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In terms of beauty, Xia Qingxue stood on par with Xiao Ruoyu. Her face was exquisitely flawless, and her aura radiated elegance and purity. Her figure was graceful, her skin fair and smooth, her waist slender enough to be held in one hand.
Dressed in a simple white dress, she looked like a celestial maiden who had descended to the mortal realm.
The young man couldn't help but admire her silently. 'An extraordinary beauty,' he thought to himself, eyes gleaming with appreciation.
Activating his dual-pupil ability in secret, he examined Xia Qingxue and discovered she possessed the legendary "Extreme Yin Physique"āthe elusive Water of Kui constitution. His heart leapt with excitement. If he could claim Xia Qingxue and engage in dual cultivation with her, his own cultivation would surely soar in no time.
He marveled at his good fortune. Just days after escaping from his sect, he encountered not one but two rare beauties with exceptional physiques. If he could make both these unparalleled women his Dao companions, the prospect thrilled him beyond words.
Sensing the young man's gaze sweeping over her, Xia Qingxue felt a wave of disgust rise within her. She held back, however, as this was Xiao Ruoyu's residence, not hers.
The young man approached with a courteous smile. "Greetings, my lady," he said with a refined demeanor. "I am Ye Fan, a disciple of the Immortal Sword Sect. Might I have the honor of becoming acquainted with you?"
Xia Qingxue's brows knit at his words. She had little patience for pretentious men like himāmen who indulged in lust yet cloaked themselves in a facade of gentlemanly grace. It was revolting.
With a cold tone, she replied, "Apologies, but I have no interest in making your acquaintance."
A disciple of the minor Immortal Sword Sect? Such a background didn't even register on her radar as a lady of the Xia family.
"Uhā¦" Ye Fan's smile stiffened, and a flicker of anger flashed in his eyes. He hadn't anticipated this woman's complete disregard for his attention. As the favored one of fate, Ye Fan was accustomed to being pursued and praised, not scorned.
Sensing the tension, Xiao Ruoyu quickly interjected to smooth things over.
"Young Master Ye, please don't take it to heart," she said with a gentle smile. "Qingxue has always been this way; she doesn't mean to offend you."
At Xiao Ruoyu's intervention, Ye Fan's expression softened, and he forced a polite smile. "Since Miss Xiao has spoken, how could I hold it against Miss Xia?"
It was clear that Xiao Ruoyu's face was something he was willing to honor.
"Young Master Ye truly has a broad mind and noble bearing," Xia Qingxue remarked sarcastically, her tone laced with mockery.
She was no fool; she could discern the underlying meaning of Xiao Ruoyu's words but took no offense. It was Ye Fan's hypocritical facade that filled her with disdain. Compared to him, Su Chen was leagues better. Su Chen was blunt and direct, even if his interests were obviousāhe made no pretenses.
"Youā¦" Ye Fan seethed, struggling to contain his rising fury. He'd hoped to present himself as an elegant gentleman, yet Xia Qingxue had spurned him and then openly mocked him.
She crossed her arms, her gaze fierce. "Let's not kid ourselves. You're clearly interested in my sister, Ruoyu, and you're trying to pursue her."
She wrapped her arm around Xiao Ruoyu's, looking smug. "But my sister here is the daughter of a noble family. She isn't someone a nobody like you can covet."
Her tone turned icy. "I'm warning you: stay away from her. Or you'll have me to answer to!"
Her stance was unwavering, her gaze cold and authoritative, like a queen commanding obedience. Her presence alone carried a palpable sense of power.
Hearing this, Ye Fan's face turned ashen, as though he had been plunged into icy water. His entire body trembled with suppressed rage. He despised being reminded of his low birth; his years in the Immortal Sword Sect had already left him feeling outcast and scorned. Only recently, he had suffered humiliation at the hands of Su Chen, the young master of the Su family.
Now, this unfamiliar woman before him was adding insult to injury, belittling him for his lineage. It was unbearable.
Crack!
His fists clenched, veins bulging, his eyes glinting with a venomous intensity. He felt an urge to pounce on Xia Qingxue, to silence her mocking words once and for all.
"Oh? Do you intend to strike me?" Xia Qingxue sneered, her delicate brows arching defiantly. "Low birth is not your fault, but reaching for the stars when you're just a toad in the mudā¦ that's on you."
"Youā¦" Ye Fan's teeth ground together, his eyes bloodshot with suppressed fury.
"Young Master Ye, please excuse her," Xiao Ruoyu said, stepping forward with a soft cough to ease the tension. "Qingxue has always been a bit mischievous. I hope you won't take her words to heart."
She gently patted Xia Qingxue's arm. "Qingxue, please, let's not be so confrontational."
Xia Qingxue huffed, pulling her arm back, her gaze icy. To her, this hypocrite wasn't worth another word.
Her goal had been clear from the beginning: to expose Ye Fan's true colors and dispel any favorable impression Xiao Ruoyu might have of him. After all, she had promised Su Chen she'd help him win Xiao Ruoyu's heart. In her eyes, Xiao Ruoyu belonged with Su Chen, and any man seeking to interfere was her enemy.
As Ye Fan fumed silently, he swore inwardly that once he had the power, he'd make Xia Qingxue kneel at his feet, paying the price for her disrespect and tasting bitter regret.
"Ruoyu-jie, it's getting late. Let's head to the Tianqiong Auction," Xia Qingxue said, tugging Xiao Ruoyu's arm and leading her toward the exit. As they passed Ye Fan, she shot him a frosty glare.
Watching Xiao Ruoyu leave, Ye Fan quickly turned to follow.
The Tianqiong Auction piqued his interest as well. He had a sizable sumāone million top-grade spirit stones gifted by the city lord, Xiao Tianchengāand the auction might have treasures worth his attention.
---
Tianqiong Auction Hall
A towering spire rose from the peak of the mountain, encircled by mist and clouds. It looked like an ethereal realm, exuding an aura of majesty.
The auction was set to take place on the high platform, surrounded by countless scions, prodigies, and even renowned cultivators from across the land.
At that moment, in the private room of Tianqiong Auction Hall's directorā¦
"Young Master Su, what brings you here today?"
The hall's president was an elderly man with white hair and a refined, sage-like demeanor.
"Uncle Chen, I'm here today for a small matter, and I'll need your help," Su Chen said, lounging in a chair, looking leisurely as ever.
"Oh?" Chen Feng arched an eyebrow, intrigued. "Please, enlighten me, Young Master Su."
The Su family was the most powerful household in Donghua Continent, and as the branch manager of Tianqiong Auction's Donghua division, Chen Feng would never slight them.
Su Chen sipped his tea, smiling faintly. "Well, here's the situationā¦"
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