Chapter 1: The Lantern Festival’s Hidden Market

Under a clear, inky black night sky, where stars dotted the heavens and a bright moon hung high, the bustling town was alight with myriad lamps.

The boisterous, joyful sounds of people, the dazzling array of goods, and the captivating street performances all unequivocally declared that this night was far from ordinary for the town’s residents.

Indeed, today marked the annual Lantern Festival, a truly precious occasion for mortals, whose lifespans were fleeting, to fully unwind and indulge.

For cultivators, however, those who pursued the immortal dao and sought eternal life, a yearly festival offered but a fleeting enjoyment, primarily felt only during their initial attendance.

Thus, separated from the mortal world, vibrant with the scent of fireworks and human revelry, by merely activating an unassuming spiritual barrier, one could step into another realm of the town—a silent world, starkly at odds with the lively sphere beyond.

Here, too, dazzling goods abounded, ranging from exquisitely crafted jewelry to ancient artifacts steeped in the essence of time; each piece, if presented to the outside world, would utterly eclipse the mundane wares of mortals.

Yet, the thoroughfares of this hidden world saw few pedestrians. While not exactly hurried, they rarely paused at any single stall for more than a fleeting second or two.

As for the stall owners, they often sat with eyes closed in contemplation, presenting an an air of utter indifference to any potential customers who might pass by.

“How strange, is it not here?”

Among a pair of cultivators traveling together, the female, her hand delicately resting on her soft cheek, voiced her confusion with a puzzled frown.

The male cultivator, offering a refined smile, remarked, “Perhaps Junior Sister merely misremembered, or the rumors we heard were unreliable. Moreover, Junior Sister already possesses unparalleled beauty; there is truly no need to seek out any skin-moisturizing balm to enhance yourself further.”

Upon hearing this, a faint blush, like a delicate pink mist, bloomed across Junior Sister’s fair cheeks. She murmured, “Senior Brother always knows just the right pleasantries to comfort me. Still, you have a point; this is merely a minor street. Let us continue for a short while longer, and if we still haven’t found it, we shall depart.”

“Esteemed fated one, if I may ask, are you perhaps searching for a secret elixir, a ‘Toner,’ that can make your already flawless and supple skin even more moisturized and radiant?”

Just as the two cultivators were preparing to move on, a voice, soft, gentle, and undeniably alluring, drifted into their ears from directly behind them.

The two cultivators turned their heads, only to find the stall owner, who had previously been entirely shrouded in a black cloak, now fixed upon them with eyes that were remarkably bright and clear.

How to describe the sensation? It felt akin to encountering… an Immeasurable Heavenly Venerate?

A peculiar expression settled upon both their faces. Moments earlier, when they had first passed this very stall, they had only noticed three white crystal bottles containing an unknown liquid, along with a piece of brocade cloth on the ground covered in indecipherable writing. Having no idea of their use, they had merely glanced over them.

They had only offered it a cursory glance before dismissing it entirely.

While the male cultivator still hesitated, the female cultivator had already strode forward, knelt before the stall, picked up a white crystal bottle, felt its cool touch, and asked thoughtfully, “Junior Sister Murong’s ‘Toner’…”

Noticing the customer seemed to be struggling with the name, the stall owner aptly interjected, “Toner. It appears a regular customer has recommended it to you. Murong? Ah, yes, I recall now. Are you also a young lady from the Murong family?”

The female cultivator shook her head, saying, “She is my close friend. We are cultivators from the Sky Philosophy Sect.”

As she spoke the name of her sect, the female cultivator’s face glowed with pride, and she certainly had ample reason to; within this territory, at the very least, the Sky Philosophy Sect was universally renowned.

A fleeting, inexplicable glint flickered in the stall owner Ye Qingfeng’s eyes, quickly concealed. Then, with a look of sudden realization, they sincerely stated, “So this young lady is also a disciple of the Sky Philosophy Sect! No wonder I felt an extraordinary aura upon first glance—vibrant and possessing the demeanor of a great sect. The young lady is already radiant, and paired with the identity of a prestigious sect, her presence becomes truly awe-inspiring.”

Unaccustomed to such direct and effusive praise, the female cultivator found herself somewhat flustered. “Ah, you truly flatter me.”

The male cultivator then stepped forward, interjecting, “Your discernment is indeed extraordinary. So, this is the ‘Toner’? I’ve heard it can make a woman’s skin more delicate, yet my Junior Sister already possesses a beauty akin to a celestial maiden; does she truly require such external adornments?”

‘Heh, it seems someone wishes to engage in a verbal spar.’

A cunning merchant’s smile flickered across Ye Qingfeng’s face as they lowered their head, only to reappear with a warmth that felt like a spring breeze when they looked up again. They spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly: “While providing timely aid in dire straits is undoubtedly a profound kindness, the recipient’s desolate circumstances and anxious gratitude can be truly heartbreaking. Conversely, while adding beauty to what is already beautiful may seem a small gesture, the depth of affection and the peace of mind it brings to the recipient cannot be dismissed with merely three words: ‘no necessity.'”

“To truly love someone, whether through familial affection, steadfast friendship, or romantic devotion, is to wish for them to traverse their path without worry and, in the prime of their life, to have the opportunity to surpass even their current splendid state. Their peerless beauty is undeniable, but is there truly no need for continuous refinement? After all… there is a saying: ‘A woman adorns herself for the one who delights in her.'”

As they uttered that final phrase, Ye Qingfeng fixed a knowing gaze upon the male cultivator, their eyes subtly shifting between the two companions.

The male cultivator’s previously somewhat arrogant demeanor instantly wavered, and his gaze involuntarily drifted towards his Junior Sister standing beside him.

