， xiè xiè shào yé diǎn xǐng ， nín shuō de ， chù ér xīn zhōng yǒu shù ， jué bú huì gěi chì áo lín de 。 wǒ yě zhī dào yún zhōu cáng lóng wò hǔ ， suǒ yǐ jiāng xīn ér liú zài yōu zhōu ， zhè yàng yī lái ， jí shǐ yī jiù shì yōu zhōu de bà zhǔ 。” shào nǚ de liǎn shàng mǎn shì gōng jìng zhī sè ， dàn yǔ qì què shí fēn jiān dìng de kāi kǒu 。
，谢谢少爷点醒，您说的，矗儿心中有数，绝不会给翅翱淋的。我也知道云州藏龙卧虎，所以将芯儿留在幽州，这样一来，即使依旧是幽州的霸主。”少女的脸上满是恭敬之色，但语气却十分坚定的开口。
, Thank you, Young Master, for reminding me. What you said is clear in my heart; I will never let it happen to Wing Ao Lin. I also know that Yunzhou is full of hidden talents and treasures, so leaving Xin'er in Youzhou ensures her safety even if she remains the dominant force there."
“ ń 。” lín xuān diǎn le diǎn tóu ：“ mí duì kùn nán yǒu xīn lǐ zhǔn bèi jiù hǎo 。 zǒng zhī yī qiè ān quán wèi shàng ， wǒ míng lǐ suī rán bù néng tí gōng bì hù ， dàn àn dì lǐ hái shì kě yǐ chū shǒu ， rú guǒ zhēn yù jiàn shén me zhòng dà de wēi xiǎn yě bù yòng yìng káng ， fēn tán huǐ le jiù huǐ le ， wǒ kě bù xiǎng kàn jiàn yíng ér mí chū shén me shì de 。” lín xuān wēi xiào zhe shuō 。 tā duì dí zhī shí ， gù rán lěng xuè là shǒu ， dàn duì zì jǐ rén ， què xiàng lái wéi hù ， zhè yě shì wèi shén me ， lù yíng ér yǔ liú xīn bǎi nián lái yì zhí zhōng xīn gěng gěng ， kě bù jǐn jǐn shì yīn wèi nà yī zhǐ xuè qì de yuán gù 。
“嗯。”林轩点了点头：“弥对困难有心理准备就好。总之一切安全为上，我明里虽然不能提供庇护，但暗地里还是可以出手，如果真遇见什么重大的危险也不用硬扛，分坛毁了就毁了，我可不想看见盈儿弥出什么事的。”林轩微笑着说。他对敌之时，固然冷血辣手，但对自己人，却向来维护，这也是为什么，陆盈儿与刘芯百年来一直忠心耿耿，可不仅仅是因为那一纸血契的缘故。
The young lady's face was filled with respect, but her tone was firm as she spoke.
“ shì xiǎo bì zhī dào le 。” lù yíng ér shí fēn gǎn jī de kāi kǒu 。
“是小婢知道了。”陆盈儿十分感激的开口。
"Mmm," Lin Xuan nodded. "It’s good to have a psychological preparation for difficulties. In any case, safety is paramount. Even though I can’t provide overt protection, I can still intervene in secret if there’s an actual major danger. If the branch temple is destroyed, it’s fine; I don't want anything to happen to Ying'er."
“ lìng wài chēng lái dào cǐ chù ， xiǎng bì yě shì xiǎng yào cān jiā bàn yuè hòu kāi mù de tiān yún jiāo yì huì le
“另外称来到此处，想必也是想要参加半月后开幕的天云交易会了
Lin Xuan smiled softly. He was cold and ruthless when facing enemies but always protected his own people. This was why Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin had remained loyal for a century not just because of their blood pact.
“ ń lù yíng ér diǎn le diǎn tóu ：“ qí shí xiǎo bì shì jiē dào yāo qǐng 。”
“嗯陆盈儿点了点头：“其实小婢是接到邀请。”
"It's true, Young Master," Lu Ying'er said gratefully.
“ yāo qǐng ？” lín xuān yī dāi ， biǎo qíng yǒu xiē gǔ guài 。
“邀请？”林轩一呆，表情有些古怪。
"Additionally, coming here must be to attend the Sky Cloud Trade Fair that opens in half a month."
lù yíng ér xiào le xiào ， wěi wěi jiǎng shù le qǐ lái ：“ kàn lái shào yé duì yú tiān yún jiāo yì huì de lái lóng bēn mài ， bìng bú shì hěn qīng chǔ 。”
陆盈儿笑了笑，娓娓讲述了起来：“看来少爷对于天云交易会的来龙奔脉，并不是很清楚。”
"Mmm," Lu Ying'er nodded. "Actually, I received an invitation."
“ ó ， shuō shuō 。” lín xuān liǎn shàng lù chū gǎn xìng qù zhī sè ， tā zhè yī lù shàng ， jǐn jǐn shì dào tīng tú shuō 。 yú jù tǐ de qíng xíng ， què shí bù zěn me qīng chǔ 。
“哦，说说。”林轩脸上露出感兴趣之色，他这一路上，仅仅是道听途说。于具体的情形，确实不怎么清楚。
"An invitation?" Lin Xuan was taken aback and looked puzzled.
“ zhè tiān yún jiāo yì huì jù shuō shì cóng shàng gǔ shí qī jiù kāi shǐ le ， zuì xiān ， hǎo xiàng shì yóu yī shén mì jiā zú xīn ，”
“这天云交易会据说是从上古时期就开始了，最先，好像是由一神秘家族心，”
Lu Ying'er smiled and began to explain: "It seems Young Master is not very familiar with the history of the Sky Cloud Trade Fair."
lín xuān tīng dào cǐ chù ， xīn zhōng yī lǐn ， yóu yī jiā zú qǐ ， néng yǒu zhè yàng de hào zhào lì ， nán dào shì tiān zhōu luó jiā de xiān zǔ ？
林轩听到此处，心中一凛，由一家族起，能有这样的号召力，难道是天州罗家的先祖？
"Oh, tell me about it," Lin Xuan's face showed interest. He had only heard rumors along his journey; he knew little about the specifics.
“ shào yé ， nǐ zěn me le ？” lù yíng ér guān qiè de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ 。
“少爷，你怎么了？”陆盈儿关切的声音传入耳朵。
"The Sky Cloud Trade Fair supposedly started in ancient times. Initially, it was initiated by a mysterious family,"
“ méi shén me ， chēng jì xù shuō
“没什么，称继续说
Lin Xuan felt a chill as he heard this. Could it be that the ancestor of Luo Family from Tianzhou?
“ ó 。” suī rán yǒu xiē hào qí ， dàn lù yíng ér què guāi qiǎo de méi yǒu zhuī wèn xià qù ， yīng chún wēi qǐ ， jì xù wěi wěi xù shù zì jǐ zhī dào de shì 。
“哦。”虽然有些好奇，但陆盈儿却乖巧的没有追问下去，樱唇微启，继续娓娓叙述自己知道的事。
"Young Master, what’s wrong?" Lu Ying'er asked with concern.
yǔ cǐ tóng shí ， jù lí cǐ qiān wàn lǐ zhī yáo ， yī fēng jǐng yōu yǎ de bǎo shān zhī zhōng 。
与此同时，距离此千万里之遥，一风景幽雅的宝山之中。
"Nothing, continue."
