The Next Day – The Grand Orchid Garden
The Grand Orchid Garden was an elegant, secluded haven located in the heart of Ocean City.
Beautiful jade statues, spirit-infused blossoms, and koi ponds laced with mist made it seem like a dreamscape.
Only the royal family had access.
Lan Yinyin stood beneath a pavilion, the sleeves of her ocean-blue gown flowing in the wind, long hair tied back in an elegant braid.
She looked calm, but anyone with a brain could tell she was... hunting.
"I've sealed the entire garden," she said coolly to her top bodyguard, a grim-faced man named Qi Renshu.
"No one leaves without my word. I know he'll come."
Qi Renshu nodded.
"You're certain he'll take the bait?"
Lan Yinyin's smile was faint.
"He stole from me. That makes him bold. Arrogant. But also... curious. He'll want to know why I invited 'a mysterious suitor' to the royal garden."
That's right.
She'd deliberately sent out a fake message to the underground rumor network:
"The Royal Princess wishes to meet a mysterious guest who dared challenge her pride."
It spread like wildfire.
Meanwhile – Hei Long, Somewhere Above the Garden
Hei Long casually sipped chilled spirit-wine on a rooftop overlooking the Grand Orchid Garden, lazily dressed in black.
Sheng Moxian was beside him, munching spirit fruits and glaring at the garden below.
"She really thought you'd walk into this trap?" Sheng Moxian rolled her eyes. "Please. Amateur."
"She's impatient. That's good." Hei Long smirked. "She's already dancing."
"She's going to fall in love with you, you know."
"She already has."
Sheng Moxian threw a grape at him.
Meanwhile –
"Gentlemen, it's me she's calling," Lin Fan said proudly to two passing disciples. "You heard the rumors, right? Mysterious suitor? That's me."
The two disciples looked at each other.
"...You're the guy who got kicked out of the brothel for trying to pay with a 'spirit IOU'."
"That was a misunderstanding," Lin Fan huffed, brushing his hair back. "I've got something no one else does."
"Desperation?"
"No. Charisma."
Ten minutes later, Lin Fan swaggered into the Grand Orchid Garden with the confidence of a peacock and the brains of a turnip.
Spotting Lan Yinyin by the pavilion, he strutted forward.
"My lady," he said suavely, "you've summoned me."
Lan Yinyin turned slowly... and frowned.
"...Who are you?"
"I'm Lin Fan..."
Her frown deepened.
"Security," she said calmly.
Qi Renshu appeared behind Lin Fan instantly.
"Wait—WAIT—YOU MEANT SOMEONE ELSE!?" Lin Fan screamed as he was dragged off, face-down through the dirt. "YINYIN I THOUGHT WE HAD A CONNECTION!!"
"You tracked horse dung into my garden," she said flatly. "Have him removed... and washed."
Back on the Rooftop
Hei Long sipped his drink.
"That was... honestly impressive," he muttered, watching Lin Fan get launched over the outer wall via spirit formation.
Moxian cackled.
Back in the Garden –
Lan Yinyin sat alone again.
Until—flutter
A note drifted down into her lap.
She opened it quickly.
"You almost had me. Almost.Your dress was nice, though.– H.L."
Her eyes widened. She stood up in a flash.
"He was HERE!?"
Qi Renshu ran over. "What?! Where?!"
Lan Yinyin's face turned bright red—not with rage this time—but flustered awe.
"H-He... complimented me..."
"...My lady?"
She turned away, hugging the note to her chest.
"Prepare the guest palace," she ordered. "He'll show up eventually. I want everything to be perfect when he does..."
Hei Long never came...
.
.
.
The skies above Ocean City buzzed with flying ships and soaring beasts as hundreds of cultivators from across the region descended like a tempest.
It was finally time.
The Ocean City Tournament — hosted once every five years — was an elite competition attended by geniuses from all major sects, royal clans, noble bloodlines, and mysterious reclusive cultivators.
Prizes included rare resources, high-grade techniques, and, most importantly, status.
The Sect delegation had just arrived.
A Grand Entrance
A massive spirit carriage, lined with golden trim and drawn by three cloud-scaled spirit horses, descended gracefully outside the tournament coliseum.
Flags fluttered proudly.
Hei Long, Lin Fan, Mu Qianxue, Bai Luoluo, Zhao Chun, and the Saintess, Sheng Moxian, stepped out one by one — turning heads instantly.
Hei Long stood at the front, hands behind his back, exuding effortless dominance.
A few noble ladies in the crowd squealed just from his entrance.
"Is that... the Saint?"
"He's even more handsome than the rumors said!"
"Forget the tournament. I surrender!"
Behind him, Lin Fan jumped out awkwardly and tripped over his own robes. He faceplanted. Hard.
"Ah—my nose!!" he cried, flailing like a chicken.
One disciple whispered, "Who's that guy?"
"Probably their baggage boy," another said.
Mu Qianxue shook her head. "Why is it always like this with him?"
The Arena of Waves --
The Ocean City coliseum was an architectural marvel — shaped like a giant conch shell, it sparkled with water-attributed formations and resonated with the nearby sea.
Its center stage was made of translucent blue spirit-glass, surrounded by thousands of audience seats, flying balconies, and VIP clouds.
सालों पुराने सफ़ेद दाग मिटाने में ये हर्बल विधि मेरे बड़े काम आईHerbal Skin Mark Removal
All major sects had already begun arriving. As they entered, glares and curiosity were thrown their way.
From the other side, Lan Yinyin sat in a royal box seat, fanning herself.
She spotted Hei Long immediately.
Their eyes met.
She tilted her chin proudly.
He yawned.
She blushed. And then gripped the fan so hard it snapped in half.
Each team lined up at a central formation pillar for identity and strength verification. When it was Lin Fan's turn, he stepped forward with confidence.
The examiner raised an eyebrow. "Name?"
"Lin Fan."
"Cultivation?"
"...Really low," he mumbled.
A pause. The examiner barely kept from laughing.
"Next," they said flatly.
Then Hei Long stepped up.
The formation lit up like a supernova.
The crowd gasped.
Even the elder from the Earth Vein Sect clenched his fist. "That damn freak..."
Later That Night – Preparing for Tomorrow
Back at their inn, the group gathered in Hei Long's suite for a strategy session.
"We'll all be in the singles elimination bracket tomorrow," Mu Qianxue explained, drunk again on cheap spirit wine. "Don't die."
"That's it?" Bai Luoluo asked flatly.
"I'm not a motivational speaker." hic
Zhao Chun grinned. "I'll try not to disappoint, Brother Long!"
Lin Fan punched the wall. "I won't lose either!"
The wall didn't take it kindly. His hand broke.
"Owww—WHY IS IT ALWAYS LIKE THIS!?"
Hei Long sat near the balcony, gazing at the glowing ocean beyond the city.
In his mind, the system whispered:
[Quest Update: "Capture the Ocean Princess' Heart – 1% Progress"][Warning: Lin Fan's fate is stabilizing. Interfere soon.]
Hei Long smirked.
"I'll handle it."