grace and elegance

The two stood only a breath apart. Xianyue did not attempt to snatch the box, nor did Bai Zhanfeng immediately hand over the colorful box containing the Snow Toad; he simply gazed at her.

Her sharp chin was lifted proudly towards the sunlight, revealing a slender, ivory neck. Her lips curved in a captivating smile, and her hair fluttered freely in the wind, exuding an untamed grace. Yet faint bruises and traces of blood lingered at the corner of her lips, and her outstretched palm bore deep, crimson cuts, like writhing worms. Her attire, however, remained immaculate, without a hint of disarray. If not for the close distance, no one would have noticed she was injured.

Her breath was still uneven, dust from her journey clung to her, evidence of a hasty arrival. And yet, she had taken the time to change her clothes. But for whom was all this effort?

Bai Zhanfeng clenched his jaw, a flicker of resentment flashing within him. Lan Yixuan knew her all too well.

The person she cared about the most, the one who understood her best, was not him.

From afar, through the layers of crimson waves, one could clearly see the white-clad figure. His lips pressed together in a faint smile, lowering his head as he took a small sip of tea brewed moments ago by Leiyun. The smile on his face spread slowly, like ripples on a wind-stirred lake, softening his expression.

Xuan Yuanhao, his face brimming with joy, drained his cup in one gulp and was about to rise when a soft voice called out, "Prince Xuan Yuan."

It was Jun Pinyu who spoke, casting a fleeting glance at Xuan Yuanhao with those cold, distant eyes, a knowing smile playing on his lips. For reasons unknown, Xuan Yuanhao stopped mid-motion and sat down across from Jun Pinyu, engaging in casual conversation.

Many among the gathered crowd had seen Xianyue before. Their eyes instinctively darted between Lan Yixuan, Jun Pinyu, and Xuan Yuanhao before rising to their feet, rushing outside to observe Bai Zhanfeng and Xianyue, eager for a spectacle.

"Your Highness."

Yun Qinghen bowed respectfully, addressing his master in a soft voice. His Highness's hand trembled slightly as it rested on the table, though his face still bore a smile. He exhaled a long breath, finally allowing his heart to settle.

Without hesitation, Feng Jiulan rose from the table and dashed outside.

"I already have someone I love. Pursuing me is pointless."

Who was it that she loved? Was the Snow Toad meant for that person? Was it the one Lan Yixuan mentioned, the person she cared for the most?

This Snow Toad—he had originally intended it for Xianyue, to win her favor. But now, he had changed his mind. It wasn't that he wouldn't give it to her, but he certainly couldn't hand it over so easily.

He had claimed she was his woman. Could she not see even a bit of his affection?

"This is something I obtained through great hardship."

Bai Zhanfeng's left hand tightened its grip on the vibrant box, cradling it protectively to his chest. This gesture nearly made Nian Xiaoyu, seated among the honored guests, break into laughter.

The Snow Toad was a rare treasure, not something to be given away lightly.

"And what must I do for you to give it to me?"

Xianyue's tone only fueled Bai Zhanfeng's fury. He shot her an irritated glance and barked, "I won't give it to you, no matter what."

The more she desired it, the less willing he was to give it. If she had shown indifference, he might have handed it over happily by now.

Xianyue let out a cold snort, a soft laugh escaping her lips. Though faint, it carried an unyielding strength that pierced the air and echoed in every ear. Her cool gaze was filled with determination.

"Haha."

Xianyue threw her head back, her soft laughter swelling into a wild, unrestrained guffaw. In an instant, gusts of wind howled around her, lifting her white robes alongside her dark hair. She appeared as bold and reckless as a thunderstorm clashing with the heavens, sparks flying in her wake. "What I desire, what I set my eyes on, will be mine."

In the minds of the onlookers, four words surfaced: "Overestimating herself." Bai Zhanfeng was the favored disciple of the former Wulin Alliance leader. Over the years, even the elders of the martial world were rarely his match. He had surpassed his teachers, and now, this unknown girl dared to provoke him. It was nothing short of reckless.

