Chapter 414 - 217: Peak of the Primordial Sea and Sisters’ Rivalry

Chapter 414: Chapter 217: Peak of the Primordial Sea and Sisters’ Rivalry

What was even more astonishing was that the two looked almost identical. If not for the different colors of their dresses, it would have been nearly impossible to tell them apart.

"Ugh, I’m done, I’m done! This is no fun!"

The girl with a bright face and lively eyes, dressed in a Water Blue Flowing Fairy Skirt, suddenly flicked her wrist. With a sharp SHING, she sheathed the longsword in her hand, its blade as clear as autumn waters.

She then petulantly tossed the sword onto a nearby weapon rack and looked at the gentle-tempered girl in a pale cyan dress across from her, pouting.

"Why am I always the one on the losing end? Lingxi, can’t you let your big sister win for once?"

"I wouldn’t say that, Sister."

Nie Lingxi gave a small smile and gently placed her own sword back on the rack.

"Grandfather often says that sparring is about returning to the basics. It is in understanding the profundities of the Mental Realm within simple moves that one truly hones their temperament. If you were a bit more focused during your daily training, Sister, the outcome might not be so certain."

"Yes, yes, you and your lectures."

Nie Lingshan rolled her eyes playfully. ’I’m supposed to be the older sister, yet I’m always getting lectured by her,’ she thought, feeling utterly exasperated.

Suddenly, a twinkle appeared in Nie Lingshan’s eyes. She leaned in closer, lowered her voice, and asked with a mischievous smile:

"Lingxi, we both know what the family wants. So... about those candidates... which one are you... leaning toward? Don’t worry, just say the word, and as your big sister, I promise I won’t fight you for him."

"And... who are you leaning toward, Sister?"

Nie Lingxi didn’t answer, asking a question of her own. A faint smile played on her lips, her gaze calm and steady.

"There are only four of them: Wei Jing of the Vast Sea Sect, Qi Heng of Zhenyuan Palace, Chen Sheng of Ning’an Prefecture, and that Ouyang Ke from the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect."

Nie Lingshan counted them off on her fingers, her tone tinged with resignation.

"I heard the family has already settled on that Chen Sheng. One of us sisters *has* to marry him..."

A hint of resentment colored Nie Lingshan’s tone.

If she truly had a choice, she wouldn’t marry any of them. She yearned to be like her aunt, Nie Xiangjun—to join a serene Daoist Sect, cultivate freely, and escape the fate of being a pawn in a Noble Family’s marriage alliance.

Unfortunately, ever since her aunt had successfully left all those years ago, the family had instituted even stricter rules. Now, even if they joined another sect, they were still expected to fulfill their familial duties.

In a way, her aunt’s actions had all but barred the path for those who wished to follow in her footsteps.

"Didn’t Aunt say she would go evaluate those men for us on this trip?"

Nie Lingxi’s tone was as calm as ever, betraying no emotion.

"Why don’t we... wait for Aunt to return and see what she has to say?"

"You two little maids, hiding here and whispering secrets. Are you getting spring fever, so eager to be married off?"

Suddenly, a teasing voice drifted from the moon gate at the courtyard entrance.

Nie Lingshan and Nie Lingxi turned simultaneously, their faces instantly breaking into delighted smiles.

There, leaning against the doorframe, was Nie Xiangjun. Dressed in a simple gown, she was smiling warmly at them, her ever-present wine gourd dangling from her hand.

"Aunt!"

They cried in unison, rushing forward to affectionately take Nie Xiangjun by the arms.

After a warm reunion filled with pleasantries and questions, Nie Xiangjun was led by her two nieces to a stone bench in the courtyard.

She took a sip of wine before slowly recounting the gist of her travels, particularly her observations of the candidates.

Although her main objective had been Chen Sheng, she had also made a detour to observe Ouyang Ke while passing through the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect’s sphere of influence.

As for Wei Jing and Qi Heng, she had met them before and already had her own impressions.

"So, Aunt, out of the four of them, who do you think is... better?"

Nie Lingshan, ever the impatient one, pressed eagerly.

Nie Xiangjun narrowed her beautiful, shimmering eyes, as if carefully weighing her comparisons. For a moment, she was silent, lost in thought.

It wasn’t until Nie Lingxi dutifully poured a cup of perfectly warm Spirit Tea and placed it in her hand that she finally spoke, her tone a curious mix of playfulness and seriousness.

"Well, each of them has his strengths and weaknesses. Wei Jing has a concealed arrogance, the kind of confidence you’d expect from a sect’s True Inheritor. Qi Heng is a deep thinker and very methodical in his actions. As for Ouyang Ke... he’s astute, opportunistic, fickle, and difficult to read."

Nie Xiangjun paused, her gaze shifting between her two nieces.

"As for Chen Sheng... he’s meticulous and decisive, with a strong ability to adapt to changing situations. What’s more commendable is that while he can be ruthless when necessary, he isn’t a heartless or disloyal man."

"Hmm... he’s a man who lives by his own code."

"It sounds like... none of them are good people, are they?"

Nie Lingshan blinked, her summary coming out in a bewildered tone.

"Silly girl!"

Nie Xiangjun couldn’t resist reaching out to gently tap her on the forehead. She chuckled.

"This isn’t like picking a charming husband out of a storybook. These men are the cream of the crop of Yunzhou’s younger generation. In the future, they’ll be ruling over territories or commanding great power. How can you possibly judge them in simple terms like ’good’ or ’bad’?"

"A truly ’good’ person, I’m afraid, could never have reached their level of power and influence."

"So... who are you personally leaning toward, Aunt?"

Nie Lingxi asked softly, her clear gaze fixed on Nie Xiangjun as she cleverly steered the conversation back to Nie Lingshan.

"After all, this concerns... my sister’s entire future."

Nie Xiangjun naturally understood her younger niece’s subtle maneuver, but she didn’t call her out on it.

She merely took another sip of tea, her gaze drifting over the faces of her two beautiful nieces before finally settling on Nie Lingxi’s serene and gentle features. A knowing smile played on her lips.

"If you’re asking for my personal opinion... I’d say that out of the four, Chen Sheng is the most outstanding. And he’s a better match for your temperament, Lingxi. But, that’s just my impression."

"Ultimately, the choice is yours to make."

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