Disappointed?

A trace of surprise flashed across Cao Xueyan’s eyes.

Good heavens—items stored inside a storage pouch were supposed to lose their original weight, yet they still placed pressure on the artifact itself.

When that internal strain reached a certain point, the most obvious sign was that the pouch would begin to feel heavier.

Now, the one hanging at her waist felt as if it had been soaked in water.

Not only had it grown heavier, but even its appearance seemed slightly swollen.

This was no ordinary storage pouch—it could hold an entire room within it.

If the proportions were right, she could probably even fit a carriage and two horses inside.

“Oh my, now that the gifts have all been given… Peak Master Xiao, about that matter you promised me earlier…”

Qiu Qiandao, usually one of the highest figures in the Qingyun Sword Sect, now looked utterly undignified.

He rubbed his hands together eagerly, his expression full of anticipation and his words filled with hints.

Xiao Menglan frowned slightly, though she quickly smoothed her expression.

This old man—did he not understand the concept of proper timing?

Their private agreement was never meant to be brought up before others.

“Oh?” Zhao Yunlu, who had been half-absent-minded after giving his gift, suddenly perked up.

“So, Peak Master Qiu’s generous offering came with a condition attached!

Although I find such dealings a bit questionable, this old man is nevertheless quite interested to hear the details.”

In truth, he was simply looking for gossip.

Everyone present was a Golden Core cultivator.

Even the youngest among them, Xiao Menglan and Lu Jiansheng, had lived four or five centuries already.

At such an age, there was little in the mortal world that could truly capture their attention.

What sort of promise had Xiao Menglan made that could move such a miserly man to bring out a treasure he rarely revealed?

That Iron Armored Xuan Puppet might not have been incredibly strong, but it was undeniably rare—and rarity alone made it precious.

“Peak Master Zhao is overthinking things,” Xiao Menglan said irritably.

“Peak Master Qiu simply wanted to obtain more of my senior sister’s fine wine, that’s all.”

She gave both men an exasperated look.

Zhao Yunlu might appear like a serene immortal, but in truth, he was no different from a chatty old villager who loved gossip.

Owing to his seniority, no one except the Sect Master dared correct him, so people usually let him say whatever he pleased.

As for Qiu Qiandao, he had invested all his talents into the craft of refining tools.

His nature was blunt and straightforward, lacking subtlety or tact.

Worse still, he had a booming voice that could shake mountains when backed by his cultivation.

In the past, he had offended plenty of people, and if not for the former Sect Master’s intervention—who valued his unmatched skill in artifact refinement—Qiu Qiandao might have brought ruin upon himself.

“Oh, so it’s about the Sect Master’s wine.”

Zhao Yunlu stroked his beard dramatically.

“Well, that explains everything.

The Sect Master’s brewing is second only to her swordsmanship.

A pity this old man long ago gave up drinking; these days, I only sip tea from my own gardens behind the Fire Refining Palace.

Such fine wine, alas, is a pleasure I can no longer enjoy.”

Qiu Qiandao laughed and waved his hands.

“To tell you the truth, I’ve been craving that wine for years!

The last time I tasted it was decades ago, at the ancestral ceremony.

That one sip was unforgettable!

But not long after, the Sect Master went into seclusion, and there was no way to get more.

Fortunately, Peak Master Xiao shares a master with her, so getting a few jars through her shouldn’t be an issue, eh?”

At that, Lu Jiansheng—who had remained silent until now—spoke calmly at just the right moment.

“If Peak Master Qiu enjoys such things, why not visit my residence sometime?

The Sect Master recently invited me and Peak Master Xiao to drink together and gifted us a few jars afterward.”

“F–few jars?” Qiu Qiandao’s eyes widened in disbelief, and he swallowed audibly.

“Is that true?”

“Naturally.”

“Ah—Brother Lu, then I’ll definitely visit you soon!”

Cao Xueyan watched them chatting and laughing together, a strange sense of unreality washing over her.

If one didn’t sense their cultivation, who would imagine these were all mighty Golden Core cultivators?

For most disciples, such a scene was something they could never witness.

She was only here thanks to Xiao Menglan’s guidance.

As she was thinking this, Lu Jiansheng suddenly turned the conversation.

“Junior Niece Cao, since the others have all given their gifts, I naturally can’t be left behind.”

With a flick of his hand, a bronze formation plate appeared in his palm.

