Chapter 232

Chapter 232

Holding up a letter, He Jingyue smiled at Ye Shi, "A lucrative deal here. Two million medium-grade spirit stones. Are you in?"

Ye Shi raised an eyebrow, surprised, "Such a good deal? Is it dangerous?"

Two million spirit stones wasn't a small sum. It was equivalent to what he'd earn from five or six missions.

"Not too dangerous. I know you're afraid of dying, so I chose the safe ones for you," He Jingyue teased, laughing helplessly.

Ye Shi's only drawback was his fear of death, a fact he never hid.

While others might hide their fears, Ye Shi often spoke about his openly. Many ridiculed him for it, but Ye Shi never took it to heart.

Ye Shi nodded, "That's good to hear."

"Ordinarily, we wouldn't get such missions. But after you defeated Bai Yi, your reputation skyrocketed. Many have come seeking us," He Jingyue said proudly. Bai Yi was the top young talent of the Bai family. What better way to ascend than by defeating such a genius?

Tilted his head, Ye Shi wondered, "The news of me defeating Bai Yi has spread?"

Nodding, He Jingyue confirmed, "Indeed."

The Array Tower hadn't publicized the event, but many keen ears and eyes in Zhongzhou were aware.

Bai Yi, being the Bai family's most promising youth, had many eyes on him. Bad news travels fast. The news of his defeat to Ye Shi spread quickly, seemingly with some from within the Bai family fanning the flames.

The Bai family, deep-rooted and extensive, had its internal issues due to its vastness.

"The people who approached us this time, did they only invite us? I hope they didn’t invite two separate groups. I really don’t want to keep running into Bai Yi." Ye Shi frowned slightly, expressing his reluctance.

"Indeed, they invited two groups. The other group includes Xia Ruoxue from the Xia family, not the Bai's," He Jingyue informed.

"Xia Ruoxue? That name sounds familiar," Ye Shi commented, unable to suppress his curiosity.

"Don't you remember? She was once engaged to Bai Chenxing of the Bai family," He Jingyue remarked with a gossipy tone.

Ye Shi nodded in acknowledgment, "Ah, it's her."

At the mention of Bai Chenxing, Ye Shi's expression shifted noticeably.

He Jingyue shrugged and said, "Bai Chenxing never married, and Xia Ruoxue remained unwed. I wonder what's been holding those two back."

Ye Shi replied dismissively, "Haven't I already explained the reason? No matter how accomplished and formidable Bai Chenxing is, his undisclosed ailment renders his achievements moot."

He Jingyue's expression twisted upon hearing Ye Shi's words, "Be careful with such remarks, Ye Shi."

Ye Shi shrugged nonchalantly, "I made sure I was hidden when I said it."

…………

"Ayi," Bai Lifeng called out, halting Bai Yi.

Bai Yi paused, turning his attention to the figure behind him.

Bai Lifeng, Bai Chenxing's half-brother, was highly talented in formations. Unfortunately, with Bai Chenxing of his generation, everyone else seemed to pale in comparison.

"Uncle Lifeng, how can I assist you?" Bai Yi inquired, having stopped in his tracks.

"Ayi, I heard you were defeated by some country bumpkin formation master from the Formation Tower," Bai Lifeng asked.

Bai Yi's expression fluctuated. Previously, there were suggestions within the family to recruit Ye Shi. At the time, Bai Yi dismissed the idea. Now, this very man he had rejected had not only emerged victorious but had also overshadowed him comprehensively. Ye Shi, despite being an outsider, was truly extraordinary.

Bai Yi's expression turned dark. The competition within the Bai family was intense. Many of his peers envied him and were waiting for an opportunity to find fault with him. The news of his loss to Ye Shi had been exaggerated, most likely by his siblings.

Bai Yi nodded, "I underestimated Ye Shi. Who would have thought that this foreign practitioner possesses the Spirit Pattern Eyes?"

Bai Lifeng's eyes lit up, "Spirit Pattern Eyes?"

Bai Yi confirmed, "Yes."

"What grade are they?" Bai Lifeng probed.

