The First Summoner - Chapter 57

Feng Xingyao’s gaze was calm, yet edged with a chilling sharpness. He smiled, wild and unrestrained.

“What do you think?”

Shen Yan fell silent for a moment.

“I can stay out, but you must promise that the space won’t be damaged.”

“Very well.” Feng Xingyao nodded.

“Mmph, mmph…”

Ninefold struggled to speak beneath his hand.

Feng Xingyao lowered his eyes and smiled as he sent them a private voice transmission. “You know what you can and can’t say, don’t you? If you tell her, this lord will destroy you.”

Ninefold shuddered, terror in their eyes.

“I won’t! I won’t say anything!”

Shen Yan observed their exchange, then fixed her gaze on Feng Xingyao.

He was mysterious and dangerous.

At that moment, he looked back at her. Their gazes met, and an indescribable tension formed between them.

Neither spoke.

…

Shen Yan soon left the ability space.

It was late at night. The Xuanwu Kingdom auction would begin tomorrow.

She needed to buy medicinal pills for protection. If possible, she also wanted pill formulas so she could learn to refine them herself.

She sat cross-legged on the bed and began cultivating.

Early the next morning, she rose, washed up quickly, and left the inn with Hongri, Yinyue, and Tan Zhuang.

She had rarely explored since arriving in this world, so before the auction began, she intended to familiarize herself with the surroundings.

Xuanwu Kingdom’s imperial capital was even livelier today. Restaurants, teahouses, shops, and inns filled the city.

As they walked down the street, Hongri eagerly pointed out everything she found interesting.

Then—

A familiar voice called out.

“Yanyan! Over here!”

Shen Yan looked up. At a second-floor window of a nearby restaurant, a pretty girl with two braids leaned halfway outside and waved excitedly.

It was Jiang Xianyue.

Her shout attracted considerable attention. People followed her gaze and saw a beautiful young woman in a pale-purple dress. Some recognized Shen Yan; others wondered who she was.

Shen Yan met Jiang Xianyue’s eyes and gave her a slight nod, making the other girl’s smile brighten further.

She headed toward the restaurant.

Hongri asked curiously, “Miss, isn’t that the genius Jiang Xianyue? You know her?”

“I do.”

Shen Yan offered no further explanation.

Jiang Xianyue greeted them as soon as they entered.

“Yanyan, did you come to Xuanwu Kingdom to find me?”

“No.”

Jiang Xianyue did not know whether to laugh or cry. She sighed resentfully. “You could at least humor me.”

“Come. Let’s go to our private room first.”

She caught Shen Yan by the wrist and pulled her upstairs before Shen Yan could respond.

Hongri, Yinyue, and Tan Zhuang hurried after them.

Outside the private room, all three chose to remain on guard rather than enter someone else’s territory.

Tan Zhuang reminded her carefully, “Yanyan, call for Uncle Dazhuang if anything happens.”

Shen Yan smiled. “All right. Thank you, Uncle Zhuang. If you’re hungry, order something. It’s my treat.”

Jiang Xianyue clicked her tongue. “What do you mean, your treat? I, Jiang Xianyue, will pay. Order anything you want. Put today’s entire bill under my name.”

“Thank you, Miss Jiang.”

…

One other person sat inside the private room.

The elderly woman wore a dark robe. Her hair was white but impeccably combed, and she appeared both vigorous and kindly. She smiled when she saw Shen Yan.

“Yue’er, is this the friend you mentioned to Grandmother?”

“Yes, Grandmother. This is Shen Yan from Nanxiao Kingdom.” Beaming, Jiang Xianyue introduced them. “This is my grandmother, Gan Shuyan, the current matriarch of the Jiang family.”

Shen Yan offered a polite cupped-fist salute. “Greetings, Senior Gan.”

Gan Shuyan chuckled. “If you’re Yue’er’s friend, call me Grandmother Gan.”

“Exactly. There’s no need for ceremony.” Jiang Xianyue pulled Shen Yan into a seat.

Gan Shuyan studied Shen Yan with slightly clouded eyes. A smile soon appeared on her face.

“Girl Yan, I’ve heard about what you endured. Now that I’ve met you, I find you’re far better than I imagined. Your eyes resemble your father’s—resolute and decisive.”

“Grandmother Gan, have you met my father?”

“Twenty years ago, your father was a heaven-favored prodigy who overwhelmed every genius in the Pingze Western Region. Of course I’d met him.”

Complicated emotions rose within Shen Yan.

Gan Shuyan smiled. “Girl Yan, my Yue’er rarely speaks to me about her peers, but you are one of them. I can see she genuinely likes you. Grandmother hopes the two of you will get along and become true confidantes.”

Shen Yan did not dare agree lightly.

Such a relationship carried too much weight.

Jiang Xianyue teased, “Grandmother, why put so much pressure on her the moment you meet? If Yanyan were a man, wouldn’t it sound as though you were trying to marry me off to him?”

Gan Shuyan laughed and seemed to realize her mistake. She quickly apologized.

“Girl Yan, that was my fault. Don’t take my words to heart.”

Shen Yan nodded. “All right.”

Using serving chopsticks, Jiang Xianyue placed a spare rib in Shen Yan’s bowl.

“Yanyan, why did you come to Xuanwu Kingdom this time?”

Shen Yan did not conceal it. “I want to visit the auction.”

“What a coincidence!” Jiang Xianyue’s eyes curved with delight. She immediately turned to her grandmother. “You don’t need to accompany me anymore, Grandmother. I’ll go with Yanyan.”

Gan Shuyan gazed at her indulgently and sighed. “You heartless little thing. Very well. Grandmother will enjoy the leisure.”

The three chatted for a while.

Shen Yan could tell that Jiang Xianyue and her grandmother genuinely shared a close bond. Gan Shuyan tested Shen Yan repeatedly only to protect her granddaughter from a friend’s betrayal.

Gan Shuyan also recognized that the friendship survived entirely through her granddaughter’s initiative.

She shook her head inwardly.

Shen Yan seemed aloof and emotionally detached. Few people, if any, could truly enter her heart. If Yue’er stopped reaching out, this shallow friendship would likely remain forever where it was.

But if Yue’er did reach Shen Yan’s heart, Shen Yan would undoubtedly treat her as someone of great importance.