Undoubtedly, Qiu Mengyu's allure lived up to its reputation. Words felt insufficient to capture the ethereal and enchanting radiance that emanated from her exquisite and incomprehensibly beautiful appearance.
The moon's silvery rays only served to soften her features making her seem like a goddess descending forth from her godly realm as she sashayed along the red carpet.
Her dark hair perfectly embodied the inky and starless heavens as they easily cascaded all the way down to her hypnotizing, slender waist that beckoned to any man present to have an urge to embrace her tightly and never let go.
An air of ingrained confidence and maturity blanketed her seductive feminity, causing most of the young men present to loudly swallow their greedy saliva amidst the drop-dead silence.
Her attire, a short and slightly loose-fitting red dress, gracefully accentuated the contours of her flawless figure, highlighting the alluring curves of her two towering peaks and mature sensuality that she effortlessly exuded.
Her slender and fleshly legs were alluringly encapsulated by a pair of devastating black stockings, an unforgettable combination that gave rise to heat in the lower regions of some of the perverted young men.
Some of the crazed ones went to the great lengths of imagining themselves as those lewd stockings while some of them felt jealousy and envy towards them.
"It should have been me." Such was the thought that collectively rang in their minds.
The sages of old weren't really lying when they came up with the adage, "The Dao of culture and lewdness gives rise to unity among like-minded men."
She was inherently untouchable due to the status she held but the night's breeze proved stubborn as it defied such a notion by gently gravitating toward her and gently lifting the ends of her silky hairs.
The scene was so picturesque, memorable and had a spellbinding feel to it.
Qiu Mengyu's lips curved into an elegant smile as she stopped at the elevated platform in the Qiu's Clan Pavilion.
"Greetings fellow young talents…"
The mellow tone of her mature voice immediately captivated the audience. It was like the cool waters of a spring flowing down a tranquil waterfall.
"She really upholds her reputation, doesn't she?" Zhao Chi casually commented as he walked towards Zhao Wei and Zhao Yufei.
"Isn't she the most beautiful? Additionally, she is also a powerful cultivator among the four great geniuses. Who could ever tame such a woman?" Zhao Chi crossed his arms as he looked at Qiu Mengyu who was akin to an unconquerable conquest.
Zhao Yufei snorted in dissatisfaction, unhappy due to the sudden intrusion by Zhao Chi. His words also served to fuel her dissatisfaction with him.
"Hmph!"
Zhao Chi also realized his blunder and could only give an embarrassed smile.
Even though she also acknowledged her own beauty and uniqueness, Zhao Yufei would be lying to herself if she said she didn't get slightly jealous at all the attention that Qiu Mengyu was getting.
She peeked a secret glance at Zhao Wei to gauge his reaction. To see if he was under Qiu Mengyu's beauty spell.
Since she currently had a surface understanding of the mysterious young man, she doubted if the bastard would easily be swayed by looks easily. But all in all, Zhao Yufei still wanted to see his expression.
"Do you still recall my previous words or have you already forgotten?" Zhao Wei spoke lightly as he admired the view presented before his eyes. He also did not chose to answer Zhao Chi's question.
His words were of course meant for the one trying to sneak glances at him.
Zhao Yufei immediately looked sideways.
Of course, she remembered and that only filled her heart with warmth.
'It seems Zhao Wei's heart and mind still remains impenetrable.' She thought in earnest.
'I should focus more on me and he would no longer have anything to say on the day when I am stronger and more dependable. That has always been my main priority - to forever change his perception of me.'
Zhao Chi looked at the two, unsure of what to think about the weird relationship between Zhao Wei and Zhao Yufei.
He didn't mean to be gay but there was just something about Zhao Wei despite his ordinary-looking face… (A/N: Lol)
To Zhao Chi, it seemed as if Zhao Yufei, a swan, was the one actively pining after sausage's meat but not vice versa. This only made their unknown relationship more strange.
Their relationship didn't matter to him, anyway. If he suddenly became nosy, Zhao Chi had a premonition that he would be tormented by Zhao Wei.
It was a miracle that he was even talking to him like some past friend and he was being chill with it.
"The Qiu Clan has two geniuses among the renowned four great geniuses of Sun Feather City which makes them a tough rival of our Zhao Clan." Zhao Chi started explaining to the two 'newbies' as Qiu Mengyu explained the theme and rules of the Genius Summit even though it was common knowledge.
"That white clothed youth sitting at the edge of the Qiu Clan's Pavilion is Qiu Changyi, ranked fourth among the great geniuses from the previous Xin's clan Genius Summit."
"But with now Zhao Linglong being at the Sixth Rank of the Martial Path, this time's competition is going to be a wild one." Zhao Wei added as his eyes picked on the Qiu youth being referred to.
"That's right." Zhao Chi agreed.
Zhao Yufei, who standing at Zhao Wei's left, chuckled unintentionally.
Zhao Wei arched his eyebrow at her, his face mirroring cluelessness.
Zhao Chi was also the same.
Seeing the looks she was being given by the two men, Zhao Yufei ceased chuckling before comically clearing her throat.
"I didn't mean to. I just couldn't help myself after remembering something." She offered an apologetic smile and then she continued.
