Very Adorable

Very Adorable...

As Di Feng departed, his retinue of followers ascended into the air, trailing after him.

They could hardly fathom the origin of these protectors, and the day's events had surpassed even their wildest conjectures.

The revelation of the Azure Emperor Token, coupled with the intervention of the Celestial Lake Palace, forced them to accept that their mission within the White Deer Institute was essentially futile. They had little choice but to retreat.

Further complicating matters, the current turn of events dealt a severe blow to their carefully laid plans.

The Azure Emperor Token had a rightful owner—one who was backed by Fairy Qingmei's support. It was almost impossible for them to manipulate the remaining 'hidden' branches of the Azure Faction. The successor of the Azure Emperor, Qin Wentian, shared their goal: to unite all the concealed branches and eventually lead the Azure Faction.

Di Feng's only recourse now was to mature rapidly. Only through exceptional combat prowess and overwhelming power could he dismiss the significance of the Azure Emperor Token.

Upon the defeat of the four transgressors, a hush fell over the Celestial Lake Palace members. They alighted onto the ground, fixing their gaze on Qin Wentian and the figure beside him—Qing`er.

"Young Master Qin, Princess Qinger," they greeted, bowing with respect. Qin Wentian, as the Azure Emperor's successor, and Qinger, as Fairy Qingmei's favored disciple, commanded immense reverence within the Celestial Lake Palace. Qing`er's status was on par with the Palace Mistress herself.

Qinger acknowledged their salutation with a subtle nod, her composure unwavering. Yet the White Deer Institute members were stunned by Qinger's identity. The ethereal beauty at Qin Wentian's side was none other than the esteemed "Princess Qing`er."

"Ensure this information remains confidential. No external parties can be privy to it," instructed the headmaster to the White Deer Institute's elders. Today's events were bound to attract attention from other powers, necessitating preparations to manage potential aftermath.

"No worries. We descended discreetly. Apart from those in the White Deer Institute, no one else is aware of our presence. However, it's prudent for you to take precautions. We cannot afford any mishaps," the middle-aged woman addressed the headmaster. Those present belonged to either the Celestial Lake Palace or the White Deer Institute. While their objectives might differ, both sides were resolute in safeguarding the secret of the Azure Emperor's 'hidden' branches.

"Understood. I'll make the necessary arrangements," the headmaster acknowledged. He was aware that the deaths of the fourth-ranked Grandmasters could not be concealed entirely. At the time of their demise, Fenrir and others had borne witness to the event.

Turning her attention to Qin Wentian and Qing`er, the middle-aged woman's expression softened. Her smile dispelled the menacing façade she'd assumed earlier, revealing the graceful countenance of age.

"Did you tease our Qing`er?" the middle-aged woman playfully inquired.

Qin Wentian blinked rapidly—had he teased Qing`er?

Given Qing`er's elusive presence, he often struggled to even locate her. How could he possibly tease her?

"Sister, did he bully me?" Qing`er asked innocently, her demeanor as enchanting as ever.

The middle-aged woman chuckled at Qinger's words. She playfully grasped Qinger's arm and led her aside.

"Qinger, Master has a question for you," she whispered softly, her conspiratorial tone piquing Qinger's curiosity. "What does Master want to know?"

"Master wonders… do you like him?"

A shrewd glimmer danced in the middle-aged woman's eyes. Though she was tasked by Fairy Qingmei to ask Qing`er, she also seized the opportunity to lightly tease her seemingly emotionless junior.

Yet how could Qing`er, so unfamiliar with matters of the heart, comprehend such a question? Pondering earnestly, she responded, "I... don't know."

"Ehhh..." Qin Wentian, standing nearby, rolled his eyes. Their hushed conversation was not inaudible to him.

"Then, what's your assessment of his character?" The middle-aged woman chuckled, continuing her playful interrogation.

Qing`er's lashes fluttered, her gaze shifting to Qin Wentian before she responded, "He's incredibly endearing!"

Cough, cough... Qin Wentian's face contorted with dismay at Qinger's words. His heart sank with a mixture of emotions. 'Incredibly endearing'... those were the same words he'd once used to describe Qinger. To think she'd remembered and employed the very same description! [1]

Unrestrained laughter escaped the middle-aged woman, an image quite unfitting for her age. Casting a knowing smile at Qin Wentian, she effectively incited a flush of embarrassment across his features.

"To Fairy Qingmei, Little Sister Qinger is her cherished gem. Take good care of our Qinger, won't you?" The middle-aged woman's laughter resonated warmly, yet her imposing aura reasserted itself unconsciously. Clearly, her position within the Celestial Lake Palace was no less significant.

Her presence this time was instrumental in establishing dominance on Qin Wentian's behalf. Her actions not only deterred the White Deer Institute, but also left an indelible mark. This was her way of ensuring the memory was etched deeply in their minds.

"Senior, truthfully, Qinger is usually the one looking out for me." Qin Wentian felt a pang of humility. Since meeting Qinger, she had steadfastly remained in the shadows, guarding over him.

