When everyone returned to the courtyard, they were shocked to find that Wu Yan was already able to get out of bed and move around. Lin Xiao was particularly surprised, and the Storage Bag in his hand dropped to the ground and rolled around twice.
Soon, news of the Five Sects Tournament champion waking up spread quickly among the various major sects staying in Tianyuan City. Within less than 2 hours, Bai Zhiqiu, Ji Xuerou, and others arrived with gifts to congratulate Wu Yan, stating that the award ceremony could be held the day after tomorrow.
—
The following day.
It was May 11th, and the good weather from May 10th continued. The sky over Tianyuan City was clear and bright. Early in the morning, Wu Yan knocked on Yu Qingyao’s door. This was the first time in a long while that she had taken the initiative to look for Yu Qingyao.
“Senior Sister, what’s wrong?” Yu Qingyao got out of bed with sleepy eyes. As soon as she opened the door, she saw Wu Yan standing there.
Wu Yan had changed into casual clothes today and looked much more energetic than yesterday.
“Let’s go for a stroll together, Qingyao.”
“No!” Yu Qingyao refused righteously. She picked up a comb and returned to the mirror to brush her hair. “Senior Sister, you just woke up yesterday. There might still be hidden issues with your body. What if an accident happens while we’re out?”
Wu Yan leaned against the doorframe, unmoved. “I am fine now, Qingyao. Besides, I just want to go for a stroll with you today.”
When Wu Yan said, “I just want to go for a stroll with you,” Yu Qingyao knew she could not refuse her. Resigning herself to her fate, she put on her sect robes and walked toward the East Market with Wu Yan. Although the Rogue Cultivators who had come to watch the excitement had already left, the lives of the ordinary people continued.
“Candied haws! Delicious candied haws!”
“Rouge and powder! High-quality rouge and powder!”
Something caught Wu Yan’s attention. She curiously approached a stall and carefully examined two small clay figurines.
“Are you interested in these clay figurines, customer?” Old Ji asked.
“Yes. May I ask the owner who these figurines represent?”
Yu Qingyao followed behind Wu Yan. When she saw the clay figurines on the stall, she immediately froze in place.
“These are the Piaomiao Twin Beauties who won the Five Sects Tournament a few days ago. They’ve been very popular lately!”
“Has the owner ever seen these two people before?”
The old woman immediately shook her head, her tone solemn. “Do not joke, young lady. Those are immortals. How could us mortals catch a glimpse of them? To tell you the truth, the faces of these clay dolls were molded based on rumors. However, I feel that cultivators are no different from mortals.”
Wu Yan wanted to say something, but seeing the old woman’s nervous appearance, she ultimately kept quiet.
“Qingyao, should we buy a pair?” she asked, holding up the figurines.
“No need!” Yu Qingyao’s reaction was exaggeratedly large. Even Wu Yan, who had drifted over to the rouge and powder stall, was startled.
‘This ungrateful brat, why is she so jumpy?’
“We should leave quickly, Senior Sister!” Yu Qingyao grabbed Wu Yan’s sleeve, ready to leave the stall.
Wu Yan was puzzled. The clay figurines were clearly modeled after the stories of her victory; why was Qingyao so bashful? Little did she know, as early as the day after the victory, Yu Qingyao had already stored a pair of figurines in the deepest part of her Spatial Ring, wrapped in several layers of silk handkerchiefs.
Wu Yan put the figurines back on the stall and apologized to the old woman. The old woman looked at them with a kind, beaming smile.
To hide her loss of composure, Yu Qingyao forcibly pulled Wu Yan around two street corners before stopping. As it happened, they stopped in front of an imposing four-story building. A sign hung at the highest point—Jinxiu Pavilion. This was the largest and most luxurious clothing store in Tianyuan City.
“Qingyao.” Wu Yan reached out and gently pulled a pilled pom-pom from Yu Qingyao’s sleeve. During those days of the competition, Yu Qingyao had almost no rest, and the casual clothes she had brought from the Piaomiao Sect were looking a bit worn.
“Want to go in and take a look?”
“No need, Senior Sister,” Yu Qingyao instinctively wanted to refuse. “These clothes are still wearable. Besides, the clothes inside — “
“Just a look,” Wu Yan interrupted her, her voice soft. “As the Foundation Building Group Champion, you should have a decent set of clothes for tomorrow’s award ceremony, right? At least go in and see.”
The reason was sound, and Yu Qingyao could no longer refuse. “Then I will listen to you, Senior Sister. Let’s go in and look.”
As soon as they entered the store, an attendant recognized them and stepped forward enthusiastically. “Welcome, guests. This way, please.”
Under the attendant’s guidance, Wu Yan and Yu Qingyao entered a luxurious private room.
The first piece was a brilliant red scholar’s skirt. After Yu Qingyao put it on, although she looked beautiful, it carried a sense of tackiness.
“This one is bright, but it makes the Fairy look a bit common. Change it!”
The second was an intricate palace dress. It was ethereal, but upon closer inspection, it was too cumbersome, suppressing the young girl’s natural vitality.
Several sets of clothes in a row were unsatisfactory. The attendant muttered to herself, “Materials for these common types of beauties are simply a waste of natural treasures.” Suddenly, her eyes lit up. “Please wait a moment, Fairies! There is still a treasure at the bottom of the warehouse. I will go get it for you to see right now.”
A moment later, she stepped out holding a red sandalwood tray. On the tray was a snow-white dress. The upper part had a crisp texture with a cross-collar, and the sleeves were wide and flowing, with a lining that tightened at the wrists. A dark waist-cincher was tied at the waist, paired with white silk stockings below.
Wu Yan had a feeling that Yu Qingyao would look stunning in this outfit.
“Qingyao, try this one.”
When Yu Qingyao finished changing and pushed aside the beaded curtain of the fitting room, time seemed to freeze. The frost-white garment highlighted her figure exceptionally well. Her slender waist was cinched tight, the collar fit perfectly, and the dark belt emphasized the lines of her legs. Combined with the white silk stockings, it created an absolute territory that fully showcased her long legs.
“This… this… this…” The attendant’s eyes went wide. “It’s perfect!”
At this moment, Yu Qingyao was like a noble lady from an ancient painting — elegant, quiet, and breathtaking.
Wu Yan walked up to her and smoothed out the slightly wrinkled lapel. “It looks very good.”
She turned to the attendant, her movements crisp and decisive as she took out Spirit Stones, completely ignoring the price. “We’ll take this one.” After she put it on, the old clothes were packed up.
“Senior Sister, I think we should — “
Wu Yan pressed down on Yu Qingyao’s hand that wanted to take off the clothes. “Just think of it as a thank-you gift for accompanying me shopping.”
Yu Qingyao looked at Wu Yan’s face and opened her mouth, but in the end, she said nothing in rebuttal. She only lowered her head, the corners of her mouth curling up quietly. Her voice was kept very low. “Then… thank you, Senior Sister.”