Chapter 112: ‘Gentle’ gaze
Xie Qing had expected the gathering to be held in a sect, but instead, they headed southeast. The journey took only five minutes thanks to Xu Mei’s special abilities, who was able to cover a great distance in just a few steps. This was the miracle of a cultivator at the Transcendence level.
Xie Meiling and Xie Yu stayed behind to meet the people sent by Xu Mei’s good friend. They were talented and were tasked with managing the family’s affairs. Xie Qing had no interest in managing the family and found it too boring. He believed that spending time on love affairs was much more important than managing the family. Of course, if there were gatherings, he would have to attend, but only the most important ones where important matters were discussed.
Xie Qing and Xu Mei landed on a flat platform with a diameter of five thousand miles.
There, they were greeted by a man dressed in white robes with the character “righteous” embroidered on them. He had an ordinary face, a straight nose, thin lips, and was about 170 cm tall.
“Hm. Lead the way,” Xu Mei said, not wasting any words on polite formalities and giving the order directly.
The servant did not show any displeasure and led the way. He did not look Xu Mei in the eye, seemingly afraid of her wrath. Xu Mei’s character was known in certain circles as chaotic, and few could imagine what would happen if they stared at her for more than one second.
Xie Qing received a lot of attention as he was essentially a newcomer. His appearance was known because some people had spread images from that day.
If one were to describe the opinion formed about him, it would be neutral but leaning towards caution. Most people believed that his power would be extremely dangerous if not controlled, while others believed that as Xu Mei’s disciple, he would show good results and become the hope of the righteous path.
“It seems you’re popular,” Xu Mei said with a teasing smile, noticing all the looks on her disciple. She proudly puffed out her chest and giggled, “That’s how it should be. My disciple cannot be mediocre. One day you will surpass me.”
“Master flatters this disciple too much… I just want to be with my Master,” Xie Qing replied and smiled, looking into Xu Mei’s eyes.
“Hah…” Xu Mei rolled her eyes, clearly understanding his perverted hint, but she did not object. This guy was just too shameless!
Regarding the gathering, there were indeed many people here. It seemed that the influence of this unusual gathering was much greater than that of the Gathering of Light.
“How many people… the lowest level here is the fifth stage of Core Formation,” Xie Qing thought and wrinkled his nose, “They’re showing off? Releasing their aura at full power, it’s making me feel sick.”
Fortunately, in front of them was a large pavilion that occupied 50 hectares of space. It was made of precious details and immortal stone.
“My Qi is being suppressed. It seems there is a special formation here,” the young man thought, tilting his head to the side and looking at Xu Mei, who walked ahead indifferently, looking like an immortal goddess from the Heavens, “Unusual… I’ve never seen her like this.”
He smiled and also decided to match the current atmosphere of solemnity and importance. His posture straightened, and the muscles on his face relaxed, making him look cold and indifferent.
With his straight back, he was a head taller than Xu Mei. His aura also strangely changed – from seductive and attractive, making you relax and want to chat… Too cold, oppressive, and authoritative, as if you were standing before a deity who could decide whether you lived or died. It was hard to be arrogant in front of the current Xie Qing.
“Oh?” Xu Mei raised her eyebrows in surprise, sensing the changes in her disciple’s aura.
He now looked more like a powerful cultivator who decided the life and death of those around him with a flick of his finger.
“Hehe…” The woman smiled satisfied, pleased.
This was exactly how her disciple should behave – proud and never lowering his head. Although this guy was usually very flirtatious and cute, in such serious moments he took on the demeanor of a cultivator.
Others also noticed this change and could not help but praise him.
As it turned out, entry into the pavilion was only allowed for a cultivator at the Transcendence level and one person with them.
Of course, for Xu Mei, this person was Xie Qing, who was currently looking at the surrounding beauties with curiosity. The aura of grandeur in this pavilion was amazing.
It felt like the great immortals who predetermined the future of the mortal world lived here. The name of the pavilion was “Heavenly Pantheon.”
The young man clicked his tongue,
“What the hell is the door so huge for?”
“Grandeur and all that,” Xu Mei replied and clicked her tongue.
“Now I’m sure he’s your disciple, Mei-Mei,” a soft voice sounded behind them.
