In front of the waterfall outside the outer courtyard, there suddenly rang out a crisp sound of clashing gold and iron.
The moonlight was hazy, casting the water flow in a silvery white glow, like snow.
And that snow was not an illusion. Countless snowflakes surrounded Zanxing, small, cool, like numerous falling petals, landing on her hair, falling into her palms. They were like fragments of moonlight, gently entwining around the hem of her skirt.
In the next moment, the snowflakes suddenly turned into sharp blades, flying towards Zanxing. Zanxing’s gaze sharpened, she stepped back, raising her iron staff and swinging it towards the oncoming blades.
In an instant, a continuous stream of rosy fragrance gushed out from the tip of the iron staff. Countless flower clusters bloomed instantly, enveloping the snow blades within them. Flowers and snow intertwined, dancing on the peak shrouded in moonlight. Yet within this floral snow, there were still silver spears carrying a murderous aura, overwhelming, unstoppable, like a tsunami.
Zanxing found herself immobilized by the immense qi contained within them.
The tip of the spear stopped just short of her throat.
As the swirling floral snow gradually dispersed, the face of the young man holding the spear was revealed.
In the darkness of the night, the demeanor of the white-clad youth was devoid of the frivolity of daylight, replaced by a captivating beauty akin to spring.
“Seventh Senior Uncle?” Zanxing looked at him in surprise.
Gu Baiying retracted the silver spear, snorting coldly. “Qing’e Flower-Picking Staff, nothing more.”
Zanxing stared at him in silence.
A few days ago, she had clashed with Hua Yue, and Gu Baiying had intervened. At that time, Zanxing was too preoccupied with his identity to take a close look at his appearance. Later, she had met him briefly due to Mimi’s birth, but there were others present, making it awkward to stare at him. Now, finally having the opportunity, as she looked at him again, Zanxing couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. For something like Gu Baiying’s appearance to appear in a male-oriented fantasy novel, was truly quite unbelievable.
Different from the vigorous and wild charm of Mu Cengxiao, the person before her appeared to have rosy lips and white teeth, with exceptional elegance. He exuded the refreshing vigor typical of youth. Moonlight cast a cool tone over his white robe, but it made the crimson hairband and robe appear even more striking, complementing his features, which were as beautiful as jade.
However, to call him a proper, aloof gentleman would be inaccurate. The youth’s features were bright and clear, especially his beautiful eyes, deep and bright, akin to a cat’s pupils, harboring an elusive pride. Even his smile carried a hint of arrogant recklessness.
This face alone was enough to cause trouble.
It was well known that in male-oriented fantasy novels, handsome male characters were either cannon fodder or villains. Zanxing couldn’t recall any villain with this name, nor did such a character appear in the original work. Yet his appearance clearly belonged in the realm of male leads in female-led novels.
Seeing Zanxing staring at him without blinking, Gu Baiying frowned and asked, “What are you looking at?”
Zanxing asked gently, “Why did Seventh Uncle just attack me?”
“Just happened to meet you on the road, can’t I test your skills?” He glanced at Zanxing, who had retracted her iron staff, and spoke disdainfully, “Who even carries a staff at their waist?”
Speaking of which, Zanxing felt frustrated. Unless it was a top-quality magic weapon that could be summoned into hand and hidden within the body on ordinary days, regular magic weapons had to be carried around. If it were anything else, it would be fine, but unfortunately, she practiced with a staff. It was very inconvenient to carry the staff every day, so she could only strap it to her waist to free up her hands.
Of course, it didn’t look very elegant.
Gu Baiying glanced at her, seeming reluctant to say more, and was about to leave. Zanxing stopped him. “Senior Uncle.”
The young man paused. “What?”
Zanxing took a step forward, looking up at him.
In doing so, the distance between them became very close.
Gu Baiying seemed surprised by Zanxing’s actions. His gaze paused, then he asked warily, “What do you want?”
“Senior Uncle, are you curious why the Qing’e Flower-Picking Staff chose me?” Zanxing spoke up.
Gu Baiying was taken aback, then turned his head away, coldly saying, “Ridiculous, what does that have to do with me?”
“The Qing’e Flower-Picking Staff was written by the Qinghua Fairy. Senior Uncle, are you perhaps interested in seeing how I practice my staff technique, so you’ve been secretly observing me all this time?” Zanxing spoke.
Gu Baiying had originally looked away, but upon hearing this, he immediately looked at Zanxing with anger. “What nonsense are you talking about? Who has been secretly observing you?”
“You didn’t want to disgrace the Qinghua Fairy, so you tested me,” Zanxing continued, unperturbed. “I admit my talent is ordinary, and I haven’t proven myself yet. In that case, Senior Uncle, why not offer me guidance on my staff technique during normal times? When I improve my skills, it will reflect well on you too.”
Gu Baiying couldn’t hold back any longer. “Who said I would benefit from your improvement? Who said I’m your Senior Uncle?”
“I am currently an inner disciple, so naturally, you are my Senior Uncle,” Zanxing replied confidently.
Gu Baiying was speechless.
Having spent so many years in the Taiyan Sect and being of high seniority, coupled with his good looks, the disciples always spoke to him in a gentle and respectful manner. Even Yang Zanxing, being his junior, should have shown some respect. How could she be so disrespectful and straightforward? Did being chosen by the Qing’e Flower-Picking Staff depend solely on having a thick skin?
He took a step back, seemingly disdainful as he distanced himself from Zanxing, mocking, “You can dream on. I don’t have the time to mentor a piece of rotten wood like you.”
With that, he didn’t look at Zanxing again and walked away briskly.
Zanxing watched his figure disappear into the night, deep in thought as she lowered her head.
These past few days, she had repeatedly thought about it and confirmed that in the original story, there was indeed no mention of someone named Gu Baiying. However, now that he had appeared, it was impossible to deny his connection to her in some way.
Zanxing slowly made her way back to the direction of the small wooden building, lost in contemplation. Her appearance had led to changes in the original plotline, resulting in the creation of many ‘new characters’ to erase her. For example, Duan Xiangrao, a malicious supporting female character created specifically to provoke her and solidify her resentment.
So, could Gu Baiying be another new character arranged by the original storyline?
This young man had appeared because of her presence.
But here lay the problem: he didn’t seem to harbor any ill will towards her, at most, he just didn’t think much of her. To say he was intentionally created as a rival for her by the original storyline seemed like a bit of overkill.
Moreover, this rival was crafted in the type she liked. If this were a romance game, with his setting and appearance, Zanxing would definitely choose to pursue him first.
Wait a minute, Zanxing’s mind suddenly sparked—could this be a romantic plotline?
****
TL/n: You bet it is.