Zheng Zhaoling narrowed her eyes slightly, taking a more careful look. Although the name was rather blunt, the calligraphy itself was full of charm.
Besides, Chu Xingchen had directly invited her here. Although his purpose was unclear, he would surely have made some preparations.
For instance, this conspicuous and somewhat awkward plaque at the gate—perhaps this was a hint and tone that Chu Xingchen had set.
One Big Happy Family…?
Was it a gesture of goodwill?
Or was he preparing to ally with Yunmeng Pavilion, and if so, was he planning to use her as a breakthrough point?
Zheng Zhaoling did not enter rashly. Instead, she fell into deep thought. If this was the topic, how should she respond? How should she represent Yunmeng Pavilion's interests?
These days, Chu Xingchen's reputation among the eighteen immortal sects was already thunderous. Bai Xuanling, the world's only True Immortal, had not ascended for some reason.
These two represented the present and the future respectively.
They could not be offended, but interests could not be easily conceded either.
"I suppose this must be Fellow Daoist Zheng."
A clear voice rang out from the gate.
Zheng Zhaoling's heart tightened. She hadn't detected his approach even at such close range. She looked toward the gate and saw a handsome young man standing there, wearing a gilded light blue Daoist robe.
His hands were clasped behind his back, his lips curved in a light smile, his gaze calm and composed. Yet it felt as though a single glance had seen right through her.
What made Zheng Zhaoling even more vigilant was that, even with the young man standing before her, her divine sense perceived him only as a wisp of upper profound clear qi. She could sense neither his cultivation nor any Dao resonance.
Indeed, there was no mediocrity beneath a great reputation. A genius among geniuses was truly incomprehensible.
Although his demeanor was relaxed, it inexplicably exerted immense pressure on her.
Zheng Zhaoling roughly understood who this person was, so she cupped her fists in greeting:
"I am Zheng Zhaoling. I have long admired Fellow Daoist Chu's reputation."
Chu Xingchen nodded gently:
"I have also long admired your reputation. I hope you don't mind the abrupt invitation."
Zheng Zhaoling replied calmly:
"To be invited is my honor."
"You seem to have been looking at the plaque for quite a while." Chu Xingchen smiled lightly. "Do you find it vulgar? Not fitting for an immortal's demeanor?"
Zheng Zhaoling shook her head gently. "Perhaps there is deeper meaning from you that I haven't fully grasped."
Hearing this, Chu Xingchen raised his head slightly, gazed at the plaque, and said softly:
"Under heaven, within the Dao, we are all one family climbing the Great Dao together."
"Now powerful enemies stand before us, and the Heavenly Dao is collapsing. If a family does not love one another, it will face ruin and destruction."
"This can be considered my vision. But if I say it, others will probably only find it pretentious. So rather than giving it a grand and magnificent name, it's better to be blunt and straightforward."
Zheng Zhaoling looked at Chu Xingchen's slightly forlorn expression, but her heart was not particularly moved. From rumors and intelligence, Chu Xingchen was not like this at all.
But she still needed to respond.
She showed a look of strong agreement and said:
"Fellow Daoist Chu's vision is truly admirable."
Chu Xingchen gestured. "Come inside and speak."
Zheng Zhaoling nodded gently in agreement.
The two walked closer, heading toward the inner courtyard.
Zheng Zhaoling followed behind, her gaze sweeping around. The decoration style here was not luxurious at all—quite different from what she had imagined. Based on the intelligence about Chu Xingchen's personality, she had expected at least some extravagance. Instead, it was so plain.
She followed his steps, but suddenly noticed that Chu Xingchen was not leading her to the main hall. Instead, he was taking her to a small courtyard.
Xu Jin of Xuanqing Heavenly Sect and Daoist Yuyang of Taidao Sect were already seated simply on stone chairs.
Chu Xingchen gestured and introduced them:
"These two are Xu Jin and Yuyang."
Zheng Zhaoling cupped her fists. "I have long admired your names."
Xu Jin and Yuyang both rose to return the greeting. Although their cultivation was lower than the two of them, as core disciples they held equal status.
Chu Xingchen gestured for Zheng Zhaoling to take a seat.
