Chapter 17: Unmarried Maidens
Mingyan bathed quickly and emerged within fifteen minutes.
Huang Feiyan was still waiting at the door, gazing into the distance. Her figure was graceful and elegant. She had changed into a red palace dress similar to Huang Junru’s, trimmed with gold, accentuating her slender waist. Her hair, previously loose, was now neatly styled in a bun. Today, she appeared even more regal and beautiful than before.
Hearing him approach, she turned and smiled. “You’re done?”
Mingyan nodded, subtly averting his gaze. “Sorry to keep you waiting, Celestial Sister.”
“Hmm?” Huang Feiyan raised an eyebrow, a playful smile on her lips.
“Oh… Feiyan.” Mingyan remembered they were now friends and that addressing her as “Celestial Sister” was no longer appropriate. Although she was two years older and he could call her “sister,” women generally disliked being addressed as such unless there was a significant age difference.
“That’s better.” Huang Feiyan giggled, covering her mouth. Despite her regal appearance today, she remained gentle and graceful, a stark contrast to Huang Junru. He wondered why their personalities were so different.
“I need to say goodbye to the Sect Leader and Master. It won’t take long…”
“No need. They’ll both be here to see us off.” Huang Feiyan shook her head, then paused, looking at him thoughtfully. “Shall we go?”
Mingyan nodded and followed her to the summit.
Xia Yanming, the elders, and several women in red dresses were there. Unlike Huang Junru, their faces weren’t obscured by mist, although most wore veils. The few unveiled women were quite beautiful, not as stunning as Huang Feiyan, but comparable to Yun Ling, perhaps even prettier.
Mingyan was surprised. Were all the women in the Huang family this beautiful? Their genes were incredible.
He also noticed a hazy figure and quickly looked away. If he wasn’t mistaken, this was likely Holy Master Yue Ying, whom Huang Junru had invited again to handle the aftermath. He didn’t dare look too closely, lest he be seen as disrespectful.
After bowing, Mingyan bid farewell to Xia Yanming and Liu Yunfeng. They didn’t say much. Xia Yanming looked at him intently and said, “Go. Don’t keep Family Head Huang and Celestial Huang waiting.”
Liu Yunfeng seemed to have something to say, but when Mingyan looked at him, he hesitated, then shook his head silently.
Mingyan didn’t see Liu Mengli. He wondered if his little junior sister was sad… He pursed his lips and bowed again. “Master, I’ll be going now.”
Liu Yunfeng nodded, smiling. “Don’t forget to bring me some wine when you return.”
“I won’t forget, Master.” Mingyan nodded earnestly, then turned towards Huang Feiyan and Huang Junru. Huang Junru looked at the hazy figure. “I’ll leave the rest to you, Fellow Daoist.”
“You’re welcome.” It was indeed Holy Master Yue Ying. Her cool, clear voice was easily recognizable. Mingyan was curious about her appearance. Although her voice was cold, it was also quite pleasant.
Why were the faces of these powerful female cultivators always obscured?
Huang Junru nodded, then beckoned Mingyan to her side. When he approached, she waved her hand, and an ornate carriage materialized out of thin air. There were no beasts to pull it. Intricate runes shimmered briefly on its surface before disappearing.
Huang Feiyan helped Huang Junru into the carriage, then held the curtain open for her. After a moment, she peeked out again. “What are you waiting for? Come in, Mingyan.”
Mingyan hesitated. The carriage didn’t look large enough for three people. It would be fine with Huang Feiyan, but wouldn’t it be disrespectful to crowd Huang Junru?
“What are you hesitating for?” Huang Feiyan tilted her head, puzzled.
Mingyan entered the carriage.
Inside, he was surprised to find it was far more spacious than it appeared from the outside. It resembled a small mansion, with an elegant, traditional-style hall and several rooms.
“I’ll show you to your room. But don’t wander around inside. The other elders will be joining us soon. They’re all unmarried maidens and haven’t interacted much with men, so they might not be used to it. They might be a bit… casual. So, please bear with them.” Huang Feiyan apologized in advance.
Elders? Unmarried maidens? The combination was strange… But Mingyan didn’t ask, following her to his room.
His room was towards the back of the carriage. He had noticed upon entering that the spiritual energy inside was incredibly dense, far surpassing that of Rain Terrace Blessed Land… This was the power of a cultivation Sacred Land and a true cultivation family. Even the carriage used for transportation had richer spiritual energy than a Blessed Land…
Higher spiritual energy density was beneficial for cultivation, especially for beginners. Although cultivators in the Transcendence Realm could generate their own spiritual energy after establishing the Yin Tomb and Yang Tomb realms, they still absorbed natural energy, especially after using energy-intensive techniques or for healing…
In general, higher density was always better.
