Chapter 24: An Awkward Night

That evening, after dinner, while everyone in the dormitory was engaged in an enthusiastic discussion about the immortal cultivation life that would begin the next day, the dormitory manager came to inform Mingyue that someone was looking for her outside.

Confused, Mingyue walked out past the bamboo grove near the dormitory and saw a tall, slender man standing in the distance.

As the sun set, the man stood tall and straight, dressed in a dark red silk robe, his ink-black hair dancing in the evening breeze. Upon seeing Mingyue emerge, his handsome face lit up with joy, and his peach-blossom eyes were filled with delight.

Recognizing Shui Yanxi, Mingyue turned to leave, but he grabbed her arm and forcibly pulled her to a secluded spot by the small lake below the dormitory.

"If you keep pulling and tugging at me, I'm leaving," Mingyue shouted anxiously.

Only then did Shui Yanxi release her arm. He asked sadly, "My lady, why do you run when you see your husband?"

Terrified that someone might see them and cause a misunderstanding, Mingyue retreated several steps and said, "Who is your lady? Besides, this is the Shushan Immortal Sect; you must not lay hands on me."

She was now a disciple of the Shushan Immortal Sect’s cultivation academy, and with such a powerful backing, she was no longer afraid of him.

Watching her proud expression, Shui Yanxi smiled and said, "As long as you don't run and talk to me properly, I won't touch you."

Mingyue looked at his face, which was as fair and pretty as a woman’s, and said crossly, "I have nothing to say to you."

Shui Yanxi chuckled and said softly, "Congratulations on being admitted to the Shushan Immortal Sect." He gave a thumbs-up, then added, "Have you been well lately? You look like you've lost some weight. I’ve missed you. Have you missed me?"

Mingyue rolled her eyes at the sky and replied, "No."

Watching her charming demeanor, Shui Yanxi laughed, unfazed. He continued, "Tomorrow I must leave Shushan to return to the Ximing Immortal Sect. Take good care of yourself. If anyone bullies you, tell me, and I will back you up."

As he spoke, he handed her an object. "You saved my life last time, and I haven't properly thanked you. This is a blood jade ring, a specialty of the Western Regions. It is a mid-level divine weapon that can autonomously absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, assisting in a cultivator's practice. Remember to wear it. If you wish to find me, press the protruding gemstone in the center, and I will be able to receive your long-distance telepathic message."

Mingyue blushed and declined, "Th-this is too valuable. I-I cannot accept your gift."

She did not want any further entanglements with Shui Yanxi, let alone accept his belongings. Moreover, the blood jade ring looked extremely precious—a mid-level divine weapon—how could she casually accept such a costly gift?

Shui Yanxi smiled slightly, forcefully placed the ring into Mingyue's hand, and pulled her into an embrace. "I am leaving now, and I do not know when I will see you again."

Held tightly in his arms, Mingyue began to struggle desperately. Shui Yanxi whispered in her ear, "Little Moon, practice hard. I will miss you, and I will come to see you when I have the time."

After saying this, Shui Yanxi released her, cast one last lingering look at her, and turned to leave.

"Hey, your ring..." Mingyue stomped her feet and called out.

Shui Yanxi simply waved his hand without turning back. As he walked away, the evening breeze lifted his robe, highlighting his tall and elegant figure.

Mingyue looked down at the blood jade ring. It was a deep, blood-red color, inlaid with a red gemstone that looked incredibly precious. She tried it on, and it fit perfectly on her left index finger.

She felt a wave of frustration. What was this all about? Shui Yanxi had given her a mid-level divine weapon for no reason. She was tempted to just throw it away.

* * *

However, after thinking it over, since Shui Yanxi had called it a gift of gratitude for saving his life, she decided to keep it for now. Perhaps if she ever needed money, she could sell it for a significant sum. Or, she could just wear it and return it to him if they ever met again.

By now, the sky had grown dark. Mingyue walked slowly back to the dormitory, lost in her thoughts. Suddenly, she heard voices ahead. Looking up, she saw two people standing about two or three meters away. One was dressed in white as snow, his robes fluttering, standing tall and graceful—it was Feng Qingcheng. The other had a slender, delicate figure; judging by the back, it appeared to be a woman.

Mingyue quickly looked around, hoping to sneak away, but there was only one path. If she moved forward, she would run into them, and if she retreated, she would be seen. She hurriedly ducked behind a large tree by the roadside, terrified of the embarrassment of being discovered.

Then, the woman's sweet, delicate voice rang out, filled with delight and shyness: "Cousin, ever since you entered the Shushan Immortal Sect, you have been the goal I strive toward. Now, I have finally been admitted to the Shushan Immortal Sect. It is wonderful to be your fellow disciple." Judging by the voice, the woman was Nalan Meidai.

Feng Qingcheng’s voice was indifferent, devoid of any emotion: "Hmm."

Nalan Meidai continued, "Cousin, I—I only sat for the entrance exam because of you. You are now serving as a substitute elder in the Alchemy Pavilion. I wonder if I might be able to visit the pavilion often to keep you company and take care of you?"

