"Shuangyue Valley's Xia Yu?"
All four of them were surprised by the sudden announcement.
Xiao Yi temporarily forgot her nausea and exclaimed, "That's the senior sister from Shuangyue Valley!"
She then turned her gaze to Ji Yan. After all, Ji Yan was the senior disciple of the Lingxiao Sect. If Xia Yu was here, it had to be for Ji Yan, right?
Lü Shaoqing, wearing an expression full of gossip, sidled up to Ji Yan and teased, "Did you get her pregnant?"
"Wow, I didn't expect this! You look so proper, but springtime has arrived for you, huh?"
"When did you start getting involved with her?"
"Or is it that you don't want to take responsibility, and now she's here to confront you?"
"I never thought you'd turn out to be such a jerk..."
Ji Yan's expression darkened, his gaze growing colder. "Say one more word, and I'll deal with you right now."
Lü Shaoqing immediately changed his tone. "Well, maybe Senior Sister Xia Yu is here for something important."
"Aren't you going to go out and see her?"
"A distinguished guest is here. As the senior disciple, shouldn't you go greet her?"
Ji Yan gave Lü Shaoqing a sharp look. "Not interested. I'm going to cultivate."
Lü Shaoqing stepped closer, his eyes boring into Ji Yan. Ji Yan met his gaze without flinching.
After a moment, Ji Yan asked coldly, "What do you want?"
"You're feeling guilty," Lü Shaoqing said. "I can see it in your eyes. Are you sure you didn't do something to her?"
Clang!
A sword was partially unsheathed.
Xiao Yi quickly interjected, "Senior Brother, maybe you should go check? You can't possibly expect Master to go, can you?"
Xia Yu, being a senior disciple herself, wasn't of high enough status for someone like Shao Cheng to personally greet her. The most appropriate person to meet her was Ji Yan, the senior disciple of the Lingxiao Sect.
Ji Yan turned to Lü Shaoqing and said, "You go."
Lü Shaoqing dismissed Ji Yan with a wave, lying back on his bench. "Do I look like I have a death wish? She's not here for me."
Clang!
The sword slid out a bit more from its scabbard.
Xiao Yi quickly added, "Senior Brother, you can't expect me to go, right?"
Ji Yan glanced around. Master Shao Cheng was still deep in self-reflection, likely unable to snap out of it anytime soon. As for Lü Shaoqing, there was no hope there—he was already lounging like a sloth on the bench.
Left with no choice, Ji Yan finally decided to go out.
Xiao Yi, brimming with curiosity, followed closely behind him.
A short while later, Xiao Yi came bouncing back into the room. "Second Brother, Senior Sister Xia Yu is here to see you!"
"Me?" Lü Shaoqing was taken aback. "Why would she want to see me?"
"I don't even know her."
Lü Shaoqing knew of Xia Yu only by reputation, having heard that she was hailed as the most beautiful woman in Qizhou. But he had never met her in person. He couldn't fathom why she would seek him out.
Xiao Yi's gossip-loving side flared up. "Second Brother, did something happen between you and Senior Sister Xia Yu?"
"Are you trying to deny it now?"
Lü Shaoqing knocked her lightly on the head. "Do you want a beating? Do you really think your Second Brother is that kind of person?"
Xiao Yi clutched her head, inwardly grumbling, If you're not, then who is?
As the two bantered, Ji Yan returned with Xia Yu, accompanied by Bai Rou and Fang Xiao.
The moment Bai Rou saw Lü Shaoqing, her eyes widened. "It's you!"
Lü Shaoqing, confused, asked, "And you are?"
Bai Rou nearly spat blood in frustration. Recalling their previous encounter, her anger flared again.
Fang Xiao was puzzled. "You know Brother Lü?"
Bai Rou pointed at Lü Shaoqing, about to launch into a tirade.
"This is the jerk I told you about—the one who pretended to be a Guiyuan Pavilion disciple!"
She was about to unleash her fury when Xia Yu cut her off. "Enough."
"Pay your respects to Elder Shao."
The three women bowed in greeting to Shao Cheng.
Shao Cheng, finally snapping out of his self-reflection, glanced reluctantly at the dishes he had prepared. With a polite smile, he addressed Xia Yu. "Ah, Senior Sister Xia Yu, you're here to see Ji Yan?"
Xia Yu shook her head. "No, Elder Shao. I'm actually here to see Brother Lü."
Xiao Yi, excitement written all over her face, nudged Lü Shaoqing. "See? Second Brother, she's really here for you!"
Lü Shaoqing impatiently swatted her hand away. With a puzzled expression, he asked, "Senior Sister Xia Yu, are you sure you're looking for me?"
He pointed at Ji Yan. "Not this guy?"
"Don't worry, if he's done something to wrong you, just say the word, and I'll have Master handle it for you."
Lü Shaoqing couldn't help but marvel at Xia Yu's beauty. Truly, she lived up to her reputation as the most beautiful woman in Qizhou. Clad in flowing white robes, she resembled the moon goddess Chang'e herself—so pure and ethereal that one could hardly dare to defile her in thought.
Xia Yu, meanwhile, was also sizing up Lü Shaoqing. Unlike Ji Yan, who exuded a cold and sharp aura like a drawn sword, Lü Shaoqing was more relaxed, with his star-like eyes and casual demeanor. His long hair, tied back with a simple blue ribbon, gave him a carefree, unrestrained air.
Even in the presence of Qizhou's famed beauty, Lü Shaoqing showed no sign of discomfort or desire to impress. His nonchalance was evident in the way he casually lounged on the bench, even as she entered the room.
Xia Yu smiled softly, her presence like a gentle breeze. "Then, I'll be informal and call you Junior Brother."
"I've heard from Senior Brother Ji Yan that your abilities are on par with his. I came today to ask for your help with something."
Next to her, Fang Xiao tensed slightly, nervously fidgeting with her clothes. This whole idea had been hers, after all. She had informed Xia Yu of Lü Shaoqing's abilities, but she didn't want him to misunderstand or think poorly of her.
Lü Shaoqing shot an annoyed glance at Ji Yan. "You sold me out just to flirt with someone? Are you out of your mind?"
He had been trying to maintain a low profile, avoiding trouble wherever possible. Few within the Lingxiao Sect even knew of his true abilities, and he had intended to keep it that way.
Xia Yu was momentarily taken aback by his bluntness. Was this really how he spoke to his senior?
Ji Yan simply responded, "I'm giving you a chance to shine."
Lü Shaoqing scowled. "Who cares about that? A single spirit stone would be more useful."
Shao Cheng, now irritated by his bickering disciples, barked, "Stop embarrassing yourselves in front of guests!"
Once his students had quieted down, Shao Cheng addressed Xia Yu, "Senior Sister Xia Yu, if you need assistance, you can always ask Ji Yan."
He knew his own students well. Xia Yu might have better luck asking Ji Yan, as Lü Shaoqing would likely refuse outright.
Xia Yu explained, "We've discovered a secret realm, but we don't have enough manpower. I was hoping to enlist Brother Lü's help."
At the mention of a secret realm, everyone understood the situation.
Lü Shaoqing smirked at Ji Yan. "Serves you right. You broke through too quickly, and now you can't go treasure hunting with her."