Longyin Hall’s side chamber, the banquet was ready.
The enormous Divine Wood Table gleamed so brightly it could reflect one’s image.
Upon it, Glazed Cups and Jade Plates were arranged in a crisscross, holding Spirit Fruits and Immortal Brew.
Wisps of spiritual energy mingled with the fragrance of food, weaving a harmonious atmosphere befitting an immortal’s feast.
Qin Qingyue sat at the main seat, dressed in dark palace attire, golden thread dragon patterns flowing with subtle light beneath the luster of pearl lamps, highlighting her peerless beauty and natural authority.
By her side sat Jiang Huai, his manner clear and handsome, clad in the very robe Qin Qingyue had especially prepared for him—an obsidian garment refined from her own Dragon Scales.
This Dragon Scale Robe could change styles at will and adjust itself perfectly to the wearer’s shape, a veritable treasure for protection.
At this moment, the two sat side by side, expressions calm and poised, their bearing extraordinary.
No one could have imagined what kind of intimate scene had taken place in the hall just moments before.
Only Tang Zhaoxue knew the truth.
She swallowed, as if still savoring something.
At the banquet, Zhu Siyao sat quietly behind her mother, Zhuxin.
Her gaze, though appearing idle, landed quietly and sharply upon Chi Lian not far away, like a hidden hunter.
The newly-appointed Saintess wore a magnificent red-gold Saintess robe, her sleeves shimmering with flowing light—truly dazzling.
But on closer look, there was still a trace of imperceptible timidity lingering between her brows.
Though she tried to maintain composure, she lacked the unrestrained confidence and sharpness of a true prodigy.
‘The arrogance rumored of the Saintess of the Red Dragon clan seems a little different,’ Zhu Siyao sneered coldly in her heart.
‘But none of that matters anymore.’
The real Zhu Siyao, her consciousness tightly imprisoned deep in her sea of mind, could only look helplessly at the outside world through a “window.”
All her fear and unwillingness had become nourishment for the Heavenly Demon’s actions—and the perfect disguise.
Qin Qingyue, seeing everyone was seated, lightly tapped her fingers on the table.
The crisp sound instantly quieted the scattered conversations in the hall.
Her gaze swept over the entire room before finally resting upon Chi Lian.
Her voice was clear and unwavering, carrying unquestionable authority:
“Tonight’s banquet is first to honor everyone’s hard work. Second, there is a joyful announcement to make.” She raised her hand slightly, signaling Chi Lian to rise.
“From this day forth, Chi Lian shall be the Saintess of my Nine Heavens Palace, with status equal to an Elder, enjoying the sect’s offerings and bearing the responsibility of guarding our sect.”
This had all been decided by Jiang Huai, and Qin Qingyue didn’t mind letting him have his way.
Chi Lian took a deep breath and slowly stood, all eyes on her.
After refining the Yin-Yang Essence Jiang Huai had channeled into her last night, along with the aura of the Chaos Dao Platform, her once-unsteady spiritual energy had grown much firmer.
There was a new, confident light deep within her gaze.
She glanced gratefully at Jiang Huai, a warm current surging in her heart.
Only now did she fully understand why he was so certain he could change her fate.
Facing everyone, she offered a graceful bow.
Her voice was still soft by nature, yet it rang clear and steadfast:
“Chi Lian is still young and ignorant, yet thanks to the Palace Master and all the seniors’ trust, I have been elevated to the position of Saintess.”
“From this day forward, I shall diligently cultivate and fulfill my duties, living up to the title of Saintess, and offer what little I can for the Nine Heavens Palace.”
The hall instantly filled with approving and encouraging voices.
Zhuxin nodded with a smile, Su Yingman’s gaze carried a playful kindness, and even Tang Zhaoxue inclined her head ever so slightly.
And on “Zhu Siyao’s” face, a gentle and encouraging smile befitting the Master Senior Sister of Jiutian Palace appeared—though beneath that smile, there was a hint of coldness.
Qin Qingyue had always been easygoing and disliked excessive formality.
