The biggest consequence of last night’s “friendly exchange” before the Eastern Continent Competition? I couldn’t sleep in the bed at Phoenix’s Return Inn’s inn anymore.

The honor of hosting the Eastern Continent Competition was something countless sects envied. Seeing Luanyang City bustling with activity, Seraphine figured tomorrow would be anything but peaceful.

Her mood for sightseeing evaporated, and she brought Echo straight back to the palace, planning to give Echo a proper tour of the city after the Competition ended.

I obediently followed Seraphine back to the palace, only to be unceremoniously kicked out at the door.

“?”

I stared at Seraphine blocking the entrance. After a moment of processing, I tentatively extended my foot sideways, but before my toe even touched the ground, I heard her say, “No.”

My leg slowly retracted. I puffed out my cheeks.

This bubble-like expression that looked adorable on a cartoon system somehow managed to be equally adorable on Echo’s current tall, ice-cold human face.

Seraphine steeled her heart and said, “It’s not like I’m forbidding you from sleeping. I had someone prepare a room next door. You can sleep there.”

“Don’t you want to sleep in a bed?”

I did want to sleep in a bed, but…… I looked at Seraphine seriously. “I need to protect you.”

Seraphine snorted, crossing her arms lazily. “This is Phoenix Roost Peak. I’m the Palace Lord of Luanyang Palace. Who would dare make a move against me on my own territory? Besides……” She turned around, waving dismissively. “I lived just fine for twenty-five years before you came along.”

The door slowly closed in my face. I measured the gap with my fingers, then compared it to my own width. With a disappointed sigh, I prepared to leave. Then the door opened again, and I spun around immediately, eyes lighting up.

Seraphine pulled me close and said in a low voice, “Almost forgot to give you this.”

She retrieved a jade token from her storage ring—the same one she’d shown the shopkeeper at the textile store. The token was carved in the shape of a phoenix, crystal clear like jade, with colorful silk tassels hanging from the spread wings of the red phoenix.

“Don’t lose it. This is very important.” Seraphine fastened the pendant to Echo’s waist, instructing, “With this, wherever you go in Luanyang Palace, it’s as if I’m there myself. No one will dare bully you.”

I nodded. “No one can bully me anyway.”

True, Seraphine thought, but the pendant is to give others a heads-up not to get bullied by you instead. If they do get bullied by you…… well, that’s their own fault for being blind. She looked down with a soft laugh, her pale fingers playing with the colorful tassels.

I tilted my head sideways to watch Seraphine, catching only a glimpse of her curved red lips. Thinking she seemed to be in a good mood, I smiled too and said, “Seraphine, so tonight we—”

“No.” The smile vanished from Seraphine’s face in an instant. She pointed next door. “Go play.”

Wow, Seraphine was really resolute! I dramatically praised her determination in my mind, planning to find some books on human social interaction techniques later. After internally declaring myself “crestfallen.” I negotiated with her under her firmly rejecting gaze: “Can I go play with Error?”

Seraphine nodded. “Yes.”

“Can I take it out to play too?” I asked again.

Seraphine suspected Echo just didn’t want to leave. Her heart softened a bit, but she wanted Echo to understand that being human was different from being a system. She hardened her resolve and nodded. “Yes, you can do whatever you want. Didn’t I already agree?”

Within Luanyang Palace, act as you please.

“Sigh.” Instead of being happy, I sighed, reluctantly walking away with three backward glances.

Seraphine watched Echo’s figure disappear around the corridor corner, then smiled slightly and turned back to her room.

Phoenix Roost Peak was vast, and the so-called “next door” was actually quite far from Seraphine’s palace. My new room was spacious, with vermillion doors thrown open and moonlight from the mountains spilling across the steps and jade stone tiles.

I curiously entered the room to find a miniature dollhouse mansion on the table—Seraphine had set up protective formations around it. The snowballs I’d made earlier were arranged in the courtyard, and Coco, the porcelain doll still smiled from behind the carved window.

I walked to the table.

