Chapter 973: A Sack Falls From The Sky

Nine Realms.

Yi Feng was feeling quite restless.

He had been in the Nine Realms for so long, yet he had neither found Bai Huang's whereabouts nor any information about Bai Huang's relatives.

This left him in a brief state of confusion, so he wandered around teahouses and taverns—places bustling with chatter—hoping to catch some useful information.

Just then, upstairs, a man in purple was vividly narrating the love story of his master.

A crowd gathered around, listening with great interest.

It wasn't surprising, as Bai Huang had achieved sainthood through the path of love. Thus, anyone in the Nine Realms who walked this path would inevitably be drawn to matters of the heart. Moreover, those who cultivated through the path of love, inspired by the Saint of Love, found their cultivation progressing twice as fast, with their strength soaring rapidly.

Now, the entire Bai Realm was filled with the pink bubbles of romance.

This also meant that Bai Huang's fortune was tied to the word "love." Therefore, anyone who could associate themselves with Bai Huang in matters of the heart—even if it was just boasting—as long as others believed it, could tap into Bai Huang's romantic fortune.

The more people believed, the greater the fortune one could gain.

However, this was a secret known to very few.

Only certain sects from other realms were aware of it.

The Moonview Sect was one of them.

Xu Kaihan, the son of the Moonview Sect's leader, had been boasting everywhere since Bai Huang's ascension, claiming that he was Bai Huang's lover.

At first, no one believed such nonsense. But the Moonview Sect's leader, wanting his son to benefit from Bai Huang's fortune, mobilized the entire sect to spread the rumor far and wide.

As the saying goes, when three people say there's a tiger, you start to believe it.

If one person boasts, no one believes it. If two people boast, doubts arise. But if a whole group boasts, even the most outrageous claims start to gain credibility.

At this moment, the man standing on the second floor held a scroll in his hand.

In the painting, a man with an ethereal aura stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the distant figure of a stunningly beautiful woman, his eyes filled with affection.

The man holding the scroll pointed at the figure in the painting. "This is Xu Kaihan, the son of the Moonview Sect's leader! He is Bai Huang's man!"

Upon hearing that this was Bai Huang's man, gasps of surprise echoed throughout the tavern.

"Is this for real? Are you just bragging?" a passerby couldn't help but shout.

"Look at this celestial figure. Does it seem like I'm bragging?" The man spoke with utmost seriousness, pointing at the woman's back in the painting.

"This is Bai Huang!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire tavern erupted in noise and excitement. Everyone craned their necks, eager to catch a glimpse of Bai Huang.

Even if it was just her back, it was enough to pique everyone's curiosity.

Some used their spiritual senses to scan the painting, detecting a powerful energy emanating from the woman. The painting depicted a man and a woman, with a thick aura of affection between them, hinting at a profound connection.

After this examination, about half of the listeners started to believe the story.

As everyone listened intently, the storyteller's eyebrows twitched, and he continued his vivid narration. "As for how my master met Bai Huang, that's a long story!"

"Long ago, on a certain afternoon, my master was strolling through the forest when he heard the faint sound of a zither. The melody was so soothing, like a clear spring flowing into his heart. He followed the sound."

"After crossing a small stream, he saw a graceful beauty sitting on a rock. Just her back view was enough to captivate anyone's soul!"

The storyteller, holding the scroll, spoke with great enthusiasm, closing his eyes as if he himself had encountered the beauty in the forest.

The murmurs of the crowd rose and fell, as if they had all been transported into the scene the storyteller was describing.

Seeing that the crowd was fully engaged, the man holding the scroll became even more animated, gesticulating wildly as he continued.

"Though the rock was cold, it was smooth and comfortable, not rough at all!"

"Bai Huang lay down on the rock, lifting her jade-like foot to rest on my master's shoulder, while my master leaned down…"

"…"

The crowd listened with rapt attention, even pausing their own actions.

They held their breath, listening intently to every word the storyteller said, afraid to miss even a single detail.

Meanwhile, Yi Feng, who had been looking gloomy, set down his cup.

A glimmer of light shone in his eyes.

"Is the Saint's boyfriend really true?" Yi Feng wondered, stroking his chin. "Could I use him to find this Bai Huang…"

"Ah, Brother Yi, you're still thinking about finding Bai Huang?"

At that moment, a young man with green hair walked over and casually sat down across from Yi Feng.

The young man's name was Chen Dong.

A cultivator at the fifth level of the Tribulation Realm, he had come to the Nine Realms Alliance to join in the excitement of the Saint's awakening. He often frequented the nearby taverns, and over time, he had become acquainted with Yi Feng, who was also there gathering information.

Chen Dong was a helpful fellow.

He had provided Yi Feng with various bits of gossip about Bai Huang, though none of it was particularly useful.

"Brother Yi, I understand your desire to find Bai Huang," Chen Dong said, pouring a cup of wine for Yi Feng. "An innate Saint like her—who wouldn't want to seize some opportunity from her? Not just small figures like us, but even major forces from other realms have come."

"Just think about how fierce the competition is."

"So, I say, Brother Yi, we small figures need to know our place. It's fine to dream, but actually forming a connection with Bai Huang is impossible. Even if there's a chance, it certainly won't fall to us."

"Instead, we might get caught up in some whirlpool and bring trouble upon ourselves."

"In the eyes of the powerful, we're probably less than ants."

Yi Feng smiled.

He knew Chen Dong meant well.

But the truth was, he wasn't here for opportunities—he was here to die.

Compared to competing for opportunities in this grand contest, dying should be much simpler.

However, at the core of it all, he still needed to find Bai Huang.