Daoist Yuyang naturally picked up the nearby tea set and began brewing tea. He had no desire to taste Chu Xingchen's pot-washing water. As for Xu Jin, who could drink pot-washing water, Yuyang didn't expect him to have any standards either.
As for Chunnuan, there wasn't enough for the three of them to drink, so naturally they wouldn't prepare any for Zheng Zhaoling.
Zheng Zhaoling sat down, watching Daoist Yuyang calmly brew tea while Xu Jin, with his cold expression, still offered her a polite smile.
This… was not quite what she had expected.
She had thought the meeting would involve some confrontation, with Chu Xingchen bringing two core disciples to apply pressure and deliver veiled warnings.
Instead, once they sat down, it felt more like a tea gathering among friends.
Daoist Yuyang was even brewing tea for her.
Although Zheng Zhaoling looked only sixteen or seventeen, that didn't mean her actual age was sixteen or seventeen. When things seemed unusual, she accepted the teacup Daoist Yuyang handed her and chose to wait and see.
"Fellow Daoist Zheng." Chu Xingchen spoke calmly. "I prefer to be straightforward. I'll say what I have to say. I specifically invited you here because there's something I want to discuss."
Hearing this, Zheng Zhaoling sat up straighter and looked at Chu Xingchen with an expressionless face:
"Please speak, Fellow Daoist."
Chu Xingchen nodded gently. "Fellow Daoist Zheng, I invited you here to briefly inform you that Tianyan Sect and Xuanqing Heavenly Sect plan to station forces in Yunmeng Marsh."
Zheng Zhaoling was stunned at this, her expression showing disbelief, as if she had misheard. She subconsciously asked again:
"What did you just say, Fellow Daoist?"
"Xuanqing Heavenly Sect and Tianyan Sect are preparing to station forces in Yunmeng Marsh." Chu Xingchen's tone remained calm, then he emphasized heavily, "Led by Bai Xuanling. Both Brother Xu and I will accompany her."
Zheng Zhaoling's gaze sharpened, and her tone turned cold:
"Then this is not something you should be discussing with me, Fellow Daoist Chu. You should speak with our Sect Master."
Chu Xingchen's expression remained calm. "Because this is not a negotiation—it's a notification. Whether your sect agrees or not, we will go."
Zheng Zhaoling stood up at these words, her tone no longer polite:
"So you intend to insult me? Insult Yunmeng Pavilion?"
"On the contrary, this is about saving face for your sect." Chu Xingchen looked at her sideways. "If your sect is willing to cooperate, it will naturally be a strong alliance, and the outside world will praise it. But if you don't cooperate…"
Chu Xingchen didn't finish his sentence, leaving it unsaid.
Zheng Zhaoling sneered and said firmly:
"Your sect is so domineering. Aren't you afraid of what other immortal sects will think? Yunmeng Pavilion has directly governed Yunmeng Marsh for a thousand years. With such bandit-like behavior, do you really think other immortal sects will accept it?"
"I originally thought that since Fellow Daoist Chu was famous for demon extermination, at least your heart would be righteous and kind. I didn't expect you to be like this deep down. Coming to this appointment today was my own poor judgment—I misread you."
"Since Fellow Daoist Chu has made your decision, then we will see each other in Yunmeng Marsh."
Having said this, Zheng Zhaoling turned to leave, her posture resolute.
Seeing this, Chu Xingchen casually tossed out a sentence:
"Yunmeng Marsh is in a remote location with poor spiritual energy. For an immortal sect, it's essentially useless land."
"Fellow Daoist, don't you want to ask why we're doing this?"
Zheng Zhaoling's footsteps paused.
Chu Xingchen continued:
"A justifiable cause is inevitable. Since I invited you here, naturally I wanted to express sincerity. Are you really not interested in listening anymore?"
Zheng Zhaoling was silent for a moment, then turned around and sat back down.
Xu Jin had been listening for a while. If he didn't truly know that Chu Xingchen didn't actually plan to go to Yunmeng Marsh—
He would really think Chu Xingchen wasn't a good person…
Well, even knowing the truth, he still felt Chu Xingchen didn't seem like a good person.
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