Chapter 143 – Surprises

  “Bai Xuelian, I have been waiting for you for hours. Where have you been?” Luo Feng asked, his voice taut with excitement at seeing her, and a hint of jealousy at noticing her standing beside Jun De and Zhao Wuxian.

  Bai Xuelian froze for half a heartbeat, then forced a polite, measured smile on her face. She shifted slightly, instinctively moving closer to Jun De as if to use him to deflect Luo Feng’s attention. The way Luo Feng’s eyes burned with possessive eagerness clearly made her uncomfortable.

  “I was at the hot springs with my fellow disciples.” Bai Xuelian replied evenly, her tone calm despite the slight tension in her shoulders.

  Luo Feng frowned, as though this simple response had somehow wounded him.

  “The hot springs? You should have mentioned your interest in them to me.” Luo Feng said, stepping closer and lowering his voice slightly.

  “There are sections of the springs that are normally off-limits. I could have shown you the best spots, the ones reserved for the Sect’s core members. As the Sect Master’s personal Disciple, I have privileged access that others do not.”

  His tone carried a proud edge that was part boast, but also a plea for recognition from her.

  Bai Xuelian’s polite smile didn’t waver at all, but her eyes cooled.

  “That is very generous of you, Junior Brother Luo, but I wouldn’t wish to impose on the Ironvein Quarry Sect.”

  “You wouldn’t be imposing at all! You deserve only the best, and I would gladly take you anywhere or show you anything in the Sect.”

  Bai Xuelian’s eyebrows drew together as Luo Feng’s intensity toward her failed to fade at all. She inclined her head just enough to be polite, and her voice was calm and measured, but Jun De could see that her patience would soon be at its end.

  “Junior Brother Luo, may I ask why you have been seeking me?”

  Her tone was courteous, but there was a cool distance to it. Once again, Bai Xuelian shifted half a step closer to Jun De, just close enough that their sleeves brushed. The movement was so small that most wouldn’t have noticed it, but Luo Feng’s eyes flicked toward Jun De at once.

  For an instant, his expression cracked, and a faint scowl appeared on his face. It was gone as quickly as it came, replaced by a strained smile that didn’t reach his eyes. Luo Feng forced himself to focus on Bai Xuelian again, although there was a tension in his jaw that wouldn’t loosen.

  “I’ve brought something for you.” He said, his voice carrying both pride and expectation at her response.

  Bai Xuelian was startled.

  “A gift?”

  Luo Feng nodded eagerly, reaching into his storage bag and drawing out a small, intricately carved wooden box sealed with a talisman.

  “Yes, please accept it. I sought it out specifically with you in mind.”

  “That isn’t necessary, Junior Brother Luo. We have only just met, and it would not be appropriate for me to accept anything from you, especially something of value.” Bai Xuelian said quickly, her tone polite but firm.

  Luo Feng shook his head vehemently, stepping forward and extending the box toward her.

  “No, you must accept it. It’s nothing too grand, just something I thought would suit you.”

  His insistence left no room for refusal, and with visible reluctance, Bai Xuelian accepted the box with both hands. As she carefully peeled away the talisman that sealed the box and lifted the lid, a faint chilling mist drifted into the air.

  Inside the container was a pale blue crystal, its surface translucent and shimmering faintly under the moonlight. Wisps of pure Yin energy flowed from it, cool and refreshing, which was such a contrast to the hot and dry atmosphere around them.

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  Luo Feng’s voice softened as he explained what it was, and he was clearly savouring the moment.

  “It’s called a Frostdew Crystal. It forms in caverns infused with lunar essence, and it harmonizes perfectly with Yin Techniques. My Master informed me that you possess the rare Pure Yin Body, and this will help you stabilize any fluctuations you may feel during cultivation.”

  “It isn’t easy to find one in such perfect condition.” Luo Feng added, puffing up slightly with pride at his thoughtful gift.

  ‘There’s no way she will be able to resist me after this!’ Luo Feng thought triumphantly.

  But, against his expectations, Bai Xuelian stared at the crystal for a moment before closing the box and holding it out for him to take again.

  “It is a fine treasure, Junior Brother Luo, but I truly cannot accept it.”

  “Please, just think of it as a token of friendship between our Sects.” Luo Feng hurriedly stated, holding his hand up to stop her from giving it back to him.

