A max-level player in Jade Dynasty: Awakening the Innate Dao at the start.

That delicate voice, tinged with a hint of anger, came from a private room with bamboo curtains hanging at the other end of the second floor.

What first caught everyone's eye was a bright, almost blinding, emerald green.

It wasn't the typical pale green favored by young ladies.

Instead, it is a highly saturated emerald green, carrying a certain wildness and untamed spirit.

Like the moss that grows most freely in the deep mountains after the rain, or like the eerie light that flickers in the eyes of a cat in the dark night.

The skirt was unexpectedly short, barely reaching the knees.

She boldly revealed her two beautifully shaped calves, as white as snow.

A pair of exquisite embroidered shoes, each toe adorned with a small silver bell.

With each subtle movement of its owner, it emits a delicate and crisp "ding-a-ling" sound.

In the suddenly quiet second floor, it was exceptionally clear.

Then, the owner of that emerald green dress gracefully emerged from the private room.

She was a girl who looked to be about sixteen or seventeen years old.

Her skin was fair and delicate, like the finest mutton fat jade, shimmering faintly in the light inside the building.

Her features were exquisitely beautiful, with delicate eyebrows and eyes, a fine nose and cherry lips, which together gave her an almost eerie beauty.

Beneath slender eyebrows were a pair of large, bright eyes.

Her eyes naturally have a slight upward curve at the corners, and her every glance reveals a lively yet undisguised wickedness and cunning.

Her rosy lips naturally upturned, as if always holding a hint of a half-smile.

But the smile didn't reach his eyes; instead, it made his gaze appear even more distant and mocking.

She walked straight to the wooden railing on the second floor and gently placed her hand on it.

He leaned slightly forward, looking down at Zhang Xiaofan and his group's table.

The emerald green skirt swayed gently with each movement, revealing glimpses of breathtakingly fair skin.

Zhang Xiaofan raised his eyes, calmly meeting her gaze, and silently uttered the name he already knew: Biyao.

The girl in the original story who dared to love and hate, who shielded him from the Zhuxian Sword Formation, and whose soul was ultimately scattered.

The only daughter of Wanrenwang, the leader of the Ghost King Sect, and a shining pearl of the demonic sect with the bloodline of the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox.

Her temper was as fiery as a flame that could burn everything; she would intervene whenever she saw injustice.

Even if the other party is the Qingyun Sect, which claims to be the legitimate successor of the world.

Now, she stands vividly before me, radiating her own vibrant energy and exuberance.

Biyao's gaze swept over the group downstairs with a slightly critical look, finally settling on the steaming pot of stewed mackerel in the center of the table.

She raised an eyebrow, her voice still in the same tone as before, a sweet and delicate tone mixed with undisguised sarcasm:

"Shopkeeper, who are you trying to fool? Zhugou Mountain is far to the southwest, more than a thousand miles away from here!"

The smelt is a very delicate creature; it cannot survive for even half an hour without its specific source of fresh water!

Even if you use the fastest spirit beasts to transport it day and night, it will take at least half a month to get it to Heyang City!

If this fish is truly fresh, I'll write my name, "Biyao," backwards right here and now for you to see!

These words were spoken with conviction and carried an undeniable certainty.

As soon as he finished speaking, Qi Hao's expression changed instantly.

He looked down at the half-eaten fish in his bowl, his throat bobbed uncontrollably, and his stomach felt like it was really churning.

It's not that I ate anything wrong, it's purely psychological.

The thought that this delicious fish might be "stale"—done half a month after it died and transported here only after being preserved using various secret methods—makes one wonder.

That feeling of nausea was impossible to suppress.

Zhang Xiaofan, however, remained calm.

He put down his bamboo chopsticks and slowly raised his head.

Looking at the verdant figure by the railing, he explained in a steady voice:

"This young lady is unaware of something."

A hundred years ago, the Daoist Master Xuan of our sect traveled to Zhugou Mountain and tasted the deliciousness of the Sleeping Fish, which he greatly enjoyed.