yī míng xiū shì pán xī ér zuò ， tā de páng biān ， zhàn zhe yī míng xū jiē bái de lǎo zhě ， cǐ rén nián líng suī rán hěn dà ， què tóng yán hè ， chuān zhe yī xī qīng páo ， qì dù yōu yǎ ， shēn shàng de fǎ lì suī rán shōu liǎn le ， dàn yī jiù ràng rén jīng xīn chù mù ， jū rán shì yī wèi yuán yīng hòu qī de xiū xiān zhě 。
一名修士盘膝而坐，他的旁边，站着一名须皆白的老者，此人年龄虽然很大，却童颜鹤，穿着一夕青袍，气度优雅，身上的法力虽然收敛了，但依旧让人惊心触目，居然是一位元婴后期的修仙者。
"Oh." Despite her curiosity, Lu Ying'er obediently continued to narrate what she knew.
rú guǒ hái yǒu bié de xiū shì lái dào zhè lǐ ， kěn dìng huì dào xī yī kǒu liáng qì ， yīn wèi zhè lǎo rén míng jiào “ qīng lián jū shì ” bù jǐn xiū wèi ràng rén táng mù jié shé 。 shēn fèn gèng shì zūn guì dào le jí chù 。
如果还有别的修士来到这里，肯定会倒吸一口凉气，因为这老人名叫“青莲居士”不仅修为让人膛目结舌。身份更是尊贵到了极处。
Meanwhile, thousands of miles away in a scenic mountain, an immortal sat cross-legged. Beside him stood an elderly man with completely white hair. Although he was old, his face remained youthful and rosy. Wearing a simple green robe, he exuded elegance. Though his power was concealed, it still left people awestruck; he was an advanced-stage Immortal.
tā shì sōng fēng shū yuàn de yuàn zhǔ 。
他是松风书院的院主。
If any other immortals had been present, they would have drawn in their breaths in surprise because the old man was known as "Qinglian Hermit." His cultivation and status were beyond description.
sōng fēng shū yuàn ， tīng míng zì méi yǒu shén me liǎo bù qǐ ， kě què wèi jū yún zhōu qī dà shì lì ， gāo shǒu rú yún ， dāng rán ， shū yuàn nèi dà duō shì rú mén de xiū xiān zhě 。
松风书院，听名字没有什么了不起，可却位居云州七大势力，高手如云，当然，书院内大多是儒门的修仙者。
He was the head of Songfeng Academy.
kě yǐ háo bù kuā zhāng de shuō ， zhè wèi qīng lián jū shì duò yī duò jiǎo ， tiān yún shí èr zhōu duō shǎo yě huì chàn yī chàn de ， rán ér jiù shì zhè me yī wèi ràng zhòng xiū shì yǎng mù de rén wù ， bǎo xué hóng rú ， cǐ fāng què shù shǒu ér lì ， liǎn shàng de cì qíng gōng jìng wú bǐ 。
可以毫不夸张的说，这位青莲居士跺一跺脚，天云十二州多少也会颤一颤的，然而就是这么一位让众修士仰慕的人物，饱学鸿儒，此方却束手而立，脸上的刺情恭敬无比。
Though Songfeng Academy sounded unremarkable from its name, it ranked among the seven major forces in Yunzhou. It was filled with powerful immortals, mostly from the Confucian sects.
yīn wèi páng biān nà wèi dǎ zuò de xiū xiān zhě ， nǎi shì wàng tíng lóu ， sōng fēng shū yuàn de tài shàng zhǎng lǎo ， lí hé hòu qī de xiū xiān zhě ， tiān yún shí èr zhōu dì yī gāo shǒu 。
因为旁边那位打坐的修仙者，乃是望亭楼，松风书院的太上长老，离合后期的修仙者，天云十二州第一高手。
One could say that if Qinglian Hermit stamped his foot, the twelve states of Sky Cloud would tremble. Yet this revered figure stood respectfully before a sitting immortal who was the Supreme Elder of Wating Pavilion, an advanced-stage cultivator and the top expert in the twelve states.
