Limitless Evolution: I Have Infinite Potential.

Seeing no response from the other party, Xue Tianyi's smile began to stiffen. He cleared his throat awkwardly and added, "I am the young master of the Xue Family, closely tied to the Family Ancestor."

The implication was clear—Look how important I am. Shouldn't you be falling over yourself to flatter me?

Ye Junlin blinked, then nodded. "Ah, I get it now."

Xue Tianyi smiled, already expecting the admiration that would follow.

But Ye Junlin's next words shattered his expectations.

"Why should I care?"

With that, he turned and walked off without even glancing back.

Xue Tianyi's expression froze. His teeth clenched as he stared daggers at Ye Junlin's retreating figure, his eyes bloodshot with rage.

I'm the young master of the Xue Family! The future heir! My grandfather is a Virtual Immortal! How dare this backwater bumpkin treat me like I'm nothing?!

Guests nearby were stunned.

That was... brutal.

Even so, Xue Tianyi held his anger back for the sake of the event and forced himself to keep calm.

His eyes landed on Hong Qianye.

Her!

The peerless genius who had crushed the Yuhua Sect's Saint Son—the top disciple of Ye Junlin himself.

Now that things had calmed down a bit, Xue Tianyi had the chance to get a closer look. The more he looked, the more captivated he became. His heart skipped with excitement.

So beautiful.

That face... that aura... she's in a completely different league from the common women I've played with!

I've always been charming—countless female cultivators fawn over me. With my looks and background, she won't be able to resist. She's just another conquest waiting to happen.

Xue Tianyi grinned to himself.

He had seduced many women before, even those who were proud and aloof. As the grandson of a Virtual Immortal, he believed no one was out of reach.

What better revenge against Ye Junlin than to steal his prized disciple?

The very thought of having Hong Qianye beneath him sent a thrill down his spine.

At that moment, Hong Qianye stood in front of a delicate vase, reaching for a cluster of glowing flowers.

Each petal sparkled with starlight, radiating a brilliant glow and a refreshing energy.

"Admiring the flowers, Fairy Hong?"

A smooth voice called from behind.

Xue Tianyi strolled over, waving his fan elegantly and smiling. "These are called Radiant Flowers. They're rare, treasured for their beauty. Our Xue Family only has six of them. As the saying goes, a fine sword belongs to a hero, and rare flowers should be gifted to beauties. If Fairy Hong likes them, please take a few. It's just a little gesture from me."

He felt confident. These flowers had worked before—rare, long-lasting, and stunning at night. Who could resist?

But Hong Qianye's lips curled with disdain. He gently placed the flowers back in the vase.

Idiot. These are Starry Flowers. In the Central Region, they're used to refine Mental Power Pills. A top-tier resource—and you're using them as table decor? What a bumpkin.

Noticing his offer had been ignored, Xue Tianyi tried again, "Fairy Hong?"

Hong Qianye had had enough.

"Stop calling me that. I'm a man."

Xue Tianyi froze, blinking, but quickly recovered with a forced laugh. "Fairy Hong, you're really funny. Beautiful and witty. Would you do me the honor of joining me for a little cultivation exchange?"

At that, Hong Qianye's face turned ice-cold.

"Get lost."

Xue Tianyi stared blankly.

Did he really just say that to my face?

Around them, guests gawked, then exchanged looks filled with barely concealed amusement.

Xue Tianyi tried again, still smiling stiffly. "Fairy Hong, I—"

"Stick around and you're dead."

Hong Qianye's tone dropped several degrees, and a powerful pressure burst forth from his body.

Boom!

Xue Tianyi staggered as if his mind had exploded. His legs gave out, and he collapsed to his knees.

His heart pounded wildly as a horrifying vision filled his mind: a crimson figure standing atop a mountain of corpses, surrounded by hellish flames.

Even his ancestor, the great Virtual Immortal of the Xue Family, felt like nothing before that blood-red shadow.

