After the innkeeper left, Chu Ying stepped to the window and gazed down at the bustling street below. The morning air was filled with the hum of voices, the clatter of carts, and the aroma of fresh food from roadside vendors.
She chuckled softly, recalling the innkeeper's earlier chatter.
"So this is how a mortal lives… It's not that bad," she whispered to herself.
With a faint smile, she turned away from the window, undressing slowly. The tightness in her shoulders eased as the fabric fell away.
Though her cultivation had been lost, her figure still exuded a natural allure—voluptuous and refined. As she moved toward the bath, her curvy butt swayed rhythmically, and her ample breasts bounced like ripened peaches caught in a gentle breeze.
The warm water wrapped around her body, washing away not just the dust but also a layer of lingering heaviness. After a long, refreshing soak, she dressed and descended the stairs, where she saw innkeeper Jiang Mu speaking to a man near the entrance.
"Go get some fresh breakfast food for the guest," Jiang Mu instructed, "and if possible, arrange a cook for the coming days."
The man nodded and swiftly left.
Noticing Chu Ying's approach, Jiang Mu turned with a smile. "Miss, is there something you need?"
"No," she replied curtly, not bothering to elaborate, and quietly stepped outside.
As she wandered down the alleyways behind the inn, a hunched beggar caught her eye. He was staring at her, unmoving, his gaze neither pitiful nor desperate—just… curious.
Approaching him, she pulled a silver coin from her private storage and offered it.
The beggar didn't reach for it, simply staring at her with a puzzled expression.
She hesitated for a moment, thinking perhaps the coin was too much for someone like him.
"Take it," she said firmly.
This time, the beggar accepted it. Then, from within his ragged sleeves, he pulled out a simple wooden hairpin and held it out to her.
"Here, take this," he murmured. "If possible, go to the Springwater Sect. Show them this hairpin and tell them you want to meet Lady Qinru. Then say this to her:
One glass of water, two glasses of wine. Give me something better, what is not mine."
Chu Ying's brows twitched slightly. Was he once a scholar? she wondered, the peculiar rhyme still echoing in her ears. But the moment the name 'Springwater Sect' flashed through her mind, a jolt ran down her spine.
That name… Is it the same sect?
She turned sharply to question him—but the beggar had vanished. No trace remained. Not even the silver coin.
She stood frozen for a moment, gazing down at the wooden hairpin now resting in her palm.
Is this really something important?
Still pondering over the strange encounter, she returned to the inn, murmuring to herself, "Maybe Jiang Mu knows something about that beggar…"
---
Fifth Floor, Silvercloud Trade Hall
In a lavish chamber lit with soft jade lamps, Li Chen and Yu Qingci lay nestled in each other's arms, their lips gently brushing.
Yu Qingci pulled back, her cheeks flushed. "Husband, let's get ready. I need to procure some cultivation resources. We must return soon otherwise sister Lingxue will worry."
Li Chen nodded. "Mmmn. But when we return, please refrain from mentioning anything about the trap we encountered to her."
"I understand," she said with a soft smile.
They dressed and headed down to the main hall. When they appeared, Xiaobai—standing near the reception—blushed upon seeing the couple.
Yu Qingci stepped forward and said firmly, "Xiaobai, summon Xiaona and Xiaoji."
Her blushing face shifted to cold and serious look.
"Yes, Master." After receiving her master's order, she left .
Moments later, two black-clad women appeared, bowing respectfully. "We greet the Master."
Yu Qingci glanced at the two and made a rising gesture with her hand.
"Alright, listen carefully. Pack your belongings. From now on, you'll follow me. All previous responsibilities—delegate them to your subordinates."
"Yes, understood master." They both said in unison.
Then she handed them a list. "Place these items into separate storage rings. I need them prepared by noon."
As her words finished, Xiaona came forward to receive the list.
Soon the two disappeared in a blink.
Li Chen who was silently listening their conversations , walked to her side and asked, "Do you think there will be more assassins waiting for us?"
Yu Qingci leaned lightly against his shoulder. "It's hard to say… They might… or they might not."
She paused before continuing with a whisper, "But we must go back. If we delay, Sister Lingxue might come out of the courtyard herself… and if Xuan'er follows her…"
She trailed off, but her unfinished words pierced Li Chen's heart. Urgency welled within him.
---
Frost Cloud Pavilion
Seated upon the throne of the Sect Leader, Chu Yao stared coldly at the three elders assembled before her. Her mood was sour—not due to sect matters, but because of the events on her wedding night.
She had long been prepared to consummate the marriage with Wu Ming… yet instead, when the came, he had looked at her with pity and said:
"Yao Yao, tonight is difficult for you. Your mother has been expelled. Her cultivation is gone. You should rest alone. Meilin will serve me tonight so there is no need of you to serve me personally. I know it's not that easy but if you need anything, I'm just across the hall. Alright?"
Frustrated, she had nodded with a forced smile. Now she couldn't even enjoy the victory of crushing that bitch without anyone suspecting it.
--------
Here, she addressed the elders.
"In a few days, I will visit the Azure Dragon Sect. As the holy maiden, I cannot continue to hold the position of Sect Leader. Henceforth, sect matters will be in your hands."
The elders exchanged looks— their concerned looks hid excitement beneath their face.
Soon one of them asked with concern, "When will you depart, Sect Leader?"
"In two days, most likely." Her face showed no worries as if she also wanted to leave the sect quickly.
"We understand. You need not worry—we'll take care of everything," another elder assured her.
Chu Yao nodded. "That's what I wanted to hear."
There wasn't many matter to discuss so the meeting soon ended.
After the meeting, her expression shifted into a cold smirk as she walked away. "Hmph… You think I don't know what you bitches are plotting? Just wait a little longer."
Her eyes narrowed.
Once I reach the Void Transformation Realm… none of you will be able to touch me.
She left the hall and entered the retiring palace.
As she passed Wu Ming's room, soft muffled moans seeped through the closed door.
"Ahhh… Holy Son… uhh… ahhhh…"
When Chu Yao heard such commotion, she first paused, eyes darkening.
"How can they still have the energy to go all night and even now they're again...?"
She couldn't believe how can a person have that much kidney strength?
Lowering her gaze, she stared at her pussy area and murmured,
Will I be able to endure that pain?
Without realizing, her fingers slid downward to caress, preparing her pussy for the inevitable battle.