After Wen Ling Xue left, the crowd in the martial arts arena gradually dispersed.
"Ling Xue, you're amazing! You've only been in the inner courtyard for a short time, and you've already reached the Blood-Shift Realm, Bone-Refining Level. It's making it difficult for us senior brothers and sisters to hold our heads up high."
A slender girl with a cheerful smile accompanied Wen Ling Xue.
Her makeup was exquisite, and her appearance could be considered outstanding, but compared to Wen Ling Xue, she couldn't help but pale in comparison.
Wen Ling Xue smiled gently, "Senior sister Meng Lu, you flatter me."
In her heart, however, she thought, I cultivate the marvelous techniques taught by my husband. If I don't progress quickly, how will I have face to meet him in the future?
"Would you two junior sisters like to go to Yin Xue Mountain Villa and relax?"
On the way, a handsome young man with a faint smile extended an invitation, his smile warm and courteous.
Meng Lu, the slender girl, brightened her eyes and exclaimed, "Ling Xue, let's go together! Yin Xue Mountain Villa is one of the top places in Yunhe County. It is said that only the most distinguished and elegant people have the qualifications to enter."
She was looking forward to it.
"Well..."
Wen Ling Xue hesitated. She had planned to go back and cultivate.
"Come on, let's go. Just consider it as accompanying me." Meng Lu playfully hooked her arm around Wen Ling Xue's.
The handsome young man also smiled and said, "Junior sister Wen Xue, it won't be just the three of us this time. There are also some other senior brothers and sisters. You can think of it as a gathering among our fellow sect members."
"Alright."
Wen Ling Xue thought of the many fellow sect members who would be there and couldn't refuse. So she agreed.
The handsome young man visibly relaxed and led the way with a smile.
"Tsk, no wonder he's the eldest son of the Yan family. He actually invited Sister Ling Xue."
From afar, Tian Yao marveled at the scene.
Seeing that Su Yi remained silent, she thought he didn't know the identity of the handsome young man, so she quickly spoke up.
"Yan Yufeng, the eldest son of the Yan family, ranked fifth among the inner disciples. He has reached the Blood-Shift Realm, Great Perfection. It is said that his father has paved the way for him, and he will embark on a training journey in the Crimson Scale Army in half a year..."
While she was speaking, Tian Yao suddenly froze in surprise and exclaimed, "Why is Sister Ling Xue walking towards us?"
In the distance, Wen Ling Xue's beautiful eyes lit up, and a look of pleasant surprise appeared on her delicate face.
She practically jogged over in their direction.
Meng Lu and the handsome young man were also stunned. What was happening?
"Husband! Why are you here?"
With her hair elegantly styled and her beautiful figure, her voice sweet and melodious, Wen Ling Xue couldn't conceal her joy in her lovely eyes.
Su Yi smiled and said, "Aren't you happy to see me?"
The girl's smile was radiant, fresh like a budding flower after the rain. She said, "How could I dare? Why didn't you tell me in advance? I almost thought I was mistaken just now."
Su Yi was speechless, he raised his hand and rubbed the girl's head, saying, "As long as I didn't mistake you, that's good enough."
"You... Are you Ling Xue's husband?"
Looking at the affectionate manner between the two, Tian Yao widened her beautiful eyes, feeling a bit confused.
The handsome young man in the distance's pupils contracted abruptly, as if he had seen an unprecedented formidable enemy.
Since Wen Ling Xue entered the Qinghe Sword Sect, he had never seen her like this before.
That excited and joyful expression, the undisguised happiness, and the bright gleam in her eyes when occasionally looking at Su Yi, these were all things she had never shown in front of any man before.
Wen Ling Xue swept her beautiful eyes over Tian Yao and curiously asked, "Husband, did you come with Junior Sister Tian Yao?"
Su Yi instinctively corrected her, "This junior sister of yours is a kind-hearted person. She showed me the way when we first met. Otherwise, I might still be unable to find this place."
Tian Yao couldn't help but roll her eyes and said, "Why do you need to explain so clearly? Are you worried that Ling Xue will misunderstand? Besides, you are Ling Xue's husband. If you dare to have any designs on her, you would be a beast!"
Wen Ling Xue's face turned red, her eyelashes trembling slightly, she spat, "Junior Sister Tian Yao, you must not talk nonsense."
However, Su Yi remained calm and composed, neither blushing nor gasping for breath. He said, "What do you, a little girl, know? Alright, it's none of your business, let's go."
But Tian Yao stubbornly lifted her delicate chin and said fiercely, "You heartless guy! I happen to have taken a liking to you at first sight, but you want to drive me away. Let me tell you, I simply won't leave!"
Wen Ling Xue was stunned and surprised, "You've taken a liking to my husband?"
Tian Yao nodded confidently and said openly, "Don't you think he has a charming aura? I like this kind of man."
Wen Ling Xue was at a loss for words for a moment. She never expected Tian Yao to be so bold and direct. Shouldn't girls be a bit more reserved?
"Ling Xue, you've never mentioned that Su Yi is your husband."
Not far away, Meng Lu walked over. The intimate behavior between Wen Ling Xue and Su Yi made her feel a bit uncomfortable, as if she were an outsider who had suddenly been excluded.
She glanced at Su Yi and said, "Su Yi, you were expelled from the Sword Sect last year. How did you come back? Aren't you afraid of being seen by those fellow disciples who bullied you back then?"
Her words carried a hint of sarcasm.
As an inner disciple of the Qinghe Sword Sect, she was well aware of Su Yi's identity and had even heard about many of the things he had been bullied for in the past.
"Meng Lu senior sister, how can you speak like this?"
