Reckless Saber Takes the Stage, Above Cloud Terrace (Seeking Monthly Pass)

"Look! It's the Alluring Fairy!"

"Fairy Gu!"

"..."

As the Gu Family Clan Elder's voice fell, Gu Qingcheng appeared atop Cloud Terrace beneath the gazes of the multitude. Her expression was cool and distant, her Moon White Long Skirt floating like drifting clouds. She seemed like an immortal descending to the mortal realm, or Chang'e come into the world.

Because of the distance, most of the guests watching the ceremony could actually see only a blurred outline.

Yet this did nothing to conceal the excitement in their hearts, nor did it dampen their exhilaration in the slightest.

"So beautiful!"

"Beauty that could topple a kingdom and enthrall a city—the rumors were true!"

"There is actually such a woman in this world!?"

"..."

Some of the guests watching from the mountaintop could still make out Gu Qingcheng's features due to their proximity. But for those halfway up the mountain, seeing her clearly was an immense struggle.

Only a very few whose cultivation was exceptionally profound could barely glimpse her true appearance. The vast majority could see only a rough outline.

Not to mention the many guests at the foot of the mountain.

Still, such cries sounded one after another, rising and falling without pause, as though every last one of them had seen her clearly.

Chen Ping'an raised his wine cup and drained it in one gulp. Setting the cup down, he focused slightly and fixed his gaze upon Cloud Terrace at the summit.

Though he was at the foot of the mountain, with his eyesight, he could naturally see the scenes atop Cloud Terrace Mountain with ease.

Today was Gu Qingcheng's Promotion Celebration, and also the Gu Family's grand ceremony to confer upon her the position of Clan Elder.

There was a long and intricate sequence of rituals.

For a Great Family like the Gu Family, with a two-thousand-year inheritance and deep foundations, even an ordinary member of the family bloodline who advanced to Grandmaster would need to undergo a series of evaluations and make sufficient contributions before they could be granted the position of Clan Elder.

But that was under normal circumstances. Unlike an ordinary newly promoted Grandmaster, Gu Qingcheng's breakthrough to Grandmaster carried far greater weight. She was a peerless Grandmaster with hopes of ascending the Hidden Dragon Rankings.

With such a prodigy emerging from the family, they naturally had to proclaim it far and wide. Why begrudge her a mere position of Clan Elder!?

Seated at the foot of the mountain, Chen Ping'an could see every detail of Cloud Terrace Mountain's elaborate proceedings.

Gu Qingcheng's expression was cool and distant, her moon-white robes floating like wisps of cloud, just like Chang'e.

Compared to the glimpse he had caught of her several days ago, Gu Qingcheng carried a few more traces of cold detachment today. Within that aloofness lingered threads of icy chill, creating an indescribable sense of distance.

As though she might drift away with the wind at any moment.

Chen Ping'an gazed from afar at Gu Qingcheng atop Cloud Terrace.

This moment, he suddenly felt that he understood Gu Qingcheng a little.

In this world, there was no one she could trust, no one whose hand she could take, no one who could walk the same path as her.

Perhaps, her heart...

Was like that eternally unchanging, cold moonlight.

Lonely beyond anyone's understanding.

Chen Ping'an slowly withdrew his gaze and listened to the voices rising and falling around him.

Their words were filled with praise for Gu Qingcheng's beauty.

A face like flowers, beauty like the moon; beauty enough to topple a kingdom and enthrall a city.

Chen Ping'an smiled and picked up the wine jug again.

With so many people around, it was enough just to enjoy the liveliness.

He poured himself a cup of wine. Rather than draining it in one gulp, he savored it slowly.

The years stretched long, like drinking wine—only the drinker knew its taste.

The richly dressed young man sat nearby, chatting excitedly with the guests on either side. As he spoke, he cast a sidelong glance and noticed Chen Ping'an drinking alone.

"This man?" The richly dressed young man's face showed a trace of doubt.

The Alluring Fairy had already appeared, yet this young man remained so calm.

One of the guests engaged in conversation beside him noticed the scene as well. After a single glance, he withdrew his gaze.

Though he said nothing, he had already passed judgment in his heart.

Putting on airs!

Amid the clamor, Chen Ping'an drinking alone seemed somewhat out of place.

