Volume One: The Youth Enters the World Chapter 108: Qi Island

Gazing at Mu Qiaoqiao, who looked exceptionally lovely and delicate bathed in the moonlight, Fang Tian spoke softly, "Qiaoqiao, what is it you wish to ask?"

Her eyes rippled with emotion, and parting her delicate lips, she said in earnest, "I want to know how you feel about me."

Fang Tian replied calmly, "Qiaoqiao, I don't quite understand what you mean by that."

"Very well, let me be clearer then. Do you like me?" Mu Qiaoqiao's gaze was unwavering.

This... was far too direct.

A wave of surprise washed over Fang Tian. Did Mu Qiaoqiao truly harbor feelings for him? Caught in a moment of disbelief, he froze.

He had never given such matters any serious thought. All he knew was that he felt comfortable and at ease whenever he was with her.

Yet, he already loved someone else. Even though unresolved grievances still lingered between him and Zhou Xiaodie, his feelings for her were genuine. He could never bring himself to betray those memories or forget the person who defined them.

Mu Qiaoqiao's question placed him in a painful dilemma. He could not bring himself to betray the love in his heart, yet he dreaded the thought of hurting her.

"Qiaoqiao, you know that my heart already belongs to someone else," Fang Tian said, shaking his head. "When you ask me this, I truly do not know how to answer."

"I know," Mu Qiaoqiao said, clenching her hands tightly. "But my own heart demanded that I seek an answer."

Fang Tian closed his eyes, searching for the right words. After a long pause, he opened them and said softly, "Qiaoqiao, I have always regarded you as a dear friend."

"I see. I understand."

Mu Qiaoqiao nodded slightly. Though she maintained a calm facade, her heart trembled violently. Hearing those words, she realized it had all been nothing but her own wishful thinking. She had simply expected too much.

She did not know why she had fallen for the man standing before her, nor could she pinpoint exactly when he had begun to occupy her thoughts day and night. They had not even known each other for long, and it baffled her.

Was it the lingering flutter in her heart from when he saved her? Was it the few days they spent together at sea? Or had it started even earlier, during their spar...?

A flurry of thoughts rushed through her mind in an instant. Her eyes welled with tears, and her expression faltered. Sensing that she was on the verge of losing her composure, Mu Qiaoqiao turned abruptly and walked away. She could not bear to stay a moment longer. Now that she had her answer, the knot in her heart was finally untangled, even if it brought pain.

Watching her figure recede into the distance, Fang Tian's eyes flickered with emotion. He reached out with his mind to speak to Elder Tian.

"Elder Tian, do you think I did the right thing?"

"Right or wrong, who can say?" Elder Tian replied. "But that girl is remarkably forthright. She has the courage to speak her mind."

"But I don't understand how she could feel this way after knowing me for such a short time."

"First love in the spring of youth is always like this. It is only natural. Weren't you and Zhou Xiaodie the same way back in Maple Leaf Town?"

Fang Tian pondered this and realized it made sense. Yet, after his rejection, she would likely treat him as a stranger from now on. A perfectly good friendship had been ruined by his own hands. If he were to be honest, he did harbor some affection for her, but his heavy burdens and worries left him with no choice. Filled with a sense of helplessness, he sighed at how unpredictable life could be.

Glancing at the spiritual array behind him, he no longer had the heart to continue. He erased his traces, sighed softly, and made his way back to the Qingxi Sect.

Upon returning, Fang Tian shut himself inside his quarters. For the next few days, he did not step foot outside, devoting all his time to cultivation.

Four days later, a knock sounded at his door. He stood up and opened it to find Xie Qing. Calculating the days, Fang Tian realized it was time to set out.

"Brother, it's time to go," Xie Qing said. "I came to let you know."

Fang Tian nodded and followed Xie Qing toward the mountain gate. A crowd had already gathered there, and he noticed Mu Qiaoqiao standing quietly in a corner.

Fang Tian walked over and tried to start a conversation. "Qiaoqiao, you're early."

Mu Qiaoqiao acted as though she had not heard him, turning her face away coldly. She clearly had no intention of speaking to him.

Seeing this, Xie Qing covered his mouth and whispered to Fang Tian, "Brother, what happened between you two?"

"It's nothing. She probably just has a lot on her mind," Fang Tian replied with a wry smile, having no intention of revealing the truth.

"Ah, I see," Xie Qing murmured.

A moment later, the Sect Master of the Qingxi Sect approached from the distance, threading through the crowd to stand before them.

He looked over the gathering and announced, "The Hundred Islands Grand Meet is upon us. Since our Greenwood Island is quite far from the venue, we must set out immediately. I will be leading this journey myself. Furthermore, I may not return to the sect after this. I hope that once the Qingxi Sect appoints a new Sect Master, you will remain steadfast and heed their guidance."

"Yes, Sect Master!" the disciples of the Qingxi Sect answered in unison.

"Now, the ten participants representing us at the Grand Meet, step forward. We are ready to depart," the Sect Master commanded.

At his word, Fang Tian and the others stepped out from the crowd and lined up beside him.

