As the center of attention, wherever Qin Yang looked, that person naturally became the focus as well.
"This Qin Yang... Could he have an interest in Li Xiaoqian?"
"Going against Zhou Shi? Could it be a hero's rage for a beauty?"
"Trying to impress his beloved in front of others - that's only natural."
Li Xiaoqian had never been the center of such attention before. Hearing the other Outer Sect disciples' words, she felt slightly dizzy, her legs weakening until she could barely stand.
If only there were a warm embrace to lean on right now, that would be perfect, Li Xiaoqian thought.
Clearly, this embrace could no longer be Zhou Shi's.
Li Xiaoqian's eyes sparkled with affection, her gaze tender. Among all the Outer Sect disciples, Zhou Shi had chosen her - she was confident in her own beauty.
Watching Qin Yang approach step by step, Li Xiaoqian could even guess what would happen next.
"I... I'm not ready yet! You're being too direct!" Li Xiaoqian feigned shyness, her hands fiddling with the hem of her clothes.
Qin Yang looked utterly bewildered by Li Xiaoqian's act, feeling a sudden sense of disgust. He reached out and spat out two words: "Hand it over."
Li Xiaoqian knew exactly what he wanted. She clutched the jade pendant hanging around her neck, pressing it tightly against her chest. Her voice softened into a cooing tone as she said, "I really love this jade pendant. I'll cherish it forever!"
Qin Yang's frown deepened, his anger simmering. But Li Xiaoqian continued before he could respond.
"I was wrong earlier. I should have told you directly. But you're to blame too - you keep such a low profile. Who could have imagined you were so incredible?" Li Xiaoqian gazed at Qin Yang, her eyes shimmering with a rosy hue.
He defeated Li Niu with a single punch and outperformed Elder Zhou in dan refining. A person like this would undoubtedly receive the sect's full support. His prospects far surpassed Zhou Shi's!
Qin Yang suppressed the urge to retch and repeated firmly, "Hand it over!"
Li Xiaoqian pouted, reluctantly removing the jade pendant. She presented it to him with lingering anticipation in her eyes.
The jade pendant's beauty took Qin Yang's breath away. This was his first encounter with the "family heirloom" since his transmigration. The craftsmanship exceeded his wildest expectations!
The piece was flawless, its pure white surface as crystalline as ice. Yet it felt warm to the touch.
Shaped like a divine dragon, the pendant's intricate carving brought the mythical creature to life. With keen eyes, one could discern every scale on its body!
If magnified a hundred or thousand times, this would be a living, breathing divine dragon!
The only flaw was the eyes—empty voids devoid of expression.
"Painting the dragon's eyes?" Qin Yang recalled the idiom, then hastily shook his head. Such a precious jade pendant couldn't be carelessly altered...
Li Xiaoqian spoke softly, "You must have feelings for me. You want to personally gift me this family heirloom, don't you?"
Qin Yang couldn't suppress a chuckle. With a teasing look, he waved the pendant before her. "Do you like it?"
Li Xiaoqian nodded vigorously, her excitement nearly lifting her off the ground.
In full view of the crowd, she imagined Qin Yang was about to propose. Li Xiaoqian felt utterly blessed.
"If you like it, just say so. Why all this?" Qin Yang pressed.
Li Xiaoqian stamped her foot in mock indignation, her face adorably pouting. "You're so mean! I didn't know before!"
"Do you truly want it?" Qin Yang asked.
Her cheeks flushed crimson. "If you'll give it to me... I'll... I'll promise you anything!"
"Ah, heroes have always fallen to beauty's charms!"
"Truly enviable! Strength, talent, and now even a beauty!"
"How can the gap be so vast between us Outer Sect disciples?"
Though filled with envy and resentment, the Outer Sect disciples couldn't deny their admiration.
"But..." Qin Yang's voice shifted abruptly.
Li Xiaoqian's heart tightened. "I know what you're thinking," she said, "but you shouldn't fear Zhou Shi at all. You've already done so much for me—why dwell on 'buts' now?"
By this point, Li Xiaoqian had fully embraced the idea of being Qin Yang's person. She continued, "You've proven yourself worthy of me. Once we enter the Inner Sect, Elder Zhou will be utterly insignificant."
