"Your Highness, wait!"
The sound came from behind.
Ling Xueyao did not stop walking, but her brows furrowed slightly.
Chu Yunfei turned his head and saw Qin Hao leading Chen Xuanhai out of the auction house quickly.
The martial artists who were about to leave recognized the Cangyun Sect's attire and stepped aside to make way for the two.
The lights in front of the Pill Pavilion were bright.
Qin Hao wore a white robe with cloud patterns, a pale blue jade pendant hanging at his waist, and had delicate features with a perfectly timed smile on his lips.
Judging by appearance alone, he certainly has the air of elegance.
But his gaze remained fixed on Ling Xueyao the entire time.
It's been three years since we last met.
That face was still hidden behind a pale yellow veil, revealing only a pair of clear, phoenix-shaped eyes.
A long, moon-white dress clung to her slender waist, and a golden dagger hung at her side. Even standing on a bustling street, no one could dim her radiance.
The burning desire in Qin Hao's eyes was almost undisguised.
Three years ago, Seven Sects Grand Competition, when he first met Ling Xueyao, he was convinced that only this woman in the Eastern Continent was worthy of him.
In the past three years, he has met countless holy maidens from sects and jewels from noble families.
But those women were ultimately inferior to Ling Xueyao.
Now that they meet again, that affection has not faded; on the contrary, it has become even more intense.
Ling Xueyao noticed his gaze, and her brows furrowed even deeper.
Qin Hao, however, seemed completely oblivious. He walked up to him and proactively cupped his hands in greeting.
"Three years after the Seven Sects Grand Competition, the princess's charm remains unchanged."
"It's fate that we've met again in the capital today."
As he spoke, his gaze lingered on Ling Xueyao's veil for a moment, his smile growing even more gentle.
"The auction is over, and it's still early. Would the princess do me the honor of finding a quiet place to reminisce?"
Ling Xueyao did not hesitate for a moment.
"No need."
The smile on Qin Hao's lips froze for a moment.
Ling Xueyao looked at him, her voice cold and clear.
"I only met you once three years ago, and we barely spoke. We have no real friendship, and there's nothing to reminisce about."
The refusal was decisive.
There wasn't even a polite word.
The martial artists who hadn't gone far nearby slowed down.
The esteemed Holy Son of the Cangyun Sect extended an invitation, but was rejected outright by the Princess of Great Qian.
Such things don't happen all the time.
No one dared to approach, but quite a few people quietly pricked up their ears.
Qin Hao's eye twitched slightly, but he quickly smiled again.
"The princess is still the same as she was three years ago."
"However, even a brief encounter can lead to friendship. Besides, the Cangyun Sect has maintained relations with the royal family for many years. I, Qin, came to the capital with the intention of visiting the palace."
"Since we've met today, why don't we..."
" Holy Son Qin."
Ling Xueyao interrupted him directly.
"I have other important matters to attend to."
Having obtained the Soul-Consolidating Origin-Returning Pill, she now only wanted to return to the palace as soon as possible and had no intention of wasting time with Qin Hao here.
After being rejected repeatedly, Qin Hao's composure finally crumbled.
He didn't continue to pester Ling Xueyao; instead, his gaze shifted to Chu Yunfei.
Just now in the private room, he could only hear Chu Yunfei's voice.
Now, looking at him up close, he realized that Chu Yunfei was even younger than he had expected.
He wore a black robe and had a heavy sword hanging at his waist.
He had a handsome face, but his robes bore no sect insignia.
What made Qin Hao even more uncomfortable was that Chu Yunfei Cangyun Sect, without even showing any interest in glancing at him.
Qin Hao narrowed his eyes.
"This young master looks unfamiliar. He made a remarkable move at the auction, not even giving Elder Han of the Puppet Sect any face. May I ask how this young master is addressed?"
Chu Yunfei did not answer.
He was sensing the nameless stone tablet in the storage ring.
When I put the item into my storage ring earlier, the ripple that reached my sea of consciousness only appeared for a moment, but it was definitely not an illusion.
The contents of the stone tablet are probably more unusual than expected.
As for what Qin Hao asked...
He really didn't take it to heart.
