Song Lingqing's eyes twinkled faintly, and for a moment, she hardly dared to recognize what she saw.
She vaguely remembered that when she left the Song Residence, Chu Zheng was still a teenager; now he had fully grown up, and at first glance, he resembled a young master from some noble house.
"This humble one pays his respects to the Second Miss."
Chu Zheng bowed deeply, responding with respect.
Song Lingqing was taken away by the Hidden Immortal Sect at the age of thirteen, having left home for over three years.
For a young man, three years was enough time for transformative changes to occur.
For Song Lingqing herself, the same was true.
At least initially, Chu Zheng did not connect the woman with the aura of an immortal in front of him with the vivacious young girl from his memories.
In Song Lingqing, Chu Zheng did not feel the oppressive aura brought by Elder Qin, but he did sense a slight discomfort.
A person engaged in cultivation surely underwent a transcendent leap in the nature of their life.
"I almost didn't recognize you."
Song Lingqing nodded, saying little else.
Chu Zheng wisely stepped back, not pursuing further conversation.
Song Lingqing walked slowly to her seat, while Elder Qin went to sit down at a guest spot not far from the round table.
Upon seeing this, Song Tonghai gestured, and a maid promptly stepped forward to offer tea.
"I heard Elder Qin has been fasting for a long time. Just the other day, I chanced upon some Dragon Blood Leaves in the Imperial Capital and thought they might make a fitting tea for you, I wonder if it suits your taste."
"Much appreciated."
Elder Qin nodded slightly but did not touch the teacup on the table.
Seeing this, Song Tonghai smiled and bowed slightly, "Elder Qin has taken good care of my daughter these years. Should you ever have the need for the Song Family's assistance, please do not hesitate to ask."
Elder Qin did not reply, merely lifting the teacup from the table and taking a light sip.
Song Tonghai's smile deepened, and he turned to look at Song Lingqing, his tone not without reproach:
"Have you been well these years, and what brings you back today? All this time, not a single letter home."
"Sect rules forbid correspondence with the secular world, truly, there was no way. I hope Father will forgive me."
Song Lingqing gave a helpless smile as she explained:
"I must leave the Qian Domain to participate in the Great Tournament of Ten Thousand Sects. I'm merely passing by, so I asked Uncle Qin Feng to bring me back for a visit."
"Very good, very good."
Song Tonghai's eyes crinkled with smiles, repeatedly expressing his approval. He did not understand what the Great Tournament of Ten Thousand Sects entailed but felt pride in his daughter's accomplishments.
"Are you the only one from your sect attending this tournament? When does it start? Would staying for a few more days cause a delay?"
In a swift change of mood, Song Tonghai's face grew worried: "When will you leave, then?"
"The tournament is still quite some time away; it doesn't start for nearly ten more years."
Just as Song Tonghai's face started to brighten with joy, Song Lingqing quickly added:
"However, I truly cannot stay long; I must depart tomorrow."
Song Lingqing sighed softly, "The region where the tournament is held is far too distant, and I must also allow time for my cultivation. Ten years is just barely enough."
"Won't this round trip take twenty years?!"
Song Tonghai's face changed dramatically, and he instinctively turned to look at Qin Feng beside him.
Qin Feng remained silent with his eyes closed, evidently having no intent to explain.
Song Tonghai lifted his cup, his hands trembling slightly, spilling wine that soaked his fingertips.
In just a few exchanges, Song Lingxue, sitting quietly beside them, lowered her head a bit more, remaining silent.
"I ask that Father keep my return today a secret, and let no outsiders know of it," Song Lingqing said softly, her eyes reflecting some complexity.
Of the Hidden Dragons from the Ten Thousand Sects that venture into the sea, only those who arrive alive at the tournament are the True Dragons.
This journey, how perilous it has been, the whereabouts of the true teachings of each sect, are absolutely secret, not to be revealed, even in the slightest.
