15: Chapter 15 The Fairy's Invitation

The fire in Lu Guan's heart burned so intensely that it felt like his internal organs were twisting.

Damn it!

What kind of dog shit luck did this little white face have?

He was just about to succeed, but Cao Sini had to pop up right at this moment!

He stared at Ye Xiaoyao's calm Face, then glanced at Cao Sini, who stood gracefully nearby with clear, bright eyes. He knew he was destined to suffer a loss today.

Continuing to stand in a stalemate would only make him look more like an unreasonable clown in front of Fairy Cao.

He took a deep breath, forcing himself to suppress the churning anger and resentment deep within his heart, his facial muscles twitching.

Once again, he squeezed out that somewhat distorted, hypocritical smile and turned to Cao Sini, saying in a feigned relaxed tone: "Fairy Cao, it seems there is some misunderstanding about me today. Since it cannot be explained clearly, I do not wish to linger here and disturb your elegance."

He paused, putting on a busy demeanor: "As it happens, I do have an urgent matter that needs immediate attention, so I will not accompany you any further. Farewell!"

After finishing, he shot one last vicious glare at Ye Xiaoyao—a look as cold and poisonous as a needle—then flicked his sleeves violently and turned to leave.

His steps were hurried and heavy, as if he wanted to stomp holes into the ground.

Sharp Mouth and Monkey Cheeks saw this and hurriedly followed behind. The three of them, one in front and two behind, passed through the crowd that hadn't yet fully dispersed, their retreating figures looking thoroughly flustered and wretched.

It was a far cry from the dignified exit Lu Guan had imagined for himself.

The surrounding Cultivators watching the spectacle exchanged glances, suppressing laughter at the corners of their mouths, whispering things like "Senior Brother Lu has really lost Face today" and "Trying to steal a chicken only to lose the rice."

Ye Xiaoyao watched them disappear into the crowd, feeling a bit empty inside, even a trace of... regret?

Just leaving like this?

He muttered to himself, "I had my sword ready and my Spiritual Qi circulating, just waiting to test if this gray plume sword was comfortable to swing."

"A Qi Refinement Stage level 5 opponent would have been perfect to test my combat ability after my body's mutation, and to get familiar with a high-grade Magical Artifact..."

"And yet, the opponent ran away?"

He felt like a boxer ready to enter the ring, only to be told the match was cancelled. With nowhere to exert that energy, he felt quite annoyed.

If he had known Lu Guan was so sensible, he should have just agreed to his "friendly sparring" offer earlier; at least he would have gotten a fight out of it.

With the excitement over, Ye Xiaoyao no longer had the heart to continue browsing.

The urgent priority was to go back and digest the Medicinal Pill he had just acquired, utilizing the pure Spiritual Qi contained within to Breakthrough to the fourth level of the Qi Refinement Stage.

Improving his strength was the fundamental goal.

Treasure hunting or whatever could wait until his Realm was stabilized.

Having made up his mind, he turned to leave this place of trouble.

"Junior Brother Ye, please stay."

A voice as clear as a spring rang out from behind him, carrying a tone that brooked no refusal.

Ye Xiaoyao paused and turned back.

Cao Sini was standing there, her pink dress reflecting the daylight, and the eyes of the crowd, which hadn't yet fully dispersed, remained focused on her.

She looked at Ye Xiaoyao with a faint, inscrutable smile on her Face.

"I wonder what Senior Sister Cao has to instruct me?"

Ye Xiaoyao asked politely, though his heart was on high alert.

This Fairy Cao had just been rejected by him in the morning, and now she was actively calling him over; it surely wasn't just to say hello.

Cao Sini didn't answer immediately. Her gaze swept over the surrounding Cultivators who were perking up their ears, clearly wanting to continue watching the show, and her brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

Immediately after, she smiled, a bright and dazzling expression that carried a clear sense of detachment.

"There are too many people here, and it's not the place to talk. Junior Brother Ye, shall we find a quieter place and talk in private?"

Although phrased as a discussion, the tone left no room for rebuttal.

Before the words had even faded, she turned around and headed towards a small hill on the outskirts of the trading fair, where the vegetation was sparse and the view was open.

She did not use her flying carpet Magical Artifact, instead walking with light, brisk steps as if taking a casual stroll.

Ye Xiaoyao watched her back, speechless.

This style...

It really was the manner of a Young Miss, giving others absolutely no room to refuse.

He quickly weighed the situation.

If there were no one around, he would likely have found an excuse to decline.

Talking in private with this inscrutable Fairy Cao—who knew if it would invite more trouble?

