Fairy Luo

Su Shun immediately bathed in a cold sweat. Chills ran down her spine as she tried to determine the young master's mood for a brief moment.

"It's alright if you test me. It's been a while since someone dared to do so. Ignore my words and keep asking," Mao Nianzu continued.

Of course, Mao Nianzu mixed a lie within the truth. He didn't say when was the last time someone tested him and what the test was anyway. No such explanation was needed, though.

As to how Mao Nianzu knew she was testing him? It was all assumptions.

But he understood that it would trigger a chain of exciting conflict within Su Shun herself. The bomb was in the latter part, and he claimed that he didn't mind the test.

"I do not dare, young master. Please forgive me." Su Shun sighed.

"Don't mind it." Mao Nianzu said. He didn't expect she would give up early. "However, I am serious. If you want to ask something, go ahead. Aren't you the leader of this place?"

From this point, Mao Nianzu tried to clear up his goodwill intention. He hoped Su Shun would speak with more freedom in her cage.

"By your will, young master." Su Shun said. "I was curious about your identity. That's why I tried to test you. But seeing you in person solves many doubts I have."

"Tell me the doubts that still linger in your mind," said Mao Nianzu.

"That... I do not think it is appropriate to ask." Su Shun hurriedly answered.

"So, it is appropriate to doubt?"

"I.." A rebuttal stopped at Su Shun's throat as she tried to breathe out of her lungs. She was at a loss for words.

Mao Nianzu faintly smiled and waited for the answer patiently. This conversation was excellent to bury his boredom after all.

After taking a deep breath, Su Shun said, "Young master is said to be a True Sage. No one knows your name, but even the holy guardian of the world treats you with utmost modesty."

"Holy guardian?" Mao Nianzu slightly raised his voice as a reflex.

"Holy guardian is the patriarch of Rocky Mountain. I suppose it is forbidden for the holy guardian to favor one figure. But strangely, no one complains about his doing," said Su Shun.

"Forbidden, is it?"

"Yes. I am a newly born sect compared to the real ancient behemoths, so I don't know why it's forbidden." Su Shun slightly nodded.

Mao Nianzu fell into thought after hearing the title of Jing Yidao. The bold and greedy man at that time was actually the holy guardian of the world. Who would've thought that coming?

And why was his title the Holy Guardian? What did he protect? What was the threat that he had to face?

He couldn't help but growl internally at these annoying questions.

"People said this sect gains a fortune by being your host, but I am worried inside," Su Shun let out a self-deprecating laugh.

Hearing this, Mao Nianzu subconsciously recalled the warnings that mortal elders around him always say.

"Offending a cultivator, you will die. But offending a cultivator with a background, your family and descendants will die!"

In short, this was the warning.

'Since even the world protector treats me nicely and this sect master also shows a respectful manner, does it mean I have an earth-shattering identity?'

Connecting the mortal elders' warning and a few things to Su Shun's words made him understand something. That was, his position was very high.

"Thank you for letting me spouting nonsense, young master."

Then they had a little more chat before wrapping it up.

Several hours later.

Mao Nianzu strolled around the Misty Flowery Palace's yard. This sect region in Rocky Mountain was considered their branch part, but still massive.

He would find cultivators under a pavilion having a lively discussion every few miles. Some had an intense argumentation, and some were listening to the preacher.

Youths in their burning age. A look of determination flashed through their eyes, trampling one another.

Elders were in quiet and idle movement. They let the youths have a showdown with a limitation. They pointed out their flaws or evaluated the performance together.

On the nearby peaks, Mao Nianzu saw indistinct holes in some parts of its stem, seemingly cave entrances for people to cultivate. Some cultivators on their flying swords flew and departed from these holes.

At this time, two female servants tagged along with Mao Nianzu, acting as the guide to show him around the Misty Flowery Palace branch.

From the moment he stepped outside of the palace where he rested, these servants had been occasionally explained a few things. Likewise, they wasted moments in silence when they felt speaking was unnecessary.

"Young master, would you like to attend a conference?" one female servant asked while lowering her head.

"Cool. Lead the way." Mao Nianzu nodded.

The servants backed away, exchanged glances, and then went in one particular direction.

They arrived at a considerably open pavilion with a wooden roof. This was placed in the middle of a big pool, connected by a wooden bridge to the side.

Above the pool were beautiful lotus with hazy fog around them.

When Mao Nianzu walked above the bridge, a fragrant scent struck his nose. He couldn't help sniffing the air. Soon, a relaxation crept inside his body.

"This place is for cultivators as well as poets. Usually, they engage in playing words," said one servant.

The participants sat in their respective seats. In front of which was a rectangular table, a quill and ink on the right side, and a blank canvas spread on the table.

The seats formed a circle, leaving a space for the entrance and the middle part of the pavilion. There were approximately fifty participants. The seats in total were around eighty-one.

Mao Nianzu sat in the backseat between his two servants. One fine-looking youth sat two seats on his right side, and some youths had already filled the seats in front of him.

"Is it true that our fairy will be teaching us today?" a youth in front of Mao Nianzu whispered to his friend.

"It is! I heard someone encouraged her to do this," replied another youth.

"Who can make her move? Is it the sect master?"

"Hush! She's here." The youths quickly composed themselves.

At this moment, the breeze gently strode the air. It fluttered the purple silk robe of a slender girl. A thin veil covered her picturesque visage, holding a violet umbrella.

Once the participants noticed her presence, they stood up and cupped their fists.

The girl slowly turned around while sizing up all the participants. Despite her nose and mouth being covered by the veil, it couldn't hide the charm of her feminine eyes.

She closed the umbrella and then handed it over to a female behind her.

As she cupped her fists, one gentleman caught her attention. He sat down, looking unperturbed. His black eyes stared at the calm pool.

Sensing the girl's stare, Mao Nianzu looked back at her. He released a soft exclamation, "Oh, it's you!"

"Uh, yes. Yes, young master." The girl snapped back from a daze, then lowered her head with a faint smile.

"Don't mind me. I only spend my time, and these two lead me here." Mao Nianzu smiled. The servants next to him hurriedly nodded apologetically.

"By your will, young master." Seeing the confirmation from the servants, the girl nodded in understanding.

However, all participants were dumbfounded by their interaction. Some stole a glance at Mao Nianzu without covering their ugly expression, while others kept the urge to themselves.

"Fairy Luo, who is this person?" One youth in the front seat asked, looking rather displeased with the interaction.

A cold expression immediately adorned the said Fairy Luo's face. The smile vanished as she said, "Young Master is Young Master."

The youth was irritated upon hearing the answer. Didn't Fairy Luo act very hospitably toward the man in the white robe? Then why did she behave this way toward him?!

But the youth came from a reputable background and knew a thing or two about how a genius struggles. He immediately linked it with the possibility of a renowned cultivator that deserves such respect. However, he found no one in his mind that befitting this description.

"That is our fairy! She acts cold to anyone." One female youth murmured.

Her eyes sparkled in admiration. Then she looked over her shoulder at Mao Nianzu. Somehow, she couldn't withstand staring at him too long!

"Are you alright? Why is your face red?" Her friend asked with concern. But this turned bad, making her as red as a tomato. She quickly shook her head and put her palms on the cheek.

Fairy Luo understood the intense emotions some participants exuded. At this moment, she secretly glanced at Mao Nianzu, hoping it wouldn't anger him whatsoever.

And to her relief, Mao Nianzu stared at the pool like nothing significant had happened. He had a stable breath with an indifferent look adorned his face.

After confirming Mao Nianzu's condition, she took a deep breath, then opened the session professionally.