I carefully cradled the little ice figure in my palms, shuffling after Seraphine at a leisurely pace. The tiny frozen creation looked like a snowman that had been slapped by an angry child—all wonky and lopsided.

I’d specifically carved out an upward-curving mouth, but my amateur crafting skills had made the right corner hook up so severely it looked more like a checkmark than a smile.

So there it was: a miniature ice person with a topknot hairdo and the most roguishly carefree grin imaginable.

The benefits of cultivation became apparent as we walked. Thanks to my spiritual energy reinforcement, the little ice figure didn’t melt even a tiny bit, maintaining its devil-may-care expression all the way to Phoenix Roost Peak.

I placed it in the dollhouse courtyard Seraphine had bought earlier, positioning it face-to-face with the porcelain doll Coco by the window—both grinning at each other in frozen bliss.

Seraphine stood to the side, watching with lazy amusement. “You’re Xi Lingren, it’s an Xi Snowman. Similar coloring, half a head taller than your orb form. Truly a descendant of yours—the student surpasses the master.”

I could tell Seraphine was mocking me, so I reached over and picked up the porcelain doll from the bedside. “Following that logic, Coco must be your child then.”

Though Coco had been purchased from the marketplace, crafted by artisans. I added with scientific precision: “This would count as adoption. You’d be the adoptive mother.”

“Coco’s adoptive mother” pulled out a long whip. The handle’s end was engraved with the cursive character for “law”—a gift Echo had brought back from the Enforcement Hall specifically for Seraphine.

She was now putting it to very reasonable use. On Echo.

I immediately set down the porcelain doll and declared solemnly: “I hereby formally annul this adoption relationship!”

Please put away the little leather whip.

Seraphine played with the deep crimson whip, coiling it around her hand in loops. She gave Echo a cold snort and a sideways glance before turning to leave.

I hurried after her. “Where are you going?”

“Back to my room. To rest.” Seraphine spoke casually. “Unlike the legendary Lingshan Sword Venerable with her transcendent talent who gets to skip the first round entirely, I still have to wake up early tomorrow for the spiritual bone assessment.”

This honor student trailed behind Seraphine, asking: “I want to watch your assessment. Can I come along? Please let me come!”

I clasped my hands together in sincere supplication, and even the bubble above my head joined in the bowing motion, both of us pleading in unison.

Night wind flowed through the corridors, stirring the gauze curtains and teasing the bead curtains. Golden bells and jade chimes swayed in the quiet mountain evening, producing soft, continuous tones that seemed to catch on the robes of anyone passing by.

Seraphine flicked her sleeves and turned back, her slender eyebrows furrowing as she said in a low voice: “Of course you’re coming.”

She felt like telling Echo to “act as you please” had been premature. Without keeping a close eye on Echo, who knew if she would end up turning the entire Luanyang Palace upside down!

“Hahaha!” I laughed, copying her hands-behind-back walking style.

My silver ponytail swished from side to side as I said cheerfully: “You’re definitely going to pass the test!”

The Five Continents Competition was indeed a fierce examination of sorts. Seraphine replied: “Obviously.”

“And you better behave yourself too. If I catch you scheming again, you’re done for!” She spun around and lifted her whip to poke at Echo’s face.

I was shocked. The bubble above my head began crying “woo woo” as I said in a small voice: “Okay, I understand.”

I’ll just try not to get caught.

Seraphine had no idea that Echo was currently brewing up more schemes. Satisfied with her apparent compliance, she nodded and placed her hand on the vermillion door.

Just as she was about to push it open, something seemed wrong. “……Why are you following me here?”

She’d just escorted Echo back to her room, and now Echo was escorting her back to hers?

“Haha!” I laughed, standing outside her door. “Please rest well. Good night.”

Seraphine pressed her lips together, her voice softening. “Good night.”

I obediently watched Seraphine close the door, then looked up at the bright moon.

A few clouds drifted lazily beneath the moonlight. I thought to myself—the night was still young. Maybe I could squeeze in a bit more fun? I should be able to! Time to find my good friend Error for a game of chess.