Thud!

Xue Tianyi dropped to his knees in front of the crowd.

Gasps rang out.

"Did Young Master Xue just kneel to Fairy Hong?"

"Is this the new courting strategy?" one female cultivator whispered, covering her mouth.

People pointed and whispered in disbelief.

But Xue Tianyi couldn't hear any of it. He was still lost in the terrifying illusion, his body soaked in cold sweat, eyes wide with fear.

Just then, a furious voice bellowed from behind.

"Useless fool! You've shamed the entire Xue Family!"

The Xue Family Master stormed over, his expression dark.

His voice struck Xue Tianyi like a thunderclap, snapping him back to reality.

He struggled to his feet, trembling. "F-Father, I—"

Smack!

A loud slap echoed through the hall. Xue Tianyi's head snapped to the side, his cheek swelling almost instantly.

"Disgraceful!"

The Xue Family Master's face was full of disappointment.

If he hadn't held back, that slap would've crushed Xue Tianyi entirely.

Across the room, Hong Qianye folded his arms, a mocking smirk on his face.

The Xue Family Master turned toward him and bowed slightly. "Fairy Hong, please forgive my son's behavior. I failed to raise him properly."

Hong Qianye's smile vanished. "I'm not a fairy. I'm a guy."

There was a brief pause before the Family Master forced an awkward laugh. "Ah, Fairy Hong, you truly have a great sense of humor."

"… "

Hong Qianye clenched his jaw to keep from snapping and turned to leave.

At that moment, all he wanted was to grow stronger—strong enough to live like he once had in the Central Region, free to kill anyone who annoyed him.

Unlike now, where he had to play along with other people's stupidity.

The Family Master noticed him leave but didn't stop him. After all, Hong Qianye's master was Ye Junlin, someone even the Xue Family Ancestor had to show respect to. He couldn't afford to make enemies here.

With a cold snort directed at his son, he too left.

Xue Tianyi stood frozen, his expression twisted as he heard the murmurs around him. Rage simmered in his chest, making his entire body tremble.

Damn it... my ancestor is a Virtual Immortal! I'm a direct heir! Why do those two treat me like dirt?!

His hatred for Ye Junlin and Hong Qianye burned hot.

Suppressing his fury, he stormed to another table, grabbed a wine jug, and drank straight from it in front of everyone.

This wasn't ordinary wine. For mortals, even a single drop would destroy their bodies instantly.

"Xue Gongzi, are you alright?" one guest asked cautiously.

"Shh!" his friend hissed. "Don't provoke him now—he's drinking away his humiliation."

Just then, another commotion broke out nearby.

"Hey, what's that?"

All eyes turned.

They saw a petite figure in pink clothing with snow-white skin, clutching a massive gourd as she drank wildly. Her veil had fallen, revealing a fluffy white mouse head.

The sight was almost surreal.

She had the body of a little girl and the head of a mouse. It was... unforgettable, to say the least.

After a long swig, Bai Xiaoxi slumped to the floor, hugging the gourd and blushing slightly from the alcohol. She let out a content burp.

"So good!"

Ye Junlin, watching from a distance, chuckled and sent a voice transmission.

"Little Hong, go get your junior sister."

"Yes, Master," Hong Qianye replied coldly.

He walked over with a stiff expression, cursing the troublesome mouse in his mind.

But then he stopped.

His eyes flicked toward a corner of the hall—where a man in a wide-brimmed hat stood silently, his face worn and weary, his eyes bloodshot.

The man stared intently at Xue Tianyi, radiating a murderous intent that could not be ignored.

This guy... he's like a beast waiting to pounce.

Xue Tianyi downed the rest of his wine and, still unsatisfied, gestured for his subordinates to follow him outside.

The man in the hat silently followed, masking his aura.

Hong Qianye's eyes narrowed.

"Heh. Looks like something interesting is about to happen."

---