215: Are you guys... very free?

The person in the gray robe showed no reaction to Sima Rongrong's miserable state.

"That bitch Cold Moon was clearly at the end of her rope! What did she use to survive?!"

"Unless... unless someone helped her!"

"Help?"

Another Grey-Robed Figure, who had been silent until now, suddenly moved.

It stretched out a withered finger and drew a circle in the air.

"A variable."

"This person carries the scent of Those Above."

"Mission failed, you are now worthless."

"Wait! Venerable Emissary! Give me one more chance!"

Sima Rongrong screamed in terror, desperately trying to shrink backward.

"I can take you into the Imperial City! I know the Secret Passage! I can also..."

"Cleanup."

The Grey-Robed Figure spat out the two words coldly.

The next second.

Her flesh, bones, and even Soul were instantly devoured by that bizarre gray mist, leaving only a complete Human Skin and an empty black robe on the ground.

Ye You swallowed a mouthful of saliva and muttered quietly:

"What a waste... Although that woman's Soul was a bit foul, it could have been used to feed the flowers..."

"Shh."

Su Lin pressed down her restless head, his gaze heavy.

The methods of those two Grey-Robed Figures made him feel a trace of unease.

That power system was completely different from the spiritual energy of the Cultivation World, and even different from any power he had seen in Foreign Lands.

It was a purer, colder form of Erasure.

"Since you're here, why hide?"

Just then, the Grey-Robed Figures below suddenly looked up.

The two blue wisps of light accurately pierced through the layers of leaves and Su Lin's Concealment Formation, staring directly at their hiding spot.

"We've been discovered!"

Ye You's red pupils contracted, and the hairs on her body instantly stood on end.

"Attack!"

Su Lin didn't hesitate.

Since they were exposed, they had to strike first!

"Space, Imprison!"

He grabbed with one hand, and the power of the Myriad Heavens Star Chart instantly activated, locking the two Grey-Robed Figures firmly within the Space covering a hundred-mile radius, as if it were solidified amber.

"You'er! Go!"

"Got it! Dinner time!"

Ye You shrieked excitedly and leaped down from the treetop.

She revealed her true form in mid-air, and countless thick, Dark Green Vines shot out like wild pythons, carrying potent poison and Suction Cups, enveloping the two Grey-Robed Figures.

"Retreat."

As the emotionless, mechanical sound fell.

Su Lin's spatial imprisonment had no effect on them in this state!

"Trying to run?"

Su Lin snorted coldly, manifesting the Ancient Sword 'destiny' in his hand, and slashed fiercely into the void.

"Severing the Dao!"

This sword strike severed Karma and cut off their retreat.

"Pfft!"

The figure of one gray-robed person solidified for a moment, was swept by the Sword Qi, and an arm was instantly severed.

The Space fluctuated.

The two Grey-Robed Figures completely vanished.

The wind blew through the stone forest, making a howling sound.

Ye You's vines missed their target, smashing the rocks on the ground into dust.

"They got away?"

She poked around everywhere on the ground with her vines unwillingly, trying to find something edible.

"Nothing was left behind... not even a scent..."

Su Lin descended from the air and picked up the empty black robe on the ground—the only trace left by Sima Rongrong.

His expression was somewhat gloomy.

"Revered Master..."

"Those things feel very annoying."

"They are something much more troublesome than the foreign races."

Su Lin threw away the black robe, ignited a ball of Starlight in his hand, and burned it to ashes.

"However, even if the Monk escapes, the temple cannot."

He stroked Ye You's head.

"Since they targeted us, they will come again sooner or later."

"For now, let's go back."

"Go back?" Ye You's eyes lit up, "Back to the Sleeping Quarters? To continue what we were doing?"

"Go back my foot!"

Su Lin tapped her head.

"It's almost dawn! If we don't go back, your Eldest Senior Sister will wake up, find we're gone, and throw another fit!"

...It turned out that Su Lin's premonitions were terrifyingly accurate.

The previously quiet palace was now as lively as a Vegetable Market.

"Su Hongling! Put down that pillar! That's a Load-Bearing Pillar!!"

"Chu Weiwei! Try dumping poison into the Imperial Kitchen's Well again?!"

"Luo Ximei! Put away your Devilish Qi! If you scare all the Palace Maids unconscious, who will serve Breakfast?!"

As soon as Su Lin stepped into the courtyard, he was greeted by a scene worthy of a world-famous painting.

Su Hongling was carrying a large pillar made of Golden-Threaded Nanmu, seemingly practicing 'weightlifting' with it, while several craftsmen knelt on the ground crying out to their fathers.

Chu Weiwei squatted by the Well, holding a collection of bottles and jars, explaining with an innocent look: "I'm just disinfecting the water quality... I really am just disinfecting..."

Luo Ximei sat on the Roof, holding a mirror, admiring her own beauty while using her Devilish Qi to shoot down passing Birds to make Specimens.

And Mu Qingxue was standing at the entrance of Su Lin's Sleeping Quarters, emanating a coldness that threatened to freeze the entire Imperial City.

"Revered Master is gone."

She muttered to herself, her Ice Sword carving deep marks into the ground.

"Is it because we were too noisy?"

"Ye You abducted him just now! But we couldn't find them, are they hiding?"

She looked up, a trace of pathological resolve flashing in her eyes.

"If not, we'll just overturn this Southern Yu to find him."

Just as she was about to activate 'Thousand Li Ice Seal',

"Ahem, ahem!"

Su Lin coughed heavily and walked out of the shadows.

"What are you all doing so early in the morning?"

"Swish, swish, swish!"

Four figures instantly teleported in front of Su Lin.

"Old Man, where did you go?! I opened my eyes and you were gone! I thought you abandoned me!"

"Revered Master..."

She stepped forward, naturally pushing Su Hongling aside, and grabbed Su Lin's Sleeve.

"Why are your hands so cold? Were you out freezing?"

"Hurry inside, Qingxue will warm you up."

"Warm what! Revered Master smells like someone else!"

Luo Ximei had the sharpest nose; she leaned in to sniff, and her face instantly turned ugly.

"It's that Dead Girl Ye You's scent! And the Smell of Blood!"

She sharply turned her head to look at Ye You, who was following behind Su Lin, with an expression that looked like she wanted to eat her.

"Good! Fourth Sister! You actually dared to sneak a bite?!"

"Taking Revered Master out for the night while we were sleeping?!"

"What? Is that not allowed?"

"You're asking for death!!"

Su Hongling and Luo Ximei both went berserk simultaneously.

It looked like a Full-blown Brawl was about to erupt again.

"Stop, all of you!"

Su Lin supported his forehead helplessly.

"I just took her out to investigate enemy intelligence. Last night was official business!"

"Official business?"

At this moment, Cold Moon, who had been silent, slowly walked out from inside the hall.

She was wearing a light golden Phoenix Robe today. Although it wasn't as formal as the Dragon Robe, the Empress's oppressive aura still made people afraid to look directly at her.

She walked to Su Lin's side, her golden eyes sweeping lightly over Ye You before finally settling on Su Lin.

“The serious matter Revered Master mentioned... was almost leading to a disaster in the woods behind the mountain?”

Su Lin: "..."

How many spies did she have in this Imperial City?!

“Eldest Senior Sister, what nonsense are you spouting!”

Ye You's face flushed. Although she really wanted to, it didn't happen in the end.

“Alright, alright, stop arguing...”

“Ancestors, can we eat first?

Breakfast has been reheated three times. If we don't eat now, it will truly turn into gruel.”

Speaking of eating, Su Hongling's stomach obediently let out a loud rumble.

“Eat! Eat! Let's talk about whatever it is after we're full!”

She completely forgot about the fight she was about to start, grabbing Su Lin and running toward the hall.

“Old Man, hurry up! There are Crystal Pork Knuckles today!”

...The Imperial Kitchen of the Nanyu Imperial City could be said to be the Peak of culinary arts across the entire continent.

However, this Breakfast was not peaceful.

A long table capable of seating twenty people was filled with all sorts of rare delicacies.

Su Lin sat at the main seat.

Cold Moon was on his left, and Mu Qingxue was on his right.

Su Hongling, Luo Ximei, Chu Weiwei, and Ye You were seated in order.

“Revered Master, this is the 【Nine Treasures Qi Replenishing Porridge】 that I specially had someone simmer.”

Cold Moon picked up a small bowl, scooped a spoonful, gently blew on it to cool it, and brought it to Su Lin's lips.

“You... expended too much energy last night; you must replenish yourself Well.”

She deliberately emphasized the words “expended too much energy,” glancing provocatively at the other Junior Sisters.

“No need to trouble Eldest Senior Sister.”

Mu Qingxue coldly intercepted that spoonful of porridge.

“This porridge is too hot; Revered Master dislikes it.”

She flipped her wrist, and a cup of icy dew emitting cold air appeared in her hand.

“Revered Master should drink this instead; it clears internal heat and refreshes the mind.”

“You are all too bland!”

Su Hongling directly grabbed a roasted chicken, tore off a large leg, and stuffed it into Su Lin's bowl.

“Men should eat big chunks of meat! Old Man, eat this! Replenish what was lost with what was lost!”

Su Lin looked at the greasy chicken leg in the bowl and fell into deep thought.

Replenish what was lost with what was lost? Does that mean my legs are weak?

“Revered Master~”

Luo Ximei used her chopsticks to pick up a piece of crystal-clear fish meat, still coated with a bit of red sauce.

