Chapter 355: Exploring Together
Hu Liena hopped off her flying spirit beast and elegantly approached Dai Yao, who was reclining comfortably on his lounge chair, engrossed in an ancient text. She smiled and said, "Dai Yao, I'm here again!"
Without looking up, Dai Yao lowered his book just enough to reveal his golden eyes, gave her a glance, and then raised it back up as he continued flipping through its pages. "Mm. The training area's ready for you. Just go ahead on your own."
Seeing his obvious lack of enthusiasm, Hu Liena suppressed a small huff. But this attitude only confirmed her recent progress—her efforts were clearly wearing him down. She intended to win him over, bit by bit, in this drawn-out tug-of-war.
She followed Dai Yao's maid, Egret, who guided her to the pavilion near the wooden cabin where he had set up her training area. Hu Liena quickly settled into a meditation pose. One of the fascinating things about training near Dai Yao was the substantial increase in her cultivation speed. Although she appreciated the speed boost, the real perk was staying close to him.
As the sun lowered into the afternoon sky, Hu Liena finished her training session and approached Dai Yao, who was still reading. "Dai Yao," she remarked with admiration, "I never imagined how much faster training would be near you. No wonder, despite being younger than me, your spirit power surpasses mine."
Hiding his face behind his book, Dai Yao replied indifferently, "Maybe so. Anyway, now that you're done, you should head back. I'll prepare everything you'll need for tomorrow's training."
Sighing inwardly, Dai Yao hoped she would take the hint and leave.
Seeing his reluctance to even look at her, Hu Liena bit back a grin. "Fine. If you're that determined, I'll take my time," she thought, reveling in how her persistence was slowly getting to him.
Gently positioning herself beside him, Hu Liena leaned close, resting her hands on the chair's armrests. Her soft voice broke through his concentration. "Is that book really that interesting? More interesting than me?"
The sudden proximity jolted Dai Yao, and he looked up to find her face alarmingly close—flawless features, an elegant nose, and those mesmerizing eyes, filled with a mixture of affection and subtle sorrow. Startled, he leaned back to create some space.
"Am I really that unpleasant to be around?" Hu Liena whispered, her gaze dropping, a hint of sadness touching her expression.
Dai Yao sighed in exasperation. "Nana, drop the act. You've pulled this trick too many times. It's getting old."
She chuckled, dropping the pout as she leaned closer, her face playful. "Then tell me—do you dislike me?"
Closing his book, Dai Yao answered, "You're the Saintess of Spirit Hall, an unmarried woman visiting a man alone multiple times. People are bound to speculate about us. 'Proper boundaries' is a concept for a reason. Even though we're friends, we should still respect that."
"Oh, come now, Dai Yao," Hu Liena teased. "You're overthinking. It's perfectly normal for the gifted disciples of Spirit Hall to be close. Besides, I'm a woman and don't mind. Why should you?"
Dai Yao sighed and looked up at the sky. "Fine. Whatever you say."
Hu Liena stood, and Dai Yao couldn't help but glance at her, noting the graceful curves of her figure. Smiling, she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "By the way, Dai Yao, today is the Spirit Master Festival. You've been here five years, but I don't think you've attended one, have you?"
"Spirit Master Festival? What's that?" Dai Yao asked, intrigued.
Hu Liena covered a laugh and explained, "You really don't know? According to legend, a powerful spirit beast dragon once attacked humanity. At that time, people were ordinary, with no awakened spirits, and suffered greatly under the dragon's tyranny. Finally, after years of oppression, a hero emerged, awakening their spirit power and defeating the dragon. In honor of that hero's achievement, we named the day the 'Spirit Master Festival.' It commemorates the day the path of the spirit master began."
As Hu Liena spoke, her eyes softened with a warm, gentle look that seemed to pierce into his heart. "Dai Yao, although we're spirit masters, training isn't everything. I know you carry heavy burdens, but remember, we're here to help. You don't have to bear everything alone."
The sincerity in her words stirred a pang of guilt in Dai Yao. This deep affection—he was not sure he could handle it.
Hu Liena noticed his hesitation and suggested, "How about we go explore the Spirit Master Festival together?"
