The secret that embarrassed them both was well-known but left unspoken between the two. However, when Tang Yan suddenly brought it up, Lin Dongxue's face instantly turned as red as a blooming peach in spring, with a sweet, innocent blush.
“Stop being a tease!” Lin Dongxue muttered, feeling both shy and irritated.
Seeing them flirt with each other, Liu Zhi’s jealousy and anger deepened. The couple’s casual intimacy irritated him to no end. In his heart, he cursed them both.
While they were waiting for Lin Xiao, another group of people approached. These individuals, young and full of strong spiritual energy, were likely contestants in the East Domain Grand Competition.
Lin Dongxue, already a stunning beauty, had caught the attention of many upon her arrival. Now, in her shy state, she appeared even more enchanting, causing a stir among the onlookers.
One of the newcomers, a fair-skinned young man dressed in white, noticed Lin Dongxue and, his eyes gleaming with flirtation, approached her with a grin. “Miss, we seem to have an instant connection. Would you care to join me for a boat ride on the lake or perhaps enjoy a cozy chat by the fire?”
Seeing his companion engage in this unwanted flirtation, the rest of the group stopped as well, their faces adorned with lecherous smiles.
“Get lost!” Lin Dongxue frowned, not at all pleased by the man’s gaze.
“Yao Shixiong, she told you to get lost!” A tall, thin man in a blue robe laughed.
“I am Yao Yuan, from Yucheng. Please don’t refuse, Miss. If you do, where will I put my face in front of my brothers?” The white-robed youth’s smile was wide, but his words carried an unmistakable tone of dominance.
Liu Zhi, standing off to the side, couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction. "Serves her right. She’s been ignoring me. Now look at the trouble she’s in."
Lin Dongxue's eyes turned cold. "Face is something you earn for yourself. I don’t owe you any favors," she retorted, completely unfazed.
Yao Yuan’s desire to conquer her only grew stronger in response to her defiance.
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“You won’t give me any face? What if I need it?” His voice turned cold as he narrowed his eyes.
Tang Yan, sensing the tension and seeing Yao Yuan’s arrogance, intervened. “We are from the City Lord's Mansion of Cloud City. Are you suggesting we fight?”
"Cloud City?" The five men froze momentarily before bursting into laughter. Yao Yuan’s face twisted into a mocking grin. “Cloud City? I didn’t recognize you at first. Next time you mention it, just say 'the city that’s always last.' That title is more famous than Cloud City itself.”
Tang Yan had initially hoped to avoid any conflict but was pushed too far by Yao Yuan's mockery. A flash of irritation crossed his mind, and when his gaze swept past Liu Zhi, an idea struck him.
“You must have heard of our Cloud City’s number one—Liu Zhi, the most talented of our city,” Tang Yan said with a boastful smile, his words intentionally exaggerating Liu Zhi’s reputation.
Liu Zhi, hearing his name so highly praised, raised his head with a look of pride. Tang Yan’s skill may not have been much, but Liu Zhi had always believed he was better than him.
“Oh? So, what does this Liu Zhi have to do to earn face?” Yao Yuan sneered.
"All you need to do is defeat Liu Zhi. If you win, the honor is yours," Tang Yan declared, showing his confidence in Liu Zhi’s abilities.
The crowd, drawn by the commotion, started gathering around them. They all wanted to see what the so-called "number one" of Cloud City could do.
Yao Yuan, after sizing up Liu Zhi, was confident that with his higher cultivation, he would easily defeat him.
“If you truly want the face of victory, let’s see how you handle this challenge,” Yao Yuan said, the air around him suddenly growing tense as he charged at Liu Zhi.
“玄阶二品巅峰 (Peak of Xuan Rank 2)!” The surrounding people gasped in amazement as they sensed Yao Yuan’s energy surge.
Liu Zhi, still new to the Xuan Rank, was no match for Yao Yuan. Before he could react, a crisp slap resounded through the air, and Yao Yuan had struck him hard across the face.
Laughter erupted from the crowd.
“Haha, Cloud City is truly the bottom tier. Not even able to block one move!” The mockery filled the air.
Liu Zhi stood dazed for a moment, completely stunned. How could he, the young master of the Liu family, be humiliated in front of so many people?
Yao Yuan, sensing Liu Zhi’s helplessness, delivered a few more slaps, leaving him unable to defend himself. It became clear to everyone that Liu Zhi wasn’t worth the praise he’d been given.
"Boom!" Yao Yuan’s foot lashed out, kicking Liu Zhi back. The blow sent him stumbling several paces before crashing to the ground, coughing up blood.
"Young Master Liu! Young Master Liu!" Tang Yan called, feigning panic as he rushed to Liu Zhi’s side.
The crowd, however, saw through his act. "Seems like this ‘number one’ of Cloud City isn’t much to talk about after all."
Yao Yuan, feeling victorious, turned to Lin Dongxue with a grin. “I’ve heard that Shouyue Lake has magnificent views. Miss, would you like to join me for a boat ride and enjoy the scenery? I promise it’ll be an unforgettable experience.”