Inside an underground trading venue in the Imperial City of the Xuanyuan Dynasty.
The door of the Heaven Rank private room was knocked, and the woman sitting on the Dalbergia odorifera armchair did not get up, merely uttering a faint “Enter” word.
Pushing open the private room door, a monk who appeared kind-faced, dressed in a kasaya, and with scars from the vow of ordination on his head, greeted her before leisurely sitting opposite the woman.
“Your task is complete. Did you bring the item?”
The woman got straight to the point, seemingly not wishing to spend another second with this “Enlightened Monk.”
“Female Benefactor, please mind your words.”
The monk said with a smile, “Of course I brought the item, but it’s fine that your Master didn’t come to see me personally. Why did he send such an ill-mannered servant like you?”
“Bald donkey, put the item down and leave. Say one more word, and the Xuanyuan Dynasty will have no place for you.”
“Hehe…”
The monk still wanted to say something, but upon seeing that this ignorant Empress’s personal guard was truly preparing to act, he ultimately closed his mouth.
Placing the Red Pearl Profound Yuan Grass and the Low Grade Magic Treasure Rank Four-Ringed Tin Staff on the table, the monk still wore a smiling expression.
He unhurriedly stood up, took one last look at the beautiful Empress’s personal guard, and ambled out of the Heaven Rank private room.
“Next year, on the first day of the third month, the Joyous Chan Sect will hold the Trial of the Dao Heroes Assembly as scheduled. The champion of the assembly will receive a fourth-tier Legacy from our Joyous Chan Sect, with an additional prize of becoming Dao Companion with the Palace Master of Morning Dawn Palace. The champion can choose to publicly demonstrate the profound principles of the Joyous Chan Sect with her.”
“We hope the Xuanyuan Imperial Family will also come to observe at that time. I heard that the Palace Master of Morning Dawn Palace was the Xuanyuan Dynasty’s most beautiful woman two hundred years ago…”
“Scram!”
The woman’s Divine Sense transmission exploded in the monk’s Sea of Consciousness, and a barely noticeable shadow flickered in his smiling eyes.
The monk had intended to teach this Empress’s personal guard a lesson, but considering his plan was not yet complete, he might not be a match for the Xuanyuan Empress at the moment.
He ambled away, continuing to lie in wait.
After verifying that the Red Pearl Profound Yuan Grass and the Four-Ringed Tin Staff were fine, the woman also quickly left the Heaven Rank private room.
…
Hongming Mountain, Xuanyuan Dynasty.
Ever since that day, witnessing the Empress’s Cultivator might that annihilated the Lingjian Sect with a single strike, Qin Li and Ning Shuying became even more enthusiastic about improving their strength.
Currently, Ning Shuying spends most of her day with Zhou Fan, and with the help of the Great Sun Essence, her cultivation has already advanced by one minor Realm.
Qin Li’s strength is also improving rapidly, and he is now on the verge of Breakthrough to the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment.
After the three left Sanshan City, they traveled south, visiting many famous mountains and great marshes of the Xuanyuan Dynasty together.
Today, the three arrived at Hongming Mountain, which is the Xuanyuan Dynasty’s most famous mountain. The town at its foot was bustling with people, very prosperous.
Hongming Mountain is not very high in elevation, but the scenery within the mountain is captivating.
The three hiked up the mountain, choosing a less-traveled path. Zhou Fan and Ning Shuying even played games halfway, enjoying the mountains and water, truly savoring the experience.
They reached the peak of Hongming Mountain before dark, just in time for the sunset.
The three stood side by side, quietly watching the sun set in the west.
On the platform at the summit of Hongming Mountain stood a pure white stone tablet, on which were inscribed poems left by the Xuanyuan Empress during her visit.
Layered peaks float in the verdant sky, isolated peaks pierce the azure heavens.
Clouds rest on ancient stones, mist locks the nine winding bridges.
Ancient trees cast starlight, secluded springs wash moon silk.
