"If you didn't want Jin Yu following us, what exactly do you want to tell me in private?"Yuanbao rested both hands behind his head, glancing sideways at Yingluo as they strolled along.
"I'm guessing you didn't tell Jin Yu about what you felt in my room yesterday."Yingluo got straight to the point, her tone calm and direct.
"No, I didn't." Yuanbao admitted honestly, a mischievous smile playing at his lips. "So you're finally admitting someone else was in your room last night?"
"You're not stupid," Yingluo replied evenly. "If I kept pretending nothing happened, wouldn't that make me the fool?"
Yuanbao frowned. "Then what are you trying to do by admitting this? You think you're being clever?"
Yingluo stopped walking, turned her head slightly, and said quietly, "I don't know what you take me for, Yuanbao — or what you're really after. But since you brought me here, to the capital, that gesture alone shows some sincerity. I'll accept it. And if I tell you someone entered my room, well… I assume you already knew that much."
Yuanbao stayed silent, simply watching her, waiting for the real reason behind her words.
"If I could get my hands on the only existing advanced formation manual," Yingluo continued, "then surely you must realize someone gave it to me. So, it's normal that certain people would come to find me. You don't have to waste energy compensating for that."
Yuanbao's brows knit tighter. He had planned to investigate last night's events thoroughly — but it turned out Yingluo already knew everything.
"Whatever I decide to do, no one can stop me." Yingluo's lips curved into a confident smile, her eyes flashing with quiet dominance. "You just need to know — since I've accepted your affection, I won't move against Cangqiong Academy."
Of course, what she said wasn't entirely true. Yingluo had already made her move. The Demon-Sealing Tower had been emptied — by her own hands.
But she wasn't foolish enough to admit it. There was no proof, and no one had any idea she was the culprit. For now, the tower's inner chambers remained unchecked, and it would be a long time before anyone noticed anything amiss.
That's why Yingluo could act with such audacity — slipping in and out of the tower, stripping it bare.
"Girl," Yuanbao finally said, tone hardening, "even if you possess that advanced formation book, and even if the person who visited your room is powerful, you're still far from being a threat to Cangqiong Academy."
His expression softened, adopting the tone of a senior advising a reckless student. "You might gain small advantages for now, but can you keep them forever?"
"I understand that much," Yingluo replied calmly. "I have my own plans. I've never intended to rely on anyone forever. The only person I can depend on — is myself."
Then, her lips curved slightly. "But… whether I have the strength to challenge Cangqiong Academy — that's not for you to decide. Want to test it yourself?"
Yuanbao froze, certain that teasing smile meant she still had hidden cards to play. There was no way he'd take that bait.
"Forget it," he said with a laugh, waving a hand. "Since you've been so frank, I won't press further. Let's go — I'll take you around Huangling City. If you see something you like, it's yours. My treat."
Yingluo arched a brow. "Oh my, how generous of you, Yuanbao!"
"Don't doubt me," he said proudly. "I am the dean of Cangqiong Academy, you know. I've got plenty of golden leaves — and my own private treasury."
Yingluo glanced over the marketplace with mild amusement. "Most of the real treasures are in the auction house. If you're really that rich and powerful, maybe you should take me there instead. Then we'll see who's the wealthy one."
Yuanbao choked on his own saliva. "Ahem—! N-no way. I'm broke!"He hugged his coin pouch protectively and took two wary steps back, shaking his head like a rattle drum.
Yingluo burst out laughing. "You were bragging about your fortune one page ago, and now you're scared of going broke? You really are something."
Yuanbao's face twisted in mock misery. "You don't understand. The creatures who attend those auctions are loaded! One item can bankrupt a small clan!"
"Then that only proves the goods are worth it," Yingluo said, touching her chin, eyes gleaming with mischief. "Tell me, little Yuanbao — what if I auction off the advanced formation book? I'd be rich in an instant."
"You're insane!" Yuanbao snapped. "A treasure like that, and you'd sell it?"
"Why not? What use do I have for it?" Yingluo spread her hands, expression cool.
Yuanbao wilted immediately. "But you promised me you'd give it to me…" he whined, wrapping his arms around her waist like a sulky child. "You have to keep your word!"