He then brought back several fish fry and carefully raised them in the Hongchuan River at the foot of Qingyun Mountain.

The waters of Hongchuan are clear and pristine, brimming with vitality, making it an ideal habitat for the smelt fish.

After a century of propagation, the Hongchuan Meiyu fish has now developed into its own distinct lineage, reaching a considerable scale.

Heyang City is only a hundred li away from my Qingyun Mountain gate.

The fish are caught in Hongchuan every morning and delivered to the shop by fast horse before noon.

Therefore, the fish in the bowl before the girl truly deserves the description of "fresh."

His words were clear, logical, and well-supported by evidence.

By transforming the "sleeping fish from a thousand miles away" into a "specialty within a hundred miles," Biyao's doubts were easily dispelled.

Biyao was clearly not prepared for this, and was taken aback upon hearing this.

Her bright eyes lingered on Zhang Xiaofan's calm face for three breaths.

Suddenly, he burst out laughing, a bright laugh that didn't reach his eyes.

"Oh? I see. Then it seems I was ignorant and misunderstood the shopkeeper."

She spoke politely, but the aversion and alienation she showed towards the words "Qingyun Sect" in her beautiful eyes were even more obvious than before.

This isn't directed at Zhang Xiaofan personally, but rather stems from the inherent conflict between their backgrounds and stances.

The Demonic Sect's Pearl, with its instinctive hostility towards the leader of the righteous path.

Downstairs, some diners had already realized what was happening and were echoing their opinions:

"So that's how it is! Dao Xuan Zhenren truly cares about us ordinary people."

Even something as trivial as satisfying one's appetite is on his mind, and he uses supernatural methods to achieve it—he's truly a living deity!

"Indeed, indeed, the merits of the Qingyun Immortals are immeasurable..."

Hearing these comments filled with gratitude and admiration, the smile on Biyao's lips faded, and the curve became somewhat stiff.

Her slender fingers, gripping the railing, unconsciously tightened slightly.

The neatly trimmed nails left a few faint white scratches on the smooth wooden railing.

She suddenly raised her voice, her tone clearly defiant:

"Ha, Qingyun Sect... is that all there is to it?"

These words were like a piece of ice being thrown into lukewarm water; the atmosphere on the second floor, which had just eased slightly, suddenly plummeted to freezing point again.

"Smack."

A very slight sound was heard as bamboo chopsticks were gently placed on the rim of a porcelain bowl.

Lu Xueqi put down her chopsticks.

She didn't speak immediately, but slowly stood up, turned around, and faced the emerald green figure on the second-floor railing.

The moon-white Taoist robe seemed to sense the fluctuations in its owner's emotions, moving slightly without wind, its hem fluttering gently.

A cool and solid aura began to quietly gather around her.

Those eyes, always calm and still, like a deep, cold pool, now clearly reflected the girl's shadow on the railing.

Deep within his eyes gleamed a sharp, almost instinctive glint of protection for his sect.

Qingyun is her sect, the pure land where she cultivates and comprehends the Tao, and the "home" that carries all her past and future.

This sense of belonging and honor cannot be disrespected by outsiders.

In particular, we cannot tolerate a girl of unknown origin with sharp tongues spouting nonsense here.

Biyao looked down at Lu Xueqi without flinching.

Two pairs of equally beautiful eyes, yet with vastly different temperaments, met in the air.

A cold, clear moon, its radiance restrained, yet a chilling aura arises from within;

A spirit as nimble as a mountain fairy, with shifty eyes and a hidden malevolent aura.

Their temperaments are completely opposite, like two extremes of ice and fire.

But the innate pride and unwillingness to admit defeat that are deeply rooted in their bones sparked an invisible flame at this moment.

"The prestigious Qingyun Sect, instead of focusing on your righteous duty of slaying demons and protecting the common people..."

Biyao parted her red lips slightly and continued speaking.

Each word was like a meticulously crafted ice needle, piercing towards the signboard of "Leader of the Righteous Path."

