Chapter 104

Yang Lingrui’s words woke Feng Lingyue up. Realizing her improper demeanor, she quickly straightened her posture and coughed lightly.

“Ahem… Greetings, Friend. Please sit.”

“Thank you, Miss Feng.”

Yang Lingrui sat on the opposite chair. When he turned, he caught the little girl peeking at him again before she hid her face.

The female cultivator in the main seat frowned at this behavior.

Yang Lingrui saw only helpless fondness in her eyes, no anger.

Putting together the two individuals’ reactions, he quickly figured out the situation.

“Earlier, Senior Zhu Xuan told me I’d met a young lady from the Feng family at the marketplace.”

To test his theory, Yang Lingrui spoke first: “But I don’t recall seeing either of you. Could this be a misunderstanding?”

“No mistake! It was me! I used a disguise technique before going out that day!”

Feng Linghua blurted out before her sister could respond.

Feng Lingyue massaged her temples, exasperated. Yang Lingrui marveled at the Feng girl’s simplicity.

He’d only asked casually, yet she’d exposed their family’s disguise methods outright.

Seeing their reactions, Feng Linghua realized her mistake. She hugged her knees, shrinking into her seat, and pouted at her sister.

“I’m sorry…”

“Just listen quietly from now on,” Feng Lingyue sighed, then addressed Yang Lingrui: “My sister seldom goes out. When I heard you’d guided her in the marketplace, I wished to thank you personally.”

Yang Lingrui’s appearance had overturned her earlier assumptions, forcing her to adjust plans.

By now, Yang Lingrui understood everything.

*Next time I go out, I’m wearing a mask*, he vowed silently, then smiled like a opportunist.

“You’re too courteous, Miss Feng. Helping your sister required minimal effort. No need for formal thanks.”

A sly glint flashed in Yang Lingrui’s eyes. “The Qiulu Feng family’s reputation precedes you. Meeting you both is honor enough—no further gifts necessary.”

The naive Feng Linghua brightened at this, but noticed her sister’s darkened expression.

Though brief, that cunning look hadn’t escaped Feng Lingyue’s notice. Her opinion of him plummeted.

*Just as I suspected*, she thought coldly. *Mention gratitude and they immediately scheme to exploit our family. What a waste of good looks—rotten inside. Disappointing.*

*But this simplifies things. Once Linghua sees his true nature, she’ll abandon her silly notions.*

Feng Lingyue forced a gentle smile. “Nonsense, Friend Lin. You helped our family—we must repay you. Name your needs.”

This confirmed Yang Lingrui’s suspicion: the Fengs had no sect connections.

“Truthfully, I traveled alone from the southeast. My cultivation realm’s mediocre—entering the treasure land would strain my limited capabilities.”

Yang Lingrui rubbed his palms together and asked, "Could this humble one accompany Miss Feng? Safety in numbers, as they say."

Feng Lingyue nodded slowly.

The request made sense – with his low cultivation level and ordinary background, he stood little chance competing in the treasure land alone. Any gains would depend purely on luck.

"This works," she decided. "I’ll toss him a few treasures later to settle the debt."

Curious about his skills, Feng Lingyue inquired, "What technique do you cultivate, Friend Lin?"

"Wind technique, Miss Feng."

"Wind technique?"

The answer made her pause. She’d asked casually, but now grew thoughtful.

With a flick of her wrist, five mayfly larvae appeared on her palm. "Can you execute the Technique of Letting the Gentle Wind into the Body?"

"I can, though not expertly."

"Try channeling wind energy into these larvae."

Yang Lingrui steadied his breathing and summoned a hair-thin breeze at his fingertips. His face tightened with concentration as he guided it toward the insects.

The first attempt pierced a larva’s belly. "My apologies."

"Expected difficulty. Try again."

After four more attempts, he finally succeeded with the fifth specimen, wiping sweat from his brow. In truth, he’d nailed it on the first try but deliberately failed to maintain his mediocre facade.

Feng Lingyue’s eyes lit up. Her family knew the Mayfly Essence harvesting method, but finding someone both qualified to enter the treasure land and skilled in wind techniques had been impossible… until now.

"Impressive control," she praised. "Join our expedition. Should we obtain Mayfly Essence, the Feng family rewards generously."

As they conversed, a cloud ship bearing seven cultivators descended rudely at the entrance, displacing a sect from their claimed spot. The original occupants’ Perfected Gathering Qi guardian paled upon seeing the intruders’ clear sky and solitary moon insignia.

"W-we yield this place to Solitary Moon Mountain!" he stammered, retreating under the Condensing Essence cultivator’s icy glare.

The newcomers included six mid-stage disciples – two at sixth level Gathering Qi, four at fifth. They chuckled at their easy victory. "Did you see that coward tremble? Our reputation precedes us!"

Their laughter died when noticing a sixth-level disciple meditating. Silence fell, lest they disturb Wang Weiming – the youngest son of Baishi Town’s Wang family, taken to Solitary Moon Mountain eight years prior. Had Yang Lingrui been present, he’d have recognized the meditating cultivator instantly.