Eighty thousand spirit stones, even for the Ji family of Fengqi Valley, was no small sum.
Yet, it wasn't so much that the eldest Miss Ji couldn't afford it. That maid must have received instructions beforehand, which is why she followed through so confidently.
One could say that Young Master Ling was rather skilled at extorting people, setting the price just right.
Bai Siyao thought to herself, if she were in Miss Ji's shoes, she'd be furious too.
However, it was Miss Ji who initiated this trouble. Could it be there was a grudge between the two?
The middle private seat fell into silence, and a stifled voice from within said, "Chun He, pay them!"
The maid responded and went out to settle the payment with the steward of the Star Plucking Tower.
Oh my, no argument? The spectators felt disappointed.
Bai Siyao mused to herself, this Miss Ji wasn't a fool after all. She had already lost face, and making a scene would be pointless, only serving to make her a laughingstock. She was just too young and impulsive earlier, falling prey to Ling Bufei's schemes.
With Miss Ji choosing not to cause further trouble, Young Master Ling also quieted down, and the auction proceeded smoothly. The little drama quickly passed.
When the auction ended, Bai Si walked over with great excitement. "Elder sister, second sister, how about we go to the top floor? To see that... what's it called, Star-something River?"
"Wàn Xiàng Star River," Bai Lian corrected him, then turned to ask, "Second sister, what do you think?"
Bai Siyao noticed the curtain of the middle seat sway slightly, indicating someone had just left. She glanced up and spotted a familiar hem of clothing on the spiral staircase, and she nodded. "Let's go. Since we're here, we might as well see the famous attraction of the Star Plucking Tower."
Bai Si was delighted. "Let's go, let's go!"
The three siblings ascended the spiral stairs, and soon they reached the top floor, where the view suddenly opened up before them.
Bai Si couldn't stop exclaiming in awe, utterly amazed to find this hidden paradise. Illuminated pearls lined the pathways, and jade steps led the way, the entire place glittering like a crystal palace on land.
The Wàn Xiàng Star River hung suspended in mid-air. Each lamp was actually a luminous pearl, rotating slowly above, creating a scene of unparalleled romance and grandeur.
Even Bai Lian was awestruck, praising, "This is truly a spectacle of the human world."
Bai Siyao, however, had other intentions. She said to her elder sister, "Elder sister, I'm a bit tired. I'll rest here for a while. Come find me when you've finished enjoying the view."
Bai Lian didn't suspect anything. "Alright, I'll go keep an eye on that rascal to make sure he doesn't cause trouble."
Bai Siyao couldn't help but laugh. "Thank you, elder sister."
After they left, Bai Siyao scanned the top floor.
In her past life, she had lived at the Star Plucking Tower for quite some time and had grown bored of the sights. She had come up here this time for the Young Master Ling.
She had her sights set on climbing this high branch and just needed to find the right opportunity.
If she hadn't seen wrong earlier, both he and Miss Ji had come to the top floor. Were they here to settle a score?
Where had the two gone? Unfortunately, this place was protected by an array that restricted the use of divine senses, leaving her to rely solely on her eyes to search for them.
After walking for a while, Bai Siyao stopped.
Ahead, on higher ground, there was a scenic pavilion, and she vaguely saw two figures inside. Not far away stood Baili Xu, with the maid Chun He by his side. Bai Siyao glanced around before slipping into the nearby rockery.
This Star Plucking Tower had once been one of her many hideouts, and she was intimately familiar with its layout. Though a thousand years had passed, some things had remained unchanged.
For instance, this rockery concealed a hidden passage that led directly behind the scenic pavilion.
Bai Siyao approached the opening, and as she touched the soundproof barrier, she drew a symbol in the air, tapping it against the stone. Instantly, clear voices emerged from the rock.
"…Can't you speak nicely? Must you always be like a hedgehog, pricking everyone just to feel better?" This was Miss Ji's voice, laced with annoyance.
Ling Bufei's infuriating tone responded, "That's just how I talk. If you don't like it, leave!"
Miss Ji's breathing grew heavy, clearly angered, but she eventually restrained herself. "What's the point of driving me away? Do you think that will get rid of your uncle?"
Ling Bufei must have found the conversation uninteresting, as he didn't respond.
Miss Ji took a moment to compose herself, then said, "Earlier, I purposely opposed you. Who told you to humiliate me first? We've known each other since childhood, and could even be considered childhood sweethearts. If you disagree with the marriage, fine, but did you have to disrespect my father like that? Do you know how people mock me because of it?"
Bai Siyao raised an eyebrow at this revelation.
Oh? What juicy news had she just overheard? So, the Ji family wanted to form a marriage alliance with Ling Bufei, and he rejected them? She remembered that Ling Bufei had never taken a cultivation partner, and as for Miss Ji, she had a faint sense that the voice was familiar. If she wasn't mistaken, this was Ji Xingge, who would later become the master of Fengqi Valley. There hadn't been any rumors of discord between them, though.
Ji Xingge continued, "Yes, you're the noble Young Master Ling, and you look down on me. Don't worry, I don't fancy you either. But I'd still like to discuss this marriage with you."
Ling Bufei finally let out a light snort, indicating he was willing to listen.
"Your uncle's intentions should be clear enough by now, shouldn't they? If things continue like this, not only will you never become the sect leader, but once he's done using you, he'll likely discard you. You're unwilling to accept this, but what can you do? Over the years, the people your maternal grandfather left behind have gradually been sidelined, while your uncle grows more adept at controlling the sect."
"The position of sect leader was left by your maternal grandfather, and your mother sacrificed her life for it. Are you really willing to just hand it over? But you're powerless because you can't cultivate, which means you have no future."
"And so?" Ling Bufei's tone was surprisingly calm. "You want me to avoid becoming his puppet by becoming yours instead? My uncle is at least a Ling. Why should I help your Ji family to go against him?"
"If you do nothing, you'll remain a puppet. But if you work with us, perhaps there's another path for you. Once you become the sect leader, your maternal grandfather's men will naturally rally to you. Our Ji family's influence within the Wuji Sect is shallow, at most we'll share power. Yes, I want to be the sect leader's wife, and as long as you agree to this marriage, we'll be family. You may not be able to cultivate, but you can place your hopes in your children, can't you?"
Bai Siyao silently applauded. This Miss Ji was ambitious, indeed! Setting aside the matter of marriage, her goal was perfectly aligned with Bai Siyao's own. However, Ling Bufei was far more formidable than she realized. His current behavior was likely a ruse to mislead others. There was no way he would agree to the marriage and alert his uncle.
Sure enough, Ling Bufei casually replied, "In the end, you're just asking me to sell myself, aren't you? Ji Xingge, turns out you've been coveting my good looks all along! Stop pretending otherwise."
"You…!" Ji Xingge's carefully measured words crumbled under his taunt, her voice shaking with anger. "Ling Bufei, you shameless dog!"
Ling Bufei let out a mocking chuckle and delivered another verbal jab, "Besides, you're not that smart either. Didn't I just swindle a hefty sum from you earlier? With that brain of yours, you really think you can fight my uncle? Keep dreaming."
Ji Xingge's rage deepened. "You—!"
Before she could finish her sentence, a sudden darkness descended, like a thick fog falling from the sky, enveloping the entire Star Plucking Tower.
Bai Siyao's hair stood on end.
Something was wrong. Someone was launching an attack!