"You're telling the truth? Are you sure that was the Qinglian Jade Hairpin?"
The Daoist Head's beautiful eyes widened, and her voice, several octaves higher, was filled with anxiety.
"Uh, well, I can't be entirely sure. I just thought it looked very similar..."
Under the Daoist Head's questioning gaze, Deng Lian hesitated.
Although she was ninety percent certain it was the Qinglian Jade Hairpin, what if she was wrong? The anger that would erupt from the Daoist Head's disappointment was not something an outer disciple like her could bear.
Not even the Lotus Blossom Temple Mistress could handle it!
After a moment of silence, the Daoist Head nodded and said, "Mm, I understand."
Immediately after, ripples appeared in the reflection of the Daoist Head in the vanity mirror, blurring her image.
After a flicker of ripples, the vanity mirror returned to its normal state, reflecting Deng Lian's appearance.
The Lotus Blossom Temple Mistress frowned, "The Daoist Head really is abrupt, cutting off contact without telling me how to proceed. Spending too long in the Immortal Hidden Realm must have messed up her endocrine system; she's so moody."
Just as Deng Lian was silently grumbling, a Taoist nun, clad in a plain robe and wearing a Daoist crown, appeared behind her.
It was the Daoist Head who had just been 'video calling' Deng Lian.
Deng Lian felt a chill run down her spine. When she turned around, she went completely cold.
"D-D-D-Daoist Head..."
She had never expected the Daoist Head to personally visit. If the Daoist Head had heard what she just said, would she still be alive?
Deng Lian felt like finding a piece of tofu and smashing her head against it.
Fortunately, the Daoist Head didn't make things difficult for her, nor did she seem to care about her words. She had more pressing matters.
"Where is that person named Chen Xiao?"
The Daoist Head asked urgently.
"He, he, he is in a quiet room within the Daoist temple."
Deng Lian replied tremblingly.
"Take me to him!"
The Daoist Head commanded directly.
"Yes, Daoist Head!"
Deng Lian quickly got up and led the way.
At the same time, a tremendous wave of emotion surged within her.
As the Mistress of the Lotus Blossom Temple, the Daoist Head had once assigned her a task: if anyone came to the Lotus Blossom Temple with the Qinglian Jade Hairpin, she was to inform the Daoist Head immediately.
The Daoist Head had shown her a portrait of the Qinglian Jade Hairpin, so Deng Lian had never seen the actual item.
She could only hope now that what Chen Xiao held was indeed the true Qinglian Jade Hairpin.
Otherwise, given the Daoist Head's importance placed upon it, if she discovered it was fake, her wrath would surely ignite.
After all, the hidden sects of the Immortal Hidden Realm only had one opportunity to enter the mortal world each year... and the Daoist Head had used the Heavenly Lotus Sect's annual opportunity for this Qinglian Jade Hairpin.
Therefore, the importance she placed on the Qinglian Jade Hairpin was evident.
The two of them left Deng Lian's living quarters, walked through a corridor, and finally arrived outside the quiet room where Chen Xiao was.
"Daoist Head, Benefactor Chen is inside."
Deng Lian said, reaching to open the door.
"Wait!"
The Daoist Head suddenly stopped her. Deng Lian's hand retracted as if shocked by electricity.
Looking at the Daoist Head again, she carefully adjusted her Daoist robe, smoothed her hair, and then looked at Deng Lian with a questioning gaze.
Deng Lian was a little bewildered at first, then suddenly understood, and said, "The Daoist Head's posture is dignified and very appropriate."
"Mm."
The Daoist Head nodded with satisfaction and said softly, "Open the door."
Deng Lian gently pushed open the door, and a stranger's face met the Daoist Head's beautiful eyes.
It wasn't him!
Disappointment quickly spread across her beautiful eyes.
The Daoist Head, without showing any emotion, stepped into the quiet room.
Deng Lian didn't know whether to introduce the Daoist Head's true identity to Chen Xiao. As she hesitated, she suddenly heard Chen Xiao speak, "Divine Sea Realm Great Perfection, half a step away from Void Transformation Realm. Hmm, good cultivation... I presume the Daoist is a disciple of the Heavenly Lotus Sect?"
Deng Lian was slightly surprised. To be able to discern the Daoist Head's cultivation realm with just a glance was indeed impressive, worthy of being able to kill the Young Sect Master of the Heavenly Blood Sect.
"This humble Daoist is the Daoist Head of the Heavenly Lotus Sect, Qinglian."
The Daoist Head introduced herself calmly, her voice clear and cold, devoid of emotion.
Chen Xiao was slightly surprised. The Daoist Head of the Heavenly Lotus Sect? Not even in the Void Transformation Realm?
It seemed these hidden sects were not as powerful as he had imagined!
"I am Chen Xiao."
Chen Xiao cupped his hands towards the Daoist Head Qinglian and introduced himself.
"Deng Lian mentioned that the Qinglian Jade Hairpin is in your possession?"
Since it wasn't the person she wished to see, Daoist Head Qinglian got straight to the point, asking directly.
"Is this what you're referring to?"
Chen Xiao took out the hairpin that Tu Shan Che had given him.
Upon seeing the hairpin, Qinglian's eyes widened sharply, her nostrils flared, and her breathing quickened.
"You, where did you get this hairpin? Who gave it to you?"
Daoist Qinglian became agitated. Such behavior was completely inconsistent with the 'Supreme Forgetfulness of Emotions' Daoist principles she cultivated.
No wonder her cultivation was so poor!
Chen Xiao silently grumbled.
In fact, he had already roughly guessed that Tu Shan Che, that old sly fox, had a relationship with this Daoist Qinglian.
This hairpin might have been a token of their affection.
