After departing from the City of Slaughter, Lu Yunzhou returned to the towering Sword Mountain—more commonly known as the Ethereal Sanctuary—with Gu Yuena by his side.
In just three days, an event promised a month ago was about to commence: the Immortal Dao Assembly!
At that time, the entire world—or rather, the entire continent—would send representatives from families, sects, clans, and academies. Soul Masters and cultivators alike would gather at the Ethereal Sanctuary to compete, spar, and exchange Daoist insights.
Lu Yunzhou, fully aware of the event's significance, began his preparations. Failure, disgrace, or even a misstep by the Ethereal Sanctuary would be catastrophic.
When he learned that Qian Renxue had ventured to the Spirit Hall to meet her mother, Bibi Dong, Lu Yunzhou decided to leave Gu Yuena at the Ethereal Sanctuary and hurried off to the Spirit Hall without delay.
Watching Lu Yunzhou's departing figure aboard his cloud ship, Gu Yuena's thoughts became turbulent.
"If this man were mine, would he devote himself entirely to helping me become the Dragon God?"
The idea was so compelling that an overwhelming desire to claim Lu Yunzhou for herself consumed her thoughts.
The notion burned so fiercely that Gu Yuena nearly acted on it, imagining herself pinning that scoundrel to the ground and... taking him for her own.
Of course, it was nothing more than a fantasy.
She dared not try. Lu Yunzhou's power was too great. She might not even get close before he turned the tables on her—or worse, humiliated her thoroughly.
Soon enough, aboard his cloud ship, Lu Yunzhou arrived at the Spirit Hall, standing before its golden and resplendent Supreme Pontiff Palace.
It had been some time since he last saw Bibi Dong. For some reason, though, he found her looking far more haggard and frail than he remembered.
Although uncertain of the cause, his respect for her as his future mother-in-law compelled him to act.
"Your Holiness," he said respectfully, placing a rare treasure before her. "This Dragon Blood Vitality Herb nourishes the blood and replenishes energy. I didn't bring much on this visit, but I hope you'll accept this gift."
Without waiting for her response, Lu Yunzhou placed the immortal herb on the desk before her.
Bibi Dong's face brightened with delight at the sight of the herb. After all, immortal herbs were rarer and more valuable than Soul Bones.
However, when she recalled Lu Yunzhou addressing her as "Your Holiness," her mood soured instantly.
After taking a moment to steady herself, Bibi Dong replied with deliberate emphasis: "Thank you, my dear son-in-law."
She bit down on the words "son-in-law" with unmistakable intensity.
Just then, the sound of footsteps echoed from outside the hall. The moment Bibi Dong heard them, her expression shifted dramatically.
Lu Yunzhou, puzzled by her reaction, turned to see who had arrived.
Upon catching sight of the newcomer, a smile immediately spread across his face.
It was none other than Qian Renxue, her golden hair glinting in the sunlight.
Initially, Lu Yunzhou felt a surge of joy at the reunion. However, his delight was short-lived.
In Qian Renxue's hands was a steaming bowl of what could only be described as a murky, black-and-yellow, vaguely purple concoction—corn and rib soup.
His expression mirrored Bibi Dong's: one of barely concealed dread.
Seeing this, Lu Yunzhou finally understood the root of Bibi Dong's frailty. The culprit was none other than Qian Renxue's culinary "skills."
He recalled his own experience with her cooking in the past. Back then, his critique had been succinct:
"Not bad. It's edible. Now please, never cook again."
The contrast was stark—while others' cooking was delicious enough to make one feel alive, Qian Renxue's cooking made one question if they'd survive.
"Xue'er," Bibi Dong said hastily, "since Yunzhou rarely visits, why don't you entertain him? As for me, I won't intrude on your conversation."
Not waiting for a response, Bibi Dong made a swift exit, fleeing the hall at lightning speed.
"Mother! Don't go! I worked so hard to make this soup for you!" Qian Renxue called after her. "At least try a little!"
Bibi Dong: "…"
Lu Yunzhou: "…"
With that, the grand, gilded hall was left with only Qian Renxue and Lu Yunzhou.
Turning to him with a radiant smile, Qian Renxue said cheerfully, "You scoundrel! Try this corn and rib soup. I spent hours making it just for you."
To Lu Yunzhou, the bowl in her hands looked less like food and more like a carefully prepared poison.
His response was immediate and decisive: he needed to escape.
"I'm… not hungry," he said cautiously. "Would you believe me?"
"Not hungry? At midday? Don't tell me that old dragon cooked for you instead!"
The "old dragon" in question was, of course, Gu Yuena.
Before Lu Yunzhou could respond, another set of footsteps echoed through the hall, accompanied by a seductive voice.
"Hu Liena of the Spirit Hall pays respects to the Young Lady and greets Mr. Lu. We humbly welcome Mr. Lu's esteemed arrival," came a voice imbued with a captivating allure.
As her enchanting words fell, a rich and intoxicating fragrance wafted into the senses of Lu Yunzhou and Qian Renxue, subtly permeating the air around them.
The moment Qian Renxue heard the name Hu Liena, a thought involuntarily surfaced in her mind: "That vixen is here again!"
Her enchanting eyes immediately flashed with a mix of gravity and displeasure.
To Qian Renxue, Hu Liena—this woman who had once dared to seduce her man—was nothing more than an eyesore.
"What are you doing here?" Qian Renxue asked icily, her gaze locking unyieldingly onto Hu Liena. Her tone was calm yet cold, carrying an unmistakable edge.
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