The sun was high, and the streets of Cloudwater Town were filled with laughter and noise. Lanterns hung from rooftops, children ran through the alleys, and merchants shouted about their goods. It was the day of the Autumn Festival, and people from nearby villages had come to celebrate.
Wearing simple robes, Shen Yue and Li Yueru walked through the town like two normal girls.
Their beautiful faces drew attention, but they kept their spiritual energy hidden. For the next few days, they had chosen to live like mortals—without cultivation. It was Shen Yue's idea, and Li Yueru had agreed to help her relax.
What they didn't know was that Lin Xian was following them silently.
He kept his distance, hiding behind buildings, blending into crowds. His eyes stayed sharp, watching their every move.
"They really came out without guards," Lin Xian muttered. "Good."
He wasn't planning to talk to them yet—only observe and find a chance.
But fate gave him that chance sooner than expected.
---
As Shen Yue and Li Yueru turned into a narrow alley to buy flower lanterns, a group of young men blocked their path.
The leader was a tall man with a scar on his cheek. His eyes lit up with greed.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" he laughed. "Two pretty ladies, alone in town? How about you keep us company for a while?"
The gang moved closer.
Li Yueru's expression turned cold. Shen Yue clenched her fists.
They were seconds away from using their spiritual energy—but they had promised to stay as mortals.
Even so, they couldn't let themselves be humiliated.
Just as Li Yueru's fingers began to glow faintly—
CRACK!
A figure dropped into the alley from the rooftop like a shadow.
Lin Xian.
Without a word, he struck the leader's stomach with his elbow, sending him crashing into the wall.
The others tried to fight back, but Lin Xian was too fast. One by one, he knocked them down with clean, powerful strikes.
When it was over, the gangsters were groaning on the ground, holding their broken bones.
Lin Xian turned to the girls.
His face looked calm, but his eyes held warmth.
He crouched a little and looked at Shen Yue.
"Little girl, are you okay?" he asked gently.
He reached out and brushed her messy white hair back into place.
Shen Yue blinked, surprised.
No one had touched her like that before—not even her brother. She felt her face turn red, and her heart thumped.
Then Lin Xian turned to Li Yueru. "Are you alright?" he asked, his voice kind but calm.
Li Yueru nodded slowly, still unsure what to think of this man.
"You don't have to worry," he said, smiling. "They won't bother you again."
He stood up and looked toward the main street. "There's a festival happening. Would you like to come with me? It's safer with someone around."
The girls looked at each other. Shen Yue hesitated, then nodded.
They followed Lin Xian into the crowd.
He walked ahead, not too fast, not too slow—like he had no plans beyond showing them a good time.
At a candy stall, he stopped and bought a small chocolate stick, handing it to Shen Yue.
"Here. You remind me of someone I lost," he said softly. "My little sister used to love these."
Shen Yue froze. Her fingers tightened around the chocolate.
She looked up at him, her red eyes wide.
And in that moment, a small seed was planted in her heart.
---
[Villain Points +300]
[Relationship Update: Shen Yue → Favorability +5]
[Li Yueru → Caution Level: Low]