Chapter 367 - 196: You Jin’Er (Part 2)

Lieyun, watching from the side, couldn't bear it any longer. He smacked his lips, then dove headfirst into the Celestial Pool and vanished from sight.

Li Changfeng paid it no mind and was about to lead You Jin'Er toward his own cave residence. Before they could move, however, a sound came from the side. The main gate swung open, and Xue Yuren emerged, walking gracefully. With an expressionless face, she said, "The Master sent word. You two are to wait for him in the residence. He will be here shortly."

Li Changfeng was delighted. "That's wonderful news." He gently patted You Jin'Er's hand and said comfortingly, "Jin'Er, don't worry. My esteemed master has a transcendent bearing. There's no need to be nervous about meeting him."

In truth, You Jin'Er was merely curious, but she was deeply touched by Li Changfeng's thoughtfulness. She gave a sweet smile and followed him into the residence.

The two took their seats in the main hall. Soon after, Xue Yuren brought them two cups of clear tea. Li Changfeng accepted his respectfully, to which Xue Yuren merely gave a cold nod.

You Jin'Er couldn't help but feel curious. She sent a voice transmission, asking, "This Cold and Pure Lady, could she be Li Lang's esteemed master's concubine?"

Li Changfeng replied, "My esteemed master is dedicated solely to his cultivation, a man who has devoted himself to the Great Dao. Lady Xue is merely the manager of the residence."

You Jin'Er nodded thoughtfully. After tasting the tea, her eyes lit up, and she let out a sound of praise. Just as Li Changfeng was about to tell her about it, he suddenly heard Lieyun's fawning shouts from outside. A flicker of joy appeared in his eyes, and he stood up to look.

You Jin'Er's heart stirred. Following the sound with her gaze, she saw a white-robed Daoist slowly approaching. He projected no imposing aura, seeming more like a cool breeze as he passed through the door and into the hall. In an instant, the entire room grew tranquil and pure. A Daoist atmosphere spontaneously arose, as if the hall had transformed into one of the fabled places where Immortals sat and discussed the profound mysteries of the Dao.

You Jin'Er knew this was an illusion created by the other man's immensely profound mastery of the Dao, but this realization only astonished her further.

To be frank, she had seen more High-Achieving Cultivators in her life than most people had even heard of, but this was the first time she had been so deeply struck by a Nascent Soul Cultivator. 'He truly lives up to his title, "Chengxuan Descended to the World, A Millennium of Immortal Grace"…' she thought.

The visitor was none other than Xuzhuang. The moment he entered the hall, Li Changfeng prostrated himself and cried out, "Your unfilial disciple, Li Changfeng, pays his respects to Master!"

Xuzhuang allowed him to complete the prostration. Just as Li Changfeng was about to kowtow again, Xuzhuang circulated his Magical Power to lift him to his feet, then examined him closely.

Li Changfeng had been away from Li Mountain for over twenty years. He not only looked much more weathered, but his features had also aged to resemble those of a middle-aged man. Although his cultivation had been honed and tempered over the years, his progress had been minimal.

However, Xuzhuang did not say much, remarking only, "It is good that you have returned." He then shifted his gaze to You Jin'Er.

You Jin'Er's heart tightened. She heard Xuzhuang say, "I heard that Changfeng had brought back a Daoist companion—and a Golden Core Cultivator, no less. Thus, I came to see for myself."

"I just never expected that this worthless disciple of mine would win the affection of Taixuan Profound True Monarch's own closed-door disciple. Even I feel deeply honored."

This pronouncement stunned Li Changfeng into a daze. You Jin'Er also revealed a look of surprise and asked, "Venerable, you know of me?"

Xuzhuang said lightly, "Miss You may not know this, but I was in attendance at the Dragon Palace wedding banquet."

"The Dragon Palace wedding banquet?" Li Changfeng's mind, already reeling, was now completely lost in a fog. He glanced around in confusion. You Jin'Er quickly said, "Li Lang, I'll explain about the wedding banquet later. I didn't intentionally hide my identity from you…"

In truth, Xuzhuang had only mentioned the wedding banquet, and Li Changfeng hadn't grown suspicious. Seeing her anxiety, he quickly soothed her, "Jin'Er, don't be anxious. Of course I believe you."

He thought for a moment, then gave a carefree laugh. "In that case, we're even," he said.

Xuzhuang raised an eyebrow slightly. From Li Changfeng's expression, it seemed he was completely unaware of the tremendous origins of the beauty by his side. Xuzhuang couldn't help but shake his head. He walked leisurely to the host's seat, sat down, and picked up the tea Xue Yuren had presented, taking a light sip.

Li Changfeng and You Jin'Er held hands and exchanged a few words, apparently resolving the misunderstanding. You Jin'Er tucked a stray strand of dark hair behind her ear and said in a soft voice, "Please forgive my foolish display, Venerable. My master's status has nothing to do with me. I am just an ordinary True Inheritance disciple of the Taixuan Orthodox Sect."

Xuzhuang nodded slightly, not prying into the younger generation's entanglements. Instead, he asked, "Changfeng, have you returned to the sect this time to attend Nephew Zhou's Golden Core ceremony?"

Li Changfeng confirmed that he had, unable to suppress a bitter smile.

He originally had another important reason for returning to the sect: to request his master's permission to become Daoist companions with You Jin'Er. This would allow her to be officially affiliated with the Tai Su Sect, and even if she wasn't a direct-lineage disciple, she could at least cultivate within Yunmeng Marsh…

He had never expected You Jin'Er to have such origins. Forget being the closed-door disciple of the Taixuan Profound True Monarch—her status as a True Inheritance disciple of the Taixuan Sect alone made it impossible for her to marry into the Tai Su Sect. She also had no need to borrow the spiritual energy of Yunmeng Marsh to cultivate. Their statuses were worlds apart.

Seeing his disciple's expression, Xuzhuang also frowned slightly. The matter was indeed thorny. Though his own reputation was considerable and he was highly valued by his sect, in the eyes of the Taixuan Profound True Monarch, he might be no more significant than a mayfly.

However, You Jin'Er and Li Changfeng were mutually in love. If Li Changfeng could prove his worth and successfully form a Top-grade Golden Core, then as a Tai Su True Inheritance disciple, he might have some ground to stand on…

You Jin'Er took Li Changfeng's hand and squeezed it gently. Li Changfeng's spirits lifted. Seemingly remembering something, he said, "Disciple has another important matter to report to Master."

Xuzhuang said, "Then speak freely."

Li Changfeng's expression turned solemn. "On our way back to the sect, Jin'Er and I were ambushed by a Golden Core Cultivator. His cultivation seemed to be of a low-to-mid level. He wielded Five Fire Magical Soldiers and appeared to be from the Celestial Fire Sect."

"Hm?" Xuzhuang's brow furrowed slightly.

"I am not asking you to seek justice on my behalf, Master. It is just that…" Li Changfeng's face was grave as he continued, "Your disciple has never had any dealings with cultivators from the Celestial Fire Sect, let alone any grudges. I fear the attack was because of you, Master."