“ shī shū zǎo yǐ bù guò wèn shì shì le ， jīn tiān zhào huàn zì jǐ lái zhè lǐ zuò shén me ？” qīng lián jū shì xīn zhōng tǎn tè ， kě tài shàng zhǎng lǎo zhèng zài bì mù dǎ zuò ， tā zhǐ hǎo gōng jìng de zài yī páng děng zhe ， lián huà yě bù gǎn shuō 。
“师叔早已不过问世事了，今天召唤自己来这里做什么？”青莲居士心中忐忑，可太上长老正在闭目打坐，他只好恭敬的在一旁等着，连话也不敢说。
"Senior Uncle has long withdrawn from worldly affairs; why did you summon me here?" Qinglian Hermit felt uneasy but remained silent as the Supreme Elder continued his meditation.
zú zú guò le yī dùn fàn de gōng fu ， wàng tíng lóu cái zhēng kāi shuāng móu ， yī dào huǒ guāng chū xiàn zài le tiān kōng zhī zhōng ， shì fēi jiàn chuán shū 。
足足过了一顿饭的功夫，望亭楼才睁开双眸，一道火光出现在了天空之中，是飞剑传书。
After about half an hour, Wating Pavilion opened his eyes, a fireball appearing in the sky—a message delivered by a flying sword.
wàng tíng lóu shēn shǒu yī zhāo ， nà huǒ guāng lüè yī pán xuán 。 jiù luò rù le zhǎng xīn lǐ miàn ， tā jiāng shén shí chén rù qí jiān 。
望亭楼伸手一招，那火光略一盘旋。就落入了掌心里面，他将神识沉入其间。
Wating Pavilion reached out and the fireball circled before landing in his palm. He delved into it with his spiritual sense.
“ guǒ rán ，” wàng tíng lóu niān xū chén yín le qǐ lái 。
“果然，”望亭楼拈须沉吟了起来。
"Indeed," Wating Pavilion stroked his beard thoughtfully.
“ shī shū ， nín yǒu shén me fēn fù ？。 qīng lián jū shì rěn bú zhù kāi kǒu 。
“师叔，您有什么吩咐？。青莲居士忍不住开口。
"Senior Uncle, what instructions do you have?" Qinglian Hermit couldn't resist asking.
“ wǒ qián yī zhèn dé dào xiāo xī ， shuō xuān yuán chéng fù jìn chū xiàn le yī míng luó jiā de xiū shì wàng tíng lóu xiàng shì huí dá ， yòu fǎng fú zài zì yán zì yǔ 。
“我前一阵得到消息，说轩辕城附近出现了一名罗家的修士望亭楼像是回答，又仿佛在自言自语。
"I received a message recently that a Luo Family cultivator appeared near Xuan City." Wating Pavilion seemed to be both answering and speaking to himself.
“ luó jiā 。 nǎ ge luó jiā ？”
“罗家。哪个罗家？”
"Which Luo Family?"
“ zhuō ， dāng rán shì tiān zhōu luó jiā ， chú le tā men 。 hái yǒu nǎ ge xiū xiān jiā zú ， zhí de wǒ guān zhù ？。 wàng tíng lóu jiàn méi yī tiāo ， méi hǎo qì de dào 。
“拙，当然是天州罗家，除了他们。还有哪个修仙家族，值得我关注？。望亭楼剑眉一挑，没好气的道。
"Of course, the Tianzhou Luo Family. Who else would deserve my attention?" Wating Pavilion raised his eyebrows, clearly unimpressed.
“ shī shū shù zuì ， dì zǐ yú dùn 。” qīng lián jū shì máng wān xià yāo ， lián lián zuò yī ， dàn liǎn shàng què mǎn shì chà yì ：“ tiān zhōu luó jiā ， bù zǎo jiù bèi wǒ qī pài zhǎn cǎo chú gēn ， nán dào jū rán hái yǒu yú niè ？”
“师叔恕罪，弟子愚钝。”青莲居士忙弯下腰，连连作揖，但脸上却满是诧异：“天州罗家，不早就被我七派斩草除根，难道居然还有余孽？”
"Spare me your disrespect, disciple is foolish," Qinglian Hermit quickly bowed repeatedly, though he was puzzled: "The Tianzhou Luo Family was already eradicated by our seven sects long ago; how could there be any survivors?"
