Chapter 26 The Coldness in the Dark
This afternoon, on the back mountain.
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They had just finished an exhilarating sword practice session. Both Jiang Bai and Qian Renxue were slightly breathless, with fine beads of sweat glistening at their temples.
Years of relentless daily training had completely transformed Jiang Bai’s swordsmanship. He was no longer the novice who only knew basic stances.
Their sparring sessions had evolved from one-sided ’instruction’ into evenly matched exchanges, often sparking brilliant offensive and defensive maneuvers.
At this moment, they sat back-to-back on the soft grass, resting and each regulating their breathing.
A gentle breeze swept by, carrying the fresh scent of grass and dispelling some of the lingering heat from their bodies.
Qian Renxue picked up a water skin beside her, tilted her head back, and took a few sips. Crystal-clear droplets slid down her long, fair neck, disappearing into her collar.
She set the water skin down, slightly turned her head, her golden hair brushing against Jiang Bai’s shoulder. She suddenly spoke, her voice carrying a rare hint of hesitation and anticipation.
"Jiang Bai, I heard... in a few days, there’s a Lantern Festival in Yelin City. Are you... are you free then? I... I’d like to go see it with you..."
After saying this, she immediately turned her head back, as if intently watching the swaying blades of grass ahead.
Whether from the recent exercise or some other reason, a faint blush quietly crept onto her fair earlobes and the side of her face.
Jiang Bai agreed almost without thinking: "Sure, I don’t have any other plans anyway. Just let me know ahead of time, Sister Xue’er."
Hearing his prompt agreement, the tension in Qian Renxue’s back visibly eased, and a flicker of joy bubbled up in her heart.
She immediately turned to face Jiang Bai, extended her slender, fair pinky finger, and looked at him with bright, sparkling amethyst eyes: "Promise! No taking it back! Pinky swear!"
Seeing her childish gesture and the pure delight in her eyes, Jiang Bai couldn’t help but chuckle softly. He also extended his pinky, hooking it with hers: "I know, I know. What kind of person am I? Have I ever gone back on my word?"
"That’s more like it!"
Qian Renxue shook their linked pinky fingers contentedly.
...
A few afternoons later.
Jiang Bai decided to prepare with the highest etiquette for a young man going out.
A bath and a change of clothes!
He finished his daily meditation cultivation early and went to the academy baths for a comfortable wash.
After bathing, he had the Fire Dragon control the temperature to quickly dry his hair and body.
He then changed into a brand new set of blue-and-white martial attire.
Standing before the only full-length mirror in his dorm room, Jiang Bai carefully examined himself.
At twelve years old, his height was already close to 1.7 meters, considered tall among his peers.
He took out a silver hair crown of ancient design, carefully gathered the hair on the top of his head, and tied it into a neat high bun, securing it with the crown.
A few unruly strands of hair fell across his smooth forehead and temples, adding a touch of casualness and untamed spirit.
The long hair at the back of his head flowed down naturally, swaying gently with his movements.
The youth in the mirror had clear, handsome features, bright and clear eyes, a straight nose, and pale lips.
Though still carrying a hint of youthful innocence, he already possessed the graceful bearing of a promising young man.
"Not bad."
Jiang Bai nodded to himself, fairly satisfied.
He walked to the desk and stored a small, prepared brocade box into his storage bracelet.
With everything ready, he pushed open the dormitory door and walked briskly towards the academy’s main gate.
...
Beside the imposing main gate of Spirit Academy, a carriage stood waiting.
The two horses pulling it were exceptionally fine steeds, waiting quietly.
Beside the carriage, a graceful figure stood still.
Qian Renxue had clearly also taken great care with her appearance.
She had changed into a brand new white-and-gold full-length dress.
The hem of the dress fell just below her knees, swaying gently with the breeze and her subtle movements, occasionally revealing a glimpse of her fair, slender, and beautifully shaped calves.
She wore a pair of matching gold low-heeled sandals, which further accentuated her delicate ankles and snow-white skin.
Seeing Jiang Bai emerge from the academy, especially noticing his unusually fresh and handsome attire for the day, a flash ofStunning instantly crossed Qian Renxue’s amethyst eyes.
