Chapter 342 Mo Shi
As night falls, Xinlian City is shrouded in a brilliant light, as if it has turned into a dreamlike world.
On the streets, colorful lanterns are hung high, each one is like the brightest star in the night sky, illuminating every corner of the city.
These lanterns have various shapes; some look like blooming flowers, some look like flying phoenixes, and others are painted with various mythological stories. Every detail is lifelike, making the eyes dazzled.
The air was filled with the festive atmosphere, and people's laughter and conversations rose and fell, forming a cheerful symphony.
The children, holding various small lanterns in their hands, excitedly shuttled among the crowd, their faces filled with innocent smiles, adding infinite vitality to the night.
Couples walked hand in hand under the lanterns, their figures appearing even more intimate under the light.
Some young girls and boys stopped in front of the lanterns and made wishes, hoping that these beautiful lanterns could bring them good luck and love.
Vendors set up various stalls on the street, selling various snacks and handicrafts.
Some stalls were filled with candied haws of various flavors, some were roasting fragrant skewers, and others were selling exquisite masks and lanterns.
These delicacies and handicrafts not only attracted the children's attention, but also made adults stop and enjoy the festive delicacies.
On the lake, there are floating lotus-shaped lanterns, swaying gently with the waves, as if the elves in the lake are dancing.
Some couples and families release lanterns by the lake, make a wish, and then gently push the lanterns to the center of the lake, watching them gradually drift away, carrying their wishes and blessings.
The gate of Xinlian City is extremely bustling, as if it is the heart of the city, constantly pumping out vitality and enthusiasm.
There was a bustling crowd at the city gate, some in groups of three or five, some as families, and their faces were filled with anticipation and excitement.
These tourists who come here to see the grand Lantern Festival are all here to witness it. Their steps are hurried, but they carry the lightness of the festival with them.
Among the crowd coming and going, a man and a woman walked in hand in hand, and their figures were particularly eye-catching in the crowd.
The man was wearing a moon-white robe, the hem of which fluttered in the wind, making him look elegant and refined.
The woman was wearing a green dress, the hem of which swayed gently with her steps, like dewdrops on a lotus leaf, fresh and refined.
The man and woman were naturally Xiao Ling and Xun'er who had arrived in Xinlian City.
Xiao Ling has a handsome face, with a calm temperament between his eyebrows, and his eyes are clear, as if he can see through people's hearts. He always has a faint smile on his face, which makes people feel good about him as soon as they meet him, and he exudes a fresh breath.
Xun'er's temperament is like a lotus, elegant and refined, as if she is not stained by dust. Her nobleness is naturally revealed, making people feel that she is unattainable. But when she looked at Xiao Ling beside her, her eyes were full of tenderness, as if all the coldness melted in front of him.
Because of their outstanding temperament and appearance, passers-by at the city gate looked at them sideways and talked about them one after another. The man was elegant and graceful, and the woman was stunningly beautiful. The two of them standing together looked like a pair of immortal lovers.
The men around him all looked at him with envy and a little jealousy when they saw Xiao Ling walking with such a beautiful woman. Their eyes clearly said, "How can this guy be so lucky to be favored by such a beautiful woman?"
"Look, that couple is so well matched, they look like they walked out of a painting."
"Yes, the man is handsome and the woman is absolutely beautiful, they are a perfect match!"
"I guess they must be young masters and young ladies from a big family. Look at their clothes and temperament. They are definitely not ordinary people."
"I don't know whose family that young man belongs to. It must be extraordinary for him to win the heart of such a beautiful woman."
"Humph, what's there to be envious of? Maybe that guy got the favor of the beauty because of his family background."
"Who cares? Today is the Lantern Festival anyway, and it's worth the trip to see such a pleasing sight!"
Listening to the discussions of the people around him, Xiao Ling just raised the corners of his mouth and showed a nonchalant smile. Such envy and jealousy were already commonplace for him.
After all, it would be really strange if having a stunning beauty like Xun'er by his side didn't attract the attention and discussion of others.
Xun'er was also a treasure in the family and was used to all kinds of praise and attention. But when she heard people around her whispering about her relationship with Xiao Ling, although she tried to keep calm on the surface, her heart was still disturbed.
As if sensing Xun'er's subtle emotions, Xiao Ling gently pinched her soft little hand and said in a teasing tone: "My Xun'er is really charming. No matter where she goes, she can attract everyone's attention. Look at those people's eyes, they are almost glued to you."
After hearing this, Xun'er blushed slightly and pretended to be angry and said coquettishly: "Brother Xiao Ling, you are talking nonsense again."
She secretly glanced around. The eyes of those young women seemed to be glued to Xiao Ling, full of enthusiasm. When they looked at her, there was a hint of envy and jealousy in their eyes, as if they could not wait to push her away and take her place.
Xun Er pouted slightly and continued, "Humph, Brother Xiao Ling, don't just talk about me. Look at those girls, their eyes are almost fixed on you. They just want to eat you alive, as if I have become an obstacle in their eyes."
