They walked through the massive stone gates together. A beautiful lakeside garden stretched out before their eyes. Soft mist rose endlessly from the calm water.
Elegant wooden pavilions stood near the shore. Gathered guests immediately turned their heads. Whispers started spreading fast.
"Who is that young man beside Madam Ye?" a curious person asked.
Another man whispered back quietly, "He looks completely unfamiliar."
Ye Qingyu ignored the gossip. She maintained her cold and composed demeanor. Chen Xuan simply followed her lead along the paved paths.
A polite servant guided them to a circular wooden table. Important guests already occupied the nearby seats.
Representatives from other noble clans sat closely together. Rival pavilion owners watched them with sharp eyes.
Quiet servants poured sweet spiritual wine into jade cups. The atmosphere felt highly elegant yet a strong competitive tension lingered heavily in the air.
A young master from the Lin family leaned forward eagerly. His gaze rested on Ye Qingyu. Then he looked at Chen Xuan with obvious curiosity.
"Madam Ye, will you introduce your companion?" he asked with a polite smile. "We are all curious about this distinguished guest."
Several nobles leaned in to hear her answer. The grand hall grew much quieter.
"This is Fellow Daoist Chen," Ye Qingyu answered softly. "He is an honored guest from the Flowing Cloud Sect."
Hearing his background changed everything.
The young master instantly lost his eager smile.
The Flowing Cloud Sect stood as one of the top three factions of the empire.
Offending their disciples was a terrible choice.
He quietly backed away and returned to his seat. The surrounding nobles quickly exchanged meaningful glances.
A loud voice suddenly announced the arrival of Elder Qian.
"Elder Qian has arrived!"
All the people stood up.
An old man in a white robe with a long beard and a warm smile plastered on his face entered. He raised his hands in a polite greeting.
"Thank you all for coming here," he said warmly. "I am moved by your presence."
He stroked his white beard and laughed slowly. "Tonight, I am happier to celebrate the Arts instead of my birthday."
Then the old man walked and took his seat.
Slowly, people started presenting their gifts one by one.
Standing up from her seat, Ye Qingyu walked toward the head table.
Chen Xuan followed her as well. She took out a large white jade bottle from her storage ring.
"The Jade Melody Pavilion presents a hundred-year-old Frost Dew Wine," she announced softly. "We wish Elder Qian a long and prosperous life."
"A fine gift from Madam Ye," Elder Qian said, smiling as he received it.
Chen Xuan stepped forward next. He presented a box.
"A disciple from the Flowing Cloud Sect offers Cloud Peak Spiritual Tea."
This specific tea was a famous specialty of the Flowing Cloud Sect. It helped cultivators avoid qi deviation.
Because it was strictly reserved for only a few inner sect disciples, it was rare in the outside market.
"What a good thing," the old man said as he opened the box. "Thank you, young friend."
He offered a polite bow and returned to his seat beside Ye Qingyu.
As people finished presenting their gifts, a loud voice came from the entrance.
"City Lord Wei has arrived!"
The hall stirred with renewed interest. Conversations paused. All eyes turned toward the entrance.
A man in a green robe walked into the pavilion. Fine gold lines decorated his elegant clothing. He possessed handsome and refined features.
A glowing jade crown tied his dark hair perfectly. He carried a warm and scholarly smile that put people at ease.
Elder Qian stood up to greet him warmly.
"Ah, City Lord Wei! Your presence honors us greatly today. I did not expected that you would attend."
Wei bowed politely. "How could I miss your invitation? I brought a small gift for you."
He took a scroll from his storage ring. He unrolled it gently. The parchment revealed a beautiful painting of wild cranes flying over misty mountains.
The brushwork was completely exquisite. Each stroke looked precise yet flowing. The thick mist seemed almost alive around the sharp mountain peaks.
"The brushwork is incredible," Elder Qian gasped in pure awe.
He leaned closer to examine the tiny details. "The mountain mist technique is perfect. This is the work of Master Feng, right?"
Wei smiled modestly. "Indeed. I acquired this piece specifically with you in mind, Elder."
Many nobles murmured in pure admiration.
"The City Lord truly appreciates high culture," someone whispered softly to his neighbor.
"He is much better than those crude warriors who only know the blade," another agreed.
Chen Xuan quietly drank his spiritual wine as he watched the exchange. He turned his head toward Ye Qingyu.
"What do you think of that painting?" he asked casually.
She stared at the painting for a long moment.
"I see a struggle."
Chen Xuan looked closely at the canvas. "A struggle?"
"The painter wants those cranes to cross the high mountain," she explained softly.
"The mist may hide the incredible danger or incredible opportunity. Whether they succeed or fail depends entirely on the viewer."
Chen Xuan blinked in confusion. He stared at the ink strokes again. But he failed to understand her logic.
He smiled and shrugged his shoulders helplessly.
"It seems I am one of those crude warriors who only know about blades."
Ye Qingyu covered her mouth slightly. A faint and beautiful laugh escaped her lips.
"Fellow Daoist is far too honest."
City Lord looked at gathered people and his eyes paused on Ye Qingyu. She was sitting with an unfamiliar young man.
A strange expression flashed across his face. It vanished as quickly as it appeared.
He walked gracefully toward their table.
"Madam Ye, how delightful to see you this evening," Wei greeted her smoothly.
Ye Qingyu nodded. "Greetings, City Lord Wei."
His dark eyes then shifted to assess Chen Xuan. "And who might this distinguished guest be?"
Ye Qingyu answered in a calm voice. "This is Chen Xuan. He is a disciple of the Flowing Cloud Sect."
Wei raised his eyebrows slightly.
"Ah, the prestigious Flowing Cloud Sect! It is a great pleasure to meet you, young friend."
"The pleasure is mine," Chen Xuan replied calmly.
The City Lord asked politely, "Do you like our Baishi City so far?"
Chen Xuan smiled smoothly. "The city is quite pleasant."
"Indeed," Wei replied. "Perhaps I will have the pleasure of your company as well. We welcome talented young heroes."
The City Lord did not linger there for very long. He turned back to Ye Qingyu before leaving.
"I truly hope you will grace us with a performance later," Wei said kindly.
She simply offered a non-committal smile. Wei nodded and walked back to his own seat.