Chapter 55: Bai Ruoxi’s Fall |
“Huang Manting wins!”
Upon hearing the announcement, Lan Mulian rose to her feet and quietly departed.
If not for Bai Ruoxi’s earlier display of power, Huang Manting’s performance would have been impressive.
But after witnessing such overwhelming strength, even the most skilled techniques seemed… ordinary in comparison.
A prolonged battle versus a single, decisive strike… the visual impact was undeniable.
Huang Manting stepped down from the platform, her gaze drawn to the bench where Lan Mulian had been sitting.
The examiner was gone.
It was understandable. After witnessing Bai Ruoxi’s power, the other practice matches would seem lackluster.
“Miss Huang, with your current strength, you’re among the top three in Tianxuan City!” a young man said, approaching her with a smile.
Previously, the consensus had been that Huang Manting was the strongest, followed by Gongsun Cheng, then Bai Ruoxi.
However, Bai Ruoxi’s performance had shattered their expectations.
Only a Core Formation expert could withstand the power of that sword.
Huang Manting glanced at her admirers, her voice languid. “We haven’t faced each other yet. It’s too early to say.”
Bai Ruoxi’s bronze sword was indeed formidable, but if she could avoid it, she believed she could win.
Gongsun Cheng had been arrogant, blinded by rage.
She wouldn’t make the same mistake. She wouldn’t face that sword head-on.
However, she was surprised by Mu Zhi’an’s relationship with Bai Ruoxi.
Bai Ruoxi had always ignored him, treating him with disdain.
Yet he had finally won her over.
And judging by her reaction, she had fallen deeply in love.
“Mu Zhi’an…”
Huang Manting’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
How had a third-level Foundation Establishment cultivator managed to capture Bai Ruoxi’s heart?
Was it simply his looks?
There were plenty of handsome men pursuing her. It couldn’t be that simple.
She dismissed her admirers with a wave of her hand, then turned to a subordinate. “Investigate Mu Zhi’an. Find out when and where he interacted with Bai Ruoxi.”
Knowledge was power. Whether it was Bai Ruoxi or Mu Zhi’an, she would claim that inner disciple spot.
…
Mu Manor.
After returning to the manor with Bai Ruoxi, Mu Zhi’an sent a letter to the Bai family, informing them that she would be staying with him for a few days, until the entrance exams. He then instructed a servant to escort her to the side hall for tea.
He excused himself and headed towards his study.
His actions at the arena hadn’t been a problem, unless Lan Mulian had been observing them from the tea house.
He hadn’t expected to be seen. Based on his initial assessment, she was the type who preferred solitude, who wouldn’t venture out so soon after arriving.
And that tea room with the excellent view… only Tianxuan City’s elite knew about it. How had she found it?
Ever since her arrival, he’d felt a sense of unease.
She had chosen the luxurious Rising Phoenix Inn, then she had gone to the tea house, finding that specific room.
Was she from Tianxuan City?
Or did she have friends here?
Lost in thought, he arrived at his study.
He pushed open the door and saw two paper cranes on his desk.
He opened the first crane, finding a single sentence written on the paper: Young Master Mu, the Two Polarities Sect is different from other places. If you remain at Foundation Establishment for too long, it will be difficult to become an inner disciple. Cultivate diligently. Strive for a brighter future.
It was a message of concern, from a senior to a junior. It must have been sent yesterday.
Judging by her attitude today, she wouldn’t send him a letter now.
He picked up his brush and wrote a reply: Thank you for your concern, Senior Sister. I will cultivate diligently and strive to reach your level so I can always be by your side. By the way, the osmanthus cake from the Tide Sea Inn in Tianxuan City is quite delicious. If you’re free in the next few days, I’d like to bring you some.
He released the crane, then opened the second letter.
“The snow lotus was lovely. I enjoyed its fragrance. Unfortunately, it wilted soon after arriving.”
He frowned, confused.
The snow lotus had been perfectly healthy when he gave it to her. He had even seen it in a vase in her room. He shook his head, dismissing those thoughts, and began writing another heartfelt letter.
He had realized that Lan Mulian wasn’t as cold and aloof as he’d initially thought. In fact, she was quite responsive.
