Just thinking about it for now!
He knew his dad’s temper well: reason with him, and he’d dazzle you with nonsense; dazzle him with nonsense, and he’d lecture you on reason!
If neither worked, he’d resort to fists!
Since he couldn’t win yet, better to hold back for now!
Ye Xuan shook off his thoughts and returned to his book.
Just then, a fragrant breeze wafted in, and a woman sat beside him.
It was Yan Bei!
Ye Xuan glanced at her. Today, Yan Bei wore a purple robe, her slender neck revealing skin like creamy jade. Below, her half-revealed curves were captivating, her waist cinched lightly by a white sash, impossibly delicate.
Her eyes, more alluring than peach blossoms, were utterly captivating with every glance.
Truth be told, Yan Bei’s beauty rivaled Xian Gu Yao’s!
Their beauty was similar yet distinct.
Ye Xuan looked away, smiling, “Something up?”
Yan Bei nodded, “I want to go with you!”
Ye Xuan was puzzled, “Why?”
Yan Bei shrugged, “No reason, just want to go with you!”
Ye Xuan nodded, “Alright!”
Yan Bei turned to him, “You’re not refusing?”
Ye Xuan smiled, “Why would I?”
Yan Bei looked at him, and he at her, their gazes meeting. Ye Xuan’s face held a faint smile.
For a moment, the atmosphere grew subtly charged.
After a long pause, Yan Bei smiled lightly, “You’re the first man to look at me so directly, and with such clear eyes!”
Ye Xuan shook his head with a smile, returning to his book. Did she think his years of sword cultivation were for nothing?
Yan Bei suddenly said, “I’m from the Yan Clan in the northern Desolate Universe!”
Ye Xuan kept reading, silent.
Yan Bei continued, “I’m the Yan Clan’s Divine Maiden, you know what that means? The kind who dedicates their life to the divine…”
As she spoke, she snatched his book, a bit annoyed, “Am I less interesting than a book?”
Ye Xuan smiled faintly, “Go on, I’m listening!”
Yan Bei glared at him, then said, “Do you know what a god is?”
Ye Xuan chuckled, “Just people who are a bit stronger!”
Yan Bei stared at him, “That’s blasphemy! Where I’m from, you’d be burned for that!”
Ye Xuan blinked, “That serious?”
Yan Bei nodded, “In our clan, you must worship the divine. Speaking of, do you have a faith?”
Ye Xuan thought, then said, “Yes!”
Yan Bei asked, “Who?”
Ye Xuan smiled, “Qing’er!”
Yan Bei frowned, “Never heard of her!”
Ye Xuan chuckled softly, “My sister. She’s my faith. Besides her, I recognize no other gods! Believe in Qing’er, and you’ll always be invincible!”
Yan Bei rolled her eyes, “Is she stronger than a god?”
Ye Xuan said earnestly, “Far stronger!”
Yan Bei slid in front of him, staring into his eyes, “Bragging!”
Ye Xuan, “…”
Yan Bei added, “I escaped. Know why?”
Ye Xuan asked, “Didn’t want to be bound for life?”
Yan Bei nodded, “Yes.”
Ye Xuan was silent.
Yan Bei continued, “They’ll come to take me back.”
Ye Xuan remained silent.
Yan Bei glared, “Silent again!”
Ye Xuan said seriously, “Can you not sit so close?”
She was right in front of him, almost on his lap.
This position was rather awkward.
Yan Bei stared at him, “Aren’t you a gentleman? I’m not afraid, so why are you?”
Ye Xuan smiled, “Miss Yan Bei, do you like me?”
At that, Yan Bei froze.
The question was so sudden, she didn’t know how to respond, her mind blank.
Ye Xuan asked again, “Do you?”
Yan Bei was silent.
Ye Xuan smiled, “Hesitation means you probably don’t. If you don’t, is it appropriate to be so close?”
Yan Bei looked at him, silent.
Ye Xuan smiled faintly, “Maybe I’m old-fashioned, but I think women should keep some distance from men, unless you truly, deeply like each other and it’s mutual. Then, there’s no need for concern. But without mutual affection, distance is best. A woman who values herself earns men’s respect. Those who fall for a few sweet words often end up hurt.”
As he spoke, he opened his palm, gently guiding a soft force to lift Yan Bei and move her to sit beside him.
Ye Xuan continued, “Not preaching, just a thought. If it makes sense, take it, if not, forget it!”
Ye Xuan wasn’t a playboy, falling for every woman he met. He might tease a bit, but he had boundaries.
Yan Bei was silent for a moment, then said, “Thank you!”
Ye Xuan smiled, “For what?”
Yan Bei looked at him, “Respect!”
Ye Xuan respected her!
Ye Xuan smiled faintly, “Respect is only right!”
Yan Bei suddenly said, “I want to join the academy, truly join!”
Ye Xuan was silent.
Yan Bei hurriedly added, “I’ll be honest, I want to join for your protection, and I genuinely like the academy’s atmosphere, and you… I mean, I like talking with you. I feel I learn a lot from our chats.”
Ye Xuan pondered.
Yan Bei continued, “I know joining might bring trouble to you and the academy… but I really want to join!”
