It was a warm evening in the Luofu, and you were in the training grounds, the air buzzing with energy. General Jing Yuan and General Huaiyan stood nearby, observing the daily exercises of the Cloud Knights. Their usual calm demeanor held a spark of mischief today, an uncommon look between two generally serious strategists.

As you approached to greet them, Jing Yuan offered you a sly smile. “Ah, perfect timing. We were just discussing a… tactical exercise for you.”

You raised an eyebrow, sensing something in his tone. “What kind of exercise?”

Before he could reply, Huaiyan interrupted, gesturing toward the edge of the grounds where a familiar figure stood: Yunli. She was adjusting the straps on her gloves, her eyes sharp, determined, and flickering with a mix of curiosity and challenge as she looked at you.

“We’ve noticed that you and Yunli complement each other’s combat styles,” Huaiyan said, a slight smirk breaking his usual stern expression. “So, we thought, why not see how well you two would fare against each other in a spar?”

You blinked, looking from the generals to Yunli, who raised her chin in response, clearly ready to engage. “You want us to spar?”

Jing Yuan’s smile grew wider. “Yes. For… tactical evaluation, of course. Who knows? You two may end up fighting side by side someday.” He paused, then added with an even more playful glint, “And perhaps, you might find each other to be quite compatible.”

The innuendo wasn’t lost on you or Yunli. She shot Jing Yuan a look of mild irritation, cheeks warming slightly, though she quickly masked it with a scoff. “I don’t need a setup to prove I can take him down, General.”

“Oh? Then, show us,” Huaiyan replied smoothly, stepping back as if giving the two of you the arena.

With no way out of it, you readied yourself, nerves tingling both from the thought of sparring with Yunli and the not-so-subtle push the generals were giving.