At the clan's grand competition, sitting next to the patriarch, higher than all the elders, her status was naturally not ordinary.
Even though she wore a veil, the beauty revealed between her forehead and brows was enough to glimpse a fraction of her stunning appearance, definitely worthy of being called a beauty that could topple kingdoms.
Among the many Bai Family disciples, the younger ones, if they had a good position to see her, all showed expressions of amazement. Some even had dazed looks, unable to resist licking their dry lips. Original content can be found at NoveI★Fire.net
To those gazes, she responded with nothing but disdain.
Because this woman's background was anything but ordinary.
Meng Yirou, nineteen years old, at the second level of the Out-of-Body stage, was undoubtedly a peerless prodigy of her time!
Moreover, she hailed from one of the three great "Divine Palaces" under the heavens, the "Divine Medical Palace," and was the personal disciple of the palace master, the saintess of the Divine Medical Palace!
The Divine Medical Palace was a transcendent power, a hundred times stronger than the Sunflare Empire!
This saintess of the Divine Medical Palace was currently traveling the world, honing her medical skills. It was said her skills were so exquisite that even the palace master of the Divine Medical Palace felt that at her age, he did not possess such techniques.
As for why she came to the Bai Family... it was due to a connection Bai Qianshan had established years ago, neither deep nor shallow.
He was once a nominal disciple of the Divine Medical Palace, but left after learning medicine for two years. However, the bond of master and disciple still lingered, so she came to visit, coincidentally arriving during the clan's grand competition, and decided to stay and watch.
In terms of seniority, Bai Qianshan had to address Meng Yirou as "Martial Aunt."
"Didn't the Bai patriarch say she lost all her cultivation and was married off? Now it seems she's not the waste you claimed her to be."
Hearing her question, Bai Qianshan was slightly taken aback, unsure how to respond.
Even in her presence, the Bai Family patriarch had to carefully consider his words, ensuring not to offend her in the slightest.
"Uh..." Bai Qianshan hesitated for a moment and said, "Actually, I just wanted her to avoid the rumors within the clan. Marrying her off was impossible. She did lose some cultivation, but it's been healed."
"Is that so..."
A hint of mocking laughter flashed in Meng Yirou's eyes, clearly not believing his words.
Because when she arrived at the Sunflare Empire, she heard about a very unfortunate woman from the Bai Family. Later, she had a pill refining contest with the best medical practitioner in the empire's royal family, narrowly winning. It was then that she was told, with some regret, that the Bai Family woman had been afflicted with the "Devouring True Demon Gu," making it nearly impossible to restore her cultivation.
Of course, this matter had nothing to do with Meng Yirou. At most, she felt a bit of pity, because the "Devouring True Demon Gu" was a treacherous poison, specifically designed to cripple one's cultivation. To treat it, one would need the Star-Moon Divine Water, ranked 11th on the Divine Medicine List, to transform the poison into "medicinal power" for a chance at healing.
But the "Star-Moon Divine Water" was only effective within a day of being refined, so it couldn't be stored. There were very few in the world who could refine it, her master being one, and even for him, it was a painstaking process.
So, aside from feeling sorry for this unseen "prodigy," Meng Yirou could do nothing else.
If it couldn't be saved, it couldn't be saved.
However, the Bai Fei'er she just saw...
Her cultivation was at the seventh level of the Elemental Infant stage.
There was no so-called "loss of cultivation."
Either the poisoning was false, or someone had refined the Star-Moon Divine Water and healed her.
Which possibility was greater?
Moreover, Meng Yirou noticed the sword in her hand, a Sacred Grade Divine Weapon. Even the Sunflare Empire's national treasure was only of Sacred Grade, yet a woman from a noble family had one?
Even the patriarch Bai Qianshan couldn't afford such a fine weapon.
So it must have been given to her by someone.
Or perhaps she had some extraordinary encounter.
Although in this era, the cliché stories of falling off a cliff and finding an immortal's cave were long out of fashion, Meng Yirou suddenly became interested in Bai Fei'er.
If it wasn't an encounter, then who helped her?
"Well... Patriarch, aren't you going to announce the final winner of your clan's grand competition?"
Meng Yirou looked at Bai Qianshan, her eyes flowing with charm, her voice soft and enchanting, as if it carried magic.
Bai Qianshan could only smile bitterly.
Although he didn't know what encounter his daughter had, his shock was no less than that of the other clan members.
Her cultivation was restored, and she had a Sacred Grade Divine Weapon!?
Where did she get it from?
With countless questions in his mind, he announced to the outside, "This year's champion of the clan's grand competition, Bai Fei'er!"
There wasn't much response.
The martial arena was as quiet as could be.
The shock in everyone's hearts was too great, and no one paid much attention to what the patriarch said.
Bai Qianshan watched as two elders carefully lifted the severely injured and unconscious Bai Mei from the arena floor, then turned around to find that the esteemed guest, Meng Yirou, had already disappeared.
...
Bai Fei'er returned to her familiar courtyard.
As soon as she entered, a petite girl rushed over and hugged her tightly.
This was her personal maid, Yan Qing.
"Miss... you scared me to death!"
The little maid cried out, her voice mournful, causing a warm feeling to rise in Bai Fei'er's heart.
"Alright, don't cry, see? I'm safe and sound."
She reached out her slender jade finger, wiping away the tears on Yan Qing's cheeks, and smiled gently.
Yan Qing broke into a smile through her tears, sniffling. She had served Bai Fei'er for a long time and had a good relationship with her. Although her young mistress had a rather arrogant temperament and a sharp tongue, she was a good person at heart. Yan Qing was well cared for by her, and seeing Bai Fei'er being neglected, ostracized, and scorned by the family, then married off like discarded trash, made her very sad.
In fact, as soon as Bai Fei'er left, Bai Mei started causing trouble for her, leaving Yan Qing both frightened and worried.
Bai Fei'er patted Yan Qing's shoulder and smiled, "Alright, stop crying. Help me freshen up and dress up. From now on, no one in the clan will dare to bully you. I'll protect you."
"Mm!"
Yan Qing nodded vigorously.
Her cultivation was low, and she didn't know how her young mistress was doing now, but seeing Bai Fei'er like this, she guessed that the trouble of losing her cultivation had been resolved, so she could be happy too.
However, Bai Fei'er suddenly looked towards the shade of a tree in the courtyard and shouted, "Who's spying on my courtyard!?"
Whoosh!
A gust of wind swept through the shade, carrying a figure down.
Meng Yirou slowly landed, her veil still on, her eyes clear, gazing intently at Bai Fei'er.
"You... who are you?"
Bai Fei'er's eyes narrowed, staring at Meng Yirou, and asked in a deep voice.
"Pardon the intrusion, I am Meng Yirou, the saintess of the Divine Medical Palace."
Meng Yirou smiled sweetly, taking a few steps closer, looking directly into Bai Fei'er's beautiful eyes.
"What!!? You're from the Divine Medical Palace..."
Bai Fei'er's eyes widened in shock, scrutinizing Meng Yirou several times in disbelief.
This woman was actually the saintess of the Divine Medical Palace!