Chapter 99: So You Prepared for Several Days Just to Shop for Girl Clothes at Yu Ling Long?
Su Lan Qian kept her head down, eyes flickering with a mix of nervousness and suspicion, like a thief caught in the act.
“Is something the matter?”
Facing Bai Feng’s question, Su Lan Qian shuddered slightly. She took a few deep breaths, then lifted her head to glance at Bai Feng’s face—only to drop it quickly.
“Sorry, I-I was just wondering…” Her voice faltered, sounding about ready to bolt in the next second. But muster all her courage she could, she fished out a remarkably smooth array disk from her pocket.
“Do you still have these? Or maybe… could I trade for one of your other array disks?”
Bai Feng looked down, slightly puzzled—wasn’t this the junk he handed her last time?
“Yes, and I have plenty,” Bai Feng said, raising an eyebrow. “May I ask what you’re planning to do with it?”
“I’ve been researching this array disk…” she whispered softly. “It’s quite interesting.”
She suddenly seemed to realize something and scrambled to wave her hands. “If it’s something important, never mind!”
“It’s not anything particularly important.”
Bai Feng was slightly surprised. Looks like Su Lan Qian had been analyzing that discarded array disk of his, and maybe—even just maybe—she was getting somewhere.
He knew exactly how complex ‘Thousand Array’ tech was. Not to mention, even if you opened a pristine array disk right in front of a casual Array Master, chances are they wouldn’t understand a thing.
Seems like Su Lan Qian’s talent is well above what he guessed. If it weren’t for his OP ‘cheat mode,’ probably no one in the North Region would be able to surpass her in Array Art.
“Anyway, you came at just the right time.”
Bai Feng quickly made up his mind. Turns out, he’d been so busy lately, and now, Pā Lù had show up for free—literally self-delivering.
He pulled out the portable array disk he’d prepared earlier.
“This is for you. Rumor has it that Demon Path folks might be creeping around. Just activate this if you run into trouble.”
Su Lan Qian instinctively took it, and once she got a good look, she noticed what made this array disk stand out.
It looked more like a simplified Combat Array Disk, designed for emergencies, but with even more intricate array patterns on it.
Almost identical to the abandoned array disks she’d studied before, but this one is more complete.
“Did… you succeed?”
She flicked her delicate fingers over the surface, eyes shimmering with excitement.
“So pretty…” she muttered, her spiritual pupils involuntarily opening as she was completely captivated by the array pattern’s exquisite structure.
A few minutes passed before she snapped out of it, fear flickering on her face as she looked at Bai Feng.
“Sorry, I-I…”
Bai Feng waved her off casually. “It’s fine. Do you really like this array disk?”
“Yeah, it’s the most exquisite design I’ve ever seen,” Su Lan Qian nodded. Then, hesitant, she hesitated to return it. “This is too valuable—I can’t take it.”
“I told you. Demon Path people might be out and about. Or do you think your life’s not worth this array disk?”
Su Lan Qian lowered her head, gently shaking it.
“I… I think it’s not worth it. I’m just too useless in every aspect. Without you, I’m nothing but a waste person.”
Suddenly realizing something, she hurriedly explained, “I mean, I can’t set up array formations alone anymore.”
*Did that hit her so hard she just denied herself?*
Bai Feng wasn’t bothered by her slip-up.
Though Su Lan Qian’s state seemed vulnerable to being manipulated, he didn’t need a mindless Paru that only followed routines. He needed one that could learn and improve on its own.
“Don’t sell yourself short. Your genius title didn’t come out of nowhere. You were a bit arrogant before, but I see you’ve changed, haven’t you?”
Bai Feng reached out and took the discarded array disk from her hand.
“Carrying that array disk means you probably got some insight from it, right?”
Su Lan Qian bowed her head, nodding slightly.
“So you should recognize yourself — you’re a genius.”
Bai Feng extended his hand and placed it on her shoulder; she instinctively looked up. Seeing his serious expression, she hurriedly looked down again.
But Bai Feng was quicker. He put his other hand on her head, forcing their eyes to meet.
“I’m not just buttering you up. I really understand how difficult ‘Thousand Array’ techniques are. It’s definitely not something that can be figured out just from a discarded array disk.”
“I… I…”
Su Lan Qian’s vision blurred, the scene around her warping—the houses twisting, only Bai Feng’s face remaining crystal clear.
Her mind was a chaotic mess—perhaps a subconscious reply, or maybe her hidden thoughts slipping out—she murmured, “But, I still can’t compare to you.”
“Of course not. I’m OP, you’re a genius. How could you possibly beat me, the cheater?” Bai Feng chuckled, retracting his hand from her head, a flicker of black and white in his eyes.
To stop her from further self-denial—or even running away—he used a little trick. A little illusionary magic pulled out her innermost thoughts.
Thanks to Su Lan Qian’s trust in him—unlike others who’d be wary—this wasn’t so easy to manipulate.
“What’s cheating?”
Su Lan Qian looked at Bai Feng’s hand withdrawing, feeling an odd emptiness in her heart.
“That’s simply surpassing common understanding,” Bai Feng explained casually, then extended his hand. “Seems like you’re pretty interested in portable array disks. Want to work with me? I’m swamped right now. Could really use an assistant.”
She stared blankly. “I… can I?”
Bai Feng nodded bluntly. “Of course. You’re the best Array Master I’ve seen so far. I can’t think of anyone else qualified besides you. Well… maybe our teacher, but she’s busier than I am.”
“Alright, if you don’t mind.”
Su Lan Qian nodded lightly, then lowered her head again.
Bai Feng didn’t mind her small gesture—just as usual.
But if you squat down to observe her expression, you’d notice her face subtly brightening up with a hidden joy she didn’t even realize she felt.
……
Bai Feng handed over the portable array disk and several discarded array disks to Su Lan Qian, agreed on a time for her to come help, then set off to find Lin Yan and Luo Chen.
Soon after, he spotted Lin Yan and Luo Chen sneaking out the rear door of the city lord’s mansion.
He stood nearby, frowning thoughtfully.
“What are you two doing here?”
“Whoa! Bai elder, you gave me a scare!”
Lin Yan suddenly tensed up, already stepping toward the door, but when he saw it was Bai Feng, he sighed in relief and stopped.
Even Luo Chen was startled but managed to keep his composure—walking casually as if nothing happened, without trying to run.
Lin Yan exhaled shakily, looking around to make sure no one was watching, then waved at Bai Feng.
“Come here!”
“What exactly are you two up to?” Bai Feng asked with suspicion. “Doing something like sneaking around?”
“We’ll tell you soon enough. Me and Luo-ge have been preparing for this for days!”
Lin Yan hurried toward his place, Luo Chen close behind.
Bai Feng’s suspicion deepened. Could these two ‘Child of Destiny’ types have found some secret realm or something?
So he followed.
A few minutes later.
“So, you guys prepared for days, even sneaking out secretly just to buy girl clothes at Yu Ling Long?”
