As dusk deepened, a woman in white stood gracefully in the central courtyard of Qiaoyu Pavilion. Her dark eyebrows resembled distant mountains, and her autumnal eyes occasionally glanced toward the entrance as if waiting for someone.
"Miss, why are you so interested in flowers today? You've been admiring them for half the day now!"
A maid in green, carrying a platter of freshly washed rare fruits approached and placed it before her mistress. They were none other than Yue Yunlan and her maid, Qiao Qiao.
"I think... he should be here soon," Yue Yunlan murmured while nibbling on her lip.
Qiao Qiao squinted curiously, "Here? Who?"
"Mr. Ling, of course." A gentle smile spread across Yue Yunlan's lips as she picked up a rare fruit and took a small bite.
"Him? Why would the big fool come?" Qiao Qiao rolled her eyes and set the fruit platter on a nearby stone table with a hint of disdain. "That fool only shows up when he needs something."
"Exactly. So there must be a reason." Yue Yunlan reached out and gave Qiao Qiao a tap on the forehead. "You silly girl, you never use your brain."
"How will I make you look brilliant if I were smarter, Miss?" Qiao Qiao laughed. "I wonder what that big fool is after this time?"
Yue Yunlan murmured with her cherry lips barely moved. "That must be for the Battlefield of the Gods and Demons competition. Given Mr. Ling's personality, he'd never abandon his companions. So, he'll definitely ask me for a favor to give one of my slots to his teammates."
"Miss, you are not bringing me along?" Qiao Qiao looked heartbroken.
"I'd naturally consider bringing you along had you focused more on your cultivation. But you're still at forty-eight meridian gates, so my hands are tied."
Qiao Qiao stuck out her tongue, pouting. "Why do they have to set the entry rule to fifty meridian gates and above? I mean, isn't a sixteen-year old with forty-eight meridian gates pretty impressive!?"
"Fine, fine," Yue Yunlan chuckled as she glanced at the entrance. Sure enough, a figure came speeding along. Who else could that be if not Ling Feng?
"Wow, Miss, you're spot-on. The big fool really came."
Qiao Qiao narrowed her eyes and smiled at her mistress while sticking up her thumb in admiration.
"Stop making a fuss and mind your words!" Yue Yunlan chided softly.
"Alright, alright. I won't call him a fool in my lady's presence," Qiao Qiao giggled mischievously.
Ling Feng reached the pavilion entrance as the two shared a laugh. Naturally, Tuoba Yan could only trail behind him secretly.
Damned Heart-Devouring Red-Dust Gu.
Tuoba Yan had to follow Ling Feng wherever he moved. This barely gave her a moment of peace to focus on her cultivation.
"Well, well! Isn't this General Ling?" Qiao Qiao greeted him with a sly grin. "What brings you here, General? Missing my lady?"
"Um... uh... Miss Qiao Qiao, don't tease me please."
Ling Feng scratched his head awkwardly with a slight laugh. "Honestly, I came to Miss Yue for a favor."
"Favor? What kind of favor?" Qiao Qiao replied with feigned innocence.
"Qiao Qiao, enough with the games." Yue Yunlan stepped forward and rolled her eyes at her maid.
"Mr. Ling, let's talk inside."
Ling Feng nodded and followed her into a pavilion in the courtyard.
"I haven't thanked you in person for the other time," Yue Yunlan said softly, gazing up at him.
"Oh, it was nothing," Ling Feng replied as he waved it off. "I just didn't want to see you sacrifice yourself."
"Anyway, I still owe you my gratitude." A slight blush dusted Yue Yunlan's cheeks as she spoke. "Here, Mr. Ling. This is the very sweet Cloud Fungus Fruit. Please taste one."
"Mm-hmm." Ling Feng soon reached out and grabbed a fruit without having much thought. He then tossed it into his mouth.
"Mr. Ling, you..." Yue Yunlan's face flushed deeply; it was the very same fruit she had taken a bite from earlier. She had put it back upon Ling Feng's arrival, never thinking he would pick it up right back.
"Hmm?" Ling Feng chewed and swallowed with a grin. "Yep, it's definitely sweet!"
"N-Never mind," Yue Yunlan murmured with her gaze turned slightly wistful. Was that an indirect kiss?
Ling Feng scratched his head in slight embarrassment. "Miss Yue, I've come to ask if you'd consider giving a slot to my teammate for the Battlefield of the Gods and Demons."
"No..." Yue Yunlan shook her head gently and rejected.
"Oh?" Ling Feng sighed. I guess this makes sense. After all, Yue Yunlan is also a member of the Central Court Sword Team. There should be other teammates she wants to bring along. Maybe I asked too much.
"No, it isn't like that. I still have two open slots!" She surprisingly replied with a gentle smile. "You needn't worry, Mr. Ling. Within the Central Court Sword Team, only Senior Brother Mu Liufeng qualifies for the competition as he is under twenty. However, he's left for training in the Valley of Flames. And Qiao Qiao isn't qualified yet since she hasn't reached fifty meridian gates. So, instead of leaving the slots vacant, you may take them. Consider it my way of repaying your kindness."
"Haha! Well, thank you!" Ling Feng gave her a grateful smile and said before he left. "I'd better go share the good news with my teammates!"
"Mm." Yue Yunlan watched him with a slightly disappointed gaze. Does he really have nothing else to say to me?
"Thank you!" Ling Feng nodded in gratitude once more before leaving the Qiaoyu Pavilion.
Yue Yunlan couldn't help but sigh while watching Ling Feng's retreating figure.
"Miss, instead of waiting for him to catch on, why don't you go after him?" Qiao Qiao suggested.
"Go after him? Absolutely not!" Yue Yunlan's face blushed in red.
"Hmph, don't regret it later, Miss. Look, although he's a bit slow with romance, he's surrounded by more girls by the day! Besides, Mu Qianxue and Tuoba Yan are strong rivals. At this rate, all of the imperial capital's beauties will be fascinated by him in no time.
"Just think about it, Miss. This is a young prodigy graced by the emperor and named as the youngest general in the empire's history! Most importantly, he's handsome to boot. No doubt he's a bit clueless with girls, but it's kind of endearing, isn't it?"
Qiao Qiao sighed dreamily. "No woman could resist a man this perfect!"
"Oh, stop exaggerating," Yue Yunlan said as she rolled her eyes.
"It's not an exaggeration at all!" Qiao Qiao nodded. "Miss, you need to seize your own happiness. I bet the sect leader would approve of this since he seems to like Mr. Ling too!"
"You talk too much!" Yue Yunlan gave Qiao Qiao a ruthless look, but the word "pursue" kept lingering in her mind.
As the young lady of the Cangqiong Sect, am I really going to make the first move?
This world has truly gone mad!