I lifted my skirt and leaped from the corridor into the courtyard.

The garden had been properly tended by the palace servants, with shadows of blooming flowers and fragrant grass falling across the courtyard that gleamed like water under the moonlight.

Musical notes appeared above my head as I walked across the moonbeams toward the side hall, tapping on the window.

“Good evening, Error! You’re not sleeping either, right? Want to have a delightful night of five-in-a-row?”

⁂

Luanyang City.

The city was quieter today than in previous days.

Yesterday’s arena battle had ignited the fighting spirit in many hearts, sending people back early to rest and prepare for their chance to shine in the Grand Competition. After everyone learned that yesterday’s death match had originated from the previous night’s “theatrical performance.” no one was inclined to “express their feelings” as they had before.

More ordinary citizens walked the streets. Though the Eastern Continent Grand Competition’s excitement had nothing to do with them, they discussed their livelihoods. Xue Bushui emerged from the Immortal’s Rest Inn, bumping shoulders with a man who was talking while looking back at his companion. The man apologized and continued his twisted-neck conversation.

Xue Bushui brushed at his clothes as if something dirty had touched him, staring at the man with a flash of disgust in his eyes.

The Lianshan Sect was also in the city, but the citizens gave them a wide berth. If a commoner had dared to offend him back in Lianshan City, he would have broken both their legs!

Immortals and mortals were different. Mortals had brief lifespans and pitiful abilities—they weren’t even worth as much as a single spiritual beast in the mountains. Xue Bushui looked down on commoners and couldn’t understand why both the Lianshan Sect and Luanyang City had to be built so close to mortal populations. In his opinion, great immortal sects should be built in the vast cloud seas, far from the mundane world.

Since they were cultivating immortality, they should first become immortal beings.

“Heh.” Xue Bushui brushed his clothes again, feeling the shoulder that had been bumped by the commoner itch irritatingly. He took a deep breath and sneered coldly: “Consider yourself lucky to be born in Luanyang City!”

He pulled out a handkerchief to wipe his hands while walking toward the Weaver’s Workshop. Xu Zehua was already drunk and unconscious—he needed to finish his business before Xu Zehua woke up.

Xue Bushui entered the workshop and casually tossed the handkerchief at the feet of the female cultivator who greeted customers. He said arrogantly: “How is the clothing I ordered coming along?”

The female cultivator glanced down at the handkerchief, her smile unchanged. She recognized this customer and replied: “Are you referring to the garments for Young Master Xu of the Crimson Thunder Sword Sect? Perhaps you’d like to go to a private room upstairs first? Let me inquire with the seamstresses.”

“No need.” Xue Bushui lifted his chin. “I’ll wait right here. Call your manager over too.”

This was trouble brewing.

Having dealt with countless customers over the years, the female cultivator was very familiar with Xue Bushui’sconfrontational tone. After he refused her invitation to go upstairs for tea, she smiled and said: “Alright, please wait a moment.” She turned around, her expression immediately darkening into a frown as she went to fetch the manager.

Xue Bushui licked the corner of his mouth, pacing excitedly around the main hall, clenching and unclenching his fingers with eyes full of calculation.

The Crimson Thunder Sword Sect’s Sword Manual was a superior thunder-element cultivation method, and LuanyangPalace was the wealthiest sect in the Eastern Continent! If he could obtain the Crimson Thunder Sword Sect’s techniques and extract vast wealth from Luanyang Palace, then forget his father—the entire Lianshan Sect would have to depend on him!

“The world has its own natural laws of cause and effect. So what if my elder brother was brilliant and carefree for over twenty years? Now he’s nothing but a waste, probably dead in some unknown corner.” Xue Bushui muttered to himself quietly, smiling slightly. “I grew up trembling in his shadow. Now it’s my turn to be glorious!”

His eyes were full of determined ambition as he touched the storage ring on his finger, watching the people coming and going in the hall while squinting. When that time came, who would dare look down on him?

