Wang Biyun utterly hated Xu Yi, and her hatred was undisguised, direct, and blatant.
Xu Yi almost instantly sensed the malice emanating from her surroundings.
A hint of displeasure flashed in her eyes, then she quickly suppressed it.
This was a birthday banquet, not a place for bloodshed. Moreover, no matter how much Senior Sister Wang hated her, she wouldn't dare to do anything to her. Why bother with such a petty person with a dark mind?
"Sister, you are so amazing!"
Xu Yi looked down to see Xiao Yi, who had two little buns for hair, looking at her with sparkling, envious eyes.
Xu Yi's fingers itched, and she couldn't help but reach out and pinch Xiao Yi's little buns on her head, smiling, "Thank you, sister. I also think I'm very amazing."
Xiao Yi shyly showed her little teeth and was about to say something more when a furious roar interrupted her.
"Xiao Yi!"
Wang Biyun grabbed Xiao Yi's arm and yanked her back forcefully, gritting her teeth, "Didn't I tell you not to talk to strangers outside, especially some disreputable women?"
Xu Yi: ?
Disreputable women?
Was she talking about her?
Xu Yi's sharp gaze swept over Wang Biyun like a steel blade, and then she smiled thinly, "Are you talking about me?"
The pressure of a cultivator in the Soul Splitting stage was unleashed on Wang Biyun with almost no restraint.
The color drained from Wang Biyun's face at a visible speed, and her body trembled.
The gap in strength finally made her realize that Xu Yi beside her was someone she could not afford to provoke.
"Junior... I dare not."
Wang Biyun lowered her head in shame, her fingernails digging fiercely into her palm again.
Xu Yi snorted lightly, retracted her pressure, and no longer bothered with Wang Biyun, who was like a stray dog.
At this moment, the Old Ancestor of the Jian family also spoke, "I didn't expect these two treasures to both choose fellow cultivator Xu. This luck makes this old man lament his inferiority."
The Old Ancestor of the Jian family attributed everything that had just happened to Xu Yi's luck, giving some comfort to those who did not receive treasures. No one wanted to admit that their talent was inferior to others.
The Old Ancestor of the Jian family appropriately took out the third magical treasure, his expression becoming much more solemn, "When I chose my magical treasures, I hesitated for a long time. In the end, I still chose to present this one. This is a Grade 3 defensive magical treasure, named the Heart-Protecting Lock."
In the tray lay a small lock, less than a fist in size, appearing to be jade yet not jade, and gold yet not gold. Fine chains were attached to both sides of the small lock, making it look very much like a longevity lock worn by mortal children.
"What? This is just a Grade 3 magical treasure?"
"The previous two were Grade 6 magical treasures. The difference is too great."
"Everyone, don't be anxious. Perhaps we should first let Old Ancestor Jian finish speaking. Maybe there's something special about this Heart-Protecting Lock."
"..."
Disappointment flashed in the eyes of many guests, but many others guessed that this item had extraordinary qualities and did not rush to express their opinions.
"Everyone, although this Heart-Protecting Lock is only a Grade 3 magical treasure, it has a unique characteristic: it can level up with its owner. You can refine it in your dantian and nourish it with spiritual energy. It is said that this item can rise to Grade 7 at its highest."
Level up? And to Grade 7?
The guests who had previously lost their enthusiasm now beamed with surprise.
The Jian family was truly generous this time.
After all, among the guests present, apart from Xu Yi, there wasn't a single cultivator holding a Grade 7 magical treasure.
From this, one could tell how precious a Grade 7 magical treasure was.
Moreover, this Grade 7 magical treasure could level up with one's cultivation, so there was no need to worry about being discovered with a hidden treasure and inviting disaster.
The guests rubbed their hands together, their expressions full of eagerness.
Even Wang Biyun, who had been utterly disheartened moments ago, raised her head again, a flicker of anticipation silently blossoming in her heart.
As everyone watched with eager anticipation, the Old Ancestor of the Jian family subtly cast a glance at Xu Yi.
Xu Yi understood and shook her head. The Old Ancestor of the Jian family secretly let out a sigh of relief.
Just now, the two had a silent exchange and confirmed each other's thoughts.
The Old Ancestor of the Jian family once again tossed the Heart-Protecting Lock with a smile.
The Heart-Protecting Lock was only Grade 3, so in theory, it was an inanimate object. However, no one knew what refining materials the artifact refiner who originally forged the Heart-Protecting Lock had added, which allowed the Heart-Protecting Lock to develop a faint sentience.
And it was precisely because of this sentience that the Heart-Protecting Lock could level up with spiritual energy nourishment.
The moment it was thrown out, it rushed towards a predetermined direction almost impatiently.
The flight speed of the Heart-Protecting Lock was not fast, and everyone could clearly see its flight direction. As a result, their eyes were filled with peculiar expressions.
Because the destination of this direction, precisely, was towards Xu Yi.
Could this last magical treasure also be taken by this person named Xu Yi?
Displeasure was already subtly showing on the faces of the crowd.
Even if this was a coincidence, it was hard to accept.
Xu Yi's expression remained unchanged. Her hand, hidden under the table, subtly manipulated the formation disk she held, and an invisible force spread out in front of her.
The Heart-Protecting Lock did not notice the anomaly in front of her. It collided head-on, and then, as if it had hit a smooth and soft object, its direction abruptly shifted, finally falling onto the little buns on Xiao Yi's head.
Xiao Yi was stunned.
Wang Biyun was also stunned.
It was Xu Yi who first curved her lips and said, "Congratulations to this... young fellow cultivator for obtaining the treasure."
Xu Yi had used the formation disk to block the Heart-Protecting Lock, so outsiders couldn't see any clues.
Coupled with the fact that Xu Yi and Xiao Yi were very close, no one would suspect the original intention of the Heart-Protecting Lock.
The Old Ancestor of the Jian family smiled brightly, "It seems this treasure also has a spirit, choosing a young fellow cultivator and wishing to grow with her."
The other guests understood. The Old Ancestor of the Jian family's words were very reasonable. Perhaps this Heart-Protecting Lock had taken a liking to the young age of that little girl. If they had known this earlier, they should have brought their own juniors along.
Xiao Yi, in her daze, raised her hand and took the Heart-Protecting Lock from her hair bun, holding it in her palm, and asked blankly, "Did this little lock choose me?"
"That's right, little sister. It seems you are also very amazing." Xu Yi said with a smile.
Xiao Yi imitated Xu Yi's previous actions and shyly replied, "Thank you. I also think I'm very amazing."
Xu Yi almost burst out laughing.
She had only blocked the Heart-Protecting Lock, but she had not controlled the position where it fell.
For the Heart-Protecting Lock to fall onto Xiao Yi's head meant it was fated to be with Xiao Yi. It was truly providence.
"Senior Sister Wang, look quickly! This is my little lock!"
Having obtained the Heart-Protecting Lock, Xiao Yi couldn't help but show it off to Wang Biyun beside her.
Wang Biyun stared blankly at Xiao Yi's smiling face, her heart churning like a stormy sea.
Xiao Yi was sitting beside her. If she hadn't brought Xiao Yi, this Heart-Protecting Lock would have landed on her.
It was Xiao Yi who blocked her opportunity!
This Heart-Protecting Lock should have been hers!
"Senior Sister Wang..."
A child's perception is extremely keen. After Wang Biyun developed malice towards her, Xiao Yi immediately sensed something was wrong. She withdrew her arm and kept shrinking back, almost bumping into Xu Yi.
Xu Yi's brow furrowed. This Senior Sister Wang wouldn't be so insane as to attack a fellow sect sister, would she?
Is that something a human would do?