Under the blazing sun, Xianyue's arrogant laughter still echoed over Qiuyang Manor. In the blink of an eye, she lunged forward like a fierce leopard, her speed bringing a gale in her wake. Waves of red surged higher and higher, the air itself shifting violently. The force slammed into faces like hail, stinging painfully.

With a wave of Xianyue's hand, the scattered weapons of those who had fallen were drawn towards her like a vortex, the sharp glint of steel gathering before her. Wind and clouds converged, ready to strike.

With a swift gesture, Xianyue flicked her wrist, as though brushing dust from her clothes. A seemingly effortless movement unleashed a torrent of arrows, each one carrying the weight of thunder, hurtling toward Bai Zhanfeng.

Bai Zhanfeng's skills were formidable, and Xianyue knew better than to underestimate him. Her injuries had not fully healed, and now she had added fresh wounds. Thinking of Liu Xinyou, the woman she loathed, Xianyue seethed.

Why should she suffer because someone else had been abandoned?

In terms of inner strength and martial prowess, Xianyue was no match for Bai Zhanfeng. Without help, the best she could hope for was a draw. She stood no chance of truly harming him.

As Bai Zhanfeng realized that Xianyue was willing to fight him for the Snow Toad, her attachment to that other person only fueled his rage. His brows furrowed, and with a powerful sweep of his hand, the lethal rain of arrows shattered into useless shards of iron, scattering in all directions. The swirling heat waves were suddenly riddled with holes.

The injured men lying on the ground, clutching their wounds, felt the sharp wind blow past from such a great distance. Terrified, they curled into tight balls, letting out startled cries before quickly silencing themselves, not daring to breathe too loudly.

Bai Zhanfeng, still seething, glanced at Xianyue in astonishment. He hadn't expected her to challenge him over the Snow Toad.

But of course, why would he just hand over something he had worked so hard to obtain? Besides, it was she who had instigated this battle.

In the arena, true skill would decide the outcome.

"Qinghen."

Feng Jiulan beckoned softly, pointing towards Xianyue. His voice trembled, his eyes filled with worry. "Go, don't let her be harmed."

Yun Qinghen accepted the command and was about to move when Lan Yixuan calmly stepped forward, blocking his path. "Brother Bai will not harm Xianyue."

As he spoke, Lan Yixuan turned towards the pale-faced Feng Jiulan, offering a slight smile. "Concern clouds your judgment. This crown prince, so praised for his wisdom by the people of Feng Kingdom, loses all reason when it comes to that woman."

Feng Jiulan gripped the railing tightly, his heart racing with unease. "He cannot help her."

Yun Qinghen lowered his head. Though his martial skills were not inferior, they paled in comparison to Bai Zhanfeng's or the princess's. If he forced his way in, not only would he fail to assist, but he might also be gravely injured.

Xianyue took a few steps back, her face solemn, though her lips habitually curved upward. She withdrew a jade flute from her waist, letting it spin gracefully in her hand before settling at her lips.

Lan Yixuan watched the sky-colored flute in her hand. Tapping the railing lightly, he turned to the anxious Feng Jiulan, addressing him softly, "Your Highness."

Bai Zhanfeng, still consumed by fury, was preparing to confront Xianyue head-on. She turned, her eyes meeting his dark figure. With a slight smile and a bright gaze, she seemed to be telling him, "Don't worry."

Bai Zhanfeng followed her gaze and found Lan Yixuan standing at the forefront, radiating an aura of leisure and composure. A wave of anger surged within him; when had they become so close?

The melodious sound flowed from her fingertips, reminiscent of clear, gentle waters. In April's Jiangnan, blossoms burst forth in a riot of color, sprawling fields adorned the hills, and the air was filled with the sweet songs of birds. A refreshing breeze brushed against his cheek, soothing his heart, compelling him to linger a moment longer, wishing the world would come to a standstill.