Ascending is but an instant, having forgotten the worldly clamor.
The Empress’s handwriting was like a Dragon entering the clouds, naturally blending with the mountain scenery.
As a swordsman, Qin Li, upon careful perusal, discovered that the poem was carved with a sword, and within it contained wisps of Sword Intent.
Coincidentally, as he ascended to the peak of Hongming Mountain, he also had some insights. With an Epiphany, Qin Li drew his longsword and immediately began practicing his swordplay as if no one else was present.
Seeing this, Ning Shuying looked sideways at Zhou Fan.
Zhou Fan casually set up a barrier to keep Li Di undisturbed, took Ning Shuying a little further away, and transmitted via Divine Sense, “Li Di is exceptionally talented. He should be entering a state of Epiphany now.”
“Epiphany, I heard that one day of Epiphany is comparable to ten years of arduous cultivation. Qin Li has encountered a great Opportunity.”
Ning Shuying felt a little envious, but more than that, she was happy for Qin Li.
Seeing this, Zhou Fan embraced this lovely number one Divine Constable of the Xuanyuan Dynasty, leaned down, and whispered something in her ear.
Subsequently, Ning Shuying’s face quickly flushed, and she nodded almost imperceptibly.
Zhou Fan was delighted by this, and quickly cast a one-way barrier spell. He then embraced Ning Shuying and began to stroll around the beautiful peak of Hongming Mountain.
…
Halfway through their stroll, Zhou Fan suddenly received a transmission from his Fairy Master.
He opened the transmission talisman and immediately heard his Fairy Master’s somewhat resentful and charming voice.
“Good disciple, when do you plan to return? I miss you every night~”
Zhou Fan, while holding Ning Shuying, replied with a smile, “Only at night? Little arsonist…”
Nangong Wan heard Zhou Fan’s affectionate address and immediately felt her longing intensify. She pressed her legs together, just about to ask Zhou Fan where he was and if there was anyone else around.
Suddenly, a different sound came from the transmission talisman.
“Naughty disciple, who else have you found outside? Not coming home for a month, turns out you found a new lover outside.”
Luan Feng Immortal’s tone was even more resentful. Zhou Fan glanced at Ning Shuying, who quickly covered her mouth and shook her head.
She indicated that she had already covered her mouth as soon as the transmission sounded, but Zhou Fan was too powerful, and Ning Shuying couldn’t help it.
Zhou Fan saw that Ning Shuying didn’t do it on purpose, so he dotingly rubbed her head, then told her to let go. He then spoke to his Fairy Master, whose breathing was rapidly accelerating on the other end of the transmission talisman.
“I am on the peak of Hongming Mountain in the Xuanyuan Dynasty. Master, just come. My cultivation has greatly increased recently, adding you is more than enough.”
Nangong Wan actually had the idea of descending the mountain, so hearing her naughty disciple’s arrogant words now, she immediately couldn’t hold back.
“Hmph, then this Master will come to properly test whether you, this naughty disciple, have neglected your cultivation after being away from the mountain for so long.”
“Heh, Master, you’ll know when you get here.”
Zhou Fan originally wanted to hang up the transmission talisman directly, but listening to his Fairy Master’s breathing on the other end, he smiled and said.
“Since Fairy Master you enjoy listening so much, then your disciple will not hang up the transmission talisman.”
Luan Feng Immortal did not reply, but swiftly flew out of Luoyun Temple on her sword, heading straight towards Zhou Fan’s location.
…
Half a day later, the full-speed Luan Feng Immortal finally arrived at the battlefield.
Her Divine Sense swept across the entire Hongming Mountain, and she instantly discovered the one-way barrier that her naughty disciple liked to set up.
The fire in her heart could no longer be contained; only Nangong Wan herself knew what it felt like to clearly hear for half a day while flying on her sword.
Her figure flickered as she entered the barrier, and Luan Feng Immortal immediately launched an attack on Zhou Fan, this naughty disciple who did not know how to return home.