“ hēng ， zhǎn cǎo chú gēn ， nǎ yǒu nà me róng yì 。 suī rán zhè me duō nián lái ， tā men bù céng xiàn shì ， dàn bìng bù dài biǎo zhe ， luó jiā de xuè mài jiù yǐ xiāo shī 。”
“哼，斩草除根，哪有那么容易。虽然这么多年来，他们不曾现世，但并不代表着，罗家的血脉就已消失。”
"Hmph. Eradication isn’t that easy. Although they haven’t shown themselves for years, it doesn’t mean the Luo Family’s bloodline has vanished," Wating Pavilion said.
“ shī shū yán zhī yǒu lǐ ， bù guò jiù suàn luó jiā hái yǒu yú niè ， yòu yǒu shén me liǎo bù qǐ ， rú jīn wǒ qī pài de shì lì ， yuǎn fēi shàng gǔ shí qī kě bǐ ， luó jiā jǐ míng xiū shì ， shì fān bù qǐ dà làng lái dì 。” qīng lián jū shì bù yǐ wéi rán de shuō ， dāng rán ， liǎn shàng yī jiù mǎn shì gōng jìng zhī sè 。
“师叔言之有理，不过就算罗家还有余孽，又有什么了不起，如今我七派的势力，远非上古时期可比，罗家几名修士，是翻不起大浪来地。”青莲居士不以为然的说，当然，脸上依旧满是恭敬之色。
"Senior Uncle is right. Even if there are survivors from the Luo Family, what’s the big deal? Our seven sects’ power far surpasses that of ancient times; a few Luo Family cultivators won’t cause much trouble." Qinglian Hermit disagreed but still wore a respectful expression.
“ duō ， shì qíng méi yǒu zhè me jiǎn dān ， nǐ kě zhī dào tiān yún jiāo yì huì ， shì rú hé yóu lái ？”
“多，事情没有这么简单，你可知道天云交易会，是如何由来？”
"But things aren’t as simple as you think," Wating Pavilion said. "Do you know how the Sky Cloud Trade Fair originated?"
“ zhè ，” shī zhí bù zhī ， hái wàng shī shū míng shì “ tiān yún jiāo yì huì qǐ yuán yú shàng gǔ shí qī 。 zuì xiān jiù shì yóu luó jiā de xiān zǔ zhào jí ， huì jí le gè zhōu de shì lì ， dàn jù shuō měi yī cì dū huì yǒu yì wài shēng ， sǐ shāng xǔ duō xiū shì
“这，”师侄不知，还望师叔明示“天云交易会起源于上古时期。最先就是由罗家的先祖召集，汇集了各州的势力，但据说每一次都会有意外生，死伤许多修士
"I, I don't know, please enlighten me," the disciple hesitated.
“ zhè zěn me kě néng 。 nán dào shì luó jiā xià de hēi shǒu ？。 qīng lián jū shì jīng yà de kāi kǒu 。
“这怎么可能。难道是罗家下的黑手？。青莲居士惊讶的开口。
"The Sky Cloud Trade Fair began in ancient times and was initially called by the Luo Family’s ancestors. It gathered forces from all states, but every time there were unexpected incidents that resulted in many cultivators’ deaths."
