Chapter 7: Keeping it for Future Use

At this moment, even the flowing air seemed to stand still, leaving only the sound of their breathing and heartbeats. The world was silent, the heavens hushed, leaving only their hearts beating in unison.

Two people who had always been at odds were, for the first time, getting along so harmoniously.

However, not even half a quarter of an hour had passed before Yun Yi suddenly flashed a wicked, devilish smile. His eyes were filled with playfulness as he teased, "Staring at me like that—is it because you, too, have realized that I am the most beautiful man in the world?"

The tiny glimmer of beauty and tenderness that had just risen in Luo Qingyao’s heart was instantly shattered. She glared at him in fury and gave him a swift kick.

Yun Yi, however, turned with effortless grace, easily dodging the blow.

Looking up, she happened to see him carefully tucking the remaining medicinal salve into his robes. Perplexed, Luo Qingyao asked, "What are you keeping that for?"

Given his immense power, it stood to reason he had no need for such ointments to reduce swelling and clear bruises.

Yun Yi wore a wickedly suggestive smile as he raised an eyebrow at her. "Naturally, I’m keeping it for frequent future use!"

*Frequent future use...*

Upon hearing this, Luo Qingyao’s face turned black instantly.

She gritted her teeth. This damned man—would it kill him to say something serious for once?

While the two of them were here engaged in their flirtatious bickering, they were unaware that a certain old man was watching them from afar, leisurely sipping tea, thoroughly amused, and wearing an extremely mischievous grin.

***

Three days later.

In the largest arena in the western suburbs of the imperial capital, Lan City, Queen Wen Yue of the Lanxi Kingdom arrived in person, accompanied by her civil and military officials.

Seated before a temporarily erected jade dais, Wen Yue wore her royal crown and dragon robes, looking graceful, dignified, and majestic.

To her left and right sat a man and a woman: the man was handsome and cold, surrounded by an aura of frigidity; the woman was peerlessly beautiful, like a fairy untouched by the dust of the mortal world.

These two were the leaders of the most prominent factions in the world: the woman was Yu Qingting, Palace Mistress of the Jade Pure Palace, and the man was Feng Qingjue, Pavilion Master of the Xiaoyao Pavilion.

Surrounding the arena, aside from the honor guards, were throngs of onlookers. It was a sea of people, packed to the brim. At this moment, every eye was fixed upon the stage.

Standing on the arena