Three days ago, at the Moon Rhinoceros Lake District.
Located near the largest mountain range in Guang’an County of the Yan Kingdom, named after the vast Moon Rhinoceros Lake.
The lake surface is boundless, shrouded in mist,
while the continuous Dragon Sleep Mountain sprawls by this celestial lake, its peaks resembling ridges and its forests like scales, enveloped in clouds and mist year-round, exuding a majestic aura.
The Xu Family has exclusive claim to this mountain.
Magnificent buildings with jade-like structures are built against the mountain; pavilions and towers stand by the water. Countless forbidden arrays, woven in light and shadow.
This shows the power and influence that make it the foremost family in the Moon Rhinoceros Lake District.
In the Lingyin Sect, they are second only to the families of Bai and Zhao, just lacking a Golden Core True Man, unable to stand on par with Bai and Zhao in the end.
A flying boat traverses the sky.
It lands on the receiving platform within the Xu Family.
A middle-aged man dressed in Xu Family butler attire is already waiting there.
Seeing Mao Qingzhu, he shows little enthusiasm, greeting methodically, "Madam, the journey must have been tiring. The ancestor and all the elders have been waiting in the chamber for a long time."
Mao Qingzhu, used to such things, maintained an indifferent expression. She merely took the hand of the little girl beside her:
"Let’s go."
Xu San glanced at the little girl out of the corner of his eye, noticing her silver hair, feeling some aversion arise in his heart.
Seeing her look around without any manners, he felt even more disdain, thinking she’s a wild girl raised in the countryside, unfamiliar with the ways of the world.
As for Qing Jun, how could she notice others’ cold stares?
She just held tightly to Mao Qingzhu’s hand, her porcelain-like face looking upwards, constantly examining this mansion that’s a thousand times bigger and unbelievably extravagant compared to Luoli Courtyard:
"Aunt Mao! In the future, Qing Jun wants to build a house even prettier than this one and live there with Master, Senior Sister, and Aunt Mao!"
Mao Qingzhu’s eyebrows curved, gently pinching her soft little hand, "Alright, Auntie will wait for that."
Xu San almost couldn’t hold back from laughing out loud.
This wild girl doesn’t know the immensity of the sky and the earth!
Dragon Sleep Mountain is a second-tier spirit vein, overlooking one of the most prosperous markets within the Yan Kingdom, with unparalleled status.
For an average cultivator, being able to reside here is a fortune of three lifetimes, and yet she dares to have such audacious fantasies?
The elder one has no shame.
The younger one is even more of a dreamer.
This mother and daughter duo, indeed, are not fit for the big stage.
"Why are you laughing?"
The little girl squinted her eyes, curiously glancing at Xu San.
Xu San was startled; he was just laughing inwardly, how did this girl know?
Seeing Mao Qingzhu’s displeased gaze, he bowed and explained:
"Miss is so charming and lovable, it brings joy to people’s hearts..."
"Huh? Wicked Master!"
The little girl suddenly understood, clenching her little fist fiercely.
Her master is Taoist Chen!
No wonder Master always smiles at her, he’s been coveting her beauty all along!
She felt she wanted to be angry,
But thinking of Master’s indulgent smile, she just couldn’t muster up the anger.
Xu San couldn’t make sense of it, what on earth is with this wild child?
No matter the topic, she has to bring up her master...
He lowered his head, smiling courteously, "Madam, Miss, this way please. The elders are still waiting."
Mao Qingzhu’s smile faded, her gaze turned slightly cold.
In the end, she would have to meet those old immortals again...
She didn’t say much, nodded, and led Qing Jun to follow behind the butler.
Along the way, pavilions, towers, spirit beasts, and auspicious birds all displayed the Xu Family’s heritage and luxury.
The spiritual qi was even thicker, several times richer than Lisong Valley.
Since arriving at Dragon Sleep Mountain,
though Qing Jun felt reluctant to part with her Master and Senior Sister, she was filled with curiosity about this new beautiful place.
But as they walked,
she unconsciously hugged her small bundle tightly, clutching the bell to prevent it from making any sound.
Everything here was too cold, far from the comforting greenery of Lisong Valley.
Whether it’s the glossy white jade floor beneath her feet or the various gazes from the Xu Family disciples that fell upon her.
Without exception, it unsettled her heart.
She leaned closer to Mao Qingzhu, whispering, "Aunt Mao, why are they all looking at Qing Jun."
Mao Qingzhu noticed Qing Jun’s nervousness, but there was nothing she could do about it.
Bringing Qing Jun back meant she couldn’t avoid attracting the various gazes from many Xu Family members:
"That’s because they like Qing Jun, so they want to look at Qing Jun more."
"Oh. Is that so?"
The little girl blinked, half believing it,
"It feels different though... Master also likes to look at me and Senior Sister, but... his eyes are different."
"That’s because under the heavens, it is Master who loves you the most."
Mao Qingzhu couldn’t bear to let Qing Jun, who had been pampered by Chen Ye since childhood, suffer a grievance.
So she softly comforted the little girl.
Sure enough, although the little girl still had a bit of restraint, the previous unease was gone.
She must not embarrass Master!
The little girl clenched her teeth, straightened her back spiritedly, which made several Xu Family disciples secretly laugh.
"Damn..." The little girl lamented in her heart, "When Master sees Qing Jun straighten her back, he gets very scared... Why aren’t they afraid..."
Only now, Qing Jun began to feel puzzled.
She was just a bit too young, with tender thoughts, not yet able to discern the subtle preference Master harbored in his demeanor.
After walking for who knows how long, the butler finally stopped in front of a majestic hall.
Above the hall doors hung a black plaque with three golden characters written in a flamboyant style: Council Hall.
"Madam, Miss Qing Jun, we have arrived."
The butler bowed, stepping aside.
The two heavy doors of the hall slowly creaked open from the inside at this moment.
The scent of sandalwood, a chill, swept across them.