Chapter 289: Overbearing, the Cold-Crystal Eel and Jade Fungus Soup!

The proprietor of Zuijiangyue.

The woman long referred to in the outer sect as the Second Miss.

At first, she wore a look of confusion, then gradually regained her composure, offering the group a gentle smile before stepping away with graceful strides.

She slowly departed.

Outside the private room's door, the maidens stood with elegant postures; seeing her leave, they all lowered their eyes and bowed respectfully.

As the door gently closed, that striking figure vanished from everyone's sight.

After the woman stepped out, the door was quietly shut.

Pang He's gaze remained fixed on the slowly closing door until the final sliver of light vanished, at which point he snapped back to himself and took a quiet breath.

Even the air seemed to retain the woman's unique fragrance, intoxicating him.

Pang He prided himself on having seen countless beauties in the outer sect, yet he never imagined today he'd encounter such an otherworldly presence.

A woman's beauty lies not merely in the fairness of her features.

It lies deeper—in her inner nobility, unmatched by gold or jewels; in her bone structure, untouched by ordinary cosmetics.

It lies in her spiritual energy, like a mountain spring flowing gently, fresh and untainted, filling the heart with serenity.

Some women, once met, are unforgettable.

Xie Wanwan keenly noticed that the Second Miss's final glance had seemingly, if unintentionally, landed on Yu Ke.

Yu Ke was merely an ordinary outer sect disciple, while the proprietor of Zuijiangyue held a status so exalted it surpassed even the inner sect elders—the gap between them was like a chasm.

Was it an illusion?

The group slowly sat down and returned to the matter at hand.

Only four people were selected for this trial; Xie Wanwan and Pang He were not chosen.

Yet Yu Ke, the one selected, refused!

All eyes turned to Yu Ke at the far end of the table.

Yu Ke remained unperturbed.

To refuse, when one has no intention of accepting, is never difficult to say.

Pang He could no longer hold back, his tone tinged with impatience and indignation:

"Brother Lan Yu kindly invited us—it's an opportunity we all crave—and today he's gone so far as to host this banquet, with genuine sincerity."

"Brother Lan Yu is one of the few true disciples of the Great Zhou Divine Dynasty, and he's always been generous in guiding and supporting us. Now that he needs help, how can Yu Jie simply turn away?"

With that said!

Pang He's lips curled into a cold smile:

"Isn't this just a bit too much? Yu Jie, acting this way—won't it break Brother Lan Yu's heart?"

Hearing this, Xie Wanwan's face flushed with anxiety; she hurriedly explained:

"No, Brother Yu—he's here at my invitation. He knows nothing of this matter."

Pang He let out a light laugh, but it dripped with mockery and disdain:

"Oh? I see. But if this delays Brother Lan Yu's important matter, who will bear the consequences?"

"Can Sister Xie even bear them?"

"This…"

Xie Wanwan fell silent. She was used to going her own way, never lacking in cultivation resources, so she'd never faced such a delicate situation.

She silently cursed herself—why had she been so careless today, dragging Yu Ke into this storm?

How could such a thing happen!

At the table!

The others remained silent, the atmosphere heavy.

This concerned Lan Yu—they dared not speak lightly.

Ren Xue and the rest had just met Yu Ke; they had no deep ties and would not risk speaking for him.

At this moment!

Lan Yu's eyes slowly turned toward Yu Ke, his pale golden irises radiating coldness.

Pang He's face betrayed a faint, almost imperceptible satisfaction. He knew his actions would offend Xie Wanwan and Ren Xue—he understood human nature well.

No one wants to be seen as "overbearing."

But!

Lan Yu needed four people for this trial, and the matter was urgent; Yu Ke's unexpected refusal left only him and Xie Wanwan.

He stepped forward to defend Lan Yu, tying Yu Ke and Xie Wanwan together.

Then, among those at the table, he stood alone.

He would not let this opportunity slip away!

Ren Xue clearly understood the implication behind Pang He's words; though displeased,

she could not oppose him—Pang He was speaking for Lan Yu.

She sighed inwardly, glancing at Yu Ke, thinking how young this outer sect disciple still was, blind to the stakes involved.

Not the act of a wise person.

The sect strictly forbids disciples from private fights, yet openly defying a true disciple's will is sheer folly.

It is certainly not a good move—for oneself, or for one's future.

Yet Yu Ke said nothing.

Pang He took his silence as admission of guilt—he now stood on the side of righteousness.

He glanced at Yu Ke's empty plate, then at the half-eaten eagle-cow fish, its tail still on the dish, his expression dripping with sarcasm.

