"Young Master Yi, do you have business with the Tang Clan's guest?"
Before Bai Fanxian could act, Tang Xiuhan who hurried in after witnessing the entire situation stepped in to block them. The middle-aged man's gaze stared at Yifan coldly.
"Oh, if it isn't Uncle Tang. Long time no see."
Yifan suddenly withdrew his gaze from Bai Fanxian and greeted Tang Xiuhan with a smile.
"Indeed, quite long. How is your father?" Tang Xiuhan asked about Yifan's father, making the young man's eyes visibly narrow.
"Quite well. Thank you for your concern."
The room's atmosphere suddenly became tense. Both sides' gazes locked without yielding. Even those who didn't know both sides well could understand that these two people definitely didn't get along!
Of course. Though not openly displayed, the Tang and Yi Clans had been clashing secretly all along. Though outwardly they appeared to have good relations, behind the scenes they each held knives waiting for the other side to slip.
"As I said, that young lady is the Tang Clan's guest. Could you please make way for her?"
Tang Xiuhan repeated his words. The cultivators from City C who came with Yifan all felt hesitant. Though they were from different cities, the Tang Clan's influence in this city couldn't be trespassed against.
"...Young Master Yi?"
One of them turned to ask Yifan for his opinion. Just one nod from Yifan and they would retreat immediately.
On one side was the Tang Clan with influence in this City A.
On the other was Young Master Yi from the Yi Clan in their home city.
Displeasing either side would not be good for small cultivators like them.
Yifan stared at Tang Xiuhan with displeasure. The arrogance in him made him quite unwilling to concede.
"It's just one woman. For the sake of our relationship, can't Uncle Tang give her to me?"
Yifan still wouldn't give up. He was still full of stubbornness. He cited the relationship between the clans to threaten Tang Xiuhan, expecting Tang Xiuhan to step back instead.
Because the public relationship between both clans hadn't reached the breaking point yet. If Tang Xiuhan remained stubborn, it could become the spark that ignited war.
But on the contrary, Tang Xiuhan had no hesitation whatsoever. He said in a calm tone:
"If you put it that way, then can't you give that young lady to me?" Tang Xiuhan countered with the same words.
His answer made Yifan grind his teeth. He didn't think Tang Xiuhan would have not even concern in his tone like this.
"Don't regret it later... Uncle Tang."
Yifan waved his hand to signal his group to withdraw, then left through the hotel door with Liang Zongyi following closely. Before averting his gaze, everyone saw Yifan turn to look at Tang Xiuhan with vengeful eyes once.
"Will you be alright, sir?"
A'Tian asked Tang Xiuhan with concern.
But the middle-aged man merely waved lightly to reassure his close subordinate, then walked toward Bai Fanxian who was watching the entire situation calmly.
No one knew that a major incident had almost occurred.
Though Bai Fanxian was rather magnanimous, if the other side crossed her line, she was ready to eliminate that problem from the start.
If Tang Xiuhan had appeared a few seconds later, those cultivators including Yifan and Liang Zongyi would have all met their fate and become corpses for unknown reasons.
And there was no need to fear anyone coming to deal with her. Because everything people around would see would just be Bai Fanxian standing still while those people fell on their own.
Or even if someone really came to make trouble, did they think the young woman would easily let anyone take advantage of her?
No way!
"Young lady, are you alright?"
Tang Xiuhan asked with concern. Of course, he also bent down to check on little Hui'er beside her. He'd almost forgotten why he rushed after Bai Fanxian.
And when he remembered, he startled slightly and laughed dryly.
Right. If this woman had the level of strength he thought, even ten of that Yifan wouldn't be her match!
"Young lady, I heard from A'Ma. How about I take care of your accommodation tonight myself?"
"The little one too. I myself have a daughter about her age. But she's not very healthy."
Besides Bai Fanxian, Tang Xiuhan also invited Hui'er directly. He was quite concerned about this child.
Strange. Part of it was probably because he had a daughter of similar age. Another part was guilt about the earlier accident.
Though uninjured, for a child this small, there must be considerable trauma.
The more he thought, the more guilty he felt. He gently stroked Hui'er's confused head.
He didn't know at all that because of Bai Fanxian's pure qi sent into Hui'er's body since the accident, the little girl no longer had any psychological wounds remaining.
"...That's fine then."
