The front of the jade pendant was carved with the majestic silhouette of a secret realm's mountains, while the back was engraved with a single ancient spiritual character: “Shen.”
With a gentle infusion of spiritual energy, the patterns emitted a faint silver glow.
A biting chill from the Northern Region spread outward, causing the temperature in the small area around them to plummet instantly.
“Shen Qingci of the Northern Region's Shen family. I believe that with this identity, Young Sect Master Jiang would be willing to make a friend.”
The female cultivator holding the tray trembled, nearly dropping it.
Beside her, several Miaoyin Sect deacons gasped in unison.
The Northern Region's Shen family!
The very “Shen family” that had recently made a massive name for itself in the Southern Region.
So the person standing before them was the Eldest Young Lady of that hidden family, who had apprenticed under Sword Venerable Jinglian a few months ago!!!
Rumor had it that they were one of the top hidden families in the Four Regions. Their ancestors included Tribulation Transcendence Ancestors, and the number of Mahayana and Body Integration elders in their clan couldn't be counted on both hands...
The heir of such a colossal powerhouse was someone who was usually impossible to even catch a glimpse of. Yet, today, she had actually sat in the front row of the Miaoyin Pavilion, quietly listening to an entire Dao discussion.
When the news had first traveled from the Azure Cloud Sect, the sect elders hadn't quite believed it, thinking it was just rumors and exaggerations.
Some even speculated that the Azure Cloud Sect was merely putting on airs to make themselves look good. After all, ever since the Azure Cloud Sect's Body Integration Ancestor fell, the sect only had four Void Refining Grand Supreme Elders left to support it.
Although it was still nominally the number one sect in the Southern Region, the top forces of the other three regions had long stopped associating with them.
But at this moment, these deacons felt that whether it was the rumors or the elders' speculations, they were all completely off the mark.
How was this merely having Tribulation Transcendence Ancestors in their lineage? They clearly must have had ascended immortals!
Just look at this Eldest Young Lady's aura and magnanimity.
Even when the Young Sect Master rejected her to her face, no Dao protector had emerged from the shadows to use their power to bully them.
【As expected of the heir of a great hidden family.】
The female cultivator snapped out of her daze and hurriedly bowed, her posture far more respectful than before. “The Miaoyin Pavilion was impolite today. We did not know we were in the presence of Lady Shen. Once the Young Sect Master returns to the sect, I will personally hand this jade pendant to her.”
“Good.”
Shen Qingci nodded slightly, took her senior sister's hand, and walked out.
Once Jiang Wan learned of her background, she would probably be able to guess that today's event was a setup.
She was actually quite looking forward to seeing Jiang Wan's expression when she found out the truth.
It wasn't her fault for having this little bit of mischief.
Jiang Wan's soft-hearted nature really required more tempering.
It would be fine if she suffered a loss because of it, but she shouldn't drag the innocent female cultivators of the Miaoyin Sect down with her.
As they stepped out of the Miaoyin Pavilion, the night breeze brushed against them, carrying the tinkling sounds of the musical lanterns. Chi Yuan turned to look at her. “One hundred thousand mid-grade spirit stones, and you just rejected them without a second thought. You are certainly generous.”
“What is one hundred thousand spirit stones?” Shen Qingci toyed with the empty tassel of the jade pendant at her waist. “A token in exchange for an ally—the Miaoyin Sect profits from this deal, and the Shen family doesn't lose out either.”
Chi Yuan turned the thought over in her mind. It was indeed true.
Jiang Wan accepting the jade pendant was equivalent to accepting the olive branch extended by the Shen family. In the future, whatever the Shen family did in the Southern Region, even if the Miaoyin Sect didn't publicly support them, they at least wouldn't stand on the opposing side to cause trouble.
And by establishing a connection with the Northern Region's Shen family, the Miaoyin Sect would have much more confidence when dealing with other forces in the Southern Region.
A mutually beneficial arrangement like this was worth far more than one hundred thousand spirit stones.