My human shadow fell slanted across the floor. I’d originally planned to take out my data orb in physical form to keep the porcelain doll company, but Seraphine had confiscated my storage ring. Coco, the little porcelain doll, would have to keep smiling alone.

I stared at the Coco, feeling oddly empty. Rummaging through my data files, I found an expression the Main System had created that I’d never used before: a stick figure bubble-system hugging a ball, eyes staring straight ahead, with two words falling down and hitting its head.

[Lonely]

“Lonely?” I opened my dictionary to look up the definition, a question mark appearing above my head.

Was I feeling lonely? I didn’t think so!

I tossed aside the small electronic dictionary and walked to the bed I’d been longing for. The room was furnished according to Seraphine’s instructions, more elegant than her palace, with bedding embroidered with auspicious cloud patterns in blue and white silk curtains.

I carefully lay down and rolled around. Then I lifted the covers and rolled around some more.

So comfortable!

I closed my eyes and began to daydream.

Systems don’t sleep—we only go into standby mode. Even with a human body, I didn’t know how to sleep. I closed my eyes and cleared all thoughts from my mind.

Three minutes later, my hand twitched outside the covers.

Five minutes later, I wiggled my feet.

Ten minutes later, I opened my eyes and pulled out my task panel to organize it.

After organizing the task panel, I reorganized my data files. After that, I looked at photos of Seraphine. She really was beautiful—worth another look…… Then I reorganized my work logs.

An hour later, I sat up and announced, “I’ve finished sleeping. Time to go out.”

I picked up my sword and veil, striding purposefully out. As I left, I realized I hadn’t closed the door while “sleeping.” so I hurried back to apologize to the door and carefully closed it.

The moon hangs above the willow tops, and deep palace nights are everywhere.

Tonight, Luanyang Palace was unusually quiet. There weren’t even any spiritual lights flying through the air. I turned at the base of the steps and ran skillfully toward my former task location.

In another side hall, Error was coiled on the ground, practicing a cultivation technique. The final battle in Chongshansecret realm, that late-stage Golden Core Fire Rock Dragon had not only given it half of its cultivation, but had also taught it the techniques. If it practiced diligently, transformation into human form wouldn’t be far off. Error could sense an opportunity approaching—it was about to be able to speak—

“Error.”

A pale, ghostly head appeared outside the open window, its cold voice sounding like it had been fished from a freezing pond. The figure stood straight against the moonlight, face completely obscured, and called again.

“Error.”

“Croak!” Error shot up like a spring, its upper body thrashing wildly in the hall from fright, its dragon-shaped shadow writhing like a ghost through the chamber.

I curiously swayed along with it, asking, “Is this a welcoming ceremony of the fire rock dragon clan?”

Error: “……”

That voice sounds familiar, Error thought.

It stopped thrashing and cautiously lowered its head to look in the moonlight.

I climbed through the window and extended my hand. “Good evening, Error. I invite you to play with me. Can we be good friends?”

Error’s eyes widened. “!!!”

No mistake—it was the orb!

The orb had become human!

Error excitedly swam over, coiling around me in circles. I reached out to touch its scales. The fiery red scales were like burning flames, but they felt……

“Hot to the touch.” I said honestly, patting Error. “You work so hard too.”

After all, it was summer.

Error looked confused, its green eyes staring at the human it had wrapped up. Echo looked like a clear moon with bright eyes and white teeth, silver hair piled high, flowing like moonlight over her blue robes, refracting the lunar radiance.

The fire rock dragon couldn’t help but let out a low roar, rubbing its large head against Echo.

Ah, I want to transform into such a beautiful young lady too.

Holding this beautiful wish, Error rubbed against Echo several more times.

I swayed back and forth, laughing “hahaha” twice to show friendliness.

Since I was being rubbed against, that meant we were good friends now, right?

I took the veil I’d been carrying and placed it on Error’s large head. The plain white gauze hung down both sides of the dragon’s head. I gathered the gauze and pulled it aside to reveal Error’s eyes, arranging the hat while thinking: what could I do with a dragon friend?

