Chapter 72: More Beautiful Than Flowers

This year’s crabapple blossoms were more splendid than ever…

Once their lodgings were arranged, Lian Mu was assigned to a quiet spot, with Ji Mingyue and Guan Shize staying right next door.

The Azure Profound Sect’s accommodations weren’t as scattered and independent as those of the Returning Immortal Sect. Instead, they resembled a grand garden—seemingly unrelated structures subtly interconnected in countless ways.

For instance, when Lian Mu stepped out, a random turn might lead her to someone from the Clear Thought Sect, and one more turn would bring her face to face with a disciple of the Crimson Sky Sect.

Her movements were practically hemmed in by disciples from these two sects. To save herself the hassle, she simply didn’t leave her room for the first two days.

Ji Mingyue, being close by, came over to refine pills with her during those days, while Guan Shize, with nothing better to do, happily ran errands for the two of them.

Xu Xianxing hadn’t come to see her. According to Baili Que, ever since they arrived at the Azure Profound Sect, he’d been heading straight for the main hall to join a bunch of artifact refiners in observing the sect’s famous Pearl-Seeking Instrument—so obsessed he refused to rest even past midnight.

Wen Yun, on the other hand, was even busier. The Azure Profound Sect had arranged lodging with surgical precision, placing him and Shen Wuxie right next to each other. These lifelong enemies, now with a chance to meet daily, began fighting the moment they opened their doors and shouting matches the moment they closed them—neither willing to let the other claim superiority.

On the third day at the Azure Profound Sect, Lian Mu lay on her bed reading out of boredom, one leg dangling off the side. Ji Mingyue suddenly pushed the door open and walked in to give her a kick.

“Reading while lying down ruins your eyes. You’re a sword cultivator—can’t afford to mess up your vision.”

Seeing her wind up for a second kick, Lian Mu shot up and tossed the book aside.

Ji Mingyue held out her hand, revealing a small, smooth porcelain bottle. “These pills were sent over by the Azure Profound Sect. One of their elders saw you and Guan Shize flying down from the sky and thought you might be injured, so they sent some over. I already checked—they’re just regular pills.”

Lian Mu took the bottle and inspected it closely. It was exquisitely crafted, with a tiny white flower unique to Southern Vermillion Bird on its surface. Just the packaging alone looked expensive.

“The Azure Profound Sect is giving us pills? What for?” she asked, puzzled.

Ji Mingyue replied, “No hidden agenda. That’s just how they operate. Anyone who sets foot on their territory is considered under their care. They make sure to keep up appearances for outsiders.”

“Not bad. The Azure Profound Sect really knows how to play the game.” Free pills were free pills—Lian Mu gladly accepted them, even though she was perfectly fine.

Ji Mingyue caught sight of the book Lian Mu had been reading. “What’s that?”

“Nothing serious,” Lian Mu replied. “Just a random book I found in their library. Not anything official.”

The Azure Profound Sect’s library was open to outsiders but tiered by access level. Lian Mu could only visit the lowest level.

She had been browsing oddball titles like A Compendium of Poisonous Insects of Southern Vermillion Bird and Record of Spirit Mines in Southern Vermillion Bird.

“If you want to know about the poisonous bugs down south, just ask me. I know that stuff inside out,” Ji Mingyue said. “As for spirit mines, you should ask Xu Xianxing—his family’s in the business.”

“Xu Xianxing’s family runs mines?” Lian Mu asked.

Ji Mingyue shook her head. “He didn’t tell you? His family controls over a dozen spirit mines. Apparently, his grandfather was a sword cultivator who split a mountain open on his way to a sect competition and discovered a spirit mine inside. That changed everything—he gave up cultivation and became a mine boss. The Xu family has a special method for finding spirit mines. They’re wealthier than most noble clans.”

Lian Mu: “…”

No wonder Xu Xianxing had been so lavish as a child—throwing around spirit artifacts worth millions without a second thought. Even after becoming an artifact refiner, his lifestyle hadn’t dipped at all.

Truthfully, Lian Mu had been reading those books to learn what valuable things might be hidden in the wilds of Southern Vermillion Bird. Everyone said it was a goldmine. Since they’d be staying here for quite a while, if she happened to come across anything, she could strike it rich instantly.

“You shouldn’t stay cooped up inside all day,” Ji Mingyue advised. “Come out and walk around. The Azure Profound Sect is hosting a banquet today to welcome disciples from all sects. It’s starting soon—I came to get you.”

A banquet meant food, so Lian Mu got up at once and changed her clothes. “Why didn’t you say so earlier? Let’s go!”

Among the Four Great Sects, the Azure Profound Sect was best at winning hearts. Ahead of the Inter-Sect Competition, they hosted a Flower Appreciation Banquet in the Hundred Springs Garden.

Southern Vermillion Bird was warm and humid year-round. With spiritual energy barriers in place, keeping flowers from all four seasons blooming together in one garden wasn’t difficult.

Though it was called a Flower Banquet, anyone with a discerning eye could see that the real goal was to help their disciples build connections while subtly laying groundwork for the upcoming competition.

By the time Lian Mu and Ji Mingyue arrived, disciples from the other sects had mostly gathered.

Under the magnolia tree, Xu Xianxing was drinking with other artifact refiners, putting on a mature, steady front.

