The city of Liuyao bustled with life in the morning. Streets were filled with people hurrying about, merchants calling out their wares, the aroma of warm food spilling from newly opened shops. Like a flowing river, the crowd moved incessantly. Amidst their conversations, the name Liuyao Pavilion echoed frequently. Last night's auction had become the talk of the city, leaving its mark on everyone's hearts. Some murmured in awe, while others grew anxious, as if a new surge in the world of cultivation was on the verge of erupting.
Upstairs in Liuyao Pavilion, the atmosphere contrasted sharply. Yifan and Yun Xinyao sat facing each other on the quiet terrace, with only the morning breeze passing between them.
"Brother… Yan Yunxue sent a message," Yun Xinyao's voice was heavy.
"It seems Xian Zhu is starting to stir," she added.
Rarely had such an expression cross her face. Even when the Immortal technique had been revealed, she had not been this tense. Something was at a completely different level.
"You noticed it too, didn't you, brother?" she continued softly.
Unlike Yu Xinyao, Yifan remained calm. He lifted a cup from the table, sipping the now lukewarm tea. Nothing could penetrate his tranquility, and even if he appeared shaken, it was usually just a performance.
"We've barely arrived in this region, and yet Xian Zhu is already stirring," Yifan replied lightly.
A small curve formed on his lips, like an elder chuckling at the mischief of children. "I suspect there is a traitor within."
"A traitor?" Yun Xinyao's voice rose sharply.
She lowered her head, her pupils shifting restlessly. She was lost in her own thoughts before looking back at Yifan.
"So what should we do? Should we return soon?" she asked.
Yifan simply smiled, his gaze falling on Yun Xinyao's face.
"No need. Even without me, Huangfu Xiyan and the others are still here, aren't they? They won't stand idly by if chaos truly breaks out. Besides, I have deliberately stayed away for a while. Sometimes, silence is the best way to lure a rat from its hole."
"Oh… so that's the reason," Yun Xinyao exhaled, her eyes softening.
"I even thought you had stopped caring about Xian Zhu," she admitted.
Yifan didn't answer, only raising an eyebrow and smiling faintly.
Yun Xinyao paused in thought. His method made sense, yet she still sensed something unusual.
"I'm still a little worried. It seems some great clans are playing behind the scenes."
Yifan remained unmoved. He picked a piece of fruit from the plate, biting it slowly, then said, "I know you worry about your juniors. But there's no need. You overthink thinks too much."
"You seem to trust the Young Lady of the Huangfu Immortal Clan greatly," Yun Xinyao said flatly. Her tone was light, but her eyes narrowed, as if testing him.
Yifan shivered slightly at the sharp gaze, as if a wrong answer might be met with immediate retaliation.
"So do you," Yifan replied calmly. "If not, why would I always bring you along with me?"
Hearing this, Yun Xinyao suppressed a small laugh. This man was truly skilled with words.
"Relax, take it easy," Yifan added, gazing far into the bustling city below.
"Just enjoy what's in front of you. Once everything here is settled, we'll return and take control of the situation," Yifan's words floated effortlessly, as if without burden.
"Hmm… alright. If chaos grows too large, I might return first," Yun Xinyao whispered.
"Your choice. As long as you wish, you're free to act as you please."
Yun Xinyao turned quickly, her brows raised, as if feeling a surge of courage.
"Really… I'm truly free to do whatever I want?" she said.
"Of course," Yifan replied succinctly.
A sudden silence fell. Only the wind blew, carrying the faint aroma of tea between them. Oddly, no response came from Yun Xinyao, as if she had vanished. Yifan immediately turned to her, sensing something amiss.
Suddenly, a sweet fragrance rushed toward him. Something warm, pliable, and soft touched his lips. The world seemed to stop spinning. Yun Xinyao's eyes were tightly shut, her face so close that Yifan could feel her breath.
A kiss!
Yifan froze, his blood seeming to halt. His heart pounded loudly, like war drums in the silence. The shock made it hard to think.
But moments later, Yun Xinyao quickly pulled away. Her cheeks burned crimson, her steps hurried, as if she had just committed a small mischief. She darted into the room, leaving Yifan still frozen in place.
The handsome man finally let out a faint smile. His earlier words had inadvertently given her an opening. Yun Xinyao had seized the opportunity.
'This girl… growing bolder, hehe…' he thought, letting out a small chuckle.
Even so, he did not mind at all. He was no saint maintaining distance from the opposite sex. He was a free man, walking his own path, bound by nothing.
---
Meanwhile, on the other side of Liuyao Pavilion, Yao Yue stepped into a quiet cave. The air inside was cold, with a thin light filtering through cracks in the stone, just enough to reveal two figures seated cross-legged.
"Greetings, ancestors," Yao Yue said, bowing deeply.
Both ancestors opened their eyes simultaneously. Their voices were calm but carried the weight of centuries.
"Yao Yue, what brings you here? Is there trouble?" the ancestor in gray robes asked, his gaze penetrating, as if trying to peer into her very mind.
Yao Yue drew a deep breath. "Ancestors, the Yusheng Dynasty caused a commotion at the auction. I fear they may retaliate."
"Hmph. They have long acted as if this world belonged only to them," the male ancestor replied.
"Especially given your identity, they must have realized it," the female ancestor added.
"But that is not the only reason I came…" Yao Yue straightened, her eyes filled with a quiet trepidation.
"Ancestors… actually, what is an Immortal? And where do Immortal-level artifacts and techniques come from?"
Silence fell.
The quiet was so dense that Yao Yue could hear her own heartbeat. The two ancestors exchanged a glance, then closed their eyes for a moment, as if considering whether she was worthy of an answer.
Finally, the male ancestor spoke. "It seems you have already discovered something."
Yao Yue shook her head quickly. "I… only guessed."
"I have no answer for you," the male ancestor said calmly.
"But if there are clues, indeed there are. If one day you reach the same level as the founding ancestor, you will see the truth for yourself."
Yao Yue fell silent for a moment. The level of the founding ancestor… Liuyao Heavenly Emperor? It felt like being asked to climb the heavens without wings. Only one person in the history of Liuyao Pavilion had achieved it, thousands of years ago.
The female ancestor looked at Yao Yue's wavering expression, then spoke softly,
"It is difficult, yes. But with the help of those two experts… it is not impossible."
Her words ignited a spark in Yao Yue's heart. She immediately thought of Yifan and Yun Xinyao. With them, hope might just exist. She bowed respectfully.
"Thank you, ancestors."
Yao Yue stepped away with a slightly calmer heart.
Once her shadow disappeared, the two ancestors looked at each other. The female ancestor let out a soft sigh.
"That girl does not even know whom she has befriended…"
"Let her be," the male ancestor replied, closing his eyes again.
"Let her discover the truth on her own. It will serve her well."
Silence once again enveloped the cave. The two ancient figures entered meditation, leaving the silent space as if it had been swallowed by time.