That night, Liuyao City was like a night market that never slept. A pale moon hung alone in the sky, accompanied by stars twinkling like tiny oil lamps on rooftops. The cold air drifted down slowly, turning the breath of the gathered crowd into thin streams, like smoke. Lanterns and shop lights lit up one by one, adding splashes of color to the night.
Though the hour was late, the streets were far from empty. Shops that had intended to close hurriedly reopened their doors. Some vendors even lit emergency stoves, selling warm food to those unwilling to go home. Liuyao City had become a bustling hive. Whispers, soft laughter, and exclamations of awe mingled together, all discussing the events that had just unfolded at Liuyao Pavilion.
In front of the Pavilion, Yifan remained calm, standing with his entourage. Several VIP guests who had been in the special room earlier approached, offering greetings, flattery, and compliments that sounded overly polished. Their words fell like coins into a beggar's bowl, numerous, noisy, but of no value to Yifan.
The young man only responded lightly: a subtle nod, a faint smile. Praise was like the night wind to him, briefly refreshing, then gone without a trace.
Not everyone joined the crowd. Some chose to step back slowly, moving quickly before disappearing into the darkened streets. They were like shrewd merchants avoiding losses, waiting to see who would win before following. Even Jian Yunhe from the Jianyuan Sect had quietly left, his face somber. His sect was known for neutrality, like a turtle hiding its head, seeming cowardly, but that was exactly why they survived for so long.
At that moment, slow footsteps approached Yifan. From the edge of the crowd emerged Jingxue, followed by Linghan and a man in a white robe.
Jingxue's white dress fluttered in the night wind, thin yet elegant, like silk displayed in a high-end shop. A thin veil covered part of her face, not to hide, but to intrigue, like a curtain drawn halfway across a window. Occasionally, lamp light caught her skin, reflecting softly like snow under the moon.
As she drew closer, more details became visible. Her exposed shoulders gave an impression of grace and courage. The golden patterns on her gown shimmered faintly, like delicate carvings on porcelain. Small white earrings swayed subtly with her steps, producing nearly imperceptible sounds that reminded anyone nearby that she was no ordinary woman.
The once noisy crowd gradually quieted, all eyes drawn to Jingxue. It was as if all the night's light clung to her.
Slowly, Jingxue lifted her veil. Her smile appeared, gentle, yet enough to make several men nearby catch their breath. She was beautiful in a quiet, understated way. Her red lips shone, her eyes clear and deep, with a faint forehead ornament catching the light.
Yet only one man remained unaffected, of course, Yifan. His expression was calm, serene as a lake. His gaze met hers directly, neither awed nor mesmerized. His indifferent demeanor made Jingxue feel slightly uneasy.
She introduced herself softly:
"Senior, I am Xu Jingxue, from the Xu Clan in the Central Region."
The words sparked like fire in the cold night. Several experts listening widened their eyes. The Central Region! It was no ordinary name. It was the heart of the Tianxian Continent, like the sun in the sky. Even the four other major regions could not compare in strength or influence.
Yao Yue covered her mouth, nearly gasping. She had never expected that tonight's guest would hail from a region she had only heard about in stories. She had never even set foot there.
"Ohh, so it's Miss Jingxue. A pleasure to meet you," Yifan replied casually.
His gaze swept over the girl before him, from head to toe. Xu Jingxue paused. Was he observing her? Or… captivated? She quickly pushed the thought away, though her cheeks warmed slightly.
'Hehe… she's an interesting girl,' Yifan thought, as if evaluating her.
Linghan standing beside her also watched, nearly disbelieving. This was the first time she had seen Jingxue, the cold, rigid girl, smile shyly. The man in the white robe beside them could only clench his fists silently, heart burning. He had accompanied Jingxue for so long, yet never received a smile like this.
Yun Xi glanced at Yifan, her brows rising slightly. Then her gaze shifted to Jingxue, but soon relaxed. She could sense another secret within Jingxue, something even ordinary strong cultivators could not see.
"May I be friends with you, Senior?" Jingxue asked, her voice slightly hurried.
Yifan smiled faintly, replying, "Of course. But don't call me Senior. Just call me Yifan."
Jingxue's smile widened. Somehow, those simple words warmed her heart. She bowed slightly, hiding her softened expression.
Yun Xi snorted quietly. Her tone remained polite, yet a hint of dissatisfaction lingered.
"Miss Jingxue, do you only wish to be friends with the Young Master?"
"Ah, of course not. I wish to be friends with all of you," Jingxue replied quickly, still smiling.
They introduced themselves in turn, exchanging names. The conversation flowed lightly, like a small stream trickling over stones, with occasional soft laughter.
Yet on the other side, Jingxue's white-robed bodyguard remained silent. His gaze toward Yifan was full of suspicion. In his heart, he muttered,
'Miss, why are you so friendly with a stranger? Can this man truly be trusted?'
But he dared not speak. His eyes flicked toward Yun Xi, and his heart thudded. The girl in purple was breathtakingly beautiful. Greed stirred briefly before he suppressed it deeply.
Yun Xi's sharp eyes immediately caught the subtle reaction. Calmly, she transmitted a voice to Yifan.
'Young Master, it seems the little man dislikes you.'
'Let him be. What can he do?' Yifan glanced briefly, smiling faintly.
'Hehe… Yun Xi, it seems he also fancies you,' Yifan added teasingly.
Yun Xi's cheeks puffed, her face flushed with annoyance. She crossed her arms in front of her chest, emphasizing her figure.
'Tch! That makes me sick. Aside from the Young Master, I want no one!'
Yifan only chuckled. To others, Yun Xi might appear cold and mysterious. But in front of him, she was like a spoiled child.
Time passed as the conversation gradually waned. Linghan finally turned to Jingxue and spoke softly,
"Jingxue, it's time for us to return."
Jingxue restrained her expression, but she knew it was right. She had to go back and report tonight's events to her clan.
Yao Yue understood the situation and offered, "Miss Jingxue, how about spending the night at my Liuyao Pavilion?"
"Thank you, but we cannot, not because we don't want to," Jingxue replied politely.
"We must return immediately."
Yet in her heart, she felt the weight of leaving. With Yifan, she could breathe more freely, like a small bird released from its cage, even if only for a moment. At her clan, she was always required to train, train, and train, rarely allowed a space for herself.
Before leaving, Xu Jingxue looked at Yifan.
"Young Master Yifan, Miss Yun Xi, and everyone… if you visit the Central Region, please do drop by the Xu Clan."
Yifan replied casually, "Miss Jingxue needn't worry. If we go to the Central Region, we will surely visit the Xu Clan."
The light reply made Jingxue's heart flutter. Her smile blossomed, genuine, like a flower blooming in spring. She then soared into the night sky with Linghan and her sulking bodyguard. Before disappearing completely, she glanced back. Their eyes met, and Yifan returned her smile. Jingxue bowed slightly, her face flushed.
'Little girl, we will meet again, and when that time comes… you may thank me.'
Yifan's heart was calm, his mind thinking far ahead, as if he could predict events yet to come.
The night deepened. The clamor outside Liuyao Pavilion gradually faded, leaving only whispers and shadows of an event that would be talked about for a long time.
Yifan and his entourage returned inside the Pavilion. The night ended, but the beginning of a new rivalry had just begun.