Liu Yunqing's words made Liu Yunzhao's side look bad, and they all turned to look at Liu Yunzhao.

The patriarch's open demand for choosing sides was a sign of distrust towards the Daughter of Heavenly Fortune, and a slap in the face to Liu Yunzhao and his disciples.

Even the venerable Mingyao, who could predict the fate of the heavens, had her prestige greatly diminished in the eyes of high-level cultivators.

Now facing Liu Yunqing again, Liu Yunzhao naturally refused to be at a disadvantage. He glanced at the few scattered people behind Liu Yunqing and said meaningfully:

"Fellow Daoist Zhenru is indeed a true master who doesn't reveal his true nature. I didn't even know when he had quietly won the favor of Daoist Wenxi."

At this point, Liu Yunzhao went even further, naming names directly:

"To support Fellow Daoist Zhenru, Daoist Wenxi was even willing to sacrifice his only disciple."

"I'm truly happy for Fellow Daoist Zhenru, but Junior Sister Ruan Qing is really heartbreaking."

Ruan Qing is the proud female cultivator who dislikes Liu Yunqing but is forced to take sides by her master's orders.

Liu Yunqing suddenly realized that he was actually her disciple, which explained it.

Moved, Liu Yunqing became more tolerant of Ruan Qing.

However, Ruan Qing, who was indifferent to Liu Yunqing, immediately changed her attitude to be enthusiastic when facing Liu Yunzhao.

"Thank you for your understanding, Senior Sister Yun Zhao, but I cannot disobey my master's orders. I will do my best!"

Liu Yunzhao didn't respond to this, but simply nodded and smiled condescendingly, then shifted her gaze and lightly tapped her slender finger, saying:

"One, two, three... four, tsk, barely four people. Fellow Daoist Zhenru, you should think of a way to protect these few promising young talents, lest they be wiped out by my people in one fell swoop."

After saying that, as if suddenly struck by a sudden burst of kindness and remembering something, he turned to Ruan Qing and said specifically:

"Of course, since Junior Sister Ruan Qing is so well-behaved and adorable, I will be willing to spare your life."

Anyone could see that Liu Yunzhao's unusual behavior was due to anger.

But Liu Yunqing knew that even if Liu Yunzhao was angry, he would not be so pretentious and superficial.

Realizing that Liu Yunzhao was now only left with a water elemental root, Liu Yunqing understood. He gave Liu Yunzhao a deep look, but didn't seem to care much, and said:

"Sure enough, without ice, the tea is easier to brew, and you can smell it from two miles away."

After saying that, Liu Yunqing, impatient to continue the conversation, called to her few remaining teammates and left.

Wuchen, Feng Piaopiao, and Zhuoying followed Liu Yunqing without hesitation after he left.

Seeing this, Ruan Qing stomped her foot and reluctantly followed.

And so, when passing by Liu Yunzhao, he didn't forget to say goodbye to Liu Yunzhao with a smile several times.

Why are you stopping me?

Ruan Qing hurried and caught up with the four at the foot of Tai Xuan Peak, but as soon as she took a step toward Liu Yunqing, Feng Piaopiao raised her hand to stop her.

"Hey, Fellow Daoist Ruan, if you can't stand us, why are you following us? Your master is still in the Tai Xuan Palace!"

Ruan Qing was stunned for a moment, then her face turned red with anger. She slapped Feng Piaopiao's arm, and said arrogantly:

"This is the Tai Xuan Sect, my territory. I can go wherever I want!"

Feng Piaopiao wouldn't let it go. Even after her arms were pushed away, she kept muttering and grumbling, giving Liu Yunqing a headache.

"Alright, why are you arguing with her?"

Feng Piaopiao was dumbfounded.

Can't he argue with her? Why should he yell at such a snob?

Feng Piaopiao couldn't understand, so Liu Yunqing turned to Ruan Qing and said:

"Thank you for your kindness, Daoist Wenxi. If it is convenient for you, Junior Sister Ruan, please take me to meet your master so that I can thank you in person."