Mingyue thought that Nalan Meidai, being a princess and extremely beautiful, and Feng Qingcheng, being a prince, made a perfect match. Even she wouldn't have the heart to refuse such a request, right?

Feng Qingcheng seemed to pause for a moment before saying coldly, "The Alchemy Pavilion does not recruit female disciples. You should remain at the academy and focus on your cultivation."

Thinking he was simply being coy, Nalan Meidai let out a soft cry and threw herself into Feng Qingcheng’s arms, hugging him tightly. "Cousin, I have liked you for a long time. Please, don't reject me, will you?"

Mingyue had never witnessed such a scene; she was embarrassed and awkward. She blamed herself for not watching her step and crashing into someone’s romantic rendezvous. Fortunately, it was dark, and no one had noticed her. Mingyue held her breath, waiting to see how Feng Qingcheng would react.

Wasn't it said that Feng Qingcheng valued a life of quiet cultivation and stayed away from women? Mingyue sighed; it seemed the rumors were false after all. Wasn't he right here, having a secret meeting with a beauty?

Feng Qingcheng pulled Nalan Meidai off him and said coldly, "Princess Nalan, please conduct yourself with dignity. It is late, and I have matters to attend to. You may leave." With that, he turned to look into the distance, ignoring her completely.

Rejection left Nalan Meidai feeling both ashamed and angry. This was the first time she had sought him out since arriving at the sect. However, she was not discouraged; she wanted him to know her feelings.

There were many excellent men in the world, but few caught her eye, and Feng Qingcheng was undoubtedly the most outstanding among them. She had come to Shushan for him. There was plenty of time; she could not be impatient. Besides, it was normal for someone as excellent as him to be aloof or perhaps play a game of "hard-to-get." The more he rejected her, the more she longed to win him over!

Nalan Meidai reasoned with herself and felt relieved. Having grown up in the imperial palace, she knew how to capture a man's heart; one must not be overly hasty.

She said softly to him, "Cousin, I shall take my leave then. Do take care of yourself."

As Nalan Meidai walked away, her footsteps gradually fading, Mingyue breathed a sigh of relief. She thought she could leave once Feng Qingcheng departed.

However, Mingyue waited for a long time, but she didn't hear Feng Qingcheng leave. She felt frustrated: "Is this man staying or going?"

Just as she was feeling uneasy, she heard Feng Qingcheng say indifferently, "You may come out now."

Mingyue was startled, thinking to herself, "No way? Is he expecting someone else?"

Feng Qingcheng added, "Mingyue, come out."

* * *

Called out by name, Mingyue’s heart skipped a beat. She shuffled out from behind the tree and explained with extreme awkwardness, "Senior Brother Feng, hello..."

Seeing his calm gaze, she hurried to add, "I—I accidentally wandered onto this path. I really wasn't trying to eavesdrop on your conversation..."

Feng Qingcheng remained silent for a moment. Mingyue continued, "Senior Brother Feng, please, I promise I will never tell anyone about what happened."

In the darkness, Feng Qingcheng seemed to frown slightly. "There is really nothing between her and me... It is so late; why have you not gone back to rest?"

Mingyue touched her head and gave an awkward laugh. "I was just on my way back." She muttered to herself, "If only your date hadn't delayed me."

Feng Qingcheng asked, "Have you been adjusting to life at the academy?"

Recalling how he had helped her pick up her buns in the cafeteria yesterday, causing her to make a fool of herself, she replied with a flushed face, "It’s quite good here. Room and board are provided, and I can learn skills."

Feng Qingcheng nodded. "Tomorrow, your cultivation training begins. Work hard. If there is anything you don't understand, you may come and ask me."

Mingyue thought to herself that since Feng Qingcheng was such a cold and aloof person—having even harshly rejected Princess Nalan—she had her own pride and certainly wouldn't have any improper thoughts. Even if she didn't understand something, she wouldn't come looking for him.

Assuming he was just being polite, she replied with equal courtesy, "Thank you, Senior Brother Feng."

Feng Qingcheng looked into the distance and said nothing more.

Mingyue stole a glance at him. He stood beside her, tall and slender, his profile as handsome as a sculpture. She had to look up to see his face clearly.

Suddenly, he felt so high and unreachable that she wanted to run away as fast as she could. "Well, Senior Brother Feng, I’ll let you get back to your business. I'm heading back to the dormitory."

Feng Qingcheng nodded. "Go on then."

Mingyue darted away from him like a bird in flight, her footsteps quick and light. Watching her small, fleeing figure, Feng Qingcheng stood still for a moment, then shook his head with a faint smile.

Back at the dormitory, Nangong Yurou asked casually, "Mingyue, who was looking for you? You came back so late; I thought you’d been kidnapped."

Mingyue replied, "I wasn't kidnapped, but I did run into something strange."

Mo Yao asked with surprise, "Strange? That's impossible, we're at the Shushan Immortal Sect."

Mingyue just smiled at Mo Yao and said nothing more.

That night, everyone went to sleep early. They had to wake up early the next day to begin their training. Mingyue was filled with endless anticipation and longing for the life of immortal cultivation at the Shushan Academy.