Having set aside his precious cultivation time to visit this nameless street, a gathering place for rogue cultivators, his true intentions were naturally not difficult to surmise.

Initially, he had struggled to comprehend why his Junior Sister would squander her time on such external adornments, entirely useless for the pursuit of cultivation.

‘But now… she brought me along to purchase this. Could it be that she wishes for me to witness an even more radiant version of herself later?’

His heartstrings were undeniably plucked. Even knowing this might not be entirely genuine, merely a clever ploy by the stall owner, his subconscious mind still steered the male cultivator towards more ambiguous possibilities. Nevertheless, unwilling to concede defeat, he resolved to struggle a little longer.

“Who knows if your product actually works?”

“If it had no effect, neither of you would be lingering in a place so unbefitting your esteemed status, would you? Moreover, I myself am a dedicated user.”

As they spoke, Ye Qingfeng gracefully pulled up their long sleeve, revealing skin that, under the lamplight, appeared flawlessly smooth and exquisitely moisturized. With but a single glance, the female cultivator’s eyes widened in awe, and her gaze, when it settled upon the small white bottle of ‘Toner,’ was filled with even greater anticipation.

The stall owner then pressed their advantage: “My ‘Clear Breeze Brand Toner,’ secretly formulated with an exclusive recipe, is made from three natural ingredients—morning dew, Profound Yin Grass, and Pearl Sand—along with two major moisturizing components: hyaluronic acid and yeast protein. Just a light application every day will rejuvenate your skin, giving it a delicate pink glow and an ethereal moisture! It will also preserve your youthful radiance, making your beauty timeless. Once a day, meet a different you! I presume Miss Murong has already seen the effects, otherwise, she wouldn’t have recommended you two to come here.”

Though the technical jargon was largely incomprehensible, the two cultivators found themselves profoundly impressed.

However, the female cultivator, having been made the unwitting subject of the discourse, was now flushed crimson. She couldn’t help but exclaim in exasperation, “You! How can you be so brazen? I’m not buying it!”

With that, she stood up, intending to leave. Seeing this, the male cultivator prepared to follow, while Ye Qingfeng ‘softly’ reminded him, “Fellow Daoist, I will be at this location for one more hour. After that, I may be leaving for some time.”

Having delivered the message, they once again lowered their head, resuming their meditative posture.

After casting a profound gaze at the stall owner, the male cultivator turned to pursue the female cultivator, who was already walking away.

****

An hour later, the stall owner collected the now empty display cloth. Their gaze swept quickly around, and then, with practiced ease, they concealed their figure, vanishing from the spot.

Concurrently, several figures lurking in the surrounding shadows also stirred into action. Alas, due to Ye Qingfeng’s meticulous preparations, they found only empty air.

“Damn it, the brat got away.”

“What a pity. That little rascal really fleeced a lot from that Sky Philosophy Sect disciple.”

“That’s how it is with disciples from big sects: foolish people with abundant wealth. That stuff is useless except to make them look a little prettier.”

“Never mind, that kid will surely come back later. When he does, we’ll get it all back, principal and interest.”

“Exactly.”

Meanwhile, Ye Qingfeng, the very target they intended to waylay and rob, had already shaken off the cultivators’ trading street and stepped back into the mortal world, where the lingering scent of fireworks still hung in the air.

The boisterous market, as time flowed on, gradually surrendered to a tranquil stillness, with only a few scattered individuals still tending to the remnants of the post-festival revelry.

After confirming she had thoroughly shaken off her pursuers, the stall owner lowered her hood. A cascade of flowing, silky silver hair, like a shimmering waterfall, tumbled down, reaching all the way to her waist.

The black cloth that had veiled her countenance had fulfilled its purpose, revealing a face of such exquisite, ethereal beauty that it seemed to make the very stars retreat and the bright moon dim, as if a celestial fairy had descended to the mortal realm, too stunning to gaze upon directly.

From her cherry-red lips, a soft, fragrant breath escaped, and her tightly furrowed crescent eyebrows, initially drawn like a peacock folding its tail, gradually relaxed into a serene curve.

“Hmph, shaken them off.”

Within her eyes, clear as a deep mountain spring, a ripple of joy spread, much like pebbles skipping across tranquil water. Yet, even this figure of ethereal grace couldn’t help but descend into the mundane affairs of the mortal world with her next words.

“Heh, finally found a growing leek (TL Note: A slang term, ‘jiǔcài,’ referring to someone easily exploited or repeatedly ‘harvested’ for their money, like a leek that regrows after being cut.)! La la la la, a cool ten high-grade spirit stones in one day!”

Looking at the heavy storage bag, Ye Qingfeng’s lips curved into a mischievous, almost impish smile: “Little bro, you shouldn’t have gone to such lengths just to chase a girl, should you? Your savings must be completely drained now. You’ll be eating dirt (TL Note: A Chinese slang term, ‘chītǔ,’ meaning to be so poor that one has nothing left to eat, implying extreme financial hardship.) for a while, hehe, hehe… Why am I gloating? They’re Sky Philosophy Sect disciples, masters who get spirit stones every day. The Sky Philosophy Sect, ah…”

Ye Qingfeng raised her head, gazing up at the moon, her eyes reflecting a complex mixture of nostalgia and abhorrence.

If those unexpected events hadn’t transpired, he would now be even more formidable than that person, not living precariously day by day, and certainly not having experienced a gender reversal.

As for what precisely happened to cause him, a once-promising Sky Philosophy Sect disciple, a straightforward seven-foot man, to fall so low—betraying his sect and resorting to selling cosmetics for a living—that story begins a year ago.