The morning after the 'admirer's' potent gift arrived dawned bright and clear over Fallen Star City, the light possessing a crispness absent in Qingshan's perpetually dusty, hazy air. Sunlight streamed through the large, clarified crystal windows of my luxurious VIP suite, painting shifting, complex patterns across the fine silk carpets woven with auspicious cloud motifs and the polished, dark redwood furniture that gleamed with understated expense. The lingering scent of high-grade sandalwood incense provided by the Pavilion mixed faintly, strangely, with the almost metallic residue of last night's "gift" – the Silent Meridian Frost – a bizarre combination that somehow felt invigorating rather than threatening, a testament to my newly enhanced (and now a significant 28% manifested!) 'Special Constitution'. My Stage Five Qi circulated smoothly through my meridians, feeling denser, purer, more potent and responsive than ever before, humming with a latent power that felt both thrillingly real and hilariously unearned. The tempering effect, whatever its true nature, had undeniably strengthened my energy pathways beyond what mere advancement to the next minor stage would have done.
A restless energy soon filled me.
The auction was tonight, a pivotal performance requiring careful preparation. Sitting idle in this opulent suite, however luxurious, felt wrong, counter-intuitive to the proactive persona I was trying to project. There were still too many unknowns swirling around me like shadows. Too many potential threats lurking just beyond my perception.
Perhaps a walk was in order?
A chance to observe the real Fallen Star City by daylight, to gauge the atmosphere, gather ambient information, maybe even test the waters of public perception beyond the controlled environment shown to me by the Pavilion's tour. And, admittedly, Leo Maxwell's ingrained curiosity tugged at me – I wanted to see this famed Fallen Star Lake that gave the city its name, first-hand.
Decision made, I summoned Lin Ruolan, instructing her to accompany me – her presence as a capable Stage Six cultivator provided a necessary layer of security, status confirmation, and a valuable second set of observant eyes – plus, she still carried the manifested Middle-Grade Spirit Sword, which would prove handy if things got ugly. I prepared to leave the suite. Foregoing the ostentatious robes of yesterday's spectacle, I chose relatively simple attire today: fine dark green silk robes, subtly embroidered along the cuffs and collar with elegant bamboo motifs. It projected understated wealth and, perhaps, a hint of scholarly refinement, a deliberate contrast designed to add another layer of confusing depth to my reputation, keeping potential observers off balance.
However, as I opened the heavy suite door, ready to step out into the quiet, exclusive corridor of the Pavilion's VIP floor, my exit was immediately, jarringly halted by a loud commotion further down the hall, near the guarded entrance archway that separated this restricted area from the main floor.
"Do you insolent dogs even know who I am?!" a female voice, sharp, obnoxious, and ringing with pure, unadulterated, aristocratic entitlement, echoed down the otherwise silent corridor, bouncing off the polished wood panels.
"I am Su Lian of the main Su family! I was told that my fiancé, Jiang Li, resides within this area! How dare you bar my passage? I demand entry! Let me pass at once, or face the consequences when I report your insubordination!"
I paused mid-step, one eyebrow raising involuntarily.
Su Lian? My fiancée?
Here already?
The timing was... most inconvenient, yet, perhaps, opportune all the same. Jiang Li's memories flooded my mind with startling clarity – images of a stunningly beautiful young woman of nineteen, with eyes like cold, flawless jade, her expression perpetually fixed in a mask of haughty disdain whenever she was forced to look at him.
She was undeniably talented – already at Stage Eight of Qi Gathering – an impressive feat for her age, and a possessor of a powerful Fire-attribute spiritual root: destined, everyone agreed, for Foundation Establishment and beyond. Lian was fiercely proud of her ancient, respected Su lineage, even as her family's fortunes had declined over recent generations. And, according to every memory Jiang Li possessed of their few, brief, excruciatingly awkward encounters, she was also deeply, profoundly resentful of the politically motivated engagement that shackled her prestigious Su name to the 'trash' second son of the upstart, 'crassly wealthy' Jiang merchant clan.
Her arrival now was unexpected, but, perhaps, inevitable given the earlier encounter with her cousin Su Mei. I wondered what she wanted with me, though?
I saw her now, standing imperiously before the two formidable Pavilion guards stationed at the entrance to the VIP corridor. These weren't common Martial Artist guards, of course; no, their steady auras marked them as Peak Qi Gathering level experts, likely veterans assigned specifically to maintain security and decorum on this floor, accustomed to dealing with powerful and demanding guests. They stood firm, their bodies forming an impassable barrier, blocking her path politely but resolutely, their expressions impassive stone despite her furious tirade and the potentially dangerous crackle of her Stage Eight Qi signature flaring around her like a fiery corona around the sun.
"My apologies, Lady Su," one guard stated calmly, his voice respectful but utterly unyielding, seemingly unaffected by her Qi pressure. "Our instructions were explicit. This floor is restricted to registered guests holding VIP tokens and their authorized attendants only. Without Young Master Jiang's explicit permission or presence, we cannot simply allow you entry, regardless of any claimed relation. Pavilion rules must be maintained."
Su Lian looked ready to explode. Her beautiful face was contorted with rage, her knuckles white where she clenched her fists at her sides. Her powerful aura pulsed, making the air in the corridor feel heavy and hot. Just as she seemed ready to ignore protocol entirely and attempt to force her way through – undoubtedly a foolish move against two peak Qi Gathering guards within the Myriad Treasures Pavilion's heavily-protected domain – she spotted me emerging from my suite down the corridor, watching the scene with mild interest.
Her expression shifted instantly.
The fury momentarily receded, replaced by surprise, then solidified rapidly back into pure, undisguised contempt, perhaps even stronger now that she saw me – the source of her humiliation – in person. Ignoring the guards completely now, she started to stride towards me down the corridor, her movements sharp, aggressive, like a predator closing in on unwanted prey.
