Be Careful

The reception hall of the Shangguan Manor was a spacious and elegant room.

Hanging on the four walls were several works of calligraphy, their strokes vigorous and powerful, all authentic masterpieces.

Several red sandalwood chairs were arranged in the hall, their seats covered with thick brocade cushions and their backs carved with exquisite cloud patterns.

In the very center sat a large tea table displaying a complete set of celadon tea ware. The curling fragrance of the tea was refreshing to the soul.

When Gu Chengyin and Lin Qingyan stepped into the reception hall, someone was already seated inside.

It was an old man, looking to be around sixty years of age, with greying hair.

He wore a dark robe embroidered with a few simple sword motifs, and a green jade token hung at his waist.

The old man had originally been sitting composedly in his seat, holding a cup of hot tea in his hands, his eyes narrowed as he carefully savored it.

His posture was relaxed, his back slightly hunched, and his whole being exuded the steady calmness of one who had weathered many of life's storms.

But the instant Lin Qingyan stepped through the door of the hall.

The old man's body suddenly stiffened.

His half-narrowed eyes snapped open, his pupils shrinking as his gaze locked onto Lin Qingyan.

Then, with a swoosh, he sprang up from his seat.

His movements were so fast that he did not seem like an old man at all, but rather a leopard ready to pounce.

In a flurry, the old man placed the teacup in his hand onto the tea table. He moved so hastily that a few drops of tea splashed out, forming dark water stains on the surface.

But he could not care less about that. He hurried forward in a few quick strides and bowed respectfully in greeting:

"Jiang Qingzheng of the Azure Sword Sect greets Lord Jingzhe."

His voice was steady, yet it carried a deep sense of awe and reverence.

Lin Qingyan, however, did not even spare him a glance.

She walked straight into the hall, her gaze sweeping over the chairs, and then chose the nearest one to sit down.

Only then did she speak, "His Majesty has ordered that Gu Chengyin will have full authority to coordinate this journey."

After saying this, Lin Qingyan closed her eyes.

With her hands folded on her lap, her back straight, and her breathing even, she looked as if she had entered a state of deep meditation, completely ignoring everything else in the hall.

Jiang Qingzheng maintained his bowing posture until Lin Qingyan finished her sentence. He waited for a few more breaths to ensure she would not speak again before slowly straightening up.

He calmed his emotions and turned his gaze to Gu Chengyin, who had come in behind her.

Jiang Jianli chimed in at the right moment:

"Junior Preceptor Gu, Elder Qingzheng has come all the way from the sect on the Sect Master's orders to receive us."

Gu Chengyin took a step forward and cupped his hands in greeting to Jiang Qingzheng, his demeanor neither haughty nor humble:

"I have troubled Elder Qingzheng."

Jiang Qingzheng looked Gu Chengyin up and down, his eyes flickering with a scrutinizing light.

After a moment, he said, "Junior Preceptor Gu is too polite."

"I have heard that you are the descendant of the Azure Cloud Immortal Clan..."

He did not finish his sentence, but the implication was self-evident.

Gu Chengyin understood what these words meant.

He was asking him to prove himself.

Gu Chengyin did not hesitate. The Azure Cloud Incantation quietly circulated within him.

Then, he released a sliver of aura.

A very faint sliver, so faint that it was almost imperceptible.

But it caused Jiang Qingzheng's expression to change drastically in an instant.

His originally steady eyes suddenly widened, his pupils contracted, and even his breathing stopped.

This sliver of aura was ethereal and illusory, yet as vast as the ocean.

It was crisp and pure, yet unfathomably deep.

It was like the first wisp of cloud and mist at the peak of a mountain in the early morning, or the deepest depths of a profound pool beneath the moonlight.

It was an aura completely different from ordinary immortal cultivation techniques.

It had no bias towards any of the Five Elements, no entanglement of Yin and Yang, and no taint of the mortal world.

There was only a pure Dao rhythm that was close to the very origin.

This was immortal qi!

True immortal qi, belonging to the Azure Cloud Immortal Clan, which had long since vanished from the world.

Even though it was only a sliver.

Even though it was so weak that it could almost be ignored.