Footsteps echoed from the staircase. Xue Bushui glanced over and saw the female cultivator returning with others. He immediately wiped away his greedy smile and stood with arms crossed.

The workshop manager and seamstress approached, followed by several female cultivators carrying clothes on trays. The lead seamstress smiled and said: “Young Master Xue, after you and Young Master Xu placed your order last night, my sisters and I worked through the night to complete the garments you requested.”

Normally, custom clothing took two to three days to complete, but this was for someone from the Crimson Thunder Sword Sect! The Weaver’s Workshop deeply regretted taking this order and had rushed to finish it just to be done with the transaction. Future encounters would be avoided at all costs.

Xue Bushui set down his tea cup and said slowly: “Is that so? Let me inspect them first.”

Everyone at the workshop felt their hearts sink with an ominous premonition as they watched Xue Bushui approach and begin nitpicking the clothes on the trays.

The embroidery here wasn’t grand enough, the stitching there wasn’t neat enough…… The younger seamstresses’ faces showed anger as they listened—this man was clearly talking nonsense with his eyes wide open!

“I specifically told you that Brother Xu prefers pear blossoms to peach blossoms, so why are there still peach blossoms embroidered on it!” Xue Bushui angrily threw the garment at the seamstress’s feet, pointing at her coldly. “I suppose because of the bad blood between Luanyang Palace and the Crimson Thunder Sword Sect today, you deliberately gave us inferior goods!”

Xue Bushui deliberately raised his voice, causing the customers in the hall who were selecting fabrics and ready-made clothes to look over in surprise.

The manager smiled and said: “We’re in business here. If we deliberately sold inferior products to customers out of some supposed grudge, the Weaver’s Workshop wouldn’t have prospered as it has. Since you know that the Weaver’s Workshop belongs to Luanyang Palace, you should also know that Luanyang Palace and the Crimson Thunder Sword Sect have had a long-standing feud. Yet you and the Crimson Thunder Sword Sect leader’s son were willing to set aside that enmity to order clothes from the Weaver’s Workshop. This shows that both young masters have great confidence in our quality, doesn’t it?”

Xue Bushui stood there dumbfounded, staring at the manager’s smiling face.

The nearby customers chimed in: “Exactly! The Weaver’s Workshop has been in business in Luanyang City for hundreds of years. Everyone knows their clothes are exquisite and beautiful! Even disciples from other sects come here to buy clothes in their spare time. The Weaver’s Workshop would never sell inferior goods!”

“That’s right!”

Listening to the chatter around him, Xue Bushui felt frozen under their suspicious gazes. His brow furrowed as he tried to maintain his composure. “These peach blossoms—”

“These are mountain cherry blossoms.” the seamstress said with a smile. Before Xue Bushui could find another flaw to exploit, she quickly added: “I should mention that before today’s death match even began, my sisters and I had already completed the garments for you. We were just waiting for you to collect them.”

Xue Bushui: “……” He was speechless.

The manager’s smile deepened. “Are there any other issues with these clothes? Let the seamstress explain each one to you. If there are genuine problems on our part, we’ll fix them immediately. But if there are no other errors…… shall we package the items for you and settle the remaining balance?”

Somehow Xue Bushui found himself at the payment stage, while the onlookers he’d deliberately attracted seemed rooted to the spot, unwilling to move. His face twitched as he suppressed his anger and asked: “How much?”

The manager covered her mouth with a light laugh. “Young Master Xu has excellent taste, requesting only the finest materials. Premium spiritual spider silk for the fabric, plus the pearls and precious stones sewn into the garments…… Given that this is your first visit, I’ll give you a small discount. After the reduction, the total comes to 260,000 low-grade spirit stones.”

The surrounding cultivators simultaneously gasped: “Hiss—”

How much?

“How much?” Xue Bushui asked in horror.

“260,000 low-grade spirit stones.” the manager said softly. “Payment in mid-grade spirit stones, high-grade spirit stones, or spirit pearls is also acceptable.”

“When you paid the deposit yesterday, I did mention this amount to you.” the manager reminded him.