Before she could reach me, however, the lead Pavilion guard turned respectfully towards me, bowing slightly. "Young Master Jiang, please forgive the disturbance. This young lady insists on seeing you, claiming to be your fiancée. Shall we... escort her away?" The guard's tone was perfectly polite, neutrally awaiting my instructions, clearly recognizing my VIP status and the potential awkwardness – or perhaps danger – of the situation. He was offering me an easy way out, a way to avoid a public scene, to maintain face by having her removed.
But where was the fun in that?
Leo Maxwell, the actor, recognized a dramatic entrance when he saw one! Besides, confronting her now, on my terms, within my temporary domain, might be strategically advantageous. Let's see how the proud Miss Su reacts to the 'new' Jiang Li.
I assessed the situation quickly – Su Lian's palpable fury radiating down the corridor, the guards' professional stance awaiting my command, the potential for this encounter to generate even more interesting, contradictory rumors if handled correctly. I waved a dismissive hand to the lead guard, projecting calm authority that subtly contrasted with Su Lian's barely contained rage.
"It is quite alright. Stand down. There will be no need for escorts."
Then, turning my gaze towards Su Lian, who had stopped abruptly at my intervention, her expression shifting again to a mixture of fury and perhaps slight confusion at my unexpectedly calm demeanor, I offered a faint, slightly amused smile.
"Miss Su. Since you have come all this way and are so clearly eager for an audience, please, do come in." I gestured towards my open suite door with exaggerated, almost mocking politeness.
"We can discuss our matters privately, without disturbing the other esteemed guests."
She hesitated for only a second, perhaps thrown off balance by my unexpected reaction, my lack of fear or shame in her presence. Then, with an audible sniff of disdain, she swept past me into the suite, her head held high, clearly intending to unleash her pent-up fury in the privacy of my rooms. I nodded briefly to Ruolan, who stood silently by the door, her expression unreadable.
"Please wait outside, Steward Lin. Serve tea if requested later, but allow us some privacy for now."
Ruolan bowed silently, her eyes betraying a flicker of concern, and took up a position near the door as I followed Su Lian inside, closing the heavy, sound-proofed door firmly behind us, sealing us within the luxurious confines of the main reception room.
The moment the door clicked shut, Su Lian spun around, her beautiful face flushed with anger, her powerful Stage Eight Qi Gathering aura pressing outwards unrestrained now, filling the opulent room with palpable hostility. The luxurious surroundings – the spirit-enhancing redwood furniture, the priceless silk tapestries depicting soaring phoenixes, the panoramic view of Meteor Lake shimmering outside the crystal window – seemed only to fuel her indignation, perhaps highlighting the disparity between my outrageous comfort and her own family's declining fortunes, adding insult to the injury of the forced engagement.
"Jiang Li!" she began, her voice trembling slightly with suppressed rage, dispensing with even the barest pretense of courtesy now that we were alone.
"Do not think for one moment that your recent... displays... back in that provincial mud-hole Qingshan Town have changed anything of significance! I have heard the ridiculous rumors – walking around with chests full of gold, producing spirit swords miraculously out of junk heaps! Pure, vulgar luck or some crass merchant trickery, no doubt! It changes nothing about you! About us!"
She began to pace back and forth before me like a caged, elegant but furious tigress, her silk robes swirling around her, her movements sharp, agitated, radiating frustration and contempt.
"You are still you! The useless son of an upstart merchant family! The cultivation trash with flawed spirit roots! An embarrassment to your own lineage and, even more so, an unbearable insult to mine! This engagement," she spat the word like poison, her eyes blazing with righteous fury, "is a disgusting farce, a humiliating political maneuver forced upon me by family elders blinded by your family's crass wealth! I, Su Lian, a direct descendant of the ancient and noble Su lineage, possessor of a strong Fire-attribute spiritual root, am destined for Foundation Establishment before the age of thirty! I even have hopes of someday reaching Golden Core, or beyond! Someone like me will never, ever consent to be shackled for life to the likes of you!"
Her chest heaved with emotion, her eyes blazing with a mixture of righteous fury, wounded pride, and perhaps a hint of desperation.
"I came here today, to this place you clearly pollute with your presence, only to make my intentions perfectly clear, beyond any doubt! I will never love you! I will never respect you! I will never willingly fulfill this insulting contract that treats me like chattel! I plan to join the Azure Cloud Sect during their upcoming recruitment trials! My talent," she declared proudly, perhaps truthfully, lifting her chin defiantly, "will surely impress their elders! Once I am an inner disciple of a major local sect, protected by their prestige and power, neither my family elders nor yours will dare force this marriage upon me! I will forge my own destiny! I will be free of this humiliation! Do you understand me, Jiang Li? I refuse you! I refuse this arrangement! I refuse everything about you!"
She delivered her impassioned tirade with all the fire and fury of a spurned noblewoman fighting for her honor and her future, her powerful Stage Eight Qi washing over me in waves of anger and contempt. She clearly expected me to react – to shout back in anger, to plead pathetically for her acceptance, to crumble in shame before her superior talent and status, or perhaps even resort to threats based on my family's connections and wealth.
Instead, I remained perfectly still, seated comfortably in one of the plush armchairs, casually examining my fingernails with an air of profound boredom throughout her entire speech. I let her expend her energy, her fury, her carefully rehearsed arguments, into the opulent silence of the room. When Su Lian finally finished, breathless and trembling slightly with the force of her own 'righteous anger,' her shapely chest rising and falling rapidly, her beautiful eyes blazing defiance and expectation, I simply looked up at her.
Met her furious gaze.
Offered another faint, slightly pitying smile.
And said, calmly and clearly, my voice utterly devoid of anger, distress, or – indeed – any emotion at all:
"Okay."
