Ling Yue nodded slightly, and walked over to a nearby chair to sit down.
Lan Ji gently removed the gauze bandages from Ling Yue's face. As the layers of gauze slid off one by one, an exquisitely beautiful face was revealed—a full and rounded forehead, eyebrows like delicate brushstrokes, eyes sparkling like dew, a poised and graceful nose, lips as delicate as cherry blossoms, and flawless porcelain-like skin. This breathtaking beauty was as intoxicating as an opium poppy.
Although it wasn't the first time he had seen her, Lan Ji still felt a sense of awe at her beauty. "Yue Yue, your facial injuries have completely healed. You no longer need to apply medicine."
"Mmm." Ling Yue wasn't fond of having her face wrapped in gauze every day either.
"But with a face like that, you might attract too much attention. Perhaps your cousin should make you a mask." Lan Ji looked at Ling Yue's face with concern. Such a beautiful little sister couldn't be allowed to be harassed by others.
"It's okay, I'll just wear a face mask." Ling Yue took a mask out of her pocket and put it on, revealing only her captivating eyes that could make one lose themselves in their depths.
Lan Ji's brow furrowed as he looked into Ling Yue's eyes. This was worrisome. How could he deal with such a beautiful little sister? He would have to teach her ancient martial arts.
"Yue Yue, are you interested in practicing martial arts?" Lan Ji asked.
Ling Yue shook her head. In her previous world, martial artists were the lowest of existences. Those who practiced martial arts did so because they lacked spiritual roots.
"Why not?" Lan Ji didn't understand. Martial artists were respected wherever they went, even by the heads of great families who dared not show disrespect to them.
"I recently bought a martial arts manual from an antique street. I'm practicing the techniques from that manual now." Ling Yue didn't plan to tell Lan Ji that she was a cultivator just yet, but she would let him know that she wasn't a helpless victim to be bullied.
"You can't just randomly practice those kinds of techniques. They could lead to demonic cultivation. Don't practice them anymore. Your cousin will teach you proper cultivation methods, and I guarantee that you'll become an invincible martial artist, and no one will ever dare to bully you again." Lan Ji had complete confidence in the martial arts cultivation methods of Shenyi Valley.
"Cousin, let me show you first." Ling Yue took out a tattered old book from under her pillow and handed it to Lan Ji. This martial arts manual contained top-tier cultivation techniques that countless martial artists dreamed of possessing. In her previous life, she had accidentally stumbled upon this ancient martial arts manual in the palace library's archives and memorized every word without meaning to.
She had recently transcribed the techniques to give herself an excuse for learning martial arts. After all, in her previous state, she was someone that anyone could bully. Such a drastic change couldn't happen overnight. As for making the manual look old, she had used a talisman to accomplish that.
Lan Ji took the manual and casually flipped through it, but his expression gradually became more serious, filled with disbelief. This martial arts manual was countless times more advanced than the ancient martial arts he was cultivating.
"Yue Yue, did you really acquire this manual from an antique street?" Lan Ji's voice trembled with excitement. He knew that Yue Yue sometimes visited antique streets.
A smile graced Ling Yue's eyes. "I've been practicing the techniques in this manual, and I can already feel a flow of energy in my body. If you like it, cousin, I'll give this manual to you as a gift."
"No, no need. You should keep it." This was Yue Yue's fortuitous opportunity to obtain such a manual. How could he take that away from her?
"It's fine, I've already memorized it. This manual is my gift to you." Ling Yue had intended to give the manual to Lan Ji all along. Lan Ji had been so good to her these past few days, and she needed to repay him in kind.
"But this manual isn't ordinary. Even in the entire martial arts world, you couldn't find a manual of higher caliber than this one." Lan Ji was afraid that Ling Yue didn't understand the significance of this manual.
Ling Yue smiled and nodded. "Then cousin should keep it safe. When we return, let our grandmaster and the elders cultivate it too, so that Shenyi Valley can become even stronger."
"You silly girl." Lan Ji felt touched, his eyes reddening slightly. From now on, he would treat Yue Yue even better.
Feeling a little uncomfortable with the emotional atmosphere, Ling Yue cleared her throat and changed the subject. "Cousin, I have to attend an auction later. Would you like to join me?"
"An auction?" Lan Ji recalled the call he had received earlier from Qin Lie, who had asked if he was interested in attending an auction. He had declined, but since his cousin wanted to go, he would go as well to experience it.
"The auction is being held at the Weixin Tower. A friend told me that many priceless treasures will be auctioned off this time." Song Ziyuan was taking Ling Yue to avoid accidentally bidding on counterfeit items.
Although each auction item underwent strict verification, some counterfeits were so well made that even experienced antique experts could be fooled. Song Ziyuan had mentioned that at an auction in Shanghai last year, someone had paid a high price for a fake Tang Tricolor Ceramic Horse.
"Then I'll go with you. A friend of mine is also going." Lan Ji took out his phone and called Qin Lie, telling him they would meet at the auction entrance.
As their car pulled up to the Weixin Tower, a valet rushed over to open the doors for Ling Yue and Lan Ji. Upon seeing Ling Yue's casual T-shirt and jeans outfit, the valet paused in surprise. All the distinguished guests attending today's auction were dressed formally, and he had never seen anyone dressed so casually before. She probably wasn't here for the auction.
Ling Yue stepped out of the car. Although dressed casually, her innate noble bearing and graceful air were undeniable.
The valet took a step back, finally daring to exhale. This woman, despite her casual attire, exuded such a powerful presence that he didn't dare approach her.
Ling Yue immediately noticed Song Ziyuan, Song Yanxue, and an elderly man in a traditional zhongshan suit waiting nearby.
"Cousin, my friends are over there. I'll join them." Ling Yue gestured towards Song Ziyuan's group.
Lan Ji had initially wanted Ling Yue to stay with him, but remembering Qin Lie's temperament, he changed his mind. "Yue Yue, bid on whatever you like. Your cousin will pay for it."
