542: Chapter 542 Why

Though it was called the Golden Crow Tower, the sprawling complex of buildings surrounding it actually belonged to the Golden Crow Holy Land.

The red-gold glazed tiles formed a blinding band of light under the sun, and the pavilions were connected by flying corridors, with spiritual lamps that never went out day or night.

As the flying boat slowly descended, Zhu Rongyang was already waiting on the platform with a crowd of Elders and Disciples.

Standing beside him were several young Cultivators.

The most conspicuous was a young woman in a fiery red long dress, with a gorgeous face, gentle features, and a proper, faint smile on her lips.

On the streets below, many onlookers had already gathered, watching the spectacle from afar and whispering among themselves.

"That's Yan Hongwei, right? The eldest legitimate daughter of the Yan Family, with a Body Integration Stage level five cultivation. It is said she has the highest talent among the younger generation of the Yan Family."

Someone replied, "Indeed. Not only is her cultivation high, but she is also famously approachable, completely different from those snobbish scions of aristocratic families."

Someone nearby clicked their tongue twice: "She's also beautiful. This figure, this appearance—she would be considered top-tier in the entire Fusang Region."

As they spoke, a figure interwoven with fiery red and snow white landed on the platform.

Her face was cold, stunning, and exquisite, her brows carrying a sense of arrogance.

Her dress of overlapping fiery red and snow white fluttered gently in the wind, and the dark patterns of the Golden Crow spreading its wings on the hem shimmered with fine light under the sun.

The long dress accentuated her ample curves, the full silhouette stretching the bodice just right, while a black silk sash tied at her waist highlighted her slender, wasp-like waist. Her dark hair was tied up high, adorned with a red-gold Phoenix-head hair accessory, with strings of beads dangling by her ears.

Her entire being was so stunningly beautiful under the sunlight that it was indescribable.

Yan Xi stood in the welcoming crowd. When her gaze fell upon Saintess Yan Xueyuan, she couldn't help but sigh in a low voice: "This beauty... this figure... it's no wonder she was taken a fancy to by Young Master Liu."

Beside her were a poised young man and a burly, stout man. Xu Xiao and Lie Shan both let their gazes linger on Saintess Yan Xueyuan for a moment, similar thoughts flashing through their minds.

With such looks, not only was she taken a fancy to by the Saint, but now she had been specifically named by the Young Master of the Liu Family—she truly had good fortune.

It's a pity about that cultivation... Soul Transformation Stage; it really wasn't enough to be impressive in the Golden Crow Holy Land.

These three were the very Disciples who had accompanied Zhu Rongyang to the Cangwu Region to attend the Dingding Ceremony.

Yan Hongwei stood beside Zhu Rongyang, watching Saintess Yan Xueyuan walk slowly off the flying boat. A glimmer flashed deep in her eyes, only to be immediately concealed beneath a gentle smile.

Saintess Yan Xueyuan swept a glance over the Elders and Disciples lined up to welcome her, a hint of impatience surfacing on her face: "Elder Zhu, there is no need for such a fuss. I am merely here to stay for a few days; this grand display of yours only makes me uncomfortable."

Zhu Rongyang rolled his eyes inwardly.

If I didn't put on this display to welcome you, and you went back to the Saint and said I wasn't diligent, would I be spared?

He forced a smile and bowed repeatedly: "Saintess, you are too kind; this is only proper."

As he spoke, he stepped aside to clear the way, "Your accommodation has been properly arranged. Let Hongwei take you to rest, Saintess."

Yan Hongwei stepped forward at the right moment, bowed slightly, and smiled gently: "Saintess, please follow me."

When Saintess Yan Xueyuan saw Yan Hongwei, the coldness in her expression softened slightly. While at the Yan Family, she bore the title of the legitimate daughter; most Elders and Disciples were fawning and sycophantic, while others were disdainful and contemptuous.

Yan Hongwei had always been close to her, and the two often addressed each other as "sisters." If not for the secret she had inadvertently glimpsed after her Breakthrough to the Nascent Soul Stage, she would not have known that she was not human, nor that the Old Ancestor coveted her Dao Fruit.

She would have continued to think of herself as a true daughter of the Yan Family, and Yan Hongwei as a sister who treated her well.

"Sister Hongwei, how many times must I say it? Just call me Yuanmei. Why bother with those superficial formalities in front of outsiders?"

Yan Hongwei's smile did not change: "Honorifics are necessary when we are out, lest people say the Yan Family lacks discipline. Please, Saintess, follow me."

She led Saintess Yan Xueyuan and the other through the flying corridors, crossed several courtyards, and stopped in front of a quiet, secluded villa.

The sides of the courtyard gate were carved with intricate Formation patterns, which exuded a sense of pressure as spiritual light flowed through them.

"This courtyard is protected by a grade eight Formation; ordinary people cannot enter without permission."

Yan Hongwei pushed open the gate and stepped aside to let Saintess Yan Xueyuan enter.

"Sister Hongwei, won't you come in for a cup of tea?" Saintess Yan Xueyuan stood inside the gate and looked back at her.