Baili Que had been stopped by Baili Yu. Judging from their stiff expressions, things weren’t going well—Baili Que looked stone-faced while Baili Yu’s brows were furrowed, his mouth moving at lightning speed.

Wen Yun and Shen Wuxie were—unsurprisingly—at it again. This time, they managed to be “civilized,” refraining from fighting in public. Instead, they sat at a chessboard, locked in a fierce duel of wits. On the surface they seemed calm, but under the table, their feet were locked in a brutal kicking war.

After circling the venue once, Ji Mingyue caught the scent of alcohol and immediately followed it, leaving Lian Mu alone.

“Try this,” Guan Shize appeared with a porcelain dish in hand. “Fresh flower cake, a local specialty of Southern Vermillion Bird.”

Lian Mu took a bite. The lotus-shaped white pastry carried a light lotus fragrance.

“I think the osmanthus flavor is even better,” Guan Shize said. “Wait here—I’ll go grab some.”

Lian Mu sat at a stone table under the crabapple trees, holding the plate. The drooping pink-and-white blossoms swayed elegantly in the wind.

From afar, Xu Xianxing spotted her, excused himself from his companions, and walked over with a wine cup in hand.

“You’re not eating? Got something on your mind?” he asked, sitting across from her.

“Everything here is made of flowers—doesn’t suit my taste,” Lian Mu replied casually. “The pastries are okay.”

She could eat anything—except these floral dishes. The flavors were just too weird.

Xu Xianxing lifted his cup. “Then drink with me. The Azure Profound Sect’s fruit wine is excellent.”

There were cups already on the table, so Lian Mu didn’t decline. She grabbed one and began drinking.

It started as a casual sip, but somehow turned into a drinking contest. They began comparing how much they could handle. A few jugs later, Xu Xianxing was completely drunk and dizzy.

Lian Mu was still sober. Taking the opportunity, she leaned in and asked, “I heard your family has a special method for finding spirit mines. Do you know what it is?”

Xu Xianxing, head slumped on the table, stirred slightly, then slowly lifted his head. After a long pause, he murmured, “I only know how to judge the quality of a mine. Since I joined a sect, I can’t inherit the family business. The method for finding mines is a secret passed down from my great-great-grandfather. Only the heir gets to learn it, so I don’t know.”

Lian Mu moved closer. “That’s really a thing?”

Xu Xianxing leaned in too. “Don’t pretend. I know what you’re trying to ask. I’ll tell you, but just you—don’t tell anyone else.”

“Say it. I’m tight-lipped.”

The two huddled together, whispering secrets. Xu Xianxing, completely unguarded, ended up spilling everything.

After Xu Xianxing finished speaking, he slumped back over the table, cheek pressed against the cold stone surface, mumbling drunkenly, “To tell the truth, I originally wanted to be a sword cultivator. I wasn’t interested in spirit mines at all and don’t remember much about them.”

Lian Mu had long known about his childhood dream. “Thunder spiritual root is good for sword cultivation, but it’s just not a good fit for you.”

“My dad said the same thing. But I’ve liked sword cultivators since I was little. I wanted to be as amazing as my great-grandfather, cutting down three mountain peaks with a single slash!” As Xu Xianxing got drunk, his chūnibyō side came out. “But all I can do is ride a Silver Kite and fly over three mountain peaks… If only I were like Ying You from the Azure Profound Sect, born for the sword—you have no idea how jealous I am of him.”

“You’re a Heaven-grade spiritual root too. Your talent just doesn’t lie in the sword. Among artifact refiners, you’re one of the best.” Lian Mu thought for a moment, then asked, “That Ying You—is he really that incredible?”

Xu Xianxing said, “Look at him carefully. Don’t you notice something different about him?”

He pointed toward the reception platform where Ying You was chatting with the Azure Profound Sect’s lead team.

Lian Mu glanced over at the white-robed young man, then casually plucked a branch of flowering crabapple and held it up beside his face. “Looks good. Prettier than the flowers.”

She meant it sincerely.

Xu Xianxing: “……”

Lian Mu’s first impression of Ying You wasn’t bad. He was a bit like Guan Huailin—mild-mannered when speaking, with none of the pride one might expect from a so-called chosen one. Instead, he came across as humble and low-key, a model disciple of a righteous sect.

“His personality seems nice too,” Lian Mu added.

Xu Xianxing said, “Alright, fine… You can’t tell just by looking. He was born for the sword. If you ever get a chance to see him in battle, you’ll understand.”

Lian Mu looked again toward the young man. “Really now?”

Born for the sword…

But that’s just being born. In her past life, she died for the sword.

At that moment, Ying You seemed to sense her gaze. He turned his head slightly, his ink-dark eyes meeting hers.

Their eyes met for a moment. Ying You blinked, a little confused. When she made no other movement, he soon looked away.

Only then did Lian Mu realize she was still holding the flower.

She stuck the hanging crabapple branch into an empty wine jar, then helped the drunken Xu Xianxing leave.

On the reception platform.

Ying You stared for a while at their retreating figures, saying nothing.

“Captain?” Jiang Yuechen called to him. “What are you looking at?”

“Nothing.”

Ying You didn’t look back. His eyes shifted to the wine jug on the stone table, and he stepped forward.

“Captain, you—”

Feng Yunyi, watching the direction he was headed, said softly, “The crabapple blossoms are blooming even better than usual this year.”