The third most beautiful woman in Qing State Prefecture, and she truly lived up to the title.
Beside her stood six others, four men and two women, all in their early twenties. They were dressed lavishly and carried themselves with an exceptional air.
’When she had first invited Zhou Jin to view flowers, hadn’t he refused as well? But ever since they met at a banquet during the Lantern Festival, all it took was a single word from her. Even if he was in the middle of his cultivation, he would drop everything and come at once.’
’In her mind, Lin Yan had only refused the invitation because he had never met her. Now that she was here in person, once he laid eyes on her, his attitude would surely change—just like Zhou Jin’s had.’
’If Zhou Shaoheng of the Zhou Family weren’t involved, I wouldn’t bother with this. But since it involves the Zhou Family, another of the Four Great Clans, hiding away would be a sign of weakness. I would be losing face for the Lin Family.’
Zheng Qiurong didn’t answer. Three days ago, she had sent an invitation for Lin Yan to attend a flower-viewing banquet at the Zheng Family estate, but to her surprise, he hadn’t shown up.
Zhou Jin was utterly fearless. The moment he saw Qiurong’s brow furrow slightly, rage flared within him.
He wore white robes and had a longsword at his waist. He had sharp, sword-like brows and eyes as bright as stars, giving him a heroic air. But what was most striking were his eyes—they held a steadiness that seemed far beyond his years.
Zheng Qiurong spoke up, seemingly to calm Zhou Jin down, but inwardly she was delighted. ’That little frown was meant for Zhou Jin’s eyes, because I knew he would lash out. As long as we can force Lin Yan to show himself, I refuse to believe he won’t be captivated by my beauty.’
Zheng Qiurong’s gaze fixed on the figure, a peculiar glint in her lovely eyes.
’You enjoy the Martial Arts Resources the family provides, so you must protect the family’s honor at all times.’
This, however, only piqued her curiosity about Lin Yan. That was why she had invited the same group for a boat trip today, using the tour as a pretext to "happen to" pass the stretch of river Lin Yan guarded. Then, she could personally invite him to join them.
"Sister Qiurong, is that Lin Yan you mentioned ever going to show up?"
"Cultivation?" Zhou Jin scoffed from the side. His voice wasn’t loud, but it was clear enough for everyone to hear. "Don’t tell me he’s in the middle of a breakthrough? ’Cannot step away’... He really thinks he’s someone important."
When Zhou Shaoheng spoke up, Zhao Tong knew this was no longer a simple matter. He suspected these young masters wouldn’t be leaving so easily. He immediately shot a meaningful glance at one of his subordinates, signaling for him to go and report to Young Master Lin.
Lin Yan reached the riverbank and stopped. His gaze swept over the people on the decorated boat, finally settling on Zhou Jin and Zhou Shaoheng.
’We all came this far, and Qiurong made a special trip to invite him. That’s more than enough respect to show someone. And he still refuses to meet us? Does that Lin Yan really think he was named a Rising Talent based on his own strength?’
As Zhao Tong approached, Sun Miaomiao’s face fell with disappointment after a single glance.
"Young Master Zhou, don’t be rash."
Straight to the point, with no pleasantries.
"Someone’s coming! But... it isn’t Lin Yan?"
"You two believe I’m not worthy of being on the list of Ten Great Rising Talents?"
Zhou Jin had a slender build, with a longsword hanging at his waist. His expression was cold and stern, his eyes occasionally sweeping the riverbank with a hint of impatience.
On the deck, another man chimed in to support him. "The Lin Family might be able to pressure the Feihong Sword Sect, but they can’t scare my Zhou Family."
Zheng Qiurong averted her gaze. Her voice was light, betraying no emotion.
"That must be Lin Yan. He’s quite handsome," Sun Miaomiao muttered under her breath, then added, "It’s just... I get the feeling he’s not very happy to see us."
This was Zhou Shaoheng, an actual member of the Zhou Family.
"Young Master Zhou, I’d watch your words. You don’t want to bring disaster upon yourself."
Zhou Jin’s face darkened, and Zhou Shaoheng let out a soft snort. Lin Yan’s attitude made it clear he didn’t take them seriously. Just as the two of them were about to speak, Zheng Qiurong interjected.
At this thought, Zheng Qiurong subtly glanced at Zhou Jin, who stood to her left.
’This was the downside of being born into a great clan.’
"Sister Qiurong, he’s here!"
’Zhou Jin was like that, and Lin Yan would be no different.’
Picking up his Abyssal Sword, Lin Yan rose and walked out of the courtyard.
"What? Does that Lin Yan only know how to throw his family’s weight around? Since he was named one of the Ten Great Rising Talents, I’d like to see for myself if he’s truly worthy of being mentioned in the same breath as me."
In the courtyard, Lin Yan’s expression darkened as he listened to the messenger’s report of the incident by the river.
"Miss Zheng, my sincerest apologies. Young Master Lin is at a critical juncture in his cultivation and cannot step away."
Zhao Tong’s tone was polite, but the confident expression on Zheng Qiurong’s bright, pretty face vanished.
’She had that much confidence in her looks.’
Sun Miaomiao stood on her tiptoes, glancing toward the shore before pulling back. "We’ve been waiting for almost fifteen minutes," she said, her voice sweet and crisp.
"I happen to agree with Zhou Jin. Which one of us Ten Great Rising Talents didn’t make the list based on our own strength? This Lin Yan only got on because he’s favored by the Lin Family’s Third Branch. If word of this spread, people would think all ten of us relied on our backgrounds to get on the list."
’Compared to him, Zhou Jin was clearly lacking.’
Zhao Tong’s expression turned cold. ’If someone from the main Zhou Family of the Four Great Clans had said that, I couldn’t do anything about it,’ he thought. ’But this man is just a Direct Disciple of the Feihong Sword Sect. The Feihong Sword Sect is nothing compared to the Four Great Clans.’
Sun Miaomiao was, once again, the first to notice. As she cried out, all eyes on the deck turned to the figure rapidly approaching them from the shore.
"Since Young Master Lin is cultivating, we won’t disturb him."
"Young Master Lin, my sincerest apologies." Her voice was soft and pleasing, carrying the perfect amount of regret. "It was my mistake. I was inconsiderate to come here so abruptly and cause you trouble."

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