Xue Bushui’s mind immediately flashed to last night’s scene: he had just finished drinking with Xu Zehua and brought him to the Weaver’s Workshop to buy clothes. This was actually part of his plan, and he wasn’t supposed to be the one paying anyway. As long as he could meet Seraphine, he could use what he had in hand to exchange for endless wealth from her! So last night he had very confidently paid the deposit.

Most of Xu Zehua’s expenses along the way had been covered by him as well, all to build a good relationship with XuZehua! The money for this trip to Luanyang Palace had come from the compensation for breaking off the engagement between Xue Bufan and Seraphine. There wasn’t much left now, certainly not enough for 260,000 spirit stones!

Xue Bushui felt his vision darkening. He gritted his teeth and said: “I’m not satisfied with your clothes! Remake them, I’ll come back tomorrow!” He turned to leave with a flourish.

The manager called out leisurely from behind: “Customer, even if you don’t want the clothes, the deposit is non-refundable.”

Xue Bushui’s face burned red as he fled hastily amid the laughter of other customers. Just as he stepped out of the Weaver’s Workshop, he collided with someone else with a loud “bang.”

“Watch where you’re going!” Xue Bushui nearly got knocked over and started cursing immediately.

“My apologies.” came a gentle voice. A white-robed man used equally gentle spiritual energy to steady him before stepping back with an apologetic expression.

Late Foundation Establishment stage…… Xue Bushui fearfully shut his mouth, not even daring to look at the man as he hurried away.

Wen Chunsheng wore a faint smile as he watched the panicked retreat, thinking to himself: Another mediocre fool. In this vast world, true talent was as rare as morning stars. He straightened his clothes, and several beautiful faces appeared in his mind. His fingers twitched slightly as he let out a soft sigh, his face taking on a gentle smile.

All in due time.

The workshop manager came over with a beaming smile. “Junior Brother Wen, did that man hurt you when he bumped into you?”

“No, thank you for your concern, Senior Sister.” Wen Chunsheng replied with a warm smile, bowing respectfully. “Tomorrow is the spiritual root assessment, and as a disciple of Luanyang Palace, how could I not wear the proper sect robes? I hope the sisters in the workshop can help me—I’d like to collect my clothes today.”

“Thank you, Senior Sister.”

He bowed deeply, his head lowered.

The manager sighed. “You’re wonderful in every way, just too polite. Like some old scholar from who knows where, not like a sword cultivator at all.”

Wen Chunsheng’s face reddened slightly, showing an embarrassed smile.

The manager laughed heartily and waved her hand. “Come on in then.”

⁂

The Next Day.

The sky was clear and bright, with azure heavens stretching endlessly.

Countless phoenix banners flew among the rolling mountains, guiding cultivators from all over toward the Eastern Continent Grand Competition’s assessment platform.

The assessment platform wasn’t built in the same location as the arena, but rather on a vast plain where an enormous plaza had been constructed, capable of accommodating tens of thousands of people. Around the plaza, various pavilions had been erected—shade pavilions, viewing pavilions, and…… vendor stalls.

All kinds of food and spiritual items were arranged in layer upon layer of stalls. Even before the assessment began, the place was packed with people. With so many people waiting in line for assessment, who knew how long it would take? Better to buy some snacks and store them in storage rings to eat while waiting.

Some cultivators couldn’t help but grumble: “Who knows when the next Eastern Continent Grand Competition will be held? It’s just testing bone age and cultivation level—why does Luanyang Palace need to make such a big show of it? Are they trying to flaunt their wealth?”

“I heard Luanyang Palace is planning to expand. Don’t be surprised if what’s a plaza now becomes a new city by next year when we visit again.”

Two cultivators couldn’t help but sigh: “They’re really wealthy!”

Not far from these two cultivators stood a group of people, among them a middle-aged man who sighed and asked the absent-minded man beside him: “Second Young Master, what happened last night? Why did you lock yourself in your room without saying a word after you returned?”

