"If you two truly like Bai Ruochen, we can compete fairly. But I can guarantee you — Bai Ruochen will definitely be mine." Yuan Qing spoke with absolute confidence, and as he did, he snapped open a folding fan and held it before his chest. The breeze stirred the fine strands of hair between his brows, which not only made him look dashing and refined but also projected an air of strategic command.
Ever since he'd been hailed as the hero who triggered the Ancient Immortal Needle — though he'd been barely conscious at the time — his confidence had swelled to terrifying proportions. While he hadn't yet reached the point of looking down on everyone and dismissing them entirely, he could certainly be called thoroughly arrogant.
At Yuan Qing's words and demeanor, Lin Yan and Jiang Hao exchanged a knowing smile and said nothing more. But only the two of them truly understood the meaning behind that smile.
"Huh? Who's that guy? Why is he so close to Bai Ruochen?" Just then, both Lin Yan and Jiang Hao's expressions darkened, a flash of anger surfacing on their faces.
Following their gaze, Yuan Qing's own expression shifted as well — because standing beside Bai Ruochen was indeed a young man.
The young man was chatting and laughing with Bai Ruochen, appearing quite intimate. More importantly, his cultivation was only at the first rank of Martial King, and he wasn't wearing the uniform of the Yuhua Sect — clearly a disciple from some other faction.
"It's actually him?" The moment Yuan Qing recognized that face, the fury on his expression intensified even further, a trace of killing intent beginning to seep from his body. He identified the person at a single glance — it was none other than Chu Feng, the one who had once humiliated him and whom he despised to the bone.
After their previous encounter, Yuan Qing's hatred for Chu Feng had truly reached the depths of his soul. And now, seeing Chu Feng appear at Bai Ruochen's side — actually managing to draw a bright smile from the cold and aloof Bai Ruochen — not only did his hatred surge, but jealousy and envy sprang up alongside it. In that moment, he wished he could tear Chu Feng to shreds.
Because in his boundless arrogance, the very moment he'd set his sights on Bai Ruochen, he had already decided in his mind that she would be his future wife. And now someone was being this intimate with "his" wife? His fury knew no bounds.
"Junior Brother Yuan Qing, you know that guy?" Lin Yan and Jiang Hao asked in unison. In fact, it wasn't just them — the other disciples had all pricked up their ears, and even Huang Juan turned to look with curiosity.
"Hmph. His name is Chu Feng. Just a worthless disciple from the Qingmu Southern Forest." Yuan Qing sneered coldly and said nothing more.
But Lin Yan and Jiang Hao could both sense that Yuan Qing had some kind of grudge against Chu Feng — otherwise, this level of resentment made no sense. So they asked together: "Junior Brother Yuan Qing, did you have a conflict with that Chu Feng? Don't worry — once we enter Qingmu Mountain, we'll help you settle the score."
"Him? He's not even worthy of having a grudge against me. Back when we went to the Ancient Immortal Pool in the south together, he overestimated himself and insisted on following me into the depths. I was the one who triggered the Ancient Immortal Needle — and him? He got lost and nearly died inside the Ancient Immortal Pool. He isn't even fit to be mentioned in the same breath as me." Yuan Qing said coldly.
"He got lost in the Ancient Immortal Pool? What a pathetic fool, hahaha..." Upon hearing this, Wang Yan and Jiang Hao burst into laughter. But soon they wore puzzled looks and asked: "But how does a loser like that end up with Bai Ruochen? Isn't he a Southern Forest disciple? What's he doing at the Yuhua Sect?"
"It seems the Yuhua Sect and the Qingmu Southern Forest have been growing rather close lately." Just then, the Sect Leader of the Qingmu Eastern Forest let out a cold laugh.
Following his gaze, people noticed that on one of the Yuhua Sect's warships, two elderly figures had appeared — and both were immediately recognized. One was the Sect Leader of the Yuhua Sect, Zhou Zhixian, and the other was the leader of the Qingmu Southern Forest, Sikong Zhaixing.
"When did those two form a connection?" At this sight, not only Yuan Qing and the other disciples but even the Sect Leaders of the Western Forest, the Northern Forest, and the Canxing Observatory furrowed their brows in confusion.
In truth, it wasn't just them — everyone's expression shifted slightly. The appearance of the Yuhua Sect Leader alongside Sikong Zhaixing left everyone thoroughly bewildered.
The Yuhua Sect Leader appeared to have anticipated everyone's reaction, because he showed no surprise. In fact, he seemed to feel the impact wasn't dramatic enough. He swept his gaze across the crowd, clasped his fists, and declared in a resonant voice: "Since all the Sect Leaders happen to be gathered here, I'll take this opportunity to make an announcement."
"Our Yuhua Sect has formed an alliance with the Qingmu Southern Forest. From this day forward, we live and die together. We ask that all Sect Leaders look upon us kindly in the future."
The Yuhua Sect Leader spoke these words in a calm, matter-of-fact tone. But to everyone's ears, the meaning was entirely different. The Yuhua Sect allying with the Qingmu Southern Forest? This news was simply too shocking.
After all, prior to this, the Yuhua Sect and the Qingmu Southern Forest had been two factions with absolutely no connection — no one had ever heard of any dealings between them. And now they had suddenly formed an alliance and publicly announced it, clearly signaling that whoever dared touch the Qingmu Southern Forest, the Yuhua Sect would absolutely not let it slide. This was far beyond anyone's expectations.
"The Yuhua Sect has actually allied with the Qingmu Southern Forest? How did the Southern Forest manage that? What tricks did they pull? Did they really manage to turn things around?" But compared to everyone else, the most complex feelings at this moment belonged not to the Three Forests or the Canxing Observatory, but to the Cloud Thunder Pavilion.
The Cloud Thunder Pavilion — this faction that had once been allied with the Qingmu Southern Forest and had even traveled together to the Ancient Immortal Pool to train disciples — had cut ties with the Southern Forest after noticing at the Ancient Immortal Pool that the Canxing Observatory looked unfavorably upon the Qingmu Southern Forest.
After that day, they not only refused to let their disciples enter the Ancient Immortal Pool alongside the Southern Forest's disciples but also abruptly announced the complete severance of all ties with the Qingmu Southern Forest. They had burned the bridge entirely — all in hopes of gaining the Canxing Observatory's favor.
But in reality, their actions had earned them nothing but scorn and derision from other factions, without winning any favor from the Canxing Observatory. This had already left them regretting how extreme they'd been. And now, with the Qingmu Southern Forest forming an alliance with the Yuhua Sect — a first-class subsidiary force — their regret only deepened.
After all, regardless of whether the Yuhua Sect was the weakest among the five subsidiary forces, it was still a first-class subsidiary force. For a second-class faction like themselves to gain such a connection meant enormous protection — at the very least, few among the other second-class forces would dare to bully them.
"After so many years, the Yuhua Sect and the Qingmu Southern Forest have allied once again — this truly calls for congratulations. My sincere congratulations to both Sect Leaders."
And just then, an elderly voice suddenly rang out. Turning toward its source, every person straightened with reverence — for the elders of Qingmu Mountain had arrived.