Ten days later, along a main road, a group of disciples from the *Taiqing Immortal Sect* rode their horses with great determination.
After the incident at *King Wang's Village*, Xiao Nanfeng had earned the recognition of his peers through his achievements in battle. With Xiao Yu's support, he had gradually gained their trust and backing. This made it difficult for Ye Sanshui to command him so easily, and it also caused Ye Dafu to become much more discreet, thoroughly respecting the situation.
"Look, Big Crow City is ahead!" Xiao Yu exclaimed, his eyes lighting up.
Ahead, a towering city gate loomed, with the words "Big Crow City" inscribed above. At the gate, black-armored soldiers stood guard, inspecting those entering or leaving the city with disciplined precision.
A man in Daoist robes stood at the entrance, gazing out. Upon spotting the group, he immediately brightened, and quickly approached to greet them.
"I am a servant disciple of the *Taiqing Immortal Sect*," Ye Sanshui instantly recognized the sect's uniform.
"Greetings, senior brothers! You've finally arrived. I have secured a residence in the city for you to stay," the servant disciple said respectfully.
"Have the Mortal-Breaking Realm brothers arrived to guard us?" Ye Sanshui asked.
"A few days ago, a crane message arrived from the sect. It informed us that the Mortal-Breaking Realm brothers have other duties and cannot accompany you for the demon-slaying mission. They instructed you to wait in Big Crow City for now. Soon, an elder will personally arrive to accompany you on your journey," the servant disciple replied.
"An elder will come?! Which elder?" Ye Sanshui asked, both surprised and delighted.
"We do not know yet," the servant disciple replied with a shake of his head.
"With an elder coming to guard us, the task of slaying the Thousand Crow Mountain demon king will not be too dangerous!" Ye Sanshui said with relief.
At this moment, a hearty laugh interrupted the conversation: "Hahaha, the *Taiqing Immortal Sect* has arrived! I've been waiting for many days. Thank you, senior immortals, for your help with Big Crow City!"
Everyone turned toward the bustling city gate where two men and one woman were walking briskly toward them. The woman, dressed in red, was youthful and stunning, while the two men wore robes of black with golden cloud patterns, both strikingly handsome. The man who had laughed heartily was the one at the forefront. Behind them followed a group of black-armored soldiers.
"Greetings, Hereditary Son," Ye Sanshui said with a slight shock, clearly recognizing the person. He hadn't expected *The Crow Deity Marquis's* hereditary son to personally greet them upon their arrival.
"It is I. I am Xiang Kun, and these are my younger brother Xiang Wei and younger sister Xiang Zhirou. On my father's orders, we have been waiting for you in the city. Upon hearing news of your arrival, I came with my siblings to welcome you," Xiang Kun said warmly.
"Xiang Wei, Xiang Zhirou, greet the senior immortals!" Xiang Kun immediately signaled his younger siblings.
"Greetings, senior immortals!" They both bowed respectfully, offering their courtesy.
"My father, *The Crow Deity Marquis*, has recently fallen ill and is unable to meet you in person. He asks that you forgive him and hopes you understand," Xiang Kun said solemnly.
Ye Sanshui nodded. "The *Crow Deity Marquis's* health is of utmost importance. It is an honor for his son to personally greet us."
After all, having all three of *The Crow Deity Marquis's* children come to welcome them was a grand gesture.
"Thank you for your understanding. I have prepared a banquet for you all. If you don't mind, my siblings and I would be honored to host you," Xiang Kun said with a bright smile.
"Then we shall humbly accept," Ye Sanshui replied with a smile.
"Haha, the arrival of the *Taiqing Immortal Sect* will surely bring glory to my family's estate! Please, come in!" Xiang Kun said, warmly inviting everyone.
The black-armored soldiers cleared the way, and the group rode into the city.
Xiang Kun accompanied Ye Sanshui along the way, constantly praising the *Taiqing Immortal Sect*, which greatly pleased Ye Sanshui. Meanwhile, Xiang Wei and Xiang Zhirou flanked the group, smiling and making everyone feel as though they were bathed in a warm spring breeze.