The absent-minded one was naturally Xue Bushui, who had been humiliated at the Weaver’s Workshop last night. After running away, he realized he’d left Xu Zehua alone at the Immortal’s Rest Inn, which made him both shocked and afraid, terrified that Xu Zehua would emerge from somewhere to question him.

The middle-aged man sighed again and said to Xue Bushui: “Second Young Master, the sect master has high hopes for you in this Grand Competition. Before coming here, he gave you a storage ring containing the compensation that I and the eldest young master brought back. While everyone’s gathered here, why don’t you give me the storage ring? I’ll go into the city to buy some spiritual medicines and items for you to use in the competition.”

Xue Bushui’s face immediately twisted. The spirit stones in the storage ring had been mostly spent by him—where was the money to buy spiritual medicines? He deflected: “I wonder if we’ll be able to meet the Luanyang Palace Lord here?”

The middle-aged man frowned and sighed: “The Luanyang Palace Lord is proud and domineering, even more so than the eldest young master. Why do you want to meet her?”

Xue Bushui’s mouth curved into a smile. “That’s my business.”

“Also, from now on, call me Young Master, not Second Young Master!”

The middle-aged man called him Young Master and sighed again.

Before leaving, the sect master had privately called the second young master to his study, probably giving him some special instructions. Thinking of Luanyang Palace’s aggressive reputation, the middle-aged man felt uneasy and just wanted to return safely without causing trouble. He had personally experienced Seraphine’s intimidating presence and only hoped this father and son could stay quiet, not harbor any fantasies about reconciling with Luanyang Palace or renewing old romantic ties.

As the sun climbed higher, more and more people gathered. Long lines formed in front of the nine assessment platforms in the plaza, and Xue Bushui had to join the queue as well. Besides him, several other young people from the LianshanSect had come along—barely at Foundation Establishment, but wearing extremely proud expressions as they walked toward the crowd with their heads held high.

The middle-aged man followed worriedly.

Just then, the person walking at the front exclaimed and pointed at a woman walking against the crowd: “Isn’t that the maid who used to follow Xue Bufan around? She’s not dead?”

The middle-aged man looked up sharply and indeed saw a familiar figure approaching—it was Xue Mengtao, surprisingly wearing Luanyang Palace disciple robes, with a smile on her face as she chatted with someone beside her.

Walking shoulder to shoulder with her were two other women. One was about the same age as her, with a lovely appearance and wearing the same vermillion robes. The other wore a wide-brimmed hat with a veil that hung down to her waist, completely obscuring her upper body. She held a string of candied hawthorn in her hand.

“Elder Li! Didn’t you say Xue Mengtao was killed by White Water Sect people along with the other disciples? How is she at Luanyang Palace, and even became one of their disciples?” Xue Bushui turned his head sharply and demanded.

Cold sweat broke out on the middle-aged man—Elder Li, who had originally gone to Luanyang Palace with Xue Mengtaoto seek help. Xue Mengtao was just a servant—when had these people ever cared whether she lived or died? At the time, due to the Fire Rock Dragon incident, he had concealed most of the truth to placate the sect master and Seraphine’stransaction, never even mentioning Xue Bufan’s fall from the cliff.

The fate of a mere servant like Xue Mengtao was hardly worth mentioning.

Elder Li never expected to encounter Xue Mengtao here, and she was already at Foundation Establishment stage! He licked his lips, his throat dry. “Twenty-one years old and Foundation Establishment stage……”

This kind of talent surpassed all the Lianshan Sect disciples he’d brought! It surpassed many people present. How could this be…… Right, what cultivation level was Xue Mengtao when she left the Xue family? Elder Li was shocked to realize he had no memory of it. When had he ever cared about Xue Mengtao?

Xue Mengtao also noticed the Lianshan Sect robes. Her expression remained calm as she asked the person walking in the middle: “Senior Sister, is there anything else we need to buy?”

“How about some novels?” Murong said with a grin. “The Palace Lord loves reading novels. When we went to the Chongshan secret realm, I specially selected a few and asked Elder Si to deliver them to the Palace Lord!”

