"Who are you?!" Jun spoke, his voice cutting through the hall's tense silence with deadly precision.
His question echoed off the walls, creating a charged atmosphere as he locked eyes with the beautiful, middle-aged woman.
She studied them, her initially tense shoulders relaxing slightly as she discerned their aura at merely the foundation establishment. Yet, her eyes remained sharp, her posture shifting to one of icy, domineering authority.
"How did you two come into this city?" she asked, her voice now cold and commanding.
Jun was confident that by teaming up with Yinling, they would be able to defeat her in a matter of seconds. Plus coupled with his epiphany system, wouldn't finding a flaw in her fighting style be as easy as eating cake? She could easily transfer his finding to Yinling with their new ability.
"Now that I think about it... Holy shit thats OP!" Jun roared internally.
"Answer me!" Came the yell from the women after being ignored by these two brats.
Although Jun wanted to tell her to shut up, they were currently outnumbered 10 to 2 so if this were a real fight, he wasn't sure if they could win. Their cultivation levels were currently to low compared to them.
"Were just a wondering Daoist Couple exploring the land and seeking adventures" Jun spoke, causing Yinling to gain a tinge of red on her cheeks.
Yinling, hearing Jun's words, felt a warm mix of shyness and happiness flood her cheeks, feeling both needed and loved.
"Rogue cultivators, then?"
The women eyed them both, taking in their features and clothes. Although their clothes looked torn and dirty, she could tell the quality of the material were on the higher end.
The woman seeing this decided to be a little more cautious.
"Why don't you join our search then?" she proposed, her tone taking on a slightly softer edge.
"We don't mean to be rude, but we don't even know your name" Yinling interjected, surprising the woman at how beautiful her voice sounded.
"How rude of me" the woman cupped her hands together and puffed up her chest a little, "I am Lìlì, the 12th core elder of the Scarlet Sect."
Jun hearing this was surprised but a little more relaxed, after all... she's only part of a 6-star sect, not a monster city like a 8 or 9 star one.
"Ahh! its elder Lili" Jun feigned surprise and bowed, grabbing Yinling's head to bow along with him "please forgive our rudeness."
Lìlì seeing this always found it amusing once they found out her identity after being rude, it's one of the many pleasures in her life that she still has.
"It's nothing really" she waved them off "Have you just enter the city?"
Jun still bowing responded "Yes elder Lìlì, we haven't found anything of value, It seems someone else got here before us as well."
Her gaze intensified, searching their faces for signs of deceit but finding none.
Suddenly, rapid footsteps echoed in the long hallway, and nine figures hurriedly approached.
Yu Zhu burst onto the scene, his expression etched with concern. "Master! Were here to help!"
Yu Lu followed, his voice stern. "Master, you shouldn't wander off like that."
Elder Lìlì heart warmed at hearing her disciples evident worry, making her feel closer to distance herself from how he acted. Growing up, her master was as cold as ice, never showing emotion, even on his deathbed. She loved and hated her master for that reason and vowed to never be like that man.
"Sorry, I just heard a strange noise, and it turned out it was just this Daoist couple" Elder Lìlì smiled sheepishly while pointing at Jun and Yinling, still standing side by side touching shoulders.
The disciples, initially focused on Elder Lìlì, now turned their attention to the couple, their expressions shifting from surprise to awe and then utter disbelief.
"Wh- who is she" stammered the muscular man, feeling a fire burn deep within him.
Even the stoic Yu Lu, always calm and collected had a trail of blood oozing from his nose, his body betraying him.
Jun felt a surge of protectiveness seeing such a sight, how dare these barbarian lust over his Yinling. Taking swift action, he stepped behind Yinling, hugging her slender waist while nesting his head in the crook of her neck.
"Shes taken buddy, move on" Jun spoke, making Yinling subconsciously lean into his hold.
Yinling, feeling a wave of possessiveness, shot a warning glance at the women. "You heard him. He's taken," she stated firmly.
Soon an awkward, yet lighter mood came between them, dispelling the deadly tense one. Elder Lìlì felt amused at their actions but felt a tinge of disappointment hearing this handsome guy was taken.
"Would you like to join our search?" Spoke Elder Lìlì trying to break the awkward atmosphere.
Jun and Yinling exchanged a swift, silent conversation that happened almost instantaneously thanks to their new power.
"Should we agree?" Jun spoke.
"Let's agree for now... but if things go wrong we run, they can't catch us after all" Yinling spoke with confidence.
----
"Of course, Elder Lìlì! it would be an honor for both of us" Jun replied aloud.
Elder Lìlì regarded them with a mix of amusement and suspicion. 'They're either very naive or very cunning,' she thought.
"Alright! If we are going to be working together, what are your names?"
"Its Yinling and him" she points to Jun "Is named Jun, my Daoist Companion" putting more emphasis on the last part.
Jun chuckled at her little antics but agreed 100% with them.
"Jun and Yinling... nice names! Why don't we get started, you two stick with me while my disciples will go and explore the surrounding area" Elder Lìlì suggested.
Jun knew what she meant by doing this, Elder Lili still didn't fully trust them which is weird... who wouldn't trust such a handsome Chad like him?
Soon everyone went their separate directions to cover more ground, with Jun and Yinling following elder Lìlì upstairs.
Ascending the stairs, Jun and Yinling moved through the dimly lit corridor, each step echoing in the quiet mansion. The old wooden stairs creaked under their weight, adding to the building tension.
"Elder Lìlì" Yinling asked, her voice tinged with apprehension.
"What is it?" She turned her gaze to meet this fairly like women that made her feel inferior.
"Would it be possible for us to join the Scarlet Sect?"
Elder Lìlì paused, turning to face them with a hint of surprise in her eyes that quickly shifted to contemplation. This wasn't her first-time hearing someone wanting to join her peak. Shes heard it thousands of times thought her long life but coming from such a beautiful ethereal girl as Yinling, it was hard to deny her.
Thinking about it, she could easily put her as the image of their peak and promote her, causing countless waves of talented males and even female disciples to join them.
"You can," she finally responded, her voice measured. "But there will be a test first." Her gaze shifted to Jun. "And I presume your Dao companion will be joining you?"
Yinling's cheeks were tinged with a rosy hue, reflecting the lantern light that flickered along the walls.
Yinling and Jun had been discussing secretly on what their next move should be after running away. But they couldn't figure out what to do or where to go, the world is very dangerous, and they need to find a place to settle. Wasn't this an opportunity landing at their feet?
Although the scarlet sect is only a 6-star sect, it should do for the meantime to level up their cultivation base and skills.
Elder Lìlì's expression softened slightly. She leaned closer to Yinling, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "So, Yinling," she murmured, her breath warm against Yinling's ear, "just how big is your man?"
Yinling's eyes widened, and she choked on her response, caught off guard by the elder's boldness. In a flustered whisper, she replied, "Please, Elder Lìlì, not so loud!" She gently pushed Lìlì away, her embarrassment evident.
Jun on the side could obviously hear what they were saying, what cultivator couldn't.
authors note: Checks yesterday's authors note.