Elder Lan stepped forward, her white robes fluttering like snow in the wind. She cupped her hands slightly in greeting, her voice clear and composed.
"This one is Lan Huiqian, Second Elder of the Celestial Pavilion. May I have the honor of knowing your name, Senior?"
Yun Lintian observed her carefully. Her aura was refined, her perception sharp—yet she was only the Second Elder. It seemed the Celestial Pavilion was indeed packed with True Gods.
"Yun Lintian," he answered simply.
Lan Huiqian's eyes gleamed with interest. "Senior Yun, may I ask you again? Did you happen to pass by and save these captives?"
"And where do you plan to take them?"
Lan Huiqian nodded thoughtfully. "A safe choice, though not the safest." She glanced at the freed slaves before turning back to Yun Lintian. "If Senior Yun permits, I would like to invite you aboard our ship. We are currently returning to Celestial City, and it would be far more secure for these people than Blue Tide Island."
Before Yun Lintian could respond, Jian Feng stepped forward, his expression dark. "Elder Lan, is this necessary? We have our own mission to attend to—"
Lan Huiqian's gaze turned icy. "Jian Feng, do you realize you are testing Senior Yun's patience right now?"
Jian Feng's mouth snapped shut, his fists clenching.
Lan Huiqian shook her head slightly. "If not for the face of your elder brother, I wouldn't even bother bringing you along."
Jian Feng's resentment flared, his eyes burning with hatred as he glared at Yun Lintian.
Yun Lintian sensed his hostility but paid it no mind. To him, Jian Feng was nothing more than an ant—unworthy of his attention.
Lan Huiqian turned back to Yun Lintian, her tone polite. "Senior Yun, what do you say?"
Yun Lintian considered briefly. Celestial City was likely a hub of information. If he wanted to find the Storm God's inheritor or learn more about the Abyssal Ghost Knight, this might be the fastest path. Anyway, it was definitely better than looking around like a headless fly.
Lan Huiqian smiled. "Excellent. Jian Feng, take the others and escort the captives to our ship."
Jian Feng gritted his teeth but obeyed, motioning for the Celestial Pavilion disciples to assist the former slaves.
As Yun Lintian prepared to follow Lan Huiqian, a hesitant voice called out.
He turned to see Su Xinyue standing nervously, her fingers twisting in the fabric of her robes.
She bit her lip. "May I… stay with you?"
Yun Lintian frowned slightly. "Why?"
Su Xinyue's cheeks flushed, but she met his gaze. "It's selfish of me, but… I feel inexplicably safe by your side."
For a moment, Yun Lintian studied her. That strange sense of familiarity lingered, though he still couldn't place why.
Su Xinyue's eyes brightened, and she bowed deeply. "Thank you, Senior!"
Xiao Lan, standing beside her mistress, hesitated before bowing as well. "This lowly one will also stay, if Senior permits."
Yun Lintian gave a slight nod before turning to follow Lan Huiqian.
As they walked toward the Celestial Pavilion's grand ship, Qingqing leaned close to Yun Lintian's ear and whispered, "Big Brother Yun, that Jian Feng guy really doesn't like you."
Linlin smirked. "He's just jealous."
Yun Lintian said nothing.
Lan Huiqian led Yun Lintian and his group to an elegant guest chamber aboard the Celestial Pavilion's grand ship.
The room was adorned with jade carvings and silk tapestries, exuding an air of refined luxury. A polished sandalwood table stood at the center, surrounded by plush cushions for seating.
"Please, make yourselves comfortable," Lan Huiqian said with a graceful gesture.
Yun Lintian took a seat, followed by Linlin, Qingqing, Yue Zhihe, Su Xinyue, and Xiao Lan.
Jian Feng, however, remained standing behind Lan Huiqian like a silent sentinel, his cold eyes fixed on Yun Lintian with undisguised hostility.
Lan Huiqian noticed his stance and frowned. "Jian Feng, you are dismissed."
Jian Feng's jaw tightened. "Elder Lan, it is my duty to protect you. This was the First Elder's direct order."
Lan Huiqian's fingers twitched slightly, her patience wearing thin. If not for the First Elder's influence, she would have long since slapped Jian Feng into the sea. Suppressing her irritation, she exhaled softly.
"Fine. But keep your mouth shut."
Jian Feng said nothing, though his gaze remained sharp.
Lan Huiqian turned her attention back to Yun Lintian, her demeanor smoothing over. She lifted an exquisite teapot and began pouring tea for everyone.
"This is Celestial Jade Tea, a specialty of our pavilion. I hope Senior Yun finds it—"
Before she could finish, Jian Feng suddenly stepped forward and snatched the teapot from her hands.
"Allow me," he said stiffly.
Lan Huiqian's eyes flashed with anger, but before she could reprimand him, Jian Feng had already begun distributing the teacups. He placed them in front of Linlin, Qingqing, Yue Zhihe, Su Xinyue, and Xiao Lan—but deliberately skipped Yun Lintian.
Qingqing's eyes widened in outrage. "Hey! You—!"
She raised her tiny hand, a surge of power gathering at her fingertips, ready to teach Jian Feng a lesson. But before she could act, Yun Lintian's voice cut in calmly.
She froze, then pouted. "But Big Brother Yun, he—!"
"Don't bother with a dog," Yun Lintian said, his tone indifferent.
Jian Feng's face darkened, but he held his tongue—barely.
Yun Lintian reached for the teapot himself, pouring a cup with effortless grace. He took a sip, savoring the flavor for a moment before nodding.
Jian Feng couldn't resist sneering. "That is Celestial Jade Tea, the finest tea in the Eastern Divine Region. It's wasted on your tongue."
Lan Huiqian's patience shattered. "Jian Feng! Shut your mouth this instant!"
Jian Feng clenched his fists but said nothing further.
Lan Huiqian turned to Yun Lintian, her expression apologetic. "Senior Yun, please forgive his insolence."
Yun Lintian waved a hand dismissively. "Meaningless words are unnecessary. What do you wish to know?"
Lan Huiqian hesitated for a moment before speaking carefully. "Senior Yun, your aura is... different from any True God I have ever encountered. I was merely curious about it."
Yun Lintian took another sip of tea and said nothing.
Lan Huiqian pressed on. "If it is not too presumptuous, may I ask where Senior Yun plans to go next?"
Yun Lintian set his cup down. "I was planning to find the Black Sea God and kill him."
A heavy silence fell over the room.
Jian Feng let out a derisive snort. "The Black Sea God is a peak True God, ruler of the Eastern Abyss. Even our Celestial Pavilion has been unable to eliminate him. Do you truly believe you can accomplish such a feat alone?"
His words dripped with mockery, as if Yun Lintian's claim was nothing more than a child's boast…