In Xiaoxiang Elegant Garden, lanterns shone brightly. Dots of snow drifted down, blanketing the entire courtyard in a layer of silver gossamer.
At this moment, inside the waterside pavilion, a mature beauty draped in a velvet cape over an ink-wash-colored palace dress was resting her cheek on her hand, leaning against the railing. She gazed at the koi in the lotus pond, lost in thought.
For some reason, these past few nights after falling asleep, the youth who called her “Aunt Rong” would appear in Qu Qirong’s dreams.
The dream scenes repeated, each night different.
Sometimes, he accompanied her, touring all the night markets of Xuan City, eating street snacks, guessing riddles, releasing flower lanterns, and watching the night scenery.
Sometimes, he held her hand, teaching her to draw.
The warmth transmitted from the back of her enveloped hand made her heart feel as if wrapped in warmth, gradually growing fervent.
At other times, he quietly stayed by her side, occasionally explaining story plots in books for her. That voice was like a spring breeze, comfortable and pleasant to hear.
But the scene dreamed of most often was actually—the intimate moment of removing the Heart-Controlling Gu.
Her bosom being covered, even molded into various shapes under the shroud of Sword Intent, and even failing to suppress it in front of him…
Each time she dreamed of this intimate scene, Qu Qirong’s heart would tremble fiercely, and she would wake up blushing.
She constantly admonished herself not to overthink, that he was just her junior, that she must not cross the generational boundary. Yet the more she thought this, the more distinct that strange feeling became.
Ultimately, Qu Qirong convinced herself that this peculiar feeling was merely an elder’s fondness for a junior.
She had always been alone, so naturally, she wanted a junior to accompany her more, to talk with her.
But these past few days, Deng Tianyu hadn’t set foot in Xiaoxiang Elegant Garden once, causing an inexplicable sense of irritation and melancholy to arise within her.
Therefore, through her Transmission Jade Slip, Qu Qirong, in the tone of an elder, asked him to come to Xiaoxiang Elegant Garden tomorrow.
Just then, the Transmission Jade Slip in her hand flickered with light.
“So it’s because the Purple Cloud Sect has had many affairs recently, that’s why Tianyu couldn’t come to me!”
After immersing her mind, Qu Qirong’s originally somewhat melancholic, peerlessly beautiful face instantly blossomed into a breathtaking smile, brightening the entire snowy night.
As if remembering something, she looked towards her beautiful maidservant beside her and parted her red lips. “Qing’er, go to the medicinal garden and pick some Ice Crystal Flowers!”
“Madam, is there an honored guest coming tomorrow?” Qing’er nodded, but was somewhat puzzled.
Because the Ice Crystal Flower was an extremely precious spirit treasure, constantly absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, blooming only once every twenty years.
This flower couldn’t just be used for alchemy but could also be drunk as an infused beverage.
Regardless of its use, it could help a cultivator use the Ice Crystal Flower’s spiritual energy to nourish every meridian and vessel in their body.
Coincidentally, Xiaoxiang Elegant Garden had planted this type of Ice Crystal Flower, and they were just about to bloom in two days.
Were it not for an important guest visiting, why would Madam send her to pick them?
A charming smile curved on Qu Qirong’s lips, a hint of gentleness flashing in her beautiful eyes. “Indeed, an important guest is coming. Someone Qing’er also knows.”
“For Madam to show such a smile, and someone Qing’er also knows… that could only be… Mister Deng!”
Qing’er pondered for a moment, immediately understanding.
Xiaoxiang Elegant Garden was a residence Madam had bought; she never received any guests here.
The last time with Qu Yun and her son was only because of their family connection.
Other than that, it could only be Mister Deng, who called Madam “Aunt Rong”!
Because when he last left, she had seen Madam give Mister Deng a Jade Plaque granting free entry and exit.
As her thoughts flowed, Qing’er left the waterside pavilion and headed towards the medicinal garden.
Watching her retreating figure, Qu Qirong swayed her full-figured body, taking graceful steps in the opposite direction, towards another flower garden.
The flowers there weren’t heaven-and-earth spirit treasures, but they could be made into exquisite and delicious pastries.
—
Youzhou, Qu City. This was the city closest to Demon Province.
The night sky had few stars, and snowflakes drifted down. One of the Teleportation Platforms in the city center lit up.
Immediately after, a tall woman in a cyan dress appeared.
This tall woman wore a veil over her face, her true features unseeable. Yet that pair of alluring, fox-like beautiful eyes were exceptionally captivating, drawing the gazes of surrounding cultivators.
“Could the Honored One be in Qu City?”
Xue Ji paid no mind to the surrounding gazes, merely walking while checking the Jade Plaque in her Storage Ring, to see if it would react.
Unfortunately, this Jade Plaque belonging to the Honored One showed no movement.
“Youzhou has a total of forty-eight cities. Each city is vast. Searching like this, even with the Jade Plaque’s sensing, is no different from searching for a needle in a haystack.”
Xue Ji furrowed her fine eyebrows, thinking to herself.
It was true she had the Honored One’s Jade Plaque.
But the plaque’s perception limit was at most a thousand miles around.
The entirety of Youzhou was immeasurably vast. If she searched city by city, it would likely consume an immense amount of time.
Most critically, the Honored One might not necessarily stay in one place without moving.
If she just left a place, and the Honored One went there right after, that would be even harder to find.
Just as Xue Ji was pondering these matters, a man clad in luxurious attire blocked her path with a chuckle.
Behind him were four Condensing Origin Realm Peak Stage attendants.
“Miss, may I ask if there’s anything I can help you with?”
Xue Ji narrowed her beautiful eyes, killing intent rising in her heart. But remembering the Elder’s instructions, she bypassed his obstruction and strode into the distance.
She came here to find the Honored One, not to cause trouble.
“Just now, you seemed somewhat anxious, Miss. Are you looking for someone?”
“If that’s truly the case, I can offer my help.”
“After all, the head of the Wang Family in Qu City is precisely my father!”
Wang Luo found this interesting and quickly chased after her, blocking her again.
He had observed this curvaceous, temperamental Cyan-Dressed woman for quite a while now.
She wore no sect uniform, nor was she followed by any attendants. Moreover, her displayed cultivation level didn’t seem high.
Based on this, he made his deductions!
Not a disciple of any cultivation family in Qu City, nor belonging to any sect. Even if he forced her to do something he enjoyed, he wouldn’t offend anyone.
Of course, the current Wang Luo had already moved beyond vulgar tastes. He no longer enjoyed making women scream their throats raw—he was long tired of such play.
Now, through practice, he had deeply grasped the essence. He merely needed to showcase a bit of his family’s influence, then spend Spirit Stones until the other party’s eyes grew seductive, and she would willingly spread her legs for him.
This was the kind of play Wang Luo now enjoyed.
Xue Ji halted her steps, a thought flashing through her mind. “How extensive is the Wang Family’s influence?”
“Even if Miss wanted to fish a needle from the moat of Qu City, the Wang Family could find a way to do it.”
The corner of Wang Luo’s mouth hooked up, his expression full of smugness.
Xue Ji swept him a glance and then walked towards a secluded alley.
Being swept by that single glance, Wang Luo felt his lust surge upwards. He hurriedly beckoned his attendants to follow.
Yet just as he followed the other party into the alley, he and his four attendants shuddered. Their entire beings seemed to fall into a dream-like trance, their eyes becoming vacant.
Xue Ji watched them and commanded, “You will help me investigate: did any void-shattering anomaly occur in Qu City a year ago? If so, inform me immediately!”
“Yes!” Wang Luo and the four attendants replied with intensely infatuated expressions before turning and leaving.
