Ziyun Hall.
Ziyun Zhenren and the three elders sat around a table, happily playing mahjong.
Initially, the three elders were adamant about not playing. After all, everyone knew their Sect Leader's character...
Only after Ziyun Zhenren repeatedly guaranteed that she would not default on her debts did they decide to give her face.
"Achoo!"
Ziyun Zhenren suddenly sneezed.
Realizing her lapse, Ziyun Zhenren quickly looked around.
The elders all lowered their heads, as if they hadn't seen anything.
Ziyun Zhenren nodded with satisfaction.
Good, I wasn't seen, or my image as an immortal fairy would be ruined!
Sneezing for no reason...
Which bastard is badmouthing me again?!
Don't let me find out who it is, or I'll teach them a lesson!
"Sect Leader, it's your turn to play," the First Elder reminded her.
Ziyun Zhenren's fingers brushed across the tiles, finally selecting one.
"Three Wan."
"Sect Leader, I'm truly sorry," the First Elder said with a chuckle, pushing over his tiles. "This old man has won."
Ziyun Zhenren's hand trembled slightly.
Spirit stones were a minor issue. The crucial thing was that their Sect Leader losing would be quite embarrassing.
But she had promised not to renege earlier...
Just as she was in a dilemma, Ye Fan entered with the little demoness.
"Master, esteemed elders," Ye Fan greeted politely with a cupped fist salute. "Long time no see."
"My precious disciple?" Ziyun Zhenren's smile became radiant. "Really, you didn't say you were coming back. Look at this mess!"
Ye Fan's return surprised and excited Ziyun Zhenren immensely.
In her excitement, it was quite understandable that she accidentally messed up the mahjong tiles on the table...
The three elders' mouths twitched.
As expected...
This is so like the Sect Leader...
However, seeing Ye Fan return, they were also very happy.
After all, this was their Purple Cloud Sect's most outstanding disciple, the pride of the Purple Cloud Sect!
"Hey, precious disciple?" Ziyun Zhenren's interest was piqued upon seeing the little demoness. "Who is this young lady?"
"This is my good friend," Ye Fan introduced generously. "You can call her..."
It wouldn't be appropriate to call her the little demoness now; otherwise, his master and the others would definitely overthink things.
But he didn't know her name.
"Hello, elder sister," the little demoness took the conversation by the reins. "You can call me Ling'er."
This name was what she had initially used to trick the Hong Ying sisters.
Later, the sisters got so used to calling her this that she had become accustomed to it herself.
"You... what did you just call me?"
Upon hearing this address, Ziyun Zhenren's expression changed!
The little demoness's heart skipped a beat...
Oh no...
She was just thinking about getting closer and building rapport. It seemed she had buttered up the wrong person...
After all, she was a Sect Leader. Calling her this way might make her lose face...
"No wonder I felt an affinity with you just now," Ziyun Zhenren suddenly took the little demoness's hand enthusiastically. "What a sweet mouth, you're so good with words!"
Ye Fan and the others: ...
Afterward, Ziyun Zhenren, holding the little demoness's hand, engaged in enthusiastic conversation, completely leaving Ye Fan and the three elders on the sidelines.
Before coming, Ye Fan had imagined various reunion scenarios.
He had been away for quite some time. His master must have had many things to say to him.
After all, he was her most proud and accomplished disciple, wasn't he?
But now, Ye Fan realized he was mistaken...
"How old are you, young lady? Are you betrothed?"
"My lazy disciple might be a bit of a slacker, but he's actually quite a good person."
"Oh, and he has three senior sisters. I'll introduce you later."
...
Ziyun Zhenren chatted endlessly with the little demoness, her enthusiasm rivaling that of a brothel madam...
And the topics of conversation were so simple and direct, she had transformed into a matchmaker!
Ye Fan was utterly bewildered.
Are you sure this person is my master?
I'm your disciple, okay?
You don't care at all?
It's as if I were adopted...
Well...
Speaking of which, she did pick me up back then...
Fortunately, Ziyun Zhenren wasn't entirely clueless.
After chatting with the little demoness for a while, she organized a welcome feast for Ye Fan.
Soon, the news spread throughout the sect.
All the disciples knew that Senior Brother Ye had returned!
And Ziyun Zhenren generously hosted all the disciples.
The entire Purple Cloud Sect instantly became lively!
While the feast was being prepared, Ye Fan chatted with Ziyun Zhenren.
For instance, how the sect had been recently, whether anyone had caused trouble, and so on.
"The sect is doing well," Ziyun Zhenren replied with a smile. "With Senior Liang covering for us, which blind fool would dare cause trouble? My precious disciple, I'm not bragging, but cultivators all over the Great Liang Kingdom are scrambling to join our sect!"
The Senior Liang she mentioned was the ancestor of Great Liang—Liang Feifan.
According to Ziyun Zhenren, after Liang Feifan recovered from his injuries last time, his cultivation had broken through to the tenth level of Void Comprehension!
"What about the Second Elder and Master Xieyan?" Ye Fan asked again.
"The two of them are living quite comfortably in the imperial palace," Ziyun Zhenren said slyly. "Senior Liang is practically treating them like ancestral figures!"
Ye Fan nodded.
It seemed the two old fellows were doing quite well.
Right.
Later, I'll find an opportunity to return the pillars and silver needles from the Xieyan ruins to Master Xieyan and ask him about Xieyan.
Suddenly!
A burst of music rang out!
"True feelings bloom like plum blossoms"
"Cold, biting snow cannot submerge them"
"Blooming on the coldest branches"
"Seeing spring approaching you and me"
...
Ye Fan looked in the direction of the sound, puzzled, and saw someone approaching.
It was the Second Elder's most accomplished disciple—Wang Yang!
The man who walks in with his own background music!
Unlike before, Wang Yang was now accompanied by a beautiful woman.
Ye Fan was sure he had never met this woman before, yet he felt a strange sense of familiarity.
As he pondered, a female voice sounded in his mind.
"Master, it's me, Ziyu."
Ye Fan blinked in confusion.
Ziyu?
The female voice sounded again.
"It's the Ziyu Ice Flame Flower you raised."
Ye Fan's heart skipped a beat!
He recalled that when he looked at the pet interface before, there was indeed this entry.
But how did it suddenly transform?
And seeing Ziyu and Wang Yang holding hands intimately, there seemed to be something fishy going on?!
I just went out for a bit, and this kid Wang Yang stole my home?
Ye Fan's gaze towards Wang Yang became unfriendly.
It was like a father-in-law scrutinizing his potential son-in-law...
"Master, Ah Yang doesn't know my background," Ziyu pleaded. "I'm afraid he'll be scared, so I haven't told him. Can you keep it a secret for me?"
"Alright," Ye Fan replied in his mind.
"So it's you, kid," Ye Fan immediately cooperated. "Who is this junior sister next to you? Won't you introduce her to your senior brother?"
"Senior Brother Ye, this is Yu'er," Wang Yang said, seemingly a little shy. "After you left, one day I was bored while refining pills and went to Jingming Lake to relax..."