Zhang Miaoyu felt dazed, her heart racing so fast she could barely recall what Bai Xuanling had said or what she herself had responded.
It was as if her soul had left her body as she answered a few sentences, then she inexplicably found herself sitting in a chair.
Taking several deep breaths, she watched Li Yingling retrieve a large pile of preserved fruits from her spatial ring and hand them to Chen Baiqing.
Although Chen Baiqing still looked young, she was an impeccable beauty.
Faced with the gift from her senior sister, she smiled with a gentle and appropriate expression, her eyes showing surprise and delight as she took Li Yingling's hand, her voice soft and pleasant:
"Thank you, Senior Sister."
After receiving the preserved fruits, Chen Baiqing opened one package, first offering some to Chu Xingchen before sharing with everyone else.
Although Zhang Miaoyu was new, since she was a guest elder mentioned by her master, she counted as at least one-tenth of their own, so Chen Baiqing wouldn't be stingy with some preserved fruits.
So now, holding some preserved fruits in her hand, Zhang Miaoyu's nervousness eased slightly, at least enough to prevent her from stuttering.
She had to admit that in this lifetime, Zhang Miaoyu never imagined she would one day meet a living Bai Xuanling.
Bai Xuanling wasn't like in the legends, where opening her eyes meant she wanted to kill, and closing them meant heads would roll.
She didn't have a murderous aura emanating from her entire being, her pupils weren't blood-red, and there was no cruel sneer constantly on her face.
Nor was she so unreasonable—after noticing how particularly nervous Zhang Miaoyu was, her tone had softened considerably, clearly trying to accommodate her emotions.
On the contrary, Zhang Miaoyu now recalled the Bai Xuanling she had met in person.
Bai Xuanling's aura was steady, her gaze calm without any blood-red eyes or cruel sneer, and she was exceptionally beautiful.
Just standing there, she had an aura—a master's aura!
Yet she could blend in, without putting on airs, as if she was... unusually approachable.
Zhang Miaoyu cautiously looked up and observed, but found that almost everyone was smiling.
Chen Baiqing seemed to have prepared gifts for Li Yingling, or rather, she had prepared gifts for nearly everyone present.
Except for herself and her only outer disciple to oversee—Zhou Ping.
However, to make up for it, Chen Baiqing gave her extra preserved fruits.
Thus, the preserved fruits in Zhang Miaoyu's hand doubled.
Zhou Ping, on the other hand, was happily eating the preserved fruits... as if he had never eaten anything good before.
Chu Xingchen's gaze swept over the scene as he tasted the preserved fruits given by Chen Baiqing.
Unconsciously, the people from the sect had all gathered here again.
Relationships are tightening ropes that pull closer everyone who cares about them.
At this moment, everyone's gaze unconsciously turned toward her again.
Chu Xingchen glanced at Bai Xuanling, and after seeing her give a slight nod, he stood up, raising his cup of tea as if it were wine, and announced:
"To celebrate Lingyu's breakthrough to Nascent Soul, I hereby declare the first-ever gathering of Zhujifeng officially open!"
Qing He reacted the most, probably wanting to stand on the table if Bai Xuanling hadn't been there to keep things under control.
Still, it quickly made its way to Chen Baiqing's side with an extremely bright smile and said:
"No matter what game it is, I want to team up with Xiao Baiqing now!"
Li Yingling watched everything unfold. When it came to games, she had never backed down—except for losing to her own master.
Cui Hao also responded enthusiastically, showing a confident smile.
However, Bai Xuanling's expression suddenly turned cold for a moment as her gaze looked toward the courtyard gate.
There, Lu Xian wore a smile, followed by Yun Yun, asking in a very gentle tone:
"The first gathering of Zhujifeng? Can two more join?"
When Yun Yun saw Bai Xuanling, she felt a bit intimidated. After taking a deep breath, she still cupped her hands in greeting and said:
"Greetings, Elder Bai."
Chu Xingchen naturally recognized these two as the ones who had watched him at Tianyan Peak. He hadn't seen them before—could they have followed him here?
Bai Xuanling's eyes narrowed slightly: "Yun Yun... it's been a while. What? Miss me?"
Yun Yun suddenly felt a chill all over her body. She instinctively moved two steps behind her master before speaking:
"It's been a long time. Naturally, I had to come and pay my respects since you taught me for quite a long time."
Yun Yun really didn't want to recall the days when she had been taught by Bai Xuanling here.
That was the first time she had felt despair about cultivation.
The first time she had tasted the bitterness of cultivation.
The first time she had felt she wasn't a genius, but an idiot.
"Is that so? I didn't expect you to still remember me. Then it seems I didn't waste my time teaching you." Bai Xuanling showed a somewhat enigmatic smile and said,
"Want to stay a bit longer? Let me deepen your memories?"
Although she knew her master couldn't be relied upon, Yun Yun still instinctively moved again, trying to maintain a calm tone:
"Elder Bai's teachings, I dare not forget, so I wouldn't want to trouble you further."
Bai Xuanling didn't press Yun Yun further. Instead, her gaze shifted to Sect Master Lu Xian:
"And you're an even more honored guest. The Sect Master of Tianyan Sect, personally coming to my humble place—it's truly an honor."
Lu Xian's smile stiffened slightly, but he continued:
"Oh, my fault. But I've been busy with affairs these past years and really couldn't find the time. Otherwise, I would have visited long ago."
Bai Xuanling chuckled lightly, a clear expression of disdain for his reply. She propped up her cheek with one hand and asked:
"No one visits the Three Treasures Temple without reason. Just say what you want to see. I'm curious what would make you come in person."
Lu Xian's expression turned solemn as he spoke seriously: "There's really nothing. Yun Yun just returned and specifically wanted to see you. After all, your guidance on her cultivation path was very important. Yun Yun is just an emotional child."
As the sect master spoke, he subtly shifted positions again, exposing Yun Yun once more.
Yun Yun stared wide-eyed at her master. It was the first time she had seen her master throw out a disciple to shield herself.
You didn't come because you were busy—clearly, you were scared!
And how dare she come to visit? She'd come standing but leave lying down!
Clearly, her master had insisted on coming to see what kind of people this group of freaks who could gather together was like.
And she was curious where Bai Xuanling had gathered so many heaven's favored sons.
She wanted to ask where the nest of these prodigies was so she could try her luck later.
And she had to bring her along, saying that with younger people present, Bai Xuanling's chances of making a move would be much lower.
Before leaving, she had guaranteed that whatever happened, Lu Xian would be at the forefront, ensuring her safety.
Now, just a few words in, she was about to sell out this unlucky disciple!
No wonder the Punishment Elder never bothered with her master. With how smoothly she threw allies under the bus, without a moment's hesitation.
If this were anywhere else, Yun Yun would guarantee she'd be the first to smash a traitor's head in.
Oh well, she chose this master... she'll accept it!
Yun Yun took a deep breath and cupped her hands:
"It... was me."
The sect master looked at her with moved eyes.
Truly a disciple carefully cultivated by himself!
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