Li Xi gazed at the shimmering lotus pond before her.
The pond water was crystal clear, and in the center, a huge white lotus was in bud, as if waiting for her arrival to bloom and reveal its purest radiance.
She was a little nervous, and turned to look at Situ Feng. His deep eyes were full of trust and encouragement, which made her nod.
Taking a deep breath, Li Xi slowly extended her right hand, her fingertips lightly touching the sharp dagger that had been prepared beforehand.
The sharp blade tip gleamed coldly in the candlelight.
A drop of bright red blood slid from the fingertip, like the most dazzling dew in the morning light, and slowly dripped into the lotus pond.
At that moment, time seemed to stand still, everyone held their breath, and even the wind seemed to stop blowing.
The miracle happened the instant the blood came into contact with the pool water.
The once calm surface of the pool suddenly rippled with delicate waves, and then the red lotus bloomed rapidly at a speed visible to the naked eye.
The petals are crystal clear, radiating a soft and sacred light.
The entire altar was enveloped in this light, and the faces of the believers were filled with incredible joy and excitement.
"The Holy Maiden has appeared! The Holy Maiden has appeared!" Cheers erupted from the crowd, who knelt even lower to express their deepest respect.
Li Xi was stunned; she never expected that her blood could trigger such a miracle.
Under her gaze, the white lotus gradually transformed into a red lotus, blooming with unprecedented splendor, as if the entire world had been purified by this pure and powerful force.
Situ Feng stood beside her, a smile on his face.
He whispered, "Xiaoyue, smile and appease those believers below."
Upon hearing this, Li Xi's lips curled up slightly, forcing out a smile that looked more like a grimace than a cry.
The smile seemed to be forcibly pulled out, appearing extremely stiff and forced.
After she dragged her heavy steps back to her room, she couldn't wait to get rid of the extremely cumbersome dress she was wearing.
She quickly loosened her belt, took off the gorgeous but restrictive dress, and tossed it aside.
Just then, a soft knock came at the door, "Miss Yue..."
The sudden sound made Li Xi's heart tighten.
She stopped what she was doing. "Who?"
The voice outside the door was deep and magnetic. "Miss Huiyue, it was the eldest young master who instructed me to bring you some food." His tone was respectful and polite.
Hearing this, Li Xi felt a little relieved. She tidied her slightly messy hair and tried to make her voice sound calm: "Please come in."
The door slowly opened, and a servant dressed in black entered carrying a tray.
On the tray were three delicious meat dishes and a pot of warm tea.
The servant bowed his head, gently placed the tray on the table, and then respectfully stepped aside, not daring to look directly at Li Xi.
She looked the servant up and down and said, "Thank you for your hard work. It's so late and you're still running around like this."
The servant was a little flustered: "Miss Yue, you're too kind. This is what I should do."
Judging from his tall stature, she was also considered tall among men, but this servant was more than half a head taller than him.
But the person seemed a little shy, and kept looking down at the ground.
Li Xi was genuinely curious about him. "What's your name?"
Upon hearing this, the attendant stiffened slightly and slowly replied, "Miss Yue, my name is Suifeng. From now on, I will be responsible for Miss Yue's daily life and safety. If you need anything, just give the order."
Li Xi nodded gently, "Sui Feng, that's a unique name. It sounds like a free wind that travels with the wind. Since you're by my side, you don't need to be too reserved. I don't have many rules here."
Upon hearing this, Sui Feng's heart stirred slightly. He quickly glanced at Li Xi, then lowered his head again, his voice warmer: "Thank you for your understanding, Miss Yue, but rules cannot be disregarded. I will do my best."
Seeing that he still maintained his humility and caution, Li Xi couldn't help but feel a sense of goodwill towards him. "I'm full, you should go and rest too."
Sui Feng nodded silently and deftly tidied up the tray on the table.
Before leaving, he added, "The maid is resting on the small couch in the outer room, ready to be at your command at any time."
After saying that, he turned and left.
Li Xi was still somewhat unaccustomed to being served, as if her body instinctively rejected these distinctions of rank and status.
Before dawn, Li Xi got up and went to the courtyard to practice her sword.
Wherever she goes, she practices swordsmanship whenever she has time; it has become muscle memory.
Sui Feng appeared to the side at some point. "Miss Yue, if you don't mind, how about I practice a few moves?"
His words were respectful yet humble.
Upon hearing this, Xi's eyes flickered slightly, and she nodded gently, "Very well, then please enlighten me, Brother Suifeng."
As she spoke, she lightly swung the longsword in her hand.
The tip of the sword lightly touched the ground, instantly stirring up a fine cloud of dust.
He then moved with lightning speed, like a gentle breeze rustling a willow branch, drawing graceful arcs across the courtyard with flashing sword light.
Seeing this, Sui Feng dared not be negligent and also stretched out his figure.
He had somehow acquired a slender, flexible sword in his hand, and the sword seemed to come alive in his grasp.
Sometimes it moved like a serpent emerging from its hole, sometimes like flowing water, intertwining with Li Xi's swordsmanship, and they were evenly matched.
The two exchanged blows, their swords flashing.
The only sounds in the courtyard were the crisp clash of swords and the occasional gentle breeze stirred up by the force of the impact.
Li Xi was secretly surprised. Although Sui Feng was a servant, his swordsmanship was no less exquisite than that of ordinary martial arts masters, which showed that he must have an extraordinary master or experience behind him.
As time passed, the first rays of dawn gradually fell, elongating the shadows of the two figures and seemingly adding a touch of warmth to the morning sword dance.
Finally, after a fierce exchange, the two sheathed their swords at the same time, looked at each other and smiled, their eyes filled with admiration and respect.
"Your swordsmanship is superb; I have benefited greatly from it today," Li Xi said first, her tone full of sincerity.
Sui Feng bowed slightly, "Miss Yue, you flatter me. It is my honor to spar with a master like you."
At this moment, the maid finally woke up and saw Li Xi and Sui Feng practicing swordsmanship in the courtyard. She hurriedly came over to serve them: "Miss Yue, the hot water is ready."
Li Xi nodded slightly, then turned to Sui Feng and said, "I'll find time to spar with you again. You go ahead and do your thing."
"Yes, I will go and prepare breakfast for you right away."
As Sui Feng left the courtyard, he happened to run into Situ Feng, who was rushing away. Situ Feng called out to him, "Why did you come out of Xiao Yue's courtyard?"
Sui Feng respectfully replied, "Young Master, last night you instructed me to follow Miss Yue. She just finished practicing her sword, so I went to prepare some food for her."
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