Dai Yao was tempted, but images of Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong floated through his mind. As disciples of Titled Douluos, they were familiar with Spirit City and surely knew about this festival. Over the past five years, he'd never taken them to see the celebrations. He could easily imagine how isolated they might feel seeing other young spirit masters celebrating with friends or loved ones.
An intense feeling of guilt rose within him. "Sorry, Nana," he said. "I've just realized I've never taken Zhuqing and Wutong out to see Spirit City. Once they're back, I'll take them out."
Hu Liena's eyes flickered with a hint of disappointment, though she forced a smile. "I suppose you're right. But maybe you should explore the city with me first. This way, when you do take Zhuqing and Wutong out, you'll know where everything is, won't you?"
Dai Yao hesitated. Although Hu Liena's logic was sound, he felt uneasy about the idea of going alone with her.
Seeing his reluctance, she pressed on, "Dai Yao, are we friends or not? Friends can walk around together, can't they?"
She was always quick with the moral arguments, Dai Yao thought wryly. He had no good reason to refuse, yet the idea of going out alone with her felt... complicated.
Resigned, he said, "Fine. I'll go with you for a bit, then I'll meet Zhuqing and Wutong later. The festival only really gets lively at night anyway."
A flicker of sadness crossed Hu Liena's gaze, but her voice remained cheerful. "Great! Let's go now, then—it's still afternoon, so we'll have plenty of time!"
They set off on a flying beast, and Dai Yao unfurled the wings of his Sacred White Tiger, quickly keeping pace with her.
After a brief flight, they descended at the gates of Spirit City. The guards, typically strict, were in high spirits for the festival, each wearing bright red ribbons on their uniforms. When Hu Liena showed her Saintess token, they were promptly allowed through.
Entering the city, Dai Yao immediately felt a wave of celebration wash over them. Red banners decorated every corner, and paper decorations filled windows, bathing the city in a sea of joyful red.
Amid the bustling crowd, groups and couples dressed in colorful attire passed by Dai Yao and Hu Liena, filling the air with laughter and conversation. Street vendors lined the pathways, offering snacks, face paint, and even sky lanterns similar to those used in the Lantern Festival at Yelin City. The lively haggling of tourists with vendors added to the festival's vibrant energy.
"Come on, let me show you around," Hu Liena said, turning to Dai Yao with a smile.
The festive atmosphere was infectious, and Dai Yao couldn't help but feel a hint of joy as he nodded, letting Hu Liena lead him into the crowded streets. As they strolled along, the sheer number of people forced them to walk side by side. And whenever they stopped to watch an activity, they would occasionally brush shoulders. Each time this happened, Hu Liena would instinctively lower her head in a shy gesture before quickly composing herself as though nothing had happened, while Dai Yao started to regret agreeing to this outing.
Just as they were watching a street performer—a spirit master juggling tricks—a young man in the crowd suddenly called out, "Saintess!"
The bustling crowd immediately quieted as all eyes turned to Hu Liena. Her beauty stood out even amidst the packed street, as though a spotlight was cast on her, drawing everyone's attention.
The smile on Hu Liena's face faded as she looked at the young man with a detached expression and replied with a curt nod. The festive mood around them dampened noticeably. Standing before the possible future Empress of Spirit Hall left no one feeling completely at ease.
With her identity revealed, Hu Liena's aura shifted from the warmth of a normal young woman to the composed demeanor of the revered Saintess. Surveying the faces of the onlookers, who now wore expressions of awe and reverence, she sighed and forced a polite smile. "Thank you all for coming to Spirit City. I hope you enjoy your time here."
Dai Yao noticed the genuineness had vanished from her smile.
"Let's go," she said, pulling Dai Yao by the hand as they wove their way through the crowd. As they disappeared into the throng, the crowd gradually returned to its lively cheer.
"Saintess, who is he?"
Not long after they left, the young man who had revealed Hu Liena's identity rushed after them, casting a hostile look at Dai Yao. He was one of the rising talents of Spirit Hall's younger generation and admired the Golden Generation, as well as Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong, as his role models. Although Dai Yao was reputed to be undefeated, he was rarely seen outside the valley, and many of these young spirit masters weren't familiar with his appearance. Some even doubted his abilities.