Xie Qing was startled, as he was too engrossed in his thoughts and did not notice anyone approaching. Fortunately, he was able to maintain a carefree expression on his face.
Turning around, the young man saw a woman in front of him. She had long, dark silver hair, like the glow of the moon, deep yellow eyes that resembled a dragon’s, and a slender, willowy figure. Her chest was medium-sized, but she had a well-developed lower body. She was almost two heads shorter than Xie Qing. The woman had a soft, soothing voice, and a pleasant floral scent emanated from her.
“This is…”
“Sister,” Xu Mei awkwardly smiled and placed her hand on Xie Qing’s shoulder, introducing him, “Meet my disciple, Xie Qing. An unparalleled genius.”
“Mei-Mei, your disciple is indeed a genius. He’s a complete copy of you in your youth,” Liu Yang said with her usual gentle smile, looking Xie Qing up and down, and then narrowed her eyes, addressing the girl next to you, “Yin-er, is this the young man you taught alchemy to?”
“Huh? Um, yes… it’s young master Xie Qing!” Lu Yin smiled and nodded to the young man, greeting him.
“There it is… I’ve heard a lot about you, young man. You really are… an outstanding man.”
“Um?” Xie Qing raised his eyebrows in confusion. It seemed to him that this woman was talking about something completely different. The proof was the slightly flushed face of Xu Mei and the nervousness on Lu Yin’s face.
“Was that a compliment? How should I react to this? Plus, she’s smiling gently, but I’m getting chills down my spine…”
For the first time in his life, Xie Qing was faced with such a situation. It seemed that they didn’t want to kill him, but it seemed that Liu Yang didn’t like him.
“I suspect she thinks I want to seduce her disciple,” Xie Qing thought and met Liu Yang’s gentle yellow eyes, “And it seems I’m right. Could it be that Master said something while drunk again? I’m completely innocent!”
There was a short pause filled with awkwardness, but Xu Mei interrupted him.
“Alright, stop burning my disciple with your ‘gentle’ gaze, Liu Yang. Who’s to blame that your disciple wants to hang on his neck?” Xu Mei said with an indignant voice and snorted, “Just look at her! When I trained your girl, she asked me about Xie Qing every day, wanting to learn something new about him!”
“Th-this… Mistress Xu Mei…” Lu Yin awkwardly smiled and her cheeks turned slightly red. The young man standing to the side just rolled his eyes.
“Woman, your reaction is making the situation worse.” But it seemed that Liu Yang was not angry for long. Her gentle smile disappeared, and she laughed – her laughter was beautiful and clear.
“Don’t worry, Mei-Mei. I was just teasing the handsome young man. You know me.” Liu Yang sweetly smiled, and she changed the subject, looking at the young man, “I’ve heard about your talent for alchemy. Do you really not want to focus on it?”
“Thank you for the offer, Mistress…” Xie Qing bowed and, noticing the unnatural distortion of Liu Yang’s smile, corrected himself, “Miss… my heart belongs to the path of the sword.”
“Oh, what a pity… but I won’t insist. However, I still have hopes that such a handsome young man will pay attention to alchemy training. Perhaps with your intellect, the world of alchemy will receive new inventions.” Liu Yang said with a kind face, and then added, pointing to her disciple, “If you have any questions, ask Yin-er. She’s a very good girl and will always help you.”
“Thank you. Young Miss Lu Yin really does help me,” Xie Qing added with a smile, glancing at Lu Yin, who gently smiled and nodded.
Liu Yang nodded and turned her attention to Xu Mei, noticing her abnormal expression.
“What’s wrong? You’re looking at me like I’ve done something wrong.”
“That’s right! Stop flirting with my disciple!”
“…”
***
“Lu Yin!”
Xie Qing, along with Xu Mei, Liu Yang, and Lu Yin, entered. Immediately after, a girl’s voice was heard.
“Oh… it’s Li Yuilan!” Lu Yin said and smiled, looking at her friend and ran up to her.
The two girls hugged each other with bright smiles and started chatting, while Xie Qing was left in the company of two silent old women. It seemed that as soon as they entered this room, they put aside their childishness and became serious. Xie Qing also decided to put aside his carefree behavior.
Liu Yang noticed this and nodded with a smile.
“Mei-Mei has taken a good disciple.”
