Di Haoao firmly refused Long Xinxin, knowing it wouldn't work.
He still loved Long Xinxin deeply, but he needed time to think of a way to stop her.
After chatting for a while, Di Haoao found an excuse to step outside. As he walked, he felt increasingly like a failure.
He hadn’t accomplished anything, and here, people only recognized him as a member of the Emperor Heaven Sect.
It was all the sect's reputation—he had none of his own.
Moreover, Long Xinxin had once said that the one who would marry her must be a great hero who rode on clouds of seven colors.
How could Di Haoao be content to marry her with his current status and position?
While he was brooding during his walk, he encountered Situ Ye and Xu Wuliang.
At the time, they were disguised as members of another sect and challenged Di Haoao.
Their reason was simple: they wanted to witness the strength of the Emperor Heaven Sect from the north.
Since both of them had lower cultivation levels than Di Haoao, they insisted on fighting together.
This wasn’t a problem for Di Haoao, and he accepted the challenge.
Though he wasn’t some ultimate genius, dealing with two opponents weaker than him shouldn’t be an issue.
Besides, it was time to show them—to show everyone here—his true strength.
But then, in the midst of Xu Wuliang and Situ Ye’s declaration, “This is our thrilling combination technique!” Di Haoao was defeated.
They didn’t even use their real demonic techniques. Di Haoao was simply outmatched.
“The Emperor Heaven Sect? Is this all they’ve got? How can they possibly deserve...”
“I thought they were supposed to be impressive. Turns out, they’re just trash.”
“Go back to the Emperor Heaven Sect. This place isn’t for you.”
Having won, they naturally mocked him mercilessly, crushing Di Haoao’s confidence.
However, when Elder Wei appeared, they quickly left.
They were gone, but Di Haoao lay on the ground, questioning his entire existence.
Was he really that useless?
Elder Wei looked at Di Haoao but didn’t offer any words of encouragement.
Some hurdles needed to be experienced and overcome on one’s own.
He hoped Di Haoao could rise above this.
......
Su Luo and Little Yu spent their time in their room, occasionally chatting or lounging around.
It was a dull routine, utterly mundane.
Of course, while Su Luo was idle, Little Yu spent her free time cultivating.
Originally, Su Luo planned to stay like this, waiting for his moment to appear.
But with Little Yu around, that wasn’t possible.
Yunzhu City held no novelty for him, but for Little Yu, it was her first time here.
He decided to take her out for some fun.
“Little Yu, let’s go out for a walk.”
“Ah, wouldn’t it be bad if we’re discovered?”
Su Luo took out a black robe and draped it over Little Yu. “Now it’s fine. No one will recognize you. Let’s go.”
Little Yu felt that whether they stayed in the room or went out, it didn’t matter as long as she was with Su Luo.
But since Su Luo suggested going out, she agreed.
Though she wondered if a simple black robe could really hide her identity.
Never mind, if Su Luo said it would work, then it would.
So Little Yu followed Su Luo out.
Su Luo casually took her around.
They watched street performances and joined in the lively atmosphere.
He showed her trinkets and bought her a small bracelet.
At a calligraphy stall, Su Luo initially asked the old man to write a nice character for Little Yu.
But unsatisfied with the result, Su Luo took the brush himself.
The old man was so impressed that he begged to become Su Luo’s disciple, his enthusiasm startling Su Luo into grabbing Little Yu and fleeing.
They spent the entire day doing ordinary things, but Little Yu was thoroughly content and happy.
During their outing, there was a minor incident.
Several times, they overheard discussions about Di Haoao.
But the comments were far from flattering.
Words like “all bark and no bite,” “dark-hearted,” and “a gilded exterior hiding rot” were thrown around.
“How could someone like that be worthy of our celestial maiden Long Xinxin from the Tian Guang Sect?”
The insults were relentless.
With the news of Di Haoao’s defeat by Situ Ye and Xu Wuliang spreading, his reputation was in tatters.
Di Haoao felt wronged. How could two ordinary sect members with lower cultivation levels have such refined combat skills?
However, Su Luo and Little Yu paid little attention to the gossip about Di Haoao and continued enjoying their time in Yunzhu City.
To them, it wasn’t even worth discussing.
Suddenly, at a corner, Su Luo ran into Long Xinxin—and Qing Bukuang, who was disguised as a wealthy merchant cultivator.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t accept you,” Long Xinxin said, baffled. They had only met a day ago, and he was already asking her to marry him? Ridiculous.
“Hmph, you think I’m not offering enough? Tell me, what else do you want? I can give you anything.”
Qing Bukuang began flaunting his wealth, displaying rare cultivation resources.
“It’s not about that. I didn’t realize your intentions. Thank you for saving me, but I can’t accept. Goodbye.”
Long Xinxin decisively walked away.
Indeed, Qing Bukuang had arranged for someone to attack Long Xinxin earlier that day, only to step in and rescue her himself.
The classic hero-saves-the-damsel trope, though cliché, was effective.
After getting acquainted, he tried to win her favor, only to push too hard by suggesting she could have anything if she stayed with him.
But Qing Bukuang didn’t understand the game. He was too aggressive.
Asking someone to be with him after less than a day? Foolish.
Well, an ordinary person might have agreed, but Long Xinxin wasn’t one to fall for such tactics.
Of course, earlier that day, Qing Bukuang and Long Xinxin had shared a pleasant conversation, which Di Haoao witnessed.
Di Haoao felt a mix of emotions and wanted to intervene, but when he overheard others mocking him, he couldn’t bring himself to face Long Xinxin.
He was deeply shaken, doubting whether he could ever make Long Xinxin happy.
Meanwhile, Qing Bukuang was also feeling down. How could she reject him?
Su Luo spoke up, “Qing Bukuang, sorry to see you get turned down like that.”
“Hmph, no woman can resist me.”
“Your words just got proven wrong.”
Qing Bukuang didn’t want Su Luo rubbing it in and changed the subject. “So, who’s that with you?”
“That’s none of your concern.”
Normally, Qing Bukuang wouldn’t care about who Su Luo was with—it might just be one of his subordinates.
But she was holding Su Luo’s hand.
That was unusual.
“The more you hide it, the more suspicious it seems. Is she your lover?”
“If you say so.”
Little Yu’s face flushed slightly, though her expression was more joyful than embarrassed. She tightened her grip on Su Luo’s hand.
Unfortunately, the large black robe hid her expression.
Qing Bukuang said, “Let’s test that.”
He suddenly drew his sword, striking with incredible speed. After all, he was famous for his swift swordplay.
But before Su Luo could react, Little Yu effortlessly blocked Qing Bukuang’s strike and countered with a swift slash of her own.
Caught off guard, Qing Bukuang, despite not underestimating Su Luo, still suffered a slight cut on his arm.