In the center of Crescent Lake was a small island.
The island’s scenery was beautiful, with lush trees and flowers that blood year-round. Pavilions and halls had been built, making it very popular with Martial Artists.
A small boat pulled up to the shore, and several young people disembarked.
"So many people."
Ning Ding’s gaze swept around, noticing many black-canopied boats by the shore. The milling figures were all from the younger generation.
"There have always been a lot of Martial Artists who co here for leisure. And with the end of the year approaching, it’s normal for it to be more crowded than usual."
Ning Feng said, a hint of pride on his face, "But the gathering is being held in the center. Those who weren’t invited aren’t qualified to enter Crescent Manor."
"Alright, let’s go."
Ning Feng waved his hand, about to lead the group inside.
"Look! Soone’s coming."
Ning Ding suddenly exclaid. The others followed his gaze and saw a small boat slowly approaching. At its bow stood a pretty, beautiful woman in a light cyan dress. She was tall and slender, her figure graceful and elegant.
"It’s her."
A complex look flashed through Ning Shan’s eyes—a mix of envy, jealousy, and desire. This woman was renowned among the younger generation of Baiquan Town.
Her na was Song Mu’Er.
The younger sister of the Song Family’s number one genius, Song Ziwen.
Song Ziwen was a genius who ranked among the top three in Baiquan Town, and he was also the organizer of tonight’s gathering.
As Song Ziwen’s sister, Song Mu’Er was also extraordinarily gifted and intelligent. At just twenty years old, she already had Peak Postnatal Cultivation, ranking her among the top ten of Baiquan Town’s younger generation.
With two geniuses in one generation, the Song Family was the envy of countless other families.
Song Mu’Er was highly talented and beautiful, making her extrely popular in Baiquan Town. The number of n who admired her was unknown, but unfortunately, her standards were too high. She wouldn’t even deign to look at the top three figures in town.
As a woman herself, it would be a lie for Ning Shan to say she wasn’t jealous of Song Mu’Er.
If it were only a matter of beauty, she was confident she could compete with Song Mu’Er. But when it ca to talent or family background, she fell far short.
The Song Family was one of the giants of Baiquan Town; a single stomp of their foot could make the entire town tremble. In comparison, the Ning Family was much weaker.
The mont Song Mu’Er appeared, countless young people on the shore turned to look. Most of the n’s eyes burned with desire, while the won’s were filled with jealousy and envy.
"Miss Song."
Ning Feng called out in a clear voice. The mont Song Mu’Er’s boat docked, he approached her, his face wreathed in smiles.
At the sa ti, the aura of the Innate Realm emanated from his body.
This aura was aid at the restless young n nearby, many of whom wanted to approach Song Mu’Er and get close to her.
But upon sensing Ning Feng’s aura, their expressions changed, and they all stopped in their tracks.
"Who is that? Since when did Baiquan Town have another young Innate Realm expert?"
"I know him. I think he’s Ning Feng of the Ning Family."
The crowd broke into discussion. Currently, no more than five people from Baiquan Town’s younger generation had broken through to the Innate Realm, and every single one of them was famous.
"Miss Song, allow to introduce myself. I am Ning Feng."
Ning Feng struck a dashing pose, a smile on his face. But deep within his eyes, there was also a hint of burning desire.
He was also one of Song Mu’Er’s admirers.
In the past, he had secretly admired Song Mu’Er but never dared to confess his feelings, knowing the large gap in their status. But things were different now. He had broken through to the Innate Realm, and his strength had greatly increased.
Now, he finally dared to try and pursue her.
"I know who you are. My brother specially invited you."
Song Mu’Er nodded. Her figure was slender and her bearing noble. Ning Shan, who stood nearby, was also a beauty, but she paled in comparison when standing next to Song Mu’Er.
Hearing that Song Mu’Er knew of him, Ning Feng was secretly delighted but kept his expression neutral. "Did Brother Ziwen not co with you, Miss Song?"
"My brother ca ahead of . He should already be inside," Song Mu’Er replied, her voice crisp and pleasant.
"Another beauty! And she’s even prettier than Song Mu’Er."
Soone on the shore suddenly cried out, attracting a crowd of onlookers.
Song Mu’Er was a famous beauty in Baiquan Town. Who could possibly be prettier than her?
Doubtful gazes followed the sound, but when they saw the woman in purple, the doubt in their eyes instantly vanished, replaced by sheer, breathtaking amazent.
She was exquisitely elegant and otherworldly. Silky black hair cascaded past her ears, her skin was like ice and snow, her eyebrows like ink paintings, and her eyes like autumn pools—an indescribable, delicate charm.
Her purple dress seed especially dazzling and vibrant in the afterglow of the setting sun, giving her an ethereal and graceful air.
Never mind the n present; even Song Mu’Er couldn’t help a flash of stunned amazent from crossing her beautiful eyes when she saw her.
"Who is this woman? I’ve never seen her before."
"Am I seeing things? The few pieces of jewelry she’s wearing... they all look like Treasures from the Jadeite Pavilion. Any single one of them must cost over ten thousand Primordial Stones."
"What? That’s so extravagant! Not even the jewel of the Song Family, Song Mu’Er, could afford that, right?"
Those discussing the jewelry were all won. They had sharp eyes and also liked to visit the Jadeite Pavilion. Many of them had seen the Treasures on the third floor.
But for them, being able to afford even one of those Treasures was already an incredible feat. Take Zhang Tong, who willingly bowed her head and admitted fault just for a pair of bracelets; it was clear how difficult it was to buy a single piece.
Now, every piece of jewelry on Ning Yu’an was a Treasure. Just how wealthy must she be?