The doubt on the richly dressed young man's face vanished in a flash, and he soon shifted his gaze away.

His expression was eager, and the scene atop Cloud Terrace was reflected in his eyes.

Though he could not clearly see what was happening on the mountaintop, it did not diminish his excitement in the slightest.

The Alluring Fairy!

This was the Alluring Fairy!

Even if it was only a distant glance, even if it was merely an extremely blurred figure, to him, it was already enough to become the talk of countless conversations.

Following the ceremony's procedures, the corresponding congratulatory gifts were presented one by one, offering blessings and expectations for her appointment as Clan Elder.

As she watched each gift being offered, Gu Qingcheng's expression remained cool and aloof, without the slightest trace of joy.

On the mountaintop platform, Wang Siyuan looked at Gu Qingcheng, standing alone on the Cloud Terrace as though detached from the world, and suppressed the admiration in his heart.

That day in the past, she had been just as she was before his eyes—ethereal as an immortal standing in the air, robes fairer than snow, cool as the moon, breathtakingly beautiful, making people's hearts tremble.

Like a fairy descending into the mortal realm, untouched by even the faintest trace of worldly dust.

One glance, enough to topple a city. With that single glance, he had fallen completely.

Back then, he had hoped that if he could stand at her side, shoulder to shoulder with her, how wonderful that would be!

He had hoped and hoped, until several years had passed.

Even now, he still hoped for the same thing.

No matter what dangers or obstacles they encountered, so long as the two of them stood side by side, he would dare face anything!

If he could stand beside Qingcheng, then in this life

he would have no regrets.

Unfortunately, hope was ultimately only hope.

All of this was ultimately only a dream.

Wang Siyuan stood upon the mountaintop platform, gazing from afar at Gu Qingcheng, who seemed within arm's reach.

Yet that arm's reach was as distant as the ends of the earth!

"Alluring Fairy!"

Mu Chenjie looked at that figure on the Cloud Terrace who had haunted his dreams, his face filled with admiration.

After so many days, he had finally seen the Alluring Fairy once more.

The love in his heart surged like the tide, wild and billowing, no longer able to be restrained.

What beautiful woman in this world could stir one's heart so deeply, haunt one's dreams and soul, yet remain forever beyond reach?

And what in this world could compare to a beautiful woman's countenance?

If one could win a beautiful woman's smile, it would be worth ten thousand taels of gold!

On the Cloud Terrace and atop the mountain, the vast majority of those present were focused on Gu Qingcheng. Many among them wore expressions of affection and admiration.

The Gu Family had a daughter named Qingcheng; her beauty could topple a city, and one smile could topple a kingdom.

She was truly a beauty capable of toppling kingdoms and cities!

Only at this moment did many people understand why, in the past, Azure Prince Ji Changkong had humbled himself to personally travel to Canglong, using a tune of Phoenix Seeking its Mate to seek the hand of the Gu Family's favored daughter.

Such a beautiful woman was only seen once in a lifetime!

Whether in talent, innate gifts, appearance, or bearing, she was the very pinnacle—beyond all criticism.

"Brother, the Alluring Fairy—it's the Alluring Fairy!"

At the foot of the mountain, Xu Zhiqi's younger brother from the Xu Family Branch paced excitedly.

As a young man who had followed the New Talent Rankings since childhood, Gu Qingcheng held far too much meaning for him.

"Mm, I know." Xu Zhiqi was equally excited, though compared to his younger brother, he was undoubtedly much more composed.

Xu Zhiqi had a lean face and regular features, yet nothing about him was ostentatious.

Alluring Fairy.

Xu Zhiqi gazed from afar at the scene on Cloud Terrace Mountain, but the Hundred Flowers Feast at Mist and Rain Ferry Crossing in the past rose unbidden in his mind.

At that time, his younger brother had been absent. He had once invited someone over, chatting with him and seeking friendship—but who could have imagined that person was actually...

As he looked at the surrounding scene, Xu Zhiqi's heart trembled ever more fiercely.

This encounter was like something out of a biography!

He had never spoken much of this matter, only kept it firmly etched in his heart.

The scene atop Cloud Terrace Mountain could not be seen clearly at all; they could only hear the celebratory words proceeding according to the ceremonial rites.