“This is 【Lovesick Fish】, it melts in your mouth and is the most delicious.”

Her Heterochromatic Eye blinked.

“It’s just like this Disciple’s heart... soft, beating only for you.”

“Ugh...”

Chu Weiwei made a vomiting gesture.

“Fifth Junior Sister, can you not be so disgusting while we are eating?”

She took out a small bottle and sprinkled some powder into Su Lin's porridge.

“This is 【Hundred Herbs Stomach Strengthening Powder】. You won't get Indigestion no matter how much you eat, Revered Master don't worry!”

Su Lin looked at the mountain of food before him, and those several pairs of loving eyes, and only felt his stomach spasm.

“I'll eat myself.”

He picked up his chopsticks and quickly took a piece of Green Vegetable into his mouth.

Cold Moon elegantly wiped the corner of her mouth, her gaze sweeping over the Junior Sisters present, finally resting on Su Lin, with a hint of ambiguity only the two of them understood in her eyes.

“Revered Master, the reconstruction work of the Imperial City has been arranged. The weather is nice today, perhaps... I could accompany you for a walk in the city?”

“Observing the condition of the people is also a mandatory course for an Emperor... oh no, an Imperial Tutor.”

“Go shopping?”

Su Lin's heart stirred.

Having stayed in the Imperial City all this time, besieged by these wicked Disciples, he did indeed feel somewhat stifled. Going out for some fresh air, and perhaps finding some normal entertainment, seemed like a good option.

“Good idea.”

Su Lin nodded in agreement.

“I want to go too!”

“Me too!”

Before Cold Moon could display her triumphant smile, four 'light bulbs' lit up almost simultaneously.

“How can we miss out on observing the condition of the people?”

Luo Ximei fanned herself, smiling charmingly, “I happen to want to see what this so-called Righteous Path Imperial City looks like.”

“I want to buy delicious food!” Su Hongling's goal was the most straightforward.

“I want to buy medicinal herbs!” Chu Weiwei's goal was the most dangerous.

“I am going to protect Revered Master.” Mu Qingxue’s reason was the most high-sounding.

The smile on Cold Moon's face froze. She took a deep breath and said through gritted teeth:

“Are you... all too idle?”

“Very idle.” The four replied in unison.

“Fine then.”

Su Lin stood up, making the final decision.

“Then we will all go together. However, since we are observing the condition of the people, we cannot be so ostentatious.”

He pointed at their attire, which constantly shimmered with flowing light, exuded dense Devilish Qi, or radiated bone-chilling cold.

Half an hour later.

On the Vermilion Bird Street of the Nanyu Imperial City, a strange group of people appeared.

Walking in the center was a handsome young man wearing a cyan Scholar's Robe, holding a Folding Fan. He looked like a wealthy Young Master, though his expression always carried a hint of faint melancholy.

Surrounding him were five women, each with a distinct style, yet all breathtakingly beautiful.

On the left was a young woman wearing a red fitted outfit with a high ponytail, holding a string of Candied Haws and eating with her face smeared with sugar residue, but her eyes scanned the surrounding snack stalls like radar.

On the right was a woman in a purple long dress, possessing a noble and elegant temperament, but her eyes kept glancing, intentionally or unintentionally, toward the young man in the center, filled with possessiveness.

Following behind was a woman in black, with a captivating face and a fiery figure. Although she tried her best to restrain herself, the inherent charm in her bones still caused passersby to frequently turn their heads.

There was also a cold-faced girl dressed in snow-white, holding a sword in her arms. The temperature within three feet of her was noticeably lower than elsewhere, deterring anyone from approaching.

Su Lin shook his head helplessly, and the Folding Fan in his hand snapped open with a 'pa' sound, covering half his face.

“I hope this day can pass peacefully.”

...The prosperity of the Nanyu Imperial City far exceeded Su Lin's imagination.

Despite the great chaos, under Cold Moon's iron-fisted governance, the markets had regained their vitality in just a few days. The sounds of hawking, bargaining, and children playing intertwined, forming a vivid picture of the Mortal World.

“Old Man! I want to eat that!”

Su Hongling pointed at a stall selling 'Dragon's Beard Crisp' ahead, her eyes shining like light bulbs.

“That thing that looks like whiskers must be delicious!”

“Buy it.” Su Lin was concise.

Su Hongling immediately rushed over, grabbed a large handful without asking the price, and stuffed it into her mouth, ending up with her face covered in white powder, like a little calico cat that stole flour.

“So sweet! Old Man, you try some too!”

She held up a piece of Dragon's Beard Crisp coated with her saliva and tiptoed to feed it into Su Lin's mouth.

“So dirty.”

Luo Ximei pushed her hand away in disgust, pulled out a handkerchief embroidered with gold thread from her bosom, and gently wiped away the non-existent dust on Su Lin.