With Heaven-Defying Talent, I Actually Became Lu Xueqi

Chapter 85 : First Encounter with Bi Yao

At this moment, Lu Xueqi still had no idea that Cang Song had already sold out their group’s whereabouts to the Myriad Poisons Sect.

However, even if she had known, she wouldn’t have cared much.

With her current strength, no matter who the Myriad Poisons Sect sent to ambush them, they posed no threat. Even if the Poison God himself took action, she was confident she could eliminate him with ease.

After leaving the Qingyun Sect with Qi Hao and the others, Lu Xueqi flew on her sword. Qi Hao stood atop his own, gazing at the scenery below, lost in thought.

His relationship with Lu Xueqi had become strained, and it would be difficult to mend in a short time.

As he pondered, a scene from the original novel suddenly came to mind—the moment when Zhang Xiaofan first met Bi Yao. An idea instantly took shape.

“Junior Sister Lu, Junior Brother Lin, Junior Brother Zhang, our journey to Kong Sang Mountain is long. It would take at least a day or two to arrive.

Seeing that it's already getting late, why don't we find a place to rest for the night?”

Qi Hao suggested.

Lu Xueqi looked up at the sky. It was indeed near dusk, so she gave a slight nod.

“Senior Brother Qi, do you have a place in mind?”

As Qi Hao looked at her breathtakingly beautiful face, though he still held resentment in his heart, he couldn’t help but feel dazed for a moment.

He quickly gathered himself.

“There’s a city not far from here called Heyang City. It has a long history and is bustling with merchants and travelers. The inns and restaurants are well-equipped.

There’s a restaurant in the city called Shanhai Garden, famous for its exquisite cuisine. Its signature dish, Steamed Fish, is quite renowned. Why don’t we rest there tonight and continue our journey tomorrow?”

Lu Xueqi immediately guessed his intention—he was most likely trying to encounter Bi Yao.

Still, she didn’t object.

Firstly, it was indeed getting late. Secondly, she was curious to see what the Bi Yao—who had a lifelong impact on the protagonist Zhang Xiaofan in the original novel—looked like.

Standing to the side, Lin Jingyu’s eyes lit up upon hearing this, a flash of excitement in his gaze.

He too was curious about Bi Yao and wanted to see what this legendary girl looked like—whether she was as stunning as Lu Xueqi.

He recalled the descriptions in the original novel—Bi Yao was a peerless beauty with a delicate, otherworldly aura and striking features.

Although her style was different from Lu Xueqi’s, she was still a rare beauty. His anticipation only grew.

He quickly chimed in,

“Senior Brother Qi, that’s an excellent suggestion. Let’s rest at Shanhai Garden in Heyang City tonight before heading out again!”

Upon hearing the name “Bi Yao,” Zhang Xiaofan’s eyes flickered with a hint of remembrance and longing.

In his past life, Bi Yao had died saving him. He had spent his entire life trying to find a way to resurrect her, but died without success—not even managing to preserve her body.

Now that he had the chance to see Bi Yao again, his heart surged with emotion, though his face remained calm.

“Let’s go with the arrangement, Senior Brothers and Sister.”

Seeing everyone in agreement, Qi Hao looked pleased.

“In that case, I’ll lead the way. Let’s head to Shanhai Garden in Heyang City!”

With that, he soared toward Heyang City, guided by his memory.

Lu Xueqi, unfamiliar with the area, followed suit. The four of them sped through the sky.

Upon arriving at the outskirts of Heyang City, Lu Xueqi looked at the towering city walls ahead and nodded inwardly.

This city wasn’t far from the Qingyun Sect and was quite large. At the city gates, the streets bustled with pedestrians and the hawking cries of vendors rang out constantly.

The group descended in a quiet corner and walked into the city.

Along the way, Lu Xueqi took in the everyday lives of mortals.

Her presence, however, immediately drew all eyes.

Passersby stopped in their tracks, stunned by her otherworldly beauty.

Only after she walked past did they regain their senses.

“Where did this fairy come from? She’s so beautiful!”

“I thought the concubine of Lord Chen was stunning enough, but she’s nothing compared to this one!”

“If I could say just one word to that fairy, I’d trade ten years of my life!”

Though amazed, no one dared to approach.

From the way Lu Xueqi and the others were dressed and carried themselves, it was clear they weren’t people ordinary folks could afford to offend.

Once inside the city, Qi Hao enthusiastically introduced Heyang’s customs and culture along the way, speaking in a friendly tone—

As if the past grievances among them had never occurred.

Lu Xueqi glanced at this version of Qi Hao and thought to herself:

After everything that’s happened, he has indeed become more composed.

It seems the environment really can change a person’s nature.

Before long, the group arrived at Shanhai Garden.