If she hadn't been pleading continuously, Qin Feng simply would not have considered bringing her back to the residence, as it would be taking a tremendous risk.
"Rest assured, I've issued a gag order. You are now a person of the Immortal Sect, no longer as before. You don't need to worry about the family. Cultivate with peace of mind and bring glory to our sect!"
Song Tonghai drank the wine in his cup, waved his hand with a smile, "I'm still robust, living another hundred or eighty years is not a problem, I'll be waiting for your good news when you return."
"Father, don't worry. When I return, I will find a few Spirit Pills to ensure you live a hundred years longer."
The worry in Song Lingqing's eyes faded quite a bit. She raised her cup towards Song Lingxue:
"I'm grateful to have sister looking after our home."
Song Lingxue smiled, lifting her cup with slight restraint, and softly replied, "You're too kind."
Qin Feng, a man of few words, didn't say another half-sentence, sitting until the meal was over before finally getting up and leaving.
Only when the candles in the hall were extinguished, did Chu Zheng rub his legs, which had grown numb from standing, and slowly walked out of the hall towards the Filth Room.
......
......
As the moon moved past the well, the Song Residence regained its former calm.
Chu Zheng sat cross-legged on the bed, his thoughts in turmoil, struggling to calm down.
He hadn't learned much this evening. Song Tonghai seemed to have certain taboos, not inquiring about Song Lingqing's daily life within the Hidden Immortal Sect, and Song Lingqing didn't mention it either.
What was certain is that there were also struggles between the Hidden Immortal Sects, and they were quite vicious.
The phrase "Great Tournament of Ten Thousand Sects" was enough to explain some things.
From Song Lingqing's admonitions, one could glean a hint that revealing her return to the residence was to be avoided, clearly, there were precautions involved.
None of these servants of the Song Residence would have the opportunity to interact with people from the Immortal Sect, and even if the news leaked out, it would only circulate among ordinary people.
And what Song Lingqing was guarding against clearly wasn't ordinary folk.
This was enough to show that within this mundane world, there existed channels of information for different Immortal Sects or factions.
From this, it was apparent that accessing the Hidden Immortal Sect wasn't as difficult as Chu Zheng had initially thought.
What truly alarmed Chu Zheng was just how vast the world beneath his feet was.
People from the Immortal Sect, traveling from the North Sea to the Cangwu in the morning, chasing stars and moon, with such miraculous speed, still would need ten years just to go to the competition...
"Chu Zheng."
Just as Chu Zheng was pondering, a call from outside came through.
In an instant, Chu Zheng recognized Song Lingqing's voice and immediately rolled out of bed, stepping out of the room.
"I heard you were punished by sister a few days ago. Are you feeling better now?"
In the courtyard, Song Lingqing's smile held at the corners of her mouth, bathed in the moonlight, her Immortal Qi even more pronounced by three parts, with Qin Feng standing not far away, his shadow ever-present.
"Thank you for your concern, Second Miss. I am unharmed."
Chu Zheng made a bow, his heartbeat quickening a bit. He hadn't expected that the opportunity he had just missed would once again present itself before him.
"Sister treats you quite well indeed."
Song Lingqing chuckled, "That Jade Cup was something I had asked Uncle Qin Feng from the sect for, not even the Imperial Palace might possess a few of such items."
For Chu Zheng, still alive after being gifted by an Immortal, it was as if he had been graced by intense good fortune.
"I'll be leaving tomorrow, and next time I come back…"
At this point, Song Lingqing's voice paused and she did not continue, instead, she changed the subject:
"In recognition of your years of service to me, do you have any wishes? I'll help you fulfill them today."
Chu Zheng's eyes gleamed as he instinctively wanted to ask for his freedom; but as the words reached his lips, he swallowed them back.
Compared to the secrets of the Immortal Sect, his present predicaments were utterly insignificant.
After weighing for a moment, Chu Zheng made his decision.