“This is the array core of the Heavenly Earth Guarding Formation.

It requires no formation base or flags; simply channel spiritual power into it, and it will activate.

As part of the Five-Element Grand Zhou Formation, once deployed, no one below the Golden Core realm can break it, and even attacks from Golden Core cultivators can be resisted for a short while.

Your cultivation is still shallow—having more defensive methods will help you go further on your path.”

Lu Jiansheng’s tone was full of senior authority, sounding genuinely kind and patient.

If not for what had happened yesterday, Cao Xueyan might have been moved by his words.

Now, she knew he was simply putting on a show for the others.

Keeping her expression composed, she accepted the formation plate and bowed with flawless courtesy, her demeanor calm and sincere.

Watching this, Xiao Menglan felt somewhat relieved.

Her disciple, at least, knew how to behave properly in front of others.

“This formation plate devours spirit stones like no tomorrow,” Lu Jiansheng added casually.

“When you travel, make sure you bring plenty.”

“Thank you for the reminder, Martial Uncle Lu,” Cao Xueyan replied smoothly.

“I’ll be sure to remember.

Matters concerning the cultivation path are never to be neglected.”

“Excellent.”

Lu Jiansheng lightly shook his folding fan, his half-lowered eyes concealing whatever thoughts flickered within them.

The group lingered in conversation for a while longer.

It was rare for so many of them to gather together, and this event offered a perfect excuse.

Then Zhao Yunlu suddenly opened his eyes, made a quick calculation with his fingers, and said, “Ah, it’s about that time already.”

Xiao Menglan’s lips curved slightly.

“The time for the Heaven-Worship Ceremony?”

“Indeed,” Zhao Yunlu replied, glancing up at the blazing sun above.

Through its radiance, the faint outline of a figure appeared.

“Our Sect Master certainly knows how to choose her moment—arriving right on cue.”

“Mind your tone,” Qiu Qiandao said gruffly.

“The Sect Master’s status is supreme.

Coming at the exact moment is only fitting.

I was discussing this with some unruly juniors recently—they call it… what was the phrase again?

Ah yes, a grand finale entrance!”

“Shh.”

Lu Jiansheng smiled faintly, raising a finger to his lips.

“Speak no more.”

The faint silhouette in the sky solidified in an instant, and the next moment, a figure appeared before them.

It was Qin Ximo, the Sect Master of Qingyun Sword Sect, a cultivator at the Ninth-Turn Golden Core stage—one of the most powerful figures in the cultivation world.

“I seem to have arrived a little late,” Qin Ximo said with a faint smile.

“It looks like everyone has been enjoying themselves.”

Her gaze fell upon Cao Xueyan, her eyes narrowing slightly.

“Not long since we last met, yet you’ve already advanced another level.

It seems I underestimated you before—my junior sister was right, your constitution truly is exceptional.”

Cao Xueyan immediately lowered her head.

“Sect Master overpraises me.

This disciple’s meager cultivation is still far from deserving your recognition.”

Qin Ximo smiled faintly.

“My junior sister has taught you well.

That puts my mind at ease.”

Then her gaze shifted to Xiao Menglan, her tone soft but mildly reproachful.

“The time is nearly upon us, yet your disciple is properly dressed while you’re still in your everyday robes?

This is a sacred occasion.

To stand before Heaven like this is disrespectful.

The ceremony won’t proceed properly.”

Xiao Menglan let out a helpless sigh.

“Senior Sister, must you tease me so?

Fine, I’ll change now.”

Before her words had even faded, her robes shimmered and transformed into a formal Daoist gown.

It was not unattractive—just rather plain.

As the master, she was expected to appear more solemn and dignified than her disciple.

That was why she hadn’t shown this outfit earlier; next to her disciple’s ceremonial phoenix-weave robes, her own looked almost too modest.

But rules were rules.

She looked at Cao Xueyan and, without speaking, sent a voice transmission: “Disappointed in your master’s outfit?”

“N–No, not at all!” Cao Xueyan almost said aloud, then quickly composed herself and replied silently, “Master looks beautiful no matter what she wears!”

That night, her master had promised to let her “touch to her heart’s content,” but she had fainted in the bathhouse before anything could happen.

Even so, she was not lying—her master truly looked breathtaking in anything.

Beautiful beyond compare.

Beautiful enough to shake the soul itself.