In the group, Xiao Yu looked around in surprise: "Along the way, I've seen the suffering of the people in *The Crow Deity Marquis's* domain, and I thought he would be a cold-hearted person, treating us with disdain. But his three children are so friendly toward us. I never expected this!"
Xiao Nanfeng, riding beside Xiao Yu, furrowed his brow and shook his head. "They're too friendly. Something's off with their eyes."
"What's wrong with their eyes? I don't think they're faking it," Xiao Yu said, curious.
"That's exactly the problem. Their eyes are too intense. They claim to admire strong individuals, but most of our brothers are only at the *Innate Realm*. There are many from *Raven Deity's Legion* who are also at that level. They have no need to idolize us, so this doesn't make sense. And their gaze... it's almost like..." Xiao Nanfeng furrowed his brow and thought deeply.
"Like what?" Xiao Yu asked, even more curious.
"Like they're eyeing Tang Seng's flesh, as if they want to eat us," Xiao Nanfeng said with a strange expression.
"What's Tang Seng's flesh? What's wrong with their enthusiasm?" Xiao Yu rolled her eyes.
However, after listening to Xiao Nanfeng's description, Xiao Yu thought carefully and realized that the intensity in Xiang Wei and Xiang Zhirou's eyes was indeed a bit too much.
The group arrived at *The Crow Deity Marquis's* estate after being warmly welcomed by Xiang Kun and his siblings.
Inside the grand hall of *The Crow Deity Marquis's* estate, a lavish banquet had been set up, with drums and music playing. In the center of the hall, dancers performed elegantly in a stunning display. The scene was magnificent, and the atmosphere was grand.
"I'm not sure what kind of entertainment you immortals enjoy, so I've prepared some secular music and dance. I hope it's to your liking," Xiang Kun said humbly.
"Hereditary son, you are too modest!" Ye Sanshui replied, flattered.
Everyone took their seats and enjoyed the spectacular dance and music.
"Those *Crow Demons* have been causing chaos in *Big Crow City* and harming countless people. We've been unable to deal with them. But now that you immortals have arrived, we can finally feel at ease. On behalf of my father, I thank you for coming to resolve this calamity. Please allow me to raise a glass to you all!" Xiang Kun said, raising his cup with a smile.
The disciples of *Taiqing Immortal Sect* raised their cups in return.
Xiao Nanfeng, sitting at the back of the group, did little more than pretend to drink.
"Nanfeng, why did you secretly nudge me? I spilled my drink!" Xiao Yu looked at him, noticing his cup hadn't been touched.
Xiao Nanfeng shook his head and whispered, "Did you not see the secret glances exchanged by Xiang Wei and Xiang Zhirou? This banquet is probably not as simple as it seems. We should avoid drinking as much as possible."
"Alright!" Xiao Yu, though skeptical, decided to trust Xiao Nanfeng.
After a few rounds of wine, Xiang Kun, full of humility and flattery, had successfully disarmed Ye Sanshui's caution. They had already begun to view him as a trustworthy, refined gentleman.
As the music and dance came to a pause, Xiang Zhirou slowly stood up.
"Ye Immortal, I often hear my father and brothers speak highly of the *Taiqing Immortal Sect*'s soul-refining methods. They say the sect's *Soul Refining* is unparalleled. I've taken an interest in this method. Might I ask for your guidance?" Xiang Zhirou asked, her voice sweet and respectful.
Ye Sanshui was pleased to hear her praise the *Taiqing Immortal Sect*.
"Since you wish to learn about *Soul Refining*, it's no trouble at all. Generally, once a cultivator reaches the *Innate Realm*, their vitality is abundant, and they can truly begin *Soul Refining*. *Soul Refining* involves opening the Brow Acupoint to create a reservoir for spiritual energy. Depending on the size of this reservoir, the strength of one's soul is determined. There are four stages: *Celestial Spring*, *Star Lake*, *Moon's Tide*, and *Yin Shen*!" Ye Sanshui explained, offering a calm but insightful explanation.
"I don't know how much soul power all of you Immortal Masters have nowadays? And how much soul power does Immortal Master Ye have?" Xiang Zhirou said with a smile.
