“Ye Yu’s luck is truly remarkable. His fiancée breaks off the engagement, and a cousin appears… What’s next? An older cousin? A childhood friend?” Mu Zhi’an murmured, leaning back in his chair, his gaze fixed on the two cultivators sparring in the arena.

He had to admit, Ye Yu was surrounded by beautiful women.

But unfortunately, he was too fixated on his former fiancée to notice his cousin’s affection. That Ye Qian… she was quite lovely.

“What did you say to Ye Qian?” Bai Ruoxi asked softly, turning to look at him.

She had witnessed their interaction from afar. While she didn’t know what he’d said, judging by Ye Qian’s flustered expression, it must have been something… flirtatious.

Mu Zhi’an chuckled. “Nothing much. Just being helpful.”

“So you gave her a Foundation Establishment Pill?” she asked, her tone slightly accusatory.

She saw that too? “I didn’t give it to her. I simply sold it to her at cost.”

Bai Ruoxi frowned, unconvinced. “Selling it at cost, it’s practically the same as giving it to her.”

Alchemists were a rare breed in this world.

Typically, the cost of commissioning an alchemist to refine a pill was equal to the cost of the ingredients themselves.

Even in a bustling city like Tianxuan City, there were only a handful of alchemists.

She was right. Selling the pill to Ye Qian at cost was essentially a gift.

“Why would you do that? You and Ye Yu are rivals. Do you like her?”

She lowered her eyes, her long lashes casting shadows on her cheeks, her expression unreadable.

Why do I feel like she’s about to draw her sword? “Ruoxi, have you heard the saying…” Mu Zhi’an began.

She looked up at him, her eyes regaining their usual sparkle.

He continued, “The most expensive things are free.”

She frowned, still confused.

He didn’t elaborate, simply squeezing her hand gently. “You’ll be staying at the Mu Manor, won’t you? You’ll understand soon enough.”

If it was something worthless, he wouldn’t mind giving it away.

But a Foundation Establishment Pill, it was a valuable commodity.

Some things might seem free, but their price, it was always hidden.

Seeing her continued uncertainty, he leaned in close, his voice a low whisper. “Just know this… for now, you’re the only one I need.”

She blushed, her gaze downcast, a soft “Mmm” escaping her lips.

She’s surprisingly shy for someone so aloof. He smiled, admiring her beauty.

Suddenly, they felt countless gazes upon them, filled with surprise and curiosity.

They know about us… why are they still surprised? It seemed the allure of Tianxuan City’s most beautiful woman was difficult to resist.

Mu Zhi’an ignored their stares, smiling politely before turning back to the sparring arena.

But then, he felt a chill run down his spine.

A coldness that seemed to seep into his very bones.

They’re not looking at us. He followed their gazes and saw Lan Mulian, her face veiled, her expression as cold and aloof as ever, sitting behind them, observing the practice matches.

Feiying, her figure alluring in her red cheongsam, sat in a corner, her legs crossed, her gaze seemingly fixed on the arena, but her attention was clearly on Mu Zhi’an.

She didn’t want the people of Tianxuan City to know about her relationship with her sister. Firstly, she didn’t want to attract opportunists. And secondly, she didn’t want to be compared to her sister.

Of course, she wasn’t actively hiding their connection. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have accompanied Lan Mulian today.

What is she doing here?

“Senior Sister, when did you arrive?” Mu Zhi’an asked, surprised.

“The entrance exams are approaching. I wanted to observe the candidates. I arrived early this morning,” Lan Mulian replied calmly.

As an examiner, it was understandable for her to assess the potential disciples.

Mu Zhi’an nodded, then his smile faltered as realization dawned on him.

He stared at her, his voice a strained whisper. “How long have you been here?”

She pondered for a moment, a hint of amusement in her eyes. “Longer than you.”

So she saw everything. But where was she sitting?

“Why didn’t I see you earlier?” he asked, still clinging to a sliver of hope.

If he had known she was nearby, he wouldn’t have been so affectionate with Bai Ruoxi, at least, not in public.

“There’s a tea house nearby with a good view of the arena,” she replied.

He knew the tea house. He had frequented it in the past, enjoying the view from its private rooms.

He hadn’t expected Lan Mulian to be familiar with Tianxuan City’s attractions.

He struggled to maintain his smile.

However, she didn’t seem to care about his earlier behavior. She looked at the woman in the arena, her voice cool. “Is that the temptress from the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce? Huang Manting?”

Mu Zhi’an, gathering his thoughts, looked up to see a beautiful woman in a black dress sparring with another cultivator. The dress accentuated her pale skin, lending her an alluring charm.

He nodded. “That’s Huang Manting.”

He had met her once, but they weren’t acquainted.

Lan Mulian studied her for a moment, then nodded. “She has decent talent.”

She paused, then added, “But in terms of talent… Miss Bai seems to be superior.”

Considering Bai Ruoxi’s recent performance, it was understandable for her to say that.

Normally, he would have taken it as a genuine compliment, but for some reason, he felt a hint of something else in her words.

Bai Ruoxi turned to Lan Mulian, a smile gracing her lips. “I’m honored to receive your praise, Senior Sister. But I owe everything to Young Master Mu.”