“ zhè wǒ yě bù qīng chǔ ， méi yǒu shàng gǔ diǎn jí miáo shù ， jù shuō huó xià lái de xiū shì yě dōu sān jiān qí kǒu ， ér qiě shí jiān tài jiǔ yuǎn le ， suǒ yǐ wǒ yě bù zhī dào shēng le shén me ， hòu lái luó jiā bèi wǒ qī pài jiǎo chú ， tiān yún jiāo yì huì de chuán tǒng dǎo shì bǎo liú le xià lái ， bù guò què zài yě méi yǒu shēng guò cǎn àn 。” wàng tíng lóu yǎn zhōng shǎn guò yī lǚ yì sè ， huǎn huǎn de shuō 。
“这我也不清楚，没有上古典籍描述，据说活下来的修士也都三缄其口，而且时间太久远了，所以我也不知道生了什么，后来罗家被我七派剿除，天云交易会的传统倒是保留了下来，不过却再也没有生过惨案。”望亭楼眼中闪过一缕异色，缓缓的说。
"How is this possible? Could it be a plot by the Luo Family?" Qinglian Hermit exclaimed.
“ zhào shī shū zhè me shuō 。 zuì chū de tiān yún jiāo yì huì ， luó jiā hái zhēn yǒu kě néng zài gǎo guǐ ， rú jīn yòu yǒu tā men de dì zǐ chū xiàn ， nín shì dān xīn
“照师叔这么说。最初的天云交易会，罗家还真有可能在搞鬼，如今又有他们的弟子出现，您是担心
"I don’t know for sure; there are no ancient texts to describe it. Surviving cultivators kept silent, and too much time has passed, so I can’t say what happened," Wating Pavilion said slowly. "After our seven sects eradicated the Luo Family, the trade fair tradition was preserved but never had such tragedies again."
“ bù cuò ， luó jiā jiù suàn yǒu yú niè ， yě fān bù chū shén me dà làng lái de ， ér tiān yún jiāo yì huì cóng shàng gǔ shí qī kāi shǐ ， jiù yì zhí shì zài xuān yuán chéng jǔ xíng 。 yě xǔ nà lǐ zhēn yǒu shén me mì mì ， rú jīn luó jiā de dì zǐ xiàn shì
“不错，罗家就算有余孽，也翻不出什么大浪来的，而天云交易会从上古时期开始，就一直是在轩辕城举行。也许那里真有什么秘密，如今罗家的弟子现世
"According to Senior Uncle, the initial Sky Cloud Trade Fair could have been a plot by the Luo Family. Now that their disciples are appearing, you’re worried
“ kě shì shī shū ， qǐng shù dì zǐ duō zuǐ 。 luó jiā yǐ jīng xiāo shī le zhè me duō nián ， zěn me huì tū rán chū xiàn ， huì bú huì qíng bào yǒu cuò ， gēn běn jiù shì bié pài de xiū xiān zhě 。” qīng lián jū shì chén yín
“可是师叔，请恕弟子多嘴。罗家已经消失了这么多年，怎么会突然出现，会不会情报有错，根本就是别派的修仙者。”青莲居士沉吟
"Yes, even if there are survivors from the Luo Family, they won’t cause much trouble. The Sky Cloud Trade Fair has always taken place in Xuan City since ancient times; maybe there’s something hidden there," Wating Pavilion said.
shuō 。
说。
"But Senior Uncle, please allow me to speak freely. After so many years, why would the Luo Family suddenly appear? Could it be that our intelligence is wrong and it’s actually from another sect?" Qinglian Hermit pondered.
“ hēng ， zhè yì diǎn nǐ dāng lǎo fū méi yǒu xiǎng guò 。 chú le wàn fú zōng de zéi tū ， tiān yá hǎi gé de rú yān xiān zi yě zài nà lǐ ， wǒ yǐ qǐng tā dài wéi dǎ tīng 。 xiān zi gāng gāng fēi jiàn chuán shū ， yǐ jīng kěn dìng luó jiā xiū shì de shēn fèn le 。” wàng tíng lóu bǎ wò shí zú de kāi kǒu 。
“哼，这一点你当老夫没有想过。除了万佛宗的贼秃，天涯海阁的如嫣仙子也在那里，我已请她代为打听。仙子刚刚飞剑传书，已经肯定罗家修士的身份了。”望亭楼把握十足的开口。
"Hmph, I’ve considered this; besides the Venerable of Ten Thousand Buddhist Sects and Fairy Ruyan from the Far Horizon Pavilion, I asked her to investigate. She just sent a message via flying sword, confirming the identity of the Luo Family cultivators," Wating Pavilion said confidently.
