chapter 4

Hang Fang's Unintentional Charisma

The scene transitions to a bustling marketplace in a lively city filled with cultivators. Brightly colored stalls line the streets, selling everything from rare herbs to powerful artifacts. Among the crowd, **Hang Fang** walks with his usual confident stride, exuding an aura of calm and strength. His sharp features, flowing robes, and the faint glimmer of his cultivation aura make him stand out like a phoenix among sparrows.

He approaches a stall selling high-grade pills and begins inspecting them carefully. The stall owner, an elderly man with a long beard, smiles nervously.

"These are the finest spirit recovery pills, young master," the owner says, bowing slightly. "Perfect for someone of your level."

Hang Fang nods, handing over a pouch of spirit stones. "Thank you. I'll take them."

As he completes his purchase, he becomes aware of whispers and giggles around him. He glances up to find a group of young women from various sects gathered nearby, their eyes wide with admiration.

"Isn't that Hang Fang from Wang Ling Peak?" one of them whispers, her cheeks turning red.

"He's so handsome! Look at how graceful he is!" another gushes, clasping her hands together.

"Whoever becomes his partner will be the luckiest woman alive," a third girl sighs dreamily.

Hang Fang overhears their chatter and rubs the back of his neck, slightly embarrassed. He mutters under his breath, "Why does this always happen?"

An Unexpected Encounter

Just as Hang Fang is about to leave, a familiar voice calls out to him.

"Hang Fang! There you are!"

He turns to see **So Rong** walking toward him, her expression a mix of annoyance and relief. Her elegant robes sway as she approaches, and the crowd parts to let her through.

The girls who had been fawning over Hang Fang suddenly go silent, their gazes shifting between him and So Rong. Some of them glare at her with envy, while others look disheartened.

So Rong stops in front of him, placing her hands on her hips. "What are you doing here? I've been looking for you everywhere!"

Hang Fang raises an eyebrow. "I was just buying some pills. Why are you so worked up?"

So Rong rolls her eyes. "Worked up? Do you have any idea how many sect elders are looking for you? And here you are, casually shopping like it's nothing!"

Before Hang Fang can respond, one of the young women from the crowd steps forward hesitantly.

"Senior Brother Hang Fang," she says shyly, her cheeks flushed. "I-I just wanted to say that you're amazing. I've admired you for a long time…"

Hang Fang blinks, caught off guard. "Uh, thank you?"

The girl smiles brightly and runs back to her friends, who cheer her on.

So Rong watches the interaction with a raised eyebrow, then smirks. "Well, well. Looks like you've got yourself quite the fan club."

Hang Fang sighs, rubbing his temples. "It's not like I ask for this attention. They're just… enthusiastic."

So Rong crosses her arms, a teasing glint in her eyes. "Enthusiastic? They're practically worshipping you. Maybe I should start charging them for the privilege of looking at you."

Hang Fang chuckles. "You're impossible."

A Moment of Vulnerability

As they walk back toward the sect, the bustling marketplace fades behind them. The two fall into a comfortable silence, the tension from earlier dissipating.

After a while, So Rong glances at Hang Fang. "You know, they're not wrong."

Hang Fang looks at her, puzzled. "About what?"

She hesitates, then speaks softly. "About you being amazing. You've always been so strong, so reliable. I don't think I've ever told you how much I admire that about you."

Hang Fang stops in his tracks, surprised by her words. "So Rong… where is this coming from?"

She shrugs, trying to hide her embarrassment. "I just… I wanted you to know. You always act like you're carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders, but you don't have to do it alone. I'm here for you, no matter what."

Hang Fang's expression softens, and for a moment, he's at a loss for words. Finally, he smiles. "Thank you, So Rong. That means a lot."

Their eyes meet, and the world around them seems to fade away. The bustling city, the distant chatter of cultivators, even the wind—all of it becomes a distant hum.

So Rong clears her throat, breaking the moment. "Anyway, we should get going. The elders are probably waiting."

Hang Fang chuckles, falling into step beside her. "Lead the way, then, Senior Sister."

The Silent Admirers

As they walk away, the group of girls from the marketplace watches them go. One of them sighs wistfully.

"They look perfect together, don't they?"

Another nods. "I guess we don't stand a chance."

"But it's nice to know that someone as amazing as Senior Brother Hang Fang has someone who understands him," a third girl says with a small smile.

