dì èr tiān yī zǎo ， lín xuān shēn le gè lǎn yāo ， gǎn jué shén qīng qì shuǎng 。
第二天一早，林轩伸了个懒腰，感觉神清气爽。
The next morning, Lin Xuan stretched lazily and felt refreshed. He didn't get out of bed but instead sat cross-legged on the floor, starting to slowly regulate his breathing.
tā méi yǒu xià chuáng ， jiù zhè yàng pán xī ér zuò ， kāi shǐ huǎn huǎn de tiáo xī qǐ lái le 。
他没有下床，就这样盘膝而坐，开始缓缓的调息起来了。
Of course, Lin Xuan wasn’t practicing any divine techniques; after all, he was in someone else’s main hall, so it was best to be cautious.
dāng rán ， lín xuān bìng méi yǒu xiū liàn shén tōng ， bì jìng zhè shì zài bié rén de zǒng tán ， fán shì zǒng yào xiǎo xiǎo xīn yì diǎn 。
当然，林轩并没有修炼神通，毕竟这是在别人的总坛，凡事总要小小心一点。
Time passed gradually.
shí jiān màn màn liú shì 。
时间慢慢流逝。
Suddenly, a faint knock came from outside the door.
tū rán yī zhèn qīng wēi de qiāo mén shēng chuán rù le ěr duǒ lǐ 。
突然一阵轻微的敲门声传入了耳朵里。
Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow and slowly opened his eyes. His spiritual sense swept over, revealing that it was the female cultivator with the baby face from yesterday. She had said she didn’t need anyone to wait on her, so why was she here again?
lín xuān méi tóu yī tiāo ， huǎn huǎn zhēng kāi le shuāng móu 。
林轩眉头一挑，缓缓睁开了双眸。
He felt slightly puzzled but decided not to ignore her completely.
shén shí yī sǎo ， shì zuó tiān nà míng wá wá liǎn de nǚ xiū ， zì jǐ shuō guò bú yào rén cì hòu ， tā zěn me yòu lái le ？
神识一扫，是昨天那名娃娃脸的女修，自己说过不要人伺候，她怎么又来了？
"Come in," he said calmly, his expression showing no surprise or joy.
yǒu diǎn yí huò ， dàn zhì zhī bù lǐ xiǎn rán bù tuǒ 。
有点疑惑，但置之不理显然不妥。
The door creaked open as the woman stepped inside, bowing respectfully toward Lin Xuan: "Senior, Senior Zhexu has something important today and cannot come. I have been sent here to wait on you."
“ jìn lái 。” bù guǎn xīn zhōng zěn me xiǎng ， lín xuān liǎn shàng 。 yī jiù shì yī fù wú jīng wú xǐ zhī sè 。 dàn dàn de kāi kǒu le 。
“进来。”不管心中怎么想，林轩脸上。依旧是一副无惊无喜之色。淡淡的开口了。
Lin Xuan’s gaze shifted slightly, but he didn’t reveal his thoughts. The woman's presence seemed familiar, though not in a way that was immediately recognizable.
zhī ya yī shēng ， mén bèi tuī kāi ， nà nǚ zǐ lián bù qīng yí de zǒu le jìn lái ， xiàng zhe lín xuān liǎn rèn yī lǐ ， yíng yíng bài le xià qù ：“ qián bèi ， xuē shī zǔ jīn tiān yǒu shì ， bù néng qián lái ， ràng dì zǐ dài lù 。 lǐng nǐ qù xuě yíng gé 。”
吱呀一声，门被推开，那女子莲步轻移的走了进来，向着林轩敛衽一礼，盈盈拜了下去：“前辈，薛师祖今天有事，不能前来，让弟子带路。领你去雪莹阁。”
"Please forgive my rudeness," the woman said with a bow. "Senior, your arrival is greatly honored. What can I do for you? If there are any instructions, our sect will certainly try its best to fulfill them."
