Zhang Xiaofan was taken aback, recognizing the maiden as the same enchanting girl who had argued about the sleeping fish during dinner. She still wore her water-green robe, and under the moonlight, her skin shimmered like snow, exuding an ethereal beauty that rivaled the fairies of legend.
The maiden brought the freshly plucked flower to her nose, inhaling deeply, a look of rapture on her face, adding to her breathtaking allure. The flower, held before her delicate visage, seemed to bloom even more radiantly.
Yet, from the depths of his heart, Zhang Xiaofan felt a surge of unexplained anger. Frowning, he said, “This flower was blooming beautifully. Why did you have to pluck it?”
The green-robed maiden’s eyes, bright and sparkling, gazed at Zhang Xiaofan, her voice soft and indifferent. “I picked this flower, and it is its fortune to be chosen by me. Being able to smell my presence is a blessing it has earned through three lifetimes. How could a mere mortal like you understand?”
Zhang Xiaofan was taken aback, having never heard such absurdity in his life. Shaking his head, he replied, “This flower, once plucked, loses its life. How can it be happy?”
The maiden glanced at him, a smile playing on her lips. “How can you, not being a flower, know what it feels? Who’s to say it isn’t delighted?”
Zhang Xiaofan, finding her words unreasonable, grew even angrier. “You’re not a flower either, how do you know it’s happy? Maybe the flower is in agony right now. Look, there’s water on it—perhaps it’s crying.”
The maiden paused, then burst into laughter, her mirth as radiant as a garden in full bloom, nearly mesmerizing Zhang Xiaofan.
“Flower tears?… Haha, I’ve never heard a man call dewdrops ‘flower tears’ before. You truly amuse me…”
Zhang Xiaofan blushed, unable to retort. But seeing her bent over with laughter, he stammered, “So, what’s so funny about it?”
Instead of calming down, her laughter grew louder, echoing in the tranquil, dark garden, bringing a touch of warmth to the night.
Frustrated, Zhang Xiaofan didn’t know what to say. He glared at her, stomped his foot, and turned to leave.
After a few steps, he heard the green-robed maiden call out, still laughing, “Hey, wait a moment.”
Zhang Xiaofan, whose mood had been good earlier, now felt utterly vexed. He turned back, irritation evident in his voice. “I’m not called ‘hey.’ Who are you talking to?”
The maiden’s smile faded, her gaze growing colder. It was clear she wasn’t used to such defiance.
But soon, her expression softened, though not fully. “Oh, then what’s your name?”
Zhang Xiaofan, caught off guard, muttered, “My name is… ” He huffed, “Why should I tell you?”
The maiden’s face became serious, showing a hint of anger, but when she saw Zhang Xiaofan’s petulant expression, like that of a pouting child, she couldn’t help but laugh again.
Her laughter dispelled the previous tension, blending with the moonlight and the fragrant air. The beautiful maiden’s face was filled with a gentle smile, almost as if she knew it was inappropriate, yet she couldn’t help herself.
It was as if the innocence of long ago had returned in this moment.
The moonlight cascaded over her, highlighting her captivating beauty.
Zhang Xiaofan, captivated, found himself staring.
The maiden, noticing his gaze, smirked. “Do you find me pretty?”
Startled, Zhang Xiaofan felt like a thief caught red-handed, flustered and cornered. Under her gentle, water-like gaze, he stammered, “Y-You… Er, yes, you’re pretty!”
As the words left his mouth, he felt a strange, indescribable sensation. The maiden, seemingly unaffected, smiled slightly. “Of course, I’ve always been told I’m beautiful. Men like you are all the same.”
Her tone suggested a weariness beyond her years. Zhang Xiaofan, feeling a mix of anger and confusion, wanted to argue, but her bright eyes and white teeth, standing in the moonlight, seemed strangely familiar.
He remembered the beautiful silhouette of his senior sister by the Azure Ethereal Vapors. Suddenly dispirited, he sighed, turned, and walked away.
“Hey,” came her voice again after a few steps. Zhang Xiaofan turned, frowning, and looked at the green-robed maiden.
