"Did they really… say our names?" Yun Xi asked, disbelief lacing her voice, her mouth slightly agape.
"Well, there shouldn't be anyone else but us," Yue Lan muttered, still processing the sudden change of events.
"Yes… but why would they select us? We didn't even pass the trial," Bai Ling whispered.
"Look! Everyone's staring at us," Xue Hua said, noticing the envious eyes of cultivators sweeping over the four of them.
The whispers grew into a low murmur that spread like wildfire. All eyes were on the girls, who stood stiffly under the weight of countless gazes, caught between shock and nervous excitement.
"Silence!"
A soft voice echoed through the selection square, followed by its owner stepping onto the high platform.
"We are in the midst of the selection.
The Song Clan has chosen their disciples, and no sect or clan has objected. The selection will continue,"
she announced, her voice gentle yet commanding.
One by one, the other sect representatives stepped forward, selecting the disciples who had performed well in the trial.
As the sun climbed to its zenith, marking the end of the disciple selection,
the old man announced, "With this, all sects and clans have chosen their disciples.
Those who remain may join any sect as handmaidens, trivial disciples, or wait for the next opportunity." He climbed down the platform slowly.
"Very well. We will take our leave," Sun Yu said, bowing to Ye Kaishan and Song Yan before departing with his Dao companion and the chosen disciples.
Other sects followed, exchanging polite greetings as they left. The remaining cultivators, disheartened, drifted away one by one.
"Song Tao!" Song Yan called.
"Yes, my lady?" Song Tao replied.
"Take them to the Song Clan," Song Yan instructed.
B-but my lady… I have other duties. Who will look after Mistveil Town? she stammered.
"Hey, don't give me these chores! I just want to take a nap—it's too troublesome to go to the Song Clan," Song Tao thought, silently grumbling in her mind.
"Don't give excuses. What work could you possibly have here other than sleeping? and don't make me repeat myself," Song Yan said lightly to Song Tao.
Y-yes, my lady… Song Tao muttered reluctantly, silently wishing she could protest further.
… this old lady who was so firm on the platform is speaking so politely," Yun Xi thought, glancing at Song Yan in surprise.
"She must be a high-ranking member of the Song Family," Bai Ling and Yue Lan said calmly, observing Song Yan.
"That's more like it," Song Yan murmured, her gaze shifting toward Song Tao.
"Alright, we should also leave," Song Yan said, glancing at Ye Kaishan.
"Okay, let's go," he replied, and they walked out of the wing together.
Tsk… how troublesome… Song Tao muttered, scratching her head. She looked at Bai Ling and the others with a sigh. With a thought, she flung her sword into the air. It expanded, capable of carrying ten to twelve people.
"One by one, get on," she instructed. Using their seals, the selected disciples climbed onto the sword, which surged forward with tremendous speed, disappearing into the clouds.
Ye Kaishan and Song Yan wandered through the bustling streets, moving from one residential road to another.
After a while, Ye Kaishan's eyes flickered as if he had glimpsed something. He veered into a narrow alley.
"Hey, wait for me! Where are you going?" Song Yan called, rushing to catch up.
After some time, Ye Kaishan stopped abruptly. "Did I imagine it?" He struck a blank spot—no one was there. Silence hung heavily.
But he was certain. He had seen a shadow—no mistake. Placing his hands on his chin, he pondered.
"Did you see her?" Song Yan asked, curiosity in her voice as she approached.
"Well… I can't say for sure. I only saw a glimpse. Are you certain she's in the town? We've been searching for her for a while now," he asked, doubt in his tone.
"Yes, without a doubt. Jiang An should be somewhere in Mistveil Town," she replied, eyes steady and unwavering.
"Hmm… alright. Let's search elsewhere," Ye Kaishan said, starting to leave.
Crack—
A sudden sound cut through the alley. Instinctively, they turned and dashed toward the source.
In the dark, damp alley lay a body, motionless. Ye Kaishan and Song Yan approached cautiously, recognizing her immediately.
"It's Jiang An," Ye Kaishan said, noting her state of exhaustion. "She's unconscious—starved and fatigued."
"She hasn't eaten since morning. Her body simply gave out," Song Yan murmured, lifting Jiang An into her arms. "Let's head to the inn nearby."
Ye Kaishan's hand rippled with the flow of space laws, and the three of them vanished from the alley, reappearing in front of the inn.
