Many secrets of the past remain hidden while Feng Xiaotian's memory is sealed. As for Long Jianyu, it remains uncertain whether he has met Feng Xiaotian before.
Back at the Beiming View Pavilion, Xue Wuya and Yun Qingjue finished their discussion. Soon after, Yun Qingjue departed, leaving Xue Wuya alone in the familiar quiet.
Meanwhile, Yu Xiao wandered beneath the Beiming View Pavilion, lost in her own playful musings. A vast plain, bordered by countless accommodations, unfolded before her. In its center, groups of cultivating disciples sat in deep concentration, their focus unbroken.
So all the cultivators reside here? The sheer number of disciples dwarfs those on the sparring platform. They look incredible—it feels like I've stepped into a fairytale.
She murmured to herself and continued strolling deeper into the area.
Suddenly, all the cultivating disciples paused and fixed their gazes upon her. Confused, Yu Xiao stopped in her tracks.
Why are they all staring at me? She raised her eyebrows, eyes wide, scratching her nape in bewilderment.
Moments later, a familiar female figure appeared, and the crowd parted to let her approach the center.
The girl wore layered robes of the palest azure and white, flowing like waterfalls frozen mid-cascade. Subtle phoenix motifs shimmered in the winter sunlight. Her long hair was gathered into a high knot, adorned with a single glacial jade pin.
Her small face was beautiful, lips plump and red as cherries. Tall and poised, she stopped in front of Yu Xiao, folding her arms and gazing down with her chin held high.
Trailing behind was a girl in deep indigo robes edged with silver frost. Wide sleeves billowed gracefully, and her hair fell in loose, glossy waves, reminiscent of freshly fallen snow.
"So, you're the disciple Young Master Xue Wuya brought here. We finally meet. I actually saw you earlier at the Beiming View Pavilion, but didn't bother to approach. What brings the Young Master's future consort here?"
Yu Xiao didn't answer, but her brow furrowed at the mention of 'consort.'
Nearby, familiar faces leaned in and whispered—though not quite quietly enough.
"Senior Sister Lan Qingwei, is she the disciple who was almost struck by Senior Brother Wei Hanlin's Glacial Avalanche Strike? Thankfully, Young Master Yun Qingjue arrived at the same time, or she would be dead."
Yu Xiao caught every word, even at a distance.
Senior Sister Lan Qingwei? Ah, I remember now. She's the cultivator who sparred above the platform ring, with this girl as her opponent.
Her thoughts began to piece together who these women were.
"You're not wrong, Junior Sister Mu Xuexin. And how could she protect herself? She's just a mere disciple with ambitions to reach a higher realm. Xue Wuya is a fool; he should have chosen more talented disciples than this one, but…" Lan Qingwei paused, stepped closer, and brushed her fingers against Yu Xiao's cheek.
"...she is certainly pretty. The point is, Xue Wuya didn't fall for her constitution, but for her seductive face."
Yu Xiao stepped back, avoiding her touch.
"Senior Sister Lan Qingwei, Junior Sister Mu Xuexin… let me clarify—I'm not Young Master Xue Wuya's consort. I want to make sure there are no misunderstandings between us."
Mu Xuexin clasped Lan Qingwei's arm and whispered again.
"Senior Sister Lan Qingwei, she already said she has nothing to do with the Young Master. There's no need to cause trouble."
Lan Qingwei shook off Mu Xuexin's hand and raised her eyebrow.
"Who said I'm causing trouble? Even if she's the most beautiful face in the realm, when it comes to ability, she can't compare to me," Lan Qingwei said arrogantly.
Mu Xuexin could only lower her head and press her lips together in silence.
Yu Xiao was left speechless, her lips downturned as she let out a quiet sigh.
What's wrong with this woman? She's clearly trying to cause trouble. I don't even know her, but she keeps finding fault with me. Xue Wuya, you're the one who got me into this mess. Looks like I've found my third death threat today.
Sigh…
"What if we make a deal?" Lan Qingwei spoke up, her lips curling into an irritating smile. "Spar with me."
Yu Xiao's brow furrowed as she glanced at the crowd of cultivating disciples surrounding them.
She knew she couldn't handle Lan Qingwei. As a mere mortal, how could she fight someone like her without spiritual power? Mortal sparring methods were useless against cultivators; to accept would be to deliver herself to death.
A cold sensation crept up her spine, her hands numb with chill even as sweat beaded at her temples. She stayed silent, listening to the whispers—murmurs that she was a coward.
"What is it? Can't spar with me?" Lan Qingwei pressed.
Yu Xiao's face turned pale as she struggled to keep her composure. If Lan Qingwei were just a mortal, she wouldn't hesitate. In her own world, she'd been a martial arts qianbei at the Nine Breath Studio—no mortal disciple had ever defeated her in a duel.
