Chapter 27: The Banquet

In the banquet hall,

As the head of Yuhai City, Ling Che naturally came to the banquet venue after the blessing ceremony ended, to congratulate the rising stars of the Covenant who had acquired the power of the Source.

This general had now reined in the murderous aura he usually bore. His face wore that standard smile, both dignified and affable.

Standing in front of him was a black-haired young man, Mu Cangyun, who had become the undisputed champion of this blessing ceremony. Ling Che’s tone held obvious admiration.

“Eighteenth in the written test, ninth in the preliminaries, and the strongest spiritual weapon in combat. Not bad. Hahaha!”

Ling Che clapped the young man on the shoulder.

“Truly an unexpected result. Your performance is far better than those scions of the great families, haha! Keep it up. I believe you can definitely break through to the Qionglong Realm in the future. Even the Shengxu Realm isn’t out of reach.”

After watching the young man’s previous sparring sessions, Ling Che’s appraisal of him was quite high.

On the other side,

Mu Cangyun lowered his head slightly and hurriedly expressed gratitude for Ling Che’s praise:

“You flatter me, General. I still need to keep working hard.”

“Haha, modesty is good, but you don’t have to overdo it.”

Ling Che smiled and waved his hand.

“Come by the base more often when you have time. If you need any help, just say the word.”

“Yeah, th-thanks, General.”

…

After a few brief pleasantries, Ling Che turned to greet other chosen ones.

Mu Cangyun stayed where he was, watching him leave. The humble smile on his face gradually faded, and he let out a relieved sigh, as if a weight had been lifted.

Clearly, this young man in his twenties was not used to such occasions.

— “Tsk, you’re that stiff when talking to a higher-up. Where’s that edge you had when bickering with me?” A lazy, teasing voice sounded in his mind.

Mu Cangyun’s brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

“Will you shut up… Bai?” he responded internally, his tone full of disgust.

— “Oho, sprouting some backbone now, are we?” That voice refused to drop it.

-“I’m kind enough to give you advice, and you don’t appreciate it. With that attitude, when will you ever win over the Saint?”

“I know what I’m doing.”

Mu Cangyun picked up a glass of water from the table and took a small sip, his gaze sweeping the hall impassively.

His eyes lingered on many faces, then moved away. Finally, they settled on a quiet figure on the second floor.

— “Know what you’re doing? Ha.” Bai’s cold laughter sounded again in his mind.

-“Do you think the Saint is just anyone? She’s the darling of all humanity. Countless eyes are on her. If you don’t make a move, you won’t even get close. This banquet is a rare chance. And you’re just standing here?”

“I know.”

Mu Cangyun withdrew his gaze and sighed inwardly.

— “Know nothing. I think you’re just a coward.”

“Coward? Coward my ass… How did I end up with a piece of trash like you as my guide?”

Mu Cangyun couldn’t help rolling his eyes.

That voice went silent for a moment, then exploded.

“Trash? Don’t look down on me!” it suddenly rose in volume, carrying a stubborn pride.

“I’m the second-ranked existence among the many guides the Goddess created! Show some respect, will you?”

“Second-ranked?” Mu Cangyun raised an eyebrow, his tone growing more contemptuous.

“Not even number one. Pfft.”

Bai fell silent for a few seconds.

Then, his tone changed. The earlier laziness and mockery were gone, replaced by a hint of seriousness, even… wariness.

“Honestly, don’t think that number-one system is all that great.”

“What do you mean?”

“That thing… how should I put it? When the Goddess made her, she probably added something that shouldn’t have been there.”

Bai’s voice lowered, as if recalling something unpleasant.

“The chosen ones she nurtures all seem like something gnawed on their brains. They’re all a bit mentally off. You wouldn’t want to feel that.”

Mu Cangyun frowned deeply.

“How… how do you know all this?”

Bai didn’t answer directly.

“Anyway, remember: don’t think she’s so great. More than that, if you ever encounter a chosen from her line, stay far away. At least for now, you’re not qualified to mess with those monsters.”

Mu Cangyun fell silent for a moment, then gave a soft “mm” and didn’t ask further.

…

— “Not going to greet the Saint?” After a brief pause, Bai’s voice returned to its lazy cadence.

-“Winning the Saint’s favor will get you a lot more resources. Look at those guys over there, eyes wide, practically ready to pounce.”

Mu Cangyun glanced in that direction as directed. Indeed, a few of the chosen were clustered at the foot of the stairs to the second floor, heads tilted up, faces filled with longing as they stared at the figure in white above.

The black-haired young man shook his head.

“Not in a hurry.”

“Not in a hurry?” Bai was surprised. “Are you out of your mind?”

“A child like that, cute and innocent, even a little shy around strangers,” Mu Cangyun lifted his glass and swirled it gently, “I have to win her favor slowly. Otherwise, I’ll scare her.”