Xiao Ling couldn't help laughing when he heard Xun'er's words. He shook his head gently, his eyes full of doting: "It seems that my Xun'er is not only extremely charming, but also has first-class observation skills. However, those mediocre women can't compare with my Xun'er. I only care about your vision, Xun'er."
As he spoke, he blinked in an exaggerated manner, causing Xun'er to laugh softly.
Xun'er gently patted Xiao Ling's arm, with a smile on her face like a flower blooming in spring: "Brother Xiao Ling, how come you are so good at coaxing girls? Do you often say this to others?"
There was a hint of sarcasm in her words, but her eyes were full of happiness.
"No way, I only say this to Xun'er, no one else gets this treatment..." Xiao Ling pretended to be serious, but his eyes revealed a hint of smile.
Xun'er was amused by his appearance. She shook her head gently, and the smile on her lips became even more intense: "Okay, I believe you..."
The two chatted and laughed as they strolled through the city's scenery. The light of the lanterns cast long silhouettes of their shadows on the street. The lanterns on both sides of the street were like stars in the night sky, embellishing the entire night like a dream.
Wherever they passed, they would always attract envious glances from others, but they did not pay much attention to these glances. The two of them just enjoyed their warm time.
As Xiao Ling and Xun'er strolled, they came to a shop decorated with colorful lanterns.
The shop's front is not big, but the lanterns hanging at the door are extremely attractive. They sway gently in the night breeze, making pleasant bell sounds.
The lights from inside the store shine through the windows onto the street, complementing the lanterns outside, creating a warm and dreamy atmosphere.
The store is filled with all kinds of lanterns, some are exquisite and small, some are gorgeous and grand. Each lantern is unique and makes people want to stop and admire it.
The lanterns hanging on the wall are like stars in the night sky, while the ones placed on the table are like gems scattered on the grass, emitting a soft light.
In such an artistic shop, the owner is an old lady who looks to be in her 50s or 60s. Her hair is already gray, but it is neatly combed and fixed behind her head with a simple wooden hairpin. Although her eyes are a little cloudy, whenever someone enters the shop, her eyes will reveal warmth and enthusiasm.
That old face is full of traces of time, but those wrinkles seem to tell heartwarming stories.
The old lady's clothes were simple and clean, a dark robe embroidered with some simple patterns, which made her look both dignified and kind.
She was holding some materials for making lanterns in her hands, and was repairing or adjusting the lanterns in the store from time to time. Every movement revealed her love and care for these lanterns.
Although in this Dou Qi continent, practicing Dou Qi is everyone's pursuit, this old lady obviously does not have a very high talent for practice. In Xiao Ling's perception, she is just an ordinary Dou Master.
But in this world where strength is respected, she chose to use her hands to create beautiful lanterns to bring joy to people, which is a good pursuit.
Xiao Ling and Xun'er were attracted by the atmosphere of the store and the various lanterns displayed inside, and they couldn't help but stop.
The old woman noticed their arrival, stopped what she was doing, and looked up at the young couple. Her eyes sparkled with a friendly light, and the wrinkles on her face seemed to be smiling, as if welcoming their arrival.
"Haha, two young friends, welcome. My lantern shop has been open in Xinlian City for more than 50 years, and my craftsmanship is pretty good. If you are interested, you may come in and take a look to see if there are any lanterns that suit your taste." The old lady showed a kind smile and greeted them warmly.
After Xiao Ling and Xun'er greeted the old woman with a smile, they walked into the shop and began to check out the various lanterns.
The soft lighting inside the store contrasts sharply with the bright lanterns outside, giving people a warm and peaceful feeling. Their eyes wandered over the various lanterns, each of which was like a work of art, making people want to savor it carefully.
Xun'er's eyes lingered on the lanterns, she was full of curiosity about each one. Xiao Ling accompanied her patiently, his eyes lingered on Xun'er's face from time to time, his eyes full of doting.
The two walked into the store and were attracted by the dazzling array of lanterns. They couldn't help but slow down their pace and chat as they walked. Xun'er's eyes wandered among the many lanterns until her sight was firmly attracted by a lantern in the shape of a green lotus.
This lantern is not ostentatious, but stands out with its exquisite green lotus shape. Each lotus leaf seems to be swaying gently, exuding a fresh and refined temperament.
Xun'er raised her finger and pointed at the blue lotus lamp, and said to Xiao Ling excitedly: "Brother Xiao Ling, look at that blue lotus lamp."
Xiao Ling looked in the direction Xun'er pointed and immediately discovered the uniqueness of the lantern. Its fresh temperament was so similar to Xun'er, as if the lantern existed just for Xun'er.
"It really matches Xun'er's temperament. This lantern seems to be tailor-made for you. Do you like it, Xun'er?" Xiao Ling said with a slight smile.
