Earlier that same day, at the Shen Clan’s main residence…
“Lang is bringing Ming’er back today. Lingzhu, quickly! Help me get dressed and do my hair…”
Madam Lan sat blankly before the mirror. Only when a Shen Clan attendant came to report the news did she suddenly snap back to her senses.
“Yes, Madam.”
The young maid Lingzhu, who bore a slight resemblance to Lingsong, stepped forward and began arranging Madam Lan’s hair into a coiffure.
“Did Lang miss me, so he used bringing Ming’er back to the main family as an excuse to come see me?”
As Lingzhu gently smoothed Madam Lan’s long hair again and again, she answered without raising her head.
“The news from Mount Jia says that Second Miss helped Lord Wuya of the Western Frontier with something and earned quite a merit.”
“That child has never shown any talent for cultivation. All she ever thinks about is eating and sleeping. How could she possibly have helped Lord Wuya?” Madam Lan said.
Just then, voices suddenly rang out from outside the courtyard.
“Family Head, Family Head, what brings you to Lan Pavilion?”
Hearing those words, Madam Lan did not even bother finishing her hair. She rushed toward the door.
“Lang, Lang… You’re here? Why haven’t you come to see me all these years?”
“It’s all right! I’ll wait for you here for ten years, a hundred years, even a thousand years if I have to. Lang, come inside! The doors of Lan Pavilion have never once been closed…”
“Where is everyone? Hurry and escort Lang inside! What are you all standing around for?”
“Lang, the servants of Lan Pavilion are disobedient. Tomorrow… No! Today I’ll drive them all away. Please come quickly…”
As Madam Lan ran forward, her hair, which had never been fully secured, came loose and cascaded over her shoulders, making her look like a madwoman.
The servants of Lan Pavilion silently watched her. Some of the bolder ones had already turned away, snickering to themselves.
Who knew which person outside the courtyard had shouted that? How could their Family Head possibly come to Lan Pavilion?
Ever since Madam Lan had gone mad, Shen Fu had avoided her like the plague.
A single false piece of news, a single joke, was enough to send this once-renowned cultivator wandering through the courtyard like a restless ghost, pitiful and laughable to behold.
Meanwhile, beside the lotus pond outside Lan Pavilion, Shen Ji tossed a spirit stone to the attendant standing nearby, who was still panting.
“Well done. I knew that crazy woman would believe it. I heard she was once a famous cultivator throughout the Eastern Region, but now there’s not even a trace of what she used to be.”
“How pathetic. Hmph, just consider this repayment on Shen Ming’s behalf. Sister Moying is still injured. If Shen Ming hadn’t been acting so secretively herself, why would Sister Moying have made a move against her?”
Listening to Madam Lan’s sorrowful cries echoing from Lan Pavilion, Shen Ji finally felt much of the frustration he had bottled up over the past few days dissipate.
“Let’s go back. We’re heading to the Medical Hall. I still need to check on Sister Moying. I wonder if she’ll recover before the Ascension Gathering at Changxiao Palace. We promised we’d go together!”
Shen Ji turned around, and the moment she did, she saw Mingming standing quietly on the opposite side of the lotus pond. There was no telling how long she had been standing there or how many of their secrets she had overheard.
‘Still…’ Shen Ji thought to herself. ‘From this far away, with Shen Ming’s level of cultivation, she shouldn’t have been able to hear that I was the one behind the prank.’
So she casually lifted her chin and called out, “Second Sister.”
Mingming did not respond. Naturally, her hearing was nowhere near as poor as Shen Ji imagined.
When she reached Shen Ji, Mingming lazily raised her eyes and gave her a glance.
At that very moment, the hazy mist lingering within her eyes completely dissipated, revealing the gaze an ancient giant serpent ought to possess.
It was undisguised, icy hunger.
It was even more terrifying than malice, hostility, or killing intent, because it meant that, in her eyes, the person before her was no different from a piece of meat lying on a chopping block.
