After he left, Qin Ruqing clicked her tongue, saying, “My third sister’s gentle charm is really something most people can’t resist!”

Lu Wei smiled and asked, “Fifth Sister, should we rest now or take a stroll around the city?”

Qin Ruqing grinned, “Of course, we should stroll. We still have something important to do!”

“Hm?” Qi Rong and Lu Wei looked at her, wondering what else needed to be done.

In four days, the families in the city would gather at the Southern Region Celestial Bureau to submit their lists of participants and wait for the head of the bureau to lead them.

“Today, with all the families gathering, it’s time for us to make our official appearance. We must take it seriously!” Qin Ruqing muttered to herself.

She added, “Come on, Third Sister, let me apply your eyeliner.”

Qirong leaned against the doorframe, his lips pressed together, wanting to say something but hesitating.

Qin Ruqing, applying eyeliner to Lu Wei, continued talking as if she could see behind her: “Qirong, I can hear your thoughts even if you don’t speak… Don’t be like Tang Zifeng, mumbling—just say what you mean.”

“Sister, so the important thing you mentioned earlier was buying clothes!”

Yes, their important task was shopping for clothes.

They had spent their time in Zhongxing City visiting clothing and jewelry stores.

Qin Ruqing bought clothes with the intention of wearing them immediately.

Her current outfit was quite flashy, described as “showy” and “flamboyant.”

Not only was she dressed like this, but she was also insisting on dressing up her third sister.

“Does dressing up so beautifully serve any purpose?” Even Qi Rong found himself caught in a high ponytail with a jade crown.

Qin Ruqing didn’t answer.

After finishing Lu Wei’s makeup, she stood back and admired Lu Wei’s appearance, praising her, “Third Sister looks truly beautiful.”

Lu Wei blushed at the compliment.

She stood up, adjusting her skirt.

Today, Qin Ruqing had chosen a light purple dress for her.

Lu Wei was hesitant, “Will this look good?”

Qin Ruqing, crossing her arms confidently, lifted her chin and said, “Ask Qi Rong.”

Qi Rong, somewhat dazed, replied, “Yes, it looks good!”

The truth was, Qi Rong had become somewhat insensitive to the beauty of his sisters because he was so accustomed to it.

Lu Wei pressed her lips together and then laughed softly.

Qin Ruqing rolled her eyes, “I forgot—Qi Rong’s opinion isn’t very reliable.”

“No worries, we’ll see how it looks after we take a stroll.”

So, the three of them left the residence and walked into the streets.

They already attracted a lot of attention, and in such grand outfits, the attention was even more intense.

When they saw a person staring at the two ladies and bumping into a stall, Qi Rong, trying to look fierce, realized his role.

The Qin family had two beauties, and he was their protector!

Qi Rong snorted softly, crossing his arms and adopting a fierce expression.

He succeeded in scaring away those who were sneaking glances.

Upon arriving at the Southern Region’s Celestial Bureau’s Registry, Qin Ruqing and her companions handed over their participation list to the person in charge.

They were then led by the registry staff to join the waiting teams of various families in the back courtyard.

The attendant who had guided them had also led several other family teams before.

However, he seemed a bit uneasy this time for some reason.

Passing through a dim corridor, they stepped into a brightly lit area.

The attendant, a bit nervous, cleared his throat and announced loudly:

“Southern Ridge Silver-Level Qin Family, report to your team!”

The family teams waiting in the spacious open courtyard were bored and eager for new arrivals.

When the announcement came, they looked over with curiosity.

A striking young man with a high ponytail and a jade crown appeared.

His face, though not as sharp as typical male cultivators, had a youthful charm, and he was noticeably tall compared to others in the courtyard.

Although he was tall, he was not bulky. Instead, his shoulders were broad, waist slim, and legs long—essentially, he had a perfectly proportioned figure.

The bored female cultivators in the courtyard, seeing such a handsome young man, were immediately interested and considered striking up a conversation.

However, when the young man turned, revealing two more individuals behind him, the interested female cultivators were abruptly halted in their tracks.

Their faces displayed clear astonishment.

Could they be from the same family? With two such beautiful sisters at home, how could they possibly be interested in her?

The young man turned around and walked slowly down the corridor, followed by two figures—one in gold and one in purple.

As they appeared, the previously lively courtyard fell silent in an instant.

The light of the day seemed to dim, overshadowed by the brilliance of these newcomers.

The woman in purple, with her flowing skirt, seemed to glide like a cloud bathed in the evening glow, descending from the sky.

Her delicate and beautiful features, combined with a serene and benevolent aura, made her look otherworldly.

In contrast, the woman in gold had a style that was hard to describe in words.

Her presence was simply magnificent, a breathtaking beauty that made it hard to breathe.

Just as one is captivated by the splendid clouds in the sky, suddenly a flash of light breaks through, dazzling the eyes and searing the moment into memory.

