The bustling marketplace of the capital thrummed with life as Yu Jingming, cloaked in muted robes that hid his princely status, navigated the winding streets. He moved deliberately, observing more than participating—careful not to attract undue attention while gathering the materials for his alchemy practice. Vendors shouted, children scampered between stalls, and the mingled scents of spices and incense drifted in the warm afternoon air.
His knowledge of rare herbs and spiritual materials made the marketplace a trove of hidden opportunity, but he stayed focused on acquiring the basics for pill refinement without arousing suspicion. The seventh prince, former waste, was now a cautious predator in unfamiliar territory.
His red eyes, sharp despite the muted light, caught a disturbance several stalls ahead. Young masters from a prominent clan hovered over a veiled woman, their posture arrogant, spoiling the harmony of the scene. The veiled figure, slender and graceful even beneath her concealed garments, stood her ground with surprising poise.
Yu Jingming's instincts sharpened; something about her didn't fit the helpless victim narrative. Perhaps another outcast in the realm of cultivators, or someone with a game of her own.
Without hesitating, Yu Jingming approached, his arrival a subtle but unmistakable interruption.
"Enough." His voice cut through the murmurs with the weight of authority—even if the body was weaker, the presence lingered. The young masters turned, surprise flickering across their faces before disrespect hardened their expressions.
"And who might you be to tell us what to do?" one sneered, stepping forward, a blade concealed beneath his sleeve glinting as he flexed his hand.
"I am Yu Jingming," the prince replied evenly, "and I suggest you leave before this becomes your last lesson in humility."
The youngest attacker smirked, unaware of the storm coiled beneath the red eyes before him, but a fleeting glance from his companions was enough to cool his bravado.
"We'll let you off this time, prince. But watch yourself. The market isn't a place for forgotten nobility."
Yu Jingming's gaze remained steady. "Nor is it a place for bullies without foresight."
Turning away, the attackers melted into the crowd, their laughter a hollow echo.
The veiled woman lowered her hood, revealing delicate features framed by raven hair, eyes the color of green jade that held their own sharpened edge.
"Thank you," she said, her voice smooth but edged with strength. "I could handle myself, but your intervention was timely."
Yu Jingming nodded, studying her carefully. "Who are you?"
"A merchant of herbs and rare materials. And perhaps a friend of those who walk paths similar to yours."
She extended a slender hand. "Feng Yue."
Recognition flickered through Yu Jingming's thoughts—this was the mystery girl from the alchemy competition. Master Chen's chosen disciple. A rising star with skills that rivaled men far older and more experienced.
"A friend," he repeated slowly. "That could be useful."
They talked then, trading knowledge of rare herbs, secret gathering spots, and ancient alchemical formulas whispered in the shadows. Yu Jingming found himself intrigued by Feng Yue's insights, her knowledge weaving seamlessly with his own and suggesting a depth beyond mere scholarship.
She smiled, a rare warmth touching her lips. "Careful, Yu Jingming. The market masks many dangers. Trust is as rare as the herbs we seek."
He returned her smile, a flicker of genuine camaraderie blossoming. "Then we'll find trust where others overlook it."
As the sun dipped low and the market's clamour softened into twilight, Yu Jingming and Feng Yue stood side by side, allies born of circumstance and ambition.
The road ahead was fraught with peril, but shared knowledge and cautious friendship were weapons just as powerful as any sword or pill.
Tonight, in the heart of the capital, two destinies converged. And the world would never be the same.
***