This guy had once tried every trick in the book to pursue
Human nature was sometimes like this — the more unattainable something was, the more desperately one craved it.
As a genius of the younger generation in the Carefree Sect with a prestigious family background,
He believed he was more than worthy of Ling Bi'er. Although she was also a genius of Danqian Palace, she ultimately lacked a solid foundation or any powerful patron behind her.
He, on the other hand, was different. Wei Qing possessed outstanding talent, a distinguished lineage, and was even a candidate for succession within the Carefree Sect.
In his eyes, there should be absolutely no difficulty in winning Ling Bi'er over.
However, he was nothing like
Wei Qing came from the Carefree Sect, and the Carefree Sect had never cared much for things like dignity. They were pragmatists — results were all that mattered, not the means.
Because of this, Wei Qing possessed a relentless, never-give-up tenacity about him.
Shen Qinghong had not gone far when he suddenly heard that someone was harassing Ling Bi'er. In his eyes, this was no different from someone touching his woman!
His face went cold. He strode back and planted himself in front of Wei Qing. "Wei Qing, what exactly do you think you're doing?"
Upon seeing Shen Qinghong, Wei Qing was utterly unfazed. In fact, he adopted an exaggerated tone. "Oh? If it isn't the so-called number-one genius of Danqian Palace?"
Shen Qinghong said icily, "My Junior Sister Ling doesn't welcome you. Stay away from her."
Wei Qing was thick-skinned and felt not the slightest shame. He smiled. "What? Jealous? Ha ha, I think you'd best give up on that hope. They say the waterfront pavilion gets the moonlight first. You've been the waterfront pavilion for years now, and you still haven't made any headway. Clearly, Junior Sister Ling has absolutely no interest in you, Brother Shen. Why not let me have a shot? We can negotiate everything politely."
Shen Qinghong flew into a rage. "Scram!"
Wei Qing's face darkened. "Shen Qinghong, I'm giving you face and you're throwing it back — is that it?"
"Are you going to scram or not?" Shen Qinghong's aura was overwhelming. In terms of cultivation, Wei Qing was merely at the peak of the eighth level of the Yuan Realm — in Shen Qinghong's eyes, he was utterly insignificant.
A flash of vicious light appeared in Wei Qing's eyes. He nodded slowly. "Fine, fine. Shen Qinghong, once we're inside Illusory Wave Mountain, you'd better hope you don't run into me. Watch your step, or I'll end you."
If anyone else at the eighth level of the Yuan Realm had said such a thing to Shen Qinghong, who stood half a step into the Saint Realm, it would have become a laughingstock.
But the people of the Carefree Sect were cunning and treacherous, masters of using poison. Especially in a place like Illusory Wave Mountain — once they deployed poison, it was nearly impossible to guard against.
A trace of wariness flickered through Shen Qinghong's heart, but things had already escalated to this point. Backing down now was not an option.
He could only harden his resolve and let out a cold snort. "We'll see!"
He had already made up his mind: once they entered Illusory Wave Mountain, the moment he spotted Wei Qing, he would strike first and suppress him with brute force.
As the two clashed, they suddenly noticed that Ling Bi'er had already taken
Wei Qing snorted coldly. "Shen Qinghong, you're flattering yourself — thinking you're some hero rescuing a damsel in distress? She doesn't care about your act at all."
Shen Qinghong's face burned with embarrassment. Watching Ling Bi'er's retreating figure, he was suddenly awash with complicated feelings, and found himself envying Jiang Chen and Mu Gaoqi.
Junior Sister Ling would rather walk with them than with him?
There was no denying it — wherever Ling Bi'er went, she was the center of attention among the younger generation. At Danqian Palace, she was the dream lover of the core disciples in Danxia Valley.
And throughout the entire Myriad Domains' younger generation, she was clearly no less of a focal point.
"Junior Sister Ling, it's been years, and your grace surpasses even the old days."
"Junior Sister Ling, I am
"Junior Sister Ling..."
Along the way, various attempts at conversation kept arising. Ling Bi'er found them endlessly tiresome. On any other day, she would simply have met them with cold indifference.
But today, being with Jiang Chen, she found these approaches even more irritating than usual, wishing only that the alchemy tournament would begin quickly.
Jiang Chen seemed to sense her frustration and made a suggestion. "Senior Sister Bi'er, this is rather dull. Why don't we take a walk around?"
Mu Gaoqi immediately chimed in. "Yes, yes, let's take a walk. Brother Chen, you and Senior Sister Ling go for a stroll. I'll head over to my master."
Jiang Chen chuckled. "What are you running to your master for, kid? Come with us."
Ling Bi'er nodded. Though she held considerable warmth toward Jiang Chen in her heart, being alone with him at a time like this still left her somewhat flustered and ill at ease.
Hearing the suggestive undertone in Mu Gaoqi's words — as though he were trying to set the two of them up — only made Ling Bi'er more panicked. She felt a faint thrill of anticipation mixed with nervous apprehension.
Fortunately, Jiang Chen pulled Mu Gaoqi along, which eased Ling Bi'er's tension somewhat.
The three were just about to head out when Wei Qing came pestering after them once more, wearing a shameless grin. "Junior Sister Ling, the six great sects are rarely gathered together — this kind of opportunity is precious. Why be so ungracious? These are fine hours, and rather than exchanging insights and deepening bonds with the top geniuses of the Myriad Domains, you choose to linger with two unpromising junior brothers. Don't you find that a waste?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Chen's previously excellent mood instantly soured.
Originally, he had held his tongue about these guys hitting on Ling Bi'er one by one — as a fellow disciple, he felt he had no grounds to object.