Even long after the match had ended, people were still animatedly discussing the highly anticipated duel.
For many, this was the final they had envisioned in their hearts. Witnessing a match between the Frost Moon Sword Immortal and the Luo Shang Fairy was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
No one even spared a thought for the other semifinal, where Yin Mengwan had competed.
By the time the crowd had dispersed, Chen Yin wandered over to the other arena, only to find it empty. The only trace left behind was the scoreboard, displaying Yin Mengwan's advancement to the finals.
—So, she advanced as expected, Chen Yin thought with a quiet sigh.
Which meant…
In the final match, Xiang'er would be facing off directly against Senior Sister.
Chen Yin knew that Xiang'er's demonic cultivation wasn't yet fully developed, so she probably wouldn't go all out against Shen Shuanglian. However, the harrowing image of the two perishing together in his previous life was still vividly etched into his memory.
He really didn't want Xiang'er and Senior Sister to fight.
On one hand, there was Xiang'er, his junior sister. On the other, there was Senior Sister, whom he had grown quite fond of.
No matter who won, Chen Yin wouldn't feel happy.
Thus, he had already resolved to intervene if necessary during the final match. No matter what happened, he wouldn't let things spiral into the worst possible outcome.
Of course, Chen Yin believed the odds of such an incident were slim. After all, the Heavenly Beauty Summit was a grand event, and the organizers surely had measures and security in place. Otherwise, who would dare attend?
Every Heavenly Beauty Summit saw Wanxiang Pavilion dispatch several cultivators at the Unrestricted Realm and even the Upper Clarity Realm to maintain order. Additionally, each participating sect sent their elders to oversee and protect their disciples.
These elders were all prominent figures in the world of cultivation, individuals so lofty they usually disdained appearing in public. They were likely lounging in the VIP suites sipping tea as soon as they arrived at Wan Yun Mountain.
With so many elders holding the fort, any disruptions could likely be swiftly quelled.
Taking advantage of the lingering crowd, Chen Yin meandered for a while longer before lazily making his way back to his room.
<+>
When he returned, there was no sign of Xiang'er, only a message left behind stating she had taken a small errand at the foot of the mountain to earn some spirit stones and would return tomorrow.
Chen Yin figured Xiang'er probably wanted to prepare quietly for the next day's match and used the errand as an excuse to avoid showing up.
Without Xiang'er around to tease, Chen Yin found himself utterly bored. With nothing else to do, he simply went to bed early.
He slept until evening, when the sound of knocking roused him from his dreams. Rubbing his eyes, he opened the door.
"Xiang'er? Didn't you say you weren't coming back? Why—"
His words trailed off as he froze.
Standing at the door wasn't Xiang'er but a figure clad in a striking red dress.
Luo Qiaoqiao stood with her hands behind her back, smiling mischievously.
"Sister Qiaoqiao? What brings you here?"
"What, the match is over, and I can't come visit for a bit of fun?"
Chen Yin was momentarily speechless. Luo Qiaoqiao, however, stepped directly into his room, her eyes darting around with interest.
"Hey… At least ask before barging in," Chen Yin said helplessly.
Luo Qiaoqiao stuck out her tongue at him playfully and said slyly, "What, hiding something embarrassing in here?"
"Even if I'm not, wouldn't it be awkward if I were?"
"It wouldn't," Luo Qiaoqiao said, pouting. "What could you possibly have to hide?"
She paused before suddenly giving him a teasing look.
"I heard that Wanxiang Pavilion sells specially crafted spirit puppets designed for lonely, long nights. You wouldn't happen to have one, would you?"
—What kind of absurd plotline was this? A nosy neighbor catching someone with a doll?
Chen Yin rolled his eyes. "Relax. Those puppets are expensive. If I had that kind of money, I'd rather visit a brothel in town."
"And what's so good about mortal women?"
Luo Qiaoqiao unceremoniously plopped down on his bed, striking a seductive pose and casting him a flirtatious glance.
"Your big sister here can take care of your… needs."
"...Let's not. I'd be too embarrassed if I, uh, couldn't keep up."
"No worries, big sister won't mind~"
"Well, I would mind!!"
This crazy woman truly had no filter. Chen Yin looked utterly defeated.
Luo Qiaoqiao huffed adorably, pouting as she rose gracefully from the bed. Grabbing his hand with a determined look, she said, "I lost today, and I'm in a bad mood. Take me for a walk."
Chen Yin had no choice but to let her soft, delicate hand tug him out of the room.
Outside was a lush garden, serene under the moonlight. Fireflies danced amidst the shadows of the trees, their reflections scattered across the path like fragments of light.
Luo Qiaoqiao pulled Chen Yin's hand, walking aimlessly forward as if she had no intention of letting go.
"…Losing to Senior Sister—does it upset you that much?"
"Mm." Luo Qiaoqiao responded softly, "I'm really upset."
"I rose to fame alongside her, and no matter where I go, people always compare the two of us."
