32: A wedding? With your teacher absent, it doesn't count!

The side hall of Yaoguang Hall.

At the head sat an old woman dressed in deep blue Daoist robes. Her hair was meticulously combed into a bun, and her expression was solemn. Her face was etched with deep furrows from the passage of time, yet her gaze was as sharp as an eagle's.

She was none other than the Grand Elder of Qingxin Palace, Zhang Wanyi.

"Yao Xi, why have you returned several days early?" Zhang Wanyi looked at the respectfully bowing Ouyang Yaoxi, her tone carrying a hint of inquiry. "Is everything well at home?"

Ouyang Yaoxi lowered her head, a flash of complexity crossing her eyes before she quickly regained her composure. "Replying to Revered Master, everything is well at home. I... felt that I had slacked in my cultivation and felt uneasy, so I returned early."

In the end, she still did not mention the matter between her and Qin Feng.

Zhang Wanyi nodded slightly, then turned her scrutinizing gaze toward Wang Ming, who stood beside Ouyang Yaoxi.

At the same time, Wang Ming was also sizing her up.

'Is this Yao Xi's Revered Master?'

'She's quite aged... the wrinkles on her face could almost crush a mosquito.'

He had heard Ouyang Yaoxi mention her Revered Master before and had imagined a beautiful Elder with lingering charm.

Who would have thought she was actually just an old lady?

'Boring.'

This subtle change in his expression was instantly captured by Zhang Wanyi.

Her brows immediately furrowed, displeasure rising in her heart.

'This boy's gaze is improper and his attitude is frivolous. He shows no reverence toward his Elders; my first impression of him is utterly tarnished.'

"Yao Xi, who is this?" Zhang Wanyi's voice sank slightly.

Ouyang Yaoxi's heart tightened, and she hurriedly said, "Revered Master, this is Wang Ming. He is my... friend. He accompanied me here because he sincerely wishes to join the gates of our Qingxin Palace and pursue the Great Dao."

"Join the gates?" Zhang Wanyi's gaze swept over Wang Ming, and she refused directly. "Our Qingxin Palace has its own regulations for recruitment. We open the gates periodically to accept talented individuals. Now is not the time for recruitment. You should head back and return next spring."

Ouyang Yaoxi grew anxious.

She knew her Revered Master had always been most strict about etiquette.

And Wang Ming, this libertine, was used to acting like a king in Qingzhou City; he had no sense of etiquette at all.

The recruitment period was just a pretext; it was obvious that her Revered Master did not like Wang Ming!

"Revered Master!" She took a step forward, her tone earnest. "Wang Ming... he is no ordinary Cultivator. He is only twenty years old this year, yet his cultivation has already reached the Foundation Establishment Fifth Layer!"

"Twenty years old? Foundation Establishment Fifth Layer?"

Zhang Wanyi's originally cold expression suddenly shifted.

Her gaze fell upon Wang Ming once more, this time with a hint of astonishment.

She hadn't even seen through this boy's true cultivation before!

Either he possessed an extremely sophisticated Breath-Concealing Technique, or his Foundation was so solid that it far surpassed those of the same rank, allowing him to naturally remain inconspicuous even before her!

A twenty-year-old at the Foundation Establishment Fifth Layer?

This talent... in her mind, she instantly thought of the Palace Master's brilliantly talented eldest Disciple—Gu Qingyi.

Could this boy's talent actually rival hers?

Waves of shock surged in Zhang Wanyi's heart.

She indeed did not like Wang Ming.

But... talent was hard to come by!

Especially such a seed that could be called a Prodigy!!

She pondered for a moment, her expression softening slightly as she said, "A twenty-year-old at the Foundation Establishment Fifth Layer... is indeed rare."

She looked at Wang Ming with a deep gaze. "The Palace Master has recently gone out to visit a friend and is not in the palace. The matter of recruitment, especially involving a Disciple of your Aptitude, requires the Palace Master's personal decision."

She paused before making a decision. "You may stay in the guest courtyard for now. Once the Palace Master returns, we will proceed with the assessment and final decision."

