"Li Xiaoyun, Zhang Meili, quickly enter the cave!" Xue Mingyu's voice echoed in their minds through a sound transmission. As the message reached them, a spark of excitement ignited in their eyes. "Could it be that the Matriarch will grant us access to the Divine Basin?" Li Xiaoyun exclaimed, her voice filled with anticipation. Zhang Meili nodded in agreement, her face beaming with hope. "We mustn't hesitate. Let's make our way inside before she changes her mind!" Determined not to miss this rare opportunity, the two core disciples wasted no time and hurriedly descended the cave's stairs, eager to immerse themselves in the sacred waters of the Divine Basin.
As Li Xiaoyun and Zhang Meili reached the cavern, their astonishment grew upon witnessing the unexpected sight. Instead of finding the Matriarch indulging in the mystical waters of the Divine Basin, they discovered her kneeling over the unconscious form of a young man. Their eyes widened in surprise, and their initial shock transformed into a different kind of awe. "He's incredibly handsome! I can't believe what I'm seeing," Li Xiaoyun thought, her heart fluttering with a mix of fascination and disbelief. Zhang Meili's thoughts mirrored her companion's sentiment, captivated by the extraordinary beauty before them. With great curiosity, the two core disciples carefully observed every detail of the young man's physique, unable to resist being captivated by his extraordinary appearance.
Li Xiaoyun and Zhang Meili exchanged glances, their eyes reflecting their confusion and curiosity. Li Xiaoyun gathered her courage and spoke up, addressing Xue Mingyu with a mix of concern and intrigue. "Matriarch, may we inquire about this young man's identity? And what could have led him to be in such a disheveled state?" Her voice held a hint of worry for the mysterious stranger lying before them, their minds brimming with questions about his origins and the events that had brought him here.
Xue Mingyu's eyes flickered with uncertainty as she quickly formulated a response. "He introduced himself as Yue Wang Zhi, but henceforth we shall refer to him as Yue Xuan. As for his origins and current state, I am unaware. However, it is crucial that we keep his true identity a secret. We cannot risk the one who put him in this state discovering his location. Furthermore, I can confirm that he is not from this continent, for someone of his extraordinary appearance would be recognized even among celestial realms." The disciples exchanged determined glances before affirming in unison, "We understand, Matriarch."
"Good, now help me carry him back to the sect. We need to make sure he gets well" The two disciples blushed from the prospect of getting to take care of him. They both took turns taking him on their backs, making their way down the mountain. When they arrived at the gates of the Forbidden lotus sect, they were greeted by the guards.
"Li Xiaoyun, Zhang Meili, welcome back!" greeted the guards with a mixture of joy and concern. However, as their eyes fell upon the young man carried by Li Xiaoyun, their expressions quickly shifted to a more guarded and apprehensive stance. They crossed their spears, forming a barrier to block the path of the two disciples.
"Who is that young man you're carrying?" one of the guards questioned with a tone laced with caution and suspicion.
"He is with me," Li Xiaoyun responded firmly, asserting her authority. The guards immediately recognized the significance of her words and quickly stepped aside, creating a clear path for the girls to proceed. As they entered the sect grounds, they couldn't help but notice the curious gazes directed at them. Whispers and murmurs filled the air as the presence of the handsome stranger ignited intrigue and fascination among the onlookers.
Some of the girls couldn't hide their blushes, their imaginations running wild with fantasies sparked by the alluring newcomer. The boys, on the other hand, were consumed by jealousy as they witnessed their girlfriends' flushed cheeks and captivated gazes directed towards the stranger.
"Where to matriarch." The two girls asked
"To the Silver Lotus Pavilion," Xue Mingyu replied, her voice tinged with a hint of excitement that she couldn't conceal. The two disciples were taken aback by her response. They had assumed the stranger would be taken to a guest residence or an infirmary, not their matriarch's personal dwelling.
"Your residence, Matriarch? But isn't it restricted to only the patriarch?" Li Xiaoyun stammered, her surprise evident. The girls exchanged bewildered glances, struggling to comprehend why their composed and respected matriarch would want to keep this young man all to herself.
