Chapter 23: Friends

As the discussion in the restaurant hall grew more intense, the young cultivators began debating with even greater fervor about the rumors surrounding Feng Lian's birthday and his potential search for a partner. The atmosphere turned nearly chaotic until a rugged-looking cultivator, with narrow eyes and an expression visibly marked by jealousy, decided to shatter the romantic illusions of the others. 

— "If Lord Feng Zhan plans to choose a partner for his son, it's almost certain to be Miss Shang Hua-Ren," she declared, her firm voice cutting through the murmur. "Think about it: both are disciples of a prestigious sect, they both have incomparable beauty, and they're considered geniuses in cultivation. A match made in heaven, wouldn't you agree?" 

The other cultivators, who had been arguing heatedly, clenched their teeth upon hearing this statement. Though none dared to directly oppose her, for fear of saying something wrong and attracting trouble, their expressions revealed they thought quite differently. Internally, many muttered distastefully to themselves. 

A momentary silence was broken by a new voice, soft yet brimming with curiosity. 

— "Speaking of which, the Four Families Competition will take place just one day before the young lord's birthday. Who do you think will win this year? In the last two competitions, the Tang and Shang families dominated and claimed the prizes." 

This new topic seemed much safer for discussion, and soon the hall buzzed once again with speculations. 

— "It's obvious Shang Hua-Yen will be there and probably win. She's unbeatable! A true prodigy," one young woman said, her eyes shining with admiration. 

— "Yes, and if she wins again, the Shang Family will gain an even stronger position in the distribution of profits from the spiritual black iron mine," another agreed, nodding. 

The name Tang Chun Xi emerged as they began discussing recent rumors. 

— "I heard that Tang Chun Xi finally began cultivating after consuming the Amber Natal Milk." 

— "Do you think she'll join the competition?" a younger girl asked with genuine curiosity. 

— "Impossible," another scoffed, waving her hand dismissively. "Even if she started cultivating, she couldn't have advanced beyond the first level. There's no way she could compete with Shang Hua-Yen or any other talent of this generation." 

The topic then shifted to the Tang Family and the mysterious cultivator who frequently appeared alongside Patriarch Tang. Some speculated he was a powerful secret ally; others believed he might be a mentor specially assigned to Tang Chun Xi. 

As the hall buzzed with these theories, no one noticed Xing Yue quietly rising from her table and heading to a private room upstairs. Her exit was so smooth that even those nearby failed to observe it. 

Shortly afterward, Chun Xi and Ah Tao's dishes arrived. The two began eating in silence, indifferent to the chatter still stirring the ground floor. The aroma of the food was pleasant, and the warmth of the meal offered a brief moment of comfort amidst so much speculation about the future. 

When they finished, one of Xing Yue's attendants approached respectfully, her posture impeccable. 

— "My lady, Xing Yue, requests your presence in her private room,"— she said, bowing slightly to Tang Chun Xi. 

Chun Xi raised her eyebrows in surprise but quickly regained her composure and nodded. She called the waiter and paid for the meal before following the attendant. Intrigued by Xing Yue's summons, she rose, with Ah Tao closely following, as the attendant guided them down the corridor leading upstairs. 

Upon reaching the private room, Chun Xi noticed the presence of guards and maids stationed outside. Their rigid posture and the silence in the area gave an exclusive air to the space. The attendant knocked lightly on the door, and after hearing permission from within, turned to Chun Xi and respectfully said: 

— "Please, enter, Miss Tang." 

Ah Tao remained outside, patiently waiting alongside the maids. Chun Xi opened the door and stepped into the well-lit room. Xing Yue sat comfortably on an ornate wooden chair, a relaxed smile framing her face. 

— "I see the rumors are more than true!" — Xing Yue began, her voice playful as she looked Chun Xi up and down. —"Not only have you started cultivating, but you've already reached the third level. I'm honestly envious. If I had known Amber Natal Milk was this powerful, I'd have bought it for myself!" 

Xing Yue struck a theatrical pose of admiration, completely abandoning the noble demeanor she typically displayed in public. 

Chun Xi sighed and replied with a tone of exasperation: 

— "Alright, if the cultivators outside saw you now, they'd be utterly shocked." 

The two locked eyes for a moment before bursting into laughter. The room's atmosphere quickly turned relaxed as the friends exchanged comments about recent events. Xing Yue, with her usual frankness, began updating Chun Xi on the latest rumors and developments in the city. 

— "By the way,"— Xing Yue said, her tone suddenly more serious. —"You should be cautious of Shang Hua-Yen. I've received word that she's returning to the city, accompanied by other disciples from the Valley of Spiritual Herbs. I wouldn't be surprised if she used this opportunity to try and harm you." 

Chun Xi frowned. She didn't have a good impression of Shang Hua-Yen, and Xing Yue's words only reinforced her concern. Despite Hua-Yen's seemingly gentle and always smiling demeanor, something about her felt insincere. It was hard to ignore the sense that her intentions were never as innocent as they appeared. 

— "Neither of us trusts her,"— Chun Xi admitted, leaning slightly against the table.— "I always felt hostility from her when she looked at me." 

Xing Yue chuckled sarcastically. 

— "Exactly. A 'green tea b*tch' like her never fools me. But the thing is, she's an excellent actress. Compared to her, I'd rather deal with her sister, since her intentions are written all over her face." 

Chun Xi sighed but smiled faintly. Despite the worries associated with Shang Hua-Yen's name, she appreciated Xing Yue's honesty and support. Their conversation was a reminder that, even in a world filled with intrigue and rivalry, there were still people she could call friends—the kind of connection she had never experienced in her original world. 

— "But let me guess, you're planning to join the competition, aren't you? Admit it—now that you can, you will!" Xing Yue declared, her tone confident. After all, since meeting Tang Chun Xi, she had known that Chun Xi wouldn't let herself be limited by talent—and she hadn't. Over time, she had witnessed Chun Xi train her body in ways no woman in the city dared, for fear of ruining their appearance. That unyielding determination had made Xing Yue admire her deeply. 

Xing Yue seemed to hesitate about something…

*(Note: "Green tea bitch" is an ironic expression to refer to someone who appears innocent and kind, but has hidden or manipulative intentions.)