Hidden Dragon

Song Lingqing's gaze flickered, and for a moment, she almost didn't dare to recognize him.

She vaguely remembered that when she left the estate, Chu Zheng had still been a half-grown youth. Now, he had fully matured—at first glance, he looked like some young master from a noble household.

"This lowly one greets the Second Young Lady."

Chu Zheng bowed respectfully, answering with proper decorum.

Song Lingqing had been taken in by the Hidden Immortal Sect at thirteen, and she had been away from the estate for over three years now.

For a half-grown youth, more than three years was enough to bring about earth-shattering changes.

The same held true for Song Lingqing herself.

At least upon their first meeting, Chu Zheng hadn't connected the ethereal, immortal-tinged woman before him with the lively girl in his memories.

Chu Zheng didn't feel the oppressive pressure from that Immortal Qin on Song Lingqing, but he did sense a faint discomfort.

Those who cultivated immortality had inevitably undergone a leap in the very essence of their existence.

"I almost didn't recognize you."

Song Lingqing nodded, saying no more.

Chu Zheng, knowing his place, stepped back and didn't continue the conversation.

Song Lingqing walked slowly to her seat, while that Immortal Qin moved to the side and sat down at a guest spot not far from the round table.

Seeing this, Song Tonghai raised his hand, and a maidservant immediately stepped forward to serve tea.

"I've heard that Elder Qin has long since abstained from food. The other day, I happened to obtain an ounce of Dragon Blood Leaf in the capital. I had it brewed into tea—I wonder if it's to your taste."

"You've been thoughtful."

Immortal Qin gave a slight nod but didn't touch the teacup on the table.

Seeing this, Song Tonghai smiled and clasped his hands in a bow: "Over the years, my daughter has been in your care, Immortal Qin. If ever there's anything the Song Family can do for you, I won't hesitate a word."

Immortal Qin didn't reply, only picked up the teacup and took a shallow sip.

The smile on Song Tonghai's face deepened. He turned to Song Lingqing, his tone laced with a hint of reproach:

"Have you been well these past few years? What made you think of coming back today? All this time away, and not a single letter home."

"The sect's rules forbid correspondence with the mortal world. I had no choice—I hope Father will forgive me."

Song Lingqing gave a helpless smile and explained:

"I'm leaving the Qian Domain to take part in the Myriad Sects Hidden Dragon Competition. This is just a stop along the way, so I begged Martial Uncle Qin Feng to bring me back for a visit."

"Good, good, good."

Song Tonghai's eyes narrowed into slits as he repeated his approval. He had no idea what the Myriad Sects Hidden Dragon Competition was, but he felt proud of his daughter's achievements, sharing in her glory.

"Is the sect sending only you? When does this competition start? Will staying a few extra days cause any delay?"

A flicker of worry crossed Song Tonghai's face: "When do you leave?"

"The competition is still far off—it won't begin for nearly ten years."

Just as joy began to rise on Song Tonghai's face, Song Lingqing shifted her tone:

"But I truly can't stay long this time. I have to set out tomorrow."

Song Lingqing let out a soft sigh: "The place where the competition is held is far too distant, and I still need time to train. Ten years is barely enough."

"Does that mean the round trip will take twenty years?!"

Song Tonghai's expression changed drastically. He instinctively turned to look at Qin Feng.

Qin Feng sat with his eyes closed, clearly having no intention of explaining.

Song Tonghai raised his wine cup, his hand trembling slightly, spilling droplets that soaked his fingertips.

In just a few words, Song Lingxue beside him lowered her head, silent.

"Please keep my return today a secret, Father. Don't let outsiders know."

Song Lingqing spoke softly, a complex glint in her eyes.

The Myriad Sects Hidden Dragon Entering the Sea—only those who reached the competition alive were true dragons.

The journey was fraught with peril. The whereabouts of each sect's true disciples were top secret, not a word to be leaked.

If she hadn't begged persistently, Qin Feng would never have brought her back to the estate—it was a risk of the highest order.

"Don't worry, I've already given orders to keep this quiet. You're a member of the immortal sect now, different from before. Don't fret about home—focus on your cultivation and bring honor to the sect!"

Song Tonghai downed his wine and waved his hand with a smile: "Your father's still hale and hearty. Living another eighty or a hundred years is no problem. I'll be here waiting for you to come back with good news."

"Rest assured, Father. When I return, I'll find a few spirit pills to grant you another century of life."

The worry in Song Lingqing's eyes faded somewhat. She raised her cup to Song Lingxue:

"I leave the household in your care, Sister."

Song Lingxue smiled, lifted her cup with a hint of restraint, and replied softly, "You're too kind."

Qin Feng was a man of few words, uttering not a single syllable more. He sat through the entire meal, only rising to leave when it was over.

Until the candles in the hall guttered out, Chu Zheng finally rubbed his numb legs, slowly walked out, and headed toward the Filth Room.

The moon passed over the well, and Song Manor sank back into its usual stillness.

Chu Zheng sat cross-legged on the bed, his thoughts churning, unable to calm down.

He hadn't gleaned much information that evening. Song Tonghai seemed to harbor some taboo, never asking about Song Lingqing's daily life within the Hidden Immortal Sect, and Song Lingqing never brought it up.

What he could confirm was that even among the Hidden Immortal Sects, there were conflicts—fierce ones at that.

The words "Myriad Sects Hidden Dragon Competition" alone hinted at plenty.

From Song Lingqing's warnings, he could also pick up clues. She insisted he not reveal her return to the manor, clearly on guard against something.

None of the servants in Song Manor would ever come into contact with Immortal Sect members. Even if word got out, it would only spread among mortals.

And Song Lingqing's precautions were obviously not aimed at mortals.

That alone proved that within this mortal world, there existed channels of information from different Immortal Sects or factions.

From this, Chu Zheng could see that getting in touch with the Hidden Immortal Sects wasn't as hard as he'd initially imagined.

What truly shook Chu Zheng was the sheer scale of the world beneath his feet—terrifyingly vast.

Immortal Sect members could roam the Northern Sea at dawn and reach Cangwu by dusk, chasing stars and racing the moon. With such incredible speed, they still had to travel for ten years just to attend the competition...

"Chu Zheng."

Just as he was lost in thought, a call came from outside the door.

In an instant, Chu Zheng recognized Song Lingqing's voice. He immediately rolled off the bed and stepped out of the room.

"I heard my sister punished you a couple of days ago. Are you feeling better?"

In the courtyard, Song Lingqing stood with a faint smile, bathed in moonlight, her Immortal Qi even more pronounced. Qin Feng stood not far away, never leaving her side.

"Thank you for your concern, Second Young Lady. I'm fine now."

Chu Zheng bowed, his heart racing a little. He hadn't expected the opportunity he'd just missed to appear before him again so soon.

"My sister really does treat you well."

Song Lingqing chuckled lightly. "That jade cup—I got it from Martial Uncle Qin Feng back then. Even the imperial palace probably doesn't have many like it."

A gift from an immortal. Chu Zheng was lucky to still be alive.

"I'll leave tomorrow. Next time I return..."

She paused mid-sentence, not finishing, and changed the subject:

"Considering you've served me for years, do you have any wish? I'll grant it for you today."

Chu Zheng's eyes lit up. He instinctively wanted to ask for his freedom, but the words died in his throat.

Compared to the secrets of the Immortal Sects, his current predicament was utterly insignificant.

After a moment's deliberation, Chu Zheng made his decision.