Xue Mingyu smiled mysteriously, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "I have my reasons. Trust me, it is for the best. Follow me, and we shall prepare a place for him in the Silver Lotus Pavilion." Her voice held an air of authority that left no room for further questioning. The disciples nodded, their curiosity piqued, as they prepared to accompany the matriarch to her exclusive domain, carrying the enigmatic Yue Xuan with them.
When they reached the entrance of the Silver Lotus Pavilion, three figures stood before them. Among them were two graceful women, radiating an air of maturity and authority. Alongside them stood an elderly man, his presence commanding respect. As they approached, the man spoke with a polite tone, addressing Xue Mingyu, the Matriarch.
"Greetings, esteemed Matriarch. How were the baths? I have come to inquire about our previous discussion regarding my son's potential ascension as the new patriarch," the man stated, a faint smile playing on his lips. He carried himself with an air of confidence, his eyes reflecting a wisdom accumulated over years of experience. His name was Elder Fang, a figure of great importance within the sect.
"Ah, Elder Feng," Xue Mingyu greeted respectfully. "Apologies for the delay in our meeting. We encountered an unexpected situation on our way back. This young man," she gestured to Yue Xuan on the girls' backs, "requires immediate care and attention."
Elder Feng's eyes fell upon Yue Xuan, his expression turning serious as he observed the unconscious young man. "I see," he replied, his tone carrying a hint of intrigue. "It seems our conversation will have to wait. Attend to the young man's needs first, and we shall discuss the matter later."
Xue Mingyu nodded, understanding the elder's priorities. "Of course, Elder Feng. I will ensure that Yue Xuan receives the proper care and attention he requires. Please have patience for a little longer."
With that, Xue Mingyu led Li Xiaoyun and Zhang Meili past Elder Feng and into the Silver Lotus Pavilion, leaving the elder and the two mature ladies outside. The doors closed behind them, enveloping Yue Xuan in an atmosphere of secrecy and intrigue.
As the doors of the Silver Lotus Pavilion closed, Elder Feng exchanged a knowing glance with the two mature ladies by his side. Lady Zhao, with her elegant demeanor, spoke first. "Elder Feng, what do you make of this situation? Who is this young man, and why does the Matriarch show such concern for him?"
Elder Feng stroked his long beard, his eyes reflecting deep contemplation. "There is more to this than meets the eye, Lady Zhao. The Matriarch's reaction and the presence of this young man hold significance. We must exercise caution and patience."
As Lady Zhao waited for Elder Feng's response, a gust of wind rustled the leaves of the surrounding lotus trees, adding an air of mystique to the moment. The elderly man's gaze sharpened, and he spoke with a voice filled with wisdom. "This young man, Yue Xuan, possesses an aura that resonates with ancient legends. His appearance at this critical juncture cannot be mere coincidence."
Lady Wang, her eyes filled with curiosity, leaned closer. "Could he be the one mentioned in the ancient prophecies? The one destined to bring about a great transformation within our sect?"
Elder Feng nodded, his gaze never wavering. "It is a possibility, Lady Wang. We have long awaited the arrival of a chosen one who would herald a new era for the Forbidden Lotus sect. If this young man is indeed the key to our future, we must tread carefully and guide him on his path."
Lady Zhao, a glimmer of excitement in her eyes, added, "The Matriarch's actions speak volumes. Her interest and concern for Yue Xuan are undeniable. We must trust in her judgment and support her in this endeavor."
Elder Feng placed a reassuring hand on Lady Zhao's shoulder. "Indeed, Lady Zhao. Our duty is to safeguard the sect's legacy and embrace the unfolding of destiny. Let us gather our knowledge and resources to uncover the truth behind this enigmatic young man."
The trio stood in silent agreement, their hearts filled with anticipation for the unknown future that lay ahead. With a shared resolve, they turned away from the closed doors of the pavilion, their thoughts consumed by the mysteries surrounding Yue Xuan and the path that awaited him within the depths of the Forbidden Lotus sect.