Chen Qing followed Shen Liang into the Shen Family residence, and an imposing, majestic air washed over him.
The estate was not extravagantly lavish, yet every corner exuded weight and deep foundations.
The bluestone paths shone like mirrors. Ancient trees towered on either side, pavilions and towers were arranged in pleasing order, winding corridors curled about them, and upturned eaves jutted sharply skyward.
Servants and guards passing by all moved with steady steps and capable auras.
Chen Qing thought to himself, though the Shen Family was a "newly risen power" that had surged to prominence only in recent decades, far from comparable to a Millennial Family, judging by this bearing, its momentum had already taken shape. All it lacked was the settling of time.
As he pondered this, two young gentlemen in brocade robes came toward them from around the bend ahead. Both were just over twenty, their features somewhat alike, their brows carrying the distinctive reserved nobility of great-family scions.
Seeing them, Shen Liang hurriedly stopped and bowed. "Greetings, Sixth Young Master, Eighth Young Master."
The two young men gave slight nods. Their gazes casually swept over Chen Qing behind Shen Liang, carrying a trace of inquiry.
Shen Liang quickly turned aside to introduce him. "Young Masters, this is Chen Qing, Young Hero Chen of the former Wutai Sect, newly admitted to Xuwang Mountain of the Tianbao Supreme Sect. By order of his master, he has come to pay respects to the Third Elder."
Neither servile nor overbearing, Chen Qing cupped his fists. "Chen Qing greets the two Young Masters."
The Sixth Young Master and Eighth Young Master merely nodded faintly without saying more. There was little interest in their eyes.
Shen Liang gave a light cough. "Young Masters, the Third Elder is still waiting. We shall take our