The two of them did not exist on the same level at all. Between predator and prey lay an insurmountable gulf, one so vast that it robbed the prey of even the courage to resist.
In that brief instant of eye contact, Shen Ji’s breathing stopped in fright. A casual glance from Mingming was enough to make her legs go weak, leaving her unable to remain standing.
“Ninth Miss!”
Amid the attendants’ cries of alarm, Shen Ji stumbled backward in terror and fell into the pond, splashing wildly as panic and fear overwhelmed her.
By then, Mingming had already rubbed her eyes. A soft layer of mist once again veiled those beautiful apricot-shaped eyes, suppressing the ferocity hidden beneath.
After all these years, she still hadn’t changed her nature, Mingming thought as she walked calmly past the lotus pond as though nothing had happened.
Within Lan Pavilion, Madam Lan’s sorrowful calls had already become choked with sobs because Shen Fu never appeared.
Shen Fu could hardly avoid her fast enough. Naturally, he would never have said he was coming to Lan Pavilion.
The entire story had been fabricated by Shen Ji to toy with her. Her goal was simply to provoke another one of Madam Lan’s episodes so she would make a fool of herself in front of everyone.
When Mingming entered the courtyard, she saw only Madam Lan sitting on the ground with her hair in disarray, calling out “Lang” over and over as tears streamed down her face.
“Madam Lan.”
Mingming stopped in front of her. She neither bent down to help up this woman who was her mother in name, nor did she find her embarrassing enough to deliberately ignore her.
She simply extended her hand toward her, waiting for Madam Lan’s long bout of weeping to end so that she could take her hand and rise on her own.
“You’re back?”
When Madam Lan finally recovered herself, her mind was still clear. She slowly gathered her tangled hair back into place.
“Mhm,” Mingming replied.
“Didn’t Lang say he would bring you back?” Madam Lan asked again.
“What are we having for dinner?” Mingming changed the subject without hesitation.
“All you ever think about is food. How are you ever going to find a Dao companion like this…” Madam Lan muttered on and on.
“Mhm.”
“I’ve arranged for you to meet one of the Ji family’s children. He has an excellent chance of passing Changxiao Palace’s Ascension Gathering. In the future, he’ll surely become a formidable cultivator and will be able to protect you.”
“Mhm.”
Mingming was remarkably patient. For every sentence Madam Lan spoke, she responded with one of her own. Not once did she show the slightest impatience toward her mother’s old-fashioned ignorance.
Humans were simply like this. Mingming did not find them ugly. As long as they could still speak, still experience changing emotions and the ebb and flow of feelings…
…then, in Mingming’s eyes, they were all rare delicacies.
After all, no one held a grudge against food.
The next day, Mingming complied with Madam Lan’s request and went to meet the Ji family’s cultivator.
“I’m very busy with my cultivation. You know how fierce the competition at Changxiao Palace is. The only reason I agreed to meet you today is out of respect for Madam Lan.”
Mingming lowered her head and idly stirred the beef stew in her bowl before letting out a yawn.
“Those who pursue the Dao shouldn’t waste their minds on matters of love. Over the years, I’ve heard a few things about Madam Lan. She became much more muddle-headed a few years ago, all because she was trapped by love. As for you… your cultivation isn’t very high either, is it?”
“Although there’s no concrete proof, immortal bloodlines are hereditary. Elders tend to pass on their traits to their descendants. Judging by you, that saying does seem to be true.”
Ji Chen, who sat opposite Mingming, had refined, handsome features and wore a cyan robe. Every movement he made carried an air of immortality. At a glance, it was obvious that his cultivation had already reached the Golden Core Stage, making him one of the outstanding talents among his peers.
His talent, far surpassing that of others his age, had made him exceedingly proud. He had always believed his sights were fixed upon the boundless Great Dao, yet to his surprise, his clan had still begged him to come and meet the dull-witted Second Miss of the Shen Clan.
