"Blue-faced Lion, can you release them now?"
Aunt Mei's voice remained as casual as ever, as though she had merely done something utterly insignificant.
Qingming stared fixedly at her, his eyes filled with stifled resentment.
He wanted to say something, only to discover that he could not speak at all.
A mouthful of blood was lodged in his throat.
Just then, a gray figure slowly stepped out of the crowd.
It was an old man with crane-white hair and a youthful face, a kindly smile, and a gray horsetail whisk in his hand.
He walked very slowly, each step steady.
Elder Cang Xuan.
One of the Immortal Alliance's eight great Elders, he was highly respected and treated others kindly. His reputation within the Immortal Alliance was even better than Qingming's. Qingming was too stern, while he was exceedingly gentle. He was like a kindly grandfather, smiling at everyone and never putting on airs.
"Qingming, step aside for now."
His voice was quiet, yet carried an irresistible authority.
Qingming froze for a moment and wanted to say something, but ultimately gritted his teeth and stepped aside.
Elder Cang Xuan walked up to Aunt Mei and looked her up and down with easy familiarity, then gave her the slight smile of an old acquaintance.
"Second Sister, it's been years. Your cultivation has grown even more refined."
"Cang Xuan?"
Aunt Mei frowned slightly, a trace of surprise flashing through her eyes.
Of course she knew Cang Xuan.
He was the gentlest of the Immortal Alliance's eight great Elders, and also the most unfathomable.
She had observed him in secret many times, yet had never been able to gauge his depths.
But why was he calling her Second Sister? Why did that address, that tone, feel so familiar?
"What are you doing here? Shouldn't