"And I also said," Yingluo replied coldly, glancing down at his hands, "only after you reach the level of an advanced formation master. Now, let go."
Yuanbao quickly obeyed, hands dropping to his sides. "I'll… try my best."
"Do that." Yingluo smiled faintly and walked ahead.
Yuanbao trailed behind, muttering under his breath and halfheartedly kicking at the air — until Yingluo suddenly spun around and caught his hand mid-swing.
He froze, scratching the back of his head sheepishly, pretending nothing had happened.
Yingluo only gave him a fleeting glance before turning away, continuing down the busy street.
Once they were out of sight, a man in luxurious robes emerged from a nearby alley, his gaze lingering on Yingluo's fading silhouette. "Go find out who those two are," he ordered.
"Yes, Pavilion Master." The black-clad guard beside him nodded, then vanished into the crowd.
The robed man smirked. "So, the advanced formation manual was stolen — and that girl happens to have one? Interesting… very interesting." With a final glance, he disappeared into the shadows.
A black cat darted out from behind him, slipping away in the same direction Yingluo had gone.
"Come back," Yingluo said calmly, not even turning her head.
"Huh?" Yuanbao blinked, startled. He hadn't even noticed when her little black cat — Qiongqi — had slipped away. Then again, with such perfect stealth, who could?
Yingluo's lips curved upward. Some things were best planned in silence. After all, life was unpredictable — the next encounter, the next danger, the next opportunity — all depended on one's ability to seize it.
Yuanbao glanced at the limp little cat draped over Yingluo's shoulder, looking for all the world like an ordinary pet. But he wasn't fooled. Anything bound to her couldn't possibly be that simple.
"Let's go have tea upstairs," Yuanbao suggested.
Yingluo didn't object. Shopping had never been her passion, and a quiet teahouse might prove more interesting — you never knew what kind of gossip or trouble you might overhear.
They chose a window seat on the second floor, ordered fine tea and a few snacks, and were soon distracted by the commotion outside.
Two qilin beasts led a procession through the street — armored, majestic, and exuding power. The riders wore purple uniforms, every one of them proud and composed.
"Ziyao Academy," Yuanbao muttered, resting his chin on one hand with obvious disdain. "Always parading around like they own the world."
"Did Cangqiong Academy lose to them?" Yingluo asked, watching the procession with a knowing look.
Yuanbao stiffened. "Victory and defeat are part of any contest," he said sternly. "Dwelling on it is pointless."
"So you did lose," Yingluo teased lightly.
Yuanbao's face darkened. Losing was bad enough — losing to Ziyao Academy was worse. He clenched his fists. "I just can't stand losing to them!"
"Ah, so it's their dean you have a grudge against," Yingluo mused, amusement flickering in her eyes.
Yuanbao gaped. He hadn't said that aloud. "How did you—"
"Please," Yingluo interrupted, rolling her eyes. "Do you think I can't read you by now?"
Yuanbao sighed in defeat. She was impossible to hide anything from.
When his gaze returned to the street below, it landed on a man leading the procession — tall, cold, wearing a golden crown, handsome enough to make heads turn. Yuanbao's grip on his teacup tightened.
"Hmm…" Yingluo drawled. "Don't hold back — I can tell you want to crush that cup."
Before he could react, she did something shocking. With a flick of her wrist, she hurled her own teacup straight out the window.
It flew toward the crowned man below — and shattered midair against the sheer force of his aura.
The result didn't surprise Yingluo in the least. Still, she smiled, scooped Qiongqi into her arms, grabbed a couple of snack plates, and casually moved to another table across the room.
Then she waved cheerfully at Yuanbao, sat down, and began munching on her snacks as though nothing had happened.
"You—!" Yuanbao spluttered, pointing at her, too angry to form words.
Yingluo ignored him completely and called out to the waiter: "Another pot of tea! And bring some sunflower seeds!"
Sunflower seeds. Tea. The perfect setup for watching a show.
Yuanbao could only gape. She's actually turning this into entertainment?!
And down below, the story was far from over. Because even though the teacup hadn't hit the man — that man was none other than the Dean of Ziyao Academy.
And Yingluo's little stunt… was nothing less than a direct challenge.
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