Already Touched Now

“Third Senior Sister, Fourth Senior Sister, what brings you two here to see me today?”

“It’s been so long. Third Senior Sister, you look even more beautiful than before, and Fourth Senior Sister, you seem even more spirited as well.”

In the Azure Dream Marsh, Cui Hao scrambled to pour tea with a flattering smile, the very picture of a groveling sycophant.

Seeing this, Zheng Zhaoling could only shake her head slightly. This groveling act hardly matched the image of the man who had single-handedly orchestrated the incense-worshiping cultivators of Northern Jambu Continent to unite and resist to the death.

Still, this was the first time she had met the senior sisters that Cui Hao constantly mentioned.

The one with an upright face and the look of an obvious good person was likely Cui Hao’s Fourth Senior Sister — Lin Luoyu.

The one with delicate features and a refined demeanor, who inspired immediate goodwill at first glance, was the Third Senior Sister — Chen Baiqing.

Chen Baiqing glanced at Cui Hao, and with a mere lift of her eyes, he instantly withdrew his groveling demeanor and obediently sat down on a nearby chair.

Lin Luoyu lightly shook her head, picked up the teapot beside her, and poured Cui Hao a cup of tea.

Was he putting on this clownish act even now? Was it for show for others, or for them?

Chen Baiqing’s gaze swept past Yunze, who sat off to the side with a look of shock, as if witnessing something horrifying. She then fixed her calm eyes on Zheng Zhaoling and said in a warm tone:

“You must be Fellow Daoist Zheng, I presume? This junior brother of mine is both foolish and full of little schemes. Even I found him incredibly vexing to deal with back when I had to work with him. I must trouble you to look after this useless junior brother of mine during these days.”

Zheng Zhaoling didn’t know much about Chen Baiqing, only that she was known for being ruthless and decisive. In Eastern Divine Continent, some praised her, while others cursed her.

However, because of Chu Xingchen’s reputation as Yan Xing, Chen Baiqing — as his disciple — had also inherited a skewed nickname: “White Abyss True Lord.”

No matter how you looked at it, that title was full of menace but carried little moral weight. It sounded exactly like something you’d call a proper heretic cultivator.

It was fortunate Li Yingling had debuted early enough to build up some foundation, barely scraping together a decent title for himself.

Whether it was Chen Baiqing’s methods in governing the Eastern Divine Continent or her uncompromising push for reforms at the cost of crushing all opposition — regardless of cultivation level — her temperament and strategies were already top-tier.

After all, Zheng Zhaoling truly understood how difficult it was to get the Eighteen Immortal Sects to cooperate so thoroughly, even accepting a bad reputation to push forward.

Zheng Zhaoling herself, as a core disciple of the Azure Dream Pavilion, could not yet command its full power.

Yet Chen Baiqing, an outsider, had managed to get the Xiao Yun Hall to cooperate to such an extent.

The means Chen Baiqing must have employed were beyond what Zheng Zhaoling could even imagine.

If she really thought about it, the methods Cui Hao had used would probably be considered too soft in the eyes of this “White Abyss True Lord.”

With real achievements backing her reputation, the name “White Abyss True Lord” had spread far and wide.

Although Chen Baiqing seemed much younger than herself, Zheng Zhaoling showed her full respect and replied politely:

“Fellow Daoist Cui is remarkably talented. I often benefit from his reminders, so I can hardly claim to look after him. We simply support each other in our tasks.”

Chen Baiqing raised the tea cup before her:

“With such praise, my junior brother really cannot bear it. Allow me to use tea in place of wine, as thanks to you, Fellow Daoist.”

Zheng Zhaoling lifted her own cup in response.

Chen Baiqing glanced lightly at Cui Hao, who, understanding the hint, also picked up his teacup and joined them — clinking cups before drinking in one go.

Yunze suppressed the shock in his eyes, studying Chen Baiqing warily yet carefully.

He had long lived in the Azure Dream Marsh. Even news from Northern Jambu Continent might not reach him fully, so unless a great catastrophe had occurred, information from other continents rarely made its way to him.

