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Duan Rong brought Ayi back to the Taiyi Sect.

The lush greenery and mist-shrouded clouds of the Changliu Mountain Range presented a completely different landscape from the terrifyingly overgrown trees and pervasive miasma of the Miao village forest.

Duan Rong wrapped Ayi in clouds as they traveled. Breathing in the thick moisture, Ayi—who had grown up in the jungle and was highly sensitive to scents—looked around...

The two passed through valleys and clouds before landing on the mountain top of the Lü Family Estate.

Duan Rong first went to Lü Zhongtang's courtyard. He had already decided on the way that he would leave Ayi in Lü Qingzhu's care.

That morning, Lü Qingzhu had just emerged from the Cultivation Secret Chamber. After having lunch with her family at noon, she sat in the hall drinking tea that afternoon.

She had only taken a few sips when Duan Rong arrived with Ayi at the entrance to the hall.

Ayi looked around curiously, then suddenly stared blankly at the brilliantly colored beam beneath the eaves.

She had never left the Miao village forest. She had seen only wooden huts built in trees, never a house with carved beams and painted rafters like this.

Before Duan Rong stepped into the hall, Lü Qingzhu had already seen him. She rose with a lovely smile, curtsied, and said, "I thought once Husband left, he would be gone another ten years or eight."

Duan Rong had already entered the hall by then, but he said, "Something went wrong with my cultivation."

Lü Qingzhu did not ask what had gone wrong. She merely brought him a cup of tea with her own hands and said, "Freshly picked Yu Qian Tea. Please have a taste, Husband."

Duan Rong accepted it and took two sips. Its fragrance filled his mouth,