Xun'er shifted her gaze from the lantern to Xiao Ling and nodded, her eyes full of fondness, the meaning of which was self-evident.
The old woman who was sitting quietly at the side noticed Xun'er's love for the blue lotus lamp, so she came over with a gentle smile and explained softly:
"I have carefully crafted this blue lotus lantern recently. It not only represents purity and elegance, but also has a special meaning in our Heart Chain City. The blue lotus lantern symbolizes the purity and eternity of love. Giving it to your loved one means that your love will be like a lotus, and no matter what it goes through, it will remain pure and flawless and never wither."
The old woman's eyes moved between Xiao Ling and Xun'er, and she said with a hint of smile: "My dear, since your girlfriend likes this lantern so much, this is a good opportunity to express your feelings. Lanterns like this are very rare, and you will miss them if you miss them."
The old woman's teasing made Xun'er's cheeks blush slightly, but her eyes could not hide the joy and anticipation.
"Since this Green Lotus Lamp is so meaningful, of course we have to take it away. Old lady, could you please help us pack it?" Xiao Ling gently held Xun'er's hand and said to the old lady with a smile on his face.
"Okay, okay, it seems that my craftsmanship is not outdated yet. I won't charge you for this blue lotus lamp. Just consider it as my blessing to you two. May your love be like this blue lotus, pure and beautiful, and always blooming with brilliance." After hearing this, the old woman's smile became even brighter, and her words were full of kindness and joy.
As soon as she finished speaking, the old woman reached out for the green lotus lamp, ready to carefully wrap it up for the two of them and seal up this beautiful wish together.
"Haha, I wonder if you could give this Green Lotus Lamp to me. I'm willing to pay 100,000 gold coins for it." At this warm moment, a slightly frivolous voice suddenly broke the silence in the store.
As the words fell, a man slowly walked into the store.
The man walked calmly, dressed in fine clothes, with a hint of pride between his brows. He was obviously a young man of extraordinary family background.
The old woman's hand was suspended in the air, and she looked at the uninvited guest with a hint of embarrassment. Although she was just an ordinary fighting master, her years of experience made her intuitively feel that the person who suddenly interrupted her was not ordinary, and seemed to be hostile. Facing such a person, she knew it was best not to provoke him.
"I have already promised to give the lanterns to these two young people," she said helplessly, turning her eyes to Xiao Ling and Xiao Xun'er, "I can't make the decision on this matter..."
There was a hint of help in her eyes. If the two young men couldn't make the uninvited guest change his mind, she could only listen to him for her own safety.
Xiao Ling frowned slightly. Being interrupted was already very unpleasant, especially at such a warm moment. He glanced coldly at the newcomer, with a hint of displeasure in his tone: "Who are you?"
The man looked young, tall, and handsome enough to rival a woman. But the barely perceptible hostility between his brows made his outstanding appearance look even more gloomy.
"Haha, my name is Mo Ji, I am just a nobody."
He answered easily, but as soon as the name came out, it seemed to carry a subtle chill that made people feel a little oppressive.
As he spoke, Mo Li's gaze lingered on Xiao Ling and Xun'er for a moment. The heat and greed in his eyes flashed by. Although it was concealed well, it was enough for Xiao Ling and Xun'er to catch it.
Seeing this, Xiao Ling couldn't help but frowned slightly. He already had a plan in mind. He would find a place where no one was around and teach that guy a lesson.
He could sense that the man's cultivation had barely reached the Seven Star Dou Zong level. To have such a level of cultivation at this age, his origin must be extraordinary, but since he dared to provoke him, the result was doomed to be bad luck.
If Xiao Ling and Xun'er had not deliberately restrained their auras, this guy, with his Seven-Star Dou Zong cultivation, would never have dared to have any ill intentions.
Xun'er also noticed Mo Li's gaze, but her expression remained calm. She simply disdained this small character and didn't want to waste any more words on him.
Despite this, Xun'er still unconsciously moved closer to Xiao Ling, cleverly using her body to block Mo Qi's occasional gazes, obviously wanting Xiao Ling to deal with the following episode.
Xiao Ling noticed Xun'er's movements. He gently placed his hand on Xun'er's shoulder and gave her a reassuring look.
"We like this blue lotus lantern very much, and the old lady has agreed to give it to us." Xiao Ling's voice was calm, but there was no doubt in his tone, "So, no matter how much money you offer, this lantern will not be sold to you."
A trace of surprise flashed across Mo Qi's face. He obviously didn't expect Xiao Ling to reject him so directly. There was a hint of amusement in his eyes, as if he was amused by Xiao Ling's courage.
The corners of his mouth curled up into a smile, and he said, "Oh? Really? Then I am even more interested. However, I never like to force things. Since you like it so much, I will help you. But I hope to have a chance to make friends with you two, especially this beautiful lady."
After saying that, Mo Qi looked at Xun Er deeply, then turned and left the shop. His figure disappeared in the night, but the cold aura did not dissipate for a long time.
(End of this chapter)