The next morning.
Feng Xiaoran suddenly noticed that Su Yi, who would usually return to his room for further cultivation after practicing, grooming, and eating, was unprecedentedly going out today!
"Brother Su Yi, where are you going?" she couldn't help but ask in a delicate voice.
Feng Xiaofeng and Huang Qianjun were also puzzled.
"Stealing a bit of leisure in this transient life, going to meet someone," Su Yi replied with a smile as he ruffled Feng Xiaoran's head.
"Oh!" Feng Xiaoran nodded.
"Susu, do you need to take a carriage?" Huang Qianjun couldn't help but ask.
"No need, you both carry on with your own tasks," Su Yi waved his hand without even turning his head, and his figure walked confidently out of the courtyard.
"Su Senior Brother seems very happy today," Feng Xiaofeng was somewhat surprised as he leaned on a wooden cane. With the nourishment of spirit medicines every day, his legs could now barely support his walking.
"He must be going to meet a good friend," Feng Xiaoran said seriously.
"A good friend?" Huang Qianjun pondered for a while and suddenly thought of someone—
Wen Lingxue!
...
Qinghe Sword Residence.
Occupying thousands of acres, the buildings and halls were stacked one after another, presenting a magnificent sight.
In a certain sense, the Qinghe Sword Residence could already be considered the holy land of cultivation in the hearts of the younger generation of Yunhe County.
The morning light was gentle, and in front of the gates of the Qinghe Sword Residence, many young boys and girls were coming and going, exuding a vibrant vitality.
Most of them were around sixteen or seventeen years old, the most beautiful period of their lives.
Su Yi walked with his hands behind his back. When he saw the familiar entrance, memories from the past involuntarily surfaced in his mind.
At the age of fourteen, he came alone, braving hardships and traversing mountains and rivers, to join the Qinghe Sword Residence for cultivation.
The bitterness and hardships of those three years, when he thought back on them now, brought a different kind of feeling to his heart.
"Oh, who is this senior brother? He looks so handsome!"
"Hush, be more reserved!"
Not far away, when some girls saw Su Yi, their eyes lit up, and they began whispering to each other.
One couldn't deny that Su Yi's appearance was outstanding. He had a well-proportioned and slender figure, with a fair and handsome face. Combined with his unique and ethereal temperament, he was particularly attractive to some inexperienced young girls.
"Reserve? The good-looking senior brothers will be snatched up soon. If we don't make a move, we won't even get a taste of the soup."
A charming young girl stepped forward with a confident chest and said openly, "Senior brother, my name is Tian Yao. Can we get to know each other?"
With her almond-shaped eyes, peachy cheeks, slender waist, and long legs, her beautiful eyes carried a touch of seductive charm.
Su Yi shook his head and said, "I am no longer a disciple of the Qinghe Sword Residence. It doesn't matter whether we know each other or not."
With that, he took a step towards the entrance of the Qinghe Sword Residence.
Tian Yao was taken aback. Was she just rejected? Laughter came from her companions in the distance, causing her pretty face to stiffen slightly.
Although she had a fiery and outgoing temperament, she usually couldn't be bothered to associate with those unsightly male disciples of the same sect.
Now, after finally encountering someone who caught her eye, who would have thought that he would dismiss her so casually!
"Hey, stop right there."
Driven by her pride and perhaps a sense of dissatisfaction, Tian Yao gritted her teeth and turned around to chase after him.
Just as Su Yi remembered, the buildings, halls, courtyards, and scenery within the Qinghe Sword Residence hadn't changed much.
"With Wen Lingxue's talent and the [Mystic Pure Spirit Scripture] I taught her, she should easily secure a place among the disciples of the Qinghe Sword Residence..."
Su Yi walked leisurely towards the inner gate area.
"Hey!"
Tian Yao caught up, looking indignant. "You're really rude, causing me to lose face in front of my friends."
Then, she smiled brightly. "But, considering how good-looking you are, I'll forgive you. So, tell me, what's your name? Do you want to have a meal together?"
Su Yi couldn't help but pause, then smiled and said, "No need for a meal. Can you help me with a small favor?"
Tian Yao grinned, "Tell me, I'll help if I can. But you have to tell me your name too."
Su Yi nodded and asked, "Where is Wen Lingxue?"
Wen Lingxue!
Tian Yao's expression froze, and she rolled her eyes irritably. "It's about her again!"
Su Yi raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
Tian Yao pouted and said, "Don't you know? Since Senior Sister Wen Xue entered the Qinghe Sword Residence, she has become the recognized number one beauty. It's not just the male senior brothers and junior brothers who adore her, even the young masters from the noble families in Yunhe County come here, all longing for her."
As she spoke, a hint of envy and jealousy appeared in her tone.
Su Yi pondered for a moment and nodded. "With her talent and grace, it's indeed easy to attract the pursuit of admirers, which is quite normal."
"You're not the same as those admirers, are you?"
Tian Yao snorted.
"Not the same."
Su Yi shook his head. "By the way, you haven't told me where she is."
Tian Yao became annoyed. "I'm pursuing you, and you're asking about other women. I can't believe it's no different from stabbing me in the heart!"
"Then forget it."
Su Yi turned and walked away.
Tian Yao: "..."
He just left like that?
Left?
Left?
She was so angry that her chest heaved, wishing she could take a bite out of Su Yi.
