Before Yu Yao could finish her sentence, Bai Feng interrupted her with a raised hand. “Stop right there. If you’re going to ramble, don’t bother. I’ve heard it all before.”

“I haven’t said anything yet! How do you know what I’m going to say?” Yu Yao shot back, her cheeks puffing up in indignation.

“So, what do you want to say, Senior Sister?”

A smile instantly blossomed on Yu Yao’s face. “Let’s get married!”

“…”

How did I actually believe that Senior Sister wasn’t just joking around?

“I’m just kidding!” Yu Yao laughed triumphantly after teasing Bai Feng. “But I can offer you a little perk, like letting me wear a maid outfit or something.”

She stood up from her chair, pretended to grasp an imaginary skirt, and leaned forward, bowing to Bai Feng. “Just like this, welcome home, Master~ Would you like to eat first, take a bath, or should we start with dinner…”

“Stop with the Spring and Autumn teacher references. Besides, isn’t that something a maid wouldn’t say?” Bai Feng rubbed his forehead, launching into a series of complaints. “And we’re partners; it’s perfectly normal for me to provide some funding, right?”

“It’s not about the funding; it’s about trust!” Yu Yao shook her head, correcting Bai Feng. “I’m really happy that you trust me so much, little junior brother. If I weren’t a girl, I’d definitely want to be sworn brothers with you.”

Bai Feng waved his hand dismissively. “It’s fine; girls can be sworn brothers too. I wouldn’t mind.”

“No, no, I was just joking,” Yu Yao chuckled awkwardly. “Partners are a better fit for us.”

Yeah, it’s best to keep it like this—two people working hard together as partners in running a little shop…

---

**Chapter 133: How Can You Defame Someone’s Innocence Like That?**

Xuan Guang City.

A handsome young man stood at the entrance of the auction house, his smile already beginning to stiffen. As he saw more guests arriving, he hurriedly stepped forward to guide them inside.

Once he confirmed that no more guests were coming, he quickly rubbed his stiff face.

He wasn’t actually an employee of Yu Linglong yet; he was still in training. Recently, with the auction event starting, they needed to hire a few temporary workers to help out. Since the pay was decent, he decided to join.

He had thought that not many people would attend an auction in a regular city, but today’s turnout was a harsh reality check.

‘This is terrifying!’

He couldn’t help but marvel inwardly. Not only were there many guests at the auction house, but each one of them seemed to possess formidable skills.

And this was just an auction house in a regular city in the Northern Region. How intimidating would it be in a big city?

It wasn’t just the strong presence of cultivators; the portable array disk being auctioned was something he had never even heard of.

Although the Eastern Continent was mostly islands and oceans, making it difficult for formations to develop, the royal family, claiming to be descendants of dragons, had a mediocre relationship with the Northern Region and Central Continent, leading to little exchange. They also looked down on the demon tribes of the Southern Region, which resulted in the Eastern Continent becoming somewhat insular. Aside from the flourishing alchemy due to abundant herbs, they lagged behind in areas like formations and weapon crafting compared to other regions.

But this was a significant gap, wasn’t it?

Had the Eastern Continent become this closed off?

And yet, his uncle and even his siblings remained oblivious, fighting over power like it was a joke!

At that moment, he suddenly felt that revenge wasn’t as important as he thought. Or perhaps, his life shouldn’t revolve solely around revenge.

But he only vaguely grasped this feeling; he hadn’t yet figured out what he should pursue.

“Fang Yue, why are you still standing there? Come on, let’s take a break.” A fellow temporary employee waved him over. “The auction has already started. You wouldn’t believe the ‘battles’ happening inside. I swear, the prices they’re shouting are more than I’ll earn in my entire life!”

Fang Yue blinked for a few seconds before realizing the person was calling him. He slapped his forehead apologetically. “Sorry, Chen Ge, I got a bit lost in thought.”

“Were you thinking about some pretty girl?” Chen Ge teased with a grin.

Fang Yue quickly shook his head. “No, I was just thinking about formations. It’s my first time dealing with this, and I’m worried I won’t be able to learn it well.”