This was already a great concession. If not for Wang Ming's truly startling talent, Zhang Wanyi would never have relented based on her first impression alone.

Hearing this, Ouyang Yaoxi felt relieved, and a hint of joy appeared on her face. "Thank you, Revered Master!"

She originally wanted to personally take Wang Ming to the guest courtyard to settle him in and explain some of the palace rules.

"Yao Xi."

Zhang Wanyi called out to her, "Since you have returned to the palace early, follow me to the Quiet Room and tell your Revered Master all the doubts you've had in your cultivation recently."

She clearly had more to ask Ouyang Yaoxi privately, especially regarding this suddenly appearing friend with such terrifying talent.

After saying that, without waiting for Ouyang Yaoxi's response, she instructed a middle-aged female steward standing outside the hall, "Steward Zhao, take this young friend Wang Ming to the West Wing Guest Courtyard to settle in. Prepare everything according to the standards for distinguished guests."

"Yes, Elder," Steward Zhao bowed in response, walked up to Wang Ming, and made a gesture of invitation. "Young Master Wang, please follow me."

Ouyang Yaoxi could only cast a look at Wang Ming telling him to stay calm, then obediently remained inside the hall.

Wang Ming had no objection to Zhang Wanyi's arrangement. He gave Ouyang Yaoxi a slight nod and then turned to follow Steward Zhao out of Yaoguang Hall.

Inside the hall, only the Revered Master and Disciple remained.

The atmosphere seemed to become even more stagnant than before.

Zhang Wanyi looked at Ouyang Yaoxi and spoke slowly, "Now, tell me, what exactly is going on with this Wang Ming?"

Ouyang Yaoxi's heart sank slightly.

She knew that some things could not be hidden; her affairs in Qingzhou City could be uncovered with a simple investigation.

She took a deep breath and disclosed everything. "Replying to Revered Master, I... have already married Wang Ming in Qingzhou City."

"What?!"

Zhang Wanyi had only guessed that the two were close, but she never expected such a result!

She suddenly stood up from her Prayer Mat, her face instantly turning grim.

"Absurd! This is utterly absurd!"

Zhang Wanyi's voice echoed in the Quiet Room with suppressed rage.

"Marriage is a major event, decided by parents' commands and matchmakers' words! Even if your parents were present, it would require careful consideration. How could you be so reckless and treat it like a game?!"

"You joined my sect to seek the Dao; that is the Foundation. How can you be so easily tied down by the affairs of the Mortal World and romantic feelings?! Furthermore..."

She paused, looking at Ouyang Yaoxi with a deep sense of disappointment.

"Furthermore, I have already scouted a suitable candidate for you!"

Zhang Wanyi said solemnly, "Since you have taken me as your Revered Master, a teacher for a day is a parent for a lifetime! How could I not concern myself with your lifelong matters? Since I was not present and did not give my consent when you married, this marriage does not count!"

She flicked her sleeves. "Forget it! That Wang Ming is frivolous, rude, and arrogant; he is by no means a good match! I have read countless people and I will not be mistaken! He is absolutely not someone worthy of you entrusting your life to!"

Scouted a suitable candidate?

She had never heard her Revered Master mention this before!

Ouyang Yaoxi's willow-like brows knit slightly. "I wonder which young talent... Revered Master has scouted for me?"

Zhang Wanyi's tone softened slightly, and a hint of a smile appeared on her face. "Who else could it be? Naturally, it is your Senior Brother Xiao Ce!"

She looked at Ouyang Yaoxi and spoke with earnest words, "There is something you don't know. Xiao Ce is my nephew. He is talented, steady, and has an upright character. Moreover, he is... deeply in love with you. It's just that the boy is thin-skinned and has never stated it clearly."

"I have watched him grow up and know his character well. Entrusting you to him gives me the greatest peace of mind! You both cultivate under my gate as Senior Brother and Sister; becoming Dao Companions in the future would be a perfect match, strengthening our bonds. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"