I stared at Error’s head, and after a moment, my eyes lit up.

⁂

The sun rises in the east, and mist rises from the mountains.

Siyi arrived at Phoenix Perch Hall with Seraphine’s message talisman, standing outside the door mentioned in the Palace Lord’s communication. Her thoughts wandered as she contemplated the closed door.

With the Competition imminent, Seraphine knew she was busy with affairs, yet still asked her to attend to this supposedly very important friend…… But when had the Palace Lord ever had friends?

What connection did this friend have with last night’s great snow?

Setting aside various doubts, Siyi smiled and was about to knock when she suddenly heard the fire rock dragon’s roar from the back mountain—a sound full of anger and…… grievance?

Siyi’s eyes shifted. She glanced at the closed door, raised an eyebrow, and walked toward the back mountain.

Back mountain, in the garden.

A fire-red dragon was sprawled among exotic flowers and plants, tail raised, occasionally slapping the ground. A thriving cluster of flower branches had been beaten to pieces, lying pitifully crushed under the dragon’s tail.

Siyi stood behind a pillar, looking toward the person playing chess with the fire rock dragon. Her eyes widened involuntarily, filled with amazement.

Who was this person…?

“You lost.” The cold voice emerged from those pale pink lips without any fluctuation, as emotionless as her expression—cold, calm, as if devoid of all feeling. She sat cross-legged, perfectly straight, her pale fingers holding a black chess piece, placing it decisively.

The piece struck the board with a clear sound.

“This is your three thousand two hundred and sixteenth loss.” The person said in that same flat voice, delivering the crushing statistic without any emotional coloring.

The fire rock dragon began thrashing again.

Behind the pillar, Siyi blinked.

Seeming to notice someone’s approach, the extraordinary woman with unusual hair color looked over leisurely. Siyismiled, about to speak, when the woman—who showed no cultivation level or spiritual energy fluctuations—suddenly stood and waved at her.

“Good morning, Siyi!” I said enthusiastically. “Want to play a no-mercy game of five-in-a-row with me?”

What kind of chess?

Siyi didn’t know how Echo’d recognized her, but she walked over to look at the board and chuckled softly. “Oh, it’s Gomoku.”

“Yes, Gomoku.” I packed up the board, placing black and white stones back in their containers, saying flatly, “Error can’t beat me, but that’s not it fault. No matter what kind of chess game, all of you put together couldn’t beat me.”

Siyi’s mouth opened slightly, her gaze scanning Echo’s face again, finding no trace of boasting or pride. Echo’s expression remained calm, as natural as drinking water.

Since she didn’t seem like someone who would make empty boasts, Siyi guessed Echo must have some basis for such confidence, so she asked with a smile, “Are you a chess cultivator?”

I shook my head, holding up the sword beside me. “I’m a sword cultivator.”

Lingshan Sword Venerable.

“I see.” Siyi said.

“Ah! Please don’t call me senior. I’m Echo.” I said hastily, “No wait, I’m called Xi Lingren.”

Being unfamiliar with human naming conventions, I tried to cover my mistake with laughter. “Hahaha!”

Not catching Echo’s embarrassment at all, Siyi said, “……Alright, Xi…… Lingren.”

“What a memorable name.”

My eyes brightened, and I said gratefully, “Thank you for the compliment.”

“Haha.” Siyi smiled, her expression gentle and warm. Just as the Palace Lord said, this friend has a kind of innocent clarity about her, untouched by worldly affairs—like those legendary disciples raised by reclusive masters in remote mountains.

I had no idea that Siyi had just constructed an entire dramatic backstory in her mind. I stood up from the ground, brushing grass debris from my clothes—most of it had been splattered by Error’s tail-slapping, and several spots were stained with flower and plant juices.

Though it smelled nice, these were Seraphine’s clothes! I touched them guiltily.

With her keen insight, Siyi noticed Echo’s discomfort and smiled. “Lady Xi, would you like to change clothes first? I’ll wait outside the palace.”