“ shén me ， rú yān xiān zi yě zài cǐ chù ， nà qǐng tā chū shǒu ， zhuō yī liǎng gè luó jiā de dì zǐ ， zài shī yǐ bō hún zhī shù bù jiù zhī dào duì fāng de yīn móu 。” qīng lián jū shì dà xǐ de shuō 。
“什么，如嫣仙子也在此处，那请她出手，捉一两个罗家的弟子，再施以拨魂之术不就知道对方的阴谋。”青莲居士大喜的说。
"What? Fairy Ruyan is here too. Please ask her to capture some Luo Family disciples and use soul-piercing techniques to uncover their plot," Qinglian Hermit was delighted.
“ yú chǔn ， nǐ dāng luó jiā de zhǔ shì zhī rén shì bái chī me ， yǒu suǒ tú móu yě bú huì ràng jiā lǐ de měi yí gè rén zhī xiǎo 。” wàng tíng lóu méi hǎo qì de dào 。（ wèi wán dài xù ）
“愚蠢，你当罗家的主事之人是白痴么，有所图谋也不会让家里的每一个人知晓。”望亭楼没好气的道。（未完待续）
"Stupid, do you think the head of the Luo Family is a fool? They wouldn’t reveal their plans to everyone in the family." Wating Pavilion said irritably. (To be continued)
, Thank you, Young Master, for reminding me. What you said is clear in my heart; I will never let it happen to Wing Ao Lin. I also know that Yunzhou is full of hidden talents and treasures, so leaving Xin'er in Youzhou ensures her safety even if she remains the dominant force there."
The young lady's face was filled with respect, but her tone was firm as she spoke.
"Mmm," Lin Xuan nodded. "It’s good to have a psychological preparation for difficulties. In any case, safety is paramount. Even though I can’t provide overt protection, I can still intervene in secret if there’s an actual major danger. If the branch temple is destroyed, it’s fine; I don't want anything to happen to Ying'er."
Lin Xuan smiled softly. He was cold and ruthless when facing enemies but always protected his own people. This was why Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin had remained loyal for a century not just because of their blood pact.
"It's true, Young Master," Lu Ying'er said gratefully.
"Additionally, coming here must be to attend the Sky Cloud Trade Fair that opens in half a month."
"Mmm," Lu Ying'er nodded. "Actually, I received an invitation."
"An invitation?" Lin Xuan was taken aback and looked puzzled.
Lu Ying'er smiled and began to explain: "It seems Young Master is not very familiar with the history of the Sky Cloud Trade Fair."
"Oh, tell me about it," Lin Xuan's face showed interest. He had only heard rumors along his journey; he knew little about the specifics.
"The Sky Cloud Trade Fair supposedly started in ancient times. Initially, it was initiated by a mysterious family,"
Lin Xuan felt a chill as he heard this. Could it be that the ancestor of Luo Family from Tianzhou?
"Young Master, what’s wrong?" Lu Ying'er asked with concern.
"Nothing, continue."
"Oh." Despite her curiosity, Lu Ying'er obediently continued to narrate what she knew.
Meanwhile, thousands of miles away in a scenic mountain, an immortal sat cross-legged. Beside him stood an elderly man with completely white hair. Although he was old, his face remained youthful and rosy. Wearing a simple green robe, he exuded elegance. Though his power was concealed, it still left people awestruck; he was an advanced-stage Immortal.
If any other immortals had been present, they would have drawn in their breaths in surprise because the old man was known as "Qinglian Hermit." His cultivation and status were beyond description.
He was the head of Songfeng Academy.
