Ji Changfeng's words, laced with brazen flirtation, hung in the air.
Beneath her black veil, Youji's starry eyes remained tranquil, unrippled as still water. Nothing, it seemed, could stir her emotions.
She had lived nearly three hundred years, seen countless events, and even fought alongside the Demonic Sect's leader, Qiu Wangyu, in the assault on Qingyun Sect. Save for that one man who once lifted her veil, no one had ever shaken her composure.
Bi Yao's brow furrowed, her gaze sharp with disdain as she glared at Ji Changfeng. To her, Youji was like a mother, having raised her from childhood. For someone to dare flirt with her "mother" in her presence was infuriating.
Her voice icy, Bi Yao snapped, "Since when did Qingyun Sect's standards for disciples fall so low? To accept a lecher like you?"
Ji Changfeng merely smiled faintly at her jab.
One hand resting on the hilt of his Dragon-Slaying Sword, he stepped calmly from the shadowed corridor into the open.
He paused in a pavilion not far from the two women, his back to them, gazing up at the night sky. The Dragon-Slaying Sword at his waist gleamed brilliantly as he spoke in an even tone, "What brings you two to Heyang City?"
Bi Yao scoffed. "What? Is Heyang City your personal estate? I come and go as I please. What's it to you?"
Swish—
The night breeze whispered through the pavilion.
Ji Changfeng stood tall, his white robes fluttering, his voice calm but firm. "Heyang City isn't mine, and no one cares if you come. But leaving? That won't be so simple."
Clang—
His fingers flicked, and the Dragon-Slaying Sword slid halfway from its sheath, a dazzling arc of sword light flashing in the night.
"Don't forget," he said, "Heyang City is Qingyun Sect's territory."
His serene words, paired with the radiant sword light, drained the color from Bi Yao's face. The pressure of an Upper Purity realm cultivator was more than she could withstand.
Whoosh—
In a blur, Youji's tall figure moved, positioning herself in front of Bi Yao to shield her from Ji Changfeng's oppressive aura.
"What do you intend to do?" Youji's voice flowed like a clear stream, ethereal and enigmatic, her veiled eyes glinting with deep wariness.
Even without clashing, she could sense the extraordinary strength of this white-robed youth from Qingyun Sect. In a one-on-one fight, she wasn't certain she could best him.
Sword cultivator, white robes, unparalleled strength…
Youji's gaze flickered with a trace of realization.
Could Qingyun Sect be raising another Wan Jianyi?
Her thoughts drifted to that man from long ago who had unveiled her face. The resemblance between him and Ji Changfeng was uncanny—both brimming with bold confidence and untamed arrogance.
Ji Changfeng turned slowly, his face alight with solitary pride and unshakable assurance. His eyes locked onto the veiled beauty before him, a faint smile curving his lips. "Remove your veil, and I'll let you leave. Otherwise, you won't be leaving Heyang City tonight."
To those of the Demonic Sect, Ji Changfeng offered no kindness. Their paths were opposed—courtesy would only be met with disdain. Better to assert dominance.
Either unveil your face for me to behold, or stay here.
His presence radiated unshakable confidence, backed by the strength to enforce his words.
Youji's expression darkened, a faint killing intent threading through her cool voice. "Are you deliberately picking a fight?"
"Exactly," Ji Changfeng nodded without hesitation.
"Then let's settle it with a duel," Youji replied, her tone flat.
The last man who tried to unveil her was dead—though he had succeeded, it cost him dearly.
Ji Changfeng smiled faintly. "Outside the city, then."
With a flicker, his figure vanished, leaving the Shanhai Courtyard behind.
Youji didn't hesitate. She turned and pursued him.
"Aunt You…" Bi Yao's voice trembled with worry. After a moment's pause, she followed.
Outside Heyang City
By the wide moat, a lone figure in white stood poised.
Ji Changfeng, two divine swords at his waist, glanced back with an indifferent gaze, a faint trace of confidence in his expression.
He had broken through to the Upper Purity realm some time ago but had yet to unleash his full strength. Even during the Seven Peaks Tournament, he held back to a mere third or fourth of his power, wary of accidentally killing his opponents.
Tonight, he had provoked Youji intentionally, seeking a true test of his abilities.
Whoosh—
A black shadow flashed.
Youji arrived outside the city and, without a moment's pause, lunged at Ji Changfeng with lethal intent. Decisive and ruthless—such was the way of the Demonic Sect. Mercy had no place in her actions.
Boom—
The Vermilion Bird Seal blazed with searing energy, hurtling toward Ji Changfeng from afar.
He remained unruffled, raising a hand with a casual wave.
Boom!
A towering sword intent erupted, piercing the heavens. A faint cyan sword aura surged forth, colliding with the Vermilion Bird Seal and sending it flying.
"This is the first time in a long while that I, Ji, have fought at full strength," Ji Changfeng said calmly.
Clang—
He slowly drew the Dragon-Slaying Sword from its sheath.
In an instant, a blinding sword light flared, so radiant that Bi Yao, arriving in the distance, instinctively shielded her eyes and squinted.
"That's…" Youji froze, her breath catching. "The Dragon-Slaying Sword?!"
The sight of the legendary blade stunned her, rooting her in place, her instincts to attack forgotten.
Swish—
In that moment of distraction, a streak of sword qi slashed toward her.
"Not good!" Youji snapped back to reality, but the sword qi was too swift. Her lapse had cost her the chance to dodge.
Rip—
The sword qi grazed her cheek, missing her flesh but tearing the veil from her face.
In an instant, a flawless visage was revealed to Ji Changfeng.
Her face was like finely carved jade, smooth and luminous, her skin as fair as snow, flawless and radiant. Her eyes, clear as autumn waters, sparkled with life, every subtle expression brimming with unspoken emotions.
Youji stood frozen, dazed.
She stared at the white-robed youth before her, clutching the Vermilion Bird Seal, at a loss for what to do.
"Truly a peerless beauty," Ji Changfeng said, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. He sheathed the Dragon-Slaying Sword and, with a flick of his hand, summoned the fallen black veil from the ground.
"Remember this," he said. "In the future, remove your veil before me willingly. Otherwise…"
"I'll do it for you."
With a faint smile, he tossed the veil back to Youji and turned to leave without a backward glance.
Youji caught the veil in a daze, her eyes fixed on Ji Changfeng's retreating figure, her mind swirling with memories.
Three hundred years ago… it was just like this.
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