Bai went silent for a moment, as if thinking something over.

Mu Cangyun didn’t pay attention to Bai’s silence. He only lifted his head, his gaze crossing the hall to the second floor.

Guarded by a group of protectors, Luoxue sat there quietly.

She held a glass of juice, taking small sips. She looked like a delicate porcelain doll displayed on a shelf: quiet, harmless, aloof from the world.

Her perfect posture drew countless eyes.

The surrounding candidates from time to time raised their heads to look at her, their gazes brimming with reverence.

Mu Cangyun looked at that face, and a hard-to-name emotion surged in his chest.

So beautiful.

No wonder she’s the Saint.

If he could get close to her someday… life would definitely become interesting. But unfortunately… why does she always wear an eyepatch?

If only he could see the Saint’s eyes.

The Saint’s eyes must be gorgeous…

…

When Bai noticed that Mu Cangyun held a good impression of the Saint, he said no more.

After all, the ultimate purpose of guides like them was to help their chosen one gain the Saint’s recognition.

If a chosen held the Saint in high regard, he would strive harder toward that goal.

That was a good thing.

But… at that moment, an odd feeling stirred at the bottom of Bai’s heart.

He recalled the scene from the blessing ceremony.

Back then, Mu Cangyun had just entered the shrine.

Bai had taken the initiative to leave Mu Cangyun’s consciousness space, floating beside his host, planning to study the Saint up close, to record her preferences, habits, and micro-expressions, so that later he could help Mu Cangyun win her favor.

However, hardly any time had passed before Bai felt something that made his hair stand on end.

Although Luoxue wore a white blindfold, somehow… Bai had the distinct impression that the hidden eyes were staring directly at him.

Not at his host Mu Cangyun,

but at him??

At that moment, as a creation of the Goddess, he was astounded.

No, impossible…

As a guide dwelling in a consciousness space, he could not possibly be detected by anyone other than his host. That was the rule set by the Goddess, and no being in the world could defy it…

As long as it was a creation of the Goddess…

Just as he was stunned, he vaguely noticed the corners of Luoxue’s lips curve upward by the barest margin, then vanish in an instant.

He was taken aback.

But when he looked again, Luoxue had reverted to that quiet, harmless appearance, as if it had all been an illusion.

…

“Hey, what are you spacing out about?” Mu Cangyun’s voice pulled Bai out of his recollection.

“…Nothing. Can’t I be tired? Mind your own business.” Bai responded internally, his tone annoyed.

Maybe I’m overthinking it.

Through Mu Cangyun’s body, Bai once again brought his attention to the second floor, watching that ‘naive girl’…

On the other side,

Luoxue, sitting on the sofa, was still hugging her little bear plushie and drinking juice, the very picture of an innocent young girl.

The candidates on the first floor kept glancing up at her, worship coloring their eyes.

Even quite a few people with some connection came to the Saint one by one to flatter her.

After seeing off a lady from an aristocratic family who had come bearing gifts, Ningshuang stood behind Luoxue, her crimson pupils coldly sweeping over the retreating figure, then turned to glare at all the candidates who kept staring over.

Clearly, Ningshuang was quite displeased by the constant peeping at Luoxue.

She bent down and whispered in Luoxue’s ear,

“Saint, they keep staring at you… Should I go…”

“It’s fine.” Luoxue’s voice was soft and calm. “No matter. This appearance is meant to be looked at.”

“…” Ningshuang bit her lip, a strange glint flickering in her eyes, and she said no more.

But her gaze never left those ‘peeping’ candidates, like a cat guarding its food, ready to hiss at any moment.

Her gaze finally landed on the young man by the window with that strange hairdo.

Mu Cangyun was holding a cup of water, with a calm expression, quite unlike the others; no eager yearning, no deliberate fawning.

Ningshuang frowned.

“Sainted Lady.”

“Hmm?”

“Don’t you hate Chosen Ones? Why did you grant him the blessing…” Ningshuang seemed puzzled.

Luoxue didn’t answer at once.

She ducked her head and gently stroked the head of the little bear in her arms, her movements slow, soft. The bear’s button eyes flickered under the light, and in their dark depths, Mu Cangyun’s face faintly reflected.

“Because he still has some value.”

…

Hearing that, Ningshuang’s pupils shrank slightly.

A flash of displeasure seemed to cross her eyes.

“Value, eh…” She studied Mu Cangyun’s face thoughtfully.

And as if sensing Ningshuang’s gaze, Mu Cangyun turned his head slightly, meeting her stare…

For a moment, Mu Cangyun was startled.

That gaze was ice-cold. It was not the way you look at a stranger, but the way you look at an enemy who has trespassed on your territory.

He frowned, but quickly recovered with a polite smile and gave a slight nod.

Huh? Why is she looking at me like that?

What did I do?

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