“ xuě yíng gé ？” lín xuān méi tóu yī tiāo 。 yǎn zhōng lù chū jǐ fēn mí huò 。
“雪莹阁？”林轩眉头一挑。眼中露出几分迷惑。
Lin Xuan nodded slightly and replied politely: "Thank you for your hospitality. Please ask me what you need. If there are any orders, we will do our utmost to comply."
“ shì de 。” cǐ nǚ liǎn shàng de biǎo qíng ， yǔ zuó rì xiāng bǐ ， xiǎn de gèng jiā gōng jìng ， dī chuí zhēn ， gēn běn bù gǎn kàn lín xuān de yǎn jīng ：“ xuě yíng gé shì běn mén zhòng dì ， xiàng lái zhǐ jiē dài zuì zhòng yào de guì bīn 。”
“是的。”此女脸上的表情，与昨日相比，显得更加恭敬，低垂臻，根本不敢看林轩的眼睛：“雪莹阁是本门重地，向来只接待最重要的贵宾。”
The woman’s words were calm but carried a sense of urgency.
“ ó ？”
“哦？”
Suddenly, Lin Xuan’s aura slowed as he turned his head back. A dazzling streak of light shot toward them from behind.
lín xuān méi tóu yī tiāo ， liǎn shàng bù dòng shēng sè ， rán ér xīn zhōng ， què yǐ shì dà xǐ ， zì jǐ suǒ liào méi cuò ， zuó rì yòng jiǔ bǎi wàn jīng shí pāo zhuān yǐn yù ， guǒ rán dé dào le duì fāng de rèn kě ， jiē xià lái jiù shì tán mǎi jīng wēi pào yǔ yuán yīng qī kuǐ lěi de tiáo jiàn le 。
林轩眉头一挑，脸上不动声色，然而心中，却已是大喜，自己所料没错，昨日用九百万晶石抛砖引玉，果然得到了对方的认可，接下来就是谈买晶威炮与元婴期傀儡的条件了。
Although the light didn’t appear extraordinary and its spiritual pressure was barely perceptible, Lin Xuan’s pupils constricted slightly.
ér duì yú zhè yì diǎn ， lín xuān jì rán huì lái ， xīn zhōng shì yǒu jǐ fēn bǎ wò ， dāng rán néng bù néng chéng 。 dào shí hòu hái yào shì qíng kuàng ér dìng de 。
而对于这一点，林轩既然会来，心中是有几分把握，当然能不能成。到时候还要视情况而定的。
This feeling couldn’t be wrong; it was a Separation Stage cultivator!
zǒng zhī jiàn jī xíng shì jiù xíng le 。
总之见机行事就行了。
Was this perhaps the Supreme Elder of Tianshao Sect? Lin Xuan thought with some surprise.
chū le gé lóu ， lín xuān hún shēn qīng máng dà qǐ 。 yī xià jiāng nà míng jiào lán ér de zhù jī qī nǚ xiū juǎn le jìn qù ， chōng tiān ér qǐ 。
出了阁楼，林轩浑身青芒大起。一下将那名叫兰儿的筑基期女修卷了进去，冲天而起。
However, he quickly dismissed that idea. The streak of light was unfamiliar, but its aura felt familiar and carried an alluring scent.
“ qián bèi
“前辈
He had smelled something like this before.
nà jiào lán ér de shào nǚ ， xiān shì yī dāi ， suí hòu jiù shuāng jiá fěn hóng le qǐ lái ， suī rán jué de lín xuān zhè yàng zuò yǒu diǎn tū wù ， dàn què bù gǎn yǒu fēn háo bù mǎn zhī sè ， zuó tiān tā tīng xuē shī zǔ shuō le ， zhè shì yī wèi yuán yīng hòu qī de xiū xiān zhě 。
那叫兰儿的少女，先是一呆，随后就双颊粉红了起来，虽然觉得林轩这样做有点突兀，但却不敢有分毫不满之色，昨天她听薛师祖说了，这是一位元婴后期的修仙者。
It must be a female cultivator!