Based on her previous behavior, Liu Yunqing was prepared for Ruan Qing to give her a cold shoulder and reject her outright.

As expected, after hearing this, Ruan Qing neither refused nor agreed, only saying with a hint of mockery:

"What's the point of seeing him? Do you really think you have a chance of winning? You're nothing but someone else's whetstone. What use would you be to my master?"

Although she said that, just as Feng Piaopiao was about to confront her, she lazily and nonchalantly added:

"Go with me."

After Ruan Qing finished speaking, she waved her hand at the air, and several cranes quickly flew over and circled around them.

Ruan Qing casually raised her hand, and the crane quickly descended, suddenly growing larger as it landed in front of her.

Without even glancing at them, Ruan Qing leaped onto the crane's back and casually said to the four people behind her:

"Let's go, I'm in a good mood today, I'll show you around and see if you can get lucky."

Watching Ruan Qing disappear into the distance, Feng Piaopiao said indignantly:

"Who are you! What kind of attitude is that! Why bother seeing me? Don't bother seeing me!"

Liu Yunqing glanced at him, then said to the other two:

"If you have other important matters to attend to, then go ahead and do them. If not, please wait for me. We'll discuss this further after I've met with Daoist Wenxi, shall we?"

The three exchanged glances, and Wuchen finally said:

"Then we'll wait for you outside the mountain gate, and we'll discuss our next visit later."

Wuchen spoke, and Liu Yunqing immediately nodded.

Then, imitating Ruan Qing, he casually jumped onto the back of a crane and chased after Ruan Qing in the direction she had left.

This was Liu Yunqing's first time visiting Wenxi Peak; to be precise, it was the first time he had come to Wenxi Peak openly and soberly.

Wenxi Daojun's actions have always been simple and brutal, but Wenxi Peak's style is gentle and beautiful, exuding tenderness and beauty in every way.

Seeing the surprise in Liu Yunqing's eyes, Ruan Qing pouted and said:

"Wait here, I'll go and inform Master."

After speaking, he used his identity token to open the formation and quickly disappeared behind it.

Liu Yunqing flipped her wrist, and a token similar to Ruan Qing's appeared in her palm. She gently rubbed it but did not open the formation. Instead, she obediently waited for the formation to open from within the peak.

"Come in."

Liu Yunqing walked slowly, admiring the scenery on the peak as she went, nodding in admiration whenever she saw something she liked.

It wasn't until Ruan Qing urged her for the third time that Liu Yunqing finally stepped into the main hall of Wenxi Peak.

Wenxi Daojun sat lazily at the head of the table, his eyes vacant, seemingly lost in thought, and certainly not showing any signs of life.

As soon as Ruan Qing saw Liu Yunqing enter, she raised her eyebrows in displeasure and said:

"Fellow Daoist Zhenru, how rude of you! How dare you keep my master waiting for so long!"

"You can go out now."

Before Ruan Qing could finish speaking, Wenxi Daojun, who had snapped out of his thoughts, directly dismissed Ruan Qing.

"Ah? Master, I..."

Ruan Qing was stunned, and wanted to ask again to confirm, but saw her master turn to look at her with a calm expression.

Ruan Qing only uttered half of her words; the rest, along with the doubts and questions in her heart, swirled in her throat before she swallowed them back down. She then turned to Wen Xi Daojun and said:

"Yes, Master."

"Be polite to my master!"

Ruan Qing turned around obediently, and as she passed by Liu Yunqing, she did not forget to give Liu Yunqing a low warning in a well-behaved manner.

Liu Yunqing smiled good-naturedly but didn't respond.

Helpless, Ruan Qing dawdled before finally leaving the main hall.

Just as the main hall doors closed, Ruan Qing caught a glimpse of her master, who looked down at Zhenru with a loving expression.

Ruan Qing had never seen such a look of heartache, pride, and pity in her eyes before.

Of course, there was also Liu Yunqing, who had never seen her before, kneeling respectfully and performing the master-disciple salute to her master.