My System, My Wife Feng Aotian [Transmigration] - Chapter 54.1

03 cradled the little ice figure in her hands, leisurely following Feng Jue. The ice figure, looking like a snowman that had been angrily smacked, was crooked and misshapen. 03 had deliberately carved the lips to curve upward, but her unsteady skill had made the right corner of the mouth curve too sharply, resembling a checkmark.

Thus, the little ice figure with its skyward ponytail wore a carefree, unruly smile.

The benefits of cultivating immortality became apparent. Throughout their journey, the ice figure, bolstered by 03’s spiritual power, remained perfectly intact, maintaining its carefree demeanor all the way to Qihuang Peak. 03 placed the little ice figure in the miniature courtyard Feng Jue had previously purchased, where it now grinned cheekily face-to-face with Lingling, the porcelain figurine by the window.

Feng Jue stood nearby, watching lazily. “You’re a Lingren, and it’s an ice figure,” she remarked. “Its color matches your true form, and it’s half as tall as your ball. Truly a child of yours—blue surpasses indigo.”

Hearing the mockery in Feng Jue’s tone, 03 reached for the porcelain doll by the bed and retorted, “By that logic, Lingling must be your child.”

However, Lingling had been bought from the market, crafted by an artisan, so 03 corrected herself sternly, “That makes it adoption. You’re its adoptive mother.”

Lingling’s adoptive mother pulled out a long whip, its handle carved with the character “Fa” in cursive script—a gift 03 had brought back from the Enforcement Hall for Feng Jue.

Now it was being put to good use on 03.

03 firmly set down the porcelain doll and declared solemnly, “I hereby declare this adoption null and void!”

Feng Jue twirled the deep crimson whip around her hand, coiling it into spirals. She shot 03 a cold glare before turning to leave. “Where are you going?” 03 asked urgently.

“Back to my room to rest,” Feng Jue replied casually. “Unlike the Lingshan Sword Venerable, with her exceptional talent that exempted her from the first round, I still have to get up early tomorrow for the Spiritual Root assessment.”

The gifted student trailed behind Feng Jue, pleading earnestly, “I’d like to watch your Spiritual Root assessment. Can I come with you? Please, let me come!” Her hands were clasped in supplication as she chased after Feng Jue, the Bubble System above her head also bowing in unison: “Goodbye, goodbye.”

The mountain breeze swept through the colonnade, stirring the gauzy curtains and tinkling the bead curtains. Below the colonnade, golden bells and jade pendants swayed in the still night, their lingering chimes settling softly on the hem of passing robes.

Feng Jue flicked her sleeves, turned, and glanced back, her slender brows furrowed. “Of course you’re going,” she said sternly. She felt she had spoken the words “reckless and unruly” to 03 too early. If she didn’t keep a closer eye on her, she might just overturn the heavens of Lanyang Palace!

“Hahaha!” 03 laughed, imitating Feng Jue’s posture with her hands clasped behind her back, her silver ponytail swaying behind her. “You’ll definitely pass the exam!” she said cheerfully.

The Five Continents Grand Competition was indeed a fiercely competitive examination, Feng Jue said. “Nonsense.”

“You better behave yourself,” she warned. “If I catch you scheming again, you’re finished!” Feng Jue turned, raised her hand, and poked 03’s face with her whip.

03 was stunned. The Bubble System above her head whimpered and shed tears. “Okay, I understand,” she muttered quietly.

I’ll make sure not to get caught, she thought.

Unaware of 03’s brewing schemes, Feng Jue nodded in satisfaction. Her hand landed on the vermilion door, but just as she was about to push it open, she paused. “…Why did you follow me here?”

She had just escorted 03 back to her room, and now 03 was sending her back?

“Haha!” 03 laughed, standing outside the door and addressing Feng Jue. “Please rest well. Goodnight.”

Feng Jue pursed her lips, her voice softening.

“Goodnight.”

03 watched obediently as Feng Jue closed the door, then looked up at the Bright Moon.

A few clouds drifted lazily beneath the moon. It’s still early, 03 thought. Maybe I can play a little longer? Sure! I’ll go play weiqi with my friend Jiao Dragon.

She lifted her skirt and leaped from the porch into the courtyard.

The palace staff had already tended the garden. The shadows of blooming flowers and fragrant grasses fell across the courtyard, as clear as water. Melodic notes floated above 03’s head as she walked across the moonlit courtyard to the side hall and knocked on the window.

“Good evening, Lingshi! You’re not asleep yet, are you? Want to play a joyful game of weiqi tonight?”

Lanyang City.

Today, Lanyang City was quieter than in recent days.

The fierce battles at the Grand Competition Arena had stirred the fighting spirit of many, who had returned early to rest and prepare for the Grand Competition. After learning that today’s deadly clashes stemmed from last night’s “farce,” no one dared to “express their feelings” as openly as they had the previous day.

The streets filled with ordinary people, their conversations focused on daily struggles, oblivious to the excitement of the Eastern Continent Grand Competition. Xue Bushi emerged from the Tingxian Residence, bumping shoulders with a man who was twisting his head to speak. The man apologized and continued talking to his companion, his head still turned.

Xue Bushi slapped his clothes as if he’d been touched by filth, a flicker of disgust in his eyes as he stared at the man.

The Lianshan Sect was also located in the city, but its members were universally avoided by the common folk. In Lianshan City, any mortal who dared offend them would have their legs broken.

