NOVPUB```
To encounter each other, one must shatter the dimensional barrier with absolute strength.
Xu Zimei could only utilize it on a small scale, but he was trying to expand the dimensional barrier.
To comprehend more of the power of space.
The moon hung over the willow treetops, and a gentle breeze brushed the willows.
A quiet night passed.
The next morning, when Xu Zimei got up for breakfast, he found that other than the shopkeeper, there was no one else inside.
"You sure are leisurely, young master," the shopkeeper said to Xu Zimei with a smile.
"Today, everybody rushed to the south of the city to attend the City Lord’s daughter’s matchmaking ceremony, where she’ll throw the embroidered ball, and yet you’re still leisurely eating your breakfast."
"I haven’t even seen the City Lord’s young miss, so I can’t talk of liking her, what’s the rush," Xu Zimei replied with a smile as he sipped his porridge.
"Whether you’ve seen her or not isn’t important, what matters is the chance to get close to the City Lord, and besides, I heard that the young miss is a beauty," the shopkeeper said with a chuckle.
Xu Zimei smiled and looked down without responding further.
He leisurely finished his breakfast wearing a purple robe, his long hair tied in a bun behind his head.
He strolled toward the south of the city at a leisurely pace.
At this moment, Heaven Illuminating City was rather deserted in all other parts except for the south.
There, however, was almost overwhelmed with people.
Some came to fight for the embroidered ball, while others were purely there for the excitement.
A large group of young scholars dressed neatly and energetically arrived early to secure a good spot.
To describe the crowd there in one sentence: heels nearly touching toes.
Everyone was desperately pushing forward, and no one was willing to step back.
Xu Zimei watched this scene with an amused smile and found a tall tree to the side.
With a leap, he sat on a branch, a flask of wine he brought from the inn in hand, leisurely observing the frantic crowd below. 𝖓𝔬𝔳𝔭𝖚𝖇.𝔠𝔬𝖒
Directly in front was a high stage, several tens of meters long and wide.
It was covered with a red carpet.
At this moment, Xu Zimei watched with great interest as the people fought over a girl, their actions both comical and laughable.
Suddenly, a black-robed youth sprang from a tree below and landed next to Xu Zimei.
Xu Zimei glanced at the youth.
The black-robed youth smiled and said, "I am Liu Changfeng.
Today, the south of the city is overcrowded, and there is no place to stand.
May I share this spot with you for a while?"
"Are you also here to fight for the embroidered ball?" Xu Zimei asked casually and then inquired with curiosity.
"I just heard about it and was curious to come and see," Liu Changfeng replied with a slight shake of his head and a smile.
Xu Zimei sized up the man before him: dressed in a deep black robe, with a particularly profound color.
He wore his long hair down his back.
A curved bow was slung across his back, not an ordinary bow given its pure golden color.
His aura was elusive, carrying a strong fishy smell.
This intense seafood odor reminded Xu Zimei of aquatic creatures.
...…
Meanwhile, on the red carpeted stage, as the surrounding noise grew loud, a middle-aged man slowly walked up.
The middle-aged man wore a bright red robe adorned with a thick beard.
With his bear-like stature and tiger-like energy, his eyes radiated aggression.
The atmosphere around him felt exceptionally heavy.
When he spoke, the whole place fell silent.
"Everyone, quiet down."
As the words of the man in the red robe fell, the noise in the south of the city quieted down considerably.
```
"This is the City Lord of Heaven Illuminating City, Lue Xiongying."
Liu Changfeng said to Xu Zimei with a smile, "You must not be a local."
"How do you know?" Xu Zimei asked with a faint smile.
"Lue Xiongying is a hero of this city, but there’s not a hint of reverence in your eyes when you look at him. It’s very calm, as if you’re looking at a stranger," Liu Changfeng explained with a smile.
"Your eyes betray you; it’s obvious you don’t know him."
"Oh," Xu Zimei said with interest, nodding. "You have a grudge against him, don’t you?"
Upon hearing Xu Zimei’s words, Liu Changfeng paused for a moment, let out a light chuckle, and quietly waited for Xu Zimei to continue.
"Although you’ve hidden it well, some emotions can’t be concealed."
Xu Zimei shook his head and said, "There’s hatred in your eyes, and every time you mention Lue Xiongying’s name, your voice becomes a bit heavier.
It’s clear you hold enmity against this man."
Liu Changfeng fell silent for a long while, eventually turning to look at Xu Zimei earnestly.
In a hoarse voice, he asked, "Tell me, do self-directed heroes count as heroes?"
"Why wouldn’t they?" Xu Zimei countered.
"As long as most people are deceived to their core and can’t touch the truth of the matter.
If most people think he’s a hero, then he is a hero."
Hearing Xu Zimei’s words, Liu Changfeng was silent for a long time, his gaze fixated on a spot in the distance.
His expression was impassive, and it was unclear what he was thinking.
...…
Meanwhile, on the high platform at that moment, Lue Xiongying looked at the crowd with high spirits.
With a face flushed with excitement, he said, "I am very grateful to everyone for coming here today, to attend my daughter’s ’Throwing the Embroidered Ball’ marriage event.
Although this act might seem absurd, it is my daughter’s own wish, and as her father, I naturally hope she is happy."
Lue Xiongying smiled and continued, "I won’t say much more.
Let’s simply go over the rules, then. The participant’s age must not exceed twenty-five.
Those without disabilities or diseases may partake.
For this event, whoever catches the embroidered ball is the lucky man.
No grabbing or creating chaos is allowed.
Otherwise, severe punishment will be meted out."
As Lue Xiongying finished speaking, he waved towards the back of the high platform and said with a smile, "Qingqing, come out too."
Then, the screen at the back of the stage was opened, and a woman dressed in a blue skirt gracefully walked out.
The blue skirt, seemingly made of ’Washing Silk Veil’, had an ethereal beauty that was partly hidden and partly visible.
In this haziness, her slim and graceful figure was accentuated.
A head of black, shiny hair flowed down from behind her, embodying an indescribable charm.
Her face was covered with a thin veil made of ’Washing Silk Veil’.
The spring flowers and autumn moon often praised by poets now seemed colorless beneath the dimpled smile that peeked through her veil.
"Clothed in cloud and garbed in floral grace, swept by spring breezes revealing dew-kissed radiance."
...
The moment this woman appeared, there was a sudden silence on-site.
Then, after this silence, came an overwhelming cheer.
Although her full appearance was obscured by the veil, the people could still sense that she was a true beauty.
Lue Xiongying nodded to Lue Qingqing and handed her a big red embroidered ball.
Lue Qingqing also nodded slightly, then turned her back to everyone present.
With her back to all attendees, she threw the embroidered ball high into the crowd.
This little embroidered ball seemed to wield a special kind of ’Demonic Skills’, tugging at countless people’s hearts.
"The embroidered ball is coming down—it’s mine!" someone in the crowd shouted.
