The following afternoon, the Liuyao Town was still buzzing with excitement. Though the incident that had shaken everyone happened far from the residential area, word of it had already spread to every corner of the town.
Many regretted missing an event that might be recorded in history someday. Those who had been present at the scene suddenly became figures of importance, parading their retelling with pride as though they themselves had been heroes in the tale. Even the monkeys in the nearby forest, if they could speak, would likely have gossiped about what had happened.
Inside a lively tavern—
"So, you're saying those experts really were that strong?" a burly man with a thick mustache slammed the table as he spoke, making his cup of wine rattle.
"Of course they were strong! They were Heavenly Venerables! You could live your whole life and still never see someone of that stage," replied the man across from him.
A man in a straw hat, who had been listening in, suddenly chuckled smugly. "Hmph. I was actually there. Saw it all happen with my own eyes."
The tavern fell silent for a heartbeat. Dozens of eyes turned toward him—some filled with envy, some with skepticism, and some waiting eagerly for him to continue.
Elsewhere in the tavern, a girl dressed in a pure white robe sat quietly, her face veiled behind a thin silken scarf, which only deepened the air of mystery around her. Beside her, a young man in white robes sat with perfect composure. Both of them clearly wished to keep their identities hidden.
"You said those experts were still very young?" the veiled girl's soft, calm voice suddenly cut through the noise.
The man in the straw hat downed another gulp of wine and nodded firmly. "That's right. No mistake about it."
"But how could a Heavenly Venerable be that young? Maybe it was just some old master disguising himself," he added with a self-assured grin.
A faint light glimmered in the veiled girl's eyes. She glanced at the young man beside her, and without exchanging another word, both of them rose to their feet and slipped out of the tavern. Their figures trembled slightly before they shot into the air, leaving a faint trail of light under the golden dusk sky. Those who saw them could only stare open-mouthed, realizing that the two were no ordinary people.
"Miss, do you wish to learn more about those two experts?" the young man asked respectfully as he flew alongside her.
"Yes," she replied simply, her tone cold and measured.
The young man lowered his gaze slightly, his eyes filled with quiet reverence. To him, this girl was not merely his young miss but the light he had always admired from afar. Yet he knew his place. The feelings he carried could never be spoken aloud.
"Miss, shall we head straight to the Liuyao Pavilion?" he asked carefully.
"Yes. I suspect those experts might be interested in the Pavilion's upcoming auction," she said, her voice calm.
Without wasting another breath, the two of them soared toward Liuyao Pavilion at full speed.
———
Night soon fell, painting the sky with deep darkness and scattering it with stars as brilliant as jewels.
At the top floor terrace of a grand pavilion that stood proudly in the middle of the town, Yifan sat leisurely, having already arrived at Liuyao Pavilion the day before. Tonight, he simply enjoyed the quiet, gazing out over the lively glow of Liuyao Town below. The silhouettes of tall trees swayed gently in the night breeze, completing the serene view.
To his right sat Yun Xi, draped in her flowing amethyst robe. Her snow-white shoulders were exposed, her skin as luminous as polished jade. Her beauty was effortless, impossible to ignore.
On his left was Xue Yao, her crimson robe far bolder in design. Her shoulders were bare, the fabric clinging to her body as though it might slip at any moment, lending her a fiery charm that contrasted sharply with Yun Xi's quiet elegance. If Yun Xi was the serene moon, Xue Yao was a blazing flame.
"Yun Xi, have you heard the news? Since when did we become Heavenly Venerables?" Yifan asked with a puzzled expression.
To him, he was just a man passing through this world by chance. How had he suddenly become a figure of legend?
"I don't know either, Young Master," Yun Xi replied with a faint, playful smile, her eyes glinting mischievously.
Xue Yao turned to glance at the two, her mind whirling. Wasn't it obvious that they were far beyond ordinary experts? Why were they acting as though they didn't know? Were they simply concealing their true identities? Her thoughts spun, but she chose to remain silent.
Suddenly, soft footsteps echoed behind them. The sound drew closer until a graceful figure emerged—Yao Yue, the Pavilion Mistress of Liuyao Pavilion. Her yellow robe tonight was far more exquisite than usual, radiating the mature elegance of a woman in her prime.
"Senior, what do you think of this view?" Yao Yue asked with a faint smile.
"Hmm. It's not bad," Yifan replied casually, his gaze still fixed on the lively night scene below.
"Pavilion Mistress, just call me Young Master," he added offhandedly.
Yao Yue froze for a moment. Her gaze lingered on Yifan before she lowered her head slightly. The air grew still, and sensing something amiss, Yifan turned around to look at her.
Yun Xi and Xue Yao both turned as well, momentarily startled by Yao Yue's appearance tonight. The neckline of her golden robe dipped just enough to reveal a faint glimpse of her fair skin, making her all the more captivating. Yet Yifan's expression remained calm, unaffected by her charm.
"Very well, Young Master. From now on, I shall address you as such. You may simply call me Yao Yue," she said respectfully.
"Alright," Yifan replied lightly.
———
That night, after Yao Yue had personally hosted Yifan and his companions, she finally returned to her chambers to rest. The room was quiet, save for the soft whisper of the night wind slipping through the window.
Her body felt slightly weary. Slowly, she untied the sash of her yellow robe, her gaze lingering on her own reflection in the bronze mirror standing in the corner of the room. Her long black hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall, enhancing the graceful aura of a pavilion mistress who, for this brief moment, was shedding the weight of her responsibilities.
Just as her fingers loosened the last knot, a gentle knock echoed from the door. The sound was soft but clear enough to make Yao Yue turn her head at once.
"Pavilion Mistress," came a woman's voice from outside—light and respectful. Yao Yue recognized it at once; it was her personal attendant.
"What is it?" Yao Yue asked, still looking at her reflection in the mirror, her voice calm though there was a faint edge of irritation.
"The ancestors are summoning you."