Frontier City Tensions

One day later.

A villager, emboldened by the prospect of herbs, ventured up the mountain.

Upon discovering the colossal tiger carcass sprawled on the ground, they were utterly terrified, fleeing back down the slope in a panic.

This demonic beast, whose origins were unknown, had actually perished!

Who could have slain this tiger demon?

As a merchant caravan journeyed forth, the image of a certain cultivator gradually imprinted itself upon the minds of the surrounding villagers.

“That cultivator was exceedingly handsome, unlike any mortal.

With a single glare, the specter that had been luring the caravan into the tiger’s maw was struck dead.

Afterward, that immortal went in pursuit of the tiger demon…”

A handsome and powerful cultivator, and a male one at that, always garnered attention.

As the caravan continued its journey, this news steadily began to spread.

****

Ansae City.

This was a frontier city located within the Qin kingdom.

Carriages and horses thronged the streets, while shops lined both sides.

Situated on the border and serving as a trade hub, the city was naturally quite prosperous.

The trio walked together through the streets of Ansae City, Yu Qingxuan and Xiao Miao flanking Qin Yan on either side.

Qin Yan, sensing the somewhat awkward atmosphere between the two women and noticing the gazes of passersby fixed upon their group, couldn’t help but wonder if they were drawing too much attention.

They were here to investigate demonic creatures, not for a leisurely outing!

Qin Yan took both their hands, casually found an inn, and led them inside.

Upon entering the inn, they requested a private room on the second floor.

The three sat by the window table, none speaking a word, while Qin Yan gazed at the scenery outside.

The street below teemed with people, and in the distance stretched a boundless plain, above which a sliver of an orange sunset hung high in the sky.

“‘A lone plume of smoke rises straight from the vast desert; the long river reflects the round setting sun.'”

Without any particular reason, Qin Yan found himself recalling this line of poetry.

Turning his head, he looked at Yu Qingxuan and Xiao Miao.

Though they sat facing each other, neither met the other’s gaze.

Qin Yan could keenly feel the palpable tension, like gunpowder, hanging in the air.

‘Had he become some kind of ‘femme fatale‘?’

Qin Yan shook his head.

It seemed he would have to be the one to ease the tension between them.

“Xiao Miao, what brought you to this frontier region?”

Qin Yan asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice.

Upon hearing Qin Yan’s question, Xiao Miao instinctively straightened her posture.

Seated opposite her, Yu Qingxuan, as if unwilling to be outdone, also straightened her back, then cast a disdainful glance at Xiao Miao’s chest.

After all, Xiao Miao was still merely a young girl; how could her ‘assets’ compete with Yu Qingxuan’s?

“Tch—”

Xiao Miao seemed to notice Yu Qingxuan’s gesture, letting out a soft scoff before reassuring herself, ‘It’s fine, I’m still young, I’ll grow bigger later.’

Then, composing herself, she replied to Qin Yan:

“Ever since we parted ways last time, Qin Xianzi, my cultivation inexplicably recovered somewhat.

Thinking about the past year within my family, I decided to leave and gain experience through travel.

Before I knew it, I had wandered all the way here.”

Qin Yan had heard this account before; it was no different from what she had told him at the dilapidated temple.

He had hoped for more details from Xiao Miao, but the young girl remained cautious.

Since Xiao Miao was unwilling to elaborate, Qin Yan did not press her.

“What caused your cultivation to recover?

And what led to its regression in the first place?”

Yu Qingxuan interjected, her voice sharp with inquiry.

The question was truly impolite, causing Xiao Miao’s left hand, adorned with a storage ring, to twitch.

Of course, she couldn’t possibly reveal that the soul of a great cultivator resided within her ring.

“It seems there’s a hidden story, then?” Yu Qingxuan remarked, raising an eyebrow.

“Senior Sister, we are all cultivators.

If Xiao Miao doesn’t wish to speak, why press her so relentlessly?” Qin Yan whispered, looking at the eyebrow-raising Yu Qingxuan, knowing her temperament.

He genuinely worried his Senior Sister might now seize Xiao Miao and interrogate her severely, determined to uncover the truth.

“Hmph! Since my Junior Brother has spoken, I shall not trouble you further!”

Yu Qingxuan let out a cold huff, and out of consideration for Qin Yan’s standing, remained silent.

To her, the Xiao Miao before them was utterly incomparable, whether in background or cultivation.

It was only because her Junior Brother, as a man, possessed such a gentle and kind heart that she found no fault in her own tone or actions.

As for Xiao Miao…

‘Qin Yan’s Senior Sister… she’s truly too overbearing…’

Xiao Miao’s hands clenched, making a faint creaking sound beneath the table.

She then looked at Qin Yan before her, wondering why, despite being from the same sect, their personalities differed so vastly.

‘Qin Xianzi is kind and gentle to others, so why does this Senior Sister enjoy putting on airs and manipulating people?’

However, Xiao Miao clearly understood that none of this was Qin Yan’s fault.

“Esteemed guests, your tea has arrived.”

Fortunately, at that moment, the waiter entered the private room, carrying the tea.

Holding the teacups and teapot, she poured for everyone present, then exited the private room.

The air was filled with the fragrant aroma of tea—a special frontier tea called ‘Bitter Brew’.

“This tea is truly excellent.”

Xiao Miao, inhaling the tea’s fragrance, couldn’t help but exclaim.

“Hmph, is that all the discernment you possess?

It’s merely common, mortal tea.”

Yu Qingxuan retorted.

Being inexplicably rebuked once again, Xiao Miao felt a surge of frustration.

‘You’re so noble, so impressive, a disciple of a great sect!’

She secretly resolved to ignore Qin Yan’s Senior Sister from now on.

“Qin Xianzi, thanks to the medicinal pill you gave me last time, I’ve already recovered to the peak of the Qi Condensation realm.”

Xiao Miao turned to look at Qin Yan, who sat beside her, and said with a smile.

She recalled that it had also been in a teahouse previously.

She had asked Qin Xianzi if she could still cultivate.

But Qin Yan’s answer had utterly surprised her.

‘Yes!’

Simple words, yet they had affirmed something she herself hadn’t dared to believe.

Now that she truly could cultivate, a lingering cloud of stagnant energy that had weighed heavily on her heart finally dissipated.

“Congratulations, Xiao Miao.”

Qin Yan nodded, the young girl’s stubborn gaze from before having left a deep impression on him.

Upon hearing this, Yu Qingxuan’s mind began to churn.

Her Junior Brother had indeed given Xiao Miao a pill before.

Could that be the reason for Xiao Miao’s cultivation recovery?

The faint smile that had graced her face slowly faded as she scrutinized Xiao Miao, seemingly trying to discern why her Junior Brother held such regard for her.

Yet, no matter how she looked, she couldn’t find anything particularly noteworthy.

Just a bit more youthful and lively, a bit prettier…

‘Damn it,’ Yu Qingxuan inexplicably felt a surge of irritation.

She truly wanted to know what was so special about the Xiao Miao before her.

But she was destined not to know, for she hadn’t read a novel about this world where there was no dazzling magic…

Otherwise, she would surely have understood Qin Yan’s actions.