Lan Mulian looked at Mu Zhi’an, intrigued. “It seems you’re quite generous, Young Master Mu, despite your own low cultivation. You went to the Two Polarities Sect that night to acquire a herb for someone, wasn’t it?”

He smiled, but didn’t answer.

He had never felt so much pressure before.

Bai Ruoxi gently took his arm, looking up at Lan Mulian. “If you’re interested, Senior Sister, we can chat at the Mu Manor. I’ll be staying there for a while.”

Lan Mulian raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a faint smile. “I’d like that.”

Mu Zhi’an, bathed in the warm sunlight, felt a chill run down his spine.

He could outsmart demons, he could manipulate the Gongsun family, he could even predict their thoughts… but these two women… he couldn’t decipher their intentions, their subtle games.

Women were far more complex than demons or power-hungry cultivators.

“Senior Sister, it’s getting late. I have some errands to run. I’ll contact you later through a paper crane,” Mu Zhi’an said, deciding to leave before things got any more complicated.

Being affectionate with Bai Ruoxi had been enjoyable.., but now it was torture.

Lan Mulian didn’t even look at him, simply nodding curtly.

He smiled politely and left the arena.

A carriage was waiting for him. He climbed inside, and Bai Ruoxi followed, ducking her head slightly as she entered.

They sat in silence.

As the carriage began to move, Bai Ruoxi spoke softly, her voice tinged with an emotion he couldn’t quite identify. “That Senior Sister seems to care for you.”

It sounded as if she were asking: Are you having a secret affair with her?

He reached for her hand, but she pulled away.

Inside the carriage, he had no need for pretense. He simply wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close.

She leaned against him, her expression a mixture of annoyance and resignation.

“What’s your relationship with her?” she asked, her eyes searching his face.

He sighed. “I told you before, didn’t I? I needed the King Beast Vine to refine the medicine for your father. She gave it to me.”

She gave him the King Beast Vine, they must be very close. Bai Ruoxi closed her eyes, then forced a smile, her voice soft and sweet. “She’s so kind to you… I wish I could be of more help”

He tightened his grip on her waist, his voice a low murmur near her ear. “Simply being with me… it’s enough.”

His warmth, his gentle words… she melted against him, her earlier annoyance fading.

He enjoyed her softness, her intoxicating fragrance, but his mind was elsewhere. He looked out the window, watching the city pass by, a sigh escaping his lips.

Both Lan Mulian and Bai Ruoxi were intelligent and perceptive women. He was starting to worry that his multitasking would backfire.

…

Ye Manor.

Ye Qian, clutching the delicate box, hurried back to her room, Mu Zhi’an’s warm smile replaying in her mind.

Her elders had always warned her about the Mu family’s young master, claiming he was a villain, a scoundrel, but he hadn’t seemed like a bad person at all. He had been kind, gentle.

The contrast between Ye Yu’s coldness earlier and Mu Zhi’an’s warmth… it was striking.

I’ll deliver the payment tomorrow morning. She quickened her pace, but as she reached her room, she saw Ye Yu approaching.

“Cousin,” she greeted him brightly.

His expression had softened, as if he’d calmed down since leaving the arena. “Qian’er, bring the ingredients for the Foundation Establishment Pill to my room later.”

He wanted to apologize for his earlier coldness, but his pride wouldn’t allow it.

Refining a pill for her, it was an indirect apology.

However, she hesitated, then politely declined. “It’s alright, Cousin. Thank you for the offer.”

She walked past him, clutching the box.

He frowned, watching her go. She was a beautiful young woman, her long hair flowing down her back, her figure slender and graceful.

She was probably unaware of the true cost of a Foundation Establishment Pill. She would regret her decision tomorrow, once she visited the auction house.

As he entered his room, Ye Qian arrived at hers, but she paused, seeing another young woman standing outside.

She wore a light purple robe, a thin ribbon cinched around her waist, accentuating her graceful curves. She had a delicate face, a warm smile on her lips, her aura elegant and captivating.

“Lingxuan, what a coincidence,” Ye Qian said, smiling.

Ye Lingxuan was considered the Ye family’s second most talented cultivator, but having grown up together, Ye Qian knew the truth. Her friend was the true genius.

However, Ye Lingxuan was humble and disliked competition. The other disciples only remembered her beauty, overlooking her extraordinary talent.

Ye Lingxuan nodded, then glanced at the box in Ye Qian’s hand, her brow furrowing slightly. “Did Brother Ye Yu refine a Foundation Establishment Pill for you already?”

Ye Qian hesitated for a moment, then decided to be honest. “He didn’t… The young master of the Mu family sold it to me… at cost.”

Ye Lingxuan frowned. “The Mu family’s young master… Mu Zhi’an?”

That Mu Zhi’an, he wasn’t a good person. Why would he be so generous?

“Did you pay him?” she asked softly, her voice laced with concern.

Ye Qian shook her head. “I’m planning to deliver the payment tomorrow.”

“He’s not a good person, Qian’er,” Ye Lingxuan said, her voice low. “I’ll go to the Mu Manor tomorrow instead.”

Ye Qian was too naive. She was worried that something might happen.

Perhaps Mu Zhi’an would exploit his family’s influence and try to take advantage of her.

It was safer for her to go.

Others might fear the Mu family, but… she didn’t.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay