Chapter 32: Unexpected Rescues and Shifting Dynamics at the Temple Fair

The Azure Continent adhered to its traditional customs, with many regions celebrating their own unique festivals. This particular temple fair naturally commanded considerable attention from the nearby residents, and the Yun family had arrived early to immerse themselves in the festivities.

Any observant individual would have been surprised to discover that the front row of the plaza was not lacking in well-armed attendants. A section of the dance plaza had been deliberately cleared, and several chairs were arranged there. The faces of those seated were remarkably familiar, for they were none other than the highly influential figures of the Lin and Yun families. Only they possessed the authority to occupy such prominent positions.

Lan Wu Xi recognized many of these individuals, of course. There was Lin Yunxi, sitting cross-legged in an unseemly manner, and beside him, the obsequious Lin Hong, who bowed and scraped. Also present were Yun Haoxiong, the Vice Patriarch of the Yun family, and Lin Fengting, the Vice Patriarch of the Lin family.

Their chairs were conspicuously positioned in the very center, subtly highlighting their presence before the gathered crowd.

Ever since the Beast Tide incident, the patriarchs of the Lin, Yun, and Huang families had all departed for the front lines of the Cloud Heaven Nation’s border to offer support. This was a critical measure, for if the defenses were breached, the suffering would undoubtedly fall upon the city’s common folk and these very family powers.

Thus, it was only natural that the Lin and Yun families were temporarily managed by their respective Vice Patriarchs. After all, besides the patriarchs themselves, these two were the strongest individuals within their clans.

Merely approaching them, one could sense a formidable aura emanating from both men. Yun Haoxiong exuded the presence of a living Mount Tai; his every movement was imbued with immense power.

This was no superficial strength. It was a power forged through countless refinements, compressing his spiritual energy, continuously condensing all the spiritual energy within his body until it reached an extreme state of purity.

In a certain sense, Yun Haoxiong and Lan Wu Xi shared a striking similarity in their cultivation paths. Both relentlessly strengthened their physical bodies, striving for unparalleled power in every strike. However, Yun Haoxiong was a true body cultivator, possessing not a single shred of spiritual energy to activate.

Lan Wu Xi, on the other hand, pursued a dual cultivation. While he pushed the limits of his physical form, he also continuously enhanced his perception of spiritual energy. He hoped to resonate with the abilities of heaven and earth through this method, thereby breaking free from the Heavenly Dao’s constraints.

For if he could break free from the Heavenly Dao’s control, he would no longer fear the system’s punishments. Most of the system’s penalties leveraged the wrath of the Heavenly Dao to coerce him. If one day he could disregard the Heavenly Dao…

Yet, Lan Wu Xi was keenly aware of the immense difficulty involved. Many spent their entire lives only to earn a few moments of the Heavenly Dao’s favor. This favor manifested as a blessing from heaven and earth, allowing a select few fortunate cultivators to refine and purify their spiritual energy.

Successfully passing this trial could transform even an ordinary talent into a genius seen only once in a century.

Lin Fengting, however, presented a stark contrast to Yun Haoxiong. He exuded a somber aura that made those around him uneasy, as if he had just returned from a life-or-death battle. It was said that he once, at the Golden Core realm, fought against three Golden Core powerhouses and remained undefeated. Such a record earned him the moniker “Madman Lin.”

Both men were likely at the peak of the Golden Core realm, just a step away from the Heavenly Void realm. Such power was more than enough to effortlessly crush numerous small and medium-sized factions. It was no wonder these two families had maintained their foothold in this region for so many years.

Their power was undeniably on display. If anyone dared to challenge them, they were welcome to try. Only those who could demonstrate the strength to defeat them would truly be considered formidable.

Of course, besides these influential figures, another person particularly caught the eye.

She possessed flowing silver waves of hair and pale violet eyes that radiated a cold, aloof brilliance, giving her an air of haughty inaccessibility. Her shapely figure was no less captivating than Lin Yufei’s, and her ample bosom, in particular, rivaled the girl’s size—a truly rare sight.

After all, he had witnessed the girl’s figure develop step by step. He had initially been startled by her incredibly alluring, almost impossibly perfect physique, as such remarkable development at her age was truly uncommon.

However, many men still preferred the former woman. She was akin to a meticulously crafted fine wine, whose rich aroma could be savored the moment it touched the tongue.

The latter, however, was like a fresh, succulent peach—a budding beauty, not yet fully mature but already half-ripe. Her vibrant youth, infused with a rebellious spirit, offered a different kind of allure. Both women possessed their own unique charms.

“Idiot, where are you looking? You pervert, don’t you dare look!”

Lin Yufei seemed to notice Lan Wu Xi’s gaze growing increasingly mischievous. She promptly extended her hand, covering his eyes, and grumbled.

A faint scent of vinegar seemed to waft through the air, as if a vendor’s bottle had been knocked over.

“I wasn’t looking, I wasn’t looking! How could I be that kind of person? I was merely curious that members of the Lin and Yun families had also arrived.”

Lan Wu Xi quickly averted his gaze, raising both hands in a gesture of innocence. He forced a smile as he replied, meeting her displeased eyes.

“Hmph, I’m not talking to you anymore.”

Lin Yufei simply turned her head away, sulking. Inside, she fumed. ‘He really is an idiot, just as I said. Doesn’t he know what’s most taboo between a man and a woman when they go out…?’

A fresh wave of anger surged through Lin Yufei, and she impulsively kicked Lan Wu Xi. He nearly lost his balance, almost tumbling headfirst.

“Ouch, what was that for, girl? I nearly had an accident!”

“What does that have to do with me? You were already staring at her, completely captivated. This just gives others a chance to pay attention to you instead.”

Lan Wu Xi detected the jealousy in her tone, realizing the girl was likely throwing another fit of pique. He was secretly quite pleased, as it proved she cared for him and that his place in her heart was special.

“Alright, alright, I was wrong. I promise I’ll only look at you now, okay?”

“Who… who asked you to do that? How utterly cheesy!”

Like a startled deer, Lin Yufei shifted awkwardly, her face flushed as she spoke with a chiding anger.

As Lin Yufei and Lan Wu Xi playfully bickered, the performance below began.

The dance troupe’s skills were undeniably solid, proving the adage that a minute on stage requires ten years of practice. Many breathtaking performances captivated the audience, leaving a lasting impression.

Several high-difficulty acts even bordered on life-threatening with the slightest misstep, drawing thunderous applause from the spectators.

What truly brought everyone to their feet was the “Celestial Flying Immortal” act.

The sight of several ordinary people performing aerial feats in perfect synchronization was utterly breathtaking. Lin Yufei involuntarily clutched her chest, holding her breath in awe. Lan Wu Xi was equally stunned by their display.

Lan Wu Xi had always believed that diligent individuals could be found everywhere.

After all, such a performance would be challenging even for cultivators. The final act, where a performer soared skyward to pluck a flower ball from a six-zhang tall pillar, was particularly impressive. It served as a powerful testament to everyone present that even ordinary people could achieve feats many cultivators could not, inspiring profound admiration.

Yun Jingping and the woman beside him clapped and nodded, expressing their respect for the dance troupe. In contrast, Lin Yunxi offered weak, desultory applause, while Lin Hong diligently supplied him with water and massaged his back. He truly embodied the role of a sycophantic lackey.

“Patriarch, everything is ready.”

A servant-like man hurried to Lin Fengting’s side, bowing his head. He leaned in close, whispering into his ear.

As if fearing others might overhear, Lin Fengting subtly erected a small barrier beside them, isolating their conversation from any curious eavesdroppers.

“Understood. You may withdraw.”

After dismissing the man, Lin Fengting cast a sidelong glance at Yun Haoxiong, a faint, enigmatic smile playing on his lips.

“Brother Haoxiong, what do you think of this performance?”

Hearing Lin Fengting address him, Yun Haoxiong let out a soft chuckle. He gripped the ends of his armrests.

“Persistence and diligent practice. Their future potential is limitless.”

“Oh? I don’t quite agree.”

Lin Fengting shook his head, seemingly disagreeing with Yun Haoxiong’s assessment of the dancers.

“For mere mortals to dare trespass into the domain of cultivators—it is an act of outrageous audacity, deserving of death!”

As he finished speaking, the elderly man standing slightly bowed beside him flashed a chilling gaze. In a mere breath, several forceful qi blasts suddenly shot towards the performing dance troupe, in full view of the public.

“What?!”

Yun Haoxiong stomped his foot and rose. He had not anticipated the Lin family’s outrageous arrogance, daring to harm ordinary people in broad daylight.

“Look out!!!”

The woman beside Yun Jingping and Lin Yufei cried out simultaneously.

However, the performers on stage were mere mortals. Though they achieved miraculous feats, they possessed no means to resist such sudden danger. This respected troupe was instantly scattered and knocked to the ground.

Most severely affected were the two individuals at the very top, who plummeted directly from a height of six zhang. A fall like that would surely result in death or lifelong disability.

“Ah!!!”

The other spectators had never witnessed such a scene and cried out in alarm. Although some cultivators in the audience wished to intervene, they were powerless.

Acting rashly would mean offending the Lin family, whose tyrannical nature had just been brazenly displayed. They were utterly unreasonable and lawless.

“Brother Yun!”

“Idiot!”

At that very moment, two figures surged onto the stage, one from above and one from below. They flew towards the two falling dancers.

Simultaneously, two streams of qi energy converged gently in mid-air, forming a pair of invisible hands that softly cradled the plummeting bodies.

Moreover, the two streams of qi energy merged with uncanny synchronicity, erupting in a combined force. The two falling individuals were each caught by a figure, gently descending. Such precise control over spiritual energy left everyone present wide-eyed with astonishment.

“Phew, are you alright?”

“Are you hurt? Can you still walk? Do you need me to take you to your companions?”

It turned out the rescuers were Lan Wu Xi and Yun Jingping!

While others might cower before the Lin family, these two were exemplary exceptions.

One was the eldest son of a rival family, and the other was the only son of a family whose relations had recently grown extremely tense.

When did these two get together?

At this moment, Lin Yingnan couldn’t help but furrow his brow. Clearly, he hadn’t expected these two to openly intervene and rescue the performers.

“Pfft! When did that fellow team up with that good-for-nothing from the Yun family?”

Lin Yunxi, even more shocked, spat out a mouthful of tea. The liquid splattered across his luxurious gold-threaded robes, leaving dark stains.

Yet, Lin Yunxi had no time to worry about his attire; the scene unfolding before him was far more astonishing than any soiled clothing.

“Lan Wu Xi!!!”

“Yun Jing… Junior Brother Yun, hello there~”

Lan Wu Xi chuckled awkwardly, looking at Yun Jingping’s astonished face.