Wen Ling Xue's eyebrows furrowed slightly, feeling somewhat displeased.
"Alright, alright, I won't say anymore."
Meng Yao quickly apologized.
"Su Yi junior brother, long time no see."
At this moment, the handsome young man, Yan Yufeng, walked over and smiled.
Su Yi nodded lightly.
He recognized the other party. Back when he was in the outer sect of the Qinghe Sword Sect, the other party was already a formidable figure in the inner sect.
However, there was no interaction between the two.
"Su Yi junior brother, we were planning to go to the Yinxue Mountain Villa for a gathering. Why don't you join us?"
Yan Yufeng invited with a smile.
He could tell at a glance that if he didn't invite Su Yi to come along, Wen Ling Xue probably wouldn't go either.
But Wen Ling Xue was a bit hesitant.
She knew very well the characters of her fellow disciples. They were either arrogant descendants of prestigious clans or lofty noble sons.
Unless you were on the same level as them, they would never truly regard you.
"That's fine."
Su Yi nodded. He had come today to find Wen Ling Xue, so it didn't matter where they went.
Wen Ling Xue was taken aback for a moment, then nodded and smiled, "Let's go together then."
She had many doubts in her heart, such as how her husband came to Yunhe County City. What level had his cultivation reached now?
It was not surprising that she had doubts. Since leaving Guangling City, she had not received any news from Su Yi. She didn't even know that he had won first place in the Longmen Grand Competition.
"Can I come along too?"
Tian Yao suddenly asked.
"Of course."
Yan Yufeng smiled and agreed.
Immediately, the group headed outside the Qinghe Sword Sect.
Along the way, they attracted countless gazes because of Wen Ling Xue's presence.
During the journey, Meng Lu and Yan Yufeng discreetly observed Su Yi.
Unfortunately, his casual aura was ordinary and revealed no clues.
Soon, they lost interest and stopped paying attention.
He was just a cultivationally crippled person. He was no longer in the same world as them. If it weren't for Wen Ling Xue, they probably wouldn't have said a word to Su Yi.
Outside the Qinghe Sword Sect, there were already many people waiting.
When Yan Yufeng and Wen Ling Xue appeared, everyone greeted them with smiles.
Su Yi's gaze swept over them and found that he recognized most of them. They were all clan descendants who practiced in the Qinghe Sword Sect.
When these people recognized Su Yi, they were all slightly surprised. But when they learned that he was Wen Ling Xue's brother-in-law, they vaguely understood.
However, one person became particularly uncomfortable when he saw Su Yi, and his face stiffened.
That person was Chen Jinlong.
The first time Su Yi attended the banquet at Fengyuan Pavilion, Chen Jinlong had led a group of people to cause trouble but ended up being suppressed and kneeling on the ground. He almost lost his life.
How could Chen Jinlong not be shocked when he saw Su Yi again?
However, when he noticed that Su Yi ignored him, Chen Jinlong secretly breathed a sigh of relief. At the same time, he cursed in his heart. Yan Yufeng, this bastard, why did he bring this star of calamity here!?
"Yan Shao, I heard that the Tea Jin girl will perform at Yinxue Mountain Villa today. It's a precious opportunity. Let's hurry over."
A young man said with a smile.
Upon hearing this, many people's eyes brightened.
Tea Jin?
Su Yi pondered for a moment.
...
Yinxue Mountain Villa.
A place in Yunhe County City that was as famous as Fengyuan Pavilion, a gold-selling venue.
It covered dozens of acres with pavilions, towers, courtyards, and scenic spots such as lakes, bridges, and fish ponds. It had an elegant and unique charm, favored by the influential figures in the city.
When Yan Yufeng led the group to arrive, there was already a middle-aged steward waiting at the entrance.
"Uncle Huang, there was no need for you to personally wait."
Yan Yufeng was surprised to see the middle-aged man and quickly greeted him.
"Young Master Yan is a friend of my young master. It's only right for me to come and welcome you."
The middle-aged steward nodded calmly and directly ignored the other people around Yan Yufeng. He said, "Follow me."
The others seemed to know the identity of this "Uncle Huang" and immediately restrained their arrogance, following closely behind.
Upon entering Yinxue Mountain Villa, everyone's eyes lit up.
Along the way, the scenery clearly showed the efforts of everyone involved. Whether it was the pavilions, towers, artificial mountains, or flowing water, they were all carefully designed, exuding an elegant and refined atmosphere.
"This is Yinxue Mountain Villa? It's my first time here. I've heard that this place is extraordinary, but I didn't expect it to be so beautiful," Wen Ling Xue said curiously, walking beside Su Yi.
Su Yi's gaze remained indifferent as he replied, "These are just some superficial Feng Shui decorations. They may appear elegant, but they can't escape the mundane craftsmanship."
As they were conversing, they were led to a courtyard where the windows were wide open, revealing a raised platform made of jade outside.
At that moment, musicians were performing, and a group of dancers gracefully danced on the platform.
"You can enjoy the banquet here. If you need anything, just instruct the attendants," Uncle Huang casually instructed before leaving.
Yan Yufeng and the others took their seats as hosts and guests, eating, drinking, and engaging in lively conversations.
However, very few paid attention to Su Yi. Most people were conversing with Wen Ling Xue, Meng Lu, Tian Yao, and the other women.
Su Yi didn't care about being neglected. He enjoyed his drink and occasionally conversed with Wen Ling Xue, content and at ease.
The most uncomfortable person at the table was Chen Jinlong.
He sat directly across from Su Yi but didn't dare to lift his head to meet Su Yi's gaze. He felt extremely uneasy, as if sitting on pins and needles.