The Elder of the Precious Robe Pavilion frequently dealt with young masters of major sects, so he had long since perfected the art of bootlicking. With just a few words, he managed to make Fang Ziyan's heart flutter.
The Elder even shot a look at Lin Mo, as if asking for credit.
'How was that? I put on a pretty good show for you, didn't I?'
"Such an exquisite precious robe!" Li Yue couldn't help but gasp when she saw it.
Faint golden light shimmered across the surface of the Golden Silkworm Robe. After being meticulously polished, it seemed to radiate a dazzling, transcendent glow—like a masterpiece straight from the Ninth Heaven.
Because the size of the precious robe could automatically adjust to fit the wearer, Li Yue was sorely tempted to rush over and try it on herself. But reason ultimately defeated impulse.
'Too dangerous!'
Watching from the side, even Fang Ziyan's heart was moved.
A robe this beautiful was simply the ultimate lethal weapon against women; it could instantly capture the hearts of countless young girls.
'Is this the token of love Brother Lin Mo wanted to give me?'
When Li Yue had first mentioned it, she hadn't paid it much mind, but now, her heart was truly touched.
'Considering how much thought Brother Lin Mo put into this, I suppose I can forgive him for taking back the Grade Seven profound pill in public.'
Only Bai Qingyu looked a bit unnatural.
She was the one Lin Mo had personally acknowledged as his girlfriend, yet this Golden Silkworm Precious Robe was about to be given to another woman.
However, she knew very well that she had only just arrived in the Immortal Horizon Realm.
It was absolutely impossible that he had commissioned this robe for her.
The Elder continued his sycophancy: "Miss Fang Ziyan, please, try it on and let us see!"
Unexpectedly, Lin Mo frowned. "I say, Elder, have you misunderstood something?"
"This Golden Silkworm Precious Robe is meant to be a gift for my girlfriend."
The Elder froze. "Girlfriend?"
'Didn't he say last time he was going to give it to Fang Ziyan as a token of love? How did he get a girlfriend so quickly?'
His gaze naturally shifted to Bai Qingyu. In a flash of realization, he immediately pivoted and handed the Golden Silkworm Robe to her instead.
"I am so incredibly sorry, I must have been completely blind just now! So you are the most stunning, beautiful, and captivating young lady here!"
"Only when this Golden Silkworm Precious Robe is paired with you can its true elegance be fully displayed!"
"Holy Son Lin's taste is truly out of this world! Whether it's picking a precious robe or choosing a girlfriend, his judgment leaves absolutely nothing to be desired!"
The Elder was a true master of social maneuvering. With just a few quick words, he instantly smoothed over the awkward atmosphere.
His rapid-fire praise caught Bai Qingyu off guard, but a wave of joy quickly followed in her heart.
'It really is for me?'
"Go on, try it on and let's see," Lin Mo said, handing her the precious robe.
Shortly after, Bai Qingyu stepped out of the changing room wearing the Golden Silkworm Precious Robe.
The robe looked phenomenally eye-catching on her. The radiant colors flowing across the fabric were dazzling, shimmering like streaks of light from the highest heavens.
It was so beautiful that even Lin Mo couldn't help but feel a momentary wave of dizziness.
"Too beautiful! This precious robe worn by this magnificent young lady is simply a match made in heaven!" the Elder hollered to hype her up.
This sudden, massive drop in expectations made Fang Ziyan feel terribly bitter.
One second she was actually feeling moved, and the very next second, the precious robe was put on someone else's body.
Seeing the radiant smile blooming on Bai Qingyu's face made Fang Ziyan feel even more sick to her stomach.
Unable to hold back, Li Yue complained under her breath, "Is this guy really an Elder? He acts exactly like a bootlicker."
The Elder frowned, turned around, and said, "Miss, you shouldn't speak nonsense, lest I have you thrown out. Everything I said was the absolute truth. With the way you look, you simply can't understand it—because you're too ugly."
Li Yue's eyes widened in sheer outrage. "I'm too ugly?!"
Although her looks couldn't compare to the two super-beauties, Fang Ziyan and Bai Qingyu, she was still a solid eight out of ten!
'You say I'm too ugly?! You're the ugly one! Your whole family is ugly!'
However, in front of Lin Mo, she didn't dare throw a tantrum and could only force out a bitter, resentful laugh.
The sky gradually darkened, and the evening's revelry began.
These few days marked the South Mountain Sect Master's birthday, so a grand three-day celebration was being held.
Today was only the first day. Dazzling fireworks shot into the night sky, blooming one after another in a spectacular display.
This also meant it was time for the birthday flower boat performances.
"The flower boat performance is about to start. Qingyu and I are going to watch. What about you two?"
Lin Mo, walking ahead hand-in-hand with Bai Qingyu, turned around and asked.
Li Yue hurriedly replied, "We're going to watch the flower boats too!"
She tugged at Fang Ziyan's hand, her eyes flashing frantic hints. "Ziyan, we're going to watch the flower boats, right?"
She spoke the words "flower boats" through visibly gritted teeth—an obvious attempt to remind her best friend.
'Your fish has run off with someone else, hurry up and figure something out! Stop pining over Brother Chen Yu!'
"I'm feeling a bit unwell. I'll be leaving first."
Saying that, Fang Ziyan turned around and left, completely abandoning even Li Yue.
But after taking only a few steps, she turned her head back.
"Brother Lin Mo, will you come to the sword tournament next month?"
Lin Mo replied indifferently, "It depends on the situation. I might not have the time."
Fang Ziyan's rapid progress in the sword path was entirely because Lin Mo had personally stepped forward to find her an excellent master.
The sword tournament next month was extremely important to her; if she could break into the top five, she would receive a massive amount of family cultivation resources.