"Hm. Your reasoning is sound, this proposal, this immortal approves!"
Seeing that she hadn't refused, Su Han was secretly overjoyed. Looked like he'd have no trouble securing future approvals for Under One Person!
Just one line, 'Even the immortals approved this' how could it not sell like crazy?
Feeling pleased, Su Han said to the immortal, "True Lord, please enjoy the comic for now. I'll be right back."
"Mm."
Cloud Retainer's eyes never left the comic. Whatever Su Han was going to do didn't concern her, for now, her full attention was on the story in front of her.
Downstairs, Su Han told the shopkeeper, "Go to Wanmin Hall and have Master Mao prepare the finest dishes, here's the menu. And pick out some top-grade tea from the tea house, divide it into three portions, and make sure it's ready. We have an honored guest today."
Hearing that there was a "distinguished guest," the shopkeeper immediately understood, it had to be an immortal. He lowered his voice and said, "Master, you needn't worry about the tea. Lady Ningguang already prepared the finest batch from Qingce Village, waiting at Yujing Terrace. I can send Xiao Xu to fetch it."
"Oh? She prepared it in advance?"
Su Han was taken aback by Ningguang's thoughtfulness, she was even more capable than he had imagined.
The shopkeeper nodded slightly. "Yes, my lord. She instructed us beforehand, if there's ever a need for gifts or offerings, we can retrieve them from Yujing Terrace's special storeroom."
Immortals didn't care for gold or silver; tea was something they might actually appreciate. So Ningguang had spent lavishly to procure the finest leaves, though until now, they hadn't been used.
"Then go," Su Han said. "And make sure the food's ready within half an hour, all served hot."
"Yes, sir."
The shopkeeper hurried off.
Meanwhile, Su Han carried a tray of tea upstairs.
"Hm? Reversing the mutual control of worldly elements… how is that possible?"
Inside the room, Cloud Retainer wore a puzzled look. The comic's story picked up right where the last volume left off, Zhuge Qing's Qimen Formation Diagram displayed its many powers:
Controlling rock.
Controlling fire.
Summoning trees.
It looked similar to some of Liyue's arts, yet no matter how hard Zhuge Qing tried, he was always suppressed by Wang Ye. The trees absorbed flames, the elements shifted, and Wang Ye's every move countered him perfectly.
As one of the duelists, Zhuge Qing was under immense pressure.
"Enough, don't you think? A true cultivator follows the flow of fate. You've already divined your outcome, surely you know what this means."
Wang Ye hadn't even broken a sweat after all this time, while Zhuge Qing was panting heavily, the contrast couldn't have been starker.
Hearing Wang Ye's calm persuasion, Zhuge Qing suddenly straightened up. A terrifying aura burst from his body, and his eyes gleamed blue.
From the stands, his younger brother began to cry, he recognized the technique. It was their family's secret art, Qimen Manifestation Mind Technique, one that enhanced the five senses and perception of the world, at the cost of the user's life span.
"What are you doing?!"
Seeing Zhuge Qing refuse to yield, Wang Ye was both exasperated and anxious. But Zhuge Qing ignored him completely and charged forward once again.
Unfavorable omen… a moth flying into the flame…
He knew what fate awaited him. But as the strongest heir of the Qimen lineage, how could he accept losing in his own field?
Even if it cost his life, he had to see the truth. Yet, despite his determination, within a minute, his Manifestation Technique was broken.
"I've sealed your chest acupoint. You should concede now."
Wang Ye showed restraint, he didn't want things to get out of hand. But Zhuge Qing was stubborn as a mule; even injured, even sealed, he still struggled to uncover the truth.
"You idiot…"
Seeing his opponent still pushing himself, Wang Ye finally lost his patience. It was supposed to be a friendly match, if he accidentally killed the heir of another sect, he'd never live it down.
Left with no choice, he revealed the truth. A new formation spread from beneath his feet, one entirely different from Zhuge Qing's.
"Since you know I'm a cultivator, why did you focus on me instead of the formation itself?"
"Because unlike you, in my Qimen Formation, I am the direction, I am the omen. The four seasons, the flow of time, all are under my control."
The revelation hit hard, a mortal using a formation to control time and elements. This was the power of one of the Eight Miraculous Skills: The Windhou Qimen.
Cloud Retainer nodded as she read. "He does show talent, this Wang Ye. At least he keeps a steady mind, though he's a bit lazy. Still, this immortal prefers that girl named Bao'er. If she lived in Jueyun Karst, I wouldn't feel so lonely."
A pure heart and great talent, even other immortals would have adored her.
"But this Windhou Qimen… can it really control time?"
Curious, Cloud Retainer attempted to analyze the diagram as before. Yet, this time, she was taken aback.
Previously, she could deduce parts of the formations, tweak their structure, even simulate control over elemental energy.
But now, the Windhou Qimen felt completely chaotic, the deeper she tried to understand it, the more it pulled her in, as though it had a will of its own, tempting her to keep exploring.
And once one stepped in, there was no way out.
Snapping back to her senses, Cloud Retainer immediately stopped her deduction, her eyes wide with shock. "Such a strange formation!"
A mere diagram that could momentarily disrupt an immortal's mind, what kind of power was this?
Just then, Su Han entered carrying tea.
Cloud Retainer looked up sharply. "Su Han, answer me, what exactly is this Windhou Qimen? I merely attempted to analyze it, and it nearly unsettled my heart. Aren't you afraid such a thing will cause trouble, placing it inside a comic?"
"…That would be my fault," Su Han said quietly, pouring her a cup of tea. When the topic of Windhou Qimen came up, a trace of sorrow appeared on his face, as if recalling something painful.
Seeing that expression, Cloud Retainer softened, sensing she might have spoken too harshly. "Your fault? Don't tell me… this formation, it came from that Kirin?"
Su Han nodded. "Yes, just as you thought. The Eight Miraculous Skills, and the techniques in these comics, were all created by my father.
But back then, my bloodline hadn't awakened. I was no different from a mortal. Though my father was disappointed, he couldn't bear to let his life's work die with him.
So, he left a will: If my son cannot cultivate, then let these techniques be passed on to fated ones.
He hoped to nurture talents for Liyue.
That was his final wish… and I…"
Watching Su Han's sorrowful expression, Cloud Retainer realized how harsh she had sounded earlier.
She didn't know who his father truly was, but if his heart was devoted to Liyue, it wasn't right to stir such painful memories.
But… how was she supposed to comfort him?
She wasn't good at that sort of thing.
Growing flustered, Cloud Retainer stammered out awkwardly, "Ahem, this immortal… did not mean to blame you. I only spoke too loudly just now. Since this was your father's dying wish… then fulfill it well.
And, um, Su Han, do not be sad. Since you bear the bloodline of the Fire Qilin…
That makes us family. Yes.
From now on, if you ever need anything, come to me directly. It's getting late, this immortal still has matters to attend to, we shall speak again another day."
After her clumsy attempt at comfort, Cloud Retainer quickly spread her wings to leave, afraid that staying longer would only make the atmosphere more awkward.
After all, it had been her misunderstanding in the first place.
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