Based on his previous understanding of her, she wouldn’t have complimented the snow lotus so directly. But she had clearly expressed her appreciation.
This meant he could be more forward in expressing his “affection.”
He finished writing, then released the cranes, watching with satisfaction as they soared into the sky.
He left his study and headed towards the side hall.
However, he didn’t notice that as the cranes flew away, one headed towards the Rising Phoenix Inn, while the other… flew out of the city gates.
…
Bai Manor, main hall.
“Master, Madam, a letter from the Mu Manor.”
A servant presented a letter to Bai Heng, then retreated.
Bai Heng opened the letter, his brow furrowing as he read its contents.
“Preposterous! Leaving her own home to stay at another man’s manor! And until the entrance exams?! Has she lost her mind?!”
Bai Yuanfeng set down her teacup, her voice calm. “This must be Mu Zhi’an’s doing… Ruoxi is a sensible girl. She wouldn’t make such a decision on her own.”
Bai Heng’s face turned red with anger. He felt like his precious daughter had been stolen. He slammed his fist on the table, splintering the wood, collapsing the legs.
The servants outside gasped, staring at him in fear.
Bai Yuanfeng, seemingly unfazed, waved them away. “It’s nothing. You’re dismissed.”
After the servants left, she looked at her husband, sighing. “Husband, don’t you find it strange… how that Mu boy discovered my secret?”
The simple warrior was clueless.
“Within the Bai Manor, the barrier conceals my demonic aura. And even outside, unless someone is at Nascent Soul, they wouldn’t be able to detect it amidst the impure spiritual energy.”
She crossed her legs, her voice a soft murmur. “But there are exceptions.”
“That Ye boy, his Heavenly Dao Aura, it purifies the surrounding energy.”
“And when the impure energy is gone… my aura becomes visible.”
Bai Heng calmed down, pondering her words. “Are you saying that Mu Zhi’an has the Heavenly Dao Aura?”
He quickly shook his head. “Impossible. Gongsun Xiong and the others checked him. If he had it, they would have sensed it.”
Refining the aura took time. At the Dragon Head Forest, there hadn’t been enough time.
“What if… it’s not with him?” Bai Yuanfeng asked.
“You mean… the one who stole the aura is hiding at the Bai Manor, trying to expose you?” Bai Heng frowned. “But to infiltrate the manor undetected, is that even possible?”
She glanced at him, her voice laced with exasperation. “Our daughter is staying at the manor. Why would she need to hide?”
“Well, she wouldn’t—”
He froze, finally understanding. “Are you saying… Mu Zhi’an gave the aura to Ruoxi?”
“It’s the only explanation. It’s why my aura was exposed,” she replied.
His expression softened, a hint of approval in his eyes. “What’s that boy up to? Giving away such a treasure…”
He chuckled. “If that’s the case. I wouldn’t mind entrusting Ruoxi to him.”
To give away the Heavenly Dao Aura, it was a testament to his affection for their daughter.
It was a shame his cultivation was so low. If he was at the ninth level of Foundation Establishment, like Ruoxi… they would be a perfect match.
He couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret.
“By the way, the Bai family can’t absorb all of the Gongsun family’s assets,” Bai Yuanfeng said suddenly.
“But you said you gave Gongsun Xiong the Meridian Connecting Pill,” Bai Heng replied, confused.
“He’ll be injured, but… the task of seizing his assets, it falls to the Mu family. And we’ll assist them.”
Before he could speak, she continued, “We can’t confuse Mu Zhi’an’s debt to the Bai family with his affection for Ruoxi.”
The Bai family was one thing. Bai Ruoxi was another.
They could certainly try to leverage their daughter’s relationship to gain an advantage, but it would taint their connection, turning it into a transaction.
It was better to… indirectly “gift” the Meridian Connecting Pill to the Mu family.
Just as Mu Zhi’an had said to Bai Ruoxi.
The Bai family would offer something of value to the Mu family, and the Mu family would save them.
The profits from the Gongsun family, that was the “gift.”
The Bai family had fulfilled their promise.
However, they hadn’t just given away a fortune. They had also given away their daughter’s heart.