The interior of the Crazy Winter Heavenly Palace had a similar design to the exterior.
In general, it looked exactly like how the inside of a tower should.
Main areas, corridors and multiple rooms, with each level connected through a long flight of stairs that reached from the first storey all the way up to the tenth.
As for the design, everything including the walls, the flooring, and even the ceilings were a bluish white in colour, polished to the point where one could see a hint of their own reflection.
Even the outer disciples' common room carried the same theme, having the same flooring and walls as the outside.
That was why Zhao Yunxiao was not too surprised to see that Elder He Luoxuan's room did not stray too far from that design either.
But the colour theme was perhaps the only commonality between his room and the outer disciples' common room.
With huge area and high ceilings – this was a grand chamber worthy of being called a throne room.
A deep blue coloured carpet reached from the door all the way to the other end of the room, where a crystal throne could be seen behind an intricately designed crystal table.
Smaller crystal chairs lined the sides of the carpet for the inner half as well, hinting that this chamber was probably more for work purposes than for rest.
At this moment, Elder He Luoxuan was the only one in the room, leaning back comfortably on the grand crystal throne as he read a thick scroll in his hands.
"Greetings, Elder He," Zhao Yunxiao stopped by the door. "Your tea and snacks are here."
"Bring it over," He Luoxuan beckoned with a wave of his hand, his eyes not leaving the scroll.
"Yes, Elder He," Zhao Yunxiao stepped foot on the carpet and slowly made his way forward.
At the same time, he carefully observed He Luoxuan's expression and demeanour.
The design of the crystal tables and chairs.
The type and position of the brush and paper on his table.
The clothes he was wearing and how he was wearing them.
The posture with which he was reading and the expression on his face.
Indeed, what he had heard about He Luoxuan's preferences was not too far from the truth. Learning that gave him a slight confidence boost.
Zhao Yunxiao silently placed the tray on the crystal table and started to pour the tea.
"You said your name is Zhao Yunxiao?" He Luoxuan casually asked without looking up from the scroll. "How long have you been with the sect?"
It would appear that He Luoxuan did not know much about the outer disciples who would be going with him on this trip.
Was it the inner disciples who made the selection then?
Or did he leave solely it to the administrative deacon of the Myriad Fields Pagoda, Rui Tang?
"This disciple is useless. I have been with the sect for more than ten years, but I am still only an outer disciple at the Intermediate Essence Gathering realm," Zhao Yunxiao answered calmly.
"Everyone has their own role to play. Outer disciples like yourself are vital to the survival of the sect as well," He Luoxuan replied. "In fact, there are millions who would love to join the sect as an outer disciple, so there is no reason to think badly of your situation."
"I understand, Elder He," Zhao Yunxiao stepped back after he was done pouring the tea. "Please enjoy."
"Hmm?" He Luoxuan finally sounded a little surprised after glancing at the tray that Zhao Yunxiao brought. "Who came up with the menu?"
"Reporting to Elder He, the outer disciples decided on it together," Zhao Yunxiao said without hesitation.
"Mm, good choice," He Luoxuan nodded as he picked up the tea cup for a sip. "But that is not what I am asking. What I want to know is who suggested this menu in the first place. Is it you?"
He Luoxuan finally looked straight at Zhao Yunxiao, his deep eyes seemingly peering straight into Zhao Yunxiao's soul.
Zhao Yunxiao shuddered.
Under the penetrating gaze of the elder, it felt as though his body had been stripped bare right there and then.
There was no overwhelming pressure or sense of intimidation, but Zhao Yunxiao instinctively understood that there was nothing that he could hide from the elder.
"Reporting to Elder He, this useless disciple is indeed the person who suggested the menu," Zhao Yunxiao replied frankly.
"Not bad," He Luoxuan retracted his gaze with a smile. "How do you know my preferences? Did you ask around about me before coming on the trip?"
"This useless disciple has always admired Elder He, thus has always been observing Elder He to emulate your habits in a wishful bid to become like you one day," Zhao Yunxiao scratched the back of his head in embarrassment.
"Hahaha, what nonsense! Instead of all that, I see that you are just really good at buttering up to others!" He Luoxuan laughed. "But it's all right. It is good that you are willing to make the effort to do the necessary research before coming. Good job."
"Thank you for the kind words, Elder He," Zhao Yunxiao answered with a smile.
It seemed that Elder He Luoxuan was not too uptight as well.
"You did well. When you return to the common room, you can keep two items of your liking from the drawers. Tell the other two that they can keep one each as well," He Luoxuan said before turning his attention back to the scroll in his hand.
"Thank you for your kindness, Elder He!" Zhao Yunxiao clasped his fists towards the elder to express his gratitude.
Despite the scroll being right in front of him, Zhao Yunxiao knew better than to peek at it.
At their level, the elders could easily sense where others were looking at, especially when there was a huge disparity in strength between them, like how Zhao Yunxiao was to him.
If there was something secret in the scroll that outer disciples like him should not be privy to, wouldn't he be accused of trying to spy on sect secrets?
Instead of risking that, Zhao Yunxiao took a few steps away from the table and but remained in the room, standing there as he silently awaited orders.
