Jin Yuyao also sensed something.
She stared intently at the rockery.
In her eyes, the rockery should have exploded into the air the next second.
However, after staring at it for a full ten seconds, the rockery remained motionless and unharmed!
Ling Fan's sword strike had possessed no power at all!
She had been so full of anticipation.
A surge of anger, feeling tricked, rose within Jin Yuyao.
Along with the displeasure of her beloved sword dao being insulted!
"Do you understand what sword intent is?"
Ling Fan, however, seemed oblivious to his mistake and was still lecturing Jin Yuyao.
Jin Yuyao couldn't help but sneer, "Understand your ass! Stop insulting the sword dao. I thought you were someone extraordinary, but I didn't expect you to be so vulgar and unbearable."
"With your meager strength, it seems you have no connection with that master who slew the serpent. I was overthinking it!"
"You've been playing mind games, true and false, false and true, all to deliberately hook me and get closer to me! Hmph, you're no different from those other men who approach me!"
Jin Yuyao snatched back her Yellow-grade high-quality spirit sword, then stomped her foot and stormed away in a huff.
Ling Fan lowered his gaze slightly.
He found it amusing.
He offered no explanation.
After Jin Yuyao had been gone for a while.
A wind blew through the courtyard.
The moment it brushed past the rockery, the rockery, made of rare and hard Taihu stones, instantly turned to dust...
Ling Fan's sword strike earlier had not used any martial qi power.
He had shattered the rockery solely with his immensely powerful sword intent.
It was just that Jin Yuyao was too far from the realm of sword intent to perceive any of it.
The next day.
Jin Yuyao's anger had still not subsided.
She was sulking.
Her expression was very displeased.
Everyone was about to depart for the gathering of past geniuses from Xichuan Province.
Jiang Yong curiously asked, "Yuyao, who upset you? Your face looks so grim. Tell me, and I'll deal with him!"
Jin Yuyao, like a firecracker ready to explode, snapped, "It's none of your business! Stop being a busybody."
Jiang Yong gave an awkward smile.
Then he changed the subject, "Where's that guy? Why didn't you call him?"
"Why would I call him? To embarrass us?"
Jin Yuyao said fiercely, like a kitten whose tail had been stepped on.
Then she haughtily walked out on her own.
Jiang Yong and the others exchanged glances, all showing expressions of schadenfreude.
Heh heh.
It seemed that guy had somehow thoroughly offended Jin Yuyao.
Serves him right!
He didn't look like a decent person at all.
"Brother Yong, let's go. It's good that we're not calling that guy!"
A young genius urged.
Jiang Yong chuckled, "How can that be? I'm still waiting to see that guy make a fool of himself. Didn't you all want to see him exposed after he acted so high and mighty?"
"You, go call that guy! We can't have this good show without its main actor."
Jiang Yong said with a wicked grin.
The others also let out knowing laughter.
...
Luoyan Tower.
Located northwest of the capital city of the Liuyun Kingdom.
Once, a martial king of the Giant Spirit realm had slain a Giant Spirit realm Thousand-Winged Goose King here.
The tower was thus named.
It was a very renowned high-class establishment in the capital city.
Those who could enter were either wealthy or noble, important figures in the capital city.
At this moment.
On the fourth floor of Luoyan Tower.
Several young talents in their early twenties sat in a private booth by the window, drinking and enjoying the magnificent and grand scenery of the vast capital city.
One of them sat in the main seat.
With a powdered face and slicked hair.
His lips were thin, giving him a sharp and picky appearance.
The others treated him with great respect.
It was clear that they all deferred to him.
This person was Wei Liuping, a direct descendant of the Wei family, one of the three great martial arts magnates of the Liuyun Kingdom. He possessed quasi-Heavenly Origin realm cultivation, making him an outstanding figure even in the capital city, which was teeming with prodigies.
The others were past geniuses from Xichuan Province.
Their cultivation ranged from the late Profound Gang realm to the peak Profound Gang realm.
Because these individuals had performed exceptionally well at the previous Wei family's Dragon-Fish Banquet, they had been heavily recruited by the Wei family, even though they hadn't managed to enter any reclusive sects.
"Judging by the time, your junior brothers and sisters should be arriving soon."
Wei Liuping took a sip of wine and said in a nasally voice.
"Young Master Wei, please wait a moment longer. Our Yuyao sister is a stunning beauty, absolutely worth Young Master Wei's patient wait!"
"Mm, you guys are smart and know how to handle things. I'll take care of you more in the future."
Wei Liuping nodded indifferently.
"Thank you for your patronage, Young Master Wei!"
The few were overjoyed.
Not long after.
A beautiful figure appeared on the fourth floor.
Several people quickly waved, "Yuyao, over here, we're here! Come, sit, sit, sit here."
"Brother Yuhang, Brother Chenyang..."
Jin Yuyao greeted them warmly and boldly took the empty seat.
"Yuyao, let me introduce you. This is Young Master Wei Liuping, a direct descendant of the Magic Martial Wei family!"
"The one in charge of hosting this Dragon-Fish Banquet is Young Master Wei's father, the second elder of the Wei family, Wei Shenghu. Yuyao, you should have a few drinks with Young Master Wei later!"
"Although with your talent and strength, joining the Wei family is no problem, if things are handled properly, you might even be able to aim for a reclusive sect with Young Master Wei's influence!"
Song Yuhang seated Jin Yuyao right next to Wei Liuping.
Then he introduced her to Jin Yuyao.
Jin Yuyao nodded politely at Wei Liuping.
Her demeanor was neither humble nor arrogant.
Wei Liuping stared intently at Jin Yuyao, appraising her from head to toe, nodding repeatedly, appearing quite satisfied.
He arrogantly stated, "For this selection to enter reclusive sects, as a descendant of the Wei family, I can naturally enter the Snow King Palace. If Yuyao, you are willing, I can speak with my father and bring you into the Snow King Palace as well."
After speaking, Wei Liuping's gaze was burning with desire as he looked at Jin Yuyao, his eyes restlessly lingering on her curves.
"Then I thank you, Young Master Wei."
Jin Yuyao felt a bit uncomfortable with Wei Liuping's aggressive gaze.
But she knew she absolutely could not offend this young master of the Wei family.
So she could only brace herself and give a perfunctory reply.
Wei Liuping said, "Don't thank me yet. Although I can bring you into the Snow King Palace, there are conditions."
He changed the subject.
"The Snow King Palace has extremely strict requirements for disciples. While your talent is good, it's not enough to make the Snow King Palace bend its rules for you. Furthermore, outsiders not of the Wei family cannot take shortcuts into the Snow King Palace, so..."
"You need to become my companion."
Wei Liuping stated bluntly.
Jin Yuyao's body trembled. She glanced at Song Yuhang, Li Chenyang, and the others.
She had never expected Wei Liuping to be so direct and crude!
Song Yuhang, Li Chenyang, and the others frantically signaled to her.
In their eyes, this was a golden opportunity that might never come again.
Jin Yuyao absolutely could not miss it.
As for sacrificing a bit of her looks, compared to entering the Snow King Palace, what was that?
Jin Yuyao was somewhat angered.
But she suppressed her anger and said, "Thank you for your kind offer, Young Master Wei. Yuyao is still young, and I wish to try with my own strength to see if I am qualified for the selection standards of a reclusive sect."
Wei Liuping stared at her deeply, his expression showing some displeasure.