"It seems like he's devoted himself entirely to fish farming and fish selling?"

What's wrong? Is the solitary cultivation in the mountains too boring, or is it the banner of "exorcising demons and protecting the righteous path" that's driving you crazy?

Feeling tired after carrying heavy loads for so long? Looking for an easier job?

These words were extremely harsh and hit the nail on the head.

The faces of several young disciples downstairs, also dressed in Qingyun robes, flushed red with anger.

Qi Hao stood up abruptly, his right hand gripping the hilt of the Frost Sword at his waist, his eyes cold.

At this tense moment, when swords were about to be drawn and war was imminent—

Another voice came from the private room on the second floor, which was draped with bamboo curtains.

It was a woman's voice, slightly lower than Biyao's.

With a unique, seemingly languid and husky quality, as if mellowed by the passage of time,

His tone was calm, yet strangely possessed an undeniable magic that momentarily silenced the tense atmosphere downstairs.

"Biyao, don't cause trouble, come back."

The sound wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly.

Biyao bit her lower lip, a hint of resentment flashing across her pretty face, but she didn't move her feet immediately.

The waiter, sensing the danger, broke out in a sweat.

Quickly grabbing a plate of seasonal fresh fruit, I ran upstairs with a smile:

"Young lady, fairy, calm down, both of you calm down!"

"It's our shop's fault for not serving you properly. This plate of fruit is a small token of our appreciation, to help you two cool down..."

Biyao glared at the waiter, her tone still haughty:

"I wasn't really angry, I just couldn't stand it and wanted to say a few words of justice."

Although she spoke toughly, her gaze remained firmly fixed on Lu Xueqi downstairs.

The two stood silently facing each other across a dozen or so wooden steps and several meters apart, neither willing to give way.

Lu Xueqi suddenly spoke, her voice even colder than the ice stored in the cellar of the Mountain and Sea Garden:

"You've been watching him?"

She turned her head and said this to Zhang Xiaofan beside her.

From the moment the girl in the green dress appeared, she keenly sensed it.

Zhang Xiaofan's gaze seemed never to leave that vibrant figure.

Before Zhang Xiaofan could answer, Biyao on the railing seemed to have had a switch flipped by those words.

He spoke first, raising his chin defiantly:

"So what if I am? He's interested in me, didn't you realize that?"

As she spoke, a bright yet slightly wicked smile bloomed on her face, her gaze piercing directly at Lu Xueqi:

"What's wrong, you cold, big... cough, are you afraid I'll steal your sweetheart?"

She seemed to have changed her tune at the last minute, but the confrontational tone remained unchanged.

Lu Xueqi's face was as cold as ice. She didn't respond to Biyao's obviously provocative words.

He simply took a step forward, and his right hand gently rested on the cold hilt of Tianya Shen's sword.

The voice was firm and resolute, leaving no room for negotiation:

"Go out. Let's have a match."

Be direct, straightforward, and abandon all pointless arguments.

She sensed something from Biyao's words, actions, and the subtle aura flowing around her.

It was clear that this girl was no ordinary person; her skills were undoubtedly extraordinary, and she clearly harbored hostility towards the Qingyun Sect.

Since that's the case, let's solve it in the simplest way possible—the truth will be revealed under the sword.

Biyao's eyes lit up. Far from being afraid, she was eager to try: "Let's compete! I'm not afraid of you!"

She turned and was about to leap down the stairs.

Just then, from the private room on the second floor, that languid yet authoritative female voice rang out again.

This time, there was a clear sense of helplessness in his tone:

"Biyao, stop fooling around."

As soon as the words were spoken, the bamboo curtain swayed slightly, and a black figure slowly walked out from the private room.

It was a woman completely shrouded in a black dress.

Her face was covered by a light veil of the same color, revealing only her eyes.

However, those eyes alone are enough to make one unforgettable.

Her eyes are beautifully shaped, with a natural, just-right upturn at the corners, and thick, long eyelashes that resemble two small fans.

What's most captivating are those eyes; the pupils are a slightly darker color than most people's.