The single, simple word hung in the air, utterly anticlimactic, completely deflating the high drama of her declaration.
Su Lian stared at me, her mouth slightly open, her furious momentum crashing against a wall of my indifference. Utter, profound bewilderment replaced the anger in her eyes.
"Okay?" she repeated, her voice incredulous, faltering slightly. "What... what do you mean, 'Okay'? Did you not hear a single word I said? I refuse this farce! I will not marry you!"
I shrugged elegantly, a gesture of supreme nonchalance.
I stood up then, stretching languidly as if waking from a dull nap, and walked casually towards the large window overlooking the shimmering expanse of Fallen Star Lake, turning my back to her for a moment, admiring the view.
"Miss Su, I assure you, I heard you perfectly clearly," I said, my voice calm, almost conversational, my reflection faintly visible in the polished crystal windowpane.
"You do not wish to marry me. You find the match insulting to your prodigious talent and noble lineage. You plan to join a larger regional sect like Azure Cloud to escape this 'terrible fate.'"
I turned back slowly to face her, my expression cool now, touched with a hint of condescending amusement that I knew would infuriate her proud nature more than any shouting match could.
"Quite frankly," I continued smoothly, letting my gaze sweep over her assessingly, taking in her undeniable beauty, her potent Stage Eight cultivation, her expensive robes that still couldn't hide the faint air of decline surrounding the Su family, "that feeling is entirely mutual."
Her eyes widened in genuine shock this time.
Mutual?
Impossible!
"I assure you, Miss Su," I went on, my voice dripping with polite, almost bored dismissal, "I have absolutely no desire whatsoever to force any woman, especially one of your... volatile temperament... into a union she does not want. Particularly not one based on naked political calculation between families seeking mutual, outdated benefits."
I looked her up and down again, slowly this time, as if evaluating merchandise that didn't quite meet expectations.
"Besides," I added, my tone becoming even more dismissive, almost pitying, delivering the killing blow to her pride, "let us be perfectly honest here, shall we? What does the declining Su family, however prestigious its ancient name might have been, truly have to offer me at this point in time?"
I gestured vaguely around the opulent suite, implicitly referencing the rumors of my own vast resources.
"I find myself in a place that far exceeds anyone's expectations,"
– I let the words hang, allowing her imagination to run wild –
"even my personal, discretionary wealth is far beyond your family's wildest comprehension. And, as for cultivation power, well… you can rest assured, that will soon eclipse anything even your esteemed lineage has achieved in generations, perhaps even surpassing your rumored, secluded Golden Core ancestor in due time."
I smiled coolly, enjoying the flicker of outrage, disbelief, and, perhaps, just a hint of fear in her beautiful eyes.
"The underlying reasoning behind this match, Miss Su, from my perspective at least, seems rather... obsolete, wouldn't you agree?"
I offered a final, magnanimous, utterly dismissive gesture.
"You may consider our engagement well and truly annulled. If you wish to join the Azure Cloud Sect, then, by all means, pursue your ambition! Perhaps your talent truly is sufficient to gain their notice – though competition is fierce, I hear. In any case, I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors."
Now she was the one insulted, her pride shattered, her entire justification, her planned rebellion, rendered utterly meaningless, dismissed as irrelevant, even pitied, by the very 'trash' she had come here to scorn and reject. Being rejected was unthinkable for someone of her beauty, talent, and status within the Su family.
Being rejected so casually, so dismissively, by someone like Jiang Li... it must have been intolerable to her. Incomprehensible!
Her beautiful face flushed a furious crimson, then drained rapidly to a sickly pale, mottling unattractively as conflicting emotions warred within her. She trembled visibly, not just with common anger now, but with a mixture of profound rage, utter confusion, deeply wounded pride, and – I hoped – a dawning suspicion that the rumors she heard might hold more truth than she imagined.
A choked, inarticulate sound escaped her lips, unable to form coherent words in the face of such a complete reversal of her expectations. Her Stage Eight Qi flared uncontrollably for a moment, making the very air in the room grow heavy and hot, causing the silk hangings to ripple and nearly catch fire – before she forcibly suppressed her aura with a visible effort, realizing, perhaps, the sheer embarrassment, of losing control before someone like me, the very person she despised.
She glared daggers at me, her cold jade eyes promising future retribution. (Or speaking subtly of her current constipation – it was rather difficult to tell.)
Then, unable to bear another moment in my presence, she spun around sharply and stormed furiously out of the suite, slamming the heavy, sound-proofed door behind her with a resounding bang that still managed to echo faintly down the corridor, overwhelmed by the unexpected turn of events.
I watched the door slam shut, the sound satisfyingly final. A small, content smile played on my lips.
That went rather well!
By turning her own arguments against her, by dismissing the value of the alliance from my side, I had completely deflated her righteous fury and sidestepped a potentially tedious, drawn-out conflict involving family elders and endless re-negotiations – at least for now.
It also subtly reinforced my own mysterious transformation and reputation in her mind, further muddying the waters and spreading confusion – which, in my current situation, was always useful.
Let her wonder!
Let her doubt herself!
Let her report back to her family that Jiang Li was not only no longer trash, but – perhaps – someone far more powerful, wealthy, and dangerously unpredictable than they could have possibly imagined. Let the Su family reconsider the 'value' of this proposed alliance from their side now.
…
A bit later, after nice breakfast, and having dealt with the unexpected but ultimately satisfying drama of my fiancée, I decided it was time to finalize the arrangements for the auction items with Manager Qian. I also wanted to subtly inquire about the security measures for the auction itself and perhaps gauge if any unusual items or particularly noteworthy guests had arrived since yesterday. Instructing Lin Ruolan to accompany me, we proceeded towards Manager Qian's private office on the fourth floor
All of the Pavilion staff we encountered now treated me with a mixture of fearful awe and profound respect, bowing deeply, averting their eyes, practically melting into the walls to allow us passage. The news of my earlier meeting with the Manager – and the subsequent updates the Auction's catalog – had clearly cemented my reputation within the establishment as someone powerful, wealthy, and not to be trifled with.
