Faced with Qian Renxue's inquiry and accusatory tone, Hu Liena, fully aware that her status and strength were inferior, maintained a respectful demeanor as she responded:
"Replying to the Young Lady, I naturally came to visit Mister Lu. Young Lady, is there a problem with that?"
Hu Liena, having been long favored by Bibi Dong as her sole direct disciple and gifted with an external soul bone, had grown uncommonly proud within Spirit Hall.
Thus, even when facing Qian Renxue, she did not allow herself to appear overly submissive. While speaking, Hu Liena straightened her proud chest as if declaring her unwillingness to be outdone or belittled.
Qian Renxue, unwilling to back down, raised her head defiantly and locked her sharp, piercing gaze directly onto Hu Liena's eyes.
For a moment, the tension between the two beauties seemed palpable, as if an invisible clash of wills brewed in the air.
Observing this scene, Lu Yunzhou sighed inwardly. After regaining his composure, he interjected with a calm yet weary tone:
"This seat has just returned from the Slaughter City. Exhausted from the journey, I haven't even had time to rest."
With that, he shifted his gaze toward Qian Renxue and spoke impatiently:
"Are you not going to arrange a room for me to rest? I came here to see you right after leaving the Slaughter City, and I'm utterly drained."
As he finished, Lu Yunzhou playfully flicked Qian Renxue on the forehead.
Hearing his words and realizing that Lu Yunzhou had come straight to Spirit Hall to see her without resting, Qian Renxue was deeply moved. A gentle smile emerged on her face. She touched the spot where she'd been flicked and hastily replied:
"I'll arrange it right now! You can use my room!"
Without waiting for a response, Qian Renxue eagerly linked arms with Lu Yunzhou and, under Hu Liena's gaze, led him away, her expression brimming with pride.
Watching the departing duo, Hu Liena clenched her fists tightly, her jaw set in frustration.
In her heart, Hu Liena made a vow:
Anything Qian Renxue has, Hu Liena will have too!
Once inside Qian Renxue's private quarters, Lu Yunzhou smirked and remarked casually:
"I'm hungry."
Surprised, Qian Renxue raised an eyebrow and asked:
"Hungry? Didn't you just say you weren't?"
Her mind suddenly lit up with realization. Swallowing nervously, she stammered,
"T-then... should I... go get you something to eat?"
Before she could act on her words, Lu Yunzhou flashed in front of her, effortlessly lifting her into his arms and tossing her onto the bed.
Grinning, he teased,
"Isn't there a delicious feast right here? Why go looking for more?"
With that, Lu Yunzhou began savoring the "rare delicacy" before him, one that he would never forget.
Two days passed in a blur, time flowing like a galloping horse and cascading water.
Only half a day before the Immortal Dao Assembly, Lu Yunzhou finally let Qian Renxue go. Though visibly battered and covered in marks, she accompanied him on their journey to the Ethereal Sanctuary for the grand event.
Aboard the flying cloud ship, besides Lu Yunzhou and Qian Renxue, Bibi Dong, Hu Liena, and several elite Spirit Hall disciples also traveled. They were all en route to the Ethereal Sanctuary to attend the Immortal Dao Assembly.
Seeing Qian Renxue limping with legs that barely held together, Bibi Dong's heart ached. Her elegant gaze shifted toward Lu Yunzhou, and she sent him a sound transmission:
"Mister Lu, can't you be gentler with Xue'er? Treating her so harshly—is that really necessary?"
Hearing the discontent in her tone, Lu Yunzhou responded awkwardly,
"Honestly, I've already been as gentle as I can be with Xue'er. It's just... the disparity in our physical strength is too great."
Bibi Dong's flawless, cold face flushed faintly at his explanation.
Physical strength disparity?
In her eyes, the gap wasn't limited to mere physical strength. Otherwise, how could Qian Renxue be left in such a state of utter exhaustion?
Swallowing involuntarily, Bibi Dong's expression turned complex, a mix of frustration and subtle embarrassment.
Thanks to the cloud ship's incredible speed, the group soon arrived at their destination: the Ethereal Sanctuary!
Meanwhile, the Ethereal Sanctuary had already welcomed representatives from across the continent, including renowned forces like the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and the Star Luo and Heaven Dou Empires.
Beyond these traditional Soul Master powers, newly emerging sects aligned with cultivation practices, such as the Immortal Sword Sect, the Daoist Sect, Dragon Rock Sanctuary, and the Exploding Sky Clan, had also gathered.
Though these cultivation factions lacked a deep roster of powerful experts, their numbers were staggering.
Upon arriving at the Ethereal Sanctuary, Lu Yunzhou did not bother to personally receive or meet with the representatives from the various forces.
After all, with Qian Daoliu present, such trivial matters did not require his personal attention.
At this moment, Lu Yunzhou had far more pressing concerns—checking on the progress of his disciples, or rather, the academy's students.
It had been a month since he last saw them, and to be truthful, he had no idea how much they had grown during this time.
Of course, it would be more accurate to say ten months rather than one.
Why? Because within the Ethereal Sanctuary, the cultivation speed was ten times faster than in the outside world.
Therefore, it was time to see what heights they had reached during these ten months, and what new realms they had broken through.
Under the guidance of the Inner Sect Elder Azure Luan, Lu Yunzhou swiftly made his way to the Training Grounds.
By this time, all disciples, students, instructors, supervisors, and stewards of the Ethereal Sanctuary had already assembled.
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