The Shen Clan held considerable influence in the Eastern Region. His own clan was not particularly powerful, so even though the Shen Clan’s Second Miss was far from exceptional, he could only grit his teeth and keep the appointment to avoid slighting the Shen Clan.
The more Ji Chen thought about it, the more humiliated he felt. His aspirations reached for lofty heights, yet he had been shackled by worldly customs and forced to sit before a woman who did nothing but bury her head in her food. How utterly tragic.
Naturally, Mingming had no idea that his inner thoughts were so colorful.
She had only agreed to come because Madam Lan had asked her to. As long as she indulged her wishes, Madam Lan would suffer fewer episodes.
Madam Lan was physically healthy. No one knew what kind of shock had reduced her to this state. This affliction of the heart could only heal slowly on its own.
Mingming chewed the beef stew in her mouth, paying no attention whatsoever to what Ji Chen was saying. She merely thought the meat had been cooked a little too dry. The spirit chef at this restaurant was not as skilled as she was.
Watching her, Ji Chen found her even more dull and uncouth, and his disgust deepened.
‘She isn’t going to end up like Madam Lan, is she? Unable to live without a man? If I leave just like this, will she become hysterical and chase after me…’
‘Coming here to meet her today was a damned mistake!’
As silence settled between them, countless thoughts flashed through Ji Chen’s mind, eventually coalescing into nothing but resistance and disgust toward Mingming.
At that moment, Mingming caught the scent of the food beside her growing richer.
It was obvious that the Ji Chen before her had become much more preoccupied.
Emotions such as joy and anger were like spices stuffed into the hollowed-out chest cavity of an animal. Whether steamed, roasted, or smoked, they would surely bring out an exquisite flavor.
Mingming swallowed unconsciously.
In Ji Chen’s eyes, however, that simple gesture was nothing less than the mediocre Second Miss of the Shen Clan coveting him.
Of course, perhaps “coveting” was not entirely inaccurate.
“It’s impossible between us!” Ji Chen slammed his palm heavily onto the table and shouted at Mingming.
“Oh…”
Mingming had just finished all the dishes on the table. She took out a white handkerchief and leisurely wiped her mouth.
Only after Ji Chen had looked her up and down hundreds of times did she, for the first time, turn her gaze toward him.
Mingming’s eyes were still shrouded in a gentle mist. Her aura remained languid and unhurried, like a quiet stream flowing beneath the sunlight. No one could know what terrifying monster lay hidden beneath its waters.
There was something uniquely captivating about her bearing. Whenever she deliberately met someone’s gaze, it was easy to leave them momentarily dazed.
“Y… you…” Ji Chen froze for a moment.
“So you said it yourself.”
Mingming rose to her feet. Having heard the rejection she wanted, she was completely satisfied.
“Stop right there!”
Seeing her leave, Ji Chen inexplicably called out to her.
Mingming was obedient enough. She immediately stopped where she was and asked, “Is there anything else?”
“I advise you not to become consumed by love,” Ji Chen said loudly, afraid that Mingming would cling to him.
“No.”
Mingming was too lazy to change her plans. She had come to the Shen Clan for the sole purpose of winning over Lu Xuan, so this thing called love or romance was something she absolutely had to pursue.
‘I knew it. She really does harbor those… those… those kinds of feelings for me!’ Ji Chen thought as expected, glancing at Mingming.
“Give up those thoughts of yours, unless you want to end up like your mother.”
Mingming found that rather strange. Was it so odd for her to have those kinds of feelings for Lu Xuan? She had to win him over if she wanted to break through to the Divine Transformation Stage.
So she replied, “I won’t.”
“You… You’re utterly unreasonable! Do you think I’ll see you in a different light just because you shamelessly pester me like this? All you’ll accomplish is making me dislike you even more. Stop trying to throw your title as the Shen Clan’s Second Miss around to pressure people. Once I enter Changxiao Palace, even the mighty Shen Clan will have to treat me with the utmost respect!”
