Gou's Liver Experience in the World of Demons and Demons

"Please inform that the person entrusted by Gu Sheng requests an audience with Master Tantai."

Shen Qingtan's voice came through the bronze mask, clear and solemn.

The guard leader's gaze swept over the jade talisman, and his expression instantly became extremely respectful as he bowed.

"Please wait a moment, esteemed guest. I will inform them immediately!"

He dared not delay and quickly turned around and entered the pavilion.

Before long, a female steward dressed in elegant palace attire and with a gentle demeanor strode out and gave Shen Qingtan and Gu Yuanyuan a graceful bow.

"Distinguished guests, please come with me."

Shen Qingtan nodded slightly, took Gu Yuanyuan's hand, and followed the female steward into the Linlang Pavilion.

The interior space was much more spacious than it appeared from the outside, with carved railings and jade steps, treasