96: Fang Yue, Xiao Huo's dream lover

The Spiritual Qi was dense, and the garden was a riot of colors; with every breath of wind, the entire field of flowers swayed in unison.

A sweet, refreshing fragrance drifted through the air, delightful without being overwhelming.

Hua Xiangrong, dressed in a white gown, strolled through the blossoms.

The Disciples tending to the Spirit Medicines in the medicine garden couldn't help but steal glances at her.

They were filled with curiosity about this unfamiliar "Fairy" in her simple dress, who had appeared occasionally over the past two days, wandering through the flowers like a newly blossomed spirit orchid.

However, so far, few had dared to approach her.

The few who had tried to strike up a conversation were largely ignored by Hua Xiangrong, each of them meeting with a cold rebuff.

All they knew was that she seemed to be very fond of this particular patch of flowers in the medicine garden.

A gentle breeze blew against her, lifting Hua Xiangrong's hair. She brushed a stray lock aside, looking at the delicate, vibrant flowers teeming with life.

For no particular reason, her heart felt a sense of peace.

"Truly a good place..."

At a glance, the flower fields stretched far into the distance.

The medicine garden had extravagantly set aside a large area specifically for cultivating spirit flowers.

"Excuse me, Junior Brother, do you happen to know Fang Yue?"

Not far away, Xiao Huo caught a Disciple who was performing a Rain Summoning Technique and asked.

Under the arrangements of a Star Sect Elder, the Disciples from Wunian City had been settled into their lodgings. Xiao Huo had immediately set out to find the man of his dreams—Fang Yue!

The man who had occupied his thoughts.

However, the people he had asked earlier either laughed incessantly or asked if he wanted a Giant Lizard, saying they were great for breeding.

This left him wandering around aimlessly like a headless fly.

Thoroughly confused by what he heard, Xiao Huo paced around until he eventually reached this medicine garden.

"Fang Yue?" The medicine garden Disciple laughed upon hearing the name, his gaze toward Xiao Huo turning somewhat peculiar. "What do you want with him?"

Xiao Huo said solemnly, "For love!"

"Pfft!"

The Disciple couldn't contain himself and momentarily lost control of his Rain Summoning Technique. The rain cloud drifted over Xiao Huo's head, drenching him in a sudden downpour of Qi-rich rain.

"You!"

Drenched to the bone, Xiao Huo wiped the rain from his face. His body temperature surged, steam billowed out, and he was dry again in no time.

"My apologies," the Disciple said apologetically.

Despite the apology, he couldn't suppress his grin.

Fang Yue... love?

He had seen that image-recording stone.

Xiao Huo took a deep breath, telling himself to stay calm. "Never mind. Just tell me if you know Fang Yue or not."

"I know him, of course I do," the Disciple performing the Rain Summoning Technique nodded. "Fang Yue of Spirit Beast Mountain—who in the Star Sect doesn't know him?"

"Really?" Xiao Huo was ecstatic. "Tell me everything."

It seemed the man of his dreams was also a Genius Disciple!

That's more like it. The man of my, Xiao Huo's, dreams must naturally be a Genius!

"Well..." The Disciple chuckled. "I have an image-recording stone of Fang Yue right here."

"If you want to understand him, watching this will be more than enough."

"Truly?" Xiao Huo asked suspiciously.

"Truly!" the Disciple replied. "How else do you think I know about Fang Yue? It's all thanks to this image-recording stone."

Xiao Huo hurriedly leaned in, putting an arm around the other's shoulder. "Then I really must thank you."

"No need for thanks. That'll be ten Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, please."

Xiao Huo: "?"

"You didn't think it was free, did you? image-recording stones aren't cheap."

"Fine, I'll pay!" Xiao Huo gritted his teeth and produced ten Mid-Grade Spirit Stones. This was far more than the stone was worth, but for the sake of his dream lover, he paid up.

"Here, it's yours."

They exchanged the stones.

After Xiao Huo left, the Disciple slapped his forehead. "Damn, I forgot to ask if he wanted a Giant Lizard."

Even though he didn't have one, he could have gone to Spirit Beast Mountain to get one and pocketed the difference.

What a loss!

Having stowed away the image-recording stone to watch later, Xiao Huo's eyes suddenly lit up.

Amidst the flowers nearby stood a woman in a white dress, looking as ethereal as a celestial being.

And Xiao Huo had always been the type to take what he wanted.

The incident with Ye Shutong had been a mere fluke; this time, with this white-robed Fairy, Xiao Huo believed he would be as successful as he always was.

"Fairy!"

In a flash, Xiao Huo appeared in front of Hua Xiangrong.

Hua Xiangrong: "?"

She frowned, looking at the spirit flowers crushed under Xiao Huo's feet.

Thinking he was just another curious Disciple trying to strike up a conversation, she reminded him, "You're stepping on the flowers."

"It's fine, these aren't worth much," Xiao Huo waved his hand dismissively, showing no intention of moving.

"..."

Realizing she wasn't a Star Sect Disciple and couldn't do much about it, Hua Xiangrong sighed softly and tried to walk around him.

Xiao Huo raised an eyebrow.

Interesting~

Woman, you have successfully caught my attention.

"I am the Head Disciple of Wunian City, Xiao Huo," he said, flashing in front of her once more.

In his mind, revealing his status combined with his peerless looks would make her fall for him instantly.

Who asked you?

Lunatic.

Hua Xiangrong was annoyed. "Move aside."

Xiao Huo grinned. "I won't."

He reached out to take her hand, but she stepped back and avoided him.

Seeing his frivolous manner, Hua Xiangrong felt incredibly irritated.

He trampled flowers and wouldn't listen to reason.

Where did this lunatic come from?

She drew her sword threateningly. "Move aside."

"Go ahead, stab me right here!"

Not only was Xiao Huo unafraid, but he also puffed out his chest and patted it.

*Tear—*

The tip of the sword pierced through his clothes.

Xiao Huo was stunned.

"You actually stabbed me?!"

Hua Xiangrong clicked her tongue and sheathed her sword.

His cultivation was higher than hers; she couldn't pierce his skin.

"What's the matter?"

An Elder rushed over from a distance.

No one was allowed to cause trouble in the medicine garden; what if the Spiritual Plants and medicines were damaged?

"Is this how the Star Sect treats its guests?" Xiao Huo said indignantly. "Attacking me with a sword?"

Elder Sun was confused. "And you are?"

Xiao Huo: "The Disciple of Elder Mei of Wunian City, Xiao Huo!"

Hua Xiangrong: "He trampled the flowers. Besides, he was the one who asked me to stab him."

She wasn't worried; Shen Qing had already told her that in the Star Sect, she needn't worry even if the Sect Master himself had ill intentions.

Much less a Disciple of a Wunian City Elder.

She wouldn't be timid, fearing trouble for herself or Shen Qing.

Elder Sun recognized Hua Xiangrong.

She was the person who had gained entry to the medicine garden using the token of the Head Disciple, Shen Qing.

Neither of their backgrounds was simple.

But he clearly wouldn't side with Xiao Huo; after all, Hua Xiangrong was practically one of the Star Sect's own.

And...

"You also trampled the spirit flowers in our medicine garden?" Elder Sun's gaze swept across the ground, quickly finding the crushed blossoms.

The flowers hadn't died; he waved his hand to restore them.

Xiao Huo muttered indifferently, "It's not like they're some rare Spirit Medicines."