Stop grinding, I'm really just a free spirit.

Chapter 44 Fairy Toshihiko

Chen Bai keenly sensed that a gaze was sizing him up from within the crowd.

That gaze was different from others; it wasn't one of curiosity or scrutiny, but rather one tinged with a wary hostility.

He followed the gaze and saw a young man dressed in a brocade robe.

The man looked quite like Wei Changfeng, but was younger, around twenty years old. He was quite handsome, but his lips were very thin and the corners of his mouth turned down slightly, giving him a naturally mean look.

He stood on the periphery of the crowd, not going up to greet him, but instead looking Chen Bai up and down with his slightly narrowed eyes, his gaze undisguisedly filled with a hint of criticism and dissatisfaction.

Chen Bai understood.

This person was most likely one of Fairy Yueyi's admirers, and seeing a strange man standing next to her, he felt a pang of jealousy.

Sure enough, before the fairies had finished their pleasantries, the man in the brocade robe couldn't wait any longer and came up.

He walked at a leisurely pace, a smile on his face, but the smile seemed somewhat forced and insincere.

"Sister Yueyi, this fellow Daoist looks familiar. May I ask which immortal clan's outstanding talent you belong to?"

He walked up to Fairy Yueyi, first bowing to her, then his gaze fell on Chen Bai, his tone carrying a hint of disdain, "I was looking at you from afar and thought it was an old friend, but when I got closer I realized I didn't recognize you."

These words sounded polite, but they carried a hint of sarcasm.

Several immortal disciples nearby also looked over upon hearing the sound, their gazes filled with amusement.

Chen Bai listened without changing his expression, simply smiled slightly, and bowed respectfully.

"I am a rogue cultivator named Chen Bai. Today, I am honored to be invited by Fairy Yueyi to attend this gathering."

The moment the words "unaffiliated cultivator" were uttered, the smile on the man in the brocade robe faded slightly.

He raised an eyebrow and re-examined Chen Bai with his gaze, this time even more brazenly.

From Chen Bai's ordinary blue robe, which lacked any spiritual light, to the plain storage bag at his waist whose grade was indistinguishable, and to the fact that he didn't possess a single impressive magical artifact or ornament...

Wherever his gaze fell, the mocking smile on his lips grew ever stronger.

"A rogue cultivator—"

His tone carried a hint of feigned surprise, "It's not easy for a rogue cultivator to have such an opportunity to break through to the Nascent Soul stage. May I ask how many years Fellow Daoist Chen has cultivated?"

Chen Bai could hear the veiled barb in his words, but he did not get angry.

He had seen far too many disdainful looks and mockery; frankly, this level of harshness didn't even warrant a frown from him.

He simply met the other person's gaze with neither arrogance nor servility, his tone as calm as still water.

"I am of dull talent and only managed to break through this realm by sheer luck. I hope you will forgive my poor performance, fellow Daoist."

The more composed he appeared, the more uncomfortable the man in the brocade robe felt.

He had expected that a rogue cultivator would show some embarrassment or anger at having his identity called out in public, but he did not expect Chen Bai's reaction to be so calm and composed, which made his earlier provocation seem petty.

The man in the brocade robe frowned, about to say something, when Fairy Yueyi's voice rang out.

"Young Master Wei the Third".

Her tone remained gentle, but for some reason, the way she addressed him as "Young Master Wei" sounded distant to everyone.

Fairy Yueyi had finished her conversation with the other fairies at some point, turned around, and her gaze fell on the man in the brocade robe.

She wore a perfectly timed smile. "Although Fellow Daoist Chen started his cultivation a little late, he has a great talent and unique insights in the Dao of Talismans and the principles of alchemy."

Even the clan's alchemists spoke highly of him. We invited him here today to introduce him to you all.

The man in the brocade robe stiffened slightly.

He could openly mock a rogue cultivator, but he couldn't openly offend Fairy Yueyi.

If he continues to pester her, he'll be disrespecting her, and he really can't accept that.

He glanced at Chen Bai with a disgruntled expression, forced a smile, and managed to squeeze out, "I see."

Then he snorted coldly, turned around, and walked back into the crowd.

Chen Bai watched his figure disappear into the crowd, feeling no emotion whatsoever.

He turned to look at Fairy Yueyi, only to see her shaking her head helplessly.

Don't take it to heart.

"Fairy Yueyi lowered her voice, her tone tinged with apology and helplessness, "These immortal disciples have been pampered since childhood, and their high aspirations inevitably make them a bit stubborn."

Wei San Gongzi is Wei Changfeng's half-brother. He is nominally a direct descendant of the Wei family, but in reality, he is born out of wedlock. From a young age, he has enjoyed competing with others.

Seeing that you have some skill in the art of talismans, he became suspicious.

That's rather naive, really.

Chen Bai smiled calmly, his gaze falling on Fairy Yueyi's face.

Her expression was sincere and frank, clearly indicating that her words were not just perfunctory.

"Your Excellency is overthinking it. How could I possibly take it to heart?"

He smiled and said, "I know that not everyone is as understanding as the fairy, willing to look favorably upon a mere mortal cultivator."

He said this casually, and even his tone was no different from before.

As Fairy Yueyi heard this, a faint blush involuntarily rose to her cheeks.

She paused for a moment, then looked away somewhat awkwardly, raising her hand to tidy a stray strand of hair at her temple.

"cough--

I promised some close friends I'd go catch up, and I've already been gone quite a while. If I don't go in soon, they'll come out looking for me.

As she spoke, she glanced around the deck and pointed towards the cabin not far away.

"You can wander around for a bit first; the tea party won't officially start for another half an hour."

There are wines, spirit fruits, and other refreshments on board; please help yourself. I'll come find you again when the tea party begins.

After saying that, she turned around and walked quickly toward the cabin.

Her steps were a bit faster than usual, and the swaying of her skirt hinted at a hint of panic.

Chen Bai watched her hurried departure, a slight smile unconsciously creeping onto his lips. He then shook his head, withdrew his gaze, and began to examine the spirit boat.

The spirit boat was indeed much larger than it appeared from the outside.

The deck he was on at that moment was as big as two training grounds.

An exquisite pavilion was built in the center of the deck, with light gauze curtains hanging down on all sides.

The wind blew the curtains, and one could vaguely see a dozen or so low tables and cushions inside, which should be the place where the tea party would officially begin later.

On either side of the pavilion, there was a row of long tables, which were filled with all kinds of spiritual fruits and wine pots, as well as several exquisite and delicious snacks.

Maids moved about among them. These maids wore uniform lotus-colored dresses, each with delicate features and proper manners, clearly having been carefully selected and trained.

Some of them were setting up the seating, some were adding wine and fruit, and others were carrying trays around the deck...