zhè zhǒng děng jí de gāo shǒu 。 tā píng shí bié shuō jiē chù ， yuǎn jù lí yǎng mù dōu shì bù kě néng de ， piān piān lín xuān róng mào suī rán pǔ tōng ， dàn suǒ xiū shén tōng yǒu zhù yán de xiào guǒ ， kàn qǐ lái bǐ tā yě dà bù liǎo xǔ duō 。
这种等级的高手。她平时别说接触，远距离仰慕都是不可能的，偏偏林轩容貌虽然普通，但所修神通有驻颜的效果，看起来比她也大不了许多。
Lin Xuan wasn’t sure how many Separation Stage women existed in Yunzhou, but the one who fit the description was the Supreme Elder of Tiaohai Pavilion.
zài dùn guāng zhī zhōng 。 liǎng rén shēn zi suī rán méi yǒu tiē zài yì qǐ ， dàn xiāng jù yě bù guò cùn yú ， cǐ nǚ bù yóu de xīn tiào jiā ， lián yù jǐng dōu hóng le 。
在遁光之中。两人身子虽然没有贴在一起，但相距也不过寸余，此女不由得心跳加，连玉颈都红了。
Why would Lady Meng Ruyan come here when she was supposed to be secluding herself at her sect?
kě sú huà shuō ， cōng míng rén yě yǒu yú bèn de shí hòu ， miàn duì yī zhù jī qī de xiǎo yā tou ， lín xuān gēn běn jiù méi yǒu xiǎng nà me duō 。 tā zhè me zuò ， zhǐ bù guò shì duì fāng dùn guāng de dù tài màn le ， yǔ qí jiāng shí jiān màn màn xiāo mó ， hái bù rú zì jǐ dài tā yī chéng suàn le 。
可俗话说，聪明人也有愚笨的时候，面对一筑基期的小丫头，林轩根本就没有想那么多。他这么做，只不过是对方遁光的度太慢了，与其将时间慢慢消磨，还不如自己带她一程算了。
His thoughts were interrupted as Lin Xuan’s gaze met with that of the woman.
jiù zhè yàng ， guò le dà yuē bàn zhǎn chá de gōng fu ， lín xuān tū rán dùn guāng yī huǎn ， yǒu xiē jīng yí de kàn xiàng hòu miàn ， yī dào yào mù jīng hóng fēi le guò lái 。
就这样，过了大约半盏茶的功夫，林轩突然遁光一缓，有些惊疑的看向后面，一道耀目惊虹飞了过来。
Although he had altered his appearance, the mask he wore was one he had given her personally; how could she not recognize him?
suī rán nà jīng hóng biǎo miàn 。 bìng méi yǒu shén me chū qí zhī chù ， shèn zhì lián líng yā yě ruò yǒu ruò wú 。 dàn lín xuān què tóng kǒng wēi suō 。
虽然那惊虹表面。并没有什么出奇之处，甚至连灵压也若有若无。但林轩却瞳孔微缩。
Why was she here? And why had she advanced to Separation Stage?
zhè gǎn jué ， bú huì yǒu cuò 。
这感觉，不会有错。
Not many people made Lady Meng Ruyan likeable, but Lin Xuan happened to be one of them. However, this wasn’t a time for idle conversation.
lí hé qī xiū xiān zhě ！
离合期修仙者！
"Please forgive my rudeness earlier," the woman said with a bow. "Senior, your visit is greatly honored. What can I do for you? If there are any instructions, our sect will certainly try its best to comply."
nán dào shì tiān qiǎo mén de tài shàng zhǎng lǎo me ？ lín xuān yǒu xiē yà rán de xiǎng zhe 。
难道是天巧门的太上长老么？林轩有些讶然的想着。
Lin Xuan had tasted her power and knew better than to show any displeasure. He replied respectfully: "The old man was just too eager. Please tell me what you need. If there are any orders, we will do our utmost to fulfill them."
