Cloud Dream Grotto-Heaven.
Though its name included "Grotto-Heaven," this residence was not built inside a mountain cave.
Instead, it stood amid lofty mountains, flowing streams, and trees with thick, spreading branches.
Elegant courtyards seemed to have grown naturally out of the woods, linked by stone-paved woodland paths.
A distant waterfall had been diverted, with a branch of its flow channeled straight into the courtyards.
Several Spirit Fish splashed in the pools at the center, where Spiritual Power constantly surged from the water, nourishing the seemingly carefree fish.
Not a single lavish, expensive material had gone into the buildings; their basic material was simply timber from these great trees.
Yet a faint sandalwood fragrance seeped from all that timber.
Light and mild, it seemed to hover between presence and absence.
One word, elegance, ran through this entire cave abode.
Cloud Marsh pinched some fish food and scattered it personally, watching calmly as the Spirit Fish below fought over it, their bodies colliding and sending water splashing.
It scattered the food very slowly, only a little at a time.
Only when the fish had exhausted themselves fighting for food would it toss down another tiny bit, stirring up their strength once more.
Cloud Marsh fed these fish personally and had never entrusted the task to anyone else.
Its gaze was calm, yet seemingly thoughtful as it watched the fish begin fighting again.
"Master, Zheng Zhaoling requests an audience."
Beside it, a pitiful-looking little demon girl reported in a gentle voice.
Cloud Marsh's gaze focused. It set the fish food on a nearby table and chuckled, seemingly mocking itself:
"It's not as though I can refuse to see her. Leave out 'requests' next time."
"Yes."
The little demon answered, then turned and left.
Only a moment passed.
Zheng Zhaoling approached, heading straight toward