"Yuanmei, you've had a tiring journey, rest first." Yan Hongwei waved her hand with a smile, "Tomorrow, I will prepare some snacks you like, and you can come over to my courtyard to sit for a while."

Saintess Yan Xueyuan nodded, and Yan Hongwei turned and left.

The night passed without incident.

The next morning, Saintess Yan Xueyuan took Gan Yiyi to Yan Hongwei's courtyard. A cluster of emerald bamboo was planted in the yard, and a tea set was laid out on the stone table, where Yan Hongwei was sitting and boiling water.

Seeing Saintess Yan Xueyuan enter, she smiled and waved: "Yuanmei, you're here. Come and sit."

The fragrance of tea wafted up, mixed with the fresh scent of bamboo leaves, dispersing in the morning light.

The two sat opposite each other on bamboo mats under the corridor, with a set of celadon tea ware placed on the low table.

Gan Yiyi knelt quietly beside Saintess Yan Xueyuan.

Saintess Yan Xueyuan picked up her teacup, took a sip, put it down, and suddenly asked: "Sister Hongwei, what is the deal with that Young Master Liu from the Dongming Liu Family... exactly?"

Yan Hongwei looked up at her, a trace of surprise on her face: "Yuanmei, you don't know? At the auction in the Fire Turtle Kingdom, that Young Master Liu publicly declared he had fallen in love with you at first sight and even specially bid for a Phoenix-Perching Red Flame Hairpin for you."

She put down her teacup and looked at Saintess Yan Xueyuan, "At that time, the Saint also invited him to attend the Dingding Ceremony, and he accepted. Now, Young Master Liu has arrived at Fusang Main City, and I heard he is staying at the Four Seasons Heaven and Earth Courtyard. When the Saint arrives, he will definitely pay a visit, and you will inevitably have to go along."

Saintess Yan Xueyuan frowned: "I don't know any Young Master Liu."

Yan Hongwei laughed, as if she had heard something amusing: "Yuanmei, still not admitting it in front of your sister? Someone like Young Master Liu falling in love with you at first sight is a blessing others can only wish for."

"I truly do not know any Young Master of the Liu Family." Saintess Yan Xueyuan's tone became a bit more serious, her gaze frank and calm.

Yan Hongwei looked at her, her eyes flickering slightly, then she smiled again: "Then, Yuanmei, have you ever encountered any Cultivator with an extraordinary aura?"

Just as Saintess Yan Xueyuan was about to answer, a face uncontrollably surfaced in her mind. That person was dressed in green robes, upright and open, with a hint of a cryptic smile always hanging on the corners of his mouth. He did indeed have an extraordinary aura—but he was even more detestable.

Yan Hongwei took in Saintess Yan Xueyuan's momentary distraction, her smile remaining unchanged, though her eyes darkened a fraction.

She sighed softly and said with a hint of resentment: "It seems Yuanmei doesn't trust your sister anymore. Very well, let's just drink tea."

She took a celadon jade jar from her sleeve, pinched a pinch of tea leaves into the pot, and poured in hot water. The fragrance of the tea was crisp and cold, carrying a refreshing Spiritual Qi that slowly dispersed under the corridor.

"This is the new Green Bud Spiritual Dew Tea I acquired; it is very beneficial for cultivation." Yan Hongwei pushed the teacup in front of Saintess Yan Xueyuan, "Yuanmei, you are currently at the Soul Transformation Stage; drinking more of this tea might help you break through to the Body Integration Stage sooner."

Saintess Yan Xueyuan picked up the teacup and took a sip. The tea was warm, and the Spiritual Qi slid down her throat into her Meridians, tasting a bit bitter.

When she put down the teacup, she said casually: "I have already broken through to the Body Integration Stage."

Yan Hongwei's action of pouring tea paused slightly, then immediately returned to normal.

She looked up, a joyful smile blooming on her face: "Really? That's wonderful. The Saint and the Old Ancestor have been hoping for your Breakthrough to the Body Integration Stage; now that it has finally happened, they will surely be very happy when they hear."

Upon hearing the words "Old Ancestor" and "Saint," the gentleness between Saintess Yan Xueyuan's brows faded, and her voice grew colder: "They are happy—what does that have to do with me?"

Yan Hongwei put down the teapot and persuaded her in a gentle tone: "Yuanmei, don't say that. To help you break through to the Body Integration Stage, the Saint and the Old Ancestor have spent countless efforts, piling countless Heaven And Earth Treasures upon you. The Old Ancestor gave you the best resources, and Your Highness the Saint favors you highly. Even that Young Master of the Liu Family is head over heels for you—Yuanmei, this fortune of yours makes your sister truly envious."

As she spoke, the smile on her lips was gentle, but something was slowly churning in the depths of her eyes.

Saintess Yan Xueyuan lowered her eyes: "Sister Hongwei..."

Before she could finish, Yan Hongwei leaned forward slightly, reached out, and lifted Saintess Yan Xueyuan's chin with her fingertips.

Those gentle eyes stared fixedly at her: "Yuanmei, can you tell your sister—why are the Old Ancestor and the Saint so good to you? And why does that Young Master Liu like you, of all people?"