Ch. 137 - Flirtation

Birdsong made the mountains feel even more secluded. The place was tranquil, peaks shrouded in mist, green trees entwined with vines, and streams gurgling through cobblestones and around ancient trees. Even the fish in the creek showed no fear of humans.

At first, Li Xiaoman furrowed her brows slightly but quickly regained her calm. Poised and graceful, she stopped ahead and looked toward Ji Ziyue.

Nearby, several disciples of Star Peak were also sizing up Ji Ziyue and Ye Fan, unsure of their identities.

Ji Ziyue was a natural beauty, elegant and captivating, impossible to ignore. All the male disciples had their eyes on her.

She had a refined forehead and delicate brows, a confident expression, and her violet dress fluttered in the wind. She exuded both liveliness and a hint of nobility. Tilting her head slightly, she smiled at Li Xiaoman.

Li Xiaoman remained composed and silent, her beautiful eyes calm as she met Ji Ziyue’s gaze, her face betraying no emotion.

“Why isn’t big sister saying anything?” Ji Ziyue laughed softly and suddenly reached out a slender hand, waving it in front of Li Xiaoman’s eyes. She gently stroked Li Xiaoman’s cheek like a mischievous youth teasing a virtuous woman and said, “Quite the beauty. Irresistibly charming.”

Li Xiaoman, who hailed from beyond the stars, held values different from those of this world’s women. She wasn’t frightened, only showing a flicker of surprise. “Do you need something, little sister?”

“Oh yes, I do. I’m seventeen, refined and beautiful, and still unmarried…” Ji Ziyue smiled radiantly, holding Li Xiaoman’s chin in her soft hand. “Today I met a fair lady, love at first sight, deeper at second glance, by the third I must make her mine. I seek nothing else.”

A beautiful woman teasing another, visually delightful. The male disciples of Star Peak almost wished they could switch places with Li Xiaoman.

Even though Li Xiaoman wasn’t conservative, being flirted with like that made her frown. She quickly stepped back.

“No need to worry, big sister. I’m actually a man, an elegant gentleman, a handsome young lord. I can marry you.” Ji Ziyue laughed, following after.

Ye Fan quickly stepped forward and pulled Ji Ziyue back. This mischievous girl had even dared to bite him before; who knew what she'd do if she got close to Li Xiaoman?

“I’m helping you…” Ji Ziyue grumbled, blowing air into Ye Fan’s ear, her grinding teeth audible. To onlookers, the scene looked intimate.

One of the Star Peak disciples asked, “Which main peak do you two belong to?” Though addressing both, he only looked at Ji Ziyue.

“This little junior sister is naturally beautiful, like a lotus from clear water or an orchid from a secluded valley. Surely, she’s from Elegant Peak.” Another Star Peak disciple flattered her.

Ji Ziyue ignored them, glancing sideways at Li Xiaoman. But Ye Fan wouldn't let her approach, holding her firmly behind him. He didn’t want Li Xiaoman to get the wrong idea. Since the past was over, there was no need to stir up trouble.

He stepped forward and addressed Li Xiaoman. “Didn’t expect to meet here at Supreme Mystery. It’s been over a year, how have you been?”

“Fine,” Li Xiaoman replied, shifting her gaze from Ji Ziyue to Ye Fan. “Truly unexpected. I didn’t think we’d meet again. So you came to Supreme Mystery too.”

“You look familiar,” a Star Peak disciple stared at Ye Fan and suddenly exclaimed, “It’s you! That bastard from Dull Peak!”

“Hey now, watch your mouth!” Ji Ziyue snapped, glaring.

“Please, junior sister, don’t be angry,” another said. “This man has a serious grudge with Star Peak. Please don’t interfere.”

The disciples surrounded Ye Fan. He remained still, looking at Li Xiaoman.

“What’s going on, senior brothers?” Li Xiaoman asked.

“He’s the one from Dull Peak who injured many of our disciples. He’s used their ancient treasure to harm our people. Today we demand justice!”

Ye Fan said nothing, only watching.

Ji Ziyue’s big eyes darted around, looking at Li Xiaoman to see how she’d react.

“I’ve heard about this…” Li Xiaoman frowned slightly. Then, turning to Ye Fan, she said, “You did hurt many Star Peak disciples. You were wrong. Apologize now, then go back to Dull Peak.” She looked to the others. “What do you think?”

They didn’t want to defy her, but neither were they willing to let Ye Fan go.

