The setting sun cast its afterglow across the Lingxiao Sect's Dharma Hall, tinting the clouds with a warm golden-red. Disciples streamed out of the hall in small groups, chatting in low voices, laughter and chatter echoing. Xiang Fan, carrying a heavy stack of basic theory books, head lowered, carefully made his way through the throng, as if drawing a line between himself and the world. His steps hurried, almost as if he were fleeing, but soon, he was pushed aside by the surging tide.
"I heard that Senior Sister Lu Qingli will appear at the flying boat docking point tonight!" A shout from not far away made him stop in his tracks, and he couldn't help but stop to listen.
"Senior Sister Lu Qingli?" Another disciple's voice was filled with wonder and admiration. "She's the sect leader's daughter, one of the legendary immortal princesses! Not only is she incredibly talented, but she's also gentle and virtuous. She's simply perfect."
"Not to mention that tonight is the Flying Boat Conference, and Senior Brother Zhao Qingyue will be there too! This guy has been pursuing Senior Sister Lu for several years, and I guess he'll be showing his affection tonight again!"
Xiang Fan couldn't help but look up after hearing these words, his eyes filled with a hint of uncontrollable curiosity: "Senior Sister Lu Qingli? The legendary flawless fairy?"
Though he was relatively unknown within the sect, Lu Qingli's name was already well-known. Even someone like him, who often stayed out of sight, had heard countless rumors about her. He hesitated for a moment, looking up at the gathering crowd, but ultimately couldn't resist following the crowd toward the flying boat dock.
The area around the flying boat dock was already packed, so crowded it was practically impossible to find a place to stand. Xiang Fan, jostled by the crowd, stood on the outskirts, holding a book, tiptoeing to get a better look inside. But the crowd was too dense, so he could only huddle to the side.
Suddenly, there was a slight exclamation from the front, followed by an irrepressible exclamation of admiration: "Senior Sister Lu Qingli is here!"
Xiang Fan looked up almost instinctively upon hearing this, his heart suddenly tightening. He followed the crowd's gaze and was instantly stunned.
A slender figure slowly approached, clad in a moon-white dress, its hem flowing like a veil in the wind, as if she were treading on clouds with every step. Her long, inky hair flowed softly behind her shoulders, gently brushing her waist. Her steps were graceful and unhurried. Even amidst the crowd, she exuded an air of untouched worldliness, like a fairy from a painting.
Xiang Fan's gaze unconsciously fell on her face, and his heart nearly skipped a beat. Her features were as cool and clear as the moonlight, yet a gentle smile lingered between her brows. Her eyes were as clear as autumn water, and the subtle curve at the corner of her lips seemed to soothe everyone's restlessness. Her every move seemed to radiate its own light, brightening the entire world.
Lu Qingli slowly raised her hand and nodded gently to the disciples watching. Her movements were gentle and graceful, as if every smile carried the warmth of a spring breeze.
A low sigh echoed from the crowd of onlookers: "Senior Sister Lu Qingli is indeed worthy of her reputation. She is so beautiful that it takes one's breath away!"
"She's like a fairy from heaven. How could there be such a beauty on earth?"
"Even Senior Brother Zhao Qingyue remains infatuated with her. Who wouldn't be moved by a woman like this?"
Xiang Fan huddled at the edge of the crowd, listening to the surrounding discussions with mixed emotions. He looked at Lu Qingli's calm and elegant figure, feeling an indescribable wave of envy and inferiority. He glanced down at the basic theory book he was holding and smiled bitterly, "She's a fairy in the sky, and I... am just a speck of dust below."
He tried to squeeze out of the crowd, but couldn't help but glance back. At that moment, Lu Qingli's eyes swept across the crowd of onlookers, seemingly noticing Xiang Fan standing at the edge. Her gaze lingered for a moment, without any extraneous emotion, and then she withdrew her gaze calmly, as if she had just accidentally caught a glimpse of an ordinary disciple.
At this moment, Xiang Fan's heartbeat suddenly accelerated, and then he was overwhelmed by a deep sense of self-mockery: "She might have just glanced at me unintentionally. How could someone like her notice me?"
In the crowd, Lu Qingli was like the bright moonlight, illuminating everyone's gaze. Her every frown and smile inspired admiration.
Xiang Fan, standing at the edge of the crowd, cradling a heavy book, head bowed and huddled in the shadows, seemed particularly inconspicuous. His presence was like a tiny, insignificant glimmer in the night sky, destined to never approach the bright moon.
As Xiang Fan listened to the excited discussions of the disciples around him, the rumors about Lu Qingli involuntarily emerged in his mind.
Lu Qingli, daughter of the Lingxiao Sect's branch leader, is at the early stages of her Foundation Establishment stage, yet she's already hailed as one of the sect's four great immortal princesses. At only twenty, her talent is truly exceptional, but even more impressive than her talent is her gentle and composed disposition. Whether addressing elders or fellow disciples, she is unfailingly courteous and humble, never overbearing, her words and actions evoking a warm and welcoming warmth.
Countless disciples within the sect secretly admired her, viewing her as an unattainable dream fairy. However, Lu Qingli maintained a distant demeanor, never revealing any affection for anyone. This attitude made her both the object of everyone's admiration and the feeling of being unattainable.
Xiang Fan stood at the edge of the crowd, book in hand, stealing a glance at the gentle, calm figure. A complex mix of emotions welled up within him. He envied her calm elegance, yet at the same time felt as distant from him as the stars in the sky. He lowered his head, attempting to squeeze through the throng, but as he took a step, Lu Qingli's smile flashed through his mind. He instinctively turned back, his gaze resting on her once more.
At that moment, Lu Qingli's gaze flickered across the assembled disciples, as if noting his awkward demeanor. Her eyebrows twitched slightly, her eyes, like water, fixed on Xiang Fan with a touch of indifference and composure. She said nothing, simply looking away quietly.
This scene made Xiang Fan's breath catch slightly. He quickly lowered his head, his steps becoming more rapid, a wave of shame and self-mockery welling up in his heart. "She might have just glanced at me carelessly. How could someone like her possibly notice me?"
Amidst the crowd, Lu Qingli smiled calmly, like bright moonlight, illuminating everyone's gaze. Her every smile and frown inspired admiration, as if she were not of this world, but a fairy descended from heaven. The eyes of the onlookers were filled with eager admiration, some even clasping their hands together, as if she were some kind of divine being.
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