Xu Zhiqi was a bit unsettled. His gaze swept around as he looked about casually.

Suddenly, his eyes trembled, and he froze on the spot.

That was...

In the distance, a young man raised his cup and casually, naturally savored the fine wine.

Noticing Xu Zhiqi's gaze upon him, the young man smiled naturally.

Chen Ping'an's expression remained calm as he shifted his gaze away from Xu Zhiqi.

Xu Zhiqi of the Xu Family Branch had met him once in the past.

"Young Master."

A maidservant approached from beside the long table, intending to refill Chen Ping'an's wine.

Chen Ping'an gave a slight shake of his head, declining the maidservant's offer.

At this moment, the formal proceedings atop Cloud Terrace had just concluded, and preparations were underway to enter the next stage.

"About time!"

Chen Ping'an set down his wine cup and slowly rose to his feet.

By now, the topic of discussion around him had shifted from astonishment at Gu Qingcheng's beauty to the recent heated debate that had been making waves everywhere—the contest between saber and sword.

Every side talked without pause, each arguing from its own stance.

Chen Ping'an's rising naturally drew everyone's attention.

"That man..." The brocade-robed young man stared strangely at Chen Ping'an, who had suddenly stood up.

He could not make heads or tails of it.

"What's wrong?"

A guest beside him asked curiously. Following the brocade-robed young man's gaze, he too saw Chen Ping'an standing up.

"What's with this guy?"

"I don't know." The brocade-robed young man shook his head.

"Forget about him. Go on, go on," said a guest on the other side.

"Mm."

"Continue."

Just as they were about to resume their discussion, they saw a streak of light suddenly flare up.

An incomparably majestic aura exploded with a thunderous boom.

Then, a voice rang through the sky.

"I, Chen Ping'an, offer congratulations for the Dao companions' celebration—"

The people in the field stiffened, dumbstruck as wooden chickens.

"Reckless Saber!?"

The brocade-robed young man muttered blankly, frozen where he stood.

"Reckless Saber!?"

"Reckless Saber is here!"

"Congratulating the Dao companions—this..."

"..."

The sudden thunderous shout shattered everyone's thoughts, bringing a measure of chaos and commotion.

"Chen Ping'an!" Wang Siyuan's expression changed slightly, his face turning grave.

"Reckless Saber!"

Mu Chenjie's spirits rose as he abruptly turned around.

Mu Qingyao beside him also studied the scene curiously. She wanted to see Reckless Saber's appearance clearly, but all she saw was a streak of light darting through the air.

"Why is he here?" Xue Guangyu's body tensed, though he relaxed slightly amid the chaos.

He had thought he would receive a fierce scolding from Big Sis, but unexpectedly, the reprimand he had anticipated had not yet sounded.

He secretly glanced over, only to see Big Sis gazing into the distance at the streak of light, seemingly lost in thought.

Whoosh!

Chen Ping'an turned into a streak of light and shot toward the Cloud Terrace at the mountain summit.

He was incredibly fast. Before long, he had swept over the summit.

Buzz~

Light flickered, azure radiance flowed, and Chen Ping'an's figure fell onto the Cloud Terrace at the mountain summit.

When the azure light scattered, a handsome and elegant figure, tall and upright, appeared before everyone's eyes.

Everyone's gazes fell upon him.

Chen Ping'an lightly raised his hand. With a flash of Spiritual Light, a Surprise Rainbow longsword like cold jade appeared in his hand.

"For the Dao companions' celebration, I offer my congratulations—congratulations on the Top Divine Weapon, the Surprise Rainbow Sword!"

The moment his words fell, the entire venue erupted!

"What!?"

"A Top Divine Weapon!"

"This..."

"."

Chen Ping'an ignored the commotion and took a slight step forward.

Buzz~

With a flash of flowing light, his figure crossed a stretch of distance and appeared before Gu Qingcheng.

Gu Qingcheng wore a moon-white rainbow robe, floating like wisps of cloud.

A trace of a smile appeared on Chen Ping'an's face.

He offered her the sword!

Gu Qingcheng's gaze was cool and clear. Her wide sleeve fell away, revealing a wrist as fair and lustrous as jade as she accepted the sword in Chen Ping'an's hand.