"Let's go inside," Ye Kaishan said.
They settled in a corner of the inn. It was modest—ground floor for dining, upper floors for rest. Song Yan poured soul energy into Jiang An, reviving her gradually. They placed her carefully on a chair.
"This should be enough for now. She should wake soon," Song Yan whispered.
Meanwhile, Ye Kaishan ordered food: meat dishes, pickled vegetables, and wine—ensuring Jiang An would regain her strength fully.
"Is she alright?" Ye Kaishan asked, his eyes lingering on Jiang An's pale face.
"She should wake soon. She's only exhausted, nothing more," Song Yan replied calmly.
"Mm."
Jiang An's eyelids fluttered, faint lines forming on her forehead. Her vision blurred before gradually clearing. Slowly, her gaze settled on Ye Kaishan's familiar face.
"You…?" Her lips parted, voice weak and fragile. She tried to straighten her posture, but her frail body refused to obey.
This girl hasn't eaten since yesterday, Ye Kaishan thought as he sipped his wine. No one would be this drained from missing just half a day's meal.
"You should eat first. We can talk later," Song Yan said softly.
"You are…?" Jiang An's confused gaze shifted to Song Yan. Before she could finish, a sweet aroma reached her nose.
Her eyes snapped to the table—steaming meat dishes, pickled vegetables, soup, and wine filled it completely. The sight of those familiar yet distant foods made her mouth water uncontrollably.
"C-can I really eat this?" she asked, swallowing hard. Her eyes clung to Ye Kaishan, silently begging for his confirmation.
"Ah… yes, go ahead," Ye Kaishan said after a brief pause.
Without restraint, Jiang An tore into the food, gulping down meat and vegetables in great chunks, as though afraid the dishes might vanish if she hesitated.
Song Yan arched a brow in surprise. Hmm… looks like we should give her some time, she said to Ye Kaishan through voice transmission.
"You're right. After she's full, we'll talk," Ye Kaishan replied with a wry smile.
Time passed quickly, and soon not a scrap of food remained. Jiang An slumped back in her chair, satisfied.
"Sorry about that. I was starving… I couldn't hold back," she said, embarrassment coloring her face. Then, her expression softened with sincerity. "And… thank you. This is the second time you've saved me." Her eyes lingered on Ye Kaishan.
"No, it's nothing. But this time," Ye Kaishan's gaze shifted toward Song Yan, "we need to talk with you."
"Can I ask you something?" Song Yan said calmly, her eyes never leaving Jiang An.
"Yes. I'll answer what I can," Jiang An replied.
Song Yan and Ye Kaishan exchanged a brief glance before Song Yan spoke.
"You… you're from the Jiang family. The daughter of the matriarch, aren't you?"
The satisfied expression Jiang An wore a moment ago vanished. Her body stiffened, her heartbeat quickening as her breathing faltered.
"I don't know what you're talking about," she said firmly, avoiding their eyes.
"Are you sure?" Song Yan pressed. Her gaze sharpened. "I'm talking about the massacre of the Jiang family—eight to ten years ago."
Ye Kaishan swirled the wine in his cup, studying Jiang An carefully. I didn't think Song Yan would be this ruthless, pressing on her past like a blade. But judging by her reaction… it's working.
Song Yan's voice remained steady, but each word struck like a knife.
"Everyone—maids, servants, even the youngest of children—was slaughtered in that massacre. Each word she spoke pierced straight into Jiang An's heart."
Her eyes narrowed as she continued, her tone lowering with gravity.
"Only two survived… an eleven-year-old girl and a boy who was scarcely three or four at the time."
"Song Yan spoke slowly, her tone heavy with memory, as though she were unveiling the massacre of the Jiang family that Jiang An had once witnessed."
Bang!
Jiang An suddenly slammed her palm against the table, rising to her feet. Her heart raced uncontrollably, her face pale with anger and fear.
"I… I don't know what you're talking about. I thank you for rescuing me," Jiang An said, her voice wavering as she glanced at Ye Kaishan. "But I have other matters to attend to."
Without waiting for a reply, she immediately turned and started to leave.
The inn was quiet, empty at this hour, and no one was there to witness her hurried departure.
Song Yan's gaze followed Jiang An, watching her retreating figure with calm and measured attention.