Zhou Qing opened his eyes and saw Lu Yaoyao, the sect's favorite, happily greeting the two others.
Li Daoxuan and He Han followed closely behind, their initially cheerful faces turning stern upon seeing Zhou Qing.
Seeing the unchanged "sleazy scumbag" note above Li Daoxuan's head, Zhou Qing didn't bother to greet him.
He simply continued to pretend to sleep.
On the other hand, Yan Xiaohu was enthusiastically smiling, "Lu, you're here for the trade fair too? Come, come, I have some good stuff here, take whatever you fancy, at half price!"
Li Daoxuan glanced at the junk on the stall and couldn't help but comment, "Cough, cough, cough, that's not how you rip people off. Little Sister, let's go shopping over there."
But Lu Yaoyao looked up at Zhou Qing, her mind wildly imagining a grand drama.
How would the tender youth Zhou Qing from the Taiqing Sect and the elder beauty Immortal Xuan You from the Cyan Feather Immortal Sect spark a romance?
So exciting!
"If it really is her, I must keep a close watch!" Lu Yaoyao muttered to herself.
Then she left.
Yan Xiaohu felt a bit regretful and picked up a bronze mirror from the stall to look at himself.
"How could she not like a dashing single-lidded guy like me and fall for Old Four instead? And he barely acknowledges her. Is this that legendary 'playing hard to get'?"
Yan Xiaohu muttered to himself, then suspiciously looked at Zhou Qing pretending to sleep.
"Wake up, she's already gone!" Yan Xiaohu shouted.
Zhou Qing slowly opened his eyes, sat up, and stretched lazily.
"Ah, so comfortable!"
Yan Xiaohu came over, full of curiosity, "I just don't get it, what does that girl see in you?"
Zhou Qing slapped his thigh, "I want to know that too! I don't even know where to start changing."
The two exchanged looks and finally sighed in unison.
Some are parched to death, while others drown!
Towards the evening, after Yan Xiaohu packed up his stall, the two had a feast and flew back to their sect using sword control.
That night, Zhou Qing boiled a large bucket of hot water and threw in the broken bones of the Red Flame Dragon Lion.
Then he slowly stepped into the steaming bath barrel, calmed his heart and spirit, and began to practice the mantra of the Silver Dragon Hand technique.
"I wonder if Second Uncle was telling the truth!" Zhou Qing was still somewhat skeptical.
The bones were fine, but was this method correct?
As time passed, the bones at the bottom of the barrel began to bubble with blood-colored water, synchronizing with the meridians of the Silver Dragon Hand.
"It works!"
Seeing this, Zhou Qing was overjoyed and sped up his circulation.
Soon, the blood-colored liquid started entering his palms, Zhou Qing clearly felt a wave of scorching warmth flooding his body, blending and resonating with the spiritual power of the Silver Dragon Hand technique.
Moments later, a faint silver glow began to emerge on his hands.
"This is too fast!"
Seeing this, Zhou Qing was astonished and immediately focused completely on the strange feeling.
He remained absorbed until dawn, reluctantly standing up.
With a thought, his hands were instantly covered in a layer of light silver, closer inspection revealed small dragon scales.
"This bone should still be usable for another two days, then I'll have truly mastered the Silver Dragon Hand!" Zhou Qing was elated.
Although Second Uncle could be quite unreliable at times, his unique understanding of cultivation techniques and divine abilities was far beyond Zhou Qing's reach.
Otherwise, how could he have infiltrated so many large sects and almost become the next Sect Leader?
Zhou Qing had just packed up his things and opened the courtyard door when he met Yan Xiaohu arriving on his sword.
After all, they had agreed to go down the mountain together these past few days.
"My goodness, did you fall asleep while soaking last night?" Yan Xiaohu asked in shock, seeing Zhou Qing's slightly pale skin.
Zhou Qing felt embarrassed.
Yan Xiaohu circled Zhou Qing, clicking his tongue, "This isn't right. No wonder your skin is whiter than mine. Is there some secret to this soak?"
Zhou Qing shook his head speechlessly, "Just move around less and get less sun, your skin will also get whiter. Let's go have breakfast in the kitchen before heading down the mountain."
Yan Xiaohu didn't argue, but when they reached the foot of the mountain, they encountered He Han from Divine Peak.
"Zhou, do you have some time now? Little Sister has something to discuss!" He Han saluted.
Zhou Qing was puzzled.
Why is she looking for me early in the morning?
And she sent her second senior brother.
Something's fishy.
No way!
"I still have…"
"Good, as long as you have time. Though your reputation isn't great, I didn't want to take you to Divine Peak, but it's Little Sister's first time asking for help, so it must be done properly. Come with me!"
Before Zhou Qing could protest, He Han grabbed him and got on his flying sword.
Zhou Qing struggled, "Hey, you can't just kidnap me! Last time in Jade Dining Hall, you weren't like this… Yan, help!"
Before Zhou Qing finished, He Han took off, flying straight to Divine Peak.
Yan Xiaohu was left at the spot, blinking his small eyes, full of conflict and hesitation.
"Should I set up my stall or check on Old Four?"
"It's my own brother, it should be fine."
"But today is the second day of the Treasure Exchange Gathering, I'll miss many big catches if I don't go. If I don't check on him, isn't that too heartless? In his most helpless moment, I couldn't be there for him."
"Forget it, let fate decide!"
Yan Xiaohu quickly picked a big red flower and began plucking its petals.
"Go, don't go, go, don't go, go…"
"I'm such a jerk, Old Four called me for help, and I'm here plucking petals. Old Four, hang in there, Third Bro is coming!"
Yan Xiaohu threw away the last "go" petal, shouted, and dashed towards Divine Peak…
......
"Hey, He Han you bastard…" Out of breath, Yan Xiaohu finally found He Han, ready to curse him out when he realized all their brothers were there, swallowing the last word.
However, Li Daoxuan and the other five seemed oblivious to Yan Xiaohu's arrival, all peeking over the courtyard wall, sneaking glances.
Confused, Yan Xiaohu tiptoed over and climbed the wall, his anger flaring up at the sight.
They were in a reception hall's back garden, where a pond mirrored a clear lake, shimmering under the sunlight with koi swimming joyfully within.
Jagged peaks and rocks were artistically placed by the lakeside, with winding corridors wrapping around them.
In a pavilion by the corridor, a silver-haired beauty was giggling at Lu Yaoyao's remarks while Zhou Qing ate spiritual food, smiling and nodding occasionally in agreement.
"I skipped breakfast and money-making to help you, and here you are, eating and drinking well. Did you consider my feelings?"
Yan Xiaohu grumbled and stormed off…