Mystique Soul: A Cultivator's Flame
Chapter 56

Chapter 56: Chapter 56

Feng Jiao Xue and Liang Feng ignored the whispheres and stares of the crowed as they walked towards the auction, Han Qing silently walking after them, his sharp eyes flickering towards the slightly glimpse of possible threats.

Feng Jiao Xue’s expression was serene despite the stares that followed her. Eyes, cold as ice and plump lips pursed thinly.

The crown prince’s presence at her side was enough to draw attention, his striking features and royal bearing making him the center of every whispered conversation.

As they approached their private booth, a sharp voice cut through the din, laced with venom.

"Well, if it isn’t the Feng clan’s disgrace," sneered Feng Ming, standing near the entrance with a group of sycophants. Hercrimson robes, embroidered with golden phoenixes, shimmered under the chandeliers, but her expression was anything but regal. "What an honor to see you here, Feng Jiao Xue. Did you crawl out of the gutter just for this occasion?"

Feng Jiao Xue paused her gaze steady as she looked at her cousin. Her words were meant to sting, but they bounced off her like pebbles against a shield. Instead of rising to his bait, she tilted her head slightly, her lips curving into a faint smile.

"Feng Ming," she said, her voice calm and unbothered, "If I am the clan’s disgrace, what does it say about you?" cold gaze made Feng Ming subconsciously step back. "When you can’t even win against it’s disgrace?"

Feng Ming reddened in anger at the reminder of her defeat. Glaring venemously towards Feng Jiao Xue.

"Now, now" the third prince, Liang Xian said stepping forward with a practiced smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. Dressed in midnight blue robes that exuded understated elegance, he radiated the charm of a perfect noble. "Let us not bicker in such a public place. After all, we are here to celebrate camaraderie and culture, are we not?"

"Gege~" Feng Ming pouted and looked at Liang Xian, hugging his arms coquetishly.

"Don’t worry, meimei. I won’t let just anyone insult you" The third prince cooaxed, stroking her head lovingly.

Huang Jin De pretended to barf inside the space ring at the ridiculous exchange.

Feng Jiao Xue’s gaze flickered to the third prince. His tone was polished but she caught the subtle condescension in his words. He glanced at Liang Feng his smile widening as he continued "Brother, I see you’ve brought a companion. What an interesting choice." He smiled meaningfully between them. "This is the first time I’ve seen a woman stood beside you. Am I welcoming a new member of the royal family soon?"

Almost every female glared in jealousy at Feng Jiao Xue at that.

The insinuation hung in the air unspoken but clear enough to those who were listening.

Feng Jiao Xue felt Liang Feng tense beside her but before he could respond she stepped forward, her expression an artful blend of innocence and curiosity.

"Your Highness," she said, her voice light and lilting, "it’s such a pleasure to see you again. I must admit I don’t have the fortune to get such a status and blessing" Feng Jiao Xue smiled deeply, her eyes making those who where its focuse feels like being embraced by glaciers. "After all, I think all my blessings where used up in the heavens allowing me to cultivate... Even if it meant being called an unorthodox being, specially by people who haven’t advanced past their ranks for years now... After all, not everyone can say, they’ve been able to cultivate to rank three mere months after the poison was removed."

Feng Jiao Xue replied reminding the crowed of the third prince’s ridiculous performance and how Feng Ming’s mother is still under house arrest under the suspicion that she was the one who poisoned her in the first place.

The crowd stirred whispers spreading like wildfire.

"Wait, the thing about the poison was true? I thought the Feng Clan spread the rumor that Feng Jiao Xue couldn’t cultivate to keep her as their hidden card"

"You wish. I heared from my mother who heared it from the uncle that sell’s candies that Feng Jiao Xue is fed pig food by the clan"

"Have you never wondered why the daughter of two genuises could have turned into a trash?"

"And the third prince" another shaked his head.

"Shhh, don’t say that outloud his still a prince"

"Wait, by that logic, shouldn’t we also keep it hush, hush with members from the Feng Clan"

"Oh please, the Feng Clan is not like other prestigious families. They always prove their integrity through actions and wouldn’t care about lowly nobodies like us."

