Chapter 324: Chapter 324

"Well, then, it seems I was overthinking it. We...let's continue our journey."

After a few seconds of silence, Xiao Hongling's eyes dimmed, and she dropped the curtain of the carriage.

In fact, Lin Xiao had been using his peripheral vision to observe her expression the whole time. He felt a twinge of pity deep inside. But he had no choice. If his Master insisted on avoiding her inner feelings, he, Lin Xiao, had no option but to use the Goading Method!

And now, the real drama was just getting started!

About two hours later, the carriage entered the Taoyuan Village, located at the foot of Qinglan Sect's mountain.

"Fourteen years have flown by without me noticing, but Taoyuan Village hasn't changed in the slightest."

Revisiting the old place and seeing the familiar village streets brought forth a wave of nostalgia in Lin Xiao.

Soon, the carriage came to a halt again.

The curtain was lifted.

"Xiao'er! Look! The Gaze Moon Inn across the street. Its decor hasn't changed a bit in fourteen years!"

"Fourteen years ago, it was at the entrance of this inn that I found you and Ye Xuan'er!"

"Do...do you remember?"

Having said this, Xiao Hongling turned to her beloved apprentice, who wore an indifferent expression, seemingly in anticipation of his response.

At this moment, a rare hint of vulnerability and ingratiation colored the face of the normally aloof and proud Fairy Hongling.

Lin Xiao kept his expression calm and didn't bat an eyelid. "Yes, I remember. I'll never forget Master's life-saving kindness."

Xiao Hongling bit her lip, unable to hold back anymore. "Xiao'er! Your expression doesn't suggest a memory you'll treasure forever! Hmph, you...you're clearly just being perfunctory with me!"

Her words were indeed true. Truly, if it were her former beloved apprentice, he would probably have already run up to her, wrapping his arms around her thigh and acting cute. How could he be as calm and unperturbed as he was now? Chapters fırst released on novelFirｅ.net

"If Master thinks so, all I can do is feel saddened."

With a soft sigh, Lin Xiao turned his head to one side. "Master, let's hasten our journey. This time, upon our return, besides reporting to the Sect Leader about the Evil Extreme Sect, I also need to prepare for my wedding with Junior Sister Yurong."

Seeing her apprentice being so sensible, Xiao Hongling felt even more stifled. She wanted to say something, but in the end, all that came out was a sigh.

She was getting flustered!

She was starting to panic!

The silent treatment, a PUA technique, truly is god-tier! Lin Xiao's expression remained unruffled, but inwardly, he was quite pleased.

Just as the two of them were locked in a silent standoff, a strong, resolute voice, bolstered by True Power, echoed from the distant entrance of Qinglan Sect:

"Chief Xiao, the Sect Leader was informed of your arrival today with Chief Lin and has specially prepared a feast at the Shenxiao Palace to welcome you back!"

Upon hearing the voice, Xiao Hongling was stunned, her phoenix eyes wide.

"Master, don't overthink it. It was indeed I who used your name to inform the Sect Leader."

"There are some things it's time to reveal a bit to this Master of Qinglan Sect, the helmsman of the Righteous Path," Lin Xiao declared, his gaze intense.

Upon arriving at Qinglan Sect, Lin Xiao instructed Lu Yingying to take the royal Spirit Steed, a gift from Ye Xuan'er, to the Sacred Beast Garden to be well taken care of. He himself went with his Master to the Shenxiao Palace on Dragon Head Peak.

On their way flying to Shenxiao Palace, Lin Xiao could clearly feel that his Master was intentionally trying to strike up a conversation, but he perfunctorily brushed her off with concise words.

"Junior Brother Lin!"

As soon as they landed at the gate of Dragon Head Peak, a tall, handsome man with well-defined features, yet with a hint of softness in his aura, greeted them cheerfully.

This was none other than Jiang Yuan!

Lin Xiao scrutinized Jiang Yuan. He noticed that Jiang Yuan had not only groomed his usually shaggy hair and tied it into a Taoist bun, but he was also wearing a chief's brocade robe that flowed with Daoist rhythm.

He looked radiant and energetic, quite resembling the "legendary chief disciple" from the past!

Wow, I didn't expect this guy to clean up so well; he looks like a completely different person! In terms of looks, he's probably just a notch below me, Lin Xiao, right? Doesn't he look more like a protagonist than that Ye Chen fellow?

After a second of surprise, Lin Xiao greeted him with a hearty laugh, "Yo, Senior Brother Jiang, long time no see. You're looking...ahem...more handsome and distinguished than ever."

"Junior Brother Lin, you're overpraising me. When it comes to good looks, among the millions of male cultivators in the entire Eastern Region Cultivation World, I'm afraid nobody can surpass you."

Jiang Yuan, seemingly in good spirits, also reciprocated Lin Xiao's flattery with a beaming smile.

Then he turned to Xiao Hongling and said, "Greetings, Uncle Master Xiao!"

Xiao Hongling nodded slightly and responded with a faint smile, "The Sect Leader is being too courteous, isn't he? Making you, his beloved disciple, personally come to welcome us."

Jiang Yuan shook his head, hesitated for a moment, then said, "In response to Uncle Master Xiao, my coming out early to welcome you was not my Master's intention."

Xiao Hongling arched her brow. "Then you are...."

"Uncle Master Xiao, right now, not only are Martial Uncle Su and Martial Uncle Chisong, the two Chairmen, already in Shenxiao Palace, but all eighteen Supreme Elders are present as well. Therefore, before you go in, I have something I wish to discuss privately with Junior Brother Lin."

He intentionally stressed the word "privately."

Xiao Hongling frowned. She had a hunch something was up.

She didn't know this seldom-seen martial nephew very well.

However, for some reason, he always gave her the impression of being deeply scheming and having a gloomy disposition.

"It doesn't matter. Whatever you want to say, say it to Lin Xiao here in front of me," she said coolly.

"No, there are things that I can only discuss with Junior Brother Lin privately," Jiang Yuan insisted, gritting his teeth.

"It's okay, Master. You go in first. I'll exchange a few words with Senior Brother Jiang and then follow you in."