Mingyan sat down cross-legged. Although he had broken through, his new springs needed consolidation.
The abundant spiritual energy within the carriage was perfect for this.
The energy here felt different from the outside, slightly warmer, similar to the energy Huang Junru had used to examine his constitution… No, it wasn’t just similar; it was identical… Huang Junru must have filled the carriage with her own spiritual energy.
This slightly warm energy had been uncomfortable before, but now, he felt no discomfort. His body had adapted.
At noon, Mingyan opened his eyes. The spiritual energy within the carriage was even more effective than he had anticipated. Its warmth seemed to accelerate the consolidation of his springs…
He wondered where they were… He got out of bed and was about to leave when he remembered Huang Feiyan’s words. He hesitated and stopped.
Those elders rarely interacted with men and likely hadn’t had a man inside the carriage before. They might be… dressed casually or engaging in inappropriate conversations. It wouldn’t be good for him to see or hear such things.
He decided to stay in his room and wait.
But shortly after, the door opened. A beautiful woman in red entered, smiling playfully. Without looking inside, she closed the door behind her, then turned and saw Mingyan.
He didn’t recognize her, but she must be one of the Huang family… elders? Although she looked only twenty-five or twenty-six, her true age must be much greater…
The woman looked puzzled, then her expression turned strange. “Young Master, although Feiyan values you highly, you shouldn’t barge into other people’s rooms.”
Mingyan was embarrassed. He wanted to speak, but he wasn’t sure how to address her. “Elder” seemed too formal. Calling her “sister” was always a safe bet.
“Sister, Feiyan arranged this room for me…” He spoke sincerely, relieved that she was dressed appropriately. “I apologize if I caused any inconvenience.”
“Ah…” The young woman looked around, then realized her mistake and giggled. “I walked into the wrong room. My apologies. You’re very polite, just like Feiyan.”
Instead of leaving, she approached Mingyan and examined him closely, nodding in approval.
Her scrutinizing gaze made him uncomfortable. “Is there anything else, Sister?”
“Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Huang Junyi, Feiyan’s second aunt.” She stepped back slightly, her eyes filled with curiosity. “What’s your relationship with Feiyan?”
Second aunt? Mingyan was surprised. “I apologize for my rudeness… Should I address you as Second Aunt, following Feiyan?”
“There’s no need… But you’re following Feiyan’s lead?” Huang Junyi’s eyes twinkled, a playful smile on her lips. “Don’t tell me… you have feelings for Feiyan?”
“I wouldn’t dare. I’m honored that Feiyan is willing to befriend me. I have no other intentions. Please don’t misunderstand, Second Aunt.” Mingyan shook his head. Her playful demeanor didn’t seem befitting of an elder… Huang Feiyan was gentle, Huang Junru was cold and aloof, and Huang Junyi was surprisingly lively. He wondered who Feiyan took after… Perhaps her aunt, the one in the coma?
He couldn’t deny that the women of the Huang family were incredibly beautiful, making him blush slightly.
Just then, Huang Feiyan’s voice called from outside. “Mingyan? We’re about to reach the intercontinental teleportation gate. Have you seen one before? Do you want to come out and see?”
“Feiyan’s here, hehe.” Huang Junyi narrowed her eyes, seemingly not entirely believing Mingyan’s earlier words, her gaze still suggestive.
“Second Aunt?” Huang Feiyan sounded surprised, then entered, looking puzzled. “Why are you in Mingyan’s room?”
“Wrong door. You know our divine sense is suppressed inside your mother’s carriage.” Huang Junyi shrugged, giggling. “I won’t disturb you two any longer~”
Huang Feiyan blushed, hearing the suggestive tone in her aunt’s voice. She knew Huang Junyi had misunderstood her regard for Mingyan…
Huang Junru and Huang Feiyan hadn’t told anyone about Mingyan’s blood potentially saving her aunt. So, the “elders,” Huang Feiyan’s aunts, were unaware of this. Seeing Huang Feiyan’s concern for Mingyan, and considering the family’s recent circumstances, they assumed there was something romantic between them.
After Huang Junyi left, Huang Feiyan sighed but didn’t explain further. Mingyan likely understood it was a misunderstanding. “Let’s go, Mingyan. You must be curious about the teleportation gate, right?”
Mingyan nodded and followed her out of the room.
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