But he had indeed heard of the name “White Abyss True Lord.”

The hardest heart, the swiftest blade, the most merciless person in the Eastern Divine Continent.

Because of Chen Baiqing, many heretic cultivators had fled from the Eastern Divine Continent to Northern Jambu Continent, which only spread vicious tales about her.

It was precisely because of the reputation of this “White Abyss True Lord” that Yunze had never dared to underestimate Cui Hao.

He just never imagined he would meet Chen Baiqing in person one day.

Chen Baiqing handled the pleasantries with practiced ease — a few polite formalities, then deftly steering the conversation to individuals. She gave gentle, restrained compliments, touched on trivial matters she had recently dealt with, and offered some simple, clear advice before falling into a sudden moment of realization as if she had “never thought of it that way before.”

Sometimes, giving advice doesn’t build closeness — but receiving advice genuinely often does.

By lowering one’s aggressive edge, others would unconsciously let down their guard.

Despite his initial vigilance, even Yunze found himself confused by Chen Baiqing’s masterfully deceptive manner.

He began to feel that this “White Abyss True Lord” didn’t seem quite like the monstrous figure that the rumors described — as if she didn’t devour people alive.

With careful effort, Chen Baiqing effortlessly steered the conversation and casually warmed up the atmosphere and relationships around the table.

Seeing this, Cui Hao could only sigh inwardly — as expected of Third Senior Sister.

Their meeting didn’t drag on for long.

Chen Baiqing naturally wrapped up the topic and smoothly expressed that their master had given Cui Hao new instructions, requiring the two of them to discuss things privately.

Yunze understood this was his cue. He stood and politely excused himself.

Zheng Zhaoling didn’t hesitate much either. Just as she was about to leave, however, Chen Baiqing raised her hand and poured her half a cup of tea.

Was she being asked to stay?

Zheng Zhaoling shot a questioning glance at Chen Baiqing, who responded with a slight nod.

Got it.

So, when Cui Hao led Chen Baiqing toward his office area, Zheng Zhaoling naturally followed along.

When they reached the place, Chen Baiqing swept her gaze around the surroundings, then activated the Azure Sky Ring to seal off the area from sound and spiritual perception.

She took the seat of honor without hesitation and began taking her own tea set out of her spatial ring:

“I don’t know much about Yunze, so I couldn’t speak freely in front of him. Some intelligence is too sensitive for that.”

“But Master trusts you. He once made a promise and — despite all odds — kept it. So Master holds trust in you. What we discuss now, you are allowed to know. Whether you speak of it to others, and to whom, will be at your own discretion.”

Cui Hao’s eyes lit up when he saw Chen Baiqing start brewing tea. He obediently settled into the chair next to Lin Luoyu.

Zheng Zhaoling also sat down, lifting her eyes to study Chen Baiqing, whose demeanor had completely shifted yet again.

If earlier Chen Baiqing had seemed like a clever girl next door, now she truly looked like a ruler of a continent — confident, steady, wielding an indefinable air of authority.

Holding a small tea bowl with one hand, Chen Baiqing fixed her eyes on Cui Hao and said:

“You handled the Northern Jambu Continent affair well. You’ve learned at least something from following me. I didn’t actually come here on Master’s orders — as your Third Senior Sister, I came to check on you, to see if there’s anything I can help with, or any oversight you might have missed.”

“Seniority and mutual support among sect siblings probably won’t ruin the master’s intentions to temper you through experience, will they?”

Hearing this, Cui Hao let out a long sigh:

“I thought my senior sister felt so moved knowing about my struggles that she came all the way to the Azure Dream Marsh for tea and a chat.”

Chen Baiqing curled her lips in disdain:

“What, are people already talking in their sleep in broad daylight?”

"Do you want me to tally up how many dozens of times someone begged me, and then count how many dozens of times someone cried out for me to save their life? That someone should be so moved at the sight of me that they'd weep uncontrollably."

Cui Hao quickly raised both hands and waved them repeatedly:

"Senior Sister, I beg you... please stop talking..."

"This junior brother is already deeply moved."