"I've always been proud and unwilling to admit I'm inferior, so losing to her this time... of course, it hurts."
Chen Yin could only offer a formulaic response: "Victory and defeat are common in the world of cultivators, Sister Qiaoqiao. You shouldn't dwell on it. Win the next one instead."
Luo Qiaoqiao didn't seem satisfied. She turned to face him, her eyes holding a hint of grievance.
"Actually, I lost... but I didn't lose entirely."
Chen Yin: "...?"
"Chen Yin, before the match started, who were you hoping would win—me or your Senior Sister?"
She stared at him intently.
Chen Yin couldn't fathom why she would pose such a dangerous question. He could only shrug helplessly: "On one side, there's my close sisterly friend, you. On the other, there's Senior Sister from my sect. No matter what I answer, it won't be appropriate."
"Just be honest."
"Well, in that case, I'd say I hope both of you exhaust your energy and lose."
Maybe they'd end up pulling each other's hair or wrestling on the ground.
Who wouldn't enjoy watching women fight?
—Of course, fearing for his life, Chen Yin wisely kept those last thoughts to himself.
Still unsatisfied, Luo Qiaoqiao blinked, crossed her arms behind her back, and stomped her foot like a child throwing a tantrum.
Chen Yin sidled closer sheepishly. "Are you mad now?"
"Whether I'm mad isn't important."
She suddenly turned to him, her expression serious. "What matters is that you have to cheer me up."
—Straightforward, as always.
Chen Yin had always thought Luo Qiaoqiao was a peculiar girl. Unlike others, she didn't expect him to guess her feelings or figure out what to do.
Whenever she was upset, she would simply say it outright: I'm unhappy. I need you to make me feel better.
Simple, direct, and unexpectedly endearing.
After thinking for a moment, Chen Yin said, "Alright, good sister, don't be mad, okay?"
"Not enough."
"…What else do you want?"
"I want you to say out loud that you hoped I would win and not Shen Shuanglian."
Chen Yin sighed in exasperation. "If I say that, it's practically treason against my sect."
"I don't care."
She gripped his hand tightly, her gaze unwavering. "It's just the two of us here. I won't tell anyone. Even if it's a lie to make me happy, I want to hear you say it."
Chen Yin fell silent.
Seeing his hesitation, Luo Qiaoqiao's eyes slowly dimmed, disappointment and resignation taking their place.
"…Forget it," she muttered softly, almost to herself. "If you don't want to say it, then don't."
"But as compensation, you'll have to kiss me."
Chen Yin hesitated for a moment before gently cupping her face.
As he held her face with utmost seriousness, Luo Qiaoqiao grew visibly nervous. A rosy blush spread across her fair cheeks, and her breathing quickened slightly.
But Chen Yin didn't follow through. Instead, he asked with a straight face, "Sister Qiaoqiao, are you going to push me away like last time?"
Luo Qiaoqiao froze, then realized he was teasing her about their first encounter. Flustered and indignant, she stomped on his foot.
"If I tell you to kiss me, then just do it! Why so hesitant?"
With that, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.
—It was nothing like kissing Xiang'er.
This was fiery, passionate, as though it burned with an untamed flame. It evoked images of flowers blooming wildly in the night.
Beneath the searing heat was a silk-like softness, smooth and intoxicating.
Chen Yin nearly lost himself in the sensation but managed to pull back just in time. When they finally parted, Luo Qiaoqiao's face was as red as her dress. Her breath was quick, but her eyes sparkled with expectation.
"Well? Did you enjoy it?"
"…Not unpleasant, at least."
"Hey! Don't act ungrateful. Do you know how valuable a kiss from the Luo Shang Fairy is? There are countless men I wouldn't even glance at!"
Chen Yin retorted indignantly, "Do you know how valuable the first kiss of Yushan Mountain's top little dynamo is? Most women don't even qualify to dream about it!"
—Mostly because no one dreamed about it.
His quip made Luo Qiaoqiao burst into laughter. With a smile, she teased, "So, according to you, I'm the one who got the better deal?"
"Of course."
"Then... should big sister make it up to you?"
With that, her long lashes brushed against his face as she leaned in again.
Once more, his lips were enveloped in soft warmth.
"...There, I kissed you twice. That should even things out, right?"
"Uh, no. That just means I owe you one now."
"Then pay me back."
"…Are you exploiting a loophole here?"
Under the gentle, cool moonlight, the two of them sat at the edge of the forest, by a cliff, gazing at the moon and chatting.
They talked about everything. Luo Qiaoqiao, like a girl eager to share her stories with someone dear, spoke endlessly.
Chen Yin listened patiently, never growing tired of her voice.
Eventually, when Luo Qiaoqiao grew weary, she leaned against his shoulder and fell asleep.
Chen Yin draped his outer robe over her and stayed quietly by her side.
Whether she was truly upset about losing or just wanted someone to talk to no longer mattered.
This was enough.
—The moonlight gently blessed the night, its warmth lingering until dawn.
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