he was only inches apart from his lover. "Binghe," his cold face softened, "I'll forgive you, okay? So calm down and don't get into fights."

Expectedly, something inside Luo Binghe had warmed up. He felt soft and gentle. "I'll listen to Shizun."

Slowly, the oppressive sensation disappeared. Everyone looked at Hua Cheng, wondering what happened to him to have him suppress that heavy feeling. Then, they noticed Xie Lian, who was running over worriedly. Xie Lian softly patted Hua Cheng's collar, and neatly dressed him again. "San Lang, are you okay? You're not hurt, are you?"

Reaching out a hand, Hua Cheng patted Xie Lian on the head. "Gege, I'm fine." His eyes were gentle and subtly soft, completely different from the face he used to look at Luo Binghe.

On the sidelines, Wei Wuxian was massaged on the shoulders by Lan Zhan. The former hummed an out-of-tune song, while sometimes catching Lan Zhan off surprise by squealing and hitting him on the chest shamelessly.

In the crowd, Yue Qingyuan sighed. None of the newcomers should be reckoned with.

It was nighttime.

In a room with bamboo wood as walls, the sound of 'distraught' sounds could be heard from the other side. Xie Lian laid in bed wide awake. The dark circles underneath his eyes became more apparent as the moonlight brightened and paled the color of his skin.

Beside Xie Lian on the bed was Hua Cheng, whose white skin was even more pale than his lover's.

Hua Cheng turned around, embracing a hand over Xie Lian's waist. The latter squeaked in surprise, and a bright color of crimson red blush coated his cheeks. "San Lang..." He whined. "...you..."

"Are they disturbing you?" Hua Cheng asked. "I can go tell them to lower down the volume."

Xie Lian snuggled into Hua Cheng's arms. "It's fine."

Seeing his lover's cute act, a warm smile bloomed on Hua Cheng's lips. Setting a small kiss on Xie Lian's forehead, Hua Cheng gently set him aside and folded the blanket over his head. "San Lang, where are you going?" Xie Lian asked innocently.

The cuter Xie Lian was, the more Hua Cheng believed that such an obedient scrap picker must have his deserved rest. "Gege," Hua Cheng smiled. "I'll be right back."

Xie Lian wanted his lover to stay, but then decided to let go. He nodded, "Then come back fast."

Nodding obediently, Hua Cheng left the room, closed the door, and stepped out into the corridor. The room next door had Wei Wuxian and Lan Zhan tossing each other around. Hua Cheng's face went dark as he walked towards it. His every step was clear in the silence, but before he got to the door, he abruptly stopped.

Turning around, Hua Cheng noticed Luo Binghe in the hallway.

The two cultivators stared each other down.

Luo Binghe muttered, "Can I have a word with you?"

They moved to outside the building, and sat on a bench. The moonlight shone on their faces, making the sight especially ominous. However, neither of them had a single thought about that. "Did you guys purposely let me win?" Luo Binghe finally broke the silence.

Hua Cheng looked down at him, having to crane his neck. "Sure did."

A look of surprise plastered over Luo Binghe's face. "Why did you guys do that?"

"Actually," Hua Cheng admitted. "We all know that you're probably the one with the weakest swordsmanship skills. After all, you probably rely on the demonic energy in your sword. We all know that if we tried our best, you'd definitely get defeated and lose face in front of your Shizun."

Luo Binghe stiffened. It was the truth.

Hua Cheng chuckled, "So we decided to all lose purposely, but just enough that you don't suspect anything."

Luo Binghe's face darkened. What about your fight? You're telling that it wasn't suspicious?

"Oh, are you wondering why I decided to do such a thing during the fight?" Hua Cheng asked. "It's simple. Even if I restrain my power to less than fifty percent, you still can't beat me. So I thought why not just be shameless for once and lose simply? In the end, Shen Qingqiu still forgave you, so I guess the outcome still went according to plan."

Luo Binghe fiddled with his fingers. For some reason, as a boyfriend, he felt like his own actions weren't enough. He felt subconsciously... weak.

"Hua Chengzhu," he stood up from the bench. "Please be my mentor!"

"Huh?" Hua Cheng's face was one of disbelief. "Why?"

Luo Binghe bowed, "I am worthless to Shizun! I want to be more worthy to Shizun and protect him! I don't know how to show my affection to Shizun, and my past actions have hurt him. Hua Chengzhu, you look like a person who understands love a lot. Wei Wuxian is too shameless, HanGuang-Jun is too cold, Xie Lian is too shy to discuss, and so... that only leaves you! Please become my mentor and teach me the correct ways to love and relationships!"

Silence perturbed the night.

Slowly, Luo Binghe uneasily looked up. Hua Cheng stared right back. He cracked a smile. "Okay."

Welcome to the first lesson of "How to Treat Your Boyfriend Properly, Not Kiss Him in a Dreamscape, Not Feed Him Your Demonic Blood, Not Hug His Corpse, Not Get Jealous at Everything, and Not Rape Him When You're Out of Control" with Luo Binghe!

Luo Binghe: WTF! Why am I the one telling this lesson?