But an old cultivator like Jiang Qingzheng, who had been stuck at the great perfection of the Foundation Establishment realm for over a decade and whose perception had been honed to the absolute limit, instantly caught it.

His expression turned from shock to wild ecstasy.

"Good! Good! Good!"

"You truly are the descendant of the Azure Cloud Immortal Clan!"

He said the word 'good' three times in a row, each one filled with joy.

The look in his eyes when he gazed at Gu Chengyin also became completely different.

Before, it had been scrutiny, evaluation, and a politeness tinged with distance.

But now.

It was fervent, expectant, and even carried a bit of devout reverence.

"Junior Preceptor Gu, please have a seat!"

Jiang Qingzheng stepped aside to guide him, his posture much more respectful.

The few of them took their seats.

Gu Chengyin sat opposite Jiang Qingzheng, Jiang Jianli sat to the side, and Lin Qingyan sat in the corner with her eyes closed, as if all of this had nothing to do with her.

The tea fragrance curled upwards, and the morning light flowed into the room.

Gu Chengyin took the initiative to speak, "Special Envoy Jiang, Elder Qingzheng, this junior has come this time primarily to discuss our departure time."

"The Ministry of Rites is already fully prepared on their end. I wonder how things are on your side?"

Jiang Jianli and Jiang Qingzheng exchanged a glance.

Then, Jiang Jianli spoke, "There are no issues on our end."

"Since His Majesty has ordered that Junior Preceptor Gu has full authority to coordinate this time, we only need to follow orders."

These words were spoken beautifully.

It not only clarified the stance of the Azure Sword Sect but also gave Gu Chengyin ample respect and authority.

Gu Chengyin did not stand on ceremony and immediately said:

"Since that is the case, it would be disrespectful of me to decline."

"My suggestion is that we gather at the South City Gate tomorrow morning at the hour of Chen to set out."

Jiang Jianli did not hesitate at all and immediately nodded:

"Alright, we will listen to Junior Preceptor Gu."

"Tomorrow morning, our Azure Sword Sect will definitely arrive on time."

Gu Chengyin revealed a satisfied smile. He stood up, cupped his hands, and said:

"That is excellent. Then I shall not disturb you any longer."

In just a few words, the matter was settled, though his purpose for coming this time was merely to confirm the schedule anyway.

Being able to finish the discussion so smoothly was naturally for the best.

Jiang Jianli and Jiang Qingzheng stood up to see them out.

It was not until Gu Chengyin and Lin Qingyan both boarded their carriage and drove away.

Jiang Jianli looked at Jiang Qingzheng beside her and asked:

"Senior Brother, how was it?"

Her voice was kept very low, so that only the two of them could hear.

Jiang Qingzheng nodded slowly, his voice steady:

"The aura is real."

"Gu Chengyin is indeed the descendant of the Azure Cloud Immortal Clan."

"I will report this matter to Master."

Jiang Qingzheng's trip to the Divine Capital this time, aside from providing reception, was also to determine whether Gu Chengyin was genuine or an imposter.

Right at this moment.

Jiang Jianli suddenly spoke, her voice even lower:

"Senior Brother..."

Her gaze swept across their surroundings to ensure there was no one else around before she continued:

"It would be best to have my father make a trip personally."

These words came very abruptly, and Jiang Qingzheng was slightly taken aback.

He turned his head to look at Jiang Jianli, a trace of confusion flashing in his weathered eyes.

"Junior Sister, what do you mean by this...?"

Jiang Qingzheng suddenly thought of something, furrowed his brows, and asked:

"Did brother-in-law say something to you?"

Jiang Jianli's expression turned solemn. She nodded slowly, her voice pressed even lower:

"Yes."

"Yuanyuan told me to be careful of this Lord Jingzhe."

Jiang Qingzheng's eyes instantly narrowed, surging with a deep and dangerous light.

Be careful of Lin Qingyan?

Why?

Countless speculations flashed through Jiang Qingzheng's mind in an instant.

But he knew that since Shangguan Yuan had said so, he must definitely have his reasons.

Jiang Qingzheng took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.

"I understand."

"I will send a message to Master immediately."