Volume One, Chapter 10: A Triumphant Gift to Su Yun'er!

“Who is the gift for?”

Liu Ruyan never could have anticipated Ye Feng’s move.

She had indeed used Su Yun’er as an excuse. After all, coming to the Drunken Immortal Pavilion was originally to flaunt that she had Ye Feng, this devoted admirer, on her side. She also intended to collect the gifts Ye Feng gave her and subtly show Su Yun’er her own charm, aiming to advance to the sixth layer of Qi refinement and catch up with Su Yun’er.

Her spiritual stones had long been spent. Over the past two years, with Ye Feng’s selfless support, she hadn’t had to earn spiritual stones herself for quite some time.

But what she didn’t expect was that today’s situation would completely surpass her imagination.

Ye Feng not only spoke awkwardly and was not proactive at all, but now, following her joke, he insisted on giving the gift to Su Yun’er.

True, today’s banquet was indeed initiated by her using Su Yun’er as a pretext to provoke Ye Feng. But did this devoted admirer really not understand her intentions?

At this moment, Liu Ruyan felt as though she had lost billions.

Especially when she saw Ye Feng pull out a box carved entirely from crystal, she felt a sharp pang of pain, almost unbearable.

A box carved from a solid piece of crystal could be considered a treasure. The box alone would probably sell for several spiritual stones.

But since Ye Feng had already spoken, she naturally had no face to directly tell Ye Feng that she wanted it or to ask Su Yun’er to stop.

Otherwise, she would lose all dignity.

She could only stand awkwardly on tiptoe, pretending to be indifferent while inwardly forcing herself to accept the situation.

She silently reassured herself: this was just something Ye Feng casually took out; even if the box was beautiful, it wasn’t spiritual wine, so she had no interest in it. The gift to Su Yun’er was probably just some trinkets.

Moreover, Ye Feng had just said this was something for female cultivators.

He had already given her plenty of cosmetics and jewelry, which she was tired of seeing.

She definitely wouldn’t covet it.

After coaxing herself with this reasoning, Liu Ruyan’s expression returned to normal.

Beside her, Su Yun’er’s eyes were filled with surprise.

Though she had some secret thoughts when coming to this appointment, she considered that since she and Ye Feng had only met once, establishing a foundation for future communication was already a good start.

Who knew plans never keep pace with changes.

Out of nowhere, Ye Feng had directly targeted her for the gift-giving.

Su Yun’er’s eyes were sharp; she also noticed the exquisitely carved box.

Since it was wrapped in such a box, the contents must be priceless.

Liu Ruyan’s indifferent expression made her feel uneasy.

Did Liu Ruyan always live on such coarse fare? No wonder this woman lived so comfortably.

It had to be said that Ye Feng’s generosity as a devoted admirer was extraordinary.

Such an expensive gift was given away without a single frown.

This feeling of being genuinely valued and cared for by a male cultivator was something she had never experienced before.

It was utterly intoxicating.

“Ruyan, is this really okay?” Su Yun’er tested again.

After all, Ye Feng was Liu Ruyan’s devoted admirer; it was unlikely she had no objections to such an open gift to her.

For the first time feeling cornered, Liu Ruyan was truly uncomfortable.

But she refused to lose face.

Since Ye Feng had already given the gift, if she didn’t show generosity now, it would look utterly ungraceful.

So she gritted her teeth and said, “Yun’er, since Ye Feng means to make amends, you should accept it graciously.”

“It’s just a small gift, nothing worth fussing over!”

“Ye Feng has given me many small gifts before. We’re just comrades who appreciate each other, nothing more.”

“Just accept it as I do, with peace of mind.”

One had to admit Liu Ruyan’s pragmatism.

Though her tone was self-satisfied, she had already changed how she addressed Ye Feng—from junior brother to fellow cultivator.

Her mind was now fully focused on improving her cultivation.

Given Ye Feng’s current state, she felt she was no longer worthy of being his devoted admirer.

After all, if he couldn’t even afford spiritual wine, what right did he have to occupy her thoughts?

So she grew increasingly disdainful of Ye Feng’s gift.

Seeing Liu Ruyan’s attitude, Su Yun’er relaxed and accepted the gift calmly, then bowed gracefully to Ye Feng.

But this proud gesture stirred a turbulent wave of envy.

Even Ye Feng was slightly taken aback.

...

Only now did Su Yun’er carefully examine the crystal box.

But in an instant, she covered Ye Feng’s gift with her hands.

It was too embarrassing.

She had expected Ye Feng to give various things, but never imagined the box would contain such an intimate item as a bellyband.

Though the box looked precious, the item inside was far too revealing.

The small piece of cloth had more empty spaces than fabric.

Could such a thing really be worn?

Su Yun’er gasped, her face turning bright red.

Holding the crystal box was awkward; not holding it was also awkward.

She stood frozen.

Seeing Su Yun’er’s expression, Liu Ruyan glanced at the box in her hand and was dumbfounded.

Her face flushed as she scolded Ye Feng angrily: “You’re shameless and vulgar!”

“Ye Feng! I never thought you were such a person!”

While berating him, Liu Ruyan thought to herself that Ye Feng was indeed no good.

How could he be so frivolous and licentious?

How could he openly give such an item to a female cultivator?

Fortunately, she hadn’t stopped him earlier.

Otherwise, she would have been utterly embarrassed now.

Seeing Su Yun’er, who usually overshadowed her, so shy, a strange pleasure rose in Liu Ruyan’s heart.

Ye Feng, seeing their expressions, knew the reason immediately.

“Senior Sister Su, please do not take offense.”

“I happened upon this treasure by chance, but as a man, it’s useless to me.”

“The saying goes: a fine sword is given to a hero; a spiritual garment to a beauty.”

“Senior Sister Su is so stunning; this treasure is truly unworthy of you.”

“Currently, this is the only treasure I have at hand.”

“So I took the liberty of offering it to you.”

“We are all cultivators; I hope Senior Sister will not take offense.”

Looking at Ye Feng’s honest face, Su Yun’er’s previous embarrassment lessened.

She had her own agenda; though the gift made her blush and her heart race, it was a good beginning.

Since Ye Feng gave her a gift upon their first meeting, she must not embarrass him.

Nor could she let Liu Ruyan mock her.

After a brief thought, Su Yun’er accepted the box and bowed gracefully to Ye Feng.

Smiling, she said, “Thank you very much for your generous gift, Fellow Daoist Ye.”

As she bowed, the crystal box in her hand slightly parted.

In that instant, a heavy spiritual pressure emanated from it.

Liu Ruyan and Su Yun’er almost simultaneously looked up, their eyes filled with astonishment.

This aura came from the crystal box in Su Yun’er’s hand.

But how could such an explicit intimate garment produce such spiritual pressure?

A bad premonition suddenly formed in Liu Ruyan’s mind.

Su Yun’er’s hand trembled slightly.

Ye Feng stood opposite them, his heart blooming with joy.

“Ding! Congratulations, Host, gift successfully delivered!”