Yifan and Yun Xi halted their steps as the figure emerged from the thin mist. At first glance, both were taken aback—it was a woman. Yifan's gaze furrowed slightly, not because he was captivated by her beauty, but by something subtler. A faint, familiar aura, as if he had sensed it somewhere in the past. So thin, almost impossible to detect… except by a finely honed instinct. Could this woman be connected to the person they were seeking?
She wore a bright red dress that fluttered gently in the wind. Even from a distance, the outfit exuded a rare, cold charm. Her red eyes burned like coals in the darkness, glowing yet concealing secrets. Her skin was as fair as jade, reflecting natural allure. A slit in her dress revealed a glimpse of smooth thighs, glowing with a pale luster like polished marble. The gown accentuated her curves—full chest, slim waist, and long elegant legs. The chest cut was even bolder than Yun Xi's, with no straps to hold the top in place, seemingly ready to slip at any moment. Yet it stayed in place because of the shape of her chest itself. This impression was not merely sensual but also challenging. Female cultivators often used their beauty to assassinate unsuspecting enemies, making them careless. Exposure to her charm could be extremely dangerous.
Yun Xi's thin eyebrows drew together. There was a flicker of hostility in her eyes, the feeling of an uninvited rival appearing. Yet when she glanced at Yifan, a trace of relief crossed her chest; the young man remained calm, unflinching, as if the allure of the world could not disturb him. Yifan was just like that—a man of integrity, masterful in self-control.
Meanwhile, the woman in red stared back. She was surprised to see Yifan, a foreign man with almost uncanny handsomeness. She felt a rare fascination. What made her wary was her inability to read their auras. Silent, like a sea without waves. Were they stronger than her in cultivation? Usually, she would immediately strike any righteous cultivator she met, but this time, her instincts whispered: Do not provoke these two!
"Sir, Miss… pardon if I am blocking your path," she said, her voice calm yet measured.
"My name is Xue Yao."
She bent slightly, a deliberately slowed movement that emphasized the curves that had already caught attention. Xue Yao wanted to see the reaction of the young man in black robes. But all she received was a neutral, steady, unshakable gaze. If others had seen this, they would respect Yifan's composure.
Yun Xi squinted. Such courtesy felt odd, even suspicious. Especially with the bow, which she interpreted as a veiled declaration of war. This woman wanted to challenge her charm! A soft breeze suddenly blew, scattering dry leaves that danced through the air, silent witnesses to the rising tension.
"Aren't you the infamous demon cultivator from the western region?" Yun Xi asked.
Her voice was flat, but her eyes glimmered. Her arms crossed in front of her chest, unconsciously pressing against her own firm curves.
"Yes," Xue Yao replied lightly, without denial.
"I am the one who killed many people there. I came north to escape the pursuit of some elders."
Her tone remained polite, making Yun Xi wonder: was this due to Yifan's influence? Or merely a cunning strategy? Her vigilance grew. My Young Master must not be taken by this demoness…
"Since Miss Xue Yao harbors no ill intent toward us," Yifan finally spoke,
"I have no issue with it."
The two of them continued walking past Xue Yao. She bit her lip softly, irritated. This man… ignoring her? And she hadn't even said her name yet! But before she could call out, Yifan's voice sounded again:
"My name is Yifan, and this is Yun Xi. Farewell, Miss Xue Yao."
Xue Yao froze. How could Yifan answer questions she hadn't even asked? Was this man a master of foresight? She watched their backs until they gradually vanished.
"Yifan… Yun Xi… where do you come from?" she thought.
A spark of curiosity shone in her eyes. These two were not ordinary people. That was her intuition speaking. If they met again, she would find out more. Perhaps… even try to forge a friendship with them.
She then turned and walked away.
…
After feeling a safe distance from Xue Yao, Yun Xi spoke softly,
"Young Master, will we meet her again?"
"Certainly," Yifan replied casually.
"And perhaps, when that time comes, we will help her."
Yun Xi merely nodded. She knew that behind those brief words, Yifan was already planning something.
Silently, the two vanished. No trace of aura, no signs. Even the eyes of an expert could not detect them. They departed like deities, drawing the sky's curtain closed behind them.
From afar, an old man watched. Sitting alone at the side of the road, his eyebrows furrowed as he observed the two disappear. This old man seemed ordinary, with no trace of aura. He wore tattered brown clothes. Like any mortal, yet was he truly simple?
"Who are they?" the old man thought, feeling a chill.
"Could they… be top experts of Tianxian Continent?"
…
In a grand-looking pavilion, a middle-aged man stood calmly. He wore linen blue robes adorned with unique star patterns. His right hand gently stroked his beard, while his sharp gaze focused on something far ahead.
Beside him stood a woman in a golden-yellow dress. She appeared to be of auntly age, yet her beauty defied time. Smooth skin, a mature, full figure, like a goddess sculpted through the seasons without losing charm. Up close, a soft yet intoxicating fragrance emanated—whether from the flowers she wore or her own body, it was as if a sweet poison lingered in the senses.
"Hehe… Demoness… we meet at last!" the man exclaimed, a faint but burning smile on his lips.
"Elder Xing Mu, have you found her?" the woman in yellow asked calmly, though her eyes narrowed slightly.
The middle-aged man was named Xing Mu, one of the elders of the Xing Family in the western region. His journey north was for a single purpose: to hunt the demon cultivator Xue Yao. She had previously been pursued by many experts and had fled to the northern territories. For Xing Mu, this chase was not just family business but also possibly connected to something in Xue Yao's hands.
"She is not far ahead," he said coldly, each word carrying an icy weight.
"She killed members of my Xing Family, her crimes are unforgivable!
The demoness was lucky to escape the encirclement of many experts using that artifact."
The woman in yellow merely smiled faintly. She knew well how greedy cultivators could be, and that resentment was often just a mask for personal ambition.
"Master of the Pavilion, Yao Yue,"
"My Xing Family thanks you for your hospitality these past few days," said Xing Mu.
Without waiting for a response, his body shot forward like an arrow, wind rippling through the ends of Yao Yue's hair.
The woman in yellow was named Yao Yue. She was the ruler of the Liuyao Pavilion, a mid-level power respected in the northern region. The area she occupied was currently Liuyao City, named after her pavilion. Welcoming Xing Mu was not something she particularly enjoyed, yet the Xing Family could not be ignored. Though not the top power, the Xing Family was on par with Liuyao Pavilion. Refusing a guest out of pride could lead to unnecessary conflict.
Initially, Xing Mu had inquired about Xue Yao's whereabouts but received no news. He stayed temporarily at Liuyao Pavilion. Only when dark clouds suddenly hung over the city did he realize his target was nearby.
"Interesting… Are you hunting a demon? Or something more valuable…?" Yao Yue murmured, her gaze tinged with curiosity.
With a light step, her body streaked through the air like golden light. She did not intend to intervene, only observe. Who was this demon cultivator bold enough to slaughter so many in the western region? And… what exactly did Xing Mu desire?