"It must be of a high grade. Formations that I couldn't decipher, he recognized instantly," Bai Yi said with a faint smile.

A cold glint passed through Bai Yi's eyes. The Central State had several formation masters with Spirit Pattern Eyes, but most of them possessed low-grade ones. His own were of a high grade, Bai Chenxing's were of the ultimate grade. He wondered what grade Ye Shi's eyes belonged to. Could they be ultimate grade as well?

Bai Lifeng's eyes narrowed with a hint of greed.

Bai Yi observed Bai Lifeng's expression and smirked coldly. Bai Lifeng had always been extremely envious of Bai Chenxing, attributing his own failures to the disparity in their eyes. Bai Lifeng had been researching eye-transplantation techniques for years. Several individuals with the Spirit Pattern Eyes had already perished at his hands.

"Ayi, winning and losing are common in battles. You're young; don't take this too much to heart," Bai Lifeng remarked in a detached manner.

"I understand," Bai Yi replied.

Bai Yi watched Bai Lifeng's retreating figure, a faint smile playing on his lips.

…………

"I've heard Ayi was defeated by that foreign practitioner?" Bai Chenxing inquired with keen interest, looking between Bai Jinle and Zhuang Yu.

Bai Jinle furrowed his brows, confirming, "Yes."

Bai Yi's defeat had been thorough. Bai Jinle had never seen Bai Yi lose so badly before. Ye Shi's skills were astonishingly exceptional for someone so young, mastering the Formation Rupturing Technique. It was a mystery where he had learned such advanced formation techniques.

Bai Chenxing stroked his chin, "It seems the man is quite skilled."

"Perhaps he's naturally gifted. He possesses the Spirit Pattern Eyes," Zhuang Yu speculated, twirling her fingers.

During the formation-breaking challenge, she had initially wanted to advise Ye Shi against overestimating his abilities. Little did she know, Ye Shi's formation skills were at such an elevated level.

Zhuang Yu hung his head in introspection. He had arrived in the Central State two years ahead of Ye Shi and had even undergone Bai Chenxing's purification process, yet he still fell short of Ye Shi. He pondered if he was destined to always be overshadowed by Ye Shi.

Bai Chenxing squinted, "Spirit Pattern Eyes? He possesses such a treasure." His mood became somewhat peculiar.

"Is Ye Shi from a family of formation specialists?" Bai Chenxing inquired.

Zhuang Yu shook his head, "No, he's from an obscure small clan in the outer regions. The most powerful individual in his family is just a martial artist. Ye Shi's father was a gambling addict and a drunkard. His mother, a less-favored concubine of his father, was not adept at cultivation and passed away years ago."

Bai Chenxing furrowed his brows, saying, "A gambler, an alcoholic?"

Zhuang Yu nodded and remarked, "After Ye Shi became a Martial Spirit, his father came to rely on him. Yet, Ye Shi turned his back on his family. This led his father to fall into a gambling addiction. When debt collectors broke his father's leg, Ye Shi remained indifferent. Even with a younger sister in the same academy, he never came to her aid, only kicking her when she was down."

Bai Jinle said with a look of distaste, "Disowning his own father? It seems Ye Shi truly is of poor character."

Zhuang Yu nodded gravely, replying, "Indeed."

Bai Chenxing, seated to the side, listened to Zhuang Yu and Bai Jinle's exchange without uttering a word, leaning back in his chair, lost in thought.

...

Bai Hui entered Bai Chenxing's chamber, asking, "Did Ayi come by?"

Bai Chenxing nodded, responding with a simple, "Mhm."

"Ayi lost to Ye Shi this time. It seems he took quite a blow," commented Bai Hui.

Bai Chenxing replied calmly, "Facing some adversity might be beneficial for him, given his usual success. What surprises me is that Ye Shi managed to best Ayi."

"Ayi is talented but young. As his uncle, perhaps you could guide him more," Bai Hui suggested.

Bai Chenxing nodded subtly, saying, "I understand."