Even if it hurts to look, one is compelled to open their eyes, tearfully chasing the fleeting beauty.

And thus, they saw those eyes as dark as a cold pond.

Emotionless, aloof, and as proud and cool as heavenly snow, they commanded respect and fear.

The scene of light and clouds was truly unprecedented.

The people in the courtyard watched in awe, some even stunned into silence.

Nearby, Lin Yijun recognized the somewhat familiar yet strange figures and realized who they were, gripping his whip tightly.

He muttered in anger, “This little monster must be using her looks to attract attention and make it easier to deceive and trick people! Hmph, as if deceiving people isn’t enough, now she’s dragging her sister into it!”

He glanced disdainfully at the group of dazed onlookers, feeling even more…

Lin Yijun was infuriated.

It wasn’t that she was angry about the Qin Ruqing looks; it was that her scheme was actually working!

Just look—everyone was only focused on her face.

That was a poisonous black lotus!

The black lotus uses its beauty to deceive, making you think it’s harmless.

But in reality, it can punch through the belly of a Golden Core beast and leave you with nothing but your underpants.

A bunch of fools!

Lin Yijun cursed inwardly, unable to stop tugging at her own hotly traditional West Ridge attire.

It was so frustrating.

She had initially thought that the so-called “immortal attire” from North Ridge and South Ridge was dull, but now, seeing the contrast, her own outfit seemed drab and lackluster.

Lin Yijun stomped her foot and grumbled, “I’ll change clothes when I get back!”

Her gaze fell on a stunned figure.

The person was quite tall and handsome, obviously the genius leader of their West Ridge refining group, but now he was staring blankly at the scene, like a wooden post, unable to snap out of it.

Useless.

Lin Yijun kicked a small stone towards him and sighed.

The person ignored her completely.

Lin Yijun huffed and walked up to the wooden post, waving her hand, “The Qin Ruqing can’t even see you. What’s the point of staring at her?”

The wooden post remained unmoved.

Lin Yijun glared and tried a different approach: “She’ll wipe her behind and head back to Southern Ridge, forgetting you in no time. Do you know how well she’s doing in the Qin family? She’s surrounded by admirers and doesn’t even remember you!”

Lin Yijun had dealt with Qin Ruqing many times and knew that Tang Zifeng used to be with them.

Initially, she thought Tang Zifeng and Qin Ruqing were a pair.

Later, when Qin Ruqing returned to Southern Ridge, Tang Zifeng stayed in the Tang family.

Wasn’t that being abandoned?

As for why Qin Ruqing wasn’t the one abandoned, judging by his current forlorn state, it was clear he had no real prospects.

Lin Yijun’s pointed words finally succeeded in stirring Tang Zifeng’s emotions.

He slowly turned his gaze over with a very indifferent look.

When Lin Yijun shrank her neck from being stared at, Tang Zifeng pushed her aside and said coldly, “You’re in my way.”

Lin Yijun was pushed aside by Tang Zifeng and couldn’t help but huff at his back.

Look at this!

If you can’t even get someone to look at you with such an approach, then I’ve lost!

Is your hand just for show?

If after staring for so long you still can’t get their attention, why not wave your hand to draw their attention?

In Xiling, it’s common for male cultivators to pursue female cultivators shamelessly, even sleeping outside their door for days or weeks is not news.

This guy is so thin-skinned, he hardly seems like a Xiling person.

With these tactics, no wonder he can’t catch Qin Ruqing and ended up being outdone.

On the other side, Qi Rong, playing the role of a protector, finally fully understood what his sister had said when she left after getting dressed in the morning.

She said, “Whether you’re powerful or not is another matter, first use your looks to impress everyone. This is what’s called using beauty to dominate the scene! Some people will think you’re good-looking, while others will just see you as a pretty face. That’s fine. Then, suddenly reveal your strength later. I tell you, the effect will be perfect!”

Qi Rong didn’t dare to ask what the “effect” was.

But if he had asked, Qin Ruqing would have told him it’s all about the family’s image!

Image, image—without looks, can it be called an image? Without strength, can it be called an image? If it doesn’t shock the crowd and make people forget their manners, can it be called an image?

Qin Ruqing thought, today she had to put on an air of high and aloof sophistication! Maintain that cool, goddess persona!

Suddenly, Qi Rong started tugging at her sleeve. “Sister, it’s Brother Tang, he’s looking at us!”

Qin Ruqing turned her gaze and indeed saw Tang Zifeng, whom she hadn’t seen for a while.

Her heart leaped, and she was about to reach out to greet him warmly, but then remembered her persona.

Hold it!

There are so many people here!

Qin Ruqing responded indifferently, “Hmm.”

Ahead, Lin Yijun smugly said to Tang Zifeng, “See, I told you so?”

“Qin Ruqing doesn’t even care about you!”