Every month around the middle, a sizable night market is held, attracting disciples from surrounding sects and independent cultivators to trade items and find what they need.

It was mid-month, and at the urging of the Hidden Peak disciples, Zi Xi, who rarely left the Hidden Peak, was also dragged out to go shopping at the Maple Bridge Town night market.

In my senior brother's words, "It's so boring to repair chains all day long. We should go and see some excitement. I heard there's a performance by spirit beasts from the Southern Frontier tonight!"

Zi Xi originally wanted to go to bed early, but seeing the bright, expectant eyes of her senior and junior brothers, she finally nodded.

She changed out of her sect's regular clothes and into a simple plain blue dress. Even without makeup, she couldn't hide her aloof and otherworldly temperament.

The night market was brightly lit and bustling with people.

The disciples of Hidden Peak were like birds released from their cages, excitedly flitting between the various stalls, looking at this and touching that.

Although I couldn't afford many, I was still very happy.

Zi Xi followed quietly behind, her gaze occasionally sweeping over the items on the stall.

It wasn't until she passed a stall specializing in rare ores and crafting materials that her gaze lingered a little longer on an inconspicuous black ore.

According to the vendor, it was Star Iron, a stable material that can effectively contain and channel spiritual energy.

She was very interested, but the ore was expensive, which would be a considerable expense for her.

But she didn't say anything, she just noted down the location of the stall and continued walking with her fellow disciples.

However, Zi Xi's every move was observed by a pair of smiling eyes.

"Huh? Isn't this Junior Sister Zixi? What a coincidence."

Mu Yuan's voice rang out from the side, tinged with surprise.

He was not wearing the Tianyan Sect's attire today.

Dressed in a moon-white casual robe and holding a jade-shaped bone fan, he appeared dashing and debonair.

She walked out of the crowd with a smile, as if it were a chance encounter.

"Senior Brother Mu Yuan!"

Zhao Ping'an was the first to exclaim in surprise.

"Senior Brother Mu Yuan, you're here to stroll through the night market too!"

Shi Lei also greeted him with a simple and honest smile.

The disciples of Hidden Peak immediately surrounded him warmly, clearly already regarding this unpretentious senior brother as one of their own.

Mu Yuan greeted them with a gentle smile, then his gaze naturally turned to Zi Xi: "Junior Sister Zi Xi, it feels like three autumns have passed since we last met."

"Greetings, Senior Brother Mu Yuan."

Zi Xi nodded slightly.

She was already used to these chance encounters, and even if she felt the coincidences were too much, she couldn't be bothered to investigate further.

Mu Yuan blended into their group very naturally, getting along famously with the Hidden Peak disciples in a very harmonious atmosphere.

Zi Xi followed quietly behind.

Watching Mu Yuan chatting and laughing with his junior brothers and sisters, a hint of relaxation, which she herself did not even notice, flashed imperceptibly across her usually cool eyes.

With him around, it seemed that he saved them a lot of trouble from being harassed by disciples from other sects in the market.

Although Mu Yuan was chatting and laughing with everyone, he kept an eye on Zi Xi out of the corner of his eye.

So naturally, they didn't miss her brief stop at the Star Iron stall earlier.

While everyone was drawn to a stall selling spirit pets, Mu Yuan quietly stepped back a few paces, went to the ore stall, bought the piece of star iron, and casually put it into his sleeve.

As night deepened, when they parted at the entrance of Fengqiao Town, Mu Yuan suddenly called out to Zi Xi.

"Ah Xi, wait a moment."

Zi Xi turned to look at him.