After several minutes, she finally snapped back to reality and looked at Bai Feng with a hint of fear in her eyes. “I’m sorry, I… I…”

Bai Feng waved his hand dismissively. “It’s fine. Do you really like this array plate?”

“Yes, it’s the most exquisite design I’ve ever seen.” Su Lanqian nodded, reluctant to return the array plate to Bai Feng. “It’s too precious; I can’t accept it.”

“I told you, there might be people from the demonic path lurking around. Or do you think your life isn’t worth this array plate?”

Su Lanqian lowered her head and shook it gently. “...I think it’s not worth it. I’m just too inadequate in every way. Without you, I’m nothing.”

Suddenly, she realized what she had said and quickly added, “Ah, I mean, I can’t set up an array by myself anymore.”

‘Has the blow been so great that she’s denying herself along with her abilities?’

Bai Feng didn’t mind her slip of the tongue.

Although Su Lanqian seemed easily susceptible to self-doubt, he didn’t need a Palu (a practitioner of array techniques) who lacked independent thought and merely followed orders. What he needed was a Palu who could learn and grow on her own.

“Don’t underestimate yourself. Your title of genius wasn’t just handed to you. Sure, you were a bit arrogant before, but you’ve changed, haven’t you?”

Bai Feng reached out and took the discarded array plate from Su Lanqian’s hands. “You came to me with this plate, which means you’ve gained something from it, right?”

Su Lanqian nodded slightly, still looking down.

“So you should face the truth: you are a genius.”

Bai Feng placed a hand on her shoulder. She instinctively looked up, but when she met his serious gaze, she quickly lowered her eyes again.

But Bai Feng was quicker, placing his other hand on her head, forcing her to meet his eyes. “I’m not just saying this to flatter you. I know how difficult ‘Thousand Arrays’ is; it’s not something you can figure out with just a discarded plate.”

“I… I…”

Su Lanqian felt the scenery around her blur, the walls twisting together, leaving only Bai Feng’s face clear in her vision.

Her mind felt like a chaotic mess, and perhaps it was a subconscious response or a hidden thought surfacing; she murmured, “But I still can’t compare to you.”

“Of course not. I’m a cheat, and you’re a genius. How could you possibly compete with someone like me?” Bai Feng chuckled, withdrawing his hand from her head, a flicker of light dancing in his eyes.

To prevent Su Lanqian from continuing her self-denial or even running away, he subtly used a bit of illusion to draw out her inner thoughts.

It was fortunate that Su Lanqian was unguarded around him; otherwise, it wouldn’t have been so easy to guide her to express her feelings.

“What’s a cheat?”

Su Lanqian watched as Bai Feng withdrew his hand, feeling an inexplicable emptiness in her heart.

“It means I’ve surpassed the understanding of ordinary people,” Bai Feng explained casually, then extended his hand to her. “I see you’re quite interested in portable array plates. How about teaming up with me? I’m overwhelmed with work and could really use a helping hand.”

She stared at Bai Feng, stunned. “I… can I?”

Bai Feng nodded, affirming directly, “Of course! You’re the most talented array master I’ve met so far. I can’t think of anyone else who could handle this, well, maybe our master, but she’s even busier than I am.”

“Um, if you don’t mind…”

Su Lanqian nodded gently, then lowered her head again.

Bai Feng didn’t pay much attention to this small gesture, treating it as he usually would.

But if he had crouched down to look at her expression, he would have noticed a hint of joy on her face, one she didn’t even understand herself.

…

After handing Su Lanqian the portable array plate and a few discarded ones, and setting a time for her to come help, Bai Feng set off to find Lin Yan and Luo Chen.

Then he spotted Lin Yan and Luo Chen sneaking in through the back door of the city lord’s mansion.

He stood a short distance away, puzzled. “What are you two doing here?”

“Whoa! Bai bro, you scared me!”

Lin Yan immediately tensed up, one foot already stepping toward the door, but when he saw it was Bai Feng, he relaxed and stopped.

Even Luo Chen was startled, though he managed to play it cool, walking casually without turning to flee.