Hang Fang's Unpredictable Night

The night was calm, and the moonlight filtered through the windows of Hang Fang's room, casting a soft glow. After hours of frustrating cultivation, Hang Fang had finally opened his eyes, his brows furrowed in irritation. Despite consuming the high-grade pills, his progress remained stagnant, leaving him questioning his efforts.

As he wiped the sweat from his brow, his gaze fell on a figure sitting gracefully on a chair in his room. **Xioi Xya**, the sect leader, was watching him with an enigmatic smile. Her long, flowing robes accentuated her elegance, and her presence exuded authority and charm.

For a moment, Hang Fang froze, unable to process how she had entered his room unnoticed.

"Enjoying the view, are we?" Xioi Xya teased, her voice laced with amusement.

Hang Fang quickly averted his gaze, clearing his throat. "What are you doing in my room without permission? And you're calling me a pervert?"

Xioi Xya stood and walked toward him with deliberate grace, her eyes never leaving his. "Is it wrong for a wife to visit her husband's room?" she asked, a playful smirk dancing on her lips.

Hang Fang stepped back, his face turning red. "First of all, we're not lovers, and secondly, we're definitely not married!"

Xioi Xya closed the distance between them in a heartbeat, pushing him onto the bed with surprising strength. She straddled him, her face inches from his. "Patience was never my virtue, Hang Fang. And you're making it harder to control myself."

Before he could respond, she leaned in and kissed him. The warmth of her lips caught him off guard, and for a moment, he felt his mind go blank. Just as the kiss deepened, a sudden knock on the door shattered the moment.

Xioi Xya pulled back, her face flushed. "Who's at the door this late?" she whispered, a mix of annoyance and embarrassment in her voice.

"Let me handle this," Hang Fang said, his own cheeks burning.

Xioi Xya quickly slid under the bed to hide as Hang Fang adjusted his robes and opened the door. Standing there was **So Rong**, her usual confident demeanor softened by a hint of hesitation.

"Master?" Hang Fang asked, surprised. "Is there something urgent at this hour?"

So Rong stepped inside, her eyes scanning the room briefly before settling on him. "I wanted to discuss tomorrow's competition. Your first opponent is Hang Rong, and I thought you should be prepared."

"Hang Rong?" Hang Fang repeated, raising an eyebrow. "That name sounds oddly similar to yours."

So Rong smiled faintly. "That's because he's my adopted son. I've trained him personally since he was young."

Hang Fang's eyes widened. "You have a son?"

So Rong laughed lightly. "What? Did you think your master was some old ghost who couldn't have a family?"

"No, of course not!" Hang Fang said quickly, feeling flustered. "It's just… unexpected."

So Rong stepped closer, her expression softening. "There's something else I wanted to say."

Before Hang Fang could ask, she leaned in and kissed him gently. The touch was brief but left him stunned.

"Forget that ever happened," she said quickly, turning to leave. "Good luck tomorrow."

As the door closed behind her, Hang Fang stood frozen, his mind racing.

Xioi Xya's Shock

Under the bed, Xioi Xya had witnessed everything. Her heart sank as she watched So Rong kiss Hang Fang. When the door finally closed, she crawled out, her face a mixture of confusion and jealousy.

"So Rong… has feelings for him?" she murmured to herself.

She glanced at Hang Fang, who was still lost in thought, and decided not to confront him. Instead, she left the room quietly, her mind swirling with questions.

The Morning Departure

The next morning, the sun rose over the sect, casting golden light on the bustling courtyard. Hang Fang stood at the gates, ready to depart for the competition in Yan Shu City. His robes were pristine, and his determined expression masked the turmoil in his heart.

As he mounted his spirit beast for the journey, he noticed both So Rong and Xioi Xya watching from a distance. Their eyes met briefly, and he could see the unspoken tension between them.

"Focus," he muttered to himself, gripping the reins tightly. "I have a competition to win."

But as he rode off, he couldn't shake the memories of the previous night—the kisses, the confessions, and the emotions he didn't fully understand.

A Journey of Discovery

As Hang Fang traveled to Yan Shu City, he found himself replaying the events in his mind. The feelings stirred by Xioi Xya's boldness and So Rong's unexpected tenderness left him conflicted.

"What do they see in me?" he wondered aloud, gazing at the horizon.

Little did he know, the competition would not only test his strength but also force him to confront his own emotions. Would he be able to navigate the challenges ahead, both on the battlefield and in matter of heart