And due to the separation of humans and demons, their relationship was certainly not permitted by the secular world.
Furthermore, after the catastrophe five hundred years ago, the hidden sects moved into the Immortal Hidden Realm, and the demon race hid in the Qingqiu Secret Realm.
Lovers were separated, unable to be together, turning into a tragic romance.
"Brother Tu Shan gave it to me. I wanted to enter the Immortal Hidden Realm, and he told me that if I brought this hairpin to the Lotus Blossom Temple, someone would naturally help me."
Chen Xiao had no interest in the karmic entanglement between Tu Shan Che and Daoist Qinglian. He only wanted Daoist Qinglian to help him enter the Immortal Hidden Realm.
When she heard the name 'Tu Shan Che', Daoist Qinglian's body trembled noticeably. Even Deng Lian, who was four to five meters away from her, felt it.
He was indeed still alive! If he was still alive, why didn't he come to find me? Is he living well now? Is there a new Dao companion by his side?
Daoist Qinglian's mind raced with a thousand thoughts, her emotions a complex mixture. In the end, the only question she could ask was: "Where is he?"
Chen Xiao, however, understood a great deal from her gaze.
Thus, Chen Xiao replied, "Brother Tu Shan led the demon..."
Before he could finish speaking, Daoist Qinglian suddenly turned her head and slapped Deng Lian unconscious.
Then, she turned back, looked at the stunned Chen Xiao, and said nonchalantly, "It's nothing, you can continue."
The Daoist Head of the Heavenly Lotus Sect had a lover, and that lover was a demon cultivator... Such a secret was clearly not something an outer disciple should hear.
Poor Mistress Deng Lian... Chen Xiao silently sympathized, then continued, "Brother Tu Shan is leading his fellow demons in the Qingqiu Secret Realm, recuperating. He is doing well, Daoist Qinglian, please don't worry."
"Oh, he really hid in the secret realm..."
Daoist Qinglian seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, then suddenly spat, "I'm not familiar with him, what does it matter to me if he's doing well? Why should I worry about him!"
Chen Xiao was speechless. Worry was written all over her face, yet she claimed otherwise. Wasn't her attempt to cover up too obvious?
She said she wasn't worried, but when Chen Xiao fell silent, she couldn't help but ask, "Then, then, did he take a Dao companion?"
When Chen Xiao first heard the word 'Dao companion,' he was momentarily confused, then realized that the Daoist Head Qinglian was asking if Tu Shan Che had a new girlfriend.
"As far as I know, Brother Tu Shan has been single for the past five hundred years."
Chen Xiao said with a serious expression.
As for whether he had truly been single all along, how could Chen Xiao possibly know?
Chen Xiao only knew that he still needed this Daoist, who harbored lingering feelings for Tu Shan Che, to enter the Immortal Hidden Realm.
So, naturally, he said what she wanted to hear.
As expected, upon hearing Chen Xiao's words, Daoist Qinglian breathed another sigh of relief, then muttered, "Hmph, I suppose no woman would fancy him. How many women in this world are as blind as I am?"
"Cough, cough, Daoist Qinglian, your inner thoughts don't need to be spoken aloud."
Chen Xiao quipped.
Daoist Qinglian gave Chen Xiao a sideways glance and said faintly, "Looking at your expression, you've clearly guessed the relationship between me and him. Since that's the case, you're not an outsider anymore. Tell me, what do you want?"
How am I not an outsider? Who is not an outsider with you? This Daoist is quite the self-introducer!
Chen Xiao grumbled inwardly, but outwardly, he truthfully replied, "I wish to ask for your help, Daoist. I want to enter the Immortal Hidden Realm."
"I naturally know you want to enter the Immortal Hidden Realm. Deng Lian has already told me."
Daoist Qinglian finally showed a serious expression. "What I want to ask is, what is your motive for secretly entering the Immortal Hidden Realm?"
"Your cultivation is very profound; even I cannot see through it, but I can tell you are not a demon cultivator. So I am very curious, why is Tu Shan Che willing to help you enter the Immortal Hidden Realm?"
After hearing Daoist Qinglian's words, Chen Xiao hesitated for a moment, then ultimately chose to trust this woman, based on his trust in Tu Shan Che.
"I heard there is a sacred relic in the Immortal Hidden Realm. I am determined to obtain it!"
Chen Xiao's tone was calm but resolute.
"You want to lay claim to the God Slaying Sword?"
Daoist Head Qinglian was startled, then suddenly understood, and pointed at Chen Xiao, saying, "I know who you are! I heard that someone has already gathered four sacred relics, and I didn't expect it to be you!"
Despite her surprise, there was a hint of relief in Daoist Qinglian's eyes.
This might be due to her connection with Tu Shan Che, Chen Xiao guessed secretly.
In fact, it was true. Daoist Qinglian had always known that Tu Shan Che was planning something big, and his connection with this young man who had gathered four sacred relics was clearly good news.
"You know me?"
Chen Xiao was surprised that people in the Immortal Hidden Realm knew about him, and even knew that he had gathered four sacred relics.
"Not only do I know, but your name has spread throughout the entire Immortal Hidden Realm!"
Daoist Qinglian said.
"So that's how it is... Wait a minute. When I just said my name, you didn't seem to show any surprised or shocked expression."
Since his name had spread throughout the Immortal Hidden Realm, shouldn't you at least show some respect to the name 'Chen Xiao'?
"Heh heh, I've never heard the name Chen Xiao before, only because in the Immortal Hidden Realm, you have another name."
Under Chen Xiao's puzzled gaze, Daoist Qinglian said with a smile, "In the Immortal Hidden Realm, they all call you 'that fellow from the mortal world'!"