Maybe Lan Qingwei is one of the top-ranked cultivating disciples here. That would explain her boldness in humiliating me before everyone.
I haven't done anything to provoke her, yet I still manage to disappoint. Male cultivators can't even look at me, which makes things awkward—but these women seem determined to cause trouble. What is happening in this world?
A sudden commotion broke the tension as a familiar voice rang out.
"Give way!"
Everyone turned to see the speaker.
It was Duan Han-Yun and Duan Han-Qing, making their way through the crowd. The cultivating disciples fixed their gazes on the twins as they approached Yu Xiao, still carrying a handcrafted reed basket brimming with fruit.
"My Lady, you wandered off. Here, we brought you these fruits. Please, enjoy them," Han-Yun offered gently.
"My Lady, I also brought some water. Let me know if you're thirsty," Han-Qing added, noticing Yu Xiao's pale expression.
The crowd murmured in surprise at the twins addressing this mere disciple as 'My Lady.' They couldn't help but notice the respectful care the siblings showed her.
Lan Qingwei's eyes widened, her hands falling to her sides as she heard the honorifics. Soon after, Xue Wuya arrived, hurrying to their side.
"Your Highness, is something wrong?" Xue Wuya asked softly, genuine concern in his eyes.
Lan Qingwei and Mu Xuexin exchanged bewildered glances.
My Lady? Your Highness? She's just a mere disciple—why are they addressing her like that?
Lan Qingwei stared at Yu Xiao in disbelief, scanning her from head to toe.
"Someone reported to me that you've been facing humiliation here. Tell me who it is—I'll handle them," Xue Wuya added, his gaze turning sharp.
Yu Xiao swallowed hard and forced a smile.
"Who said I was being humiliated?" she replied, stealing a glance at Lan Qingwei. "We're just fine. There's no need for you to worry."
"You're lying. I failed to protect you earlier, but I won't let this go now."
Yu Xiao smiled as if the world paused around her. Xue Wuya's sharp gaze softened when he saw her smile.
"Fine. Then you'd better make up for it next time," Yu Xiao replied, doing her best not to escalate the situation.
Xue Wuya turned to Lan Qingwei.
"Lan Qingwei, did you trouble her?" he asked, his voice heavy and low.
Lan Qingwei's guilt was obvious; she swallowed hard and glanced at Yu Xiao.
"Di—didn't she already explain? We were just fine," she stammered, clutching the hem of her sleeves.
Mu Xuexin quickly lowered her gaze, trying to avoid Xue Wuya's piercing stare.
"Your Highness won't admit it, as she dislikes trouble. But the way you're acting now makes it clear you did something wrong."
Lan Qingwei couldn't even speak; her nerves betrayed her.
The murmurs echoed through the crowd.
Xue Wuya raised his hand, palm open, and the crowd instantly fell silent. Every cultivating disciple's eyes were fixed on them.
"Anyone who tries to harm 'Your Highness' will face retribution. Those who incite or escalate contempt will be punished. I have heard plenty of disrespect today. Earlier, I did not act—I wanted to clarify the truth first. The woman you humiliated today, you judge as a mere disciple without knowing her. How dare you address someone of noble hierarchy in such a way?"
He paused as Yu Xiao tugged gently on his robe from behind. He turned and saw her shaking her head, brow furrowed.
"I already said, you'd better make it next time. Why are you yelling like that?"
On the other side, Mu Xuexin whispered again to Lan Qingwei.
"I never imagined that Young Master would stand beside her like this. It's the first time I've seen him defend someone. Senior Sister Lan Qingwei, you've been close to the Young Master since childhood, yet I've never seen him defend you as he does for her."
At Mu Xuexin's words, Lan Qingwei felt a flush rise behind her ears and shot her a sharp glare.
"Nonsense!" she hissed, gritting her teeth in annoyance. "Say that again, and you'll see what happens."
Mu Xuexin's legs turned to jelly at Lan Qingwei's threat.
"Young Master, as I said, it's fine. Whatever happened today, let's forget it. I like to wander and make the most of my time. Don't worry, I'm not hurt…" Yu Xiao paused and stepped forward, her gaze steady on Xue Wuya.
"If you know about my background—without me knowing it—please don't tell anyone," she said quietly.
"Everything I said, did it upset you?" Xue Wuya asked curiously.
Yu Xiao lowered her gaze and whispered, "I don't even know who I really am. It's hard to claim something that doesn't belong to you. Deceiving others isn't right." She lifted her eyes to his. "Thank you for standing up for me. I appreciate it very much. But can we please forget this conflict? With Han-Yun, Han-Qing, and you by my side, I believe I'll be safe."