Su Yanran lay sprawled on the ground, staring dazedly at that face capable of toppling cities and mesmerizing all who saw it. She remained utterly stunned, unable to snap back to reality for a long time.
In that moment, it felt as if all color had drained from the world, leaving only that breathtaking glimpse forever etched in her heart.
A network of red tinged the edges of Su Yanran’s eyes, flickering with a near-maddened, dark light.
Beside her, Xu Shen’s gaze was sharp, his eyes shifting between Su Yanran and Mo Jinghong. Remembering the instructions given by Baili Yuanmo before his departure, he pinched his fingers together.
Su Yanran wanted to speak, but when she opened her mouth, not a single sound emerged.
“Young Master, the Pavilion Head will arrive shortly. I shall take this young lady away first,” Xu Shen said, cupping his hands respectfully towards Mo Jinghong before grabbing Su Yanran by the back of her collar.
Mo Jinghong glanced at Su Yanran, his eyes cold and indifferent, allowing her to be dragged away without intervention.
Less than a moment after the two disappeared—
Thud!—
A young girl, covered in blood, was thrown down in front of Mo Jinghong.
Immediately after, a languid, melodious voice sounded, “Young Master, what will you offer to secure her safety?”
——-
One hour later.
Mo Jinghong returned to his room and looked at the two auction items delivered by the auction house. The corner of his mouth twitched slightly.
One was the “Nine Swords of Heavenly Might,” and the other was the box he had sent for auction.
“Seventh Senior Brother, both items sold for the exact same price. I win,” Feng Qingran said with a light laugh, her fair skin glowing with a jade-like radiance.
“A bet lost is a debt honorably paid,” Mo Jinghong replied. His eyebrows were like ink strokes, his eyes like stars, their unfathomable depths now tinged with a trace of amusement.
Feng Qingran beamed, about to speak when—
Bang!—
The side door was slammed open as Ye Wentian burst in.
Ye Wentian’s eyes widened as he spotted the box on the table. “Jinghong! You actually spent two billion top-grade spirit stones for me? I’m so touched!”
“However, Jinghong, I only want the ‘Nine Swords of Heavenly Might.’ You should keep the Ruomu Tea for yourself.” After saying this, Ye Wentian reached out to take the items.
With a lift of his wrist, Mo Jinghong was a fraction faster, storing both items into his spatial storage.
Ye Wentian: “???”
A cool light shone in Mo Jinghong’s eyes. “Master, these items were not prepared for you.”
“Then can you at least let me have a look?” Ye Wentian asked, not seeming the least bit angry.
Mo Jinghong shook his head and stood up. “Master, it’s time to return to Lingyun Sect.”
An awkward look spread across Ye Wentian’s face. So, he had been presumptuous after all! He had thought Mo Jinghong had finally become more perceptive and learned to show respect to his master!
“I’m not going back!” Ye Wentian said, a note of petulance in his voice.
Mo Jinghong turned sideways, brushing past Ye Wentian, and slapped a transportation talisman onto his shoulder.
Before Ye Wentian could react, the talisman activated, forcibly sending him back to Lingyun Sect.
Mo Jinghong shifted his gaze to Feng Qingran, who was staring in stunned silence. “Little Junior Sister, don’t tell Master that you have a lot of spirit stones. Otherwise, no matter how much you have, it won’t be enough to cover his… extravagances.”
Feng Qingran’s eyes shifted thoughtfully as she voiced the question in her heart. “Seventh Senior Brother, why do I get the feeling that you act more like the master than Master does?”
“Lingyun Sect wasn’t originally a sect,” Mo Jinghong explained, his voice deep. “Later, we were bored, so we established Lingyun Sect together. He lost a bet and had no choice but to become the sect leader.”
Feng Qingran: “!!!”
Feng Qingran’s almond-shaped eyes widened in disbelief. “But… First Senior Brother said he only joined the sect sixty years ago, and Seventh Senior Brother, you’re only twenty-five! How could you have possibly established the sect with Master?”
Liu Canglan had also told her that all the disciples of Lingyun Sect were picked up by Ye Wentian on his travels.
A profound light flickered in the depths of Mo Jinghong’s dark, starry eyes, as if they contained a vast world impossible to decipher.
“There are some things you will understand in time, Little Junior Sister,” Mo Jinghong said, the corners of his lips curling into a slight smile.
“Can’t I know now?” Feng Qingran asked, feeling quite frustrated.
The two stared at each other for a moment.
Feng Qingran was the first to yield. With a resigned sigh, she said, “Fine. If I can’t know the rest, can I at least know your real age, Senior Brother?”
“Twenty-five,” Mo Jinghong replied, handing her a transportation talisman.
Feng Qingran’s face was full of incredulity. “Seventh Senior Brother! Master is over a thousand years old! How can you possibly be only twenty-five!?”
“I would not lie to you,” Mo Jinghong said calmly and confidently. His starry eyes were bright, light shifting within them as if they held the radiance of the sun and moon.
Feng Qingran blinked her large eyes and found herself believing him.
She accepted the transportation talisman and asked another question, “Then when was Lingyun Sect founded?”
This time, Mo Jinghong didn’t answer. He raised his hand and swept his sleeve.
A flash of white light filled Feng Qingran’s vision, and in the blink of an eye, she found herself standing on the Tenth Peak.
Feng Qingran felt a wave of irritation. She had originally planned to sneak away to the Qinghe Lou, but now she had to abandon that idea.
“Luan Jin, take me to Yuehua Peak,” she said. “I need to finalize everything today. Tomorrow, I’m going to give Seventh Senior Brother a huge gift!” A bright light sparkled in Feng Qingran’s glazed, gem-like eyes.
——-
Meanwhile, at a gathering of the four great sects.
Xiao Hongyu’s expression was serious and stern. “Sect Leader Xiao, do you know who was in private room ninety-nine?”
Xiao Qingfeng’s beard trembled slightly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. The mere thought of the person next door made him gnash his teeth in hatred. “I investigated later. That wretched girl is too cunning; she didn’t leave a single trace.”
“Hahaha… To dare offend the Huoyun Sect, that girl certainly has courage to spare!” Rong Zhuofan laughed, a smug smile appearing on his fully bearded face.
The Beast Taming Sect and the Huoyun Sect had always been at odds. Seeing Xiao Qingfeng suffer a setback pleased Rong Zhuofan greatly.
“Rong Zhuofan! What do you mean by that? You’re not in cahoots with her, are you?” Xiao Qingfeng roared, springing to his feet. His powerful pressure radiated outwards as he glared furiously at Rong Zhuofan.