Mingming tilted her head and asked, “What does that have to do with you?”
“Aren’t you hoping I’ll become your Dao companion?” Ji Chen thought that Shen Ming was clearly trying to play hard to get.
“I already have someone else in mind for my Dao companion.”
Mingming’s goal had always been perfectly clear.
“How can there be someone else? Is it really so hard to admit your feelings?” Ji Chen demanded.
At that moment, a low chuckle suddenly came from outside the window.
“Why wouldn’t there be someone else?”
A figure leaped lightly onto the windowsill, his movements graceful and agile.
With the setting sun at his back, his face was outlined in a strikingly handsome profile that seemed almost too perfect to belong to a mortal.
Lu Xuan leaned casually against the windowsill. The moment he drew close to Mingming, he once again heard the lively beating of his own heart.
His eyes were half lowered as his cool gaze settled on Mingming. His lips pressed together, and he remained silent.
Ji Chen, on the other hand, stared at him with his eyes wide in shock.
Lu Xuan was not so famous that everyone throughout the Immortal Realm knew his face, but during the Eastern Sea Trial not long ago, his overwhelming strength had astonished everyone present, leaving countless proud disciples of the immortal sects able to do nothing but look up at him in admiration.
Ji Chen himself had been among the countless cultivators standing in the crowd, watching as Lu Xuan carved through the trial as though no one else existed and claimed first place.
Lu Xuan was a dragon among men, the one and only among countless people.
And now, this Young Lord of Wentian City, who had once been so far above him that Ji Chen could only glimpse his back, was staring solely at the utterly ordinary and thoroughly disagreeable Second Miss of the Shen Clan?
Naturally, Mingming paid no attention to Ji Chen’s astonished expression. Upon seeing Lu Xuan, she merely felt relieved that she no longer had to make a trip to Wentian City herself.
She looked at Lu Xuan and asked, “You’re back?”
Mingming had said, “You’re back,” not, “You came to see me.”
There was a stronger sense of destiny in those words.
He was the one fated for her. She was his true destination. It was like a prophecy that could never be defied.
Lu Xuan reached out and grabbed Mingming by the wrist, pulling her whole body out through the restaurant window.
Right before Ji Chen’s stunned gaze, Lu Xuan tugged Mingming off the windowsill, and the two of them soared into the sky.
In the distance, the golden-red glow of the setting sun bathed the human city below, making it sparkle brilliantly.
The two of them traveled side by side through the heavens, the evening breeze lifting their sleeves and robes as though they were eloping together.
It should have been a romantic scene.
Yet as they flew, Mingming let out a yawn.
The “flavor” of that Ji Chen just now had been far too complex. She was hungry, and whenever she was hungry, she became sleepy. Only by falling asleep could she stop thinking about eating.
Hearing her yawn, Lu Xuan frowned in displeasure.
“You’re still thinking about sleeping? I’m going to Changxiao Palace. Aren’t you coming with me?”
Mingming lazily raised her eyes.
“What is Changxiao Palace?”
“So unmotivated, yet you still think you can like me?”
“Mhm…”
Mingming searched through her memories, vaguely recalling the origins of Changxiao Palace. If she were to explain it in detail, it would be rather complicated.
In short, it was now a place devoted purely to cultivation. Every hundred years, it held the Ascension Gathering, selecting the most talented cultivators to enter and cultivate there.
In earlier years, quite a number of cultivators there had attained the Great Dao, ascended from the Divine Transformation Stage, and become immortals. It was the smoothest path available for humans seeking cultivation.
Lu Xuan wanted her to go to Changxiao Palace with him?
How troublesome…
Mingming rubbed her eyes, which counted as her agreeing.
“I’m only repaying the karmic debt I owe you for saving me that day. Don’t read too much into it,” Lu Xuan reminded her.
“I already have someone I admire.” Lu Xuan gazed toward the distant horizon beside the setting sun, his tone shifting from cold detachment to one of tender longing.