The bustling street fell into an eerie silence as the resounding slaps echoed like a symphony to the girls present. The lads, however, were skeptical, initially suspecting that Han Xiao had orchestrated this scene with Shen Jian for some hidden agenda. Their doubts quickly vanished as the relentless slaps continued, swelling Shen Jian's face like a battered pumpkin and knocking out several of his teeth.
The slapping only stopped when Shen Jian lost consciousness and crumpled to the ground.
"Hmm, consider this your lucky day, as I'm in a good mood," Han Xiao remarked. He pulled out a silk handkerchief, meticulously wiped the blood from his hand, and tossed it onto Shen Jian, where it landed perfectly, covering his bruised and swollen face.
Without sparing another glance at the dumbstruck onlookers, Han Xiao continued striding forward. Suddenly, he realized something, "Ah, I don't know where the Bounty Collection Hall is." Scratching his head, he glanced around and saw the girls with stars in their eyes and the disciples who had bad-mouthed him earlier. He didn't want to ask them and risk another misunderstanding.
As he surveyed the road, his eyes caught sight of an attractive woman. She had a cold, striking demeanor, and a robust, tall man with a long blade wrapped in white linen on his back followed closely behind her, holding a colorful umbrella to shield her from the sun.
Han Xiao couldn't help but be captivated by her presence. She moved with an ethereal grace that commanded attention, her long, ebony hair cascading down her back like a waterfall of midnight, each strand glistening faintly in the perpetual twilight. Her eyes, deep and enigmatic, glowed with a luminescent intensity, like twin moons reflecting the secrets of forgotten realms.
Her skin, pale and flawless, seemed kissed by the moonlight itself. The contours of her face were finely sculpted, with high cheekbones and a delicate jawline that added to her regal yet mysterious aura. Her crimson lips contrasted strikingly against her alabaster complexion, giving her an air of both danger and allure.
She wore garments woven from the finest silk, the fabric melding seamlessly with her form, highlighting the grace of her every movement. The dress, dark as the shadows around her, was adorned with intricate patterns that seemed to pulse with a life of their own, whispering tales of ancient magic and forgotten lore. The sleeves flowed elegantly, trailing behind her like whispers of a bygone era, while the bodice hugged her figure, accentuating her slender yet powerful frame.
Her presence was further enhanced by an array of delicate accessories – a necklace of opalescent stones that glimmered softly against her chest, and bracelets that jingled subtly with her movements, each piece imbued with a subtle, otherworldly energy. Around her waist, a belt of woven silver vines cinched her dress, from which hung a small pouch filled with mysterious trinkets and a dagger with a hilt encrusted with precious gems. Most striking of all was the ornate hairpin securing her ebony locks, designed as a majestic phoenix with the Chinese character "Yan" intricately engraved, symbolizing beauty and grace. By her waist, a long sword rested in an azure sheath, its presence a silent testament to her formidable skill and readiness for battle.
But what struck Han Xiao the most was the coolness she exuded, hidden beneath layers of pride and an unshakable confidence in her strength. This inner coolness was a testament to her indomitable spirit and the self-assurance that came from countless battles won and challenges overcome. She walked with a regal bearing, undeterred by the opinions of others, her focus unwavering and her pride unyielding.
In her gaze, Han Xiao saw a depth of wisdom and a hint of sorrow, speaking of battles fought and secrets guarded. This juxtaposition of strength and delicacy, combined with her pride and confidence, made her a figure both feared and revered in the Overshadowed Region, a beacon of enigmatic allure in a land of perpetual darkness.
As all his senses were heightened after multiple break through both in Body and Qi Cultivations, so naturally his senses were above average below Houtian Realm. Hence as his attention were provoke by those raging hormones inside his system, he naturally saw every details of the lady he was attracted to.
Naturally, Yan Bingyan felt a peculiar sensation as if someone were gently caressing her entire body, an oddly unsettling feeling. She scanned her surroundings and spotted a dirty, smelly youth staring at her in a daze. She was accustomed to such attention from men, but his gaze provoked her in a unique way. Her skin tingled from his intent scrutiny, a provocation to her pride and the philosophy of being the proud princess of the Yan Nation.
However, she remained composed. Choosing to retaliate in kind, she softly muttered an incantation, concluding with, "Crimson Butterfly Gaze, activate!" With a smirk capable of toppling kingdoms, she added, "Caterpillar Rash, four percent!"
The spell took immediate effect as Han Xiao felt an unbearable itch spread across his skin, snapping him out of his daze. Instead of scratching to relieve the sensation, he grinned back, silently challenging her with a defiant smile.
Yan Bingyan frowned slightly and commanded, "Ten percent!"
This time, the sensation was so unbearable that Han Xiao bit his tongue to endure the burning rash. However, his cultivation in Flesh Training began to pay off as every pore in his skin released an invisible steam, neutralizing the allergic qi coating his skin.
He grinned even wider.
"Fifty percent!" she shouted. Yet, to her astonishment, the spell seemed nullified by some means she couldn't comprehend, as the dirty youth neither cast a technique nor uttered an incantation.
"One hundred percent!" she declared fiercely. But as she scrutinized the youth more closely, her gaze landed on his slightly tanned face, causing her heartbeat to skip a beat. She found herself momentarily entranced, unconsciously thinking, 'Who is this strange-looking youth? Seeing him makes me feel odd.' Her eyes roamed over his features, landing on his clear eyes, which made her feel a warm sensation in her stomach. Her feelings quickly shifted to bashfulness as she noticed the hint of lust hidden within his innocent gaze.
"What are you staring at?" she blurted out, fury breaking through her usual cool demeanor for the first time.