Pang He shook his head and said: "Yu Jie, though you were unaware, this precious eagle-cow fish was not…"

He left the last two words unsaid—everyone understood his meaning.

With those words, Yu Ke's character was already sealed.

To eat another's food, accept their generosity, yet reject their request—such behavior, if spread, would ruin one's reputation in the outer sect.

It would make him infamous.

Hearing this, Xie Wanwan gritted her teeth and turned to Lan Yu:

"Brother Lan, it's all my fault—I brought this about. Let me treat you all to this meal."

"And please, Brother Pang, stop saying such things."

Her final words carried a tone of pleading.

This meal alone would cost a massive amount of spirit stones.

Not trivial at all!

Ren Xue looked at Xie Wanwan with new respect—she had gone to great lengths for a friend.

But this move!

Ren Xue knew it was not wise.

If Pang He had already decided to play the villain, he would go all the way.

Lan Yu said nothing, his gaze fixed on Yu Ke.

Pang He spoke calmly:

"Sister Xie, do you think Brother Lan Yu can't afford this meal?"

"I certainly don't mean that!"

Xie Wanwan protested, her face reddening.

Seeing this, Pang He's smile widened.

"This eagle-cow fish was specially prepared for Brother Lan Yu by the Second Miss of Zuijiangyue. You surely know the price of a single spirit fish?"

"Priceless."

Indeed it was!

In the outer sect, ingredients made from spirit beasts were simply unavailable—no matter how many spirit stones you had.

You couldn't buy them.

And the eagle-cow fish, being the most suitable for the Second Ladder realm, was especially scarce.

Ren Xue watched silently, sighing inwardly.

She understood: in this contest, Xie Wanwan was already losing.

Xie Wanwan opened her mouth to speak again.

Yu Ke looked at Lan Yu—the true disciple.

At that moment!

The door to the private room opened again.

Pang He immediately turned—could it be the Second Miss returning?

Alas!

It was the beautiful green-clad woman who had always accompanied the Second Miss.

She walked in slowly.

Behind her, a maid carefully carried a tray covered with a glass dome.

The beautiful woman stepped forward and bowed respectfully:

"Forgive the interruption."

"Second Miss, instruct the kitchen to prepare a fresh pot of soup as a post-meal delicacy."

The maid swiftly and orderly cleared the empty dishes, then gently placed the glass-covered dish on the table before slipping away silently.

Pang He could hardly wait and said:

"Thank you, Second Miss!"

The green-clad woman smiled faintly and slowly lifted the glass cover.

A rich, intoxicating aroma instantly spread, like morning mist drifting in all directions, filling the private chamber entirely.

A refreshing, soul-penetrating fragrance emerged.

The scent filled the air!

The fragrance was rich yet not cloying, pure and alluring—merely smelling it cleared the mind and spirit.

Pang He was utterly astonished, feeling as if his seven orifices were perfumed, his entire being invigorated.

The green-clad woman explained briefly:

"The main ingredient of this soup is a hundred-year-old cold jiao, combined with chi jing zhi and numerous other herbs, slowly simmered to perfection."

"It is the finest medicinal preparation for opening the Shentian acupoint during the Second Ladder's ascent to Foundation Establishment, ideal for cultivating the spirit."

As she spoke, all eyes turned once more to the porcelain pot.

Within the clear, jade-like broth, faintly visible were segments of bone-white, jade-like vertebrae, emitting a faint chill.

The cold jiao, a rare spiritual creature of the Great Marshes of Leizhou, though small—only about three inches long—lives for centuries deep within the icy pools, hundreds of zhang below the surface, elusive and nearly impossible to capture.

Its ability to invigorate the blood is widely known among cultivators; long-term consumption may even enable one to awaken the "Mercury Blood and Silver Marrow" trait during the Second Ladder, granting a qualitative leap in bloodline and bone marrow.

As for the chi jing zhi, it is exceedingly precious, worth several times more than ordinary spiritual items such as eagle-ox fish.

It not only greatly strengthens the spirit but also calms the mind during cultivation.

Ren Xue, upon hearing this, could not help but exclaim in surprise:

"This is Cold Jiao Jade Zhi Soup!"

The green-clad woman smiled faintly and nodded in confirmation:

"Precisely."

The green-clad woman turned to Yu Ke and said:

"Additionally, Second Miss has a message for Master Yu."

Everyone froze!

Second Miss—the owner of Zuijiang Yue—when did she ever have any connection with Yu Ke?

This chapter is a bit short; it feels incomplete. I didn't finish it—I'll add two chapters tomorrow to make up for it!

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(End of Chapter)