bù guò tā hěn kuài jiù tuī fān le zhè ge niàn tou ， yīn wèi nà jīng hóng suī rán mò shēng ， dàn duì fāng de qì xī què yǒu xiē shú ， dài zhe yī gǔ xiāng fēng 。
不过他很快就推翻了这个念头，因为那惊虹虽然陌生，但对方的气息却有些熟，带着一股香风。
Tianshao Sect was formidable, but a Separation Stage cultivator was one of the most powerful beings in the mortal realm. Each had a vast backing, and he couldn’t afford to offend her.
nà wèi dào zì jǐ bù zhǐ yī cì wén dào guò 。
那味道自己不止一次闻到过。
"Where is that old man Tai Yin? Make him come out," a pleasant voice said, familiar enough to be unmistakable. Lin Xuan recognized it as Lady Meng Ruyan’s.
shì nǚ xiū ！
是女修！
The elders of Tianshao Sect exchanged glances; the way she addressed them made their eyes flash with anger, but they dared not act rashly.
lí hé qī de nǚ zǐ ， lín xuān yě bù zhī dào yún zhōu jiū jìng yǒu jǐ gè 。 bù guò zì jǐ yǒu kě néng jiàn guò de ， sì hū zhǐ yǒu tiān yá hǎi gé de nà wèi tài shàng zhǎng lǎo 。
离合期的女子，林轩也不知道云州究竟有几个。不过自己有可能见过的，似乎只有天涯海阁的那位太上长老。
"Is this Lady Meng Ruyan from Tiaohai Pavilion?" asked Elder Long Yu, his expression changing slightly.
jī yuè rú bú shì shuō qín yán bì guān ， cǐ nǚ yě zhèng zài zǒng tán ， zěn me huì mò míng qí miào dào zhè lǐ lái le ？
姬月如不是说秦妍闭关，此女也正在总坛，怎么会莫名其妙到这里来了？
His call was correct on the surface, and it didn’t seem to be a mistake.
xīn zhōng jīng yí ， lín xuān yùn zú mù lì wàng le guò qù 。
心中惊疑，林轩运足目力望了过去。
The light flickered, and the hazy glow finally dispersed, revealing a beautiful woman.
xīn zhōng hào qí ， suī rán zǎo yǐ jiàn guò jǐ cì ， dàn tā hái bù zhī dào zhè wèi chuán shuō zhōng de rú yān xiān zi ān jìng zhǎng shén me yàng zi 。
心中好奇，虽然早已见过几次，但他还不知道这位传说中的如嫣仙子安竟长什么样子。
She looked no more than twenty years old, though she had already lived for 1500 years as a Separation Stage cultivator. Her appearance was stunning; her delicate features were exquisite, even if they fell slightly short of Yunzhong Immortal’s beauty. Her skin was flawless and smooth, like that of a newborn.
nà jīng hóng dù hǎo kuài ， qián yī kè hái zài tiān biān ， zhuǎn yǎn ， jiù rú liú xīng yī yàng de jìn rù le bīng chéng lǐ miàn 。
那惊虹度好快，前一刻还在天边，转眼，就如流星一样的进入了冰城里面。
She wore a simple green dress, which made her appear ethereal and otherworldly. Unlike the other Separation Stage cultivators he had met, Lady Meng Ruyan didn’t emit any spiritual pressure around her, explaining why Tianshao Sect’s elders hadn’t recognized her level.
dùn shí ， zhěng gè tiān qiǎo mén yī piàn dà luàn 。
顿时，整个天巧门一片大乱。
"Indeed, it is me," she said with a raised eyebrow. "Where is that old man Tai Yin? Is he still hiding like a turtle in its shell?"
dāng rán ， zhè yě shì yóu yú hù pài dà zhèn méi yǒu dǎ kāi ， shèng yú de fǔ zhù jìn zhì ， zài méi yǒu fáng bèi de qíng kuàng xià ， bìng bù zú yǐ dǐ dǎng lí hé qī xiū xiān zhě 。
当然，这也是由于护派大阵没有打开，剩余的辅助禁制，在没有防备的情况下，并不足以抵挡离合期修仙者。
Elder Long Yu smiled bitterly but replied: "Please calm down, Senior. Our seven sects are closely connected. I don’t know what the misunderstanding is, but it has caused you such anger."
