25: human traffickers

"Susu, do you know what kind of existence Yihua Palace is?"

Chen Qingxuan asked with a smile.

Jiang Susu shook her head. "I don't know."

"Yihua Palace is a top-tier power in the Eastern Land. Compared to them, forces like Shenyou Stronghold or the Zhao Family are like ants trying to shake a tree or a mantis trying to stop a chariot," Chen Qingxuan introduced enthusiastically. "Therefore, Yihua Palace is also a Holy Land of cultivation that Cultivators flock to. Countless people take pride in being able to enter Yihua Palace to Cultivate. Unfortunately... Yihua Palace has a rule: they never recruit male Disciples. The entire sect consists only of women."

"Hmm?"

Jiang Susu's eyes darted around as she listened.

Perhaps due to the Insight of her Nine Profound Pupils, she was suddenly overcome with unease. "Brother... let's go... Susu doesn't like this place."

"You don't like it?"

Chen Qingxuan was stunned.

He had thought that after his passionate description, even if Jiang Susu didn't clamor to join Yihua Palace, she would at least feel some yearning. He completely didn't expect her to say she didn't like it.

As the future Eastern Land Mystic Maiden, how could you not like this kind of Holy Land for cultivation?

"Ahem." Chen Qingxuan cleared his throat and took her small hand. "We're already here, let's go in and take a look."

"No!"

Jiang Susu became even more nervous upon hearing this.

The next moment, she looked up with a restless face. "Brother, do you not want Susu anymore... do you want to leave Susu here?"

"This..."

Having been seen through, a flash of guilt flickered in the depths of Chen Qingxuan's eyes.

At this point, he could only spout nonsense with a straight face. "Don't think such things, Susu. Brother came here because there is serious business to attend to."

"Is it true that you won't abandon me?"

"Of course not!"

Chen Qingxuan chose to lie without hesitation.

Even facing those pitiful little eyes, he had no intention of changing his mind.

In his view, the reason Jiang Susu was unwilling to enter Yihua Palace was simply due to her past experiences and her anxiety about the uncertainty of joining.

It was like how people always feel apprehensive about a strange environment, but this apprehension gradually disappears as they become familiar with it.

Therefore, in Chen Qingxuan's eyes, as long as he could successfully get Jiang Susu inside, even if she felt uneasy for a moment, it would definitely be better for her future.

His well-intentioned lie... couldn't exactly be called wrong.

After all, he couldn't keep the Little Girl with him forever; there were other talents waiting for him to form contracts with, and some weren't even in the territory of the Human Race.

It was too dangerous.

Ultimately, sending Jiang Susu to Yihua Palace was the best course of action.

And so,

After coaxing Jiang Susu, Chen Qingxuan led her toward Yihua Palace.

Although Yihua Palace never recruited male Disciples, they weren't like those female-only powers that hated men and refused to deal with them entirely.

Under the guidance of the guarding Disciples, the two successfully entered Yihua Palace.

In front of a large hall.

Chen Qingxuan first left Jiang Susu outside and walked in alone.

At this moment, a graceful silhouette was sitting in the main seat of the hall, scrutinizing Chen Qingxuan as he walked in with a pair of cold eyes.

"This Junior pays respects to Palace Master Pei."

Chen Qingxuan stopped in the center of the hall and bowed with cupped hands toward the woman ahead, who still retained her youthful charm.

Pei Qingli spoke indifferently, "How do you know I am the Palace Revered Master?"

"I have long heard that the one who governs Yihua Palace is a Fairy figure who possesses both beauty and strength. Now that I see you, Senior, that elegant temperament that seems to transcend the mortal world makes me feel as if I have entered the Nine Heavens Divine Court, invigorating my spirit. It must be the legendary, world-toppling Palace Master Pei who possesses such poise..."

Chen Qingxuan's praise flowed out effortlessly.

As the saying goes, one does not strike a smiling face. When dealing with someone for the first time, flattering them—even if the technique isn't very refined—won't usually invite dislike.

"Heh, another glib-tongued flatterer," Pei Qingli snorted.

Chen Qingxuan: "???"

"Ahem."

Chen Qingxuan's handsome face instantly turned red, and he explained, "Actually, I'm not usually like this... it's just that I was worried about being impolite during this sudden visit."

"Enough nonsense."

Pei Qingli said without emotion, "My time is limited, and I don't usually receive outsiders. If it weren't for you saying you had a peerless treasure to offer... if you dare to play with me, you should know the consequences!"

"Of course, of course."

"So... where is this so-called treasure?"

Pei Qingli's Phoenix eyes narrowed slightly.

Chen Qingxuan glanced back outside the hall and then walked toward Pei Qingli with a smile. "Palace Master Pei, you don't mind if I come closer and speak quietly, do you?"

"..."

Pei Qingli's face was full of objection, but Chen Qingxuan had already reached her.

