That was Dai Hong.
A common-born boy of humble origins.
But few people knew.
That he carried the blood of the Dai imperial family.
Though it was an incredibly distant branch of the family.
As far back as a century ago, his branch had been driven out of the imperial city.
Now, they were no different from ordinary commoners.
Dai Hong looked up at the city walls in the distance.
Star Luo City, the capital of the Star Luo Empire.
This was his first time here.
He had come to grow stronger.
And give his family a better life.
"So this is the imperial city..."
He murmured to himself, his eyes full of longing.
But soon, his expression turned calm again.
He hadn't wanted to cause trouble.
In the towns he'd passed through,
others had always provoked him first, leaving him no choice but to fight.
In the end, he had defeated them all.
And that was how the name "Dai Hong" had spread.
But Dai Hong didn't like that kind of reputation.
He only wanted to cultivate in peace.
And grow stronger in peace.
After entering the city,
he found the streets bustling, crowded with people.
Dai Hong looked around,
searching for somewhere to stay.
He didn't notice
the pair of eyes watching him from the shadows.
Bai Chenxiang sat upstairs in a teahouse, behind a bamboo curtain,
observing the young man in plain clothes on the street.
"Is that him?"
Zi'er nodded. "Yes, miss."
"That's Dai Hong."
Bai Chenxiang looked down at him from above,
her gaze critical.
"Dressed like that, how does he look anything like a genius?"
"Maybe his reputation is all hot air."
Zi'er said softly, "I heard he's beaten a lot of people..."
"Those are all genuine victories."
Bai Chenxiang scoffed.
"What skill is there in beating trash?"
"I beat several people every day."
Though she said that, she couldn't help feeling curious.
This Dai Hong did seem a little different.
His steps were steady as he walked.
His breathing was long and even; he clearly had a foundation in martial arts.
"Interesting."
"But only a little."
Bai Chenxiang stood up, flicking her purple ponytail.
She leaped straight down from the teahouse,
landing steadily in the middle of the street.
Her purple outfit stood out in the sunlight.
The passersby scattered to make way.
Everyone knew this young miss was not to be trifled with.
Dai Hong stopped walking.
He felt a sharp aura lock onto him.
It came from a girl dressed in purple.
She had twin purple ponytails and a pretty face,
but her gaze was as sharp as a blade.
Her curvy figure drew plenty of eyes.
But no one dared look for long.
The girl's presence was too overwhelming.
"You're Dai Hong?"
Bai Chenxiang spoke, her voice clear and proud.
Dai Hong frowned. "And you are?"
Bai Chenxiang didn't answer his question.
Instead, she circled him once,
looking him up and down as if he were some piece of merchandise.
Dai Hong found it deeply unpleasant.
"I heard you've become pretty famous lately."
"Claiming to be a genius?"
Dai Hong shook his head. "I've never said that."
"Other people made that up."
Bai Chenxiang scoffed.
"Can't you own up to what you've done?"
"Let's see what kind of genius you are, daring to call yourself one."
Before she had even finished speaking, she attacked.
She struck out with her palm, a blast of force rushing toward him.
Dai Hong hurriedly retreated, his expression changing.
"Wait! I didn't—"
Before he could finish, Bai Chenxiang's leg swept toward him.
Her long, slender leg stretched taut,
cutting through the air as it shot straight for Dai Hong's face.
It was so fast that the onlookers couldn't even see it clearly.
Dai Hong could only raise his arm to block.
Bang!
His arm went numb, and he stumbled back three steps.
What incredible strength!
This seemingly delicate girl
was actually terrifyingly strong!
Bai Chenxiang's lips curled up.
"That's it?"
"And you dare call yourself a genius?"
Dai Hong's expression darkened.
So many people were watching on the street.
He was being beaten by a girl.
It was humiliating.
But more than that, he had no idea what was going on.
When had he ever offended this young miss?
"Miss, could there be some kind of misunderstanding between us..."
Dai Hong tried again.
Bai Chenxiang struck at him with another palm.
"What misunderstanding?"
"In Star Luo City, no one but me deserves to be number one!"
Her attacks grew faster and faster.
Her purple figure darted around like a butterfly flitting through flowers,
circling Dai Hong.
Every palm and every kick came with a gust of force.
Dai Hong was forced to give it everything he had.
But he had come from humble origins.
He'd never received systematic Martial Soul training,
and the techniques he knew were all the lowest grade.
How could he possibly be a match for Bai Chenxiang?
After ten moves,
Bai Chenxiang struck him in the chest with her palm.
He flew backward and crashed heavily to the ground.
Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
"Cough..."
He tried to get back up,
but a boot pressed down on his chest.
The girl in purple looked down at him,
towering over him.
From this angle, Dai Hong could see her face,
and the full curves made even more prominent as she leaned over.
Her neckline had loosened slightly, revealing a glimpse of skin.
But to Dai Hong in that moment,
there was nothing alluring about it.
Only humiliation.
Bai Chenxiang spoke, her voice ringing out
so everyone around them could hear.
"This young miss is the genius prodigy of the White Family Fortress."
"I won't tolerate trash like you acting so arrogantly!"
"Want to call yourself a genius?"
She ground the tip of her boot against him.
"You're not worthy."
Her words were like a knife,
driving deep into Dai Hong's heart.
He gritted his teeth, digging his fingernails into his palm.
Bai Chenxiang lifted her foot and turned to leave.
Her purple ponytail swung as she walked away without a backward glance.
The onlookers whispered among themselves.
Their eyes fell on Dai Hong,
some sympathetic, some mocking, some pitying.
That made Dai Hong feel even worse.
He struggled to his feet
and watched Bai Chenxiang's retreating figure.
Her slender waist, her pert backside,
her purple skirt swaying gracefully as she walked.
But that beautiful back had left Dai Hong with the deepest humiliation.
He clenched his fists in secret.
His heart trembled.
Why...
When Bai Chenxiang returned home, she was in an excellent mood.
Humming a little tune, she walked into the courtyard.
Zi'er came to greet her. "Miss, you won?"
"Of course."
Bai Chenxiang said it as if it were only natural.
"Some country bumpkin dares call himself a genius?"
"Your young lady will show him just how vast the heavens are and how small he is."
She sat down in front of the vanity, and Zi'er helped undo her hairdo.
Her purple hair spilled loose, falling over her shoulders.
Bai Chenxiang gazed at herself in the mirror.
Her delicate features, her proud eyes.
"In Longxing City, I'm number one."
"No one can take that from me."
Zi'er carefully combed her young lady's long hair.
But she wondered to herself whether her young lady's personality would bring her good fortune or disaster.
Still, as a servant girl, she didn't dare say much.
Bai Chenxiang was still basking in the joy of victory.
Huo Wu wriggled free from his arms.
"How much longer are you going to hold me?"
Her cheeks were faintly red, and her voice carried a hint of reproach.
Yu Xiaolong lowered his gaze to the girl in his arms.
Huo Wu's figure was curvaceous and shapely.
His heartbeat sped up despite himself.
That figure was truly the best of the best.
Full in all the right places, with curves that left nothing to be desired.
He had never imagined he'd get to savor such a beauty.
"Ahem, sorry about that."
Yu Xiaolong awkwardly let go.
After straightening their clothes, the two continued on their way.
Before you continue