Now, seeing the Saintess with an unfamiliar man stirred envy among those who revered Hu Liena, Zhu Zhuqing, and Feng Wutong as goddesses.
Hu Liena turned and gave the young man a cold stare. Her eyes flashed with a hint of red, and a wave of killing intent washed over him as she replied icily, "This has nothing to do with you." She then pulled Dai Yao along without a backward glance.
The young man froze in place, trembling as if he had fallen into an icy abyss. Watching them walk away, he gritted his teeth, his gaze darkening. "Saintess, what about Yan? How can you disregard his feelings like this? I have to tell him!"
Feeling a sense of duty, he pushed through the crowd and hurried in the direction of the Pope's Hall.
Meanwhile, Dai Yao and Hu Liena's outing had been completely disrupted. The Spirit Master Festival was a celebration for all—commoners enjoyed the festivities on the streets, while those of higher rank gathered in reserved lounges along the busiest avenues. Yet, every few steps, they ran into people who recognized Hu Liena.
They were constantly stopped by well-wishers or admirers congratulating the Saintess. Finally, they found a quiet spot beneath a secluded stone bridge where they could catch their breath without interruptions.
"This is such a hassle," Hu Liena muttered with frustration. "Finally, I get a chance to enjoy the Spirit Master Festival, and now it feels like everyone's staring. Dai Yao, next time we go out, let's wear masks."
Dai Yao nodded as he glanced at the bustling street in the distance. "But I didn't see any mask vendors along the way."
"Let's keep walking," Hu Liena suggested with a sly smile. "Who knows, maybe we'll get lucky."
They continued for a few more paces and, almost as if by magic, found a vendor selling masks in a quiet corner.
"That was quick," Dai Yao said, caught off guard by the coincidence.
"How convenient! Let's grab a couple of masks so we won't get recognized while we're walking around," Hu Liena said with a laugh.
She had arranged for this vendor to be here. When Dai Yao had once rejected her so heartlessly behind a mask, she had made sure to get a few masks just in case. Now, she wanted to see what he would look like wearing one in front of her.
Dai Yao glanced at the array of masks. "How much for these?" Hu Liena asked the vendor as she sifted through them.
The vendor, a middle-aged man, seemed to take a careful look at Hu Liena before glancing briefly at Dai Yao. "One silver spirit coin each. We've got all sorts here—animal masks, soul beast designs, and even some based on famous spirit masters."
Hu Liena's eyes lit up. "I'll take a fox mask and a tiger mask."
"Right away." The vendor pulled two masks from the display—a fox mask that covered only the upper half of the face and a tiger mask that obscured the entire face.
Hu Liena cheerfully paid for the masks, then turned to Dai Yao. "Here, let me help you put this on."
Dai Yao froze, staring at the tiger mask in her hands. Blocking her outstretched hand, he took the mask from her and examined it with a complicated expression.
After a long moment, he looked up at Hu Liena, who wore an innocent smile, and asked quietly, "Nana, do you... know something?"
Hu Liena tilted her head, her expression genuinely confused. "Know what?"
Dai Yao studied her face, trying to detect any hint of deception, but he found nothing. Finally, he sighed, lowering his gaze. "I guess... you really don't."
Still, he couldn't shake the feeling that Hu Liena had figured out his identity as the "Shura Emperor" and was only pretending not to know. He decided that after they returned, he'd have to have a serious conversation with Bibi Dong. If Hu Liena continued to visit him in the valley, he might need to leave Spirit City for a while.
Watching Dai Yao's conflicted expression, Hu Liena could barely contain her amusement. "Serves you right for rejecting me back then!" she thought smugly. "Let's see how long you can keep up this act!"
After donning their masks, they were about to head back to the festival when a figure clad in fiery red appeared before them.
"Stop right there!" Yan stepped forward, his eyes blazing with fury as he glared at Dai Yao behind the tiger mask. His gaze flickered briefly to Hu Liena before returning to Dai Yao. "Who are you, and why are you with Nana?"
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