Whenever the tea cup emptied out, he would step forward to refill it once more without having to be told.
About an hour had passed when He Luoxuan was finally done with his tea and snack, and Zhao Yunxiao quietly picked up the tray to leave.
It might seem like a boring task to many, but Zhao Yunxiao saw it as an enriching experience instead.
An hour was neither too short nor too long.
During this time, Zhao Yunxiao was able to observe and learn several small nuances of the elder's, many of which were not things that he could hear of just by asking around.
In fact, not even He Luoxuan himself would have been aware of certain things that Zhao Yunxiao had observed about him over the past hour!
***
It was a triumphant return for Zhao Yunxiao.
"Did Elder He really say we can take anything we want?" Yu Hang asked in disbelief.
"Damn, if I knew that the server would get double the benefits, I would have volunteered for sure!" Zheng Biru added.
"That's too bad, Senior Martial Brother Zheng," Zhao Yunxiao smirked in response. "Maybe you can be the next one to do it though."
At the same time, he also understood that such a thing would not have been possible.
Even if it was Zheng Biru who had gone to serve the elder, the credit would still go to him once the elder asked who came up with the menu.
And if Zheng Biru tried to lie and claim credit... who knew what kind of punishment Elder He would mete out instead?
"Hahaha! I was just joking, Junior Martial Brother Zhao!" Zheng Biru patted Zhao Yunxiao on the shoulder. "You are the one who came up with everything, so you should naturally be the one to receive the greater portion of the rewards!"
"That's right! It's all thanks to Senior Martial Brother Zhao!" Yu Hang chimed in.
"Senior Martial Brother Zheng and Junior Martial Brother Yu are too kind," Zhao Yunxiao said with a smile. "It was a group decision after all."
It would appear that his comrades were pretty easy to work with this time.
"Now then, let's start choosing, shall we?" Zheng Biru rubbed his hands together in glee. "You can go first, Junior Martial Brother Zhao!"
"Then I shall not stand on ceremony!" Zhao Yunxiao nodded and took his pick.
The items in the drawers were not exceptionally expensive, but some of them were rather rare. Those were naturally the items that Zhao Yunxiao went for.
In any case, there were plenty of each item in stock. Even if he took first pick, he would not be depriving the other two of anything they wanted.
The rest of the journey went smoothly, with the three outer disciples resting in their common room as they got to know one another better through casual chats.
In the end, they were still in He Luoxuan's personal heavenly palace right now. It was only natural that there was barely anything that the elder would need their help with.
After half a day had passed, Hu Nan finally appeared at their door once more.
"Get ready and assemble at the entrance. We have arrived.
"Yes, Senior Martial Brother Hu!"
***
The Origin Lake Sect was a faction located in the northern regions of the Duyuan Empire not far from Purple Plum Mountain, named after the mystical lake that was located within its core grounds.
Even though it was considered a subordinate sect of the Black Tortoise Sect, the Origin Lake Sect still occupied a territory so vast that it was unthinkable to the average man.
Numerous rivers and streams spread throughout this land like capillaries, eventually forming into a wide river that surrounded the entire area.
The water in this river was extremely fast and furious, making it impossible to swim across.
Therefore, in order to enter or leave the sect, one had two options.
Either fly over the huge river and risk the wrath of the sect's defensive arrays, or cross the giant stone bridge at the sect entrance.
The Crazy Winter Heavenly Palace slowly descended from the skies near the entrance of the sect territory, landing on a huge clearing right before the stone bridge.
When the door to the white tower opened, Hu Nan and Song Xiaoqiao were the firsts to step out instead of He Luoxuan.
"Elder He of the Black Tortoise Sect arrives!" Hu Nan puffed out his chest and declared at the top of his voice, the sound further amplified with essence energy to spread far and wide.
"Welcome, Elder He! We are honoured by your presence!"
The enthusiastic greeting was immediately followed up by the loud blare of music, with dozens of performers playing together at the same time to create a majestic tune.
Even from within the tower, Zhao Yunxiao could hear the loud cheer in response to Hu Nan's declaration.
It was only then that He Luoxuan only stepped out of the tower, followed by the three outer disciples who stuck closely behind him in an orderly manner.
The bright rays of the sun shone down from above and blinded Zhao Yunxiao a little as he exited the tower, but it was still not nearly enough to keep his eyes from the grand scene before him.
In this huge clearing near the stone bridge, there were at least hundreds of Origin Lake Sect disciples gathered, if not thousands.
Many of them were holding up banners, half showing the emblem of the Origin Lake Sect and half that of the Black Tortoise Sect.
Standing in front of the disciples were some people who were wearing different attire that looked slightly more important, likely the deacons and protectors of the sect.
Even closer were people whom Zhao Yunxiao immediately recognised from having read their descriptions – the elders of the Origin Lake Sect.
And leading them all was the sect leader of the Origin Lake Sect himself – Sect Leader Dan Juexing!
To welcome Elder He Luoxuan's arrival at the Origin Lake Sect, it could be said that the Origin Lake Sect had spared no effort and came out in full force this time!