Qin Hao waited for a few breaths, and the smile on his face gradually froze.
He looked at Ling Xueyao again.
"Princess, who is this gentleman?"
"It's none of your business."
Ling Xueyao's tone was even colder than before.
Qin Hao's hands, hanging by his sides, slowly tightened.
Three years ago, the Cangyun Sect someone to propose marriage to the royal family, but Ling Xueyao refused in public.
That time, he could still comfort himself by thinking that Ling Xueyao was indifferent to all men, not just him.
But now.
An unidentified young man was not only able to share a private room with Ling Xueyao, but also accompany her to the auction, and even Shen Qianyue tacitly acknowledged his presence.
On what grounds?
Qin Hao suppressed the surging jealousy in his heart and forced a smile.
"Your Highness is mistaken."
"I, Qin, merely admired this young master's extraordinary bearing and wished to make his acquaintance; I harbored no ill intentions."
Ling Xueyao had completely lost her patience.
"Since Your Holy Son Qin has nothing else to say, I will take my leave now."
After saying that, she turned and left.
Chu Yunfei and Shen Qianyue naturally followed.
Qin Hao stood there, the smile on his face gradually fading.
From beginning to end.
Ling Xueyao never asked him why he came to the capital, nor did she mention the Cangyun Sect, nor did she give him any chance to get close.
But the young man in black robes walked right beside her as if it were perfectly normal.
"Stop!"
Qin Hao's voice suddenly turned cold.
Chu Yunfei finally stopped.
Ling Xueyao also turned around, her right hand already resting on the hilt of her sword.
Qin Hao didn't look at her again; his gloomy gaze was fixed firmly on Chu Yunfei.
"Are you just someone who hides behind women?"
"Or is he mute, unable to speak at all?"
Chen Xuanhai frowned slightly.
He could tell that Qin Hao was truly enraged.
But this is in front of the Imperial City's Pill Pavilion, and there are many martial artists coming and going on the street. If the conflict escalates, news of tonight's events will quickly spread throughout the Imperial City.
Within his sea of consciousness, Xiaoxiao Dragon chuckled lazily.
"You brat, they're practically pointing their finger at you and cursing you, and you're still going to put up with it?"
"In my opinion, you should simply reveal your identity as the prince consort and let this androgynous fellow give up on you completely."
Chu Yunfei thought to himself, "You really enjoy making things worse."
"I simply can't stand his appearance."
Xiaoxiao Dragon's tone was full of disdain.
"A grown man, his face paler than a woman's, his voice both effeminate and soft, yet he dares to stare at Ling Xueyao so intently."
"If I were you, I would have gouged his eyes out long ago."
Chu Yunfei then looked up at Qin Hao.
As the Holy Son of the Cangyun Sect, with a Divine Sea Realm Sixth Layer protector following behind him, he certainly has the right to be proud.
pity.
That level of status isn't enough to put him in a position of power.
Who do you think you are?
Chu Yunfei's voice was calm. "You think you're worthy of my answer?"
The streets on both sides suddenly became quieter.
Several martial artists who had just come out of the Pill Pavilion slowed down upon hearing the commotion.
Qin Hao stood frozen in place.
He stared at Chu Yunfei for a couple of moments, as if he doubted that he had misheard.
"What did you say?"
"If your hearing is bad, go back to the Cangyun Sect and find a pill master to treat it."
Chu Yunfei said calmly, "Don't embarrass yourself here."
boom!
A gentle, yin-like spiritual energy surged from Qin Hao's body.
Several cracks appeared in the stone slab beneath his feet, and a chill spread outwards along the long street.
A murderous intent arose.
The nearby martial artists' expressions changed slightly, and they all retreated.
No one expected that Chu Yunfei would show no sign of backing down when facing the Holy Son of the Cangyun Sect. With a single sentence, he completely tore away the last shred of decorum between the two sides.
Chen Xuanhai looked at Chu Yunfei, a hint of coldness appearing in his eyes.
Qin Hao represents the face of the Cangyun Sect.
Publicly humiliating the Holy Son of the Cangyun Sect is tantamount to provoking the entire Cangyun Sect.