But I didn’t have any clothes to change into. I should have bought clothes yesterday. I sighed.

Siyi chuckled softly. “I have two sets of Luanyang Palace disciple robes in my storage ring—they’re my disciple’s clothes. I was picking them up due to some circumstances, but if you don’t mind……”

I looked at Siyi happily. “I don’t mind. I’ll wash them clean and return them to Xue Mengtao.”

Siyi paused, nodded, and glanced at the phoenix token pressed against Echo robe’s hem. Her smile deepened as she said softly, “Just take them. No need to go to such trouble. I’ll have someone send clothes up the mountain quickly.”

I followed her gaze to the jade token at my waist and said honestly, “Seraphine gave it to me.”

If she’s given you the token, it’s evident that the master-disciple relationship between her and Xue Mengtao was disclosed by the Palace Lord.

Siyi’s expression grew emotional as she said softly, “This token represents the identity of Luanyang Palace’s Lord. The colored tassels were woven by the old Palace Lord herself. I don’t know how you came to know the Palace Lord, but if she’s entrusted this token to you, she must trust you completely. The Palace Lord has devoted herself to cultivation and never had close friends. Please don’t disappoint her.”

I would never! I would only protect Seraphine!

I gave Siyi a thumbs up.

By the time I’d changed clothes, the sky was fully bright, and Luanyang Palace remained calmer than usual. I invited the fire rock dragon to come out and play. With Error coiled around my wrist, we followed Siyi to the Enforcement Hall.

Arriving at the Enforcement Hall entrance, Siyi glanced at my waist but didn’t see the phoenix token. I said, “I put it away.” I patted my stomach.

Since it was something precious left by Seraphine’s mother, it needed to be stored safely.

The tenderness in Siyi’s eyes deepened as she said softly, “Good. If you need anything, feel free to find me at the Administrative Hall.”

I waved goodbye to Siyi and watched her leave before turning to face the palace before me.

The main hall displayed the “Enforcement Hall” plaque, its three characters imposing and intimidating, looking like they’d prevent anyone from misbehaving. Below the plaque, vermillion doors stood tightly closed. I couldn’t tell if there were barriers in place, but no sound came from within the courtyard.

Since I hadn’t done anything wrong, I remained perfectly calm and walked over to knock on the door.

A minute later, a cool breeze swept across the steps.

No one answered. I said in distress, “How do I get in?” How could I enter the Enforcement Hall without disturbing others’ normal work?

Error poked its head out from my sleeve. We stared at each other.

Shortly after, a red dragon coiled below the Enforcement Hall wall, with a woman in vermillion robes and silver hair standing on the dragon’s head. I said, “A little higher.”

Error raised its head higher.

“Perfect, thank you.” I put my arms over the wall and reached out to touch the air.

A transparent barrier materialized. I thought that if I poked a hole in the barrier, I might be able to hear what was happening inside. In ancient-period worlds, many hosts had done this—poking holes in window paper.

I gathered spiritual energy at my fingertip and poked at the barrier.

A “crack” sound split the air, and with my fingertip as the center, fractures spread outward. The barrier exploded with a “bang.”

“Who’s there!” A stern voice shouted. I looked down to see the courtyard packed with Luanyang Palace disciples in their robes, all looking up at me with expressions mixing reverence and surprise.

Oh my, someone’s raiding the Enforcement Hall!

“I’ve always wanted to try that!” I heard someone say.

The last time so many eyes had stared at me was during the system mall’s ribbon-cutting ceremony. Reminiscing about the past, I raised my arm and waved. “Hello, everyone.”

Everyone’s eyes went wide. A celestial fairy cultivator! The amazement in their eyes hadn’t faded when they saw how calm I was, and couldn’t help but laugh. “Haha!”

“Hello, fellow daoist.”

“Which peak are you from, fellow daoist? We’ve never seen you before?”

“Should we call you senior sister or junior sister?”