Qin Yang could no longer contain himself. "But... you're the one who's unworthy!"
The Pill Dispensary fell into a deathly silence, so quiet one could hear a needle drop.
As he spoke, Qin Yang scrubbed the jade pendant against his dirty robe, as if trying to remove some vile contamination.
"That twist... was absolutely insane!"
"I always knew Qin Yang would never settle for Zhou Shi's plaything!"
"Earlier, you were spouting nonsense about heroes falling for beauties and warriors' passions being stirred by women. Wasn't that your line? But now you're changing your tune like a weathervane! You're more slippery than any of us!"
Li Xiaoqian's face turned pale as she stared at Qin Yang in disbelief. "Did... did I hear that right? You must be trying to conquer me completely. That's why you said such things, isn't it?"
"Pah! Disgusting!" Qin Yang erupted, his voice thick with contempt. "What kind of trash are you? With your looks, you're barely fit to be Zhou Shi's sidekick. You coveted my family's jade pendant and sent Zhou Shi to steal it. You're no better than him—you're both snakes and rats from the same den! Filth incarnate!"
"Good one! We've been sick of this little green tea for ages! Using her looks to cling to Zhou Shi, bullying us with her airs. She's been up to no good all along!"
"Exactly! Her soul reeks of corruption. Being an outer disciple with her is a disgrace!"
"Heh! Elder brother, that's a bit harsh. Weren't you the one who had designs on Li Xiaoqian before?"
"That's me! How could Qin Yang possibly be like that?"
"You're right."
When a wall falls, everyone kicks it. Li Xiaoqian had been doing nothing but causing trouble, building up deep resentment. The outer disciples had originally worried Qin Yang might have feelings for her, but now it was clear that was impossible. Who would hold back their words now?
Li Xiaoqian was so ashamed she wished she could disappear into the ground. She'd been deluding herself about everything!
Trembling, she stared at Qin Yang. "You really have no interest in me at all? I'll give you one last chance. If you explain everything now, I won't hold it against you. But if you don't, you'll never get another shot at me!"
Qin Yang shook his head repeatedly, speechless. This girl was truly trapped in her own fantasy world!
"Keep dreaming! You're not even worthy of being my servant!" Qin Yang sneered.
Li Xiaoqian's eyes reddened. Remembering Zhou Shi standing nearby, she rushed over with tears streaming down her face. "Senior Brother, he's bullying me!"
"Get lost!" Zhou Shi was so angry he felt like his insides were burning. Especially after Li Xiaoqian had just tried to throw herself into Qin Yang's arms? Such fickle behavior, kicking someone when they're down - how could he treat her the same way he had before?
"While I still have some sense left, you'd better get out of here," Zhou Shi said through clenched teeth.
Li Xiaoqian stood frozen. In the end, both sides had turned out to be empty! How could she possibly stay now? Overwhelmed with shame, she fled.
Qin Yang's gaze met Zhou Shi's, sparks of danger crackling between them.
"This isn't over, Qin Yang!" Zhou Shi's words seemed to come from between clenched teeth.
"We've already had a life-and-death duel. What more do you want?" Qin Yang chuckled, his eyes filled with hidden meaning.
"You'll be dead beyond doubt in a month, but before that..." Zhou Shi left the threat hanging, his meaning clear.
This was exactly what Qin Yang wanted! He put on a dramatic show of fear, exaggerating his expression. "Aiya, I'm so scared!"
"Ha ha ha!" Qin Yang burst into laughter, then strode away.
The outer disciples joined in the uproar, thoroughly enjoying the spectacle.
No sooner had Qin Yang exited the Pill Dispensary than an outer disciple hurried over.
"Qin Yang, I've been looking everywhere for you!"
"Hm?" Qin Yang looked puzzled. He didn't recognize the newcomer and wondered why they were seeking him out.
The disciple caught his breath before saying, "You took the Mission Hall task to clear Thousand Bamboo Peak's gates, but you slacked off and didn't do a thing. The Mission Hall supervisor is furious! He said whoever finds you will get a month off from work!"
"What?" Qin Yang froze, scrambling through his memories. The mission details and the face of a burly man flashed through his mind.
"Shit! I'm screwed!" Qin Yang slapped his forehead and dashed toward the Mission Hall.