"I'm glad you recognize that. If I hear even a whisper that you've mistreated her, you won't find me lenient," the middle-aged woman warned. Evidently, her concern for Qinger was genuine. Her teasing tone aside, her words carried genuine weight; she truly cared for Qinger.

The members of the White Deer Institute, meanwhile, fell into contemplative silence. They couldn't help but wonder: if this middle-aged woman was already this imposing, what stature might her master hold?

As for the four supreme elders and the headmaster, they had pieced together the identity of these protectors and gained insight into Qing`er's elevated status.

"Enough. Qinger, it's time to depart," the middle-aged woman declared. Qinger's response was a simple nod, devoid of any visible emotions. Their companions understood that Qing`er's reticence was her norm; they'd grown accustomed to her ethereal presence.

"Look after Qing'er," the middle-aged woman repeated. Qin Wentian nodded in earnest as he queried, "Are the seniors departing already?"

"Yes, we've accomplished our mission here. As for the challenges that lie ahead, you must rely on yourself. Don't expect us to come to your aid again. As the Azure Emperor's successor, you must ascend through your own might," the middle-aged woman affirmed. Her words carried a blend of encouragement and warning, underscoring the need for self-reliance on Qin Wentian's journey to ascendancy.

After delivering her message, she vanished into the sky, her form dissolving into the ethereal waves of demonic qi. Following her lead, the Celestial Lake Palace members, unfurling impressive wings, ascended into the heavens. In mere moments, they disappeared amidst the clouds, leaving behind a crowd that watched them depart in awe.

They came as a tempest, departing with serene subtlety.

The Celestial Lake Palace's sole aim today had been to aid Qin Wentian in asserting his dominance, while ensuring the White Deer Institute understood Fairy Qingmei's stance.

After their departure, a collective exhale of relief swept through the White Deer Institute members. The headmaster turned his gaze toward the horizon, his expression pensive.

"Wentian, henceforth, consider the Institute your haven for cultivation. If you require anything, reach out to Little Yi or me," the headmaster declared.

"Of course." Qin Wentian grinned and nodded.

"From now on, treat Wentian as you would me. However, keep this matter confined to the core members. Wentian, understand that we must remain discreet," the headmaster addressed the assembly. "Wentian, you must see the necessity of our low profile."

"I assure you, Great-Grandfather, I comprehend." Qin Wentian smiled. "Oh, and one more thing. I've told Little Yi before that even if the White Deer Institute willingly submits to my authority, I won't recklessly place the Institute in jeopardy. I won't reveal that it's an Azure Faction branch until I'm absolutely certain of my strength."

"Understood. This is a momentous decision. I can't make it unilaterally. I'll convene a meeting of the elders and inform you of our decision."

The headmaster's decision to call an elder-level meeting was solely for him, the Azure Emperor's successor.

"Spread the word to the other elders not present," the headmaster instructed. As an ancient power with a history spanning over millennia, the White Deer Institute wasn't merely governed by the four supreme elders and nine grand elders. There were elder-level figures from past generations, known as the doyens. These powerful cultivators were at the pinnacle of Yuanfu realm and rarely involved themselves in administrative matters, choosing to focus on their cultivation in seclusion. If not for the gravity of the current situation, they wouldn't have been disturbed.

With a series of nods, the crowd acknowledged their roles. The mobilization of the doyens was a rare occurrence in the White Deer Institute's history.

"Let's depart as well," the headmaster said to one of the supreme elders. However, he noticed that this particular elder had been staring intently at Qin Wentian, a glint of sharpness in his eyes. This elder was none other than Bailu Tong's father.

Aware that this supreme elder likely harbored resentment due to the deaths of his son and grandson, Qin Wentian was hopeful that the headmaster possessed a means to defuse the brewing conflict.

After the headmaster and the supreme elders departed, the elder with large eyes stepped forward, giving Qin Wentian a comforting pat on the shoulder. "Don't take today's events to heart. With the acquisition of the Azure Emperor Token and the Celestial Lake Palace's endorsement, there's no need for us to doubt your cultivation prowess. Moreover, being a fourth-ranked Grandmaster at just nineteen years old is a remarkable feat. I'm certain that even without the support of our White Deer Institute, your name would still resound throughout Grand Xia."

"You're giving me too much credit, Great Elder. But I believe today's incident might turn out to be a blessing in disguise," Qin Wentian replied with a smile.

News of Qin Wentian's achievement as a fourth-ranked Grandmaster quickly spread across the Moon Continent, causing waves of excitement and drawing even the attention of the Star-Seizing Manor.

A fourth-ranked Grandmaster at the age of nineteen? Such a feat had never been witnessed in the history of the Moon Continent.

Unfortunately, the Moon Continent lacked a dominant force that truly valued the role of Divine Inscriptionists. If Qin Wentian were situated in the War Continent, transcendent powers would undoubtedly vie for his talents in forging Divine Weapons.

Yet, even in the Moon Continent, scouts from various transcendent powers were dispatched, hoping to recruit Qin Wentian into their ranks.

As news reached the Leng Clan in the Eastern Region of the Moon Continent, they were reminded of their unresolved enmity with Qin Wentian. Their thoughts dwelled on what might have been, the frustration almost making them spit blood in anger!