An indescribable sense of secret delight and satisfaction welled up in her heart.
But she quickly concealed it, deliberately putting on a stern face. She cleared her throat lightly and spoke to Jiang Bai, who seemed momentarily stunned.
"Alright, you dummy, what are you staring at? Let’s go!"
Her tone held a hint of playful reproach, but it couldn’t hide the smile in her eyes.
Jiang Bai was indeed momentarily stunned by theA brand new Qian Renxue before him.
Coming back to his senses, he rubbed his nose and smiled somewhat sheepishly: "Sister Xue’er looks... especially beautiful today."
The blush that had just begun to fade from Qian Renxue’s face crept back up. She shot Jiang Bai a somewhat embarrassed and annoyed glance, said nothing more, turned first, and nimbly boarded the carriage.
Jiang Bai smiled and followed closely behind.
...
Yelin City, as a major trade hub between the two Empires and a famous neutral city, was far more prosperous than ordinary cities.
A little over an hour later, the carriage smoothly arrived outside Yelin City.
The two got off the carriage and walked side by side into the city.
The moment they stepped through the tall arched city gate, it felt like stepping into another World.
Deafening yet vibrant noise surged towards them like a tidal wave!
As far as the eye could see, there were dazzling lights and bustling crowds.
Along both sides of Yelin City’s main thoroughfare, all the street lamps, eaves, shop awnings, and temporary colorful tents... every possible place to hang something was already densely covered with all kinds of lanterns!
Lanterns of every color shone upon each other, illuminating the entire long street as brightly as day, yet imbuing it with countless dreamlike and illusory hues.
The sides of the street were packed with all sorts of vendors.
Hawkers’ cries, haggling voices, children’s excited screams and laughter, the intimate whispers of couples, songs and instrumental music drifting from distant taverns...
"It’s so lively!"
Qian Renxue couldn’t help but exclaim softly. The dazzling lantern lights reflected in her amethyst eyes, filled with novelty and delight.
She had rarely seen such a pure, fervent, and vibrantlyfolk folk festival.
"Hmm, it really is nice."
Jiang Bai also nodded.
Since his Rebirth on Douluo Continent, he had spent his first six years in a remote village and the following years buried in Cultivation at the academy. He, too, had few opportunities to truly immerse himself in and experience the secularbustling and festive celebrations of this World.
"Let’s go, let’s check over there. That largest lantern seems very special."
Jiang Bai pointed towards the central square of the main thoroughfare. There stood a giant lantern several zhang tall, shaped like a spreading Phoenix, made entirely of colored glaze and silk, radiant and dazzling,It can be called the centerpiece of the festival.
"Okay!" Qian Renxue was full of enthusiasm.
The street was packed with people, shoulder to shoulder.
Jiang Bai naturally reached out and gently took hold of Qian Renxue’s soft, boneless hand.
It felt warm, smooth, and delicate in his grasp, carrying the unique fine texture of a young girl, warm as if holding a piece of fine warm jade.
Qian Renxue’s hand trembled slightly, but she didn’t pull away or show any sign of minding, simply letting him hold it.
She lowered her head slightly, her gaze falling on their joined hands. The blush that had just faded from the roots of her ears quietly spread again, as if also dyed by the surrounding lantern lights.
Hand in hand like countless ordinary young visitors, they followed the flow of the crowd, slowly making their way towards the direction of that most dazzling Phoenix lantern.
Qian Renxue was occasionally drawn to novel trinkets or performances by the roadside, stopping to watch. Jiang Bai would patiently wait beside her, occasionally exchanging a few quiet words, both wearing relaxed and happy smiles.
Under the brilliant lantern lights, the handsome youth and the stunningly beautifulgirl, strolling hand in hand, formed a picture sogood it seemed almost unreal, drawing frequent glances from passersby, their eyes filled withStunning and envy.
However, they were unaware.
Somewhere in this sea of joy, at an inconspicuous attic window.
A pair of eyes, cold, venomous, as if tempered with all thedark emotions in the World, were fixed intently upon them!
Especially upon their tightly clasped hands, and the blinding, cloudless smiles on their faces.