So it was you who sent them. Xue Mengtao felt a strange emotion, remembering past events and couldn’t help but show a gentle smile.

What else to buy?

“Please wait a moment.” I said, rummaging through my sleeves and pulling out a piece of paper. I unfolded it, revealing bold calligraphy. The three of us put our heads together to read it.

I exclaimed in delight: “Nothing left! We’ve bought everything!”

“Then let’s go back.” Murong said, looking a bit nervous at the increasingly long crowd and fanning herself with her hand. “Thank you for treating us to candied hawthorn, Senior Sister.”

I immediately responded: “Thank you for accompanying me on Seraphine’s shopping mission.”

Hearing Echo’s words, Xue Mengtao and Murong exchanged glances, their mouths curving upward.

Early this morning, the sect masters and elders from various major sects had met with the Palace Lord at the plaza, probing about the envoys from Lingshan Sect and Insight Academy Palace. Seraphine, impatient with their questions, had directly sent Echo out for a stroll. The Palace Lord’s exact words: “Keep an eye on her.”

Xue Mengtao and Murong had kept excellent watch—never leaving Echo’s side for even a moment.

With a “whoosh.” I carefully folded Seraphine’s note and tucked it into my sleeve. As I looked up, I noticed several people walking over to block our path, including one person I’d seen before.

“Ah!” I pointed at the middle-aged man lagging behind. “You’re the Lianshan Sect elder, Li Sighs-A-Lot.”

Elder Li: “……My name is Li Zhiming.”

“Huh?” I was amazed. If Seraphine hadn’t forbidden it, I would have wanted to sprout many big red exclamation marks.

I had actually gotten someone’s name wrong!

System error detected!

Due to the shock, I stared with wide eyes.

Xue Bushui looked suspiciously at the three of us, his gaze finally settling on Xue Mengtao. He frowned and said: “XueMengtao?”

Xue Mengtao replied unhurriedly: “Second Young Master Xue, long time no see.”

“It really is you?” Xue Bushui was surprised, then sneered: “Well, well. I thought you had such integrity, but it turns out that after Xue Bufan was crippled, you abandoned him too and switched to Luanyang Palace. Look how successful you are now!”

I tilted my head, surprised to discover that this man resembled Xue Bufan somewhat. Someone connected to the protagonist—the red exclamation mark in my mind turned yellow.

“That’s none of Second Young Master Xue’s concern. Senior Sisters, let’s head back. The Grand Competition is about to begin.” Xue Mengtao’s tone remained calm.

But Xue Bushui suddenly grew excited. He grabbed Xue Mengtao’s wrist and said in a low voice: “Little Tao, even though you’ve entered Luanyang Palace, you’ve always been part of the Xue family. The Xue family raised you all these years. Help me with one thing, and I’ll make sure you’re well rewarded!”

Murong was quick to press down Echo’s hand as she reached for her sword, puffing out her cheeks in annoyance. XueMengtao frowned and stepped back, breaking free from Xue Bushui’s grip with a cold laugh: “Sorry, I’m not interested.”

Xue Bushui smiled slightly and said: “You’ll definitely be interested. This matter concerns not only the Luanyang Palace Lord, but also Xue Bufan. Don’t you only have eyes for Xue Bufan? Just help me deliver a message to Seraphine, and I’ll tell you how Xue Bufan is doing at the Xue family now!”

Xue Mengtao showed a surprised expression, glancing at Echo.

I slowly lowered my hand, curious. “What message would you like us to help deliver?”

Xue Bushui looked up, carefully studying all three of them, then said leisurely: “It’s no harm for you to know this. You just need to find a way to get in front of Seraphine and tell her—I have something that concerns her very life, and ask if she’s interested!”

[Author’s Note]:

He’s holding something that could decide her fate.

Does Seraphine care? Who knows.

But me? Oh, I’m very interested.

Want the juicy details? They’re 20 chapters ahead at Pxtreon➡️LoveisLove520. 😉