Chapter 20
Ji Xian saw that Xia Lihua didn't seem to have any intention to speak so he said, “I apologize for my Young Lady, she is exhausted from the long trip. We will trouble you then, Pavilion Master Guo.”
Guo Xinyi took only a half-hearted glance at Ji Xian, who she can see was only at the Early stage of the Crystal realm, before focusing back on Xia Lihua.
The current Ji Xian looked nothing more than a servant. The black robe which he usually prefers to wear loosely has been tightly fastened, showcasing his lean figure. His attitude looked humble with his back bent and head slightly lowered. He avoided eye contact looking only at people's shoes. With his long messy hair covering a big portion of his face, his aura screams lower class.
Xia Lihua sent him a wisp of her spiritual sense.
“What are you doing?” She asked.
“Play along.” Ji Xian replied.
“What is the point of all this? Being careful is one thing, but what you’re doing is unnecessary, especially with our cultivation.”
From her voice, Ji Xian can feel that she wasn’t too happy with him lowering his status.
“There is no point, we’re in this world to learn and I prefer to do that being at the bottom of society. Plus, don’t you think this is more entertaining, my Master? My Lady?” He teased.
Xia Lihua slightly blushed, a few inappropriate images of Ji Xian serving her had popped up in her head due to his playful tone.
"Fine."
Their brief conversation was almost instantaneous. At their level, their spiritual sense left not a single fluctuation. Even with Guo Xinyi's high cultivation, she remained ignorant of their exchange.
“Please lead the way, Senior Guo.” Xia Lihua finally said.
“You can just call me Sister Guo.”
“This junior dares not.”
Under his mask, Ji Xian smirked. He wanted to learn more about this world from a humble status but that didn’t mean Xia Lihua needed to do the same. In the end, perhaps from his influence, she also decided to remain low profile.
Hearing her declare herself a junior in front of Guo Xinyi, Ji Xian couldn’t help but silently chuckle to himself. He sent her a teasing message.
“At your age, why are you calling yourself a junior?”
“Shut up! What do you mean at my age? I can see from her bone structure that I’m only a few years older than her. Hmph!” Xia Lihua yelled.
Ji Xian only smiled, deciding it was better not to say anything.
Looks like this is also a sensitive topic in this World... But with cultivation, who cares about age? God knows how long people can live for.
Ji Xian shook his head.
The two followed Guo Xinyi and made it into the city without any issues. Ahead of them was Elder Chen, leading his group. The disciples from the Serene Yang Sect would occasionally look back and sneak glances at their party while whispering amongst themselves. Ouyang Ming can also be seen frequently staring at Xia Lihua passionately.
The girl with dark crimson hair was walking beside the disciples of the Serene Yang Sect. Her existence doesn’t quite fit in with them. It was almost as if there was an invisible barrier separating her and the others. The disciples close to her appeared restrained and docile. Her beauty can be said to be on par with Guo Xinyi, but her fellow disciples never showed any interest in her and kept a respectable distance.
Guo Xinyi was walking side by side with Xia Lihua. She would strike up some conversation with her hoping to know more about her background. Xia Lihua would answer vaguely and occasionally “slip up” accidentally giving away too much information. She made Guo Xinyi believe that she was from a reclusive clan that rarely intervene in worldly affairs and was only out-gathering experiences.
Ji Xian was naturally ignored but he didn’t mind. Especially when he was traveling with a group made up of pretty girls. Unfortunately, with Xia Lihua present, it was hard for him to take time and appreciate their beauty.
She would occasionally turn back and glare at him with a hint of killing intent whenever she catches him in the midst of admiring someone.
To this, he can only bitterly shake his head.
It's not like I'm lustfully looking at them, I'm just admiring their beauty! It's like looking at a piece of artwork.
Afterward, he spread his spiritual sense throughout the island, taking in all the information.
From his spiritual sense, he can see a subtle change in Guo Xinyi’s expression when she came to learn that Xia Lihua was from a reclusive clan.
He didn’t bother to send a message to warn her because he can also feel her spiritual sense covering every corner of the city. So if he can sense it, naturally so can she.
A moment later, Guo Xinyi was no longer able to get anything out of Xia Lihua so she switched the topic. Even though Xia Lihua keeps referring to herself as a junior, Guo Xinyi remained polite and talked to her as equals.
“Do you have a place to stay Sister Xia?”
“No, this junior was planning to send my servant to go look for an inn for us to spend the nights." She politely replied.
“Inns and dwellings are usually all booked months before the start of the All Desolate Competition. It will be hard for you to find any place with room available.”
“Is that so?” Xia Lihua's perfect eyebrows were scrunched together. A dejected look appeared on her face.
Her appearance caused the people in the surroundings to immediately want to rush forward and help, but with her traveling with the famous Ardent Yin Sect, no one dared to.
Inwardly, she wasn't worried. There are plenty of methods she can use to find a place to stay.
Suddenly, Xia Lihua received a random message from Ji Xian.
“Your acting is top notched! That expression is spot on, keep up the good work!”
"…"
“You can stay with us if you like. We have booked seven rooms at the East Solitude Inn and I have a room to myself so you can stay with me. As for your servant…”
Guo Xinyi narrowed her eyes at Ji Xian. She doesn't have a good impression of this person. She had caught him staring at her disciples multiple times, causing her to be a bit wary.
Ji Xian read her expression. He silently chuckled to himself after seeing he has been labeled a pervert.
Guo Xinyi’s lips moved as she spoke, “He can stay ou-“
Tap, tap, tap
The sound of approaching footsteps caused her to stop mid-sentence. She turned and saw a petite young lady with dark crimson hair wearing a robe of red and silver walking towards them.
Seeing this person, Guo Xinyi smiled, “Are you here because you've decided to join the Ardent Yin Sect?
Looking passed the petite figure, towards the end of the other side of the street was Elder Chen, who was taking turns glaring at Guo Xinyi and Ji Xian. The Serene Yang Sect disciples standing behind him also looked unhappy. Their previously calm demeanor was nowhere to be seen. Some of them looked like they wanted to speak out before remembering something and remained silent.
Guo Xinyi was delighted after seeing Elder Chen’s ugly expression.
“I’m sorry to disappoint you, Senior Guo, this junior is here for another matter.” Said the young lady.
“What matter?”
“I couldn’t help overhearing your conversation, the Serene Yang Sect has also reserved a few rooms at East Solitude Inn.”
Looking at Ji Xian, she continued, “I have a fairly large room all to myself, would you like to stay with me?”