The crowd's attention shifted all at once.
From a distance, hundreds of young women in moon-white Taoist robes approached in formation.
Each carried a fairy sword in her hand, moving with grace and discipline.
Their slender figures, elegant steps, and refined beauty made them look like a flowing river of moonlight crossing the square.
"Look—it's Lu Xueqi!" someone exclaimed.
All eyes turned toward the center of the group.
There, among the already stunning Xiaozhu Peak disciples, walked a woman whose beauty seemed almost unreal.
She wore the same moon-white robe, but on her, it seemed to glow.
Her figure was graceful and balanced, her features sculpted and flawless.
Her expression was cold and distant, like an untouchable snow lotus, and yet… there was something dangerously alluring about her.
The female disciples of Xiaozhu Peak were hand-picked by Shuiyue from the mortal world.....talented in cultivation, lovely in face, and blessed with fine figures.
Yet next to Lu Xueqi, even they seemed ordinary. She stood out effortlessly, as if the rest of the world was merely a backdrop.
"Too beautiful…" someone whispered in awe.
"Is that really Lu Xueqi? If I could marry her, I'd give up half my lifespan."
"Half? Dream on, she wouldn't even glance at you in a hundred lifetimes!"
"Look at that expression—so cold. She doesn't let anyone close."
Her arrival stirred up the square like a gust of spring wind in a quiet forest.....whispers, sighs, and a few bold shouts filled the air.
Even Zhang Xiaofan, watching from the Dazhu Peak side, couldn't help but think, She's even more beautiful than Senior Sister Tian Ling'er.
Then something unexpected happened—Lu Xueqi turned her head.
Her gaze, usually as sharp and cold as a blade, softened. A faint smile curved her lips.
The crowd erupted again.
"She smiled! Who is she smiling at?"
"She's looking this way...must be me!"
"Idiot, she's clearly looking toward the Dazhu Peak disciples!"
"Wait… isn't that toward the guy with a monkey on his shoulder?"
A few people began whispering.
"I heard about that one.
He used to be extremely talented, but two years ago he fell into inner demons and nearly lost his life.
Now, he's only got a tenth of his spiritual power left. Name's Zhang Xiaofan, right?"
"Yeah… and Lu Xueqi's smiling at him? I'm going to smash his teeth at the Seven Clans Competition!"
Zhang Xiaofan noticed her smile and, unsure what else to do, smiled and waved back.
Lu Xueqi gave a small nod, then walked toward her master, Shuiyue.
At that moment, the monkey on Zhang Xiaofan's shoulder, Xiao Hui, squeaked twice and leapt straight onto Lu Xueqi.
She stroked the little monkey's head with rare warmth.
"Xiao Hui, you still remember me," she said gently.
The monkey nodded, squeaking again.
Lu Xueqi glanced at Zhang Xiaofan. "Your Xiao Hui doesn't want you anymore. I'll be taking him with me."
"If he wants to go, let him. He'll be back soon enough," Zhang Xiaofan replied.
"Good," she said simply, and walked away with Xiao Hui in her arms. "Let's go get you something delicious."
The monkey nodded eagerly, looking far too pleased with himself.
"A heartless little furball…" Zhang Xiaofan muttered.
Before he could say more, a female voice called from behind.
"Senior Brother Song, how have you been?"
A tall, confident woman approached, followed by several Xiaozhu Peak junior sisters....though to Zhang Xiaofan, all of them were technically senior sisters.
Song Daren turned and froze. His usual calm disappeared, replaced by the awkward fidgeting of a man half his age.
"J-Junior Sister Wen…!" he stammered.
Zhang Xiaofan grinned and called out loudly, "Senior Sister Wenmin, my senior brother has been thinking of you for sixty years since the last competition.
Sometimes he even mumbles your name in his sleep."
Song Daren flushed crimson. "No, no, that's not true!"
One of the girls smirked. "Oh? So you don't miss our senior sister anymore?"
"I—uh—no, that's not what I meant—" Song Daren sputtered.
Everyone nearby burst into laughter.
Before the teasing could continue, another shout went up.
"Look! The disciples of Longshou Peak are here!"
Hundreds of figures marched in, swords at their waists, steps steady and heads held high. Leading them was a man with sharp eyes and a confident air...Qi Hao, the second-place champion of the last Seven Clans Martial Arts Competition.
Since the first-place winner, Xiao Yicai of Tongtian Peak, was away on a mission, Qi Hao was now considered the strongest among the younger generation.
But in Qi Hao's heart, strength wasn't the only thing on his mind.
Ever since meeting Tian Ling'er two years ago, he had been deeply smitten....not for her family status as the daughter of the sect leader Tian Buyi, but for her lively, charming personality.
He spotted her almost instantly in the crowd...a flash of red dress, delicate features that mirrored her mother Su Ru's beauty.
Smiling, Qi Hao strode toward her. Stopping two meters away, he lowered his proud head slightly. "Junior Sister Tian, I haven't seen you in two years. You've grown even more beautiful."
Tian Ling'er had been ready to answer politely… until she remembered Zhang Xiaofan's warning from earlier:
Over a hundred years old, chasing after a sixteen-year-old girl—what a pervert.
Her expression cooled instantly.
"Pervert. I don't know you. Don't talk to me."
Qi Hao froze. "???"
Behind him, his Longshou Peak disciples nearly burst into laughter. Some covered their mouths, trembling with the effort not to let a sound slip.
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