“Are you stupid? Anyone who can break the Enforcement Hall’s barrier must be a senior sister!”

“Senior sister, why aren’t you running?”

Luanyang Palace had an unspoken rule: the impressive ones were all senior sisters/brothers.

Everyone chattered noisily. I raised my hand to pat my ears.

Just then, a middle-aged man in blue robes at the front of the crowd shouted coldly, “All of you shut up! What kind of behavior is this!”

Everyone immediately fell silent.

I was pleased: Not noisy anymore.

The stern voice from earlier had come from this man. He looked up at me, saw I was wearing disciple robes, and asked suspiciously, “Who sent you here?”

I answered honestly, “Seraphine sent me.”

The moment those three words left Echo’s mouth, the entire courtyard fell into deathly silence. The middle-aged man also froze for a moment before bowing respectfully. “What business brings you here?”

What business? She’d sent me to observe!

I said truthfully, “I also need to find Xue Mengtao.” On the way here, Siyi had mentioned that Xue Mengtao was also at the Enforcement Hall. I wanted to thank her for the clothes. Everyone’s gaze immediately turned to a corner where XueMengtao stood looking bewildered, staring at me in confusion.

Mu Rong whispered, “Do you know this senior sister?”

Xue Mengtao shook her head. She’d only ever seen two transcendent women—the Palace Lord and her master. She had no memory of Echo, though if she had seen Echo, she certainly wouldn’t have forgotten.

Since this was the Palace Lord’s order, the middle-aged man raised his hand to have someone open the door, explaining, “Last night these troublemakers caused a disturbance in the city, drawing criticism. I confined them to the Enforcement Hall with a barrier to prevent anyone from running off and causing more trouble.”

“Troublemakers?” I entered, puzzled. “Are you monkeys?”

The middle-aged man: “……”

The disciples: “……Pfft hahaha!”

They laughed freely, but then saw a red dragon following Echo inside. The fire rock dragon looked around curiously, thinking: Where are the monkeys?

The laughter in the courtyard stopped abruptly as everyone lowered their heads.

The middle-aged man snorted coldly. “Laugh! Why aren’t you laughing anymore? Let Lord Error hear how proud you are. Did you win rankings in the Eastern Continent Competition, or did you pre-book seats for the Five Continents Competition? Is that why you’re so arrogant, shouting challenges that draw hostility from all sides?”

“You enjoyed your moment of verbal satisfaction, but let me ask you—forget other sects, what if you lose to Crimson Thunder Sword Sect disciples in the Competition? How will you answer for that?”

Losing to Crimson Thunder Sword Sect…… The disciples’ faces showed expressions of shame. Mu Rong from Propriety Central Peak stood beside Xue Mengtao and shouted loudly, “Then I just won’t lose to them!”

“Right! We won’t lose to them!”

“We’ll beat every single one and show these turtle grandsons who’s really first in the Eastern Continent!”

Mu Rong’s call rallied everyone, and they all shouted in agreement.

I said, “Crimson Thunder Sword Sect are turtles?”

The fire rock dragon suddenly coiled around Echo, even wrapping up my head.

Don’t listen, don’t listen.

Mu Rong rolled up her sleeves, hands on her hips. “Elder Xu, Crimson Thunder Sword Sect dares to hang ‘Crimson Thunder Sword Sect—Number One’ banners in our Luanyang City. Can you tolerate that?”

Elder Xu kept his hands behind his back and snorted coldly.

Indeed, he couldn’t tolerate it.

“But you shouldn’t have lost your temper so easily, getting provoked into directly challenging them to meet at Purple Bamboo Forest!” Elder Xu said sternly. “Haven’t your masters taught you how to write the word ‘subtle’?”

“With so many of you, didn’t a single person think to send a formal challenge letter to demonstrate Luanyang Palace’s elegance and humility? With a proper challenge letter, who would dare call us barbaric and unreasonable!”

Though I didn’t understand how challenge letters related to elegance and humility, all the disciples responded in unison.