“Hey, who isn’t?” Chen Ge nodded in agreement. “I heard our boss has a close relationship with the master who created the portable array. The knowledge we’re learning comes straight from him. If we do well, we might even get to apprentice under him!”

“Really?” Fang Yue was taken aback.

“Everyone’s guessing that, and the higher-ups haven’t denied it.” Chen Ge stroked his chin, adopting a mysterious tone. “Fang Ge, you don’t know this, but…”

“The portable array is only being sold here in Xuan Guang City, which clearly means there’s been some deal made with our boss. And now Yu Linglong is teaching us formations like it’s unprecedented, saying we’ll be making a special product. If you think that product has nothing to do with that master of formations, do you really believe that?”

Fang Yue instinctively shook his head.

“I even got a piece of news.” Chen Ge glanced around, then lowered his voice conspiratorially. “This master of formations is said to be Master Liu Meng from the Tian Jian Sect. When Xuan Guang City was invaded by the demonic path not long ago, it was the portable array that helped drive them back. If we’re lucky, we might even get a connection with the Tian Jian Sect!”

“Is that really true?” Fang Yue’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Chen Ge, you’re just trying to fool the newbies again.”

At that moment, a teasing voice came from the side. Fang Yue instinctively turned to see a slender young man, another trainee.

“How can you defame someone’s innocence like that?” Chen Ge exclaimed, eyes wide.

“What innocence? These are just unverified rumors. You’re just trying to fool the young ones who don’t know any better,” the slender young man scoffed, then turned to Fang Yue. “Fang Ge, don’t think too much about it. But Chen Ge is right about one thing: the master who created the portable array does know our boss, but whether we’ll get to meet him is another story.”

“Ugh, talking to you is so dull.” Chen Ge pouted. “Let’s go, let’s take a break. We have to study formation knowledge tomorrow!”

Fang Yue hurriedly followed behind them, but his mind was filled with a different thought.

He wanted to meet this master of formations; he wanted to become his apprentice.

Not just for revenge, but to find a way out for the Eastern Continent. It couldn’t remain this self-isolated any longer!

---

“Finally made it to the Northern Region.”

Inside a luxurious carriage, a girl with dragon horns slightly pulled back the curtain, gazing at the bustling crowd outside, feeling a bit relieved.

Ever since her father passed away, the royal palace had descended into chaos. The little princess was missing, and her siblings were constantly fighting over the throne, even erupting into fierce conflicts recently.

Though she had no desire for the throne, being in the palace meant she couldn’t escape the whirlpool of power.

No matter how much she tried to step back, even openly stating her lack of interest in the throne, her siblings had no intention of letting her off the hook.

In the end, they even wanted her to marry into the demon tribe.

She couldn’t bear it any longer and escaped under the pretense of going out to study.

“What’s wrong with everyone? Is that throne really that appealing?”

The dragon girl leaned back against the cushion with a sigh. Hiding away like this wasn’t a solution; she would have to return eventually.

“Forget it, let’s take it one step at a time.”

Having finally come to the Northern Region, it was a good opportunity to observe the lives of the Northern people. If she could find a way to quell the chaos in the Eastern Continent, that would be even better.

With that thought, she pulled back the carriage curtain and called out to the maid following outside. “Xiao Jin, please gather information on recent events in the Northern Region.”

“Of course, Your Highness.”

---

“The princess from the Eastern Continent is coming to study at the Tian Jian Sect?”

Bai Feng frowned slightly. This princess shouldn’t be some fated child, right?

He pondered for a few seconds and concluded that she probably wasn’t.

Characters who come from far away and hold the title of princess are either side characters or potential romantic interests.

So, there wasn’t much to worry about.

“Yeah, things have been pretty chaotic over there lately. She’s probably coming to seek refuge.”

Xiao Qi nodded, her eyes fixed on him, as if waiting for something.

“I get it now; Xiao Qi is so reliable!”

Bai Feng smiled and reached out to ruffle her hair. She squinted her eyes slightly, enjoying his affection.

---

**Chapter 134: Bai Yu Mo Returns Home Early**

“By the way, brother, I heard you ran into Hei Lian while you were out.”

Xiao Qi seemed to remember something, lifting her head to stare at Bai Feng.