"We currently have many fifth rankers amongst us but what others don't know is that we additionally have a 'walking calamity'. A monster. Someone who would bully them."
At her last words, she brazenly pointed her cute finger at Zhao Wei, making the latter to roll his eyes in response.
"Even though I acknowledge that you are really strong, I doubt that you will win against those four monsters since I have never seen you fight seriously. Your one move series wouldn't fare well against such geniuses." Zhao Chi aired out his honest opinion with doubts showing on his face.
Zhao Chi believed Zhao Wei could beat him but against someone like Xin Wuheng or Qiu Mengyu, it would be a different story.
"Oh, your analysis is on point. " Zhao Wei only agreed expressionlessly.
Zhao Chi was taken back by his 'honest' reply but after sometime felt that whatever he had previously spoken had been logical.
Seeing Zhao Wei taking a modest approach only served to give his opinion more sense.
'So that's how you are going to act.' Zhao Yufei's lips formed an 'O' shape.
Anyway, Qiu Mengyu didn't speak much and initiated the start of the Genius Summit, much to everyone's anticipation.
The Genius Summit was simply about sparring and communicating with each other through martial skills and gauging where one's strength stood among Sun Feather City's younger generation.
Any disciple can challenge anyone as long as they had the skills.
Emerging from small rival clans, overshadowed by the prominence of the three great clans, two determined youths embarked on an event destined to resolve the longstanding grudges between their respective clans. With unwavering resolve, they confronted each other with pride on the expansive battleground at the heart of the three Pavilions.
Since there was a rule that stipulated that only those of the fourth rank could fight against each other first, the fifth rankers and those above could only act as spectators as they awaited their turns.
The attention of the Genius Summit was mostly on the talented youngster with cultivation bases of the Fifth Rank and above from the Zhao, Qiu, and Xin Clans.
Among the Zhao Clan, all of them except for Zhao Qin were above the fourth rank, making the group a hot topic among other clan's competitors.
This year's Genius Summit proved to be the one with the most fifth rankers, bringing up the hype for the upcoming spars.
The spars continued until it was finally time for the main characters of the show to battle.
Zhao Wei yawned in boredom as Zhao Han's brazen arrogance still hadn't been distinguished as he challenged Xin Tong from the Xin clan.
'If I remember well, those two shared some history.' Zhao Wei reminisced as he saw the all too familiar [Cold Ice Palm] clash against Xin Tong's strong defense.
Feeling that he had stood for long - it was only for a few minutes - Zhao Wei returned to his seat.
And after a few seconds, in a shared moment of synchronized intuition, Zhao Yufei and Zhao Chi exchanged fleeting glances, each determined not to be the solitary figure left lingering at the Pavilion's edge.
Awkwardness hung in the air as both of them mirrored Zhao Wei's lead as they retraced their steps back to their respective seats.
Soon enough, the battle between Zhao Han and Xin Tong was stopped by Qin Mengyue and Xin Tong was declared victorious due to his balanced strong defense and attack unlike Zhao Han who prioritized head-on attacks. Even then, Xin Tong wasn't without his own flaws. He was the type to also rely much on the raw strength of his physical body just like most body cultivators.
As the sole winner left on the battle arena, Xin Tong had the autonomy of choosing anyone he wanted to spar with.
Xin Tong's gaze honed in on the Zhao Clan's Pavilion, his eyes narrowing as they zeroed in on a particular youth who sat sprawled in his chair, legs casually splayed in a hoodlum-like manner
"I challenge you." Everyone traced Xin Tong's line of sight to Zhao Wei's shameless figure.
Xin Tong's decision hadn't been reckless but due to intrigue and curiosity toward the unfamiliar Zhao youth that easily piqued the interest of someone extremely reserved like Xin Wuheng who also happened to be the most powerful and respected disciple of the Xin Clan.
What was so special about him? Xin Tong thought and wanted to know.
And he would only know the truth after throwing fists left and right.
"Okay, challenge accepted." Zhao Wei rose from his seat with a lazy smile on his face.
"You don't need to take a breather, right?" He then asked in a genuine tone as he walked with his hands clasped behind his head.
"Why do you sound as if I would lose to you if I am not at my most perfect state?" Xin Tong said in irritation.
"I would take you on at any time of the day. Xin Wuheng might have praised you but some confirmations are needed." Xin Tong cracked his fingers menacingly.
Tap!
Zhao Wei jumped from the edge of the pavilion to gently land on the battle arena.
"Just so you know the guys in my clan call me kickass." Zhao Wei said blandly, his inner self chuckling at his poor way of joking.
"Kickass? What are you talking about?" Xin Tong asked with a clueless expression on his face.
Zhao Wei leisurely lowered his hands from his head, allowing them to dangle casually at his sides.
"It means I kick asses like you on normal basis."
Pin drop silence ensued.
And then… Qiu Mengyu's crystal clear laughter, like a refreshing stream of sound weaving through the atmosphere, followed next and broke the silence.
"Pfft!"
Xin Wuheng's eyes also flickered open, and he chose not to shut them again as an interesting smile formed on his lips.
An uproar followed next!
WAAH!
****
[Author's Note]
Spoiler (The main fight would be between Xin Wuheng and Zhao Wei)
Zhao Wei: Is that supposed to be a spoiler?
Enjoy!
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