As she took the sword, their fingertips brushed, warm and smooth as jade.

Chen Ping'an looked at Gu Qingcheng with a gentle gaze, as though he had a thousand words to say.

He took a step forward.

With that single step, he came to stand at Gu Qingcheng's side.

The two stood shoulder to shoulder atop the Cloud Terrace at the mountain peak, like an immortal couple.

A gentle breeze brushed across their faces.

Chen Ping'an's expression was tender, his eyes smiling. He gently raised a hand and tidied Gu Qingcheng's disheveled black hair.

He lightly arranged it, then reached out and slowly drew her into his embrace.

Gu Qingcheng did not struggle either. Extremely cooperatively, she nestled against his chest.

A great uproar broke out across Small Pan Mountain.

"What?"

"Th-this-this..."

"What did I just see?!"

"Ah!"

"."

Mu Chenjie stood there dumbfounded, staring at the scene atop the Cloud Terrace.

This moment, he even had the urge to kill someone.

Because of the angle, he had not clearly seen Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an's appearance, but that did not stop him from wanting to put a blade through someone.

Reckless Saber!

Mu Chenjie roared soundlessly, the pain piercing his heart.

It hurt! It hurt! It hurt too much!

Compared to Reckless Saber's embrace, Alluring Fairy's obedient cooperation hurt him even more.

Mu Qingyao stood to one side, gazing up curiously. She felt that figure atop the Cloud Terrace looked vaguely familiar.

It seemed...

She had seen him somewhere before.

Wang Siyuan stared fixedly at the figure atop the Cloud Terrace.

Blue robe, Moon Skirt, standing shoulder to shoulder like a match made by Heaven and Earth.

Countless times, he had hoped that One day, if he could stand at her side, that would be enough!

Now, he had seen it.

But unfortunately, the one standing beside Qingcheng was not him!

Back then, his heart had yearned for it, yet he had feared to move forward.

Even now, he still feared to move forward, except he had not even left himself any hope.

Then and there was just like here and now.

Wang Siyuan's expression was lost as the thoughts from countless days and nights swept through his heart.

That glance from years ago.

Leaning against the railing to watch the moon, her Moon Skirt fluttering.

That name which had haunted his dreams, etched deeply into his memories.

The scene he had imagined through countless days and nights.

The feelings hidden deep within his heart.

Within Wang Siyuan's lost expression, a trace of relief faintly surfaced.

His dream, perhaps...

It was time to wake up!

"Big Sis?"

Xue Guangyu called out tentatively, but received no response at all.

Xue Guangyu focused his gaze and looked toward Big Sis's face.

Big Sis's expression was a bit strange.

He had never seen such an expression on Big Sis's face before.

Big Sis, what's wrong? Xue Guangyu wondered inwardly.

Suddenly, his heart skipped a beat, and his expression turned incomparably strange.

It was over. Could Big Sis's Dao heart really have shattered?

Gu Qingcheng—the white moonlight in the hearts of who knew how many men.

Yet now, upon Cloud Terrace, she was being embraced by a man.

The impact of this scene was unquestionably immense.

Even if that man was Gu Qingcheng's fiancé in name, it was no different.

Some things were one thing to know, but another entirely when they truly happened right before your eyes.

Only those who had lived through it could understand such a realization.

"Reckless Saber!"

"Qingcheng..."

At this moment, countless hearts shattered.

Yet Chen Ping'an, the object of countless people's envy, was not feeling quite what everyone imagined.

The sensation of holding a beautiful woman in his arms went without saying.

A beautiful woman in his embrace, her warmth and fragrance filling his arms.

Even the delicate head nestled against his chest was indescribably wonderful; her black hair brushed lightly against him, making his heart sway and his restless mind run wild.

Well, but that was only in his imagination.

In reality, Chen Ping'an truly was experiencing something wonderful.

But he alone could see the cold clarity in Gu Qingcheng's eyes.

Chen Ping'an even suspected that if his hands made the slightest improper move, he would immediately meet the beautiful woman's unhesitating counterattack.

Soft jade in his arms, yet he could not act rashly. A beautiful woman before him, yet he could not cross the line in the slightest.

Only Chen Ping'an himself knew the feeling of it all.

But it did not matter.

This act was finally over!