Shen Qingci gently tugged on Chi Yuan's sleeve. “Senior Sister, back to the Lingquan Annex?”
“Let's go back. We return to the sect tomorrow morning. We've been delayed in Xiange City for two days, and we still haven't handed in the mission jade slip for Blood Thorn Ridge.”
Shen Qingci's face fell. “It's rare for us to go out, yet we have to return so quickly.”
“Once we have free time later, I will accompany you to wander around the sect for a few days.” Chi Yuan comforted her softly, soothing her like stroking a pet's fur.
Two of them returned to their courtyard at the Lingquan Annex.
Shen Qingci closed the door, set up a restriction, collapsed onto the soft couch, and let out a long breath.
Chi Yuan sat down beside her and began checking the items in her storage ring again. Green jade marrow, spirit-gathering talisman ink, substitute talismans, teleportation talismans...
She had neatly organized every single one of the items her junior sister had stuffed into her hands.
Shen Qingci reclined on the couch, her divine sense resting on her senior sister's profile as she organized her things with lowered eyes. Chi Yuan's fingers were slender and her movements were clean and efficient, giving Shen Qingci a flush of naughty thoughts.
“Senior Sister.”
“Hmm?”
“Once we return to the sect, why don't you move into my courtyard to live?”
Chi Yuan's hand organizing the talismans came to a halt.
“The abodes on Wanjian Peak are separate. It is against the rules.”
“Rules are dead, but people are alive.” Shen Qingci rolled over to lie on her stomach, resting her chin on her crossed arms as she looked up at her. “Besides, I just need to mention it to Master, and she will definitely agree.”
Chi Yuan remained silent for a moment before asking, “Why the sudden request for me to move in?”
“It's not sudden.” Shen Qingci counted on her fingers one by one. “You saw what happened at Blood Thorn Ridge. The Mission Hall's intelligence could have such a major error; who knows if someone did it on purpose. I don't feel safe with you living alone.”
She paused, her tone growing serious. “Even with Master around, the hardest thing to guard against is a thief within our own ranks.”
“Besides, Senior Sister, didn't you promise me that once you reach Foundation Establishment... shouldn't we get used to it beforehand?”
Chi Yuan lifted her eyelids to look at her, her face completely expressionless. Having been teased by her junior sister so many times, she had long figured out Shen Qingci's tricks.
This level of teasing could no longer stir any waves in her.
“Get used to what?”
“Get used to being together day and night.” Shen Qingci looked innocent. “Senior Sister, what were you thinking of?”
Chi Yuan placed the substitute talisman back against her chest. “I was thinking of the messy thoughts in your sea of consciousness.”
Shen Qingci was temporarily speechless, and then her shoulders shook with laughter.
【Has Senior Sister turned bad?】
Previously, when she was teased, her ears would turn red and she would turn her face away. Now, she could actually retort without even batting an eye.
She climbed up from the couch, nudged closer to Chi Yuan, and stood on her tiptoes to plant a quick kiss on her cheek.
“Senior Sister is getting harder and harder to tease.”
“After being teased by you hundreds of times, I should have some progress.” Chi Yuan raised her hand to pinch the back of her neck. “Don't mess around. We still have to travel by sword tomorrow.”
“Understood, Senior Sister.”
Shen Qingci obediently changed into loose undergarments and slipped under the blanket first. Chi Yuan extinguished the spiritual lamp and lay down on the outer side.
After a moment of silence in the darkness, Shen Qingci rolled over and skillfully buried her face in her senior sister's shoulder. Chi Yuan did not push her away, slightly adjusting her posture to let her junior sister snuggle more comfortably.
A night without dreams.
Early the next morning, the two checked out.
The oval-faced female cultivator personally escorted them to the city gate and handed them six boxes of spiritual tea. “The Sect Master already knows of this matter. She said that once she finishes her busy schedule over these next few days, she will definitely bring the Young Sect Master to personally visit Lady Shen.”
“It is just that we do not know...”
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