Chapter 13 : Moonlit Confrontation and Unspoken Gratitude

Ye Tian was scouring the marketplace, his eyes keenly scanning each stall and every piece of merchandise displayed. His heart was set on finding fire-element treasures to amplify his cultivation. Most stalls displayed common goods and basic cultivation resources, but he hoped for something extraordinary. As he passed by a small, unassuming stall, a peculiar object caught his eye—a pitch-black, stone-like core that seemed to pulse rhythmically, almost as if it were alive.

Intrigued, he moved closer and picked up the core to examine it. He felt a subtle yet potent surge of fire-attributed energy radiating from within. The sensation was unmistakable; this was no ordinary object.

The shop owner noticed Ye Tian’s interest and spoke up, a wry smile on his face. “Ah, young man, you’ve got a sharp eye. This isn’t something you’d usually find here. It’s the core of a fiery cherry fruit—a rare find for any fire-attribute cultivator. The fruit enhances one’s control over fire qi and even aids in refining elemental energy more quickly.”

Ye Tian’s eyes lit up at the description, envisioning how this core could propel his cultivation forward. “How much for it?” he asked, trying to sound casual despite his eagerness.

“One hundred and fifty spirit stones,” the shop owner replied, clearly capitalizing on Ye Tian’s interest.

Ye Tian narrowed his eyes. “It’s not worth more than seventy spirit stones,” he said firmly, attempting to bargain. A few back-and-forth exchanges later, they agreed on a price of one hundred spirit stones.

Ye Tian handed over the spirit stones, securing the core. As he examined it more closely, an idea struck him. “It would be a waste to simply consume this,” he muttered to himself. “The core is brimming with life energy; if I planted it, perhaps it would grow and yield even more benefits in the future.” His lips curved into a small smile at the thought. A wise investment, he thought to himself.

With his new treasure safely stowed away, Ye Tian continued his search through the marketplace. Meanwhile, back near his residence, a group of four shadowed figures huddled together, their dark clothing blending seamlessly with the dim surroundings. Each of them had their mouths concealed, a sign they wished to remain unknown.

Near Ye tian's House,

“Are you sure no one saw us?” one of them whispered.

“Relax. I checked,” replied another. “Ye Tian went to the marketplace. This side of the sect is always empty, and he’s the only one living here. Let’s get it done quickly and leave.”

The men pulled out a torch, the small flame flickering ominously as they approached Ye Tian’s worn-down house. But before they could proceed further, a voice, cold and clear as ice, echoed behind them.

"Stop," it commanded.

Suddenly a cold freezing sound came behind them. It was a girl voice. The others couldn't see her face they could only feel the cold gaze. There's was still some time to dark. The girl was covered her face in veil.

Some time ago,

The girl was passing nearby ye tians place, suddenly she felt several presence but this side of the sect always remains emyty only ye tian reside here. She felt it suspesious and decided to follow them and saw that they were planing to burn ye tians house. She could not remain in dark , so shout them stop with a cold freezing sound.

The group froze, then slowly turned. Before them stood a figure veiled in a translucent fabric, her face obscured, but her eyes radiated an intense, frosty glare. She exuded a sense of danger, and even the approaching darkness seemed unable to shroud her aura.

One of the men smirked, trying to sound unbothered. “Girl, you should know better than to meddle in other people’s business.”

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Another laughed as he took a step closer, examining her figure with a lecherous gaze. “Wait, wait… she looks quite good. Look at her figure. that parfect sized chest, that apatizing backside, shouldn't we have some fun as well "huhu!"

"what do you think!" Another one said "Girl it's your bad luck coming here if you spent tonight with us brothers then we can forget about your insolence, we can have a little fun before finishing the job here. What do you say, brothers?”

Their laughter echoed in the silence, but it was cut short as the girl’s expression turned icier. Without a word, she raised her sword, a slender yet deadly blade gleaming in the faint light.

“Enough talking,” she murmured, her voice like frost on metal.