nà dào jīng hóng lái de tū wù ， jìng rán yī xià zi jiù bèi tā chuǎng jìn lái le 。
那道惊虹来得突兀，竟然一下子就被她闯进来了。
Lady Meng Ruyan’s reputation had spread throughout Yunzhou five hundred years ago; she was known for her ruthless methods and had exterminated 82 allied cultivators.
hùn luàn guī hùn luàn ， dàn tiān qiǎo mén ， bì jìng yě shì yún zhōu qī dà shì lì ， hěn kuài ， shù dào dùn guāng shēng qǐ ， fēng chí diàn chè bān de xiàng zhè biān fēi lái 。
混乱归混乱，但天巧门，毕竟也是云州七大势力，很快，数道遁光升起，风驰电掣般的像这边飞来。
Although Tianshao Sect wasn’t a soft target, they didn’t need to fear. However, it wasn’t necessary to antagonize Tiaohai Pavilion unless absolutely needed.
yī gòng qī gè rén ， quán bù shì yuán yīng qī xiū xiān zhě ， qí zhōng hái bāo kuò yī míng hòu qī de lǎo guài wù 。
一共七个人，全部是元婴期修仙者，其中还包括一名后期的老怪物。
As the sect’s leader, he knew that Lady Meng Ruyan hadn’t left her sect for twenty years. Why would she suddenly offend her?
cǐ rén bái piāo piāo ， yī duì tóng kǒng què shì yín sè ， fēi cháng de rě rén zhǔ mù 。
此人白飘飘，一对瞳孔却是银色，非常的惹人瞩目。
And it seemed like more than a minor issue; otherwise, she wouldn’t have come in such a rage.
“ nǎ wèi gāo rén chuǎng wǒ zǒng duò ， qǐng shù lóng yǔ yǒu shī yuǎn yíng le 。” qīng liàng de huà yǔ chuán rù ěr duǒ ， suí hòu tiān qiǎo mén de qī rén yǐ jiāng nà dào jīng hóng tuán tuán wéi zhù 。
“哪位高人闯我总舵，请恕龙宇有失远迎了。”清亮的话语传入耳朵，随后天巧门的七人已将那道惊虹团团围住。
This matter must be handled properly to avoid any major trouble.
jīng hóng bìng wèi sàn kāi ， lǐ miàn de rén yǐng bèi líng guāng bāo guǒ ， kàn shàng qù fēi cháng mó hú 。
惊虹并未散开，里面的人影被灵光包裹，看上去非常模糊。
With this thought, his smile became even more respectful: "Senior, my Master Tai Yin has been secluding himself and doesn’t see guests. However, since you are here, I will take you to his abode."
xiǎn rán duì fāng bìng bù yuàn yì xiǎn rǎn zhēn yán ， shǐ yòng le mǒu zhǒng guǐ yì mì shù 。
显然对方并不愿意显冉真颜，使用了某种诡异秘术。
"Lead the way," Lady Meng Ruyan said coldly.
hēng 。” nà jiào lóng yǔ de lǎo zhě ， shuāng mù zhōng yín máng dà zuò ， zì jǐ kě shì yuán yīng hòu qī de xiū xiān zhě ， qū qū huàn shù yě zài zì jǐ miàn qián bǎi pǔ 。
哼。”那叫龙宇的老者，双目中银芒大作，自己可是元婴后期的修仙者，区区幻术也在自己面前摆谱。
"Yes!"