Chen Qingxuan didn't waste words and directly introduced Jiang Susu, who was waiting outside, including her background and experiences, but most importantly, her age and cultivation.

And after learning of Jiang Susu's situation, Pei Qingli did not disappoint Chen Qingxuan. "What? You say the Little Girl outside... is already at the Spirit Sea Realm Late Stage?"

"How would I dare to toy with Palace Master Pei over such a matter... if you don't believe me, you can check for yourself."

"...Fine!"

Pei Qingli didn't waste any time and used her Divine Sense to probe Jiang Susu outside the hall.

When she discovered that Jiang Susu's cultivation really was at the Spirit Sea Realm Late Stage, Pei Qingli's heart skipped a beat... There was actually such a Genius in this world?

An irrepressible look of pleasant surprise appeared on her charming face.

Seeing this, Chen Qingxuan took the opportunity to say, "Such a Genius... I wonder if in Palace Master Pei's heart, she counts as a peerless treasure?"

"You... such a once-in-a-century Prodigy... why would you send her to my Yihua Palace?" Pei Qingli scrutinized Chen Qingxuan, trying to see through him.

Surprise was one thing, but how could someone like her not understand that there's no such thing as a free lunch in this world?

To this, Chen Qingxuan had already prepared his explanation. "I have a bond with this girl, but... I have important matters of my own to attend to and cannot keep her by my side forever... and if I want her to go further, I believe Yihua Palace is her correct destination compared to staying with me... I only hope that Palace Master Pei can nurture her well and not let her suffer any grievances in Yihua Palace."

"That's all?"

Pei Qingli's Phoenix eyes narrowed, as if she couldn't believe it.

With the talent Jiang Susu displayed, taking her to any power would likely yield an unspeakably rich reward.

And now he was giving her to Yihua Palace for free?

Meeting Pei Qingli's scrutinizing gaze, Chen Qingxuan nodded calmly and seriously. "That's all!"

"..."

After sensing Chen Qingxuan's seriousness and sincerity, Pei Qingli took a deep breath.

Then, her expression also became serious. "Fine. Once she enters Yihua Palace, I will personally take her as my Disciple and will never let her be bullied in the slightest."

"Thank you!"

Chen Qingxuan cupped his hands with a smile.

Immediately, he walked to the hall entrance and led the bewildered Jiang Susu inside. "Susu, this is the Palace Revered Master of Yihua Palace, and also your future Revered Master... quick, kneel and acknowledge her as your Revered Master."

Acknowledge a Revered Master?

Jiang Susu was completely confused.

"Susu, from now on, I am your Revered Master." Pei Qingli looked at the Little Girl before her, her eyes sparkling with the affection one has for a great talent.

"No, I don't want to acknowledge a Revered Master!"

Jiang Susu, having realized what was happening, suddenly became agitated.

She grabbed Chen Qingxuan's leg. "Brother... didn't you say you wouldn't abandon Susu... Susu doesn't want a Revered Master... Susu doesn't want to enter Yihua Palace... Brother, you lied to Susu..."

Chen Qingxuan first looked at Pei Qingli, then squatted down and said, "Susu, listen to me... this Palace Master Pei is a famous figure in the Eastern Land... don't you want to become stronger? With her guiding your cultivation in the future, you will definitely grow very quickly... stay in Yihua Palace and Cultivate well, okay?"

"I don't want to!" Jiang Susu shook her head anxiously, saying with a sob, "You lied to me... Susu wants to be with Brother... I won't acknowledge her as my Revered Master... I won't enter Yihua Palace!"

"Be good... Brother will come to find you in the future."

"..."

A hint of concern flashed in Pei Qingli's eyes.

Especially seeing Jiang Susu's reluctance to leave Chen Qingxuan, she felt something was wrong... after all, it was Jiang Susu who needed to join Yihua Palace, not Chen Qingxuan.

No matter how willing Chen Qingxuan was, if Jiang Susu wasn't willing in her heart... then this was not a good thing!

Furthermore, she didn't want Yihua Palace to painstakingly nurture a talent only for her to be led away by a single word from Chen Qingxuan later.

Thus, Pei Qingli made a decision in her heart and said directly, "Susu, this 'good brother' of yours... he has already sold you to my Yihua Palace."

Jiang Susu: "???"

Chen Qingxuan: "???"

Meeting Chen Qingxuan's dumbfounded gaze, Pei Qingli continued, "What are you still standing there for? You've taken the money... hurry up and leave my Yihua Palace. I hate beasts who traffic humans the most."

"..."

Chen Qingxuan's mouth twitched violently.

He could naturally see that Pei Qingli's move was intended to make Jiang Susu stay in Yihua Palace wholeheartedly.

But was it necessary to call him a human trafficker?

Damn this Palace Master Pei!

What would Susu think of him now?