When you gaze at them, they seem like two bottomless ancient wells, or the most tranquil, icy pools under the night sky; as their eyes shift and turn...

It carries a unique charm and vicissitudes that have settled after the passage of time.

With just a light glance, it seems as if one can see through people's hearts.

Despite the loose black clothes, they still couldn't hide the breathtaking curves of her figure.

Her breasts were full and high, her waist was so slender that it could be encircled by a single hand, and her hips extended downwards to a round and alluring curve.

She stood quietly by the railing, without needing to make any gesture.

She naturally exudes an allure unique to mature women, a blend of mystery and seduction.

Like a fruit that ripens quietly in the dark, waiting to be picked, it exudes a silent yet deadly allure.

Zhang Xiaofan's gaze lingered on her for a moment.

The complex and unfathomable look in Wan Jianyi's eyes when he occasionally mentioned the name "You Ji" flashed through his mind.

The once pristine, exceptionally talented swordsman, when mentioning this woman from the demonic sect,

Regret and reminiscence intertwined in his eyes.

And a profound emotion that even he himself might not be able to fully understand.

Three hundred years.

Unmarried, still virgin, her cultivation is unfathomable, and her temperament is uniquely enigmatic.

Such a woman is indeed someone that even a figure like Wan Jianyi would find hard to forget a hundred years later.

Youji walked to the railing, extended her hand, which was covered by a black gauze glove, and gently placed it on Biyao's shoulder.

The movements appeared casual and gentle, but Biyao's shoulders stiffened almost imperceptibly.

The step that was about to be taken finally came to a stop.

"Master..." Biyao called softly, her tone clearly reluctant.

"Come back." Yu Ji's voice remained languid and indifferent.

But those two simple words contain an unyielding will.

Biyao bit her lower lip, her delicate face filled with resentment.

But under Yu Ji's calm gaze, he finally gave in.

She turned angrily and walked towards the private booth. Just before entering,

She turned around and glared fiercely at Lu Xueqi downstairs.

He quickly dropped a sentence at a volume that only a few people nearby could hear:

"Hmph, big kitten, you're lucky this time."

"If I ever run into you again, I'll make sure you experience the power of the Hehuan Sect's magic!"

Lu Xueqi didn't retort, but her hand on the hilt of the Tianya sword tightened slightly.

A faint, low "hum" emanated from within the sword sheath.

A sliver of sharp, azure light spilled out from the crack, as if the divine sword possessed a spirit, responding to the rising fighting spirit in its master's heart.

Looking at this sudden and abruptly ended turmoil, Zhang Xiaofan's lips suddenly curved upwards into a slight smile.

He stood up casually and walked to Lu Xueqi, who exuded an aura of unapproachability.

He reached out and gently patted her tense shoulder, the movement as natural as if he had done it a thousand times.

Then, he looked up, his gaze passing over the railing.

Looking towards the master and apprentice pair on the second floor who were about to disappear behind the bamboo curtain, he cleared his throat.

In an unusually calm tone, even carrying a hint of "peace-making," he said loudly:

"Alright, alright, it's just a small misunderstanding, we'll clear it up."

We'll all be family in the future, so why ruin our harmony and resort to violence?

Upon hearing this, the entire second floor fell into a deathly silence.

Lu Xueqi suddenly turned her head to look at Zhang Xiaofan.

Those clear, cold eyes were filled with disbelief, as if they were looking at a stranger who had suddenly lost his mind.

Biyao abruptly stopped in front of the curtain on the second floor, her beautiful peach blossom eyes widening in surprise.

His little face was filled with astonishment, as if to say, "Did you get your brain caught in a door?"

Even You Ji, who always possessed a calm demeanor and seemed unburdened by worldly concerns, wore a light veil over her face.

Her beautiful, delicate eyebrows furrowed almost imperceptibly, and a faint sense of absurdity flashed across her eyes.

Zhang Xiaofan seemed completely oblivious to the stares he was receiving from all directions, as if he were a monster.

