She had no aversion to raw or cold foods.

Yun Feiyue’s gaze swept across everyone present: there were elegant young gentlemen, simply dressed scholars, even an old man whose depths were hidden beyond measure... None of them were ordinary. Indeed, how could those who competed for the Heavenly Martial Ranking be simple? Many of these people were masters who dominated their domains.

The continent of Golden Blade was divided into twelve regions, each concealing countless experts. The Abyss at the Summit was the only way to the Ink Pool, drawing all the strongest together. Of course, before the competition began, none would be foolish enough to risk their lives against another; instead, they quietly observed their rivals.

Yet, as ever, there was an exception.

Just as Yun Feiyue stepped into the Yun Family’s guest hall, a swordsman dressed in a flamboyant manner was the first to speak. “Well, isn’t this the young lady of the Yun family? I heard her soul lamp was extinguished—how is she still alive? If not a monster, then she must be... something unnatural.”

He strode toward Yun Feiyue, his demeanor reckless and unrestrained. His handsome face, originally upright, was twisted by a wicked smile at the corner of his lips; he turned to cast a disdainful glance at Yun Hai and Yun Feng. “The dead are dead, the wounded are wounded, and yet you’re here to compete for the Heavenly Martial Ranking?”

Yun Feiyue looked over with a smile, maintaining her graceful bearing. “Handsome, your attempt at flirting is rather clumsy.”

The man chuckled. “What, am I wrong? There are only seven days until the tournament. Do you really think this group of invalids can enter the competition?”

Yun Feiyue flexed her hand, her fingers cracking audibly, a smile curling at her lips. “Thank you for your concern.”

He laughed aloud. “Does the beauty intend to beat me up? Go ahead—if I die beneath the peony, even as a ghost I’d be content!”

Those watching nearby drew sharp breaths; it was rare for someone to provoke hatred so openly before the Heavenly Martial Ranking. Everyone was worried for him—unless a fight broke out, it would be strange.

Yun Feng’s cold gaze swept over, his hand raised, sword in hand. “Seeking death? Come then!”

The man scratched his head and shrugged, feigning helplessness. “I’d rather live; I’m not looking for death. Besides, if I died, the beauty would be heartbroken. Isn’t that right, Feiyue?”

“Feiyue—is that a name you may use?” Yun Hai, though still poisoned, had improved greatly since receiving Luo Yunhuang’s antidote, and could speak.

After all, he lived by his tongue—if he lost that, he’d hardly be Yun Hai...

“Swordsmen are scoundrels.”

The man lifted his chin to look at Yun Feiyue. “Is that so? Heh...” He laughed, standing arrogantly atop the highest table, pointing at everyone present.

“From today, hunting Yun Feiyue is my business alone. If any of you interfere, don’t blame me for fighting to the death. Remember, my name is Le Fei!”

No one replied, but each pair of eyes held a different expression. Most thought he was mad—a lunatic.

No matter how powerful, such arrogance would surely invite trouble.

Yun Feiyue, for her part, didn’t bother with him. Her face, clearly filled with rage, yet her eyes glimmered with mirth as she ascended the stairs.

Luo Yunhuang held little Wooden in her arms. For once, little Wooden only stared blankly at Le Fei, not rushing to defend his mother.

Yun Feng and Yun Hai also saw no reason to engage with the madman, and followed upstairs.

“Yue’er, who was that fellow just now? Have you met him before?” Yun Hai asked, dissatisfied. In Chu, no one dared act so wantonly. Were it not for the man’s clear superiority, Yun Hai would have challenged him outright.

Yun Feiyue smiled. “I suppose he’s just as eccentric as you, Second Brother.”

Yun Hai frowned, unhappy. What did she mean by eccentric? Where was he eccentric? Didn’t she see how strikingly handsome he was?

He glanced at Luo Yunhuang, his expression suddenly shifting. “So, Yunhuang, you don’t believe Yue’er, do you?”

Luo Yunhuang smiled at Yun Hai, saying nothing, leaving him unsettled; but her smile was gentler than Ye Qi’s ever was. Indeed, back then, how could he have been so blind as to fall for Ye Qi?

“Second Brother, aren’t you afraid Yunhuang will poison you again?” Yun Feiyue grinned.

At the mention of poison, Yun Hai’s face changed, and he became much more cautious. Just then, sounds of fighting came from outside the window, drawing everyone’s attention.

“That fellow is fighting several people outside,” Yun Feng observed first.

“Go ask a servant what’s happening! Don’t let them ruin our guest hall. That guy looks like a pauper,” Yun Feiyue snorted.

Little Wooden’s face reddened, finally blurting out, “Isn’t mother a tycoon? This isn’t much money. Besides, mother, I think that brother is rather cute.”

Son, are you really mine? Does he think she’s that indiscriminate?

“Mother isn’t that desperate,” Yun Feiyue advised earnestly.

Little Wooden and those around her cast doubtful looks. Yun Feiyue swept her gaze over them—good grief, did she look desperate?

She pursed her lips, watching the man fighting outside. His opponents were two martial artists at the sixth level, both at its peak, while Le Fei seemed only to have reached the sixth level himself. His martial light even glimmered with a hint of pale green, suggesting he’d just advanced.

“This guy was so arrogant just now—serves him right to get beaten. Two peak sixth-level martial artists against a mere first-level one? He’s doomed!” Yun Hai analyzed seriously.

Yun Feiyue shook her head. “Not necessarily, Second Brother. Does he look tired to you?”

Yun Hai frowned; indeed, the man seemed to be handling things effortlessly, unafraid of his two powerful opponents.

“What’s going on?” Yun Hai asked, perplexed.

Yun Feiyue smiled faintly, offering no answer.

Little Wooden crossed his arms, watching the fight intently. Luo Yunhuang noticed his tension and smiled. “Little Wooden, have you taken a liking to that brother?”

Little Wooden turned his head, rubbing against Luo Yunhuang’s chest with a helpless expression. “Master, are you sure I’d like a man without a chest?”

“...” Luo Yunhuang nodded deeply. Indeed, since he’d latched onto her, he’d found every opportunity to cling...

“So, tell me, why are you nervous?” she asked.

Little Wooden glanced at Yun Feiyue, then at Luo Yunhuang. “I can’t tell you.”

Just then, a servant from the Yun guest hall entered. “Miss, you asked for me?”

“What’s happening outside? Why is no one stopping them?”

The servant glanced outside cautiously, ensuring no one was listening, then replied, “The Ink Clan enforcers haven’t arrived. Who would intervene? I hear the Ink Clan is having trouble, unable to come quickly, though that’s just hearsay.”

“The moment you went upstairs, two people started discussing your figure. That boy—Le Fei—declared that he disliked anyone talking about you. You’re his enemy; good or bad, only he can speak about you, no one else. So they started fighting. Miss, do you think that fellow is crazy?!”