When I woke up, the entire cultivation world was talking about my master.

On the way back, the cultivators who participated in the Tianyuan Society were discussing the matter heatedly, with the main topic revolving around the Demon King and the Crown Prince.

This is only the first day, and it's already such an explosive start. The next few days are sure to be even more exciting.

Chu Xianlan carefully examined the simplified map distributed by the imperial city. According to the accommodation arrangements, the disciples and ordinary students of various sects were placed in the relatively remote "disciple residence" area. The sect leaders, elders, and other important figures lived in independent immortal mansions within the palace where the spiritual energy was more abundant.

He rolled up the map and tucked it into his sleeve: "Master, I'll head back to my residence now."

Yi Chen asked, "Where does this disciple reside?"

Chu Xianlan then unfolded the map again, pointing to two marks on it. The two marks were far apart, almost spanning the entire Yuntian City. Yi Chen's gaze swept over that long distance on the map, and his brows furrowed involuntarily.

"There's no need to go to the disciples' residence."

"?" Chu Xianlan was about to leave when she was stopped by a single sentence and tilted her head to look back.

Yi Chen's expression remained unchanged. "The immortal abode is spacious and rich in spiritual energy, which is more conducive to cultivation."

"But... the Immortal Abode should be arranged for the seniors of each sect. It's not in accordance with the rules for a disciple to live there, is it?" Chu Xianlan asked hesitantly.

Does this count as giving special treatment?

Seeing his hesitation, Hua Ling poked Chu Xianlan's head. "Are you stupid? The Immortal Abode sounds so grand, what's so great about the disciple's residence? Why don't you hurry up and go eat and drink the good life with your master!"

The young boy who had been leading the way smiled and said, "You two don't need to worry. The Immortal Abode is indeed an excellent place for cultivation, and many direct disciples live there with their masters. It's not an exception. If Immortal Lord Jixue wishes to bring Senior Brother Chu along, she can simply add a name to the register. There's no problem with that."

The palace was quiet and secluded, making people unconsciously slow their breathing. The two followed the child through several winding corridors. The occasional palace guards walked silently, each possessing spiritual power.

Hua Ling covered her face and said in a trembling voice, "This kind of place always feels eerie, like it might be haunted!"

"O soul, return! O soul, return!"

"Xue Ling'er~ I~ died so tragically~ ah~"

Xue Ling, who had been quietly nestled on Chu Xianlan's shoulder, suddenly spoke softly, "...There's someone behind you."

"Aaaaaah—!" Hua Ling jumped up in fright, then froze. "Eh? There really is someone here, Xian Lan, look!"

Chu Xianlan listened to the two little spirits making a fuss for a long time, thinking that the flower spirit was just playing tricks again. Helplessly, she turned around and was stunned.

It was Ji Fuyao, whom we hadn't seen in a long time.

She stood alone under a tree, her long hair loose and flowing down her back. She wore only a plain white dress, and from a distance, her figure appeared somewhat thin and lonely. Her expression seemed to be in a daze, and she did not notice anyone passing by.

Ji Fuyao is the senior sister of Xuan Yang Sect. She usually appears very resilient and never loses her composure in front of others. It is quite rare for her to show such a vulnerable side at this moment.

Chu Xianlan then remembered that she had not seen her at the banquet that night.

"Fellow Daoist Ji," he called out from a distance.

Ji Fuyao, standing under the tree, swayed for a moment, her eyes widening slightly. When she turned around, a perfect, gentle smile appeared on her face.

"...Fellow Daoist Chu, Immortal Lord Jixue," she said with some surprise, her gaze lingering on Chu Xianlan for a moment before she spoke gently, "Fellow Daoist Chu, it's only been a few days, yet your cultivation has improved again. You're almost at the threshold of the late Golden Core stage, aren't you?"

Chu Xianlan shook her head, "It's not that bad."

As he shook his head, a few strands of hair on his forehead swayed slightly, revealing a light-colored mole under his eyebrow. Ji Fuyao's gaze inadvertently swept over it, then suddenly stopped.

But she only glanced at it for a moment before looking away.

"I suppose you two need to settle in and rest, so I won't disturb you any longer."

After the group had gone far away, Ji Fuyao turned around and looked in the direction Chu Xianlan had left, touching the beauty mark under her eye.

-

"...Why do I feel that both the crown prince and the princess are like wooden figures, so rigid and inflexible?"

"That crown prince was hit by the demon king's ultimate attack right in the face, so all he could do was laugh. This princess is the same; she clearly has something on her mind, but as soon as she sees you, she can immediately smile. The royal family is truly amazing."

Listening to Hua Ling's innocent and carefree chatter, the group arrived at the Immortal Abode.

The young boy leading the way explained, "There's a Meditation Pavilion in the courtyard, equipped with a spirit-gathering array. Cultivating there will make your efforts twice as effective. In the backyard, there's a Celestial Spirit Pool. Soaking in it can nourish your meridians and greatly benefit your Golden Core cultivation. Over there is the Herb Garden, where high-grade spiritual plants are grown. If you need to refine pills or clear your mind, you can pick them yourself."

"Whoosh!" Hua Ling grabbed Xue Ling and happily rushed into the Hundred Herbs Garden.

"If needed, just ring the jade bell under the eaves, and someone will come to serve you. I will take my leave now." The boy bowed.

With one person and two spirits missing, the large courtyard suddenly felt empty. Chu Xianlan blinked, her index finger unconsciously fiddling with her sleeve. "Then, shall this disciple also go and cultivate?"

Yi Chen glanced at his subtle movements and said, "Hmm."

He thought that since the boy had already made such a resolute statement to the outside world, if he were really asked to live in the disciples' quarters, the distance would be too great and he might experience separation anxiety.

Chu Xianlan is naturally fond of acting cute, and she will definitely find an excuse to try every means to get close to her.

It would be better to grant his wish from the beginning and live together, so that he could feel at ease... and to prevent Chu Xianlan from doing something... that shouldn't be seen by outsiders when she can't control her feelings.

Yi Chen wanted to give a few more words of advice, but when he turned around, his disciple had already passed away.

"..."

At this moment, Chu Xianlan had excitedly circled the Immortal Abode courtyard by herself, deciding to first try the Immortal Spirit Pool, which was beneficial to those in the Golden Core stage.

Actually, he loved soaking in hot springs and often dragged Xiao Huandu to the Qinling Pool back in the Taiyi Sect. However, after that deadly Gu mark appeared on his body, which would surface whenever he came into contact with hot water, he began to avoid it.

Not long after.

"call--"

Chu Xianlan was completely immersed in the warm spiritual spring. The pool water was filled with spiritual energy, which seeped into her meridians, like a natural cultivation ground, nourishing her golden core. Warmth surged into her limbs and bones, and she felt completely better.

Chu Xianlan, having monopolized the entire Immortal Spirit Pool by herself, narrowed her eyes and couldn't help but sigh:

"Cool!"

As expected of the city's spiritual pool, one pool is better than six!

After immersing himself in the water for a while, he sat cross-legged again, calmed his mind, and began to circulate his internal energy.

The water temperature slowly rose, and the white mist grew thicker.

……

"Hey, Xianlan!"

"How are you!"

Hua Ling lay on the artificial rock outside the Fairy Spirit Pool and shouted twice into it.

No one responded.

"Yi Chen, Xian Lan has been inside for three hours. Is he alright?" Hua Ling peeked out from outside the Immortal Spirit Pool.

Xue Ling whispered, "What if I go into qi deviation?"

After the two spirits finished speaking, they simultaneously turned to look at Yi Chen, who was standing quietly under the corridor.

"Why don't you... go in and take a look?"