As we were ushered respectfully into Manager Qian's opulent office, I stopped short just inside the doorway, genuinely surprised this time, my carefully constructed persona momentarily faltering…
Because standing casually before Manager Qian's large, polished desk, examining a complex formation disk with an expression of critical interest – and, perhaps, slight disdain – was a woman who jolted my integrated Jiang Li memories with a surprising, unexpected wave of genuine warmth and deep-seated familiarity.
She was tall.
Strikingly so, nearly seven feet tall, in fact – absolutely towering over both myself and the stout Manager Qian, her presence commanding the room effortlessly. Her build was athletic, powerful, honed by years of rigorous training and more than a handful of battles fought in dangerous, untamed frontier lands. Yet, she moved with a surprising, almost languid grace that belied the terrifying strength coiled within her frame like a resting panther. She was dressed not in the silks favored by most high-status female cultivators, but in practical yet clearly high-quality spirit beast leathers – sturdy trousers tucked into worn but well-maintained boots, and a reinforced dark leather tunic worn over a simple linen shirt, suggesting a life spent constantly on the road, facing dangers head-on. A long, formidable-looking spear – its shaft crafted from dark, resilient spirit wood that seemed to absorb light and its head gleaming with a cold, sharp, deadly light and faint but terrifyingly potent spiritual energy – was strapped securely across her back, clearly a weapon she was intimately familiar with. Her features weren't considered conventionally beautiful in the delicate mold of Su Lian or the ethereal perfection of Elder Yue Qingxue. Instead, they were… handsome, strong, almost sculpted, with high cheekbones, a firm jawline that spoke of determination, and sharp, intelligent dark eyes that danced with humor, keen intelligence, and a rebellious, untamable spark that seemed to challenge the world. She looked to be around thirty years old, radiating an aura of confident vitality, hard-won experience, and exhilarating freedom. And her cultivation... it was strong. Stable. Far exceeding Lin Ruolan's or even City Lord Zhang's – clearly at around the Mid-Stage of Foundation Establishment, a level of power that made her a significant figure anywhere outside the major sect headquarters or a major regional center.
And I knew her. Or rather, Jiang Li knew her.
Intimately.
Affectionately.
This was Jiang Yue.
His cousin.
"Big Sis Yue."
My mind flooded with memories, pushing aside Leo Maxwell's surprise for a moment, replacing it with a complex mix of Jiang Li's remembered warmth, admiration, and perhaps slight intimidation at the encounter. Jiang Yue, from a prominent branch family of the sprawling Jiang merchant clan, was technically someone of lower status than the main branch, but powerful in her own right. Possessed of an exceptional cultivation talent from a young age – a stark, painful contrast to both Jiang Li and his outwardly more successful brother Feng – and reaching Foundation Establishment at a relatively young age, her potential and achievement caused a considerable stir and even resentment within the family hierarchy.
In fact, Jiang Yue had been considered a potential candidate to eventually lead the Clan, or, at the very least, play a major role in managing its future… but two things disqualified her in the eyes of the conservative family elders: her status as being from a branch family (though a wealthy and influential one), and, far more significantly, her fiercely independent, unconventional, and scandalously eccentric personality.
Jiang Yue was a true free spirit, utterly uninterested in the tedious details of managing trade routes, navigating clan politics, calculating profit margins, or entering advantageous arranged marriages that consumed the rest of her family. Furthermore, she openly disdained the idea of joining what she called "third-rate local sects" like the Azure Cloud, believing their rigid structures, internal politicking, and focus on slow, incremental advancement stifled true growth and genuine understanding of the Great Dao. Her personal philosophy – often expressed loudly and bluntly (to the profound consternation of the family elders during clan meetings) was something along the lines of: "Why waste decades, or even centuries, pursuing "immortality" just to sit cloistered in some dusty room, staring at a wall all of that time? If you never even see the vastness of the world, never test your strength against ferocious spirit beasts in their natural lairs, never explore forgotten ruins holding the secrets of ancient powers, never taste strange wines under foreign stars or argue philosophy with wandering sages... are you even truly alive? Cultivation without experience, without challenge, without joy," she often declared, "is just polishing an empty, meaningless vessel that will never be filled!"
It was a philosophy surprisingly similar, I reflected internally with a jolt, to City Lord Zhang's contentment with his own limitations – yet, one born from the absolute opposite perspective in life. Zhang chose to "live in the moment" because he simply lacked the talent to advance further, and so embraced a life of exploring earthly comforts. Jiang Yue, on the other hand, possessed Talent in spades – but deliberately chose to prioritize experience and living life to the fullest over blindly pursuing higher cultivation realms before she felt truly ready for them, before she had truly seen and understood the vast, complex world she sought to eventually transcend.
And so, as soon as she had consolidated her Foundation Establishment realm – reaching a level of power where no one in the family below the Patriarch and Matriarch themselves could even attempt to stop her from leaving or dictate her path – she had packed her beloved spear, bid a cheerful – and slightly mocking – farewell to the stuffy family elders, and embarked upon a series of long, often dangerous, self-directed expeditions across the frontiers of the Azure Dragon Empire… and, occasionally, even into the perilous borderlands beyond.
Exploring ancient, trap-filled tombs whispered about in fragmented texts.
Hunting powerful, exotic spirit beasts for their cores and materials in uncharted mountain ranges.
Mapping untamed rivers and treacherous coastlines.
