A knock at her door interrupted Yu Qingyan's thoughts.
"Enter," She called as she tried to recompose herself. Unfortunately, she still mentally berated herself for letting thoughts of soda and noodles occupy such a prominent place in her mind.
This was absurd! She was Yu Qingyan, emissary of the Verdant Sky Pavilion, not some giddy child chasing after sweet treats!
A young female disciple stepped inside and bowed respectfully, "Elder Yu, the pavilion master requests your presence in the main hall."
Yu Qingyan's brow arched slightly. Her grandmother rarely summoned her so early in the day unless it was something truly urgent or something that personally amused the elder. Of which, neither of them seemed ideal at her current position.
The summons also seemed incredibly timely given how Yu Qingyan was barely putting up her composed demeanor in front of anyone in the Pavilion since that odd place in Fanling City finally caught her attention. That's not good.
"Very well. I'll be there shortly."
Yu Qingyan calmly answered as she smoothed her robes, attempting to banish the lingering thoughts of fizzy soda and instant noodles from her min.
However, her hand unconsciously grazed the side of her spatial pouch, almost as if seeking confirmation that she hadn't left it inside.
The subtle jingle of spirit stones clinking faintly made her clench her jaw. That damned place and those cursed goods had created a unique effect in her life and she just needed an answer why and what made that place different that made her, a very responsible envoy from one of the most influential forces in this realm act so foolishly.
She was an emissary of the Verdant Sky Pavilion, for heaven's sake. Her priorities were diplomacy, strategy, and the balance of power... Not whether the store had a buy-one-get-one deal on snacks today! Or at the very least a new flavor for the instant noodles!
With a final glance at the empty soda pack, its glossy red and blue surface seeming to mock her with its alien design, she strode out of her chamber, a renewed sense of purpose solidifying in her steps.
Yes. She must stop thinking like a common consumer and act like an esteemed official that she truly is.
That meant stopping all kinds of self-deprecating questions such as 'will that shopkeeper offer a discount someday?' or 'should I just sell all my properties to buy more of the wares of that mystical place?'
What's more embarrassing is how those questions stemmed only because of two items that she had tried. The savory instant noodles and that particularly fizzy drink. They're almost like a bad drug and she's more than aware of it.
The corridors of the Verdant Sky Pavilion were already bustling with activity. Disciples hurried to their tasks, their green robes flowing like rippling leaves in a breeze.
Some nodded respectfully as she passed, while others whispered among themselves, likely speculating on why she looked so stressed and preoccupied.
Yu Qingyan chose to ignore all of them while trying to subtly put more thought into possible answers and future solutions to all kinds of issues she could create out of her latest purchases from the so-called Divine Convenience Store.
She decided she would come with a purpose instead of letting those curiosities lure her from her usual tasks.
She is an esteemed member, after all. She should not let a store make her go weak in her knees!
She should return with the same gait as the first time, offering that darned shopkeeper an enticing offer!
Eventually, the main hall appeared in front of her. Light streamed through stained glass windows from up high which cast multicolored patterns onto the polished jade floor.
Yu Qingyan breathed in, taking in the almost calming and awe-inspiring architecture of the place in order to calm her emotions down.
Verdant Sky Pavilion is a rich sect so it's only natural that they pay attention to their main structures.
Everything inside the hall exuded refinement and authority as well as displaying its rich history in its meticulous designs.
As she exhaled, Yu Qingyan's gaze focused in front of her, on a certain elderly woman sitting near the center of the place.
Her grandmother, the Pavilion Master. Her ornate chair that seemed to grow out of the floor itself made her presence appear more commanding despite her advanced age and calm posture. Her gaze was also focused on her direct descendant.
Her silver hair was tied into an elaborate bun, and her sharp eyes sparkled with wisdom and a touch of mischief as though she had already seen through the activities of her granddaughter for the past two days as well as the current state of mind of her appointed successor. It had amused the older woman very much upon learning those.
"Qingyan," The Pavilion Master greeted, her voice warm and airy. It's a clear contrast from the way she usually acted with the younger disciples as well as those who held the seat as the council members of the pavilion, "You've been busy."
Yu Qingyan bowed deeply. "Grandmother. You summoned me?"
Her tone was a picture of formality that the older woman seemingly ignored, prompting an amused laugh that almost echoed inside the massive room.
Her grandmother never laughed like that unless there was something amusing and the young emissary already knew she had become the source of her elder's amusement.
"Of course, my child. I'm always interested in your daily routines. Especially now with new developments. The information I get from our sentinels has been quite... enlightening, so to speak."
The old woman leaned forward slightly as though taunting a reaction from her.
"Normally, you should be busy scheming on how to get the most benefits in our current endeavors but instead you seemed to be locked in your chambers, clutching her head like an obsessed disciple who hasn't gotten to taste that particular flavor from their first love."
Yu Qingyan winced inwardly at the barely hidden barb.
Yes. Her grandmother was fully aware.
"It's nothing of concern, Grandmother," She said as she did her best to mask any frustration. "Just a… slight distraction from a new development that needed careful consideration."
"Ah, a 'distraction' that requires multiple trips and spending your monthly stipend on a certain sparkling beverage that has you skipping dinner to make it through to your room and have a late-night craving, was it?" With a peal of jovial laughter, the old woman almost slapped the table in front of her as she perfectly narrated Yu Qingyan's current predicament.
"How interesting, I heard this distraction also offered what they called 'instant noodles'. Do tell me if there's some other way for a quick and effortless late-night fix so that you won't stress yourself by skipping your needed meditation." The older woman leaned on her palm and stared intently at Yu Qingyan who was on the verge of internal combustion.
Before the younger woman could make an attempt to defend herself further with a more sensible excuse or explanation, she had a quick realization of something important.
There was no use in doing so as she had already been seen thoroughly.
All she could do was succumb to her fate and hear the true intention of her grandmother for summoning her.