rán ér tā què yī shēng jīng hū ， zhǐ jué nǎo hǎi zhōng xiàng bèi jiān zhuī hěn hěn zhā le yī xià ， duì fāng shén shí zhī qiáng ， yuǎn zài zì jǐ zhī shàng 。
然而他却一声惊呼，只觉脑海中像被尖锥狠狠扎了一下，对方神识之强，远在自己之上。
Elder Long Yu waved his hand, and the other Separation Stage cultivators understood, retreating. He remained respectfully by their side as a guide.
nán dào bèi …
难道被…
Soon, everything returned to calmness, as if nothing had happened.
tā de liǎn sè yǒu xiē cāng bái le 。
他的脸色有些苍白了。
Lady Meng Ruyan didn’t look back; perhaps she hadn’t yet connected Lin Xuan with her previous encounter with the weak Lingdong Stage female.
“ zōng zhǔ ！”
“宗主！”
"Senior," the woman named Lan'er said softly. The scene from earlier was too shocking for a low-level cultivator like her.
jiàn lǎo zhě chī le kǔ tóu ， qí tā yuán yīng xiū shì yòu jīng yòu nù ， dàn shén shí zài nà yī xiǎo yǐn yè sǎo guò ， gè èr gè què liǎn zhǔ kuáng biàn qǐ lái le liù
见老者吃了苦头，其他元婴修士又惊又怒，但神识在那一小引业扫过，个二个却脸煮狂变起来了六
"Continue guiding."
duì yú tā men de fǎn yìng ， jīng hóng zhōng de rén sǒng què shì ruò wú dǔ ， zhuǎn guò tóu ， xiàng zuǒ cè wàng guò qù le 。
对于他们的反应，惊虹中的人耸却视若无睹，转过头，像左侧望过去了。
Lin Xuan shook his head and replied calmly, though his mind was racing. Why had Lady Meng Ruyan come here in such an aggressive manner?
zhèng hǎo yǔ lín xuān de mù guāng duì zài yì qǐ 。 mèng rú yān bù yóu yī dāi ， lín xuān suī rán gǎi biàn le róng yán ， dàn nà miàn jù ， hái shì zì jǐ qīn shǒu sòng yǔ tā de ， qǐ huì rèn bù chū lái 。
正好与林轩的目光对在一起。梦如嫣不由一呆，林轩虽然改变了容颜，但那面具，还是自己亲手送与他的，岂会认不出来。
Why would Tiaohai Pavilion, which didn’t have any issues with the Thousand Buddha Sect, suddenly be at odds with Tianshao Sect?
tā zěn me yě zài cǐ chù ？
他怎么也在此处？
What could it be about?
ér qiě yǐ jìn jiē dào yuán yīng hòu qī le 。
而且已进阶到元婴后期了。
He needed Tiaohai Pavilion as an ally against the Thousand Buddha Sect. Lin Xuan hoped they wouldn’t offend Tianshao Sect again; too many enemies would be detrimental.
ràng mèng rú yān yǒu hǎo gǎn de rén bù duō ， lín xuān qià hǎo suàn shì yí gè ， bù guò cǐ shí cǐ kè ， kě bú shì shuō huà shí jiān de 。
让梦如嫣有好感的人不多，林轩恰好算是一个，不过此时此刻，可不是说话时间的。
Hopefully, this was a misunderstanding. He turned his head and looked back at Lady Meng Ruyan’s direction, hoping for another chance to meet her if possible.
“ qǐng shù wǎn bèi gāng gāng wú lǐ ， qián bèi dà jià guāng lín ， qǐng wèn yǒu hé guì gàn ， ruò yǒu fēn fù ， běn mén yí dìng jìn lì qù zuò 。”
“请恕晚辈刚刚无礼，前辈大驾光临，请问有何贵干，若有吩咐，本门一定尽力去做。”
He sincerely hoped she wouldn’t clash with the man named Tai Yin right away.
lóng yǔ chī le kǔ tóu ， dàn zài xiàn duì fāng de jìng jiè xiū wèi yǐ hòu ， liǎn shàng bù jǐn méi yǒu lù chū fēn háo bù mǎn zhī sè ， fǎn ér gōng gōng jìng jìng de kāi kǒu le 。
龙宇吃了苦头，但在现对方的境界修为以后，脸上不仅没有露出分毫不满之色，反而恭恭敬敬的开口了。
Coming alone to their main hall, Lady Meng Ruyan seemed too impulsive.