Seeking out unique natural treasures, rare cultivation insights unavailable through secret manuals, and generally enjoying herself immensely while subtly honing her skills, broadening her horizons, and accumulating a wealth of practical experience that likely made her far more dangerous in actual combat than her cultivation stage alone might suggest.
Her relationship with the 'trash' Jiang Li had always been... unique, to say the least – a strange island of warmth in his otherwise cold family life. While most of the family, including his own parents and brother, treated him with varying degrees of disappointment, cold indifference, outright contempt, or calculated neglect due to his abysmal cultivation talent and increasingly dissolute behavior, Jiang Yue… had always shown him surprising kindness and genuine, teasing affection during her brief visits back to the main estate between adventures.
Perhaps she saw in him a fellow outcast, someone else who didn't quite fit in with the rigid family mold, albeit for very different reasons from her own.
Perhaps she simply pitied the lonely, insecure youth hiding beneath the arrogant facade.
Or perhaps, as unlikely as it seemed, she simply, genuinely liked him.
Whatever the reason, she had often acted as a protective older sister, casually defending him from his brother Feng's more vicious bullying ("Picking on someone weaker doesn't make you strong, Feng, it just makes your own cultivation look pathetic," she'd once drawled, making Feng flush crimson with rage but back down instantly), offering words of surprisingly insightful, if cynical, comfort after particularly harsh rebukes from the elders ("So, cultivation isn't your path. So what? Doesn't mean your life is over. Find what you're good at, Little Li. Be clever! That's a power they can't measure with Realms and Spirit Stones."), occasionally even sneaking him flasks of strong, forbidden wine or taking him on minor 'adventures' outside the stifling confines of the main estate, showing him glimpses of the wider world he was otherwise denied. They shared a far closer, more genuine bond than Jiang Li had ever had with his own ambitious, contemptuous brother.
The last time he'd seen her was nearly two years ago, just before his "exile" to Qingshan was finalized, when she had returned briefly to Yuhang City, laden with strange artifacts from some western ruin, before setting off again almost immediately on a new, ambitious expedition seeking rumored ruins of a fallen demonic sect said to be hidden deep within the treacherous Cloud Dream Marsh far to the south.
The previous Jiang Li hadn't expected to see her again so soon, especially not here, in this remote backwater city, thousands of miles from her last known destination.
The genuine surprise, the unexpected flood of warm (if borrowed) memories and complex emotions, momentarily threw me completely off my carefully constructed performance.
"Big Sis Yue!" I blurted out, my voice holding perhaps a touch too much uncharacteristic warmth and genuine surprise. "When did you get here? What are you even doing in Fallen Star City?"
Jiang Yue turned from the formation disk she was examining on Manager Qian's desk, her sharp eyes widening slightly at the sight of me, then breaking into a wide, familiar, utterly infectious teasing grin that instantly brought back a flood of specific, poignant childhood memories for Jiang Li – memories of shared secrets, minor rebellions, and unexpected kindness.
"Little Li!" she exclaimed, her voice rich and full of warm laughter, striding towards me with the easy, confident grace of a seasoned adventurer. "Still causing trouble, I see! Making poor Pavilion Managers sweat bullets?"
She gestured around Qian's opulent office with an amused chuckle. Manager Qian, who had been bowing respectfully towards her, straightened slightly, looking relieved to have the focus shift, though clearly still intimidated by her presence.
"I was just in the region – finished exploring those rather disappointing so-called 'demonic ruins' to the south," she continued, rolling her eyes dramatically. "It was mostly just dust, broken pottery, and… some remarkably persistent spectral rats. Utterly boring. Heard rumors on the wind, though, of an unusually exciting auction brewing in this backwater Fallen Star City, something about legendary treasures surfacing?"
She clapped me heartily on the shoulder, the friendly blow surprisingly strong, delivered with casual Foundation Establishment power that made me stagger slightly despite my respectable physique.
"Couldn't resist seeing what all the fuss was about, thought I might pick up a curious trinket or two for my collection. And imagine my surprise," her eyes sparkled with undisguised mischief as she looked pointedly past me towards Manager Qian, who flinched slightly under her gaze, "when Manager Qian here started telling me about our esteemed Jiang family graciously listing multiple Middle-Grade artifacts, including some supposedly legendary armor that has the whole region abuzz! Truly,"
-- she grinned, leaning closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper loud enough for Qian to clearly hear, --
"our family's wealth and magnificence are legendary, wouldn't you agree, little cousin?"
Her tone was light, teasing, but her sharp, intelligent eyes were assessing me intently. I am quite sure she noticed the undeniable change in my cultivation aura, the newfound confidence in my bearing, the expensive storage bracelet on my wrist, the faintly glowing spirit sword Ruolan carried in her bag. She knew something significant had changed.
I quickly recovered my composure, smoothly transitioning back into my "Enigmatic Young Master" persona, though allowing a hint of genuine warmth, a reflection of Jiang Li's memories, to remain in my smile for her benefit.
"Indeed, Big Sis," I replied, matching her light, teasing tone. "Don't you know? Our family's foundations run deep, far deeper than most realize."
I turned then to the slightly bewildered Manager Qian, who looked like a man caught between two powerful, unpredictable forces.
"Manager, if you would be so kind as to give us a moment? A brief family matter requires discussion before we finalize the arrangements for the... ah... armor's arrival." I pointedly tapped my storage bracelet for his – and the System's – benefit.
The System responded instantly, fueled by the existing belief and my command.
[Latent Manifestation Triggered: Azure Scale Armor (Upper Mid-Grade) -> Manifested in Storage Bracelet]
I felt the subtle confirmation, the sense of the artifact solidifying within the bracelet's space. "I have it here with me, in fact," I added casually, tapping the jade bracelet again. "You can see it right afterwards, once my cousin and I conclude our family discussion."
Qian, eager to please both myself and my clearly powerful, high-status Jiang cousin, bowed hastily again, relief warring with curiosity on his face.