Though Songfeng Academy sounded unremarkable from its name, it ranked among the seven major forces in Yunzhou. It was filled with powerful immortals, mostly from the Confucian sects.
One could say that if Qinglian Hermit stamped his foot, the twelve states of Sky Cloud would tremble. Yet this revered figure stood respectfully before a sitting immortal who was the Supreme Elder of Wating Pavilion, an advanced-stage cultivator and the top expert in the twelve states.
"Senior Uncle has long withdrawn from worldly affairs; why did you summon me here?" Qinglian Hermit felt uneasy but remained silent as the Supreme Elder continued his meditation.
After about half an hour, Wating Pavilion opened his eyes, a fireball appearing in the sky—a message delivered by a flying sword.
Wating Pavilion reached out and the fireball circled before landing in his palm. He delved into it with his spiritual sense.
"Indeed," Wating Pavilion stroked his beard thoughtfully.
"Senior Uncle, what instructions do you have?" Qinglian Hermit couldn't resist asking.
"I received a message recently that a Luo Family cultivator appeared near Xuan City." Wating Pavilion seemed to be both answering and speaking to himself.
"Which Luo Family?"
"Of course, the Tianzhou Luo Family. Who else would deserve my attention?" Wating Pavilion raised his eyebrows, clearly unimpressed.
"Spare me your disrespect, disciple is foolish," Qinglian Hermit quickly bowed repeatedly, though he was puzzled: "The Tianzhou Luo Family was already eradicated by our seven sects long ago; how could there be any survivors?"
"Hmph. Eradication isn’t that easy. Although they haven’t shown themselves for years, it doesn’t mean the Luo Family’s bloodline has vanished," Wating Pavilion said.
"Senior Uncle is right. Even if there are survivors from the Luo Family, what’s the big deal? Our seven sects’ power far surpasses that of ancient times; a few Luo Family cultivators won’t cause much trouble." Qinglian Hermit disagreed but still wore a respectful expression.
"But things aren’t as simple as you think," Wating Pavilion said. "Do you know how the Sky Cloud Trade Fair originated?"
"I, I don't know, please enlighten me," the disciple hesitated.
"The Sky Cloud Trade Fair began in ancient times and was initially called by the Luo Family’s ancestors. It gathered forces from all states, but every time there were unexpected incidents that resulted in many cultivators’ deaths."
"How is this possible? Could it be a plot by the Luo Family?" Qinglian Hermit exclaimed.
"I don’t know for sure; there are no ancient texts to describe it. Surviving cultivators kept silent, and too much time has passed, so I can’t say what happened," Wating Pavilion said slowly. "After our seven sects eradicated the Luo Family, the trade fair tradition was preserved but never had such tragedies again."
"According to Senior Uncle, the initial Sky Cloud Trade Fair could have been a plot by the Luo Family. Now that their disciples are appearing, you’re worried
"Yes, even if there are survivors from the Luo Family, they won’t cause much trouble. The Sky Cloud Trade Fair has always taken place in Xuan City since ancient times; maybe there’s something hidden there," Wating Pavilion said.
"But Senior Uncle, please allow me to speak freely. After so many years, why would the Luo Family suddenly appear? Could it be that our intelligence is wrong and it’s actually from another sect?" Qinglian Hermit pondered.
"Hmph, I’ve considered this; besides the Venerable of Ten Thousand Buddhist Sects and Fairy Ruyan from the Far Horizon Pavilion, I asked her to investigate. She just sent a message via flying sword, confirming the identity of the Luo Family cultivators," Wating Pavilion said confidently.
"What? Fairy Ruyan is here too. Please ask her to capture some Luo Family disciples and use soul-piercing techniques to uncover their plot," Qinglian Hermit was delighted.
"Stupid, do you think the head of the Luo Family is a fool? They wouldn’t reveal their plans to everyone in the family." Wating Pavilion said irritably. (To be continued)