"Hm? It’s the Heart of the Crescent Moon. To think she was the one who bought it."
Song Mu’Er let out a small sound of surprise, noticing the necklace around Ning Yu’an’s neck.
"Does Miss Song like it as well?" Ning Feng asked.
"I had originally intended to buy it, but when I went to the Jadeite Pavilion just now, I found out I was a step too late. It had already been purchased. Such a pity," Song Mu’Er said with regret. The last ti she saw it, she didn’t have enough Primordial Stones and planned to co back for it, only to miss her chance.
"That’s easily solved. Since you like it, Miss Song, I’ll give it to you as a gift."
Full of confidence, Ning Feng called out to Ning Yu’an and her companion, "Ning Yu’an, co over here."
Ning Yu’an frowned. She didn’t want to bother with them, but then she rembered they were, after all, relatives. ’If I ignore them, who knows what nasty things they’ll say about behind my back.’
"What is it?" Ning Yu’an and Ning Jiang walked over.
"It’s a small matter. Miss Song had her eye on this Heart of the Crescent Moon, but you bought it first. Just hand it over, and I’ll give you the Primordial Stones for it when we get back."
Ning Feng’s tone was forceful, almost a command. "I’m sure you have it in you to do soone a good turn, don’t you?"
"It’s not for sale," Ning Yu’an refused directly, her expression displeased. This was a gift from Ning Jiang; no amount of Primordial Stones would be enough.
"I can add two thousand Primordial Stones as compensation," Song Mu’Er offered. She had coveted the Heart of the Crescent Moon for a long ti, and she believed two thousand Primordial Stones would be more than enough to sway Ning Yu’an.
"Forget two thousand Primordial Stones; even two hundred thousand would be useless. Sister An, don’t mind them. It’s a waste of breath."
Without even glancing at Song Mu’Er, Ning Jiang spoke indifferently and turned to leave with Ning Yu’an.
"Who is that kid? He’s so arrogant, completely disrespecting Song Mu’Er," soone exclaid in amazent.
"You two, stop right there!" Ning Feng’s face turned ashen as he barked out a cold command.
"Forget it. If she won’t sell, she won’t sell. I suppose it wasn’t ant to be." Song Mu’Er shook her head magnanimously, but a trace of dissatisfaction still flickered in the depths of her eyes.
"Everyone, I must go find my brother now. Please excuse . Feel free to carry on." After speaking, Song Mu’Er took a graceful step and left the shore.
"Damn it."
Ning Feng’s fists clenched, his expression cold. He had originally planned to use the Heart of the Crescent Moon to get on Song Mu’Er’s good side so he could pursue her later. But Ning Jiang and Ning Yu’an hadn’t shown him any respect at all, completely ruining his plans.
Now, Song Mu’Er had just left them behind, likely because she was displeased with the whole affair.
At that mont, he hated Ning Jiang and Ning Yu’an with a vengeance.
「...」
The island’s environnt was lovely. Flowers, plants, and trees were everywhere, alongside clear, flowing springs. The chirping of unknown birds added a lively touch to the island.
"It’s been a long ti since I’ve walked here," Ning Yu’an said, her face beaming with a smile. Her voice was both gentle and crisp, utterly enchanting.
The brother and sister strolled leisurely, reminiscing about the past.
"My little brother used to love practicing his Sword Technique here."
The two walked into a grove of trees. They could still see so sword marks on the surrounding tree trunks, but the marks were already shallow and faint. They would probably disappear completely in a few more years.
"Yeah, and I used to get beaten up by her all the ti."
Ning Jiang laughed. It was an embarrassing mory from his past.
It was from his childhood, before he was ten years old.
Back then, he often sparred with that silver-haired girl here. Unfortunately, no matter when they fought, it was always a one-sided beating. He was simply no match for her.
That silver-haired girl’s talent was too high. Even when Ning Jiang used a sword, he couldn’t defeat her when she was empty-handed.
And every ti he got beaten, Ning Yu’an’s heart would ache for him. She had argued with the silver-haired girl many tis because of it.
"Hmph. Now, she would definitely be no match for my little brother," Ning Yu’an huffed.
"If she hasn’t slacked off these past six years, I’m probably still not her opponent."
Ning Jiang shook his head with a smile. He knew Ning Yu’an had always held a grudge against that silver-haired girl. But back then, even though he was getting beaten, those beatings actually helped his Sword Technique improve.
Besides, the silver-haired girl had always held back. Although she beat him until he grimaced and cried out in pain, she never actually injured him.
"Huh?"
Just as the two were reminiscing about their childhood, a man and a woman happened to walk past several dozen yards away.
The young man in blue glanced over. The mont he saw Ning Jiang, his eyes widened in utter disbelief.
"He... he... what is he doing here?!"
His imnse shock made the blue-robed man’s voice stutter, his eyes filled with astonishnt. He would never forget the battle at Star Moon Lake in Luoyang City on the fifteenth of the first month.
At that ti, Ning Jiang’s face had been deeply seared into his mory.
"It’s them again. Brother, do you know them? Those two are so annoying."
Beside the blue-robed man was Song Mu’Er. The incident at the shore had left her with a very poor impression of the pair.
But the blue-robed man seed not to hear her at all.
He strode forward quickly, a respectful expression on his face, and ca to stand before Ning Jiang.
Then.
This renowned genius of Baiquan Town, the number one expert of the Song Family’s younger generation, bowed respectfully to Ning Jiang with the utmost piety, like a humble student greeting his teacher.
"Junior Song Ziwen pays his respects to the White Head Sword Sect!"
Instantly.
Song Mu’Er froze!
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