"Ayi has grown close to Zhuang Yu and Jinle. Who do you think is more suitable for him?" Bai Hui inquired.

Bai Chenxing responded with a hint of indifference, "It's Bai Yi's decision to make."

Bai Hui sighed lightly, asking, "Now that Ayi is settling down, do you plan to remain alone?"

Bai Chenxing replied nonchalantly, "There's nothing wrong with being on my own."

"The Xia family sent someone," Bai Hui mentioned with a sigh.

With a slight narrowing of his eyes, Bai Chenxing thought to himself: Finally getting to the point. He responded with mild irritation, "And what do they want?"

"They've come to apologize. Xia Ruoxue claims she wasn't informed about past decisions made by her family. By the time she found out, it was too late," explained Bai Hui.

Bai Chenxing scoffed, retorting, "Really?"

Bai Hui looked at Bai Chenxing with a hint of helplessness, advising, "Chenxing, if you still care about her, perhaps consider forgiveness. Why hold onto the past?"

Bai Chenxing replied with a hint of annoyance, "Father, as I've said before, Xia Ruoxue and I have nothing between us anymore. If the Xia family thinks I've remained single all these years for her, they're gravely mistaken."

Bai Hui frowned, pressing, "Then why have you remained alone all these years?"

Bai Chenxing responded, clearly frustrated, "Father, I don't wish to discuss this matter."

Bai Hui looked at Bai Chenxing, a hint of helplessness crossing his face, "What exactly are you thinking?"

Bai Chenxing lay back, his gaze distant and unfocused, pondering... What am thinking?

After leaving for three years, the one he loved had become another man's wife, bearing another's child.

Would things have been different if he had returned earlier?

It's too late. Everything is too late...

In this ever-changing world, who truly waits for another forever?

"Chenxing," Bai Hui called out hesitantly.

"What is it?" Bai Chenxing responded.

"That ancestral book of formations belonging to our family. Can you truly not recall where you placed it?" Bai Hui probed.

Bai Chenxing shook his head, admitting, "I've forgotten."

Bai Hui stared at Bai Chenxing, wanting to say something, but noticed he had already closed his eyes to rest.

Bai Yi sighed softly, conceding, "If that's the case, so be it."

Bai Hui, filled with resignation, exited the room. As the door closed, Bai Chenxing's eyes snapped open, filled with regret, resentment, and sorrow before settling into calm.

...

When He Jingyue arrived with Ye Shi, Xia Ruoxue was already there, her face veiled.

Ye Shi sized up Xia Ruoxue, smirking to himself. He found her veil, as thin as a cicada's wing, both concealing and revealing, rather superfluous.

"What a beauty," Ye Shi muttered.

He Jingyue nodded, remarking, "Indeed! A true beauty." The Bai family has always been exclusive. Bai Chenxing was once an unparalleled beauty. Had Xia Ruoxue not been outstanding herself, she wouldn’t have become Bai Chenxing's fiancée. Alas…

With a growing suspicion about Bai Chenxing in his heart, Ye Shi couldn't help but study Xia Ruoxue a bit more closely.

Xia Ruoxue cast a disdainful, cold glance at Ye Shi, her eyes filled with contempt and loathing. The way she looked at him was as if she was looking at an insignificant insect.

"Stop staring," He Jingyue said, taking Ye Shi's hand and leading him aside.

Ye Shi asked in confusion, "Why?"

"Xia Ruoxue despises Shuang'er," He Jingyue explained.

Ye Shi frowned, repeating, "Why?"

He Jingyue shook her head, replying, "I don’t know."

He Jingyue assessed Xia Ruoxue, a hint of disdain in her heart. Even though Xia Ruoxue’s engagement to Bai Chenxing had been broken, she still paraded herself as his betrothed.

Ye Shi thought, his head lowered: At first glance, she's attractive. But upon closer inspection, she's sharp and bitter. With a face that suggests she's difficult to be with. No wonder after waiting so many years, Bai Chenxing hasn't married her. Even if she waits a few hundred more, doubt he ever will. Once she becomes old, not just Bai Chenxing, but no man would want her.