Ling Qing followed the fox demon into the manor's main hall.
At that moment, song and dance were in full swing within the hall. A group of fox demons transformed into beautiful women swayed and posed coquettishly, their dancing light and graceful.
Seated in the center of the hall was a great demon at the peak of the Earth Immortal Realm, dressed like a noble young master. He toyed with a golden ring in his hand as he watched the song and dance with a smile.
When he saw Ling Qing and the fox demon, his eyes lit up, and he waved a hand.
The fox demons performing in the hall stopped at once. They curtsied to him, then slowly withdrew.
The fox demon pointed at him and introduced him to Ling Qing. "Daoist, allow me to introduce him. This is the Grand Duke of our Demon Race—Duke Ruyi!"
"The Grand Duke of the Demon Race?! Duke Ruyi?!" Ling Qing studied Duke Ruyi thoughtfully.
"Indeed." Duke Ruyi chuckled softly. "May I ask how I should address you, Daoist?"
"This poor Daoist calls himself Qingling Wanderer." Ling Qing cupped his hands in salute.
"So you are Daoist Qinglingzi. Please, have a seat." Duke Ruyi gestured for Ling Qing to sit, then asked, "Your face is quite unfamiliar to me, Daoist. Where do you cultivate?"
"A wandering man of cloud and water—what roots could I possibly have? I am merely an idle cloud and a wild crane, drifting from place to place."
"You jest, Daoist. As the saying goes: one who has attained the Dao seeks not to be of use to the world, but to roam free beyond it. You call yourself a wanderer, Daoist; clearly, you are one who roams unfettered."
Upon hearing this, Ling Qing had not expected Duke