Within the Azure Tide Sect stood a courtyard alive with birdsong and fragrant flowers, landscaped with miniature hills, streams, and a little bridge. Peach trees bloomed there year-round, scattering pink petals over the green grass. It looked like a paradise beyond the mortal world.
A white-robed female cultivator with exquisitely lovely features sat on the bridge. With a flick of her delicate hand, she tossed the fish food she held into the pond.
Red goldfish swam gracefully through the water. As the food fell, they gradually gathered beside the little bridge, jostling and competing in a lively swarm.
Pei Zhen stood at the courtyard entrance, momentarily dazzled by the sight before him.
This was Shen Qingyue, one of the four most beautiful female cultivators on the Azure Mist Continent, and his junior sister.
As though sensing someone's arrival, Shen Qingyue turned her head and saw Pei Zhen still standing at the entrance, gazing at her in a daze.
At the sight of his expression, a trace of amusement softened her normally cool features.
"What are you doing, senior brother?"
Hearing the beauty speak, Pei Zhen's handsome face instantly flushed.
"I-I just came to tell you that whatever you want, I'll do everything I can to help you."
A hint of puzzlement crossed Shen Qingyue's youthful face.
It stirred even greater ripples in Pei Zhen's heart. "I-I mean the matter of going to the Far North Secret Realm."
Shen Qingyue turned back toward the fishpond, her gaze clear and her voice tinged with melancholy. "Don't do this sort of thing again. The cultivation world has always been this way-the capable claim the prize. It would be bad if you made the sect leader misunderstand you again."
At her words, a trace of disdain appeared on Pei Zhen's face. "Qingyue, don't worry.