“We can’t just let him off with an apology. We need a real resolution.”

“Great! Fantastic!” Ji Ziyue clapped gleefully, loving the drama.

Ye Fan turned toward them. “Where did the injuries happen?”

“At Dull Peak, of course.”

“It’s a main peak. You intruded and were punished. Blaming me afterward is absurd,” Ye Fan said. “Even in the mortal world, trespassing on private property is a crime. You entered a sacred inheritance ground. Being driven out was lenient. Even your peak lord wouldn’t object had I gone further.”

“So arrogant!” The Star Peak disciples sneered, yet none dared act. One even backed away, they feared Ye Fan’s possession of a powerful treasure.

Li Xiaoman stepped forward. “Still, injuring others is wrong. Just apologize and leave.”

“What do you mean?” Ye Fan raised his head. “I did nothing wrong. Why should I apologize?”

“You…” Li Xiaoman’s face darkened. “I’m trying to help you.”

“If some ants want to climb on my head, I’ll flick them off. I don’t need your help,” Ye Fan replied, facing the disciples.

“You’re too arrogant, Ye Fan,” Li Xiaoman said coldly. “I’m trying to protect you. Star Peak has many powerful disciples…”

“Great, great!” Ji Ziyue clapped again.

Half a month ago, Ye Fan had already dealt with Star Peak’s disciples. Now with Dull Peak rising under the leadership of the powerful Li Ruoyu, he had no fear. Surrounded by a few cultivators in the Life Spring stage, he could send them flying with a few strikes.

“Get the hell out of my way. Don’t block my path!” Ye Fan barked.

“You think you can leave after injuring our people?” Though their words were harsh, they didn’t move. They were only stalling for time, reinforcements were on the way.

Ye Fan ignored them and turned toward Dull Peak.

They stepped aside, not daring to fight.

“Hahaha…” Ye Fan laughed. “You talk tough but act like cowards.”

“Exactly! Lame! I thought there’d be a real fight,” Ji Ziyue muttered, disappointed.

“If not for your ancient treasure, we’d have taken you down already.”

“Dare to fight us fair and square?”

Red-faced and angry, the Star Peak disciples shouted.

“You little shrimp don’t even understand what an ancient treasure is. Come all at once, I’ll send you flying with my fists,” Ye Fan retorted, striding forward.

“If you don’t use your treasure, I’ll fight you!” one challenged.

“I don’t have any treasure. If you’re not afraid of broken bones, come at me.” Ye Fan sneered.

“Kill!”

A weapon, a blood blade, shot toward Ye Fan like starlight. A powerful strike from a Life Spring cultivator!

Clang!

Ye Fan casually flicked a golden finger, and the weapon shattered.

Crack!

A weapon forged over years was destroyed by a single finger, like straw, unable to withstand the power.

Everyone was shocked. Even Li Xiaoman showed surprise. She knew Ye Fan had a rare physique, but not this strong.

“You dare block my path?” Ye Fan didn’t stop. He became a blur, charging at the disciples.

They all activated their weapons, attacking him. Light flashed, flowers withered, stones shattered.

But it was horrifying, Ye Fan kept flicking his fingers, and one by one their weapons broke. Under his golden hands, the weapons were like porcelain.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

In a few moves, they all fell, vomiting blood, unable to rise.

Ye Fan didn’t care, kicking them away like garbage, not even glancing at Li Xiaoman as he strode toward Dull Peak. Ji Ziyue followed, grinning.

“Where do you think you’re going, injuring Star Peak disciples and trying to leave?” Light flashed in the sky, more figures arrived.

A white-robed man led them, strikingly handsome, followed by five or six others who looked impressive.

“Senior brother…” The beaten disciples gathered around, ashamed.

“That white-robed man is strong,” Ji Ziyue whispered in Ye Fan’s ear.

He didn’t step forward. The one who shouted wasn’t him either.

Another man stepped out, eyes cold, locking onto Ye Fan. “Dare to fight me?”

“You’re challenging a new disciple like me?” Ye Fan laughed.

“I won’t use my peak Celestial Bridge strength. Just my body. Three palm strikes. If you withstand them, this ends here,” the man declared.

Ye Fan laughed again, scanning the group, glancing at Li Xiaoman, then focusing on his challenger. “Fine. If that’s how you want it, I won’t back down.”

Star Peak cultivated strength through starlight tempering. Upon reaching the Celestial Bridge stage, their bodies became incredibly tough. This man was relying on that strength.

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