Yang Mi's sudden approach sent a jolt of surprise through Reon, causing him to freeze in place. Her very presence was magnetic, demanding attention and respect.
As she stood there, still and poised, it felt as though the air around Reon was infused with her potent energy, pulsating with an intensity that sent shivers down his spine and made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end.
Every subtle movement—the gentle sway of her robe, the way her raven hair framed her face—seemed to draw focus, creating an almost tangible aura that enveloped her.
It was as if the world around them faded into the background, leaving only her striking figure illuminated against the chaos of the gathering crowd.
Reon felt an involuntary tension coil within him, a mix of awe and apprehension, as he realized just how formidable she truly was.
Reon felt the urge to activate his "Identify" skill to assess her true strength, but he knew it would be a futile endeavor.
In the novel, it was mentioned that at this point, her Realm was at the High-Stage Qi Solidification Realm.
But that was a facade; she was concealing her true cultivation level. This realization filled Reon with dread, knowing that even with Cloudia's assistance, he stood no chance against her.
"You must be Xue Taiyang," she said, her voice as soft as silk but laced with a barely veiled threat, like velvet concealing a blade.
Reon took a deep breath to calm his racing mind. Despite feeling like a weakling, he couldn't allow her to see his fear.
Though she was aware of his limitations from the Sect Disciple Selection Ceremony, he needed to give her the impression that he hadn't used his full strength then and had allowed himself to be beaten intentionally.
Reon didn't flinch at her imposing voice. "Yes, I am," he replied, keeping his voice steady despite the dread that crept through his chest.
Yang Mi's amber eyes flickered with something dark and unreadable. "I trust you're doing well... and had no hand in today's events with my brother." Her tone was deceptively polite, but Reon could feel the subtle menace beneath it.
Reon's gaze remained steady as he met hers. "Yes, I'm doing quite well. But why are you speaking as if I deliberately sought to provoke him?" he asked, his voice composed, refusing to be intimidated by her presence.
Yang Mi tilted her head slightly, her eyes narrowing. "You didn't?" she asked, her tone sharp and edged with suspicion, as if reminding him of something he had conveniently chosen to forget.
Reon let out a slow breath before responding, keeping his tone firm but measured. "I won't deny I once did," he admitted.
"But I had my reasons, and I was rightfully punished for my actions. Why would I stir up conflict again with him now? From what I heard, it was Yang Lie who provoked Ming Yuen this time—and he suffered the consequences of his own actions."
Yang Mi's eyes flashed with anger at his response, and a terrifying pressure radiated from her, suffocating the air around them. "So, you believe my brother deserved what happened?" she asked, her voice dangerously low, dripping with menace.
Reon met her gaze, unwavering despite the overwhelming force pressing down on him. He silently drew on Cloudia's strength, careful not to let her sense his reliance on it.
Even with that support, he felt as if he might be crushed under the weight of her fury, but outwardly, he remained still—like an immovable mountain.
"I'm not saying he deserved it," he replied, his voice cool and controlled. "But I am saying that I had no part in it. This wasn't my doing."
"That is, if you don't count the part where I set up a betting booth and sparked the whole fight," Reon thought inwardly, though he knew he'd never dare say such a thing to her.
For a moment, a heavy silence hung between them. Yang Mi was momentarily shocked to see that Xue Taiyang could speak so easily under her pressure.
Though she hadn't unleashed her full strength, the amount she was emitting should have been enough to make even a normal High-Stage Qi Solidification Realm cultivator struggle to breathe. Yet, here he stood, unshaken.
The tension crackled in the air as Yang Mi's gaze bore into Reon. She couldn't help but wonder—had he been hiding his true strength all along?
She took a step closer, the distance between them shrinking, but Reon remained still, his heart steady now, despite the storm brewing in her gaze.
"Be that as it may," Yang Mi said finally, her voice dangerously soft, "I will not let anyone harm my brother. Not Ming Yuen. Not anyone. Keep that in mind, Xue Taiyang."
Reon nodded slightly, his expression calm and unwavering. "Do whatever you want. What does that have to do with me? Thanks to your brother, I'm now free from any shackles."
Yang Mi's eyes lingered on him for a moment, confusion flickering across her face. What did he mean by being "free from shackles"?
And what did that have to do with her brother? She couldn't piece it together, but something about his words unsettled her.