Fang Tian glanced at his companions. Aside from the four of them who had been selected recently, there were six other disciples he did not recognize. They were likely chosen internally before his arrival.

Once the Sect Master confirmed everyone was present, he led the ten disciples down the mountain under the watchful eyes of the remaining sect members.

The Sect Master had no intention of bringing extra hands on this journey; doing so would serve little purpose, and it was far better to keep the sect's forces at home. Though several disciples and even some elders had wished to tag along to see the wider world, he had flatly rejected every request.

After traveling for nearly three days from the sect, the group arrived at the docks where the spiritual vessels were moored. Once aboard, they found their seats.

Seeing that the hour had come, the Sect Master ordered the crew to start the vessel while he retired to the cabin to study the sea charts.

With the roar of the spiritual engine, the ship slowly set sail. Before long, it cleared the shores of Greenwood Island and charted a course toward the venue of the Grand Meet.

As day turned to night and the days bled together, Fang Tian spent his time in deep meditation, rarely speaking to anyone. Although his soul force grew much slower than it did when he used the Heaven and Earth Visualization Scroll, it was still progressing. Besides, there was little else to do aboard the ship, so he poured all his energy into his cultivation.

Eight days later, the passengers stood up to look ahead. In the distance, a dense forest of masts belonging to over a hundred spirit ships lay anchored near the shore.

Fang Tian could not help but marvel at the spectacular sight.

Soon, the Sect Master emerged from the cabin and addressed the group. "Ahead lies Qi Island, the host of the Hundred Islands Grand Meet."

"Sect Master," Xie Qing asked curiously, "why is the Grand Meet held here? The island doesn't look very large."

"It only looks small from this distance," the Sect Master replied. "Once we land, you will see that while it cannot compare to Greenwood Island, it is more than spacious enough to host the event. After all, it was once just a deserted islet."

"Ah, I see. I'll have to take a good look around then," Xie Qing said, nodding.

Shortly after, the ship docked, and the group disembarked, ascending a flight of stone steps that led up from the shore.

After walking for a short distance, they came upon a towering archway bearing the inscription "Qi Island." Upon reaching the gates, the Sect Master retrieved a pouch of spirit crystals from his robes and handed it to the guards, granting them entry into the island's interior.

Walking along the bustling streets lined with buildings of all shapes and sizes, Fang Tian felt as though he had stepped into a walled city, with high defensive walls visible in the distance.

The Sect Master had explained to him that this fan-shaped island had been chosen by the great sects specifically for its unique geography, which made it easy to manage. The narrow stone pathway they had just walked was like the handle of the fan, providing access from the shore, while the interior spread out like the leaf of the fan—a vast, oval plain.

It was said that the island had once been named Palm Leaf Fan Island due to its shape, but it was renamed to Qi Island after the major sects designated it as the permanent venue for the Grand Meet.

He also learned that the island remained bustling with activity even after the Grand Meet concluded. It was ruled by an appointed Island Lord, who managed the territory on behalf of the great sects.

Over the years, the Sect Master had visited Qi Island many times. He used these trips to trade resources and report the sect's affairs to his superiors.

In short, Qi Island served as a central hub for trade and communication. Over the years, its existence had made life much easier for the surrounding islands, saving them countless troubles. Many sects had even established highly lucrative businesses here.

As Fang Tian walked, he took in the bustling sights around him. He was deeply impressed that a mere islet could be transformed into a thriving city and a vital trade hub.

After walking for a while, the group arrived at an establishment called the Cloud-Veil Inn. The Sect Master spoke briefly with the attendant at the door and led them inside.

After paying the required spirit crystals at the counter and securing their rooms, the Sect Master turned to address the group. "There are still three days before the Grand Meet begins. You are free to wander during this time, but remember one thing: do not cause trouble. Qi Island is currently teeming with various powerful factions. If you provoke the wrong person, things will get incredibly complicated."

"We understand," the disciples replied, nodding in agreement.

"Very well. I have your room tokens here. Come and take them one by one." The Sect Master held out his hand, presenting the wooden tokens.

The disciples exchanged glances before one stepped forward to claim a token. The rest followed suit, taking their respective wooden tokens from the Sect Master's hand.

Fang Tian looked down at his token. Carved into the wood were the words: *Fourth Floor, Room Twenty-One.*

He wondered if it was a mere coincidence that the room number matched his age exactly.

Once the Sect Master saw that everyone had received a token, he said, "The numbers on your tokens indicate your designated floor and room. You may go up now."

With that, the disciples began to head upstairs to find their rooms. As Fang Tian climbed the stairs, he looked up and marveled at the sheer scale of the inn. It stood nearly seventy feet tall, spanning six floors, with rows of rooms lining the circular corridors. It was several times larger than any inn he had ever seen.

Checking his token, he continued climbing. Upon reaching the fourth floor, he checked the room numbers and followed them down the hall.

The rest of the disciples had also been assigned to the fourth floor, though their room numbers differed. While several of his companions headed down the right corridor, Fang Tian turned to the left.