"Of course, Young Master Jiang! Esteemed Mistress Jiang! Please, take all the time you need. This one will await your summons outside. Please, make yourselves comfortable!"
He practically scuttled backwards out of the office, closing the heavy door securely behind him, leaving me alone with my formidable, eccentric, and undoubtedly deeply skeptical cousin.
The moment the door clicked shut, Jiang Yue's teasing demeanor vanished instantly, replaced by a sharp, assessing look, her arms crossing firmly over her ample chest.
"Alright, Little Li," she said, dropping all formalities, her voice firm now, cutting straight to the point, her Foundation Establishment aura pressing subtly but undeniably against my own.
"Don't you 'Big Sis Yue' me with that innocent act. Cut the crap!"
Her sharp eyes scanned me from head to toe again.
"We both know that, even if your parents or those old fogey Elders had something like a genuine Upper Mid-Grade armor just lying around in the family vaults – they'd sooner feed it to the hounds than entrust its sale, or the proceeds from it, to you of all people."
Her gaze sharpened further, concern warring visibly with exasperation.
"Just what kind of mess have you gotten yourself into this time, you damn brat? Spill it!" Her tone was harsh, demanding, but underlying it was a layer of genuine, deep-seated worry that resonated with Jiang Li's memories.
Instead of trying to explain the inexplicable, instead of weaving more elaborate lies that she might see through instantly, I decided on a different tactic. The direct approach.
Show, don't tell!
I met her skeptical, worried gaze, a challenging glint entering my own eyes.
"A mess, Big Sis?" I asked softly, letting a small, confident smile play on my lips. "Why don't you see for yourself?"
With a low hum of displaced air and a faint shimmer of spatial ripples emanating visibly from my storage bracelet, the Azure Scale Armor materialized abruptly in the center of Manager Qian's opulent office. It didn't just appear; it landed with a heavy, resonant CLANG on the expensive silk carpet, the sound echoing solidly in the suddenly silent room. Its interlocking azure scales shimmered with a faint, internal blue light, seeming almost alive, reflecting the light from the luminous pearls above like captured water under moonlight. Complex, flowing silver formations were etched across its entire surface – the majestic chest plate depicting a soaring, five-clawed dragon, the protective pauldrons shaped like fierce, snarling dragon heads, the sturdy greaves, the encompassing closed-face helmet – all of it pulsed rhythmically with contained power, radiating a palpable defensive aura so potent that it made the very air around it feel heavy and uniquely stable.
It looked… exactly as I had described it to Manager Qian – if anything, perhaps even more impressive than my initial description would have suggested.
Jiang Yue's reaction was instantaneous and profound.
Utter shock washed over her handsome features, her sharp eyes widening in absolute disbelief. She took an involuntary step back, her own powerful Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment aura flaring defensively for a split second as the armor's potent, undeniably Upper Mid-Grade artifact presence washed over her. She instantly recognized it as genuine, powerful, masterfully crafted, and far, far beyond anything the Jiang Li she knew should be able to possess on his person.
Her shock, however, lasted only a few moments, quickly replaced by sharp, urgent concern.
"Heavens above, Li!" she breathed, stepping forward cautiously now, her expert eye assessing the armor's craftsmanship, the complexity and power radiating from its formations, the sheer quality of the unknown alloy scales.
"Where in the nine hells did you get something like this?" she demanded again, her voice tight with worry. "No, never mind that now! Do you realize how much danger you're in, just possessing something like this, let alone flaunting it by putting it up for auction?"
Her earlier teasing demeanor was completely gone, replaced by genuine, almost frantic worry, her protective instincts kicking in full force.
"Weakness is the greatest sin in this world, Little Li! You should know that! Possessing treasures far beyond your ability to protect is the same as painting a giant, flashing target on your back and begging – begging – stronger cultivators to relieve you of your burdens!"
She gestured emphatically towards the magnificent armor, then back at me, her expression fierce.
"I understand the Myriad Treasures Pavilion here offers decent security, enough perhaps to deter Qi Gathering of Foundation Establishment riffraff seeking an easy payday, but… Walking around outside with this kind of revealed wealth? Living with it back in that glorified cage in Qingshan Town without at least my level of protection constantly by your side? Have you gone completely insane? Or are you just suicidal?"
Her reaction was telling, deeply reassuring in its own way. Unlike almost everyone else I'd ever encountered, her immediate response wasn't envy, greed, or suspicion about how I obtained such a treasure or what it meant for the family's finances or power dynamics.
No, her reaction was pure, unadulterated concern… for me.
For my safety.
She genuinely cared for me, viewing me not as a political piece or a source of resources, but as her troublesome little cousin who had – somehow – stumbled into immense, potentially fatal danger. She was – I realized with a pang of genuine affection inherited from Jiang Li – a true treasure herself, a rare point of light in the murky, treacherous politics of the Jiang family and the larger cultivation world.
I let her examine the armor further, vent her worry, her Foundation Establishment spiritual sense likely confirming its terrifying authenticity and power level. Then, when she finally paused, looking at me expectantly, demanding an explanation, I met her worried gaze calmly.
"It's alright, Big Sis Yue," I said softly, trying to project reassurance, letting some of my own relief at her presence show through.
"Things have... changed significantly. Far more than you know." I gestured for her to approach me again, away from the overwhelming aura of the armor. "Please," I requested gently, "feel my cultivation again. Properly this time. Focus."
She looked hesitant, perhaps fearing what other impossibilities she might find, but her concern for me won out. She stepped closer, her expression serious, concentrating, and carefully extended her powerful Foundation Establishment spiritual sense towards me again, probing my dantian and meridians with practiced skill.
