Chapter 103: Rich Lady Hungry, Food p1
Sensing her approach, Mu Zhi’an stopped, waiting for her to catch up. As she reached him, he smiled. “You’re finally calling me Brother Mu?”
She looked up at him, smiling. “Isn’t that what you wanted?”
It was, but it doesn’t suit your aloof and slightly arrogant persona, he thought to himself. “You’re right,” he said, chuckling.
“But… is this alright? Your Brother Ye Yu was glaring at me. It was… scary…” he added, feigning concern.
She rolled her eyes, a smile playing on her lips. “Since when do you care about what others think, Young Master Mu?”
She knew he was driven by self-interest, unconcerned with public opinion. Otherwise, with his influence in Tianxuan City, he could have easily redeemed his reputation. After all, a villain only had to lay down their sword to earn praise.
“Where are you going?” she asked, her voice laced with curiosity.
She’s calling me Young Master again. Didn’t we agree on Brother Mu…? Why is she so disobedient…? He pondered for a moment, then sent her a mental message. “How much do you know about Ling Long?”
He’s going after the dragon…? Her eyes flickered, and she replied mentally, “It’s an ancient creature that has existed since the sect’s founding. Gaining its favor grants immense destiny, but it rarely acknowledges anyone.”
“People say it favors those with great destiny, but that’s not entirely true.”
“What it truly values is whether it likes you.”
“So it thinks I’m handsome?” he asked, feigning understanding.
She rolled her eyes again.
Then a realization dawned on her, and she stared at him, her voice a surprised whisper. “You’re saying… Ling Long has chosen you…?”
He nodded. “It appeared yesterday and spoke to me.”
“But there were too many people watching, so I wanted to find a private moment to meet it, but…”
He shook his head, sighing. “Its cry this morning has attracted even more attention.”
He had to visit Ling Long soon.
…Hopefully it’s a beautiful woman…
She pondered for a moment, then said, “You could try calling it from the cliff near Two Polarities Peak. Few disciples go there.”
“I can’t enter Two Polarities Peak. It’s protected by formations,” he replied.
And if he accidentally encountered Senior Sister Lan’s master and she realized he was her pen pal, it would be awkward. He wasn’t ready to add a shark to his pond. His pond was too small. And besides, the sect master was too high-level. Even if he succeeded in wooing her, the other fish would be devoured.
“I can take you there,” she said.
“You’re willing to help me…?” he asked, looking at her, surprised.
She nodded, her voice regaining its usual coldness. “You helped me and Qian’er. It’s the least I can do.”
She glanced at Wei Mengrou, who was standing behind him, her figure almost transparent. “I can also bring Miss Wei, but we can’t go too deep into the peak.”
He considered her offer, then nodded, smiling. “Thank you, Lingxuan.”
“You’re so kind.”
She lifted her chin slightly, feigning indifference, then said, “Even if I didn’t help you, you would have found a way eventually.”
That’s true, but my method probably would have involved shifting the blame to someone else, like Gongsun Cheng, Ye Yu, or even the Third Prince. He smiled, but he didn’t respond. He wasn’t a good person. If others played dirty, he would play even dirtier.
“Let’s go to Two Polarities Peak,” she said.
She turned to Wei Mengrou, smiling politely. “We’ll need your help, Miss Wei.”
Wei Mengrou nodded, her hands forming seals, and a flying sword appeared. He stepped onto the sword, then offered his hand to Ye Lingxuan, smiling. “Let’s go.”
She took his hand, and he pulled her onto the sword, placing her behind him, his grip firm. “Hold on tight, Lingxuan.”
She rolled her eyes inwardly. He was just trying to take advantage, but she couldn’t expose him. She allowed him his small victory.
…
Two Polarities Peak.
Lan Mulian walked gracefully through the palace, her embroidered shoes silent against the polished floor, her skirt swirling around her. Beside her, Yan Ruyu, the master of the library, sat at a table, her figure alluring, a smile playing on her lips as she watched her.
