Chapter 28: The Ability to Make Him Lose His Focus Again

As the words fell, Yun Yi swept Luo Qingyao into his arms and soared into the sky, vanishing from everyone's sight in an instant.

Feng Qingjue stared at the direction in which they had disappeared, remaining silent for a long time. Finally, he turned around and, seeing Yu Qingting just rising from the ground, said indifferently, "Palace Master Yu, the favor I owed you has been repaid. From this moment on, we are even."

Without waiting for her response, he leaped into the air, mounted his white jade ruler, and departed.

The event that had stirred the entire imperial capital—the Yuqing Palace’s selection of disciples—thus came to a dismal end.

Yu Qingting’s perfect plan had not only failed but had also cost her the services of her disciple, Yu Xian'er, while leaving her injured as well. The mere thought of it made her tremble with rage.

"Yun Yi, Luo Qingyao, I swear by the heavens that I will avenge the humiliation of today!" She clenched her fists, silently vowing retribution.

She then walked over to the unconscious Yu Xian'er and carried her away.

As for Lan Ruoshui, she had been rescued by others after fainting and was currently recuperating in the palace.

Wen Yue gazed at the empty dueling platform, at a loss for words. Her expression was deeply displeased. Finally, she flicked her sleeves and commanded, "Prepare the carriage; we return to the palace," before departing.

The selection ceremony had officially come to a close, yet its echoes were far from silenced.

Because of this event, one person had risen to prominence, becoming the center of everyone's discussions: Luo Qingyao.

That a supposed good-for-nothing could consecutively defeat Princess Lan and the Fairy Yu was truly astonishing. In the end, she had been taken on as a disciple by the head of the world’s Five Gentlemen, Master Yun himself, despite both Yuqing Palace and the Xiaoyao Pavilion vying for her and failing to outmatch him.

Consequently, various versions of the story began to circulate through tea houses, taverns, and narrow alleys across the city.

***

As for the heroine of the story, she remained entirely oblivious, sitting leisurely in her small courtyard, basking in the sun, and intently studying the secret manual of the Hunyuan Heart Method.

The courtyard was small but kept impeccably clean. It consisted of three main rooms and one wing room. In front of the house, a cluster of green bamboo stood tall, shimmering brilliantly under the sunlight.

A gentle breeze blew, causing the bamboo leaves to sway and rustle, bringing with them a sense of unprecedented ease.

Next to the bamboo grove sat a simple chaise longue.

Yun Yi, dressed in white, lay upon it with casual grace, holding a plate of grapes and popping them into his mouth one by one with evident relish.

Beside the chaise, Luo Qingyao sat on a round stool, focused on her studies.

"Hmm, Yaoyao, these grapes are delicious. Would you like one?" A signature, wicked smile flickered across Yun Yi’s face. He held up a grape that shone like a purple crystal, his tone tinged with a playful, seductive charm as he asked.

Luo Qingyao huffed in annoyance and gritted her teeth, not even sparing him a glance as she continued to pore over the Hunyuan Heart Method.

Yun Yi watched her jade-white profile and her slightly pouting lips, unable to suppress a smile. He had not realized that teasing this girl could be so amusing.

A breeze swept through, rustling the bamboo leaves and lifting the stray locks of hair by her temples. They danced mischievously against her cheek, partially obscuring her face and adding a touch of alluring grace to her spirited, delicate appearance.

Yun Yi, who had just raised a grape to his lips, froze at the sight.

This girl had an uncanny ability to captivate him, no matter the moment.