As the introductions concluded, everyone’s gaze fell collectively upon Li Xueman, who was still quietly sipping hot tea from her cup.
Feeling their eyes on her, Li Xueman unhurriedly took another sip.
After all, once one grew old, they always enjoyed a bit of hot tea to warm the body—even if she wasn’t actually afraid of the cold.
After finishing the last drop, she replaced the lid of her thermos, tucked it back into her Spatial Artifact, and looked at the crowd.
“Since the introductions are over, it is time for us to depart,” she said.
Upon hearing those words, Ling Xiaoyou subconsciously prepared to stand up, assuming Li Xueman was about to lead them to whatever vehicle would take them to the Imperial Capital.
But before she could move, the sound of a cane lightly tapping the floor echoed from beside her, followed by a ripple of spatial energy manifesting before her eyes.
When Ling Xiaoyou regained her bearings, she found herself staring at a magnificent guest lounge.
Soft light spilled from the chandeliers overhead, illuminating the startled faces of everyone present.
Stunned, Ling Xiaoyou turned her gaze toward the windows.
Beyond the glass stood a city of soaring skyscrapers, roads filled with an endless stream of traffic, and people passing by who all radiated the unmistakable aura of life.
‘This is the Human Realm!’
‘And it seems it’s not New Sea City, but another city!’
Senior Li had actually teleported them all to the Imperial Capital with just a single tap of her cane!
Watching their shocked expressions, Li Xueman let out a soft chuckle.
“Well then, welcome to the Imperial Capital. We are currently in the hotel provided for us by the organizers of the Xuantian Martial Tournament.”
Ling Xiaoyou still found it hard to believe.
With such a casual tap of a cane, they had been brought to the Imperial Capital—the capital of the Human Realm, no less.
This was an entirely different league compared to the spatial teleportation arrays the colleagues from other branches used to reach the New Sea City headquarters!
“There are still three days until the Xuantian Martial Tournament begins,” Li Xueman said plainly, seemingly having no intention of explaining further.
She looked over the group.
“During this time, you may move about as you please, and you are even permitted to leave the hotel. Just remember, you must never frighten the ordinary people of the Human Realm, much less harm them.”
“Otherwise, if you end up being caught by Exorcists, you won’t be able to participate in the tournament. Alright, you may now choose your rooms on this floor.”
Having finished her instructions, Li Xueman picked up a teacup from a nearby side table.
Steam was already rising from it as if it had been prepared in advance.
She took a small sip of the hot tea and then knit her brows imperceptibly, seemingly dissatisfied with the flavor.
As she was about to set the cup down, she caught sight of a small white head entering her peripheral vision.
Her furrowed brows relaxed, and a slight smile played at the corners of Li Xueman’s mouth.
Looking at Ling Xiaoyou, who had curiously sidled up to her, she asked, “What is it, Xiaoyou? Do you have something to ask me?”
“Yes, yes!” Ling Xiaoyou nodded her small head repeatedly, her face filled with curiosity.
“Senior Li, how did you just manage to teleport so many people to the Imperial Capital at once? And to the Human Realm’s capital, specifically?”
“Guess,” Li Xueman replied, grinning like a mischievous child.
“Huh?”
Ling Xiaoyou paused, then nodded and began to think, rubbing her smooth chin.
Suddenly, she clapped her hands as if she had realized something.
“I know! Was there a teleportation array leading to the Imperial Capital inside that waiting room?!”
If it were a Law Array, it would make sense.
After all, spatial arrays could transport people across vast distances.
Although they had crossed between worlds from the Underworld in New Sea City to the Human Realm’s Imperial Capital, perhaps it was just a particularly powerful array?
However, Li Xueman shook her head, dismissing the guess.
“Incorrect. Try again.”
“Eh? It’s not?”
Ling Xiaoyou tilted her head and thought once more before asking again, “Then is it some kind of powerful Spirit Tool?”
“An old woman like me doesn’t have that much money to buy such things,” Li Xueman said with a laugh, still rejecting the guess.
“What? Not that either?”
Ling Xiaoyou pouted her lips slightly and took hold of Li Xueman’s arm, giving it a gentle shake.
“Then what is it, Senior? I can’t guess!”
Seeing Ling Xiaoyou’s adorable, spoiled behavior, Li Xueman tapped her forehead and said with a chuckle, “You silly girl, couldn’t you at least guess that I might be a powerful Cultivator?”
“Huh?”
The answer left Ling Xiaoyou stunned.
She looked at the frail, elderly Li Xueman and found it impossible to connect her with those legendary, powerful Cultivators who could move mountains and fill seas.
Seeing the girl’s reaction, Li Xueman understood her thoughts.
“Appearance is merely an external facade. You must never judge a person’s cultivation based on their looks.”
As she spoke, Li Xueman ruffled Ling Xiaoyou’s hair, looking at her like a grandmother looking at her own granddaughter.
“It is only because my heart has grown old that I wish to maintain this current appearance. Besides, we are Spirits. Spirits do not age.”
“Oh, right!” Ling Xiaoyou finally realized, clapping her hands.
She still subconsciously applied her human-life logic to her current status as a Spirit. Although she knew the facts, she would often forget them instinctively.
Amused by Ling Xiaoyou’s look of sudden realization, Li Xueman said with a light laugh, “Alright, Xiaoyou, go find a room for yourself. I’m going to head back to rest.”
With that, she leaned on her cane and prepared to stand up.
Seeing this, Ling Xiaoyou instinctively moved to support her, but Li Xueman waved her off, indicating she didn’t need it.
“I told you, I’m not actually an old woman. You don’t need to help me, Xiaoyou.”
Ling Xiaoyou scratched her head.
It had been an impulsive action—in short, her body had moved before her brain could catch up.
Li Xueman gave her a final smile and left the guest lounge.
As she watched Li Xueman’s receding figure, Ling Xiaoyou prepared to leave and pick a room with a good view.
Suddenly, she noticed that a crowd of people had surrounded her at some point.
A flurry of chatter immediately filled her ears.
“Are you very close to that Senior, Xiaoyou?”
“As expected of someone from headquarters, your connections are truly broad.”
“Wow, Xiaoyou, you smell so good. Can I touch you?”
Ling Xiaoyou: “…?”
The group: “…?”
The crowd went silent for a heartbeat, and then Ling Xiaoyou saw their gazes suddenly turn burning hot.
Their cheeks were even slightly flushed.
Ling Xiaoyou stiffened.
Sensing what was about to happen, she hurriedly but politely said, “Sorry, I have some things to attend to. Please excuse me!”
She nimbly ducked a hand reaching for her head, bypassed a slender figure attempting to hug her, and fled the guest lounge with practiced speed.
Hearing the persistent sound of footsteps behind her, Ling Xiaoyou stopped caring about how good the room’s location was.
She picked a random door, dove inside, and locked it behind her before catching her breath.
Outside the door, the crowd looked at one another, a single thought echoing in their hearts:
‘Why are you so experienced at this?!’
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