"When Taiqing Immortal Sect disciples reach the innate realm, there are elders who help us channel our Soul Power Soul Refining. Our Soul Power is all Celestial Spring realm, just that Celestial Spring also has a strong and weak difference, these senior disciples, almost all of them have just opened Celestial Spring, while I, the Celestial Spring in Brow Acupoint has already begun to take shape. " Ye Sanshui smiled smugly.
Xiao Nanfeng also looked within his Brow Acupoint, and he realized that his soul power reservoir was flooded with faint starlight, as if it was a lake rippling, not only that, the size of this lake was no longer small, that is to say, he had long since stopped being in the Celestial Spring realm, but the Star Lake realm, and even in the Star Lake realm, he was quite powerful. Realm, was also quite powerful?
"I see, my daughter has also followed my father to learn a little bit of the family's Soul Refining Way, and I have never known how well I have learned it, and today, coinciding with the arrival of the Taiqing Immortal Masters, I would like to ask them to teach me, and I hope that they will be able to fulfill my wish!" Xiang Zhirou suddenly said with a smile.
"Hm?" Ye Sanshui raised an eyebrow.
You also understand the Way of Soul Refining? Then, weren't you not amusing me with your inquiry just now? And trying to challenge us?
"Nonsense! Zhirou, you've only been learning for how long, how can you compare to all the immortal masters? Don't disgrace yourself, go down quickly!" Xiang Kun angrily scolded his third sister.
"It's rare to have this opportunity, big brother, why don't you just grant me my wish?" Xiang Zhirou pleaded again.
On the side, Xiao Nanfeng looked at this pair of siblings thoughtfully, he did not believe that Xiang Zhirou was acting on impromptu intentions, this pair of siblings were singing in unison, had they been planning this for a long time? What exactly are they up to?
"Immortal Masters, this little sister of mine doesn't know the heights of heaven, thinking that she has learned a little bit of the family's Soul Refining method, she thinks that she is invincible, not knowing that there are mountains beyond the mountains, and people beyond the people, it's because I'm not strict in my disciplining, so you'll all be amused!" Xiang Kun, however, confessed to Ye Sanshui and the others.
Xiang Kun, however, did not directly oppose Xiang Zhirou, which also kicked the problem to Ye Sanshui, forcing Ye Sanshui to speak.
Xiang Kun was so polite, Ye Sanshui could not turn his back on him. Moreover, Taiqing Immortal Sect did have its own pride in Soul Refining. At this moment, Xiang Zhirou wanted to learn from him, so if he didn't agree, wouldn't he be a laughing stock?
"I don't know, how does the young miss want to be taught?" Ye Sanshui pondered for a moment and stared at Xiang Zhirou as he asked.
"I've recently learned a tune, I'll draw soul power to play it, if you guys can insist on listening to it, it'll be counted as a win for you." Xiang Zhirou said with a somewhat arrogant tone.
"Little sister, you must not be insolent!" Xiang Kun reprimanded.
"Big brother, you say every day that Taiqing Immortal Sect's Soul Refining is unique in the world, it's impossible that you can't even last through one of my tunes, right?" Xiang Zhirou seemed to be irritating Ye Sanshui and the others.
"Fine, then how about we listen to Missy's tune!" Ye Sanshui was also a bit displeased and said in a deep voice.
In the crowd, Xiao Nanfeng glanced at Xiao Yu and whispered, "Xiang Zhirou's zither, I'm afraid it's not simple, be careful!"
"It's you who should be careful, you've only ACCREDITED Realm, you haven't started Soul Refining yet, be by my side later, I'll protect you!" Xiao Yu didn't have the good sense to say.
Xiao Nanfeng slightly stunned, revealing odd colors, his soul power surging huge, Star Lake has become, has long exceeded the crowd of senior brothers countless times, simply do not fear this what Xiang Zhirou, not to mention the need to protect Xiao Yu, but Xiao Yu escort, he also smiled and did not refute.
Xiao Nanfeng looked at Xiang Kun, Xiang Wei, Xiang Zhirou three siblings, their previous eyes like hot, after all, let Xiao Nanfeng heart alert, at this moment to see their specific purpose why?