She appeared to be in her early thirties, no longer a young girl, but at the peak of her womanhood, her beauty captivating. Her skin was smooth and flawless, her smile gentle, her eyes bright and intelligent, time having only enhanced her allure, giving her a maturity that was irresistible to younger men.
Of course, age was irrelevant in the cultivation world. The sect master, one of the few Dao Integration cultivators, her age was a mystery. Few even remembered when she had ascended. Many of the elders had grown up under her guidance. In the world of cultivation, age was just a number.
The two women, their beauty complementing each other, Yan Ruyu’s allure undeniable. It wasn’t just her beauty, but also her aura. She possessed an intelligence and sophistication that came from years of study. In the modern world, she would be a mature teacher in a tight-fitting dress, glasses perched on her nose, a ruler in her hand. Few in the entire sect could rival her allure.
“What brings you to Two Polarities Peak today, Sister Yan?” Lan Mulian asked, her voice clear and melodious.
Yan Ruyu rarely left the library. She preferred books to socializing.
She smiled gently, her voice soft and alluring. “Can’t I just visit and chat with you, Junior Sister Lan?”
Lan Mulian poured her a cup of tea, smiling. “Of course you can. I was just surprised. Please, have a seat. My master is away.”
If Mu Zhi’an were here, he would be mesmerized by her beauty. Even after seeing Bai Ruoxi, he would be captivated. Bai Ruoxi was cold and delicate, while Senior Sister Lan was aloof and elegant. They were two different experiences.
Yan Ruyu sipped her tea, chatting with Lan Mulian.
“Ling Long emerged from the cliff yesterday, seemingly interested in one of the candidates, but then it left. It was rather strange…” she said, mentioning the incident.
Lan Mulian’s eyes flickered, a hint of surprise in her gaze. “It was truly interested in a disciple…?”
She had suspected as much, but hearing it confirmed, it was still unexpected.
Yan Ruyu crossed her legs, smiling. “You know her. She’ll surely be chosen as an inner disciple.”
“Bai Ruoxi?” Lan Mulian asked.
Yan Ruyu nodded. “It seemed to be interested in her, but it didn’t grant her any destiny. It simply left.”
She paused, then asked, “Did the sect master leave to meet Ling Long…?”
Lan Mulian shook her head. “She didn’t tell me where she was going.”
Yan Ruyu nodded.
It was to be expected. The sect master wouldn’t explain herself to her disciple.
“Actually, I came here to ask you something,” she said, her voice turning serious, her gaze fixed on Lan Mulian’s.
“Please, ask away, Sister Yan,” Lan Mulian replied, smiling.
“Everyone thought Ling Long was interested in Bai Ruoxi, but I have a different theory…” Yan Ruyu sipped her tea, her lips moist and alluring, her gaze meeting Lan Mulian’s.
“There was a young cultivator beside her.”
Lan Mulian’s expression remained unchanged.
She knew who Yan Ruyu was talking about, but she didn’t want to discuss him. That frivolous young man, he hadn’t even sent her a paper crane since returning. He was probably still lost in Bai Ruoxi’s embrace.
“The young cultivator you favor…” Yan Ruyu continued.
Lan Mulian knew she couldn’t remain silent. “You suspect Ling Long was interested in Mu Zhi’an, not Bai Ruoxi?”
“He deciphered a part of the Trial Forest’s formation, and he just led a group of candidates through Boundless Sea Peak’s trial. He’s definitely hiding something.”
She paused, then added, “Perhaps Ling Long was attracted by his secret.”
Lan Mulian raised an eyebrow. “I don’t know him well, Sister Yan. I can’t answer your question.”
“You were the examiner for Tianxuan City, weren’t you? Were there any exceptional candidates?” Yan Ruyu persisted.
“Bai Ruoxi, Ye Yu, and Ye Lingxuan all possessed great destiny,” Lan Mulian replied.
“What about Mu Zhi’an?”
