Chapter 12: Shattering the Balance
"Let's see about that now..." Ao Shen giggled with his eyes scanning the mysterious maiden.
The girl standing at the corner had a quiet, enchanting beauty. Her long black hair flowed smoothly down her back, and her lavender gown accentuated her graceful figure. Her dark eyes held a soft glow, and her faint smile seemed to brighten the space around her. There was an elegance to her posture, effortlessly drawing attention without the need for words.
A silver bracelet on her wrist glimmered faintly; laughter was soft yet captivating, leaving a lingering warmth in the air. Though she stood among others, her presence felt distant—like a star that is admired from afar, serene and untouchable.
But it seems outside of her beauty, Ao Shen's gaze had taken interest over something deeper within her, "... How amusing." There was a cold, predatory hint over his eyes as he watched that girl.
And Xiao Jun suddenly noticed that look. "An- ancestor??!" he shouted. "Why are you looking at her like that?? You don't plan on pursuing he----!"
"Stupid!" Ao Shen scoffed, "I'm a married man; why would I pursue little girls?"
"Oh? Right, considering your age, you are indeed ancient." Xiao Jun remarked with realisation repeating inside his mind. "So anyways, who is she?" Ao Shen questioned grabbing a glass.
"She?" Xiao Jun seemed a bit confused. "She is Yu Lian; she is from the university as I am. I'm an economics major while she is from medical; she is the most remarkable person in the whole university, good in studies, looks, and background. But someone as insignificant as me didn't have opportunities to meet her..."
"Lacking in opportunities?" Ao Shen's face lit up with a playful smile. "I can provide those."
As Ao Shen said that, Xiao Jun's eyes seem to widen with surprise but he said nothing just standing there quietly like a statue with red face
The party suddenly became lively, and the moment Bai Family Patriarch's attention moved over to his granddaughter, a crowd of people rushed in to greet Ao Shen and Xiao Jun.
"It's a pleasure to meet you! I'm CEO of Sunray Corporation!"
"I'm from the Li family!"
"I'm honoured to make acquaintances!"
"It's nice to meet you! I'm----!"
The whole crowd seemed to be dying to give their greetings; the party ended on a high note as news of the Celestial Ocean Necklace being gifted to Bai Xiyue spread in the whole city, over the mouths of all the big names and the centre of attention of all the big shots in the city, suddenly becoming Ao Shen and Xiao Jun.
The sudden big names that emerged seemingly out of nowhere. As time went on, people left one by one after saying their greetings, and the party finally ended.
"Bai Xiyue..." Bai Family Patriarch addressed his granddaughter as they were riding in a car, on their way back to another one of their manors.
His eyes were captivated by the necklace in her hands. "This Ao Shen, you must be careful not to offend him; stay on his good side."
"I'm not that foolish grandfather, and I don't go along offending people like you and father!" Xiyue scoffed, and as her eyes fell over the necklace, a smile once again lit up on her face.
"Sigh..." The Bai Patriarch just released a deep sigh, and his attention went over to his two sons sitting right in front of him. "Bai Xianyu, just who is this man?"
"Haha, father..." Bai Xianyu laughed a bit awkwardly. "Even I don't know; all I heard at the party was that Ao Shen is a married man.
I did a background check on them, and all I found was Xiao Jun; his nephew has been living like a poor, ordinary university student. Even his family is ordinary. I think Xiao Jun's side people really are just ordinary people."
"Ordinary?" Patriarch scoffed. "A family that can cultivate a Core Formation Realm youngster is ordinary?"
"Co-core Formation Realm?!" not just Bai Xianyu; the whole family seemed taken aback in shock. "Th-that young man?! Xiao Jun?! He is a Core Formation Realm expert?!"
"Hmph!" Bai Patriarch scoffed, "You both are in the Core Formation Realm, yet you can't see through his cultivation; his cultivation depth is way higher than yours. Do you dare say they are ordinary?"
"... I dare not." Bai Xianyu felt like the earth he was familiar with had just shattered and vanished, making him fall into an eternal pit of pitch-black darkness; even Bai Hao and Bai Xiyue were left in a blank daze.
"And as for Ao Shen... Even if he can't see through his cultivation, he is like a creature hidden in a storm..."
"Father??!"
Bai Patriarch's next words left everyone even more stunned. "You all must remain on his good side; all the power balance that has remained in the city till now has all been destroyed tonight by the presence of a single man. Try to be in his good eyes; if you can't... don't be seen by his eyes."
He warned them sternly with a frown; everyone nodded, especially Bai Xiyue. 'Senior Ao Shen is married already; then my only option is Xiao Jun. To think there is someone of the Core Formation Realm in our generation, I must get close to him!'
She seemed to have made up her own mind too; Bai Xiyue herself was nothing less than beautiful as compared to Yu Lian, which Xiao Jun seemed interested in.
Bai Xiyue's beauty was elegant and understated, with almond-shaped eyes, soft lips, and a fair complexion that seemed to glow under the lights. Her long black hair flowed like silk, and the dress she wore traced her slender figure with effortless grace.
She carried herself with quiet charm, her presence subtle yet unforgettable—like the faint scent of orchids. Her gaze, calm and distant, made her seem untouchable, as if she existed just beyond reach, captivating all who looked her way.
With such high standards, she herself was a moon among the stars; if she has made up her mind, then it's only right to consider Xiao Jun's life will be experiencing big changes.