Chapter 28: Dawn’s First Light
As the first rays of dawn peeked through the horizon, Chen Yin decided it was time to leave.
He was about to get up when a hand gently grasped his. He turned to find Luo Qiaoqiao looking at him with pleading eyes.
“Can’t you stay a little longer?”
“…Does it have to be now?”
Chen Yin looked at her. “Don’t you want to watch the final of the Fairy Conference?”
Luo Qiaoqiao remained silent, her lips pressed together.
Chen Yin understood. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to watch the final.
She didn’t want him to watch a final where Shen Shuanglian was competing, but she wasn’t.
“It’s just a match.”
Chen Yin gently stroked her hair and said softly, “After the match is over, you can still come find me to play.”
Luo Qiaoqiao pouted dejectedly and lowered her head, but she quickly looked up again. “Alright then.”
“Just promise you won’t stand me up and sneak away this time.”
Chen Yin chuckled nervously. “O-of course not, I promise.”
Luo Qiaoqiao watched as Chen Yin slowly walked away, her eyes filled with unspoken words.
After a long while, the System spoke softly, “Don’t overthink it. It’s only five years. It’s not like you won’t see him again.”
“Look at you, clinging to him like glue. Where’s your maidenly reserve?”
“Five years isn’t that long,” Luo Qiaoqiao retorted, wrinkling her nose. “If I don’t seize the opportunity to enjoy it now, I might not get another chance.”
“Besides… who knows why that blue stocking* Shen Shuanglian is also interested in him. If I don’t keep a close eye on him, she might steal him away.”
“That’s true. That girl is also a Chosen One.” The System agreed. “So, are you still going to watch her match?”
“Yes, of course I am.”
Luo Qiaoqiao stood up abruptly, her skirt swirling around her.
“On one side is that blue stocking I’ve always disliked, and on the other is that annoying person who deliberately provoked me at the Ten Thousand Fragrance Pavilion.”
“No matter who loses, I’ll be happy for a while.” She muttered with a fierce expression.
***
The first light of dawn illuminated the sky.
In front of a secluded house, Yu Xiang silently gazed at the mask in her hand.
On the bed behind her, her clothes from Mount Yu were neatly folded. She was now dressed in an elegant black outfit, with a veil and a bamboo hat placed beside her.
She held the thin human skin mask, her eyes shimmering with a complex mix of emotions.
“…Even if you two really fight to the death, I can’t help you. There’s nothing I can do. That’s the rule for battles between Chosen Ones.”
The System’s voice continued to echo in her ears, “But anyway, today is just a small encounter. You just need to face her, test each other’s strength, and that’s it. Don’t let things get out of hand.”
“Especially don’t reveal your true identity, or it will affect the subsequent plot.”
Yu Xiang stood motionless like a statue, her expression unreadable. It was unclear how much of the System’s words she had absorbed.
The System could only say helplessly, “My dear host, please stop thinking about your Senior Brother. He has no idea about your true identity. In his eyes, his beloved Junior Sister was eliminated in the first round.”
“Even if he does watch this match, it’s just for entertainment. Don’t get too involved. Your current identity is not his Junior Sister.”
Yu Xiang nodded slightly. “…I know.”
But looking at her expression, the System still felt uneasy and couldn’t help but sigh softly.
…Being a System these days was truly a thankless task.
It had to carefully coax its host, always worried that she might deviate from the plot in a fit of anger. It was exhausting and unrewarding.
Yu Xiang continued to stare at the mask calmly.
After a moment, she slowly put it on and stood up.
“…It’s time to go.” She murmured to herself, her eyes downcast.
As the morning light bathed the sky, she put on her veil and bamboo hat and stepped out into the world.
***
By the time Chen Yin arrived at the arena, it was already packed with people.
After all, it was the final of the Fairy Conference. Even though the battle between Silk-Robe Fairy and Frost Moon Sword Immortal had already taken place, it didn’t diminish the excitement for the final match.
However, the crowd was now chanting “Frost Moon Sword Immortal” almost unanimously.
Although the mysterious Fairy “Yin Mengwan” had gained some popularity during the tournament, she was still far less popular than the renowned Frost Moon Sword Immortal.
The entire arena seemed to be surrounded by Shen Shuanglian’s fans, her name echoing from every corner.
…Senior Sister is truly popular. Chen Yin marveled as he found a seat and waited patiently for the match to begin.
As the crowd grew increasingly excited and noisy, a group of dancers suddenly appeared on the stage, performing a graceful dance that further ignited the audience’s cheers.
Chen Yin was surprised to see a song and dance performance like an opening ceremony. He enjoyed watching the beautiful fairies’ graceful movements.
The dancing was good.
After the dance, a mist suddenly spread across the stage, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.
A voice boomed through the mist:
“Fellow Daoists of the cultivation world!”
“Welcome to the final of the Number One Fairy Conference, hosted by the Ten Thousand Fragrance Pavilion!”
The mist cleared, revealing a handsome young man in luxurious clothes, adorned with a purple-gold crown and jade pendant, a folding fan in his hand. He strode onto the stage with an air of elegance and grace.
“I am Wan Yunhai, the Pavilion Master of the Ten Thousand Fragrance Pavilion. Greetings to all fellow Daoists.” The handsome young man bowed gracefully, his demeanor impeccable.
The moment Wan Yunhai appeared, ear-piercing screams erupted from the female cultivators in the audience:
“Ah!!! Brother Yunhai!! Brother Yunhai, look at me!”
“Brother Yunhai, you’re so handsome!!”
Amidst the deafening cheers, Chen Yin stared at the man in astonishment, finally managing to sputter out:
“…Holy crap.”
Although the man on stage was now dressed in luxurious clothes, Chen Yin recognized him instantly.
…That was the young man who had been taking bets at the stall a few days ago.
Rumors about the Pavilion Master of the Ten Thousand Fragrance Pavilion were widespread in the cultivation world. It was said that he was a cultured man, known for his romantic affairs, a true playboy.
But this was the first time Chen Yin had seen the Pavilion Master in person.
He never imagined that the friendly young man who had been hawking bets so skillfully was actually the Pavilion Master of the Ten Thousand Fragrance Pavilion.
What was even stranger was that many people besides him must have seen the young man at the stall, but no one seemed to notice anything unusual.
“Thank you all for your support. We have finally arrived at the most anticipated event of the conference, the final!”
Wan Yunhai announced grandly, “Now, let’s welcome our two finalists!”
With his announcement, two figures gracefully stepped onto the stage from opposite sides, igniting the crowd once more.
***
T/N:
蓝皮袜子 (Blue stocking) refers to a woman who is perceived as cold, unapproachable, and lacking in charm or femininity. Luo Qiaoqiao’s use of this phrase suggests that she views Shen Shuanglian as aloof and uninteresting.(This is just my interpretation :))
A more idiomatic English translation could be:
- “That icy woman, Shen Shuanglian”
-
“That cold and boring Shen Shuanglian”
-Also, it could just be Shen Shuanglian’s clothes color, haha”
Leave a Reply