"Feeling a bit jealous, are we?" Yinling's teasing whisper brushed against Jun's ear, eliciting a deepening flush beneath his mask.
Jun's cheeks burned as he shifted uncomfortably, trying to hide his embarrassment. Meanwhile, Yinling couldn't help but notice the lingering gazes of other disciples since their arrival near the carriage.
Though her face remained concealed, Yinling was acutely aware of the attention drawn to her figure. It wasn't revulsion or discomfort that prickled at her, but rather a growing irritation.
As she pondered how to handle the situation, Jun's unexpected request to lay his head on her lap caught her off guard. Wasn't this the classic sign of a jealous Dao companion?
"N-no," Jun stammered, his gaze darting towards Yinling's midsection, his awkwardness palpable.
Yinling's heart danced with delight at Jun's reaction, her smile brimming with warmth.
"Don't be bashful, Jun. Didn't realize you had a jealous streak in you," Yinling teased playfully, her fingers gently ruffling Jun's hair.
"I'm not jealous!" Jun retorted in a frustrated whisper, his tone betraying a hint of defensiveness.
Yinling arched an eyebrow, amusement flickering in her eyes. "So, you're totally okay with all those stares I'm getting?" she prodded, her voice laced with mischief.
Jun's cheeks flushed a deeper shade of crimson, his hand instinctively rising to shield his face. "Well, maybe just a bit," he confessed, his admission barely audible.
A soft chuckle escaped Yinling's lips at Jun's admission, her eyes twinkling with affection. "Oh, Jun, you're too adorable for your own good," she teased gently, a fondness evident in her tone.
As Yinling continued her playful banter with Jun, their laughter began to draw the attention of those around them. Even with their masks on, their distinct figures stood out amidst the crowd, catching the eye of members of the opposite gender.
Among those boarding the carriage was one of the ten disciples slated to participate in the upcoming event. He had opted to wait inside the carriage during the cleaning and inspection process. Initially unfazed by the noise, the continuous laughter soon began to chip away at his concentration, testing his patience.
This was supposed to be the time for mental preparation, a moment to steel themselves for the upcoming event. Given the short notice they had received, everyone was already on edge, and now these disruptions were pushing him over the edge.
Finally reaching his boiling point, the man shot a glare in their direction and shouted, his voice slicing through the jovial atmosphere.
"Could the two of you kindly shut up!"
The abrupt outburst shattered the tranquility, drawing the attention of everyone nearby. Jun and Yinling turned their heads toward the source of the voice, locking eyes with a relatively handsome man in his twenties.
Jun prided himself on his composure, rarely allowing himself to lose his temper. With a calm demeanor, he spoke up from Yinling's lap, addressing the man in a polite tone.
"Are you referring to me?" Jun asked, pointing to himself.
The relatively handsome man clenched his fists, his frustration evident as he replied, "Who else would I be talking to?"
Jun hesitated, then continued, "Oh... well, no promises, but we can tr—"
"Try?!" the man interjected, his voice rising in volume. "You are going to listen to what I say, am I clear!"
Ignoring the man's escalating tone, Jun turned his head and nestled against Yinling's thighs and stomach, choosing to completely disregard him.
Jun was savoring every moment, living out a dream from his past life. With deliberate slowness, Jun wrapped his arms around Yinling's waist, pulling her into a tight embrace, eliciting a surprised yelp from her.
"Jun! Not here!" Yinling protested, though her tone carried a hint of amusement.
Ignoring her protest, Jun buried his face against her toned stomach, eliciting laughter from both of them.
The man, witnessing their playful exchange, felt a surge of indignation. Who were these insolent individuals to mock him after his clear admonition?
"Enough!" he bellowed, rising abruptly from his seat. "Who do you think you are, barging into this carriage like you own it!"
With a firm resolve, Jun released Yinling from his embrace and rose to his feet, squarely facing the man across the spacious carriage. Though the interior seemed grand, it was still confined compared to the vastness of a house.
"Look, all we did was make a bit of noise, which I understand might have irritated you," Jun responded calmly, positioning himself protectively in front of Yinling. "But I already said we'll try to be quieter. You're the one who chose to be rude."
The man's retort was like a slap in the face. "Me?! Tell your whore to stop making so much noise and let me concentrate!"
Did he hear correctly? Did this man just call Yinling a whore? The shock and anger welled up within him, fueling his next words.
"You motherf-" Jun's exclamation was cut short as a blur streaked past him, landing squarely in front of the man. Before the man could comprehend what was happening, he crumpled to the ground in agonizing pain, foam spilling from his mouth as he clutched his groin.
Elder Lili had been monitoring the situation closely, prepared to intervene if necessary. But when she heard the derogatory word directed at Yinling, her tolerance reached its limit.
From that moment on, she cared little for the fate of the offending disciple. What truly surprised her, however, was the ease with which Yinling incapacitated him. If she saw correctly, this man was a genuine Spiritual Pillar Realm disciple at the 8th layer.
Recalling the man's family background, Elder Lili couldn't help but wonder if his upbringing in a famous brothel contributed to his casual use of derogatory language.
Yinling's smirk as the man fell only affirmed Elder Lili's assessment. With a quick glance at the other disciples, she could sense their simmering anger, which seemed to ignite a fire within Yinling.
Stepping forward, Yinling emitted an aura of palpable pressure, causing the air to grow heavy around them. The tension in the carriage was palpable.
"Dammit! Are you trying to start a fight!" yelled a stunning female disciple dressed in red and white, her bow drawn and flames flickering to life around her.
"Is that the Scarlet Rage technique?" Yinling thought looking at the red-like flames coming out of this woman.
"This is simply a warning to everyone not to mess with us. We are reasonable people who only retaliate if provoked," Yinling declared, easing the pressure she had been exerting.
Jun couldn't help but feel a sense of unease as he watched Yinling take charge and protect him. It was a role reversal he wasn't accustomed to; usually, he was the one providing protection. Yet, being on the receiving end felt oddly heartwarming, stirring unfamiliar emotions within him.
Seeing the tension escalate, Elder Lili swiftly intervened, appearing almost instantaneously between Yinling and Yuer.
"Alright, that's enough from you two!" Elder Lili's authoritative voice cut through the charged atmosphere. "Yinling, go sit down, and Yuer, put your bow away now!" she commanded firmly.
Grumbling under her breath, Yuer reluctantly complied, stowing away her bow and ceasing her use of the Scarlet Rage technique.
Yinling gracefully stepped over the unconscious man on the ground, who was still foaming at the mouth, and returned to Jun's side.
With the situation diffused, Elder Lili returned to her seat and closed her eyes, seeking respite from the tumultuous events. She had enough on her plate with the upcoming event and didn't need unnecessary bickering to worsen the situation.
Meanwhile, the patriarch and a few other elders remained seated in the corner, their eyes closed as they ignored the commotion.
As the carriage passed inspections and began to ascend into the air at a rapid pace, leaving behind a distorted space in its wake, none of the disciples inside the dome-shaped structure seemed particularly impressed. They were accustomed to such phenomena by now, their focus elsewhere.