But in the next moment, as if possessed, Tian Yao chased after him and angrily said, "I want to see what makes you different! Come on, follow me!"
Su Yi smiled faintly.
On the contrary, a beauty should be both coy and lovable.
The beauty of lowering one's head like a sea hibiscus in shyness is one kind.
The charm of a lotus swaying its branches in anger is another kind of allure.
As a man, the only thing to do is appreciate.
On the way, Tian Yao chattered on, "I'm not afraid to tell you that there are countless young talents and noble descendants who pursue Senior Sister Ling Xue. The number of those from prestigious backgrounds is even more countless. But so far, none of them have captured Senior Sister Ling Xue's heart!"
Su Yi burst into laughter and said, "Her standards should be that high. How can these ordinary people be worthy of her?"
Tian Yao felt her chest tighten. She had intended to advise Su Yi to give up his unrealistic thoughts, but she never expected him to be unaffected by her words!
"Do you think you can succeed?"
Tian Yao couldn't help but ask.
"Who said I'm pursuing her?"
Su Yi smiled wryly.
Tian Yao sneered and said, "Don't lie to me. When it comes to these matters, men are almost always saying one thing and meaning another. By saying that, you're just afraid of feeling embarrassed if you face rejection, so you're giving yourself an excuse."
Su Yi fell silent.
Arguing with women would only make things worse. In this regard, he was extremely experienced.
Sure enough, seeing Su Yi not saying anything, Tian Yao felt as if she had won and proudly said, "I knew it! By the way, you haven't told me your name yet."
Su Yi casually mentioned his name.
"Su Yi?"
Tian Yao was momentarily stunned, and suddenly remembered something. Her beautiful eyes widened. "Could it be that you're the Su Yi who lost his cultivation?"
Su Yi nodded. "That's correct."
In his heart, he couldn't help but feel some doubts.
Yesterday at the Qingding Arena, Lord Mu Cangtu was defeated in his hands.
It was understandable that this matter was concealed.
But Zhou Huaiqiu and the others have already returned to the Qinghe Sword Sect. Did they not mention the fact that their cultivation has been restored and that they secured the first place in the sect's grand competition?
"True, after the heavy blow Zhou Huaiqiu and the others suffered at Fengyuan Pavilion that day, they probably don't dare to bring up anything related to me..."
Su Yi vaguely understood.
In other words, apart from those important figures, it's likely that most people in the Qinghe Sword Sect are unaware of what happened to him.
"So it's you..."
Tian Yao seemed somewhat disappointed but then softly comforted Su Yi. "Senior Brother Su, I have heard about your experience, but don't worry, I don't mind whether you have cultivation or not."
"You should remember that being good-looking is also an advantage. Most people can't even rely on their looks to make a living."
With that, she patted Su Yi's shoulder to encourage him. "You have a striking appearance. At least, I fell in love with you at first sight!"
Su Yi: "..."
He suddenly remembered that Ling Xue had jokingly said that the reason she treated him so well was because he was good-looking.
Could it be that she only cared about his appearance?
That would be a bit shallow.
He would find an opportunity to let her know that, apart from his appearance, there were other aspects of him that surpassed ordinary men in this world...
While they were conversing, a burst of enthusiastic cheering came from a distance.
In the distance, there was a vast martial arts arena, where a large crowd had gathered, creating a spectacular scene.
In the arena, a graceful and beautiful figure stood out, capturing the attention of most young people present.
With her hair elegantly arranged, eyebrows like emerald feathers, fair and smooth skin, a slender waist, and teeth as white as pearls, she wore a light blue dress and stood gracefully.
The gentle sunlight sprinkled upon her, highlighting her exquisite and radiant beauty, as if she had stepped out of a painting.
"Martial Brother Wu, please go easy on me."
In the martial arts arena, the girl slightly cupped her hands in a gesture of respect.
"Ling Xue junior sister's martial arts skills have become even more formidable. It was my honor to be defeated by you."
On the opposite side, a young man in a golden robe smiled gently, his eyes filled with deep affection as he looked at the girl opposite him.
"Enough, let's go quickly. Don't think that losing to junior sister Ling Xue will bring us closer!"
"Phew! You didn't come here for a friendly match at all; you clearly have designs on junior sister Ling Xue. How shameless!"
A burst of jeering erupted from the crowd.
The young man in the golden robe's expression stiffened, and he left in embarrassment.
This scene left many girls feeling envious and jealous, but there was nothing they could do.
Ever since Wen Ling Xue arrived at the Qinghe Sword Sect, anyone who tried to pursue her would be seen as an enemy!
The extent of her popularity was evident.
From a distance, when Su Yi saw this scene, a smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
Recalling the time when Wen Ling Xue was already recognized as the number one beauty in the Songyun Academy in Guangling City, he didn't expect the same to be true at the Qinghe Sword Sect.
"You see, just how popular Ling Xue junior sister is. If you try to pursue her, as soon as you get close, countless people will see you as their enemy. So, I advise you to give up on that idea and spare yourself from being ridiculed and humiliated."
Tian Yao muttered beside him, her gaze also filled with a hint of envy as she looked at the extraordinary girl in the martial arts arena.
But more than that, there was a sense of resignation and bitterness.
Unless one is confident enough in their own appearance, which girl would be willing to compare herself to Wen Ling Xue?