The third prince’s smile faltered for a fraction of a second before he recovered, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Ah, Lady Feng, ever the quick wit. It’s refreshing, truly. I trust you’ll enjoy the auction. Such events are meant for refined tastes, after all."

"Of course," Feng Jiao Xue replied, dipping her head slightly in a gesture of mock respect. "I’m sure we’ll all find something... valuable."

Liang Feng placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch light but firm. "Shall we, Jiao Xue?" he said, his tone neutral but edged with protectiveness as he subtly glared at his third brother.

They moved past the third prince and Feng Ming, ascending the steps to their private booth. Feng Jiao Xue could feel the weight of eyes on her, but she refused to look back.

Once inside the booth, she let out a soft sigh, her composed facade giving way to a hint of weariness. Liang Feng closed the door behind them, his expression thoughtful.

"You handled that well," he said, taking a seat by the window that overlooked the auction stage. "Liang Xian isn’t worth it. He thrives on subtle provocations. You turned his own game against him."

"He wasn’t afraid of you at all" Feng Jiao Xue noted as she noticed barely anyboy paid attention to him during that interaction.

"Who would care about someone with a step away from the gates to the after life?" LiangFeng waved off. "They don’t put me in their eyes because they believe that the only reason father made me the crown prince is because my mother is the empress."

"...is that so" Feng Jiao Xue mused with a frown but Liang Feng just smoothed his forehead. "Don’t frown, you will look old faster"

Feng Jiao Xue rolled her eyes and swatted his hand for that. "I already look like this. What else can I ruin?"

"Oh please, if you remove the make up. I know for certain you’ll look unmatched in terms of beauty...." The crown prince paused and frowned. "No wait, it’s better this way. Keeps pesky flies away."

Feng Jiao Xue sat across from him, smoothing her robes. "You’re ridiculous" she added with a faint smirk as she saw Feng Ming, the third prince and their entourage sitting on the booth opposite them . "What are your plans then? Now that your not ’A step in at your own grave’? Give them a taste of their own medicine? I actually managed to replicate the poison in your system before if your interested"

Liang Feng chuckled, his usually stern demeanor softening. "You’re dangerous when you want to be Jiao Xue. I almost pity your enemies."

"Almost?" she teased, raising an eyebrow.

"Only almost," he replied, his golden eyes gleaming with amusement. "I’ll enjoy watching them beg for your mercy too much to give more than a dime"

The tension from their earlier encounter began to dissipate as they settled into the comfortable space. The hum of conversation and the occasional burst of laughter from the crowd below filtered into the booth, blending with the faint strains of music played by a hidden orchestra.

As the auctioneer took the stage, the atmosphere shifted. The crowd quieted, their attention focused on the elegantly dressed man who stood beneath the spotlight. The first item was unveiled, a glittering necklace imbued with protective charms, and the bidding began.

Liang Feng leaned forward, his gaze sharp as he surveyed the room. "Stay alert," he murmured to Feng Jiao Xue. "Auctions like this are more than just a place to buy treasures. They’re a stage for power plays and alliances."

She nodded, her eyes scanning the crowd. "I’m aware," she said quietly. "And I have no intention of being outplayed."

As the bids climbed higher, Feng Jiao Xue couldn’t help but notice the calculating looks exchanged between certain individuals. The auction house was a battlefield of its own, where wealth and influence clashed in silent combat.

When the next item was revealed, a famed battle fan known as The Petal’s Blades, a ripple of excitement swept through the room. Feng Jiao Xue’s eyes narrowed as she studied the artifact. Its intricate design and the faint aura of power it emitted spoke of its value, but she remained composed, waiting to see who would make the first move.

Contrary to the icy presence she caries, the weapon carries the aura that reminds those around her with the sence of spring.

Liang Feng glanced at her thinking of buying it for her. "Interested?" he asked.

"Perhaps," she replied, her voice steady. "But only if it’s worth the price."

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