Bai Fanxian, who had been pondering, surprisingly accepted the invitation. Making Tang Xiuhan's eyes widen.
"Great, great! Then let's go. My car is parked right in front of this hotel."
Tang Xiuhan even personally invited them and gestured politely. This sight made those who knew Tang Xiuhan's identity confused and bewildered.
Someone like Chairman Tang personally inviting like this—who was this woman?
And Tang Xiuhan looked so pleased. Where exactly did her true status come from?
They all secretly memorized Bai Fanxian's face quietly, especially the hotel staff who felt extremely regretful not to have served her today.
"Isn't that the goddess from the pedestrian street?"
A male staff member secretly watching turned to ask his coworker, while taking out his phone to scroll for the photo he'd shared earlier.
"Look, it really is her!"
He excitedly showed the photo to his friend. Bai Fanxian in the picture had a beautiful smile adorning the corner of her mouth, making her charm explode until those who saw it couldn't help but have racing hearts.
And the share count kept soaring, nearly approaching one hundred thousand.
"Really beautiful! But which family's young miss is she?"
"Who knows. Never seen her before. She might be from out of town. Lately, I don't know what's happening—lots of people from other cities are gathering strangely."
The staff exchanged opinions until the manager came by, then they could disperse to work.
.
.
.
On Bai Fanxian's side, she was feeling extremely interested in this vehicle called a car. Because it was Tang Xiuhan's level, this car was no ordinary car. It was fully equipped with conveniences from a refrigerator to screens. Moreover, it was spacious because the passenger area had sofas facing each other. So on one side were Tang Xiuhan and bodyguard A'Ma beside him.
On the other side was Bai Fanxian sitting with a calm demeanor. Different from little Hui'er who, after feeling the soft comfort of the seat, looked at everything in the car with interest.
It was the first time the little girl had seen such a luxurious car.
But Hui'er's manner made Tang Xiuhan laugh affectionately. He reached to take fruit juice from the refrigerator and gave it to Hui'er himself.
Hui'er turned to look at her lady for approval. Seeing Bai Fanxian nod lightly, she smiled widely with joy, then received it while thanking him adorably until Tang Xiuhan and A'Ma secretly smiled.
If only his young miss had such robust health and cheerfulness.
He thought silently.
"Young lady, let me introduce myself again. My name is Tang Xiuhan. May I know what to call you?" Tang Xiuhan asked Bai Fanxian politely.
"Bai Fanxian." She answered simply. No tone of pleasure or displeasure in her voice.
"Pleased to meet you, Miss Bai." Tang Xiuhan smiled. He didn't forget to turn and ask Hui'er sitting beside her.
"And what's your name?"
"My lady calls me Hui'er..."
The little girl answered adorably. Her gaze looked at the now-empty glass. Tang Xiuhan laughed softly. A'Ma quickly refilled fruit juice for her knowingly.
"Thank you very much."
"You're welcome." A'Ma smiled, answering the little girl who thanked him with sparkling eyes.
"Miss Bai... I have something I'd like to confirm." Tang Xiuhan, seeing some time had passed, began opening the topic with a more serious manner.
"...?"
Bai Fanxian nodded in permission. Tang Xiuhan hesitated slightly but asked what he was curious about.
"The accident earlier... you were the one who stopped this car, weren't you?"
His question made the entire car fall silent. A'Ma and A'Tian who was driving became visibly nervous.
"...Yes."
The young woman admitted straightforwardly. Creating great astonishment for Tang Xiuhan.
"You're a cultivator, aren't you?"
He asked further.
"Yes."
"And your cultivation power is at a level above Martial Master, correct?"
"...Yes."
When the final question received an answer, it made Tang Xiuhan inhale sharply. A Grandmaster-level cultivator in her early twenties! How shocking was this matter?
One should know that cultivators who reached Grandmaster level in this era all had considerable age. Like Sword Saint Zheng Renyi who achieved Grandmaster level when over 60 years old.
As for the history he knew, the person who achieved Grandmaster level fastest did so at age 35. And now he was already a legend in the military.
It was a power level that the entire country had fewer than ten people at, even publicly!
And he was certain this young woman was definitely not one of them!
On Bai Fanxian's side, she had no idea what Tang Xiuhan was thinking so frantically. But Tang Xiuhan's final question did make her pause to think for a moment.
Previously, she had reached a level called "Semi-Immortal Being."
I suppose that would count as above Martial Master level?