I had an epiphany and clapped my hands. “I’m enlightened!”

Error frantically coiled around Echo’s head. Don’t learn, don’t learn.

Elder Xu passionately lectured the disciples, reviewing how last night’s “Sky Battle” should have been conducted without giving others grounds to complain. I listened intently, thinking everyone was like people who review arguments afterward, thinking “I should have said this or that.”

Humans are truly full of wisdom. I admired them internally, feeling I should learn more from everyone. While listening and making the space-hogging Error shrink down to stuff in my sleeve, I slowly moved next to Xue Mengtao.

Xue Mengtao quickly bowed to me.

I told Xue Mengtao, “Siyi says once you’ve finished your punishment, return to Phoenix Roost Peak and prepare well for the Competition.”

Xue Mengtao lowered her head in shame. Mu Rong put her arm around Xue Mengtao’s shoulders, consoling her, “It’s fine. Which Luanyang Palace disciple hasn’t been to the Enforcement Hall? You get used to it—I mean, familiar with it! Elder Siyi definitely won’t blame you!”

Her words had just ended when Elder Xu announced the punishment.

Anyone who participated in last night’s “verbal dispute” would copy palace rules ten times; those who challenged Purple Bamboo Forest would copy them thirty times. I watched everyone sigh in relief, their faces showing they didn’t take the punishment seriously—it seemed the penalty wasn’t heavy.

But Elder Xu continued, “With the Eastern Continent Competition approaching, punishment is postponed. I’ve had Enforcement Hall disciples record all your names. If you lose to Crimson Thunder Sword Sect disciples after the Competition, or rank below them, your punishment will be multiplied by one hundred.”

All the disciples cried out in shock, their relaxed expressions vanishing without a trace. A hundred times!

I also gasped, counting on my fingers. Since I’d attacked all the sects equally, how many times would I have to copy?

Mu Rong patted her chest, looking at the clothes Echo wore. Her earlier charging momentum disappeared instantly, and she asked shyly, “Senior sister, are you also a Luanyang Palace disciple? Why have I never seen you before?”

I, who had been counting on my fingers, suddenly brightened as I realized something.

I wasn’t a Luanyang Palace disciple!

⁂

“Not a Luanyang Palace disciple?”

An angry voice echoed through the main hall of Luanyang Palace, full of skepticism. Seraphine in the high seat suppressed the contempt in her eyes and said in a low voice, “Do you think I would lie?”

Many people stood in the main hall—men and women, old and young, wearing robes of different sects. When Seraphinehad taken her seat, she’d already noticed that except for the leading Crimson Thunder Sword Sect, they were all insignificant small sects, clamoring about being despised by Luanyang Palace and demanding explanations.

They should be demanding benefits instead.

“With the Eastern Continent Competition approaching, all qualified disciples will participate. Whether Luanyang Palace has that disciple or not, you’ll see for yourselves then.” Seraphine curved her lips into a lazy smile.

“Setting all that aside, last night was just young disciples being hot-blooded, engaging in childish antics. For such a trivial matter, Crimson Thunder Sword Sect actually sent an elder, and even—oh, even Young Master Xu came personally. How surprising.”

Seraphine leaned back in her jade chair, smiling at the Crimson Thunder Sword Sect group with lazy amusement. “Unless some words last night hit too close to home, causing you all to make such a big fuss?”

Thinking of what Echo had written in spiritual energy, Seraphine chuckled inwardly, surveying these ugly, greedy faces.

Worthless trash.

Crimson Thunder Sword Sect’s sect leader’s son, Xu Zehua, clenched his fists in anger at Seraphine’s words. He was 36 years older than Seraphine, and the spiritual light that had suppressed the Luanyang Palace disciples last night had been his. Yet Seraphine dared call him a child!

His cultivation was above Seraphine’s—late Golden Core stage. Not only did Seraphine not respect him, she actually took the stance of Luanyang Palace’s Lord against him! Crimson Thunder Sword Sect had been glorious when LuanyangPalace didn’t even exist yet!