This restaurant was lavishly decorated. Carved beams and painted rafters exuded an air of grandeur. It was dinner time, and the entrance was bustling, the courtyard lively and noisy.

Without hesitation, Qi Hao led the group directly into the restaurant.

As they entered the main hall, they saw the tables and chairs filled with patrons. The air was alive with the sounds of chatter and clinking cups.

Qi Hao glanced around and called out loudly,

“Shopkeeper! Get us a private room!”

The shopkeeper looked up in response to the voice.

His eyes swept over the group and paused momentarily when he saw Lu Xueqi—his eyes flashing with awe.

But as a seasoned shopkeeper who had weathered years in Heyang City, he had seen all kinds. He quickly composed himself.

His gaze took in the group’s high-quality clothing and noble demeanor. Instantly, he concluded: These guests were no ordinary folk—they clearly had money to spend.

With a beaming face, he swiftly stepped out from behind the counter and greeted them respectfully.

“This way, honored guests. Please head upstairs.”

With that, he personally led the way, guiding Lu Xueqi and the others to the second-floor hall.

Lu Xueqi glanced around. The second floor was even more tastefully arranged.

The tables and chairs were spaced apart comfortably, the room spacious. Soft light filtered through carved wooden windows, and every detail was elegant and refined—far more serene than the first floor.

Qi Hao, however, frowned slightly, showing some displeasure.

“Shopkeeper, don’t you have private rooms?”

The shopkeeper shook his head apologetically.

“I’m terribly sorry, honored guests. The private rooms were fully booked early on. I hope you’ll understand.”

Seeing this, Qi Hao had no choice but to relent.

“Fine. The hall will do.”

The shopkeeper hurriedly arranged a window-side table for them and enthusiastically listed off Shanhai Garden’s signature dishes.

Qi Hao casually ordered a few, and the shopkeeper bowed and withdrew.

In truth, both Qi Hao and Lin Jingyu hadn’t come to Shanhai Garden for the food.

What they eagerly looked forward to was meeting Bi Yao—everything else was secondary.

No sooner had the two sat down than they began glancing about the hall, as if searching for someone.

Seeing this, Lu Xueqi couldn’t help but look around as well.

At first, there was no sign of Bi Yao in the hall.

Both Lin Jingyu and Qi Hao felt a twinge of disappointment.

But just as the dishes were being served, the gentle jingle of ornaments rang out. A group of people dressed in black entered the hall, surrounding a bright and striking young girl.

Lu Xueqi looked up, and her gaze was instantly drawn in.

The girl wore a light green gauze dress. Her brows and eyes were exquisitely shaped, her charm brimming with vitality and spirit—so beautiful that one simply couldn’t look away.

At almost the same moment, Qi Hao and Lin Jingyu also spotted Bi Yao.

Her beauty was indeed stunning and drew the attention of everyone in the hall. But almost instinctively, the two glanced at Lu Xueqi beside them—and couldn’t help but feel a sense of contrast.

Bi Yao was certainly beautiful, but she still couldn’t quite match Lu Xueqi’s unparalleled appearance and ethereal, icy demeanor.

As Bi Yao entered the hall, she glanced around casually, as was her habit.

But the moment her eyes landed on Lu Xueqi, they locked in place.

Her eyes lit up, and she murmured to the woman beside her, You Ji,

“You Ji, what a beautiful woman!”

You Ji followed her gaze—and was just as stunned by Lu Xueqi’s appearance.

She had always considered Bi Yao one of the rare beauties in the world, but in this moment, she had to admit: Lu Xueqi surpassed her.

This realization instantly triggered You Ji’s wariness. She studied the four unfamiliar cultivators. It was clear at a glance that these weren’t ordinary people.

Moreover, when she tried to probe their cultivation levels, she found nothing.

The four were utterly composed, their auras perfectly concealed—especially Lu Xueqi, who seemed wrapped in mist, unfathomable and deep.

As You Ji pondered, Bi Yao had already broken away from her group and trotted over to Lu Xueqi’s table.

She stared straight at Lu Xueqi and exclaimed,

“Big Sister, you’re so beautiful!”

As she spoke, she instinctively reached out, as if wanting to touch Lu Xueqi’s face—to verify whether this exquisite beauty before her was even real.

Lu Xueqi leaned back slightly, her expression calm.

“Miss, what are you doing?”

Bi Yao snapped out of her daze, her cheeks flushing. She quickly pulled her hand back.

“Big Sister, I’m Bi Yao! May I know your name?”

She blinked her large, glistening eyes, her face full of hopeful anticipation—as though if Lu Xueqi refused, she’d burst into tears the next second.

Lu Xueqi studied her carefully but could detect no ill intent. Only then did she nod slightly and reply,

“I’m Lu Xueqi.”