Chapter 137: The Bootlicking Immortal Lord Who Wants to Live Off a Woman.3

Xia Zhishang quickly halted his steps and said respectfully, “Yes, Ancestral Master, your foresight is truly unmatched. You two, hurry up and thank the Ancestral Master for thinking of your cultivation time. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have had any time to train.”

The two disciples obediently bowed. “Thank you, Ancestral Master.”

“That’s enough. Come back tomorrow. For now, go with him.”

With a wave of Shen Xiuyan’s sleeve, two pitch-black tokens appeared out of thin air before them.

But unlike Ruan Xi’er’s, Ning Cui’s token was accompanied by the fruits that had been on the table earlier.

“Yes, Ancestral Master. Then we shall take our leave.”

Sect Leader Xia quickly gestured for the two to collect the items before them and follow him out.

The three finally exited the suffocating main hall. Ruan Xi’er glanced at Sect Leader Xia from the corner of her eye, and for the first time, she felt the true weight of the Ancestral Master’s presence.

So even the seemingly untouchable Sect Leader could appear this humble.

After all, as the Sect Leader of Wu Nian Sect, Xia Zhishang held a position of immense influence in the entire Cultivation World.

But even that lofty status was instantly crushed to dust when compared to the Ancestral Master.

A flicker of ambition stirred in her heart. If she could get the Ancestral Master to back her, wouldn’t she be able to walk sideways through the Cultivation World from now on?

Ruan Xi’er had made up her mind. Since she was already close to the source, she had to seize this opportunity to leave a good impression on the Ancestral Master.

The three of them descended the thirteen thousand steps slowly. Halfway down, Ning Cui finally dared to ask, “Sect Leader, why did the Ancestral Master give me so many extra things? What does it mean?”

Sect Leader Xia tilted his head and glanced at her. He didn’t know either.

He couldn’t see anything particularly special about Ning Cui. Why had she received such favor from the Ancestral Master? In fact, he felt that what Ning Cui got was far more valuable than the “tea” he had just drunk.

“Just take what you’re given. The Ancestral Master must have his reasons. It’s not our place to question it.”

Sect Leader Xia’s tone turned slightly cold, though a trace of jealousy crept into his heart. Ning Cui was just too lucky.

“Yes, Sect Leader,” Ning Cui nodded.

With the Sect Leader’s assurance, Ning Cui accepted the gifts without worry.

But she wasn’t stingy. She took out the fruits the Ancestral Master had given her and offered them to the Sect Leader.

“Sect Leader has looked after me a lot recently. These fruits should include a share for you.”

Sect Leader Xia looked at her in surprise. Generous, wasn’t she?

He asked himself honestly—if he had received such a reward from the Ancestral Master, would he have shared it with anyone else? The answer was a definite no.

He couldn’t help but praise the Ancestral Master’s sharp eye. This Ning Cui seemed like a good kid.

A rare smile appeared on his face. Indeed, Sect Leader Xia was someone who could bend and stretch, and his attitude shifted quickly.

Since they hadn’t yet left Heaven-Reaching Peak, everything that happened here was still within the Ancestral Master’s perception.

So Sect Leader Xia didn’t dare overstep. He smiled and said, “Good child. Sect Leader can’t refuse your kindness. I’ll just take one. You keep the rest.”

Ning Cui nodded and held the fruits out to him. “Please, you choose first.”

Only then did the Sect Leader take a closer look at the pile of fruit.

And with just one glance, he froze.

These weren’t ordinary fruits at all. As expected, anything from the Ancestral Master was top-tier…

A 300-year-old Biling Fruit, a 500-year-old Bloodbane Fruit, a 1,000-year-old Windflare Fruit—each of these could serve as a sect’s treasured artifact. And they were just casually handed out to a little disciple?

Sect Leader Xia now felt a twinge of regret. He wondered if it was still possible to send the two girls back and personally clean the Ancestral Master’s courtyard instead.

But it was too late now. There was no going back. He could only grit his teeth and take the lowest-grade Biling Fruit.

He didn’t dare appear greedy and risk displeasing the Ancestral Master.

Holding the fruit carefully, Sect Leader Xia said, “I’ll just take this one. You keep the rest.”

Ning Cui nodded.

Ruan Xi’er, walking beside them, stood there expectantly, waiting for Ning Cui to offer her a share too. But as soon as the Sect Leader made his choice, Ning Cui quickly put the rest of the fruits away.

Ruan Xi’er: “…”

What was that supposed to mean?

Was she being looked down on?

Her eyes darkened with resentment, and she snapped, “Ning Cui, what’s your problem? Are you excluding me just because of Su Mingyue?”

Ning Cui looked completely confused. “?”

Ruan Xi’er grew even angrier at her expression. As expected of Su Mingyue’s junior sister—just as annoying!

Sect Leader Xia frowned slightly at her words. He hadn’t expected Ruan Xi’er to have such a petty nature. Perhaps he had misjudged her earlier. A sweet tongue didn’t mean a kind heart.

No wonder the Ancestral Master hadn’t rewarded her. Nothing in this world could escape the Ancestral Master’s All-Seeing Eye.

He cleared his throat and said, “Ruan Xi’er, no quarreling here. And those are the Ancestral Master’s gifts to Ning Cui. Don’t covet what isn’t yours. If you want the Ancestral Master’s favor, work hard. Your chance will come.”

Ruan Xi’er pouted. “Alright, I’ll listen to Sect Leader.”

After descending the mountain, the Sect Leader was the first to fly off on his sword. Ruan Xi’er, seeing him leave, gave a cold snort toward Ning Cui. “We’ll see about this!”

Ning Cui, left standing in confusion, scratched her head. What was with that girl? Why was she always throwing tantrums?

She couldn’t figure it out and didn’t plan to. She turned and headed back to her peak alone.

At that moment, a sliver of Shen Xiuyan’s divine sense followed her.

Biluo Peak was the tenth among the Thirty-Two Peaks, located to the south of Lingfeng.

Unlike the other peaks, which emphasized self-cultivation and detachment from worldly things, Biluo Peak was a world apart. From the moment Ning Cui stepped onto it, she saw a riot of blooming flowers, elegant pavilions, and towers, all brimming with spiritual energy enhanced by Spirit Stones. Spirit beasts danced through the mountains—it was nothing short of a celestial paradise.

At the very top of the peak stood a massive palace, ancient and majestic, exuding a solemn aura.

A closer look revealed that the palace was covered in intricate Spirit Stone formations.

If you asked Shen Xiuyan for his first impression of Biluo Peak, it would be one word: extravagant. Absolutely extravagant.

Though compared to what the original owner had, this place was nothing, in the Cultivation World, it was easily among the top three.

Shen Xiuyan couldn’t help but think, not unkindly, that the other peaks weren’t lacking in taste—they just didn’t have the power to be this lavish.

Ning Cui quickly arrived at the main hall. As soon as she stepped inside, Shen Xiuyan heard a playful voice from within.

“Cui Cui, how come you’re back so soon? Didn’t the Ancestral Master let anyone stay behind?”

That voice—Shen Xiuyan knew it all too well. Wasn’t that the wife he had been yearning for day and night?