"Aunt, we have visitors."
Inside a small room.
An incense ball rested over charcoal, slowly kindling the spices within.
The fragrance was rich, yet there was little smoke.
The incense did not touch the flame, releasing its scent gently and naturally, without any dry, smoky harshness.
Its scent was warm without being cloying, deep and tranquil.
The woman in purple led Li Ping'an and the white-robed Jiaze into the room.
There was only an elderly woman inside, seated on a bed.
Even after hearing them, she did not move.
"Aunt!" the woman in purple called.
Only then did the elderly woman slowly open her eyes and look at the woman in purple before her.
The woman in purple explained to Li Ping'an, "Please don't take offense, sir. This is my aunt.
"When my soul was on the verge of dissipating, it was my aunt who took me in.
"Afterward, her wandering soul grew increasingly damaged, and her vital essence could barely sustain her life, leaving her as she is now.
"My aunt is much older than I am. Perhaps she knows about the Underworld you mentioned."
Li Ping'an cupped his hands and bowed. "My surname is Li, and my given name is Ping'an. I came from the Central Continent.
"I have only just arrived here, and there are some things I don't understand. Please enlighten me, miss."
Miss?
The woman in purple gave Li Ping'an a surprised look.
Li Ping'an did not look very old, certainly no more than thirty.
Yet he had called her aunt "miss."
But then, on second thought.
His Divine Abilities were formidable, and he was not even afraid of the Red Rakshasas.
She had heard before that some powerful Cultivators could keep their appearance from aging.
Perhaps this man only looked young.
In truth, he