Chapter 182: Senior Sister?

No intention of hiding anything.

After lingering together for a while longer, Pei Qingxuan finally noticed that the three women were still in the courtyard.

Though she felt a bit shy, she was not at all uncomfortable.

Clearly, she was showing off the authority of the main wife.

Seeing her act like this, all they could do was let her be.

He had to back her up, no matter what.

It wasn’t a matter of favoring one over another, but more about maintaining harmony in the household—especially in a family like this, where relationships needed to be clearly defined.

First and foremost, everyone was equal—there was no doubt about that.

But secondly, seniority mattered.

Besides, Pei Qingxuan’s strength was well-known. It was better for her to show off through Xu Ping’an than to act personally; otherwise, things might get out of hand.

“Husband…”

“Hmm?”

“Kang Elder… might need your help.”

“Ah, come to think of it, we did come back this time for him. Let’s go, then.”

Xu Ping’an sat up. Pei Qingxuan, though a little reluctant to leave his embrace, remembered that Kang Elder was her entry teacher and benefactor, both a mentor and a guide—she had to help.

“Where is he now? Take me there.”

“Mm~”

Pei Qingxuan nodded, walked to the door, and made sure to smooth out her dress, which had gotten a little rumpled from their affectionate moments.

She turned to look back at Xu Ping’an.

“Husband, I… don’t have any flaws showing, do I?”

Her phoenix eyes brimmed with tenderness, with a hint of panic, looking truly adorable.

“No problem.”

Xu Ping’an smiled, then turned to the three women.

“I’m going out with Qingxuan for a bit. You three stay inside and don’t wander off, understand?”

“We understand, sir.” Li Yuer nodded obediently.

The other two quickly nodded as well. Only then did Xu Ping’an feel at ease and follow Pei Qingxuan out of the courtyard.

As soon as they left, Pei Qingxuan resumed her Sect Master demeanor. Her whole presence turned icy, her aura commanding instant respect and awe.

Xu Ping’an rarely got to see this side of Pei Qingxuan up close, and couldn’t help but look at her with interest.

Maybe sensing his gaze, Pei Qingxuan glanced back.

In that instant, her frosty eyes melted into delicate tenderness, with a touch of coyness, a bit of shyness, and a hint of watery brilliance—her charm impossible to hide—as she shot him a look.

It was the first time Pei Qingxuan looked at him like that.

Xu Ping’an found it surprisingly refreshing, a small smile tugging at his lips.

“Master, where are we going next?”

Pei Qingxuan’s face tensed.

She instantly realized someone nearby was watching.

Although her eyes were still moist and shy, her voice turned cold as ice.

“To Wan Shi Peak. You haven’t begun cultivation and can’t fly by sword yet, so follow me.”

“Yes, Master.”

Xu Ping’an responded, glancing discreetly toward the nearby woods.

Looks like someone had their eyes on Pei Qingxuan?

Maybe not just her—maybe him as well.

Soon, a flying sword five meters long and one meter wide appeared at their side.

Xu Ping’an stepped on and steadied himself.

Pei Qingxuan made a hand seal, and the sword rose into the sky with the wind, carrying them both high above.

The sword headed straight for Wan Shi Peak.

Meanwhile, Xu Ping’an looked back at the woods.

With the Chaos Golden Eyes’ ability to see through illusions, he instantly saw the person’s true appearance.

It wasn’t Xiao Yunyuan.

It was a Disciple from Swordsmith Peak.

Pretending to cultivate, but in truth, his spiritual energy wasn’t circulating at all.

“Qingxuan, that person—something’s off about him.”

“Don’t worry, Husband, I’ll look into it.”

“Mm.”

Pei Qingxuan, as Sect Master, had far more experience handling these matters than he did.

Since she’d taken note, Xu Ping’an said no more.

The sword moved at an incredible speed, taking only a few minutes to reach Wan Shi Peak.

Wan Shi Peak was, in fact, the place where all the sect’s affairs were managed.

All the big and small meetings were held here.

So Wan Shi Peak was the largest of the nine peaks in the Floating Cloud Sect.

Swordsmith Peak looked plain and simple, with not a trace of an immortal’s grandeur.

But Wan Shi Peak was a different story—immortal aura everywhere.

Pavilions and corridors, jade towers and heavenly palaces, immortal cranes flying all about, auspicious clouds encircling the mountaintop.

The entire Wan Shi Peak looked like a giant imperial palace perched atop a mountain, both magnificent and extravagant.

“Husband, come with me.”

As the sword landed, Pei Qingxuan spoke softly.

She led Xu Ping’an into Wan Shi Peak.

There were always Disciples stationed at Wan Shi Peak.

As soon as they saw Pei Qingxuan, they cupped their fists in greeting.

“Greetings, Sect Master!”

“Where is Kang Elder?”

“Replying to Sect Master, Kang Elder is still in the side courtyard.”

Pei Qingxuan nodded and entered Wan Shi Peak.

There were quite a few Menial Disciples here.

These were unregistered outer Disciples, most with little talent—being able to refine essence into qi was already impressive, and many hadn’t even started.

Such Disciples weren’t considered formal members of the Floating Cloud Sect.

Most of the day-to-day chores fell to them.

When Pei Qingxuan passed by, every Menial Disciple bowed, without exception.

They made their way forward, passing the front hall and middle hall, finally reaching the back hall and heading for the side courtyard.

Just as they arrived at the courtyard entrance, a woman approached.

The moment she saw Pei Qingxuan, her face lit up with joy.

“Senior Sister! You finally made it!”

“How is Kang Elder?”

“Master, he…”

The woman’s face fell, and she shook her head—things didn’t look good.

Seeing this, Pei Qingxuan nodded.

“Leave it to me. You don’t have to worry—Kang Elder will be fine.”

At these words, the woman immediately looked relieved.

“Senior Sister, you have a way?”

“Yes.”

Pei Qingxuan answered simply, offering no explanation as she led Xu Ping’an into the room.

The woman paused, surprised to see someone following Pei Qingxuan, her eyes full of curiosity as she studied Xu Ping’an.

Pei Qingxuan noticed the look and introduced him.

“This is my newly accepted Disciple, Xu Ping’an.”

“Disciple?”

“Mm.”

Pei Qingxuan answered coldly again, then looked at Xu Ping’an.

“She’s Kang Elder’s Disciple—my fellow Junior Sister. You should call her Martial Uncle Guan.”

“Yes, Master. Disciple Xu Ping’an greets Martial Uncle Guan.”

“Mm, mm.”

Martial Uncle Guan seemed lively and cheerful. She sized up Xu Ping’an, curiosity in her eyes.

“Qingxuan Senior Sister, didn’t you say you’d never take another Disciple? How come you brought one back?”

Pei Qingxuan’s expression stiffened.

“I’m going to treat Kang Elder’s injuries. You go out first.”

“Oh~”

Apparently disappointed, Martial Uncle Guan didn’t press further, but glanced at Xu Ping’an.

“Let’s go, little Martial Nephew. We’ll wait outside—don’t get in the way while your Master treats Kang Elder.”

She hooked Xu Ping’an’s arm and started to lead him out.

She took just one step before stopping.

Because Pei Qingxuan had grabbed her little Martial Nephew’s other arm.

“Qingxuan Senior Sister?”