Chapter 181: Chapter 117: Ming Yu, Answer Me_2

Thus, this year’s Baihua Banquet officially came to an end.

...

"Master, how about this? Anyway, the sect will send people to the Ruo Wood Secret Realm soon."

"I won’t go back first; I’ll continue on the journey with Chu Xuan. We’ll meet at the entrance to the secret realm."

Gu Haitang had already recovered and was now intimately holding Master Liu’s hand, softly discussing with her.

After all, Haitang had used "going out to train and striving for early Core Formation" as an excuse to leave the mountain. The sect did not know the secret mission entrusted to her by the family.

Now that she had smoothly formed her core and had participated in the Baihua Banquet, the elders naturally believed she should return to the sect with them soon.

Listening to Gu Haitang’s words, Master Liu naturally put on a stern face, seeming unhappy, and especially looking at Chu Xuan with an unusual expression, as if saying:

What kind of charm did you cast over our Haitang?

Chu Xuan felt a bit awkward and had no choice but to ignore it.

Pei Shurou, who had been quietly keeping her eyes closed, curiously glanced at Chu Xuan. Was this man truly so exceptional? Even someone like Haitang was so attached to him.

Qingqing felt a bit bored, thinking that she would soon be parting with Chu Xuan. Would this woman seize the opportunity?

A lone man and woman traveling together, and if one loses control on the way... how could Chu Xuan, this naive youth, resist that wicked woman? Wouldn’t he be completely at her mercy?

Qingqing had a strong feeling of reluctance not to leave, not to part with Chu Xuan, but reason urged her:

Let go, it’s over now...

On the other side, after a lot of persuasion, even pulling in Master Pei to speak for her, Gu Haitang finally obtained Master Liu’s approval. Naturally, she was delighted, soothing much of her frustration over losing to Qingqing.

At this time, the Baihua Banquet began to disperse, with the crowd orderly leaving Wuyou Valley.

Of course, some cultivators were not in a hurry to leave, still mingling and networking with other guests, and even some had agreed to travel together.

Over by Chu Xuan, many guests naturally came to befriend him. Even the women who fought in the immortal-demon crystal, like Dugu Aoren and others, wanted to get acquainted with him.

But Chu Xuan handed it over to Master Su Yu to handle, claiming he had to meet Lady Baihua, and slipped away with Qingqing and Gu Haitang first.

Originally, he wanted to see if he could corner that middle-aged scholar who resembled Bai Xiaosheng, but the guy was so slick he had already left before the banquet ended.

Never mind, he shook his head, there will be another chance.

...

As the Baihua Banquet ended, Primordial Monarch Taixu had long returned to the cave dwelling with the little snow mink.

Lady Baihua was busy seeing off the guests, so Chu Xuan’s group was arranged to rest in a hall within the valley, waiting for her to come over and host them.

As for Lin Xiaoxi, the reward for placing second in the Enlightenment segment had already been given to her at the venue by Baihua, and she seemingly had been sent to meet the Monarch afterwards.

With the moment of facing Ming Yu drawing near, Chu Xuan was feeling restless, pacing back and forth in the hall. Qingqing’s pair seemed to sense his emotions, staying silent but accompanying him quietly.

After waiting for a long time, Lady Baihua finally finished her tasks and entered with a radiant smile.

"Sorry for the wait, everyone," she greeted, holding Chu Xuan’s hand warmly:

"Where’s the bracelet I gave you? You’re not wearing it? Is it because the grade was too low?"

Chu Xuan’s face stiffened, "No, it’s not that. Mentor, the Monarch liked it, so I gave it to her early."

Baihua suddenly understood, relying on her womanly intuition, she felt something was amiss but couldn’t figure it out for the moment, so she set it aside for now.

She smiled, "I just discussed with the Monarch; that Celestial Tier flying sword, considering it as the first reward Wuyou Valley presents you."

"As for the Monarch’s reward, I’ll take you to meet her, and she’ll instruct you personally."

Unexpectedly, Chu Xuan slightly shook his head, calmly saying, "I don’t want the flying sword. Whatever reward Baihua Valley intended to give me, just give me that."

Baihua was startled, thinking to herself: the conflict between these two might be deeper than I imagined.

"That’s fine, I’ll give you an Earth Tier high-grade flying sword and ten jade soul-raising fruits; how’s that?"

Chu Xuan agreed and accepted them.

It’s worth mentioning that he didn’t store the items in the Storage Bracelet but placed them in a Storage Ring he had already bought at East Immortal Market.

Originally, Baihua Valley’s designated reward was at most a lower grade Earth Tier artifact; now this gift was a display of Baihua’s greatest goodwill towards Chu Xuan.

Qingqing only got third place, thus did not receive such favorable treatment. Baihua gave her a Profound Tier artifact and three Spirit Fruits.

These three fruits were specifically added by Baihua to avoid any suspicion from Chu Xuan.

"Let’s go, seniors, take me to meet her."

Lady Baihua noticed Chu Xuan’s eagerness, so without further pleasantries, she personally led the three out towards the cave dwelling.

... 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

At the entrance, Baihua apologized to Gu Haitang, "Friend Gu, please wait here."

"No need to be so formal, just call me Haitang."

Gu Haitang, although eager to go in, knew she had no excuse to do so, feeling frustrated for not being among the top three in Enlightenment.

At this moment, the little snow mink slipped through the gap in the door and spoke to Qingqing in a childish voice, "You should go in first."

Qingqing hesitated, glanced at Chu Xuan, and seeing him nod, she nervously followed the snow mink into the cave.