Inside Wan Bao Lou, spiritual light and treasure energy swirled and flowed, reflecting the faces of cultivators coming and going, some greedy, some cautious, some longing. However, the atmosphere around that piece of dark blue Stellar Iron in the "Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures" area was somewhat unusual.
Tang Xiaoqi's active yielding made the responsible attendant and Zhao Tiezhu at the side both feel surprised. And that moon-white Daoist robe young woman, after hearing Tang Xiaoqi's humble words, the imperceptible surprise in her cold-as-ice-lake eyes slowly settled, replaced by a kind of even deeper calm.
She did not immediately respond to the attendant, nor did she reach for that already-taken-out Stellar Iron, but instead once again fixed her gaze on Tang Xiaoqi. This time, her gaze seemed to stay longer than before, as if wanting to see through that seemingly ordinary cyan robe and that cloak with strange aura to see the essence of the person before her.
"Fellow daoist's bearing is unexpected." Mu Xue spoke, her voice still clear and cold, but with less of the initial absolute distance, gaining a trace of indescribable assessment, "In this Tian Shu City, facing spiritual material like 'Stellar Iron,' able to yield so calmly, rarely seen."
Tang Xiaoqi met her gaze, answering candidly: "Opportunity items, those with destiny obtain them. Young lady opened your mouth first, it should belong to young lady. Moreover, in the way of artifact refining, materials are certainly important, but what matters more is character and fire mastery. This item to me, is not indispensable."
His words were not all modesty. Stellar Iron was good, but indeed not the core main material for reforging divine artifacts, more of icing on the cake. More importantly, from this young woman he sensed a pure and transparent Dao charm, completely different from those competitive and arrogant noble family disciples, making him feel favorable, not wanting to have unpleasantness over a piece of material.
Mu Xue quietly listened, her cold face showing no expression, but in those eyes that seemed able to reflect human hearts, there seemed to pass a trace of extremely faint recognition. She was silent for a moment, just as the attendant holding the Stellar Iron, not knowing what to do, she suddenly made a decision that took everyone by surprise.
She gently shook her head, saying to the attendant: "This item, I do not want it."
"Ah?" The attendant was completely stunned, looking at Mu Xue, then at Tang Xiaoqi, completely unable to figure out the situation. These two distinguished guests, one actively yielding, the other actually actively giving up? This was Stellar Iron worth tens of thousands of upper-grade spirit stones!
Zhao Tiezhu also opened his mouth wide, looking at Mu Xue, then at his own senior, just feeling he could not understand the thoughts of these experts.
Tang Xiaoqi was also slightly stunned, looking at Mu Xue.
Mu Xue's gaze met his, her cold voice steady and waveless: "I observe fellow daoist is not someone who speaks falsely. This item is also beneficial to fellow daoist, and I am not in urgent need, let it go to fellow daoist."
Her reason was simple, even somewhat casual, as if what she was giving up was not a rare piece of Stellar Iron, but an insignificant little gadget. But behind this simplicity and casualness was a kind of composure and confidence born from powerful strength and profound foundation, and also a return for the "bearing" she recognized.
Tang Xiaoqi looked at her clear eyes without a trace of impurity, his heart could not help but be somewhat moved. This Xuanji Holy Land's heir was indeed extraordinary. This character, this way of choosing, far exceeded ordinary people.
He did not hypocritically decline again, that would instead seem affected. He solemnly cupped his hands to Mu Xue, sincerely saying: "Thank you young lady for fulfilling. I am Tang Xiaoqi, from Southeast Region Qingxu Temple."
This time, he stated his full name and background, to show respect.
"Southeast Region, Qingxu Temple, Tang Xiaoqi." Mu Xue softly repeated once, these two names still unfamiliar to her, but she seriously nodded, counting as remembering. Then, she also announced her name, her voice clear and resonant, carrying a unique rhythm, like ice beads falling on a jade plate: "Northern Region, Xuanji Holy Land, Mu Xue."
Xuanji Holy Land!
Though already having a guess in his heart, personally hearing this name from the other party's mouth, Tang Xiaoqi's heart was still stirred. This was a true giant in the Central Plains cultivation world, with ancient inheritance and unfathomably deep foundation, its Holy Land heirs all without exception being of stunning talent and beauty. And the name "Mu Xue," he had seen on "Hidden Dragon List Chronicles," ranked extremely high, being this generation's Holy Maiden, bearing the legendary "Heavenly Melody Constitution," her strength unfathomable.
"So it is Fairy Mu Xue, I have long heard of your great name." Tang Xiaoqi's tone was still neither humble nor arrogant, not showing the slightest flattery or fear because of the other party's illustrious status.
Mu Xue slightly nodded, counting as response. She looked at Tang Xiaoqi, her cold gaze flowing over him for a moment, suddenly saying: "Fellow daoist Tang's character is transparent, not stuck on external objects, Dao-heart firm, truly rare. This 'Wan Xiang Wen Dao,' perhaps we may meet."
Her words were not polite, more like a judgment and... expectation derived from the brief contact just now?
Tang Xiaoqi's heart slightly moved, this Xuanji Holy Maiden seemed to have a rather high evaluation of him? He smiled slightly, his tone peaceful yet carrying confidence: "At the assembly, if there is opportunity, I will certainly seek guidance from the Fairy."
Mu Xue did not say more, once again slightly nodding to Tang Xiaoqi, then turned to leave. The moon-white Daoist robe brushed over the smooth floor, not making a sound, her figure quickly merging into the ceaseless flow of people in Wan Bao Lou, disappearing, leaving only a faint trace of cold fragrance if there was any.
Only after she left did the attendant holding the Stellar Iron wake as if from a dream, hurriedly handing the item to Tang Xiaoqi, his attitude even more respectful than before: "Distinguished guest, your Stellar Iron."
Tang Xiaoqi paid the spirit stones and put away the Stellar Iron. This material that might have sparked dispute finally fell into his hands in such a peaceful way.
"Senior, that Fairy... seems like a good person?" Zhao Tiezhu came over, scratching his head saying. Though honest, he also felt that Fairy with cold temperament was different from those Blazing Sun Sect people encountered before.
Tang Xiaoqi looked in the direction Mu Xue disappeared, his gaze deep, softly "mm"-ing.
Xuanji Holy Land, Mu Xue.
This top-ranked genius on the list indeed gave him a different impression. No domineering manner, no high and mighty attitude, but rather a transparency and peacefulness of seeing through worldly affairs, and an absolute confidence in her own path.
Her active yielding was not showing weakness, but a calm choice based on her own strength and judgment. This character and bearing made Tang Xiaoqi distinguish her from those so-called geniuses who only had empty reputations and only knew how to fight for dominance.
"Xuanji Holy Land's heir... truly lives up to the reputation." He softly said to himself.
This encounter at Wan Bao Lou, though brief, gave him a more intuitive understanding of the heirs of Central Plains top forces. And it made him look forward even more to what it would be like to cross swords with these true geniuses in the upcoming "Wan Xiang Wen Dao Assembly"!
He put away his thoughts, took Zhao Tiezhu, continuing to search for what he needed in Wan Bao Lou. Only in his heart, he had already listed the name "Mu Xue" as one of the opponents needing key attention.
And that piece of Stellar Iron finally obtained after both yielded to each other, also seemed to carry a somewhat unusual meaning, as if predicting that in this magnificent assembly, between him and that cold-as-snow Xuanji Holy Maiden, there might be more intersections.