Chapter 101: A Visit

After walking for only a short while, Su Yi arrived at Maya’s residence. Once his presence was announced, he proceeded directly into the main hall. As he entered, he saw Maya, as usual, lounging lazily on a fragrant wooden chair, her fiery red robe draped casually over her shoulders. Although the robe obscured part of her figure, her alluring form still drew the eye irresistibly, stirring a restlessness within the heart.

The only thing different about Maya today was the letter she held in her hand. Both the letter and Maya’s hand were so pale that, at a glance, it was hard to distinguish where one ended and the other began. Su Yi’s gaze shifted to her delicate face, only to be surprised by the faint trace of worry clouding her features.

Su Yi was deeply astonished. He knew that Maya had always been indifferent to the auction house’s affairs and seemed never to write or receive correspondence. For her to sit here, gravely reading a letter, was so out of character that he felt strangely unsettled.

What baffled Su Yi even more was the obvious unease on Maya’s face as she read the letter; it was clear that whatever troubled her lay within those words. But what could possibly cause the always composed and unflappable Maya to reveal such concern? Su Yi had followed Maya in Changling City for nearly three years, during which time they had encountered many events, yet never had he seen Maya show the slightest negative emotion.

Even when facing the intimidating heads of the three great families, Maya had always met them with laughter and composure, never betraying a hint of fear. Not to mention her past exploits, Maya now was a peak Rank Ten Dragon Fighter, an invincible presence in Changling City. What, then, could unnerve someone like her?

Could the Auburn family have made a move against the auction house? The thought flashed through Su Yi’s mind, but he immediately dismissed it as absurd. Even if Auburn Shan had lost his senses and decided to act now, the three great families combined would be no match for Maya; she could annihilate them effortlessly.

Such is the effect of overwhelming strength. Su Yi had always possessed some measure of power, but never imagined he could, alone, command the respect of an entire auction house in so short a time. Yet Maya had done so before his very eyes. To see this woman he admired so much display such an uncharacteristic expression made Su Yi all the more curious about the letter’s contents. He glanced at Mo Ben, standing silently by, whose expression, though calm, betrayed a subtle tension.

Maya, noticing Su Yi’s entrance, shifted her gaze minutely and sighed softly. With a flick of her wrist, a stream of fighting energy surged from her palm, instantly engulfing the letter. In a moment, the paper disintegrated into countless fine particles, vanishing into the air like dust.

Afterward, Maya raised her slender hand again, sending out a gentle thread of fighting energy that wrapped around a porcelain teacup on a nearby sandalwood table. With a slight motion of her fingers, the strand contracted and curved, lifting the cup filled with tea through the air and depositing it steadily into her hand.

Witnessing this display, Su Yi’s eyes lit up. Such refined control of fighting energy was no easy feat; raw strength alone could never accomplish this. To manipulate a teacup as one might a ping-pong ball, yet without breaking it—this required extraordinary skill.

Maya brought the cup gracefully to her lips, taking a delicate sip. The movement of her smooth neck and rising chest was especially captivating. Su Yi quickly averted his gaze and asked tentatively, “Sister Maya, has something happened?”

“It’s nothing, really.” Maya sighed again, set down her cup, and brushed a lock of hair from her forehead. “I just received some news I would rather not have seen.”

Her evasive reply left Su Yi feeling frustrated and helpless. He wished to press further, but seeing Maya’s reluctance, he could only hold his tongue.

A moment later, Maya composed herself and her expression returned to its usual calm. She looked at Su Yi with a gentle smile. “Su Yi, have you heard about the new captain of the guard?”

“Yes… I have.” Su Yi nodded. “I just ran into Duan Shi and the others; he mentioned it.”

Maya smiled meaningfully. “Di Yuan is still at the auction house. You don’t mind, do you?”

Su Yi shook his head. “To be honest, I’d rather not see Di Yuan at the auction house, but you already know I’ll be leaving soon. Even if he stays, I doubt he can stir up much trouble.”

“Speaking of your departure, Uncle Mo Ben has told me about it,” Maya said, her beautiful eyes revealing genuine concern. “Su Yi, are you truly set on leaving Changling City?”

Su Yi didn’t answer immediately, but slowly nodded.

Seeing this, Maya lowered her gaze in thought before saying quietly, “Perhaps it’s for the best. This way, if the Auburn family tries to cause you trouble again in the future…”

Su Yi was puzzled. With Maya’s current influence, even if he remained in Changling City, the Auburn family wouldn’t dare act openly against him. At the martial tournament, Maya had overshadowed everyone, and the heads of the three great families had proven powerless before her. Who would dare provoke Maya now?

He glanced at Mo Ben, whose expression showed only calm acquiescence. Su Yi was more confused than ever. As his mind churned with unanswered questions, a graceful maid approached the hall and bowed respectfully to Maya. “Miss Maya, there is an elder outside who calls himself Mr. Zuo. He wishes to pay his respects to you…”

Su Yi’s mind raced. An elder named Zuo? Could this be the one who was so highly regarded by Lord Chatt at yesterday’s tournament?

Maya’s brows lifted in surprise. “He’s here already? Please, show him in at once—”

Before she could finish, a robust, powerful voice echoed from outside the hall, cutting her off. “Ha ha, Miss Maya, we meet again…”

As the words faded, the figure of an old man gradually appeared in the hall. Sure enough, it was the mysterious Mr. Zuo from the previous day!

At his appearance, a sharp glint flashed in the eyes of both Maya and Mo Ben, vanishing as quickly as it came. Maya sat up a little straighter and waved to dismiss the maid. She smiled faintly. “I didn’t expect you to arrive so soon, honored elder.”

“Not at all,” the old man replied with an easy smile, seemingly unaware of any hidden meaning in Maya’s words. “Were it not for your prior instructions, Miss Maya, I doubt I’d have made it here so smoothly…”

Indeed, while the auction house’s guards and staff knew this elder was no ordinary visitor and that Maya was expecting him, they would not have allowed him to wander freely had it not been for her explicit orders.

“Elder, you flatter me. With your status, how could we subject you to questioning or make you wait at the door?” Maya said graciously.

The old man chuckled, “Miss Maya, you are as clever as ever. Allow me to introduce myself: My surname is Zuo, my given name Yuan. I am an instructor at the Academy of Martial Energy.”

Zuo Yuan? An instructor at the Academy of Martial Energy? At this revelation, Mo Ben, Maya, and Su Yi were all taken aback. They had not expected this elder to hail from the famed Academy of Martial Energy!

For anyone who cultivated martial energy, entering the Academy was a dream. Its outstanding students were courted by powers great and small, their futures bright and promising. Because of this, the Academy had long ceased sending recruiters to the various empires.

Those wishing to join had to go to the Academy themselves for qualification tests, and each selection brought crowds in droves. The competition was fierce, and the standards high; many were turned away at the gates.

This only made the Academy’s reputation all the greater. Many noble youths took pride in being admitted, and each year the number of hopefuls grew. But since the Academy no longer recruited directly, what was an instructor like Zuo Yuan doing here in the Gran Empire?

What was his purpose?

(End of Chapter 101: “A Visit.” Please support the story with flowers and your encouragement!)