Lin Yan exhaled in relief, glanced around to ensure no one was watching, and waved to Bai Feng. “Bai bro, come over here!”

“What are you two up to?” Bai Feng asked suspiciously. “You’re acting like thieves.”

“You’ll find out when you come over. Luo bro and I have been preparing for this for days!”

Lin Yan said, quickly heading toward his place, with Luo Chen following closely behind.

Bai Feng felt even more confused. Did these two lucky ones discover some secret realm or something?

So he followed them.

A few minutes later.

“So, you’ve been preparing for days and sneaking out just to buy women’s clothing from Yu Linglong?”

---

Chapter 100: You Two Are Quite the Pair!

“Shh!!”

Lin Yan hurried to the window, ensuring no one was outside before closing it and drawing the curtains.

Luo Chen explained from the side, “Bai Shidi, this isn’t just any women’s clothing. Don’t you think these pieces look a bit familiar?”

“...They’re from Master Chunqiu’s collection, right?”

Bai Feng recognized them immediately; he had seen them at Yu Yao’s place.

“I knew you’d recognize them easily, Bai bro.” Lin Yan pulled out the garments from his storage bag, handing two pieces to Bai Feng. “Here you go, Bai bro. Don’t say I’m not generous!”

Bai Feng: “…”

He stared at the two pieces of clothing in his hands, feeling a bit dazed.

Should I say thank you? You two are quite the pair!

“Let me ask, who are you buying these clothes for?” He set the garments down, looking at Lin Yan and Luo Chen with confusion. “Don’t tell me you plan to wear them yourselves!”

“Of course not! I’m not a weirdo.” Lin Yan shook his head, holding up the clothing with a gleam in his eyes. “They’re for my collection! I even plan to have a carpenter carve a mannequin to display them.”

At this moment, Luo Chen chimed in with a puzzled voice, “Huh? Aren’t they for us to wear?”

Bai Feng & Lin Yan: “?”

Little bro, what’s going on with you?

Lin Yan’s expression turned strange as he subtly moved two steps closer to Bai Feng. “No wonder the clothes you bought were so much bigger; I thought you had unique tastes!”

“Ahem, Luo Shixiong, we know you’ve been hurt by women, but you can’t just give up on yourself!” Bai Feng also stepped closer to Lin Yan, forming a united front.

Lin Yan nodded, adding, “Yeah, there are still plenty of good women out there. You just had some bad luck, Luo Shixiong.”

“What are you talking about?” Luo Chen’s mouth twitched, a hint of embarrassment on his face. “I’ve already moved on. Besides, didn’t you both tell me to think more about myself and find some hobbies?”

“We said that, but it doesn’t mean we want you to wear women’s clothing!”

Bai Feng shot a sideways glance at Lin Yan, as if asking if he had said something strange to Luo Shixiong.

Lin Yan shook his head lightly, his expression a bit gloomy, as if to say he didn’t know why Luo Chen was interested in women’s clothing.

“Um, I thought my idea was pretty good.” Luo Chen shook his head, seemingly giving up on the idea of women’s clothing. “Looks like I need to buy a few smaller-sized outfits instead.”

Seeing Luo Chen abandon the idea of women’s clothing, Bai Feng and Lin Yan both sighed in relief.

“By the way, Lin bro, you could prepare a few more mannequins.” After learning about Luo Chen’s thoughts, Bai Feng started to appreciate Lin Yan’s hobby. “I heard that Yu Linglong and Master Chunqiu have reached a deeper collaboration. Master Chunqiu has designed new patterns and outfits for Yu Linglong, and they should be available for purchase in a few days.”

“Awesome!” Lin Yan exclaimed, pumping his fist in excitement. “As soon as I get back, I’ll find a good carpenter to carve me some mannequins!”

Bai Feng looked at the two lucky ones in front of him, his expression a bit complicated.

When did these two lucky ones start going off track?

One turned into a homebody who dresses mannequins, while the other almost became a cross-dresser.

Bai Feng glanced at the system.

Phew, thankfully, the system didn’t pop up any strange notifications.