The voice rang out behind him.Shen Wuyin paused mid-step."Please, someone go after them!" the woman's voice broke into a desperate plea.People stood along the street, their eyes locked on the wailing woman."Please... they stole all my savings." She choked out.Shen Wuyin stared past her. A shadow hopped away, hauling two bags in its hands.A small smile touched Shen Wuyin's lips."A hopping shadow," he muttered.The shadow bounced swiftly, imitating the agility of a Xuankong Kangaroo."Help me." The woman dropped to her knees, her hands folded in a plea.The onlookers murmured amongst themselves. Their gazes held nothing but compassion."The Shadow Thieves.""Thieves?" Shen Wuyin tilted his head slightly. "But I only see one shadow," he thought, his gaze remaining fixed on the disappearing figure."Last time Han Xiao tried to apprehend them, he got thrashed badly. He's still recovering.""Those thieves are something else. But at least they attack only the wealthy."Han Xiao was a

“Come buy! Freshly captured Crimson Flame Lion’s core! Only a thousand gold coins!” a man cried out.A bronze cart stood beside him, with a teenage girl standing behind it.“Come buy! Freshly captured Crimson Flame Lion’s core! Only a thousand gold coins!” The man cried out once more.Just then, people began walking up to him.“Crimson Flame Lion? Do you even know what you are saying?” A man in a white dao robe asked with a raised brow.Moving past the gathering, Shen Wuyin’s carriage propelled toward Luo Yuyan’s Palace.The palace was built entirely from fine wood, its polished surface gleaming beneath the light. Tall cherry trees surrounded it like silent guardians, their lush leaves adding to the palace’s natural beauty.“Woah. This is so beautiful,” Qing muttered, her lips parted.Their mother sat behind Shen Wuyin, resting her head on his shoulder.Upon entering through the palace gates, a hundred men stood before them, their eyes locked forward on Luo Yuyan as he walked out of h

“Lin Xue,” Luo Yuyan muttered. Lin Xue leaned closer. “I haven’t seen Tan Su before. Is he from our sect?” Luo Yuyan asked. Lin Xue straightened, adjusting his robe. “He isn’t from here. He is from the Luoxia Sect,” he responded, his voice low. Luo Yuyan tilted his head in amusement. The Luoxia Sect is the second Eminent Sect in the South Region, he thought as he locked his gaze on Tan Su. Suddenly, Luo Yuyan’s expression hardened. “Then why is he here? Why wasn’t I informed about it?” Lin Xue lowered himself beside Luo Yuyan, his gaze locked on the ground as though it held the answer. “His mother is Xiao Lengyue, one of the merchants at the main market.” Luo Yuyan glared at him for a second, sending shivers down Lin Xue’s spine. “He is only here for a visit,” Lin Xue said quickly. “He asked to participate in the Meet, nothing more…” “To show off,” Luo Yuyan cut in sharply. Lin Xue swallowed hard. “Maybe.” On the platform, two guards carried Shang Li out

“Dao masters, cultivators, and beautiful ladies. We have come to the last round of the 13th Moon Meet,” Lin Xue announced.An uproar of applause thundered across the valley.Lin Xue adjusted his collar, a brown scroll in his hands. “At this stage, we have four top contestants left. Tan Su, Yun Li, Mo Yueli, and Li Wei.”Cheers filled the air.Xie Linger cheered the most as though her brother was amongst them.“I pray he wins.” She clasped her hands together, her eyes dazzling.Lin Xue cleared his throat, controlling the cheers.“Now, these four will fight against each other in pairs.”He gestured for the four to come onto the platform, and they obliged, three except one—Mo Yueli.Lin Xue swept his gaze across the crowd, searching for Mo Yueli.Just then, a young maiden walked up the platform and approached Lin Xue.“Where is the princess?” Lin Xue asked quickly, his voice low as though he was afraid of the crowd hearing.The young maiden dipped her head. “I passed your message to her.