Her eyes widened even further, if that were possible. A sharp intake of breath hissed between her teeth. "Spirit Qi... Stage Five?" she whispered, incredulous. "And... so much Blood Qi too? Since when do you practice Martial Arts? I never knew you had any interest, let alone talent! And Stage Five... Little Li," her voice rose in disbelief, "when I left Yuhang two years ago, you were barely clinging to Stage Two! Getting through three minor stages in two years is certainly impressive, and…"
She trailed off as I smiled enigmatically, preparing the next bombshell, the one designed to shatter her remaining framework of reality.
"Two years, Big Sis?" I asked softly, shaking my head slightly. "You misunderstand the timeline."
I leaned in slightly, letting my voice drop to a near whisper, ensuring maximum impact.
"I didn't advance three minor realms in two years." I paused, meeting her stunned gaze directly. "I did it," I stated calmly, factually, letting the words land like hammer blows, "in the last two weeks."
Jiang Yue stared at me, her sharp mind clearly struggling, failing, to process the statement.
Then, the tension broke, and she burst out laughing: a loud, hearty, disbelieving sound that filled the opulent office, shaking her head vigorously.
"Two weeks? Oh that is a good one! Little Li, you always did have a flair for the dramatic! Trying to impress your old cousin with ridiculously tall tales now, are we?"
She chuckled again, clearly thinking it was an absurd practical joke. "But, you should pick a more realistic punchline next time! Honestly, "two weeks." Don't you know, not even the greatest geniuses in the Empire's history could do that!"
My expression remained utterly serious, my gaze steady, unwavering. Ruolan, standing silently by the door, having witnessed the truth firsthand, was deathly serious as well. Among the Jiang family servants, Lin Ruolan was well known for her many talents – but a robust sense of humor wasn't one of them.
Yue's laughter died abruptly in her throat as she registered our unwavering seriousness, the complete absence of any humor in our eyes. The smile vanished from her face, replaced by dawning, almost horrified disbelief.
"Wait..." she whispered, her voice dropping, the impossible implications hitting her with the force of a physical blow.
"You... you're actually serious? Two weeks?"
Her Foundation Establishment senses probed my cultivation again, desperately searching for any sign of instability, illusion, demonic influence, finding only solid, hyper-stable, inexplicably potent Stage Five Qi Gathering cultivation paired with a Xue Qi Foundation that was just on the wrong side of the Martial Grandmaster level. After I gave a slow, grave nod, confirming the unbelievable truth, she finally demanded, her voice tight with shock and perhaps just a touch of fear,
"How? How is that even remotely possible?"
Now, for the prepared narrative. My grandest performance yet. The half-truth, wrapped in layers of believable myth and unverifiable claims, designed to explain the inexplicable without revealing the specifics of the System.
I launched into the story, pitching my voice carefully, modulating my tone, the actor taking center stage once more: the near-death experience with the insidious Silent Meridian Frost, the feeling of my soul briefly detaching from my body, hovering on the brink between life and death. In that liminal state, encountering an unfathomably powerful, ancient Immortal entity – a remnant of a cultivator from a long-gone primordial era – an entity on the very verge of departing this world entirely or transcending to a higher plane. This entity, unlike my family, was able to see and recognize my true potential. Before dissolving into the Dao and departing for higher planes, he bestowed upon me a tiny fragment of his vast inheritance.
This legacy, I explained, my voice hushed with feigned reverence, included several key components.
Firstly, the unlocking a unique, incredibly powerful Special Constitution – one so rare, so profound, that it wasn't even documented in the cultivation records of this backwater world. In fact, it was considered legendary even among the Immortals themselves – a constitution that not only made me virtually immune from any adverse effects to Water and Frost Qi and allowed for incredibly rapid cultivation advancement, but also possessed the property of benefiting greatly from various 'tempering' agents like certain potent Qi poisons, explaining my miraculous survival and subsequent leaps in power.
Secondly, this alleged Immortal legacy granted me access to a hidden dimensional 'Soul Space', intrinsically tied only to my soul – impossible for others to access, detect, or steal – containing a vast, seemingly limitless repository of wealth, cultivation techniques, powerful artifacts crafted in ages past, and rare alchemical ingredients left behind by the departing Immortal. These were, naturally, mere trinkets and accumulated dust to a being such as he – but unimaginable, world-altering treasures in this mortal realm. I added, plausibly, that more of the space and its contents would unlock gradually as my own cultivation and Dao understanding advanced, explaining why I couldn't access everything at once and providing a convenient excuse for future 'discoveries.'
It was a story woven from threads of truth and utterly fantastical – but unverifiable – lies, designed to be grand enough, mystical enough, to explain the impossible without revealing the true, but even more impossible, mechanism.
Yue listened intently, her expression shifting rapidly through a kaleidoscope of emotions – disbelief, confusion, skepticism, dawning calculation, hesitant acceptance, and finally, profound awe mixed with deep, overwhelming concern. The story was outlandish, yes.
But...
The act of inheriting immortal legacies wasn't, in and of itself, unprecedented. Ancient legacies, fortuitous encounters with departing Immortals – such things were certainly the stuff of legends, whispered about in ancient texts. But, while incredibly rare, they were far from unheard of in the long, strange history of cultivation.
And my story could certainly explain the inexplicable events she had witnessed – the survival against Silent Meridian Frost, the impossible cultivation jumps, the sudden appearance of vast wealth and powerful artifacts like the armor gleaming beside her.
To 'prove' the wealth aspect, to provide tangible, undeniable evidence supporting the most easily verifiable part of the story, I reached into my storage bracelet again. I took out one of the smaller "stealth" storage rings I had acquired from the swindle yesterday.
Holding it visibly, I tapped it against my main storage bracelet, focusing my Qi and Intent.
Transfer 1000 low-grade spirit stones, 2000 mid-grade spirit stones, 10,000 gold taels, and 10,000 silver taels into this ring.