The men laughed again, though some nervousness showed in their movements. They formed a tight formation, their weapons drawn. One lunged forward, attempting to strike her from the left, while another aimed for her right. The other two positioned themselves behind, ready to capitalize on any weakness in her defense.

But she was faster.

With a fluid motion, she deflected the first man’s strike, her blade flashing as it grazed his side. He cried out, clutching his wound, and staggered backward. The second attacker tried to take advantage of her momentary focus, swinging his weapon down with all his strength. She sidestepped effortlessly, her eyes remaining calm and calculated. In one swift motion, she drove her sword upward, grazing his arm and forcing him to drop his weapon in pain.

Realizing they were outmatched, the remaining two men exchanged a nervous glance. Still, they pressed forward, hoping their synchronized attack would overwhelm her. But even their combined efforts couldn’t match her speed and precision.

With each strike, she blocked, parried, and countered with flawless technique. Her movements were precise, each strike deliberate, revealing a mastery that transcended her age. Within moments, all four men were sprawled on the ground, groaning in pain, their confidence shattered.

One of them managed to lift his head and asked, voice trembling, “W-Who are you? What’s… your cultivation?”

She simply smiled—a sweet, deceptively gentle smile that sent chills through them. “Now leave,” she commanded, her tone like ice. “And if I see any of you near Ye Tian again…” She raised her sword slightly, and the implication was clear.

The men didn’t hesitate. Scrambling to their feet, they fled into the night, glancing over their shoulders in terror.

As night fell completely, Ye Tian returned home, still buzzing with excitement over his new find. He was eager to examine the fiery cherry fruit core further and to make plans for planting it.

But as he stepped inside, he froze, his eyes widening in surprise. The moonlight streamed through the broken roof, casting a gentle glow over his modest dwelling.Night blooming flowers scented the air, their fragrance entwining with the dreamlike atmosphere. Amidst the silvery light lay a figure, resting peacefully on his bed—a girl, her face partially illuminated, her features striking in their delicacy.Her face shone like polished opal, radiating gentle luminescence. Skin smooth as finest silk glowed with a soft, moonlit sheen. The sleeper's tranquil breathing was the only sound in the hushed stillness. Moonbeams danced across her face, casting intricate patterns that accentuated her captivating beauty.

The observer's heart swelled with wonder. Time stood still, leaving only awe and reverence. In this fleeting moment, all worries dissolved. The world reduced to a single, perfect image: a sleeping beauty, bathed in moonlight, surrounded by serene and captivating loveliness.

For a moment, Ye Tian could only stare, his heart beating faster. He suddenly caught a familiar scent, a faint herbal fragrance that brought back memories of times when he was struggling at the peak of Qi Condensation. The same scent had lingered on the medicinal pills he used to receive anonymously—a scent he’d never forget.

Could it be her?

He took a tentative step forward, whispering softly, “Senior Sister?”

At the sound of his voice, the girl’s eyelids fluttered open, and she quickly sat up, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson. Realizing where she was, she sprang to her feet, visibly flustered. “I… I was just…” she stammered, avoiding his gaze. “I came to… check on something… That’s all!”

Ye Tian, recovering from his initial surprise, he saw some fighting marks before entering the house,so he understood what had happened here, he offered her a grateful smile. “Thank you, Senior Sister, for what you did today—and for the pills you left for me back then.”

She turned, clearly embarrassed, and tried to deny it. “Pills? I… I don’t know what you’re talking about!”

With that, she moved toward the door, intending to leave swiftly. But Ye Tian called after her. “Senior Sister, what is your name?”

She hesitated for a moment, then continued walking. Just as she was about to disappear into the night, she called back softly, her voice a whisper on the breeze. “Ji Qingyan.”

Her silhouette vanished into the shadows, but her name lingered in the air, echoing in Ye Tian’s mind.

As he stood in the moonlit room, an unshakeable feeling settled within him, one he couldn’t quite put into words. Her unexpected appearance and their brief interaction left an indelible mark on him, like the first light of dawn breaking across a dark horizon—a hint of something unknown, yet exhilarating, waiting to unfold.

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