He continued speaking to himself, his tone even carrying a sense of entitlement, as if he were announcing family rules:

"You," he pointed to the verdant figure on the second floor.

"And you,"

He patted the shoulder of the man in the moon-white Taoist robe beside him, his tone calm yet authoritative.

"From now on, you'll all be my people, Zhang Xiaofan's people. What can't we talk about properly behind closed doors?"

If you insist on resorting to violence, I'll feel bad if anyone gets hurt.

Listen to me, don't do this again, or else...

He paused, seemingly deep in thought about the "family rules," and then solemnly concluded:

"Otherwise, if I really get angry, I'll clean them both up at the same time."

He spoke with utmost seriousness and certainty.

It's as if I'm simply stating a self-evident fact, like "the sun rises in the east and sets in the west."

For a full two seconds, you could hear a pin drop on the second floor of Shanhaiyuan.

It was as if even the air had frozen, with only the faint noise from the street outside the window highlighting the eerie silence inside the building.

Then--

"Shut up, you little brat!!!" (Biyao)

"My affairs are none of your business!" (Lu Xueqi)

Two sharp shouts rang out almost simultaneously!

One is crisp and sharp, the other is icy cold and biting; though their contents differ...

But the overwhelming sense of shame and anger was exactly the same!

After shouting, Lu Xueqi and Biyao both seemed to be stunned for a moment, and subconsciously looked at each other.

Then, as if electrocuted, they quickly turned their heads away.

One was looking out the window, the other was staring at the ceiling.

Only their slightly reddened earlobes betrayed their turbulent emotions.

"Pfft—cough cough cough!"

Zeng Shushu, who had been trying to keep a low profile, finally couldn't hold back anymore.

A mouthful of tea choked him, triggering a violent coughing fit.

He quickly covered his face tightly with a folding fan, his shoulders shaking violently.

Muffled laughter leaked intermittently from behind the fan.

Zhang Xiaofan shrugged and spread his hands.

He gave a helpless look, as if to say, "See? I knew this would happen."

Then, surprisingly, he actually turned around and sat back down in his seat, picking up the bowl of spirit rice he hadn't finished eating again.

He picked up his chopsticks, took a large piece of snow-white mackerel meat, and put it into his mouth without regard for others, chewing it carefully.

His appearance made it seem as if the earth-shattering declaration that had just been enough to make any normal person's scalp tingle and toes dig into the ground had not come from his mouth at all.

It was as if the suspicious-looking demonic sect girl on the second floor, and the chilling junior sister beside him, had absolutely no connection to him.

Biyao stared at the black-clad boy downstairs, who was engrossed in his food, seemingly oblivious to what was happening.

She stared for a long time, her delicate little face flushing red and then turning pale.

Finally, a heavy "Hmph!" squeezed out from his nose, a mixture of annoyance and some other complex emotion.

With a sudden flick of his sleeve, he turned around, lifted the bamboo curtain, and disappeared into the private room.

Lu Xueqi also sat down silently and picked up her chopsticks again.

However, the force with which she gripped the chopsticks caused her knuckles to turn slightly white.

It was as if what he held in his hand was not chopsticks, but someone's neck.

In the private room on the second floor, behind the bamboo curtain, Youji's deep eyes...

Through the gap in the curtain, I took one last deep look at the strange-looking boy downstairs.

Doubt, scrutiny, inquiry, and a hint of something more elusive flashed quickly in her eyes.

Then, with a slight movement, she disappeared behind the curtain, as if she had never been there.

The second floor of Shanhaiyuan finally returned to a state of apparent calm.

All that remained was the soft sound of Zhang Xiaofan slowly chewing his food.

And Zeng Shushu's barely suppressed, intermittent chuckles.

Qi Hao sat alone in his seat.

Looking at the absurd and turbulent scene before him, his face was so gloomy it was almost dripping with water.

He suddenly had an extremely strong premonition—

This time, I was ordered by my master to descend the mountain for training. The journey ahead...

It will probably be much more "lively" and troublesome than we imagine.