Immortals and mortals were separate. Mortals had fleeting lifespans and feeble abilities, less valuable than even the spiritual beasts in the mountains. Xue Bushi looked down on mortals, wondering why the Lianshan Sect and Lanyang City were built so close to them. In his view, great immortal sects should be built in the boundless clouds, far from the mortal world.

To cultivate immortality, one must first become an Immortal.

“Hmph.” Xue Bushi slapped his clothes again, feeling a prickling sensation on the shoulder the mortal had touched. He took a deep breath and sneered, “Be grateful you were born in Lanyang City!”

He pulled out a handkerchief, wiped his hands, and headed toward the Weaver’s Workshop. Xu Zehua had already been sufficiently plied with wine; he needed to complete his task before Xu Zehua woke up.

Xue Bushi strode into the Weaver’s Workshop and casually tossed his handkerchief at the feet of the welcoming cultivator. “How is the clothing I ordered progressing?” he demanded arrogantly.

The cultivator glanced down at the handkerchief beneath her feet, her smile unfaltering as she recognized the customer. “Are these clothes for Young Master Xu of the Scarlet Thunder Sword Sect? Why don’t you join us in a private room upstairs while I check with the seamstress?”

“No need,” Xue Bushi retorted, lifting his chin. “I’ll wait here. And summon your steward.”

Her visitor meant trouble.

The cultivator, seasoned by years of hosting countless guests, recognized the tone of Xue Bushi’s troublemaking. After his refusal to go upstairs for tea, she smiled politely. “Very well, please wait here.” As soon as she turned away, her expression darkened, and she frowned as she summoned the steward.

Xue Bushi licked the corner of his mouth, pacing restlessly through the hall, nervously pinching his fingers, his eyes gleaming with calculation.

The Scarlet Thunder Sword Sect’s Sword Art was a top-tier lightning-based technique, and Lanyang Palace was the wealthiest sect in the Eastern Continent! If he could obtain the Scarlet Thunder Sword Sect’s techniques and secure vast wealth from Lanyang Palace, not only his father but the entire Lianshan Sect would owe him their allegiance!

“The world operates according to its own laws, doesn’t it?” Xue Bushi muttered to himself, chuckling softly. “What of my elder brother’s twenty years of glory and splendor? He’s now reduced to a useless cripple, perhaps already dead in some obscure corner.”

He narrowed his eyes, watching the people bustling about the hall. When the time comes, who will dare look down on me?

Footsteps echoed on the stairs. Xue Bushi glanced up and saw the female cultivator returning with her group. He immediately suppressed his greedy smile and stood with arms crossed.

The steward of the Weaver’s Workshop approached, followed by seamstresses and several cultivators carrying garments. The lead seamstress smiled. “Young Master Xue, after you and Young Master Xu placed your orders last night, my sisters and I worked through the night to complete your robes.”

Normally, orders took two to three days to fulfill, but this was for the Scarlet Thunder Sword Sect! The Weaver’s Workshop bitterly regretted taking the commission and had rushed to finish the garments just to get rid of them, vowing never to cross paths with these people in the jianghu again.

Xue Bushi set down his teacup and said slowly, “Is that so? Let me inspect them.”

The staff of the Weaver’s Workshop felt their hearts skip a beat, as if an ominous premonition had been confirmed. They watched Xue Bushi step forward, pick up the garments from the tray, and begin nitpicking.

“This embroidery lacks grandeur,” he said, pointing. “That stitching is uneven…” The younger seamstresses’ faces flushed with anger. This man was clearly lying through his teeth!

“We clearly instructed Brother Xu that he prefers pear blossoms over peach blossoms! Why are there still peach blossoms here?” Xue Bushi angrily tossed the garment at the weaver’s feet, jabbing a finger at her. “You must be deliberately passing off subpar work because of today’s incident at Lanyang Palace and the Scarlet Thunder Sword Sect!”

Xue Bushi deliberately raised his voice, causing the customers browsing fabrics and ready-made garments in the hall to turn in surprise.

The steward smiled. “We operate an open business. If we sold subpar goods out of spite, the Weaver’s Workshop wouldn’t have thrived as it has. Since you know we’re Lanyang Palace’s shop, you must also know of the long-standing feud between them and the Scarlet Thunder Sword Sect. Yet you and the Sect Leader’s son of the Scarlet Thunder Sword Sect have come here to order clothes, setting aside your enmity. Doesn’t that show your confidence in our quality?”

Xue Bushi stared speechless, his eyes wide as he glared at the steward’s smirking face.

The onlookers chimed in one after another:

“Indeed! The Weaver’s Workshop has been operating in Lanyang City for centuries. Who doesn’t know how exquisitely beautiful their garments are? Even disciples from other sects come here to buy clothes in their spare time. The Weaver’s Workshop would never pass off inferior goods as superior!”

“That’s right!”

Xue Bushi listened to the chatter, the weight of their suspicious gazes freezing him in place. Frowning, he feigned calmness and said, “This peach blossom—”

“It’s mountain cherry blossom,” the seamstress said with a smile, cutting him off before he could find another fault. “To inform you, dear customer, my sisters and I finished preparing your garments long before today’s deadly confrontation began. All that’s left is for you to collect them.”

Xue Bushi: “…” In that moment, he was speechless.

The steward’s smile widened. “Is there anything else about these garments that concerns you, dear customer? Let the seamstress explain everything. If we’ve made any mistakes, we’ll correct them immediately. But if there are no further issues… why don’t we pack the clothes for you? And please make the final payment?”

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