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The streets of Ziluo City were crowded and bustling.
As he watched that grand procession disappear into the distance, the white-robed young man, Wang Ting, suddenly said, “Master, it seems the Grand Libationer’s operation targeting young lord Su has failed.”
His master, a mellow old man in Daoist robes, said softly, “I said it long ago: our Fellow Daoist Su is no ordinary person. Even if Third High Elder Lu Changming had gotten involved, I’m afraid he couldn’t have seized the Seed of the Azure.”
He and his apprentice had left Meng Po Palace the same day as Su Yi. However, both master and apprentice had left a little earlier, which was why they didn’t know that Su Yi had been pursued.
They naturally didn’t know that Su Yi had defeated Yuan Linning, an Empress.
Even so, the old man in Daoist robes seemed to have anticipated that Meng Po Palace wouldn’t be able to seize the Seed of the Azure!
“Is that so…?” Wang Ting fell briefly silent, then said, “Master, we’ve already searched Ziluo City for several days, but we haven’t found any leads. Do you think… we ought to ask Miss Cui for help? The Cui Family are the sovereigns of Ziluo City. With their help…”
Before he could finish, the old man in Daoist robes sighed and shook his head. “We can’t. If the Cui Family realizes our intentions, they might object. It could lead to unpredictable developments.”
He paused, then patted Wang Ting on the shoulder. “We’ve spent years searching already. Don’t be in such a rush.”
Wang Ting silently nodded.
“Come on, let’s find a place to rest our legs, then have a look at the ruins of the Bureau of Adjudication in the east of the city.” As the old man in Daoist robes spoke, he continued into the distance.
Ziluo City was enormous; it covered an eight-hundred-mile radius. It was divided into four districts: east, west, north, and south. Each was home to millions of people!
A full fifteen minutes later.
Both the grand procession of guards atop Inkscale Beasts and the ornate carriage they were protecting arrived at the estate of the Cui Family.
The estate was utterly enormous, with halls and palaces as numerous as trees in a forest. It included lakes, forests, and hills, making it even more majestic than the imperial palaces of the mundane world.
Rumor had it that each generation of the Cui Family had made further improvements to the estate, and that it was like a separate world, little different from a hidden realm.
When Su Yi and his companions arrived, someone was already waiting for them by the front gate.
“Brother Su, we’ve already reached the Cui Family gates. You really don’t plan to tell me your origins?” laughed Cui Jingyan.
Su Yi glanced at her. “I don’t.”
“....” The young woman scrunched up her nose and snorted. “When we meet with my father, I’m sure looking forward to seeing the look on your face when he exposes your identity!”
As she spoke, she made her way up the stairs and toward the estate’s main gate.
An elderly servant stood there waiting for her, smiling and clasping his fist. “Young Mistress, news or your return has already reached your honorable mother and the family head. However, the family head is currently meeting with guests. Your mother told me to bring you and your two guests to Pinebreeze Pavilion for a chat.”
Cui Jingyan froze, stunned, then asked curiously, “Uncle Tao, who is my father meeting with?”
The old servant, Uncle Tao, said in a low voice, “The family head is meeting with guests from the Qu, Hong, and Tantai families.”
Cui Jingyan exclaimed, “What are they visiting the Cui Family for?”
Uncle Tao shook his head. “I’m not sure.”
Cui Jingyan thought for a moment, then said, “Forget it. For now, I’ll just take my guests to see my mother.”
……
Pinebreeze Pavilion.
When Su Yi and company arrived, a beautiful, dignified woman was already seated in the simple but elegant pavilion.
She wore her hair up. In her plumed dress, she emanated gentle serenity. However, when her eyes moved, her gaze bore the marks of countless years.
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Xue Huaning.
She was the wife of Family Head Cui, and a long time ago, she’d been one of Meng Po Palace’s Emissaries of the River!
Her position was so lofty that even the current generation leader of Meng Po Palace had to call her “Martial Aunt.”
She’d long since shaken the Netherworld under the title, “the Thousand Jade Spirit Emperor!”
“Mother, I’m back.” Cui Jingyan entered the pavilion with a laugh, then obediently greeted her mother.
Xue Huaning rose from her chair, then swept her gaze across Su Yi and the old blind man. “I’m Jingyan’s mother. Greetings.”
Su Yi subtly inclined his head, but the old blind man hurriedly clasped his fist. “Greetings, Senior!”
Although he was an inheritor of the Ghost Lantern Sarcophagus Bearers, ultimately, he’d yet to prove his Dao and become an Emperor. He naturally didn’t dare skimp on manners in front of the long-established Thousand Jade Spirit Emperor, Xue Huaning.
“Although I don’t know your name, Jingyan mentioned you in her letter. She said you’re the Master of the Blood Coffin’s disciple. Now that I mention it, your master and I are of the same generation. You needn’t be so polite,” said Xue Huaning, her bearing gentle.
She then gazed at Su Yi and smiled. “And this must be young lord Su! Jingyan raved about you in her letter.”
Su Yi was stunned.
Cui Jingyan muttered, “How was that raving about him? All I did was tell the truth.”
Su Yi was at a loss for words.