Watching the man on stage who was still passionately narrating, Yi Feng couldn't help but ask, "Do you think what he's saying is true?"

"It's hard to say," Chen Dong replied. "After all, the Moonview Sect is indeed a major sect from another realm. The sect's young master is a big figure in our eyes, so it's possible he really has a connection with Bai Huang."

Yi Feng nodded thoughtfully.

Then he added, "Brother Chen, as I've said before, if you hear any other news about Bai Huang, be sure to let me know."

"Brother Yi, it seems you're not heeding my advice," Chen Dong sighed. "Even if we small figures find Bai Huang, what good would it do? Would she even glance at us?"

But seeing Yi Feng's determined expression, Chen Dong reluctantly said, "Alright, alright. If I hear anything, I'll let you know."

"But you're paying for this round of drinks, okay?"

"Consider it done," Yi Feng said with a smile.

"Cheers."

"Cheers…"

After the drinks.

Yi Feng hurried home.

To gather information here, he had to set up a residence.

In his heart, he kept thinking about this matter of Bai Huang's boyfriend.

Although he wasn't sure if it was true, it was undoubtedly a lead.

So.

Early the next morning.

Yi Feng left his home and headed to other taverns.

Two days later, Yi Feng rode his horse to several other cities.

After a few days of investigation, Yi Feng's confidence grew.

Because everywhere he went, he heard about Xu Kaihan and his lover.

If it was just one or two places spreading the rumor, it might have been just gossip.

But with the same story circulating in cities thousands of miles apart, it was likely true.

Yi Feng immediately hatched a plan.

The Saint of Love.

She had achieved sainthood through love.

Surely, she would care deeply about her boyfriend, right?

If he kidnapped this Xu fellow, wouldn't Bai Huang come rushing to his rescue?

At the same time.

In a luxurious tavern, a man in white robes stood on the rooftop.

Holding a white fan, he looked elegant and composed as he gazed at the dozens of subordinates kneeling before him. A smile crept onto his lips.

"Good, you've done well."

"Now, the entire Nine Realms Alliance is buzzing with rumors about me and Bai Huang."

"But if this spreads too much, I'm afraid Bai Huang might really come after me. So, I need to lay low for a while."

"However, you must continue spreading the rumors, and with even greater intensity."

"Preferably, add some more explicit details. The juicier the story, the more people will believe it, and the more fortune I'll gain."

"In the future, when I obtain the Saint's fortune, I won't forget your contributions!"

"Yes!"

The subordinates knelt and responded in unison.

"Good!"

The man in white nodded with satisfaction. But given the importance of the matter, he couldn't help but remind them again. "Remember, keep spreading the rumors. Don't stop until I reappear, understand?"

"Understood!"

The subordinates stood up and nodded.

"Dismissed."

The man in white waved his hand, satisfied.

The subordinates immediately scattered in all directions.

"The Saint's fortune is truly a good thing."

Gazing at the distant scenery, the man in white felt particularly pleased.

After spreading the rumors for a short while, he could already feel a hint of fortune beginning to surround him.

Just as he was lost in his beautiful fantasies, an unexpected guest appeared beside him—another man in white robes.

It was Yi Feng.

Yi Feng observed the man before him, who looked exactly like the one in the tavern painting.

This guy was undoubtedly Bai Huang's boyfriend, Xu Kaihan.

Xu Kaihan, noticing Yi Feng's sudden appearance, was momentarily stunned. But he quickly regained his composure, maintaining his usual celestial demeanor.

"May I ask who you are?"

"I'm looking for Bai Huang. I heard you're her lover?" Yi Feng got straight to the point. "Is that correct?"

Hearing Yi Feng's question, Xu Kaihan elegantly adjusted his robe.

"Indeed, I am."

Seeing Xu Kaihan's serious and dignified demeanor, coupled with his polite and refined appearance, Yi Feng nodded solemnly.

This guy was probably the real deal.

But to be thorough, Yi Feng asked one more question. "Still, I'm curious. Bai Huang is a Saint, but you don't seem to be one. How exactly did you two meet?"

"Surely it wasn't just a chance encounter, as the rumors say?"

Yi Feng's gaze was intense as he sought to verify the man's authenticity.

He didn't want to make a mistake.

"Ah, well…"

Yi Feng's question caught Xu Kaihan off guard.

As a fraud, the first thing he would do when questioned was to prove himself.

To do so, Xu Kaihan only hesitated for a moment, masking it well, and quickly responded with a clever twist.

"Of course, it wasn't as simple as the rumors suggest."

"Who is Bai Huang? How could she just commit to me after a chance encounter?"

"To be honest, Bai Huang and I have known each other since childhood. We were childhood sweethearts. I had feelings for her, and she had feelings for me."

"But later, we each took different paths and lost touch for a while."

"It wasn't until we coincidentally met again in the mountains that we rekindled our connection."

"So, our reunion wasn't some romantic chance encounter—it was a natural progression…"

Xu Kaihan explained gently.

As a fraud, he had to maintain the facade of authenticity.

He needed to make his story as seamless as possible to convince his listener.

And indeed, his explanation sounded flawless.

Sure enough.

Yi Feng believed him.

The guy's story was so seamless, it couldn't possibly be made up. It had to be true.

Xu Kaihan was basking in the success of his flawless explanation when a fist came hurtling toward him.

Of course.

Yi Feng held back.

After all, his goal wasn't to kill but to use this guy as bait.

But even with Yi Feng holding back, Xu Kaihan, despite his cultivation, had no time to react. The punch left him seeing stars.

Before he could even ask why, a sack fell from the sky.

Xu Kaihan's world went dark as he passed out.