The elder beside Xu Zehua pressed down with his hand, then opened his eyes to look at Seraphine. Seraphine raised an eyebrow, listening to what this one would bark about.

This Crimson Thunder Sword Sect elder’s visit wasn’t about last night’s incident—in his eyes, last night was just a farce, merely an excuse to come calling. His real purpose was…

“Palace Lord, although the Eastern Continent Competition is hosted by Luanyang Palace, Crimson Thunder Sword Sect has stood in the Eastern Continent for many years and knows all the sects intimately. We hope Luanyang Palace will discuss this Competition’s proceedings with Crimson Thunder Sword Sect.”

Seraphine’s eyes turned cold, the disdain in them growing stronger.

Showing their true colors—Crimson Thunder Sword Sect wanted to interfere with the Competition. Her gaze swept inconspicuously over Xu Zehua, thinking coldly: A late Golden Core cultivator boosted by pills—what a waste of their scheming.

Seraphine somewhat regretted not having Siyi handle these people. She should be accompanying Echo instead—who knew if Echo was getting along well with others?

But she said aloud, “No need for your concern. Though the Competition is organized by Luanyang Palace, everything follows Insight Academy Palace’s instructions. Rather than begging me, you’d be better off begging Insight Academy Palace.”

Who’s begging you!

The elder, who had been discussing the “verbal dispute” while pretending calm, turned red after just two sentences with Seraphine. He said coldly, “Does Palace Lord understand the principle of harmony bringing wealth?”

Seraphine blinked, puzzled. “Has Crimson Thunder Sword Sect become so poor that you need to beg others for wealth?”

“Arrogant child!” The elder, who had cultivated for many years and held a position just below the sect leader in Crimson Thunder Sword Sect, couldn’t tolerate such “humiliation” from Seraphine. Furious, he turned and stormed out.

Xu Zehua stared at Seraphine. “We’ll see at the Competition who ends up regretting this!”

Seraphine laughed heartily, waving her hand. “Take care.”

Seeing Crimson Thunder Sword Sect’s people leave, the small sects that had come along quickly followed, crowding around the Crimson Thunder Sword Sect members to complain about how Luanyang Palace was barbaric and unreasonable.

Just then, three women in red robes approached the main hall from outside the square—Echo was leading them.

The three of us collided with this group of people.

The Crimson Thunder Sword Sect elder was full of rage with nowhere to vent. Seeing three young women all wearing Luanyang Palace disciple robes—two at Foundation Establishment stage, and the middle one without even a trace of cultivation—he immediately sneered and cursed, “No matter how prettily you dress up, you’re nothing but empty shells! This world still comes down to cultivation level! Everyone below me is trash!”

While cursing, he deliberately turned toward the main hall, insulting indirectly.

Mu Rong immediately rolled up her sleeves but was stopped by Xue Mengtao, who shook her head. This person’s cultivation wasn’t hidden—he was late Nascent Soul stage! They couldn’t be impulsive.

I stopped walking and asked, “Who are you?”

The Crimson Thunder Sword Sect elder, seeing that Echo showed no fear, grew even angrier. He sneered, “Didn’t your elders teach you to give your name before asking others? Or do you simply have no elders?”

He spoke loudly on purpose, his voice carrying throughout Phoenix Roost Peak. The surrounding followers laughed heartily, and Xu Zehua clapped his hands, laughing. “Worthy of Elder Li indeed.”

In the main hall, Seraphine’s steps halted as she looked up, her eyes filled with icy coldness.

In the square, I was somewhat puzzled why these people were laughing so strangely. I nodded and said calmly, “I indeed have no elders, but I can tell you who I am.”

Seraphine had taught me many things. I remembered every single sentence.

I said, “I am your ancestor.”

[Author’s Note]:

Echo: “I am your ancestor.”

Them: eyeroll

Echo: sigh Maybe some lessons need to be learned the hard way...… Catch the full 20 chapters ahead on Pxtreon➡️LoveisLove520.