But now, with everyone watching, especially those fanatical admirers of Cao Sini still staring,

if he refused on the spot, he would likely immediately become the target of public criticism.

"Arrogant"

"Ungrateful"

"Daring to not give Fairy Cao Face" labels would surely be slapped onto him.

He already had enough trouble; he didn't want to make enemies for no reason.

Furthermore, he was indeed a bit curious.

What on earth did Cao Sini want to say to him?

Was it about the matchmaking earlier today?

Or about the Saintess?

Surely she wouldn't want to beat him up in private just because she was rejected?

She was, after all, the number one beauty of the Outer Sect and a Cultivator at the Great Perfection of the Qi Refinement Stage; she should have at least that much composure... right?

Thinking of this, Ye Xiaoyao could only sigh in his heart and step forward to follow.

But he had only taken two steps.

A tower-like figure brought a gust of wind as it heavily blocked his path, almost cutting off all the light.

It was Zhang Jiba.

This burly man, who had been given a "nice guy card" in the morning, now had a Face so gloomy it could wring out water, his copper-bell-sized eyes full of undisguised jealousy and hostility.

He blocked the way like a wall, breathing heavily, his fists clenched tight, making a cracking sound.

"Senior Brother Zhang, what is the meaning of this?"

Ye Xiaoyao stopped and smiled helplessly, trying to resolve the situation with a peaceful tone.

He did not want to have a conflict with this jealous fellow who was clearly simple-minded but physically strong.

Zhang Jiba opened his mouth, but before he could make a sound,

"Zhang Jiba!"

A few zhang away, Cao Sini, who had already walked to the edge of the small hill, suddenly turned her head.

The setting sun gilded her perfect profile with a golden edge, but it also revealed the clear anger and impatience in her eyes.

Her voice was not loud, but it was as cold as ice, carrying the arrogance typical of a Young Miss.

"I have said it before, I am not interested in you! I do not like you! Please do not follow me like a shadow anymore, and do not harass me when I am talking to others! Otherwise..."

She paused, lifting her chin slightly, the threat in her tone self-evident: "You do not want to know the consequences."

Zhang Jiba's burly body suddenly stiffened, the color draining from his Face instantly before quickly flushing red.

To be scolded so mercilessly by the woman he admired in front of so many people—the embarrassment and blow were far worse than being given a "nice guy card" in the morning.

He opened his mouth, wanting to defend himself, but under Cao Sini's cold gaze, he couldn't utter a single word, his tall frame visibly wilting.

He silently and stiffly withdrew his arm that was blocking the path and moved two steps to the side, making way for Ye Xiaoyao.

But his eyes remained fixed on Ye Xiaoyao, churning with unwillingness, humiliation, and...

an increasingly intense resentment.

As Ye Xiaoyao passed him calmly, Zhang Jiba's voice, suppressed extremely low and filled with gnashing teeth, like the low growl of a beast, drilled into Ye Xiaoyao's ears.

"Ye... if you dare to harbor any crooked thoughts about Fairy Cao... or if Fairy Cao is taken advantage of by you... I, Zhang Jiba, swear, I will absolutely make you regret being born!"

Ye Xiaoyao did not pause in the slightest, as if he hadn't heard the threat at all, not even bothering to lift his eyelids.

He walked straight up the small hill, leaving Zhang Jiba's murderous gaze and the complex stares of those around them all behind.

The small hill was not high, but it had a good view, taking in most of the trading fair and the flow of people, while also being sheltered by a few large rocks and sparse trees, forming a relatively private space.

Some unknown small flowers bloomed among the weeds on the hillside, swaying gently in the evening breeze.

Cao Sini had already stood still beside a relatively flat boulder, her back to the direction of the trading fair, the mountain breeze blowing her skirt and hair.

Hearing the sound of footsteps approaching, she slowly turned around, the cold anger she had displayed toward Zhang Jiba already vanished from her Face.

Replacing it was a calm expression that carried a scrutinizing nuance.

She watched Ye Xiaoyao walk up to her, her gaze lingering on his Face for a moment, as if wanting to see something in his eyes.

Ye Xiaoyao stopped about a zhang away from her, a distance that didn't seem distant but maintained appropriate etiquette and a safe space.

He cupped his hands slightly and said: "Senior Sister Cao, can you speak now? I wonder why you called for Junior Brother alone; what instruction do you have?"

Cao Sini did not answer immediately.

Her gaze crossed over Ye Xiaoyao's shoulder, seemingly glancing toward the trading fair below the hill.

Then she refocused on him, her red lips parting slightly, and she asked a question that took Ye Xiaoyao somewhat by surprise.

"Junior Brother Ye, what exactly is going on... between you and Her Highness the Saintess?"