This is the true immortal of the Taoist sect.

"Miss Bai, it's been a long time..."

A familiar voice, a familiar face.

Bai Susu stared blankly for a few moments, then lowered her head, and looked up again.

"Master Li...Master Li?"

Bai Susu murmured in disbelief.

The three elders and many disciples beside him all stepped forward quickly and bowed to Li Daoxuan.

Everyone in the Beast Taming Sect knows Li Daoxuan and is genuinely grateful to him.

After all, if it weren't for Li Daoxuan, their Beast Taming Sect would probably have been wiped out by the Thunder God Palace and the Azure Cloud Sword Sect long ago.

Li Daoxuan returned the greeting with clasped hands and greeted everyone, showing no airs of a senior master.

Finally, when they arrived at Bai Susu's table, Li Daoxuan also clasped his hands in greeting to her:

"Miss Bai, was your journey smooth?"

Bai Susu finally came to her senses, her expression somewhat flustered.

"return..."

She wanted to say she was alright, but when she caught a glimpse of the elder whose arm she had ripped off when she lost control, she couldn't bring herself to say it.

Li Daoxuan followed her gaze and immediately understood everything.

With a soft sigh, he said gently:

"Fortunately, we've arrived at Celestial City, and everything is over."

"Since you've just arrived, you must not have found lodging yet. Why don't you rest at my humble abode?"

Everyone was overjoyed, and the three elders readily agreed, expressing their deepest gratitude.

After all, in this Celestial City, having a master like Li Daoxuan as a backer would at least provide them with a great deal of protection.

Bai Susu remained silent, following the others towards Li Daoxuan's residence.

Wang Jingshu and Nangong Yue knew that Li Daoxuan was bringing people, so they had already made preparations.

The members of the Beast Taming Sect thanked them again, and then rested and recovered to prepare for the upcoming Grand Gathering of Prodigies.

Looking at the fully occupied courtyard, Wang Jingshu asked Li Daoxuan curiously:

"Master, you rented such a large courtyard, did you already plan to reserve it for them?"

Li Daoxuan smiled and said:

"I have that plan."

Wang Jingshu was somewhat surprised, after all, her master was not a polite and enthusiastic person; he valued karma and cause and effect the most.

"It seems the Beast Taming Sect has a very close relationship with my master..."

As she spoke, Wang Jingshu glanced at the room where Bai Susu was resting.

If it's true that Nangong Yue could never win over her master, then Bai Susu is a different story.

Her good looks are secondary; the key is her gentle and graceful temperament, which is a perfect match for her master.

Not only that, Wang Jingshu could clearly see that Bai Susu's gaze towards her master was somewhat different, seemingly carrying a hint of joy, and also a hint of... resentment?

"Could it be... that I'm going to have a master's wife?"

"Thump..."

"Ouch... Master, why did you hit me?"

"Thinking nonsense, he deserves a beating..."

"No, wait... Master, are you using your supernatural powers to spy on my thoughts?"

"Do you really need supernatural powers to read your mind? It's all written on your face..."

"Hehe... Master, what about Bai Susu..."

Li Daoxuan shook his head slightly, without saying anything more.

Instead, he looked at Wang Jingshu and said:

"Didn't you want to go to the Celestial Realm? She can take you there..."

Wang Jingshu was taken aback and exclaimed in surprise:

"Her? Does she have extra Imperial Prince Tokens?"

Li Daoxuan shook his head.

"No need for the Imperial Son's Decree; you'll find out when the time comes."

Wang Jingshu was puzzled, but didn't think much of it.

Then it dawned on him that his master had taken them in so that Bai Susu could take him inside.

Thinking of this, Wang Jingshu couldn't help but feel moved, and gently shook Li Daoxuan's sleeve.

"Master, you're so kind..."

Li Daoxuan pursed his lips and said:

"Don't be too touched. It's not just for you; I'm also repaying a favor to the Beast Taming Sect..."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

In the room, Bai Susu slowly exhaled a breath of stale air and opened her eyes.

Looking out the window, it was already late at night.

After several hours of focused meditation and breath control, the fluctuating qi and blood finally calmed down completely, and even his cultivation level increased significantly.

We're only one step away from the Ninth Heaven...

"Thump...thump thump..."

"Who?"

A knock sounded at the door, and Bai Susu was surprised to find that she hadn't noticed anyone approaching the door at all.

"It's me, Miss Bai. Have you rested yet?"

Upon hearing Li Daoxuan's voice, Bai Susu was visibly flustered.

She opened her mouth, as if to say she wanted to sleep, but in the end she said:

"No, come in..."

At the same time, he raised his hand and waved it, unleashing a burst of powerful energy that allowed him to open the door bolt from a distance.

Li Daoxuan stood at the door for a few moments before pushing it open.

When they entered, Bai Susu had already gotten off the bed and was sitting at the table in the room, waiting quietly.

Li Daoxuan did not go in, but stood at the door and bowed to Bai Susu, saying:

"I apologize for disturbing you so late at night."

Bai Susu rose and bowed, asking softly:

"What are your instructions, Taoist Master?"

"No, I wouldn't dare. I have a favor to ask of you, young lady. Would it be convenient for us to talk outside?"

Let's go outside and chat. Bai Susu smiled inwardly, thinking that this senior expert was truly considerate in every aspect, even caring about worldly etiquette.

Bai Susu nodded, got up and walked out.

The courtyard isn't very large, but the interior is quite exquisite.

There is a pond about half an acre in size, in which a dozen or so koi carp that can breathe spiritual energy are raised.

There is a set of stone table and benches by the pond, with a simple and elegant design, which shows some taste.

Arriving at the stone table and benches, Li Daoxuan stepped aside to invite Bai Susu to sit down first, and only after she was seated did he slowly sit down himself.

Bai Susu kept her head turned to the side, looking at the pond beside her, watching the ripples gently spreading under the moonlight, shimmering and rippling.

Li Daoxuan pursed his lips, not getting straight to the point, but instead asked with a smile:

"It's been quite a while since we parted ways at the City of Ten Thousand Beasts. How is Lord Bai doing?"

Bai Susu still didn't look at him, but simply nodded slightly.

"Yes, everything is fine."

This reaction left Li Daoxuan somewhat at a loss for words.

The atmosphere between the two became somewhat awkward for a moment.

Bai Susu's lips curled up almost imperceptibly as she asked calmly:

"Please speak plainly, Master."

Li Daoxuan coughed awkwardly and stopped beating around the bush.

"There is indeed something."

At this point, Li Daoxuan glanced to the side and saw Wang Jingshu eavesdropping not far away.

With a helpless smile, and not intending to hide it from her, he spoke directly:

"The Gathering of Prodigies will begin in a few days. At that time, an envoy from the Heavenly Realm will come to guide Miss Bai and the other prodigies to the Heavenly Realm."

"This humble Taoist priest would like to ask the young lady to help him take someone up..."

At this point, Bai Susu finally turned to look at Li Daoxuan.

"Bring someone along? That... I'm afraid I can't do that either?"

Li Daoxuan laughed and said:

"Don't worry, young lady, I will not make things difficult for you. I have a clever way to deceive the eyes of the Heavenly Envoy."

"As a reward, if the young lady is willing, this humble Taoist priest can use magic to remove that thing from your body..."