tiān qiǎo mén gù rán fēi tóng xiǎo kě ， dàn lí hé qī lǎo guài wù ， yě shì rén jiè dǐng ér jiān ér cún zài de ， ér qiě měi yí gè bèi hòu ， bì rán dài biǎo zhe páng dà shì lì ， jí biàn shì tā ， yě jué bù gǎn qīng yì dé zuì fēn háo 。
天巧门固然非同小可，但离合期老怪物，也是人界顶儿尖儿存在的，而且每一个背后，必然代表着庞大势力，即便是他，也绝不敢轻易得罪分毫。
* * *
“ tài yīn nà lǎo jiā huǒ ne ， ràng tā gěi wǒ gǔn chū lái 。”
“太阴那老家伙呢，让他给我滚出来。”
For your support: This is the third update. I aim to reach 3000 words today and will double the monthly ticket rewards for the last hour if you can help me get there. Thank you so much!
The next morning, Lin Xuan stretched lazily and felt refreshed. He didn't get out of bed but instead sat cross-legged on the floor, starting to slowly regulate his breathing.
Of course, Lin Xuan wasn’t practicing any divine techniques; after all, he was in someone else’s main hall, so it was best to be cautious.
Time passed gradually.
Suddenly, a faint knock came from outside the door.
Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow and slowly opened his eyes. His spiritual sense swept over, revealing that it was the female cultivator with the baby face from yesterday. She had said she didn’t need anyone to wait on her, so why was she here again?
He felt slightly puzzled but decided not to ignore her completely.
"Come in," he said calmly, his expression showing no surprise or joy.
The door creaked open as the woman stepped inside, bowing respectfully toward Lin Xuan: "Senior, Senior Zhexu has something important today and cannot come. I have been sent here to wait on you."
Lin Xuan’s gaze shifted slightly, but he didn’t reveal his thoughts. The woman's presence seemed familiar, though not in a way that was immediately recognizable.
"Please forgive my rudeness," the woman said with a bow. "Senior, your arrival is greatly honored. What can I do for you? If there are any instructions, our sect will certainly try its best to fulfill them."
Lin Xuan nodded slightly and replied politely: "Thank you for your hospitality. Please ask me what you need. If there are any orders, we will do our utmost to comply."
The woman’s words were calm but carried a sense of urgency.
Suddenly, Lin Xuan’s aura slowed as he turned his head back. A dazzling streak of light shot toward them from behind.
Although the light didn’t appear extraordinary and its spiritual pressure was barely perceptible, Lin Xuan’s pupils constricted slightly.
This feeling couldn’t be wrong; it was a Separation Stage cultivator!
Was this perhaps the Supreme Elder of Tianshao Sect? Lin Xuan thought with some surprise.
However, he quickly dismissed that idea. The streak of light was unfamiliar, but its aura felt familiar and carried an alluring scent.
He had smelled something like this before.
It must be a female cultivator!
Lin Xuan wasn’t sure how many Separation Stage women existed in Yunzhou, but the one who fit the description was the Supreme Elder of Tiaohai Pavilion.
Why would Lady Meng Ruyan come here when she was supposed to be secluding herself at her sect?
His thoughts were interrupted as Lin Xuan’s gaze met with that of the woman.
Although he had altered his appearance, the mask he wore was one he had given her personally; how could she not recognize him?
Why was she here? And why had she advanced to Separation Stage?
Not many people made Lady Meng Ruyan likeable, but Lin Xuan happened to be one of them. However, this wasn’t a time for idle conversation.
"Please forgive my rudeness earlier," the woman said with a bow. "Senior, your visit is greatly honored. What can I do for you? If there are any instructions, our sect will certainly try its best to comply."