The group then proceeded to take their seats, and servants arrived with tea and refreshments.
Xue Huaning seemed particularly interested in Su Yi, and she asked with a smile, “Young Lord Su, I heard that you’ve come to the Netherworld in pursuit of the Grand Dao. Might I ask what you plan to do next?”
“For now, I don’t have any specific plans,” said Su Yi casually after a sip of tea.
He’d come to the Cui Family estate to ask about Cui Longxiang and the Sea of Bitterness.
Then, he planned to visit a few of his old haunts and collect things he’d left there in his past life.
Beyond that, he just planned to focus on his cultivation, enter the Spiritual Revolution Realm, and begin preparations for proving his Dao and becoming an Emperor as soon as possible.
As for the rest? He still hadn’t given it much thought.
At the end of the day, in Su Yi’s heart, everything except cultivation was trivial. There was no need to give it too much thought.
Xue Huaning went on to exchange pleasantries. The subject matter was largely unimportant.
Although Su Yi wasn’t interested, he revealed no sign of impatience.
After all, he was here as a guest, and this was Cui Jingyan’s mother. Even if he found such small talk insipid, it wouldn't do to say that out loud.
Then, out of the blue, Xue Huaning asked, “So… Are you married, Young Lord Su?”
Su Yi froze, then shook his head. “I’m not.”
Cui Jingyan couldn’t help but interject, “Mother, what are you asking that for?”
Xue Huaning looked rueful. “All these years, and this is your first time bringing the man you like home. It’s unprecedented! As your mother, I’m naturally curious about just who this Young Lord Su is and why you admire him so highly.”
Cui Jingyan’s eyes widened. “????”
The old blind man’s expression turned a bit strange.
The corners of Su Yi’s lips twitched. What’s happening here?
Xue Huaning smiled. “Seeing him now, Young Lord Su is indeed impressive. What’s rare is that his every word and gesture has a transcendent air, and he’s calm in the face of both compliments and flattery. It’s truly admirable.”
She was an Empress who’d lived for countless years, and she’d long since seen her full of geniuses and elites.
From the moment Su Yi first walked into Pinebreeze Pavilion, she took note of his movements and discovered that he remained composed even in the face of an Imperial Expert. He wasn’t at all tentative or fearful.
That was truly rare.
In the Six Paths Royal Territory, even the most dazzling young geniuses of the Spirit Dao seemed incomparably reserved in front of her. Some were awestruck, others fearful, others still uneasy.
But none were as calm as Su Yi.
And this calm disposition was no mere act. Rather, it seemed like a reflection of his inner calm. If he had been faking it, Xue Huaning would have seen through him a long time ago.
This was why Xue Huaning wasn’t stingy with her compliments.
“Mother, you… you’re sure you’re not… overthinking this?” Cui Jingyan stammered, feeling thoroughly uncomfortable and a bit dazed. She suddenly realized that the way her mother saw it, she’d brought Su Yi back because she liked him and wanted to introduce him to her parents…
“Girl, there’s a first time for everything. Since you brought Young Lord Su home, I’m sure you’ve mentally prepared for this,” Xue Huaning said gently. “Rest assured: I won’t chastise you, nor will I blame you for taking matters into your own hands. After all, you’ve already grown up. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be with the person you like. As your mother, I’m delighted; how could I possibly bear to rebuke you?”
The old blind man’s face twitched; he was obviously fighting back laughter. He only just barely managed to avoid spitting out his tea.
Su Yi couldn’t help but facepalm.
Why was this happening?
Just what had Cui Jingyan written in her letter to cause such a misunderstanding?
Cui Jingyan looked totally flustered and caught off guard. Her eyes widened, and her cheeks flushed red. She started to explain, “Mother, it’s not like you think. He…”
Xue Huaning smiled and cut her off, a confident look on her face. “I’ve been through this myself, you know. How could I mistake your feelings? Rest assured; others might speak of marrying within their social class, but so long as you love him, it doesn’t matter how lofty or humble his background is.”
She paused, suddenly proud. “This might be unpleasant to hear, but even if he’s merely an unassuming, ordinary rogue cultivator, so long as you truly love him, I’ll do everything I can to help you be together! Given our Cui Family’s foundations, there’s no need to concern ourselves with nonsense like staying within our social class.”
She then looked at Su Yi once more, her smile warm and friendly. “Young Lord Su, I trust you already understand what I’m trying to say?”
Xue Huaning was now a would-be mother-in-law evaluating a potential son-in-law. The more she looked at Su Yi, the more she liked him…
The old blind man was finding it increasingly difficult to hold in his laughter, and his facial muscles were starting to get stiff.
Cui Jingyan stood there in a daze. Mother has only just met Su Yi for the first time, so why does it seem like she’s in a hurry to decide my future?
Su Yi, however, was already calm. He picked up his teacup and took a sip. When he saw how awkward and flustered Cui Jingyan looked, he couldn’t help but laugh.
However, just as he was about to say something, the elderly servant, Uncle Tao, suddenly appeared outside Pinebreeze Pavilion——
“Madam, His Excellency has requested you in the Northview Pavilion.”
When Xue Huaning heard that, her brow instantly furrowed.