Yang Lingrui recalled the earlier situation while Zhu Xuan carefully observed his features.
"This young manâs true appearance far surpasses the portrait. Though the painting captured his face, it couldnât replicate this transcendent aura. No wonder Miss Hua took interest," Zhu Xuan thought privately.
When comprehension dawned in Yang Lingruiâs eyes, Zhu Xuan smiled. "Did you remember?"
After feigning contemplation, Yang Lingrui answered, "There was an incident involving the Feng familyâs young lady purchasing talismans at the marketplace?"
"Precisely. Weâve found the right person. Follow me."
"Iâll trouble you to lead the way, senior."
Trailing behind Zhu Xuan, Yang Lingruiâs mind whirled with calculations.
If the Feng family aligned with the dynasty like the He family did, revealing his identity might secure cooperation in Mayfly Treasure Land. Neutrality like the Su familyâs would also be acceptable â the He familyâs letter of recommendation should prevent hostility from fence-sitting clans.
The true danger lay in the Feng family supporting a sect. In that case, maintaining his disguise became vital.
During the dozen breaths it took to reach the Feng family camp, Yang Lingrui formulated three contingency plans.
"Miss Yue, Miss Hua, our guest has arrived," Zhu Xuan announced through the door.
Peering past him, Yang Lingrui spotted a black-robed cultivator hovering three feet above the camp roof. Swirling true essence emanated from the meditating figure, its mere presence pressing like physical weight against Yang Lingruiâs chest.
The imposing aura of a Condensing Essence cultivator!
"How enviable that noble heirs get such powerful escorts," Yang Lingrui mused, fists tightening inside his sleeves. When he attained Condensing Essence, Yang family juniors would enjoy similar protection.
Inside the camp:
"Elder sister, heâs even handsomer in person!" Feng Linghua trilled. The plain-faced cultivator from the marketplace now wore a delicate pink dress accentuating her slender figure, every movement radiating youthful vitality.
Yang Lingrui hadnât recognized her earlier due to her disguise. Her listener â the frosty cultivator seated centrally â was her elder sister Feng Lingyue.
The sisters shared similar features despite their five-year age gap. Feng Lingyue had reached the sixth level of Gathering Qi, while Feng Linghua remained at the fourth.
However, Feng Lingyueâs temperament starkly contrasted with her lively sister Feng Linghuaâs playful nature, embodying an icy and aloof demeanor.
Clad entirely in plain white with frost-pale features, she resembled the distant moonâs cold glow.
Feng Lingyueâs brow twitched as she watched her sister circle around her, her eyes showing faint helplessness.
"Fine, fine. Iâve already sent Zhu Xuan to summon him," she told Feng Linghua, though privately scheming.
According to Feng family rules, none could leave home before reaching mid-stage gathering energy. Thus Feng Linghuaâs furthest venture had been to their Listening Snow Villa near Qiulu City.
Having recently broken through to fourth-level Gathering Qi, the girl now met the threshold for travel.
This maiden journey made everything new to Feng Linghua, who constantly begged for trinkets.
Common spiritual treasures posed no issueâtheir familyâs wealth allowed easy indulgence. But days earlier, Feng Linghua had sneaked disguised into the marketplace.
Since returning, sheâd acted distracted. When pressed, she confessed meeting someone whoâd captured her heart!
Feng Lingyueâs mind blanked momentarily.
"Foolish girl!
We could buy any luxury, yet you lose your heart to some marketplace stranger?"
She deemed this infatuation mere naivety from sheltered living.
"Qiuluâs noble sons are all handsome talents youâve met. What extraordinary appearance could exist in this backwater?"
Moreover, the man traded goods instead of spending spiritual crystalsâclearly no aristocrat.
Feng Lingyue resolved to shatter this illusion. Hearing Zhu Xuanâs approach, Feng Linghua fidgeted nervously.
"Sit properly!" Feng Lingyue chided before coolly commanding, "Let him enter."
Outside, Yang Lingrui steadied himself and pushed open the door.
Before fully entering, Feng Lingyue assessed him:
"Fifth level Gathering Qiâpassable.
Steady breathing denotes proper cultivation.
No spiritual resonance confirms his common origins."
Confidence surgedâuntil she saw his face.
Her thoughts stuttered.
"Am I hallucinating? This⊠this canât be real!"
Yang Lingruiâs striking features froze her prepared speeches.
Approaching, he noticed the odd scene:
The younger sister peeked shyly while the elder stared unabashedly.
Baffled but composed, he clasped hands respectfully.
"Willow Leaf Lin Yu pays respects to both ladies."