Lin Xuan had tasted her power and knew better than to show any displeasure. He replied respectfully: "The old man was just too eager. Please tell me what you need. If there are any orders, we will do our utmost to fulfill them."
Tianshao Sect was formidable, but a Separation Stage cultivator was one of the most powerful beings in the mortal realm. Each had a vast backing, and he couldn’t afford to offend her.
"Where is that old man Tai Yin? Make him come out," a pleasant voice said, familiar enough to be unmistakable. Lin Xuan recognized it as Lady Meng Ruyan’s.
The elders of Tianshao Sect exchanged glances; the way she addressed them made their eyes flash with anger, but they dared not act rashly.
"Is this Lady Meng Ruyan from Tiaohai Pavilion?" asked Elder Long Yu, his expression changing slightly.
His call was correct on the surface, and it didn’t seem to be a mistake.
The light flickered, and the hazy glow finally dispersed, revealing a beautiful woman.
She looked no more than twenty years old, though she had already lived for 1500 years as a Separation Stage cultivator. Her appearance was stunning; her delicate features were exquisite, even if they fell slightly short of Yunzhong Immortal’s beauty. Her skin was flawless and smooth, like that of a newborn.
She wore a simple green dress, which made her appear ethereal and otherworldly. Unlike the other Separation Stage cultivators he had met, Lady Meng Ruyan didn’t emit any spiritual pressure around her, explaining why Tianshao Sect’s elders hadn’t recognized her level.
"Indeed, it is me," she said with a raised eyebrow. "Where is that old man Tai Yin? Is he still hiding like a turtle in its shell?"
Elder Long Yu smiled bitterly but replied: "Please calm down, Senior. Our seven sects are closely connected. I don’t know what the misunderstanding is, but it has caused you such anger."
Lady Meng Ruyan’s reputation had spread throughout Yunzhou five hundred years ago; she was known for her ruthless methods and had exterminated 82 allied cultivators.
Although Tianshao Sect wasn’t a soft target, they didn’t need to fear. However, it wasn’t necessary to antagonize Tiaohai Pavilion unless absolutely needed.
As the sect’s leader, he knew that Lady Meng Ruyan hadn’t left her sect for twenty years. Why would she suddenly offend her?
And it seemed like more than a minor issue; otherwise, she wouldn’t have come in such a rage.
This matter must be handled properly to avoid any major trouble.
With this thought, his smile became even more respectful: "Senior, my Master Tai Yin has been secluding himself and doesn’t see guests. However, since you are here, I will take you to his abode."
"Lead the way," Lady Meng Ruyan said coldly.
"Yes!"
Elder Long Yu waved his hand, and the other Separation Stage cultivators understood, retreating. He remained respectfully by their side as a guide.
Soon, everything returned to calmness, as if nothing had happened.
Lady Meng Ruyan didn’t look back; perhaps she hadn’t yet connected Lin Xuan with her previous encounter with the weak Lingdong Stage female.
"Senior," the woman named Lan'er said softly. The scene from earlier was too shocking for a low-level cultivator like her.
"Continue guiding."
Lin Xuan shook his head and replied calmly, though his mind was racing. Why had Lady Meng Ruyan come here in such an aggressive manner?
Why would Tiaohai Pavilion, which didn’t have any issues with the Thousand Buddha Sect, suddenly be at odds with Tianshao Sect?
What could it be about?
He needed Tiaohai Pavilion as an ally against the Thousand Buddha Sect. Lin Xuan hoped they wouldn’t offend Tianshao Sect again; too many enemies would be detrimental.
Hopefully, this was a misunderstanding. He turned his head and looked back at Lady Meng Ruyan’s direction, hoping for another chance to meet her if possible.
He sincerely hoped she wouldn’t clash with the man named Tai Yin right away.
Coming alone to their main hall, Lady Meng Ruyan seemed too impulsive.
* * *
For your support: This is the third update. I aim to reach 3000 words today and will double the monthly ticket rewards for the last hour if you can help me get there. Thank you so much!