Inside the venue, the faces that had once been contorted in agony now wore expressions of tranquility and peace. Many had gradually closed their eyes, basking in the sunlight with contented smiles, swaying gently, lost in their own imagined paradise.

He yearned to approach them with the swiftness of the wind but felt an invisible barrier around him, halting his advance.

Xianyue tilted her head to gaze at the sky and suddenly opened her eyes wide. Her bright gaze sliced through the air like a razor, causing hearts to tremble involuntarily. Those who had been enraptured in their idyllic reverie snapped back to reality, startled by a haunting sound that pierced their eardrums. They instinctively covered their ears, their faces paling as cold sweat broke out on their foreheads.

The serene Qiu Yang Villa erupted into chaos. The azure sky was swiftly tainted with ominous hues, dark clouds billowing in like spilled ink. A flock of autumn eagles, fierce and menacing, descended from the heavens, their sharp beaks pointed directly at Bai Zhanfeng, engulfing him in an instant.

"Brother Feng!" 

Nian Xiaoyu exclaimed in shock, her eyes wide with concern. What sorcery was this? How could the eagles obey her command?

The ground beneath them felt as if it were sinking, as though something sinister was at work.

"What kind of sorcery is this?" 

The elderly guests in the VIP section gaped in disbelief. They had never seen such an art as beast mastery; this was truly perplexing.

"Ah!" 

Bai Zhanfeng yelled, his powerful arms seemingly impervious, yet soon a multitude of lifeless bodies littered the ground, coupled with gruesome pools of blood.

Xianyue smiled calmly, unfazed, her attention solely on her jade flute. One batch fell, only for another to take their place, as if they were endless.

Feng Jiulan shuddered again.

"What is happening?" 

Xuan Yuanhao stared, his astonishment evident. Even Jun Pinyu beside him revealed his surprise, while others lacked the opportunity to witness the scene; they covered their ears, turning blue, collapsing to the ground, their bodies convulsing.

Xianyue glanced over at the unscathed Feng Jiulan and smiled at Lan Yixuan. 

Lan Yixuan understood her gesture and replied to Feng Jiulan, "I told you I would help her." 

His voice, though soft, brought an inexplicable sense of reassurance.

He gently swirled the tea in his cup, his delicate fingers, more graceful than a woman's, glistening in the light, beckoned lightly under Feng Jiulan's watchful gaze. Yun Qinghen noticed the droplets glistening like rainbows in the sun, then shifted her focus to Lan Yixuan, feeling the immense power within him. 

As the droplets traversed their path, sparks erupted, breaking through layers of barriers. He could almost hear the soft thuds of the droplets striking the gate, resonating within the heart. In that same moment, the colorful box in Bai Zhanfeng's hands slipped away, soaring into the air.

Such precise movements.

The sound of the flute ceased, and Xianyue leaped into the air to catch the box, placing the flute back to her lips. The sharp, explosive sound commanded the autumn eagles to disperse in an instant, returning to their original positions.

"Isn't it better to hand over the item willingly?" 

At that moment, Bai Zhanfeng appeared far more disheveled than Xianyue, his body covered in black feathers, a significant tear on the back of his hand, yet no blood flowed.

He abruptly brushed off the feathers clinging to him, pulled out the black quills tangled in his hair, and approached Xianyue step by step. His skin bore a slight dark hue, and his deep-set eyes showed no signs of anger. On the contrary, with his brows slightly raised, he seemed rather pleased.

Xianyue raised an eyebrow, a foreboding feeling creeping in. Just as she moved her feet, he charged toward her, declaring, "I announce that from today onwards, you are my woman."

Bai Zhanfeng grasped her hand, boldly proclaiming before all the martial alliance members, before forcefully drawing Xianyue into his embrace.

"Bai Zhanfeng, are you out of your mind?" 

Xianyue elbowed his chest fiercely and broke free from his hold. "I've already pledged to protect someone for a lifetime!" 

She turned and dashed toward the right VIP section.