A faint shimmer of spatial energy pulsed between the bracelet and the ring, visible only to our cultivator senses. I then casually tossed the – now incredibly full – storage ring to Yue, who caught it automatically, her eyes still wide with bewildered contemplation.
"This is a small sample from the Immortal's 'trinkets', Big Sis," I said dismissively, playing the part of someone accustomed to such wealth.
"Consider it… funding for your next expedition. Replenish your supplies. Get yourself some decent resources! It's only about a third of the 'pocket money' I brought along just for this auction, anyway."
Yue caught the ring, her expression still skeptical but undeniably curious now. She frowned, then, with a deep breath, infused her powerful spiritual sense into the simple ring.
Her face froze with genuine shock, and she went utterly catatonic for several long seconds. Her eyes widened to their absolute limit, her jaw dropping slightly, her body freezing completely as her powerful sense registered the contents within the small ring.
One thousand low-grade spirit stones – a respectable sum, enough to fund personal cultivation in the Qi Gathering stage for months.
Ten thousand taels each of gold and silver – a significant fortune for mortals, useful even for her for mundane expenses.
But then... two thousand mid-grade spirit stones!
Mid-grade! Each one worth at least a hundred low-grade stones, their energy far purer, far more potent, absolutely essential for Foundation Establishment cultivation, suitable for powering high-grade artifacts, as well as for complex alchemy and refinement!
Two thousand mid-grade stones represented a value roughly equivalent to two hundred thousand low-grade stones, a staggering fortune far exceeding the entire fortune of many minor cultivator families in this backwater area. It was even a significant percentage of the entire Jiang Clan's combined fortune…
And her cousin had called it mere pocket change?
How could she possibly doubt the 'Immortal Legacy' now?
The System confirmed the impact of her potent belief, latching onto her Foundation Establishment-grade conviction regarding my 'Immortal Legacy' narrative.
[Qualified Belief Detected: Jiang Yue (Foundation Establishment - Mid Stage). BQT Level 7 Met!]
[Analyzing Belief: User Possesses Immortal Legacy, Soul Space Access, Vast Wealth, Special Constitution, Rapid Advancement Potential]
[Threshold Met! Belief Accepted! Manifestation Initiated!]
[Belief Meter: +28000 (Massive Boost - High BQT & Core Narrative Belief)!]
[Attribute Updated: Special Constitution: Unknown (Detected - 35% Manifestation)!]
[Reputation Updated: Regional -> Regionally Renowned (Unfathomably Wealthy, Enigmatic Prodigy)]
Another significant jump in my constitution's manifestation, pushing it over a third of the way to being 'real', solidifying its existence further, and a huge boost to my total Belief Meter, likely unlocking new potentials or making future manifestations even easier.
The System confirmed Big Sis' belief in the core narrative I had presented, and even manifested "the other two thirds" of the wealth I just gave her back in my storage bracelet. Though… it was still not enough to manifest the actual immortal space – something like that probably required far higher levels of belief, if it was even possible at all. My regional reputation also solidified, shifting from mere eccentricity to something hinting at profound destiny.
Yue slowly, mechanically lowered the storage ring, staring at me now with a completely new expression – one of profound awe, deep confusion, overwhelming concern, and, beneath it all, a touch of exasperated, almost weary affection for the sheer scale of trouble I seemed destined to attract.
"Well... Little Li," she said finally, her voice slightly hoarse, shaking her head slowly as if trying to clear it from the shock.
"It seems you haven't just stumbled into a mess this time... you've stumbled into something far bigger, far more dangerous than our entire Jiang family combined is equipped to handle."
She let out a long, slow breath, running a hand through her own short-cropped, practical hair.
"An Immortal's legacy... Heavens above... No wonder..."
She sighed again, a sound heavy with worry, but also a strange sort of pride.
"Alright, brat. It looks like my adventuring plans of searching through those boring ruins are officially on hold for a while."
She fixed me with a fierce, protective glare, the Big Sister resurfacing completely.
"Someone has to keep you out of trouble with all this insane power and heaven-defying wealth suddenly falling into your lap. I'm not comfortable leaving you alone to navigate this mess until you reach at least Foundation Establishment and can properly protect these treasures... and your own damned neck from everyone and their grandfather who will inevitably come sniffing around this 'legacy' of yours."
Her intent was clear.
She was staying.
My powerful, experienced, and affectionate Foundation Establishment level cousin was staying by my side!
I smiled genuinely then, perhaps the first truly unguarded, relieved smile since awakening in this world. The crushing weight of facing everything alone, of constantly having to perform without a single true confidante, suddenly felt significantly lighter.
"I've missed you, Big Sis Yue," I said, realizing with a jolt that the words were genuine.
She returned the smile, a flash of her old teasing warmth returning to her eyes, though the underlying concern remained deeply etched there. She stepped forward and ruffled my hair roughly, affectionately, just like she used to when Jiang Li was a child hiding behind her from his brother's little gang of bullies.
"I've missed you too, you troublesome brat."
She pulled me into a brief, strong hug, the embrace solid, reassuring, smelling faintly of leather, clean sweat, wind, and the open road – the scent of freedom and adventure. It felt... real. A genuine connection amidst all the performance and manipulation.
She stepped back briskly, her expression becoming serious again, business-like, ready for action. She looked critically at the magnificent Azure Scale Armor gleaming innocently on the floor, then back at me, her sharp eyes assessing.
"Alright, Little Li. We'll deal with the armor and the auction later. First things first. Tell me everything that's happened in the last two weeks. And don't you dare leave out the ugly parts – starting with who we think tried to turn you into an ice sculpture back in that shithole Qingshan."
The performance was over for now, with my most important audience member thoroughly convinced. But the real work was just beginning.
And now, thankfully, I wouldn't have to face it entirely alone.