  There was an awkward silence before Bai Xuelian sighed.

  “Very well. Thank you, Junior Brother Luo. I will accept it for now, but I will find something of equal value to exchange with you.”

  Luo Feng’s tense expression eased, and a flicker of possessiveness re-emerged in his eyes.

  “There is no need for repayment. Seeing you accept it is more than enough. Since we have become better acquainted, it would only be proper for me to act as your escort while you are here, Senior Sister Bai. You are a guest of our Sect, and it would be shameful for me to let someone of your status wander about without guidance.”

  Bai Xuelian was unable to maintain her composure as she openly frowned at the offer.

  “That is generous of you, but it is unnecessary. Elder Wen has already arranged everything for us, and we are only here for a few days to observe and explore.”

  Luo Feng waved dismissively as he stepped closer to her.

  “Elder Wen is busy refining, isn’t he? The Ironvein Quarry Sect is full of places that are unknown to outsiders. I could show you the best cultivation grounds, places that are rich in Metal and Fire Essence. My Master allows me free access to areas that only Personal Disciples may visit.”

  Luo Feng puffed up with pride at the mention of his master, and his eyes stared at Bai Xuelian as though expecting her to be impressed.

  ‘Does he not know that Bai Xuelian is Lu Qingchen’s personal Disciple?’ Jun De wondered.

  He could feel Zhao Wuxian bristling beside him, ready to make a comment, but the normally loud cultivator kept his mouth shut as he could sense that Bai Xuelian was no longer in the mood for games.

  “You are very considerate, Junior Brother Luo, but I would not wish to impose. We are content to explore what we are permitted.” Bai Xuleian’s tone remained even, but she had crossed her arms in a subtle gesture of defiance.

  Luo Feng chuckled, but there was strain in it.

  ‘This isn’t going as planned. Is it because these other two are with her? That must be it, she is worried about how she will look in front of her fellow Disciples!’

  “Impose, not at all! It would be an honour to escort you.” Luo Feng said, before deciding that it was time to play his ultimate trump card.

  “Think of it as a chance for our Sects to deepen our relations. My Master ordered me to make myself available to you, and it would be dishonourable to return to him in failure. Do not refuse me so quickly, Senior Sister Bai.”

  “Junior Brother Luo, it would be inappropriate for you to escort me throughout the Sect.” Bai Xuelian interrupted, her voice cold and hard. She had finally lost her patience with Luo Feng.

  “Inappropriate? How could it be inappropriate for me to guide you? Surely, you do not suspect me of having ill intent toward you.” Luo Feng replied, confused as to why Bai Xuelian would say that.

  Bai Xuelian exhaled slowly, and she was visibly restraining her irritation.

  “I am certain you mean well, Junior Brother Luo. But to accompany you privately through the Sect would be improper.”

  She paused for a moment before moving even closer to Jun De.

  “I already have a Dao Companion.”

  Her words struck the group like a thunderclap.

  Luo Feng froze, his eyes wide. For a heartbeat, it seemed as though he didn’t quite comprehend what she had said. His mind simply refused to accept it. Then his expression crumpled, with disbelief and humiliation twisting together.

  “A Dao Companion?” Luo Feng repeated, his voice cracking with the effort to sound calm. His eyes flicked from Bai Xuelian to Jun De, who was now standing close enough to her that they were nearly touching.

  Jun De blinked, and his own composure faltered.

  ‘Dao Companion? I didn’t know she had a Dao Companion.’ Jun De thought. He looked at Bai Xuelian beside him, and she refused to meet his eyes. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, and she fidgeted somewhat in embarrassment.

  Zhao Wuxian’s mouth hung open in silent astonishment before he let out a strangled cough that sounded suspiciously like laughter.

  “No one mentioned anything like that to me. You are only saying that to turn me away.” Luo Feng said as his face darkened and a flush of shame climbed from his neck all the way up to his ears.

  “I am not. Jun De is my Dao Companion, and we are quite happy with each other. Is that not right?” Bai Xuelian said, turning toward Jun De and tilting her head to the side as she asked her question.

  “We are?” Jun De asked, just as confused and taken aback as Luo Feng. Bai Xuelian stared at him for a moment longer, and her eyes flickered to Luo Feng.

  Jun De caught the silent message.

  “We are.” Jun De repeated, this time making it a statement and not a question.