She half-closed her eyes, her lips slightly pursed, as if in deep thought. The atmosphere grew silent.
“What’s your name?” she asked, her eyes reflecting his image.
Suddenly hesitant, Zhang Xiaofan’s anger vanished. He averted her gentle gaze, feeling a touch of weakness. “Zhang Xiaofan.”
Then he turned and walked away, almost as if fleeing.
Head down, he walked briskly until he reached a bend in the path. There, in the dim light, he spotted a black figure, almost invisible in the darkness.
He nearly collided with her, but his reflexes saved him. In the darkness, a pair of bright, serene eyes met his.
Startled, Zhang Xiaofan stepped back, realizing it was the masked woman who had sat beside the green-robed maiden at dinner. She wore a black silk dress, almost like a ghost in the night.
Zhang Xiaofan, still breathing heavily, caught a faint, sweet scent. He mumbled, “Sorry,” and walked past her, heading to his quarters.
The masked woman remained silent, watching the young man. As Zhang Xiaofan passed, she turned, following his retreating figure.
When her form blended with the darkness, she turned and walked deeper into the garden, where she found the green-robed maiden, still holding a plucked flower.
The maiden, unstartled, smiled. “Aunt Yu, you’re back.”
The masked woman glanced at the flower, her veil moving slightly as she nodded. “Those four are from the Azure Ethereal Conclave. The leader is Qi Hao from Dragon Peak, and the others are likely from the younger generation.”
The maiden smiled, “I know one of them. The one who just left, Zhang Xiaofan. What a simple name.”
The masked woman looked at her, her voice soft yet eerie. “Biyao, it’s been a while since I saw you admiring flowers.”
The maiden, known as Biyao, seemed to hesitate, then smiled again. “Yes, Aunt Yu, it has been a long time.”
She took the flower, examining it closely. Then, under the masked woman’s watchful gaze, Biyao crumpled the flower, reducing it to dust.
The next day, the four from the Azure Ethereal Conclave rose early, washed, and gathered. Qi Hao spoke, “Kongsang Mountain is three thousand miles east. We must hasten our journey.” The others agreed, and they set out.
The innkeeper, respectful of the Azure Ethereal Conclave, halved their room charges. Zhang Xiaofan watched Qi Hao settle the bill, but the green-robed maiden and her companions were nowhere to be seen.
They flew through the sky, covering the distance in ten days. Zhang Xiaofan, though slow at first, gradually improved, flying with confidence. Soaring through the azure sky was exhilarating.
Finally, they reached Kongsang Mountain. At the base, they were shocked to see a desolate, rocky peak, devoid of life. The setting sun cast a somber, eerie glow over the mountain.
Landing, Qi Hao observed the sky. “There are no suitable lodgings here. Let’s climb the mountain and search for the ancient cave, finding a place to rest as we go.”
Zeng Shushu agreed, and Zhang Xiaofan, seeing no objections, followed. Lu Xueqi, looking at the sky, led the way.
The mountain, though not as high as the Azure Ethereal Conclave, was steep and treacherous. By the time they reached the halfway point, night had fallen.
Qi Hao called a halt, producing a small copper mirror. Recognizing it as the precious Hexagon Mirror, the group was startled. Qi Hao recited a spell, and the mirror began to glow, floating above him, casting a protective light around them.
Qi Hao explained, “Kongsang Mountain was once a stronghold of the Cult of Demon Blood. The Hexagon Mirror will protect us from any malevolent spirits.”
Suddenly, a loud boom echoed, followed by a cacophony of sounds. Dark clouds gathered, and in the light of the Hexagon Mirror, they saw a massive swarm of bats, larger and more menacing than any they had seen before, heading straight for them.
Terrified, the group held their ground, but the bats, undeterred by the light, continued their relentless assault. Only the Hexagon Mirror’s light barrier kept them at bay.
Hours passed, and the bats, unable to breach the light, circled overhead. At dawn, they suddenly dispersed, leaving the group amidst a sea of bat corpses.
Exhausted and shaken, Zhang Xiaofan and the others cautiously emerged, their vigilance unrelenting. The horrors of the night were far from over.
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