That morning, Chen Yin woke up early.
He stepped out of the inn, stretched in the crisp morning air filled with birdsong, and placed his hands on his hips, his spirits high.
"It finally begins."
Today was the opening day of the Heavenly Beauty Summit.
Taking advantage of the fact that Xiang'er hadn't come out yet, Chen Yin went to buy breakfast for Luo Luo and gave her some instructions.
Luo Luo nodded happily, a bun clamped between her teeth, and headed off on her errands.
After arranging everything, he carried two more bags of buns and returned to the inn.
By the time he got back, Xiang'er had already finished washing up and was sitting obediently at the table, waiting for him.
"You're up," Chen Yin said, placing the buns in front of her with a cheerful smile. "Eat up."
"Once you're full, we'll get ready to set off."
Xiang'er nodded, taking a small bite of a bun.
"Senior Brother, wouldn't it be amazing if I actually won the competition?"
Chen Yin's hand, holding a bun, paused slightly before he nonchalantly replied, "Silly girl. You're already thinking about winning the competition? You haven't even passed the preliminary rounds yet."
Xiang'er stuck out her tongue playfully. "Hehe, can't I dream a little?"
"If I really luck out and win the title of the Most Beautiful Woman in the Cultivation World, wouldn't that make you happy, Senior Brother?"
"To be honest, not really," Chen Yin shook his head.
"What's the point of such a hollow title? It's nothing but a pile of trouble."
Xiang'er nodded thoughtfully. "That's true… but if I win, then you'd be the senior brother of the Most Beautiful Woman in the Cultivation World. Wouldn't that make you proud?"
Chen Yin suddenly burst into hearty laughter.
"If that's how you see it, wouldn't it be better if your senior brother earned the title of the number one cultivator instead? Then you'd be the junior sister of the best in the world!"
Xiang'er giggled. "Senior Brother, you're bragging again."
"Right back at you."
Chen Yin smiled. "Eat up. We need to get going soon."
Obediently, Yu Xiang resumed eating her bun. But deep inside, she quietly asked a question:
"System, in the plot records, do I really have to lose to Senior Sister Shen in the finals?"
[Well… not exactly,] the system hesitated. [It just says you should try to probe Shen Shuanglian's hidden cards as much as possible. But to be safe, it'd be best to concede after a few moves.]
[Hey, you're not planning to really go all out against her, are you?] The system asked nervously.
Yu Xiang didn't ask further.
[Listen, you really need to think this through. Shen Shuanglian has a system accompanying her too. If you two decide to fight to the end, who knows if either of you can even stop?]
[If you get into an all-out battle and it turns into a fight to the death, wouldn't that ruin everything?]
The system added another cautious reminder: [Whatever you do, don't blow your cover. It could disrupt the entire storyline.]
Yu Xiang silently agreed in her heart.
But her true thoughts were known to no one.
<+>
After breakfast, the two began their journey up Wan Yun Mountain. Along the way, the roads were crowded with people heading to the Heavenly Beauty Summit, bustling and noisy.
The two eventually arrived at Wan Yun Mountain, where a magnificent manor floated halfway up the mountain amidst the clouds. It exuded a celestial aura while maintaining an air of opulent grandeur.
Wanxiang Pavilion truly lives up to its reputation
Wanxiang Pavilion was the largest trade guild in the cultivation world, and the extravagance of its main pavilion alone was enough to make Master Yu Ling, that stingy miser of an immortal, drool with envy.
The manor was divided into the Front Pavilion and the Rear Estate. The Front Pavilion housed the core of Wanxiang Pavilion's treasures, a collection of rare and precious items. The Rear Estate, on the other hand, served as a scenic retreat for rest and relaxation.
Many people were already registering at the front desk. After helping Xiang'er complete her registration, Chen Yin began to casually wander through the expansive manor.
Before long, Xiang'er used the excuse of wanting to buy a souvenir to slip away from Chen Yin's side.
Chen Yin didn't press further. He knew that, no matter what Xiang'er was up to, Luo Luo would keep an eye on her for him.
While waiting, Chen Yin leisurely strolled around the manor. The scenery was truly exquisite—everywhere he looked were elegant pavilions and poetic courtyards. The rumors about the Wanxiang Pavilion's master being an aesthete with refined tastes seemed entirely true.
As he wandered, his gaze accidentally swept over a group of people in the distance. His heart suddenly skipped a beat.
Across a corridor, a group of lively young women walked toward him, their smiles dazzling. Leading them was a woman in a fiery red dress, bright and eye-catching as blooming flowers, her radiant smile lighting up the air.
When she spotted Chen Yin, her eyes sparkled slightly.
"Chen Yin!"
Chen Yin, who had just been about to turn and slip away, froze in his tracks. He had no choice but to turn around and force a smile.
"Sister Qiaoqiao, what a coincidence to meet you here."
Luo Qiaoqiao skipped up to him and grabbed his hand joyfully. "You didn't lie to me; you really came."
"Ahem… How could I lie to you, Sister Qiaoqiao?"
Chen Yin chuckled awkwardly. "I'm here to escort my junior sister to participate in the tournament."
At the mention of his junior sister, a glint of something unreadable flashed in Luo Qiaoqiao's eyes. Feigning casualness, she asked:
"So, where is this junior sister of yours?"
"Well…" Chen Yin averted his gaze guiltily. "She's off browsing the main pavilion."
"I see."
Suddenly, Luo Qiaoqiao grabbed his hand, her face lighting up. "Then let's go browse the main pavilion together!"
Chen Yin was stunned.
—Sister, are you trying to kill me?
Do you not realize how much attention you attract?
The moment you walk into Wanxiang Pavilion, all eyes will be on you.
And now you want to hold my hand so conspicuously? Do you wish for my untimely demise?
As Chen Yin racked his brain for an excuse to refuse, Luo Qiaoqiao had already taken his hand and was dragging him toward the main pavilion.
"No excuses," she commanded, her bright eyes flashing with an air of authority that left no room for argument.
Chen Yin was utterly defeated.
Surrounded by a crowd of teasing and laughing disciples from Tianluo Sect, Luo Qiaoqiao led Chen Yin into the main pavilion.
As expected, the moment they entered, countless eyes turned their way. Some were filled with curiosity and gossip, while others—particularly those of certain male cultivators—held open hostility and thinly veiled killing intent.
Luo Qiaoqiao, seemingly oblivious, picked up an elegant hairpin like an innocent young girl and turned to Chen Yin.
"What do you think? Would this look good on me?"
Chen Yin sighed inwardly but kept a smile plastered on his face. "Sister Qiaoqiao, you mustn't buy this."
"Why not? Is it not beautiful?"
"It's not that. Sister Qiaoqiao is already a peerless beauty. Adding this hairpin would only make you even more enchanting, keeping every male cultivator awake at night."
"You're just trying to flatter me," Luo Qiaoqiao pouted with mock dissatisfaction.
But in the next moment, a sweet smile tugged at the corners of her lips.
"Still…"
"I do love hearing your compliments."
Hearing you tell me how beautiful I am.
Hearing you say you like how I look now.
For a woman, the greatest joy is adorning herself for the one she loves.
<+>
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