She hugged her head, dejected, “But… I don’t want to drag you down. If I join, the Yan Clan won’t let you off, they’ll come for you! You know, I hesitated all night, wondering if I should leave… but I don’t want to. I like it here, and I like…”
She glanced at Ye Xuan, trailing off.
Ye Xuan suddenly asked, “Is the Yan Clan strong?”
Yan Bei nodded, saying softly, “Stronger than any power in the Divine Universe!”
Ye Xuan smiled, “Aren’t you afraid I’ll get beaten to death?”
Yan Bei blinked, “But I feel you’re stronger.”
Ye Xuan was curious, “Why?”
Yan Bei hesitated, then said, “You just give off an invincible vibe!”
Ye Xuan was stunned, then laughed heartily. Had he unknowingly developed the aura of a powerhouse?
Just then, the carriage stopped. Ye Xuan looked ahead, where an elder stood, smiling warmly at him.
Ye Xuan stood, clasping his fists, “And you are?”
The elder smiled, “Greetings, Young Master Ye. I’m Xiao Yue, Lord of Taigu City, waiting here for you!”
Ye Xuan was briefly surprised, then quickly got off with Yan Bei, approaching Xiao Yue and clasping his fists, “So it’s City Lord Xiao, a pleasure!”
Xiao Yue smiled, “Young Master Ye, are you heading to Taigu City?”
Ye Xuan nodded, “Yes!”
He glanced behind Xiao Yue, “Is Taigu City ahead?”
Xiao Yue shook his head, “It’s still far from here!”
Ye Xuan froze.
Xiao Yue thought, without me, your carriage would take half a year!
Xiao Yue smiled faintly, “Young Master Ye, let’s talk in the city!”
Ye Xuan nodded, “Alright!”
Xiao Yue glanced at the carriage, “This…”
Ye Xuan smiled, “No worries!”
He opened his palm, storing the carriage away.
Xiao Yue smiled, “Please!”
With that, the three vanished, reappearing in Taigu City.
Taigu City was grand, no less than Xian Gu City.
Xiao Yue smiled, “Young Master Ye, what brings you to Taigu City?”
Ye Xuan said seriously, “To give a gift!”
Xiao Yue was puzzled, “A gift?”
Ye Xuan nodded, opening his palm to reveal an ancient text.
Seeing it, Xiao Yue’s expression changed, blurting out, “Bloody hell…”
He blushed, quickly shutting his mouth.
Ye Xuan said earnestly, “Senior, do you like it?”
Xiao Yue hurriedly said, “I do!”
He turned, shouting, “Quick, bring my prized Immortal Wine!”
Ye Xuan smiled, “Senior, you can only read this Divine Dao Codex, I can’t give it to you. Memorize it if you like, is that alright?”
Xiao Yue nodded eagerly, “Absolutely!”
Free stuff, how could it not be?
Xiao Yue was thrilled!
He suddenly said, “Young Master Ye, please, let’s talk in the inner hall!”
Led by Xiao Yue, Ye Xuan and Yan Bei entered Taigu Hall.
Once seated, Immortal Wine was served.
Ye Xuan took a sip, stunned as it entered his throat.
Delicious!
As the wine flowed into him, it turned into pure spiritual energy, nourishing his body.
Xiao Yue smiled, “Young Master Ye, how is it?”
Ye Xuan nodded, “Great wine! Truly great!”
Xiao Yue laughed, opening his palm to send a storage ring to Ye Xuan, “This wine’s hard to make, so I only have about a hundred jars. Since we’re fated to meet, they’re all yours!”
Ye Xuan smiled, “I won’t be polite then!”
Xiao Yue laughed, “Young Master Ye, you’re straightforward, I like your character!”
He paused, then added, “Young Master Ye, are you married? If not, I have a few daughters, all beauties. If you like, you could marry them all…”
He felt a chill, turning to see Yan Bei staring at him.
Xiao Yue gave an awkward smile, “Just kidding!”
Ye Xuan smiled, “Senior, to be honest, I came with a request!”
Xiao Yue waved grandly, “Speak, we’re like brothers, no need to hold back!”
Ye Xuan shook his head with a smile, “I’ll be direct then! I want to build an academy but lack people. I’d like to recruit from Taigu Clan, is that alright?”
Xiao Yue blinked, “That’s it?”
Ye Xuan nodded.
Xiao Yue laughed, “That’s a small matter! Recruit as you like, and if you need Taigu City’s help, just say the word!”
Ye Xuan smiled, “I’ve heard Taigu Clan has many talented prodigies. I’d like to recruit a few with good character, what do you think, Senior?”
He aimed to align everyone’s interests!
Shared interests, peaceful growth!
Xiao Yue’s eyes narrowed, smiling broadly, “Good! Very good!”
He was inwardly shocked. This young Ye, so young, yet so adept at human relations.
Xiao Yue sighed, new talents always replace the old!
Looking at Ye Xuan, he grew fonder, a sudden thought striking: should I slip him something to make him marry my daughter?
If he became my son-in-law, I’d hit the jackpot!
Xiao Yue grew more excited…
…