With the main matters announced, the banquet continued in a relaxed atmosphere.
Everyone drank, laughed, and shared cultivation insights, the gathering warm and harmonious.
Not until the moon had risen high did the feast finally come to an end.
As the crowd thinned out, “Zhu Siyao” seized the chance and quietly followed after Jiang Huai, who was preparing to leave.
“Jiang Huai.”
She called softly, her voice carrying an unusual, alluring gentleness beneath the corridor at night.
Jiang Huai paused at the sound, turning to see her approaching alone, a little surprised:
“Hmm? What brings you looking for me all of a sudden?”
It had indeed been some time since he’d seen Zhu Siyao.
He found her seeming more mature than before.
In the courtyard, the spiritual plants emitted a faint glow, the night breeze carried waves of elegant floral scent.
Under the eaves, the palace lanterns cast a dim halo, stretching and intertwining the shadows of the two of them.
On “Zhu Siyao’s” face was a smile completely unlike her usual coldness—one tinged with something eerie and excited.
Borrowing from Zhu Siyao’s body’s muscle memory, she approached Jiang Huai with natural ease, nearly pressing against him, lifting her face, her breath fragrant as orchids:
“What’s wrong? Can’t I come to find you for no reason?”
She paused deliberately, bringing her red lips close to Jiang Huai’s ear, and with a voice low but crystal-clear, tinged with a forbidden thrill, she softly uttered two words:
“My dear… daddy.”
The warm breath swept over his ear, and the earth-shattering address made Jiang Huai freeze all over.
He could even sense that the real Zhu Siyao, whose consciousness was bound to this body, was stirred up violently by this name—her resistance mixing with some secret, inexplicable excitement.
“Zhu Siyao’s” chest heaved uncontrollably, her heartbeat pounding like a drum.
This, the Heavenly Demon could not control—Zhu Siyao’s own emotions were in wild turmoil.
“You…” Jiang Huai’s pupils shrank. He whipped his head toward her, face full of disbelief and shock.
“How could you…
He could never have imagined Zhu Siyao would say such words.
But “Zhu Siyao” seemed rather satisfied with his reaction, let out a light chuckle, then boldly reached out and held his arm, pressing her well-developed, soft chest subtly against his upper arm.
“It’s nothing. If you like hearing it, I can say it for you from now on.” Her tone was both coy and entangling, but she swiftly turned to the real topic.
“I want you to accompany me to a newly discovered Secret Realm for some experience.”
“It’s close by, but I’ve heard it’s strange inside. My mother would never rest easy if I went alone.”
She looked up, her gaze brimming with a charm utterly unlike the old Zhu Siyao, tracing slow circles on his arm with her fingertip:
“You… will protect your… mmm, right?”
That deliberately drawn-out tone and suggestive words made Jiang Huai frown deeply.
He tried to pull his arm back, his voice stern and confused:
“Siyao, what’s wrong with you? How could you… become like this?”
This was nothing like the stubborn, hardworking Zhu Siyao he’d known, who only sometimes made a little fuss.
The smile on “Zhu Siyao’s” face didn’t fade, instead showing a kind of reckless frankness:
“Because I’ve come to accept reality.”
She leaned in closer, her voice dropping even lower:
“Isn’t it true you and my mother have already done ‘that’? I know all about it.”
“Whatever the case, I’m now the Master Senior Sister, living in Nine Heavens Palace, and I’m one of its people from now on.”
“I have no choice but to accept it. Is it wrong to ask for a little warmth from ‘family’?”
With that, she added pitifully, “After all, I never had a father—since I was little, people have always cursed me behind my back.”
Jiang Huai frowned but didn’t argue; he had no rebuttal.
In a sense, what Zhu Siyao said was true.
Zhu Siyao stared straight at the sudden shift in Jiang Huai’s expression, not backing down but pressing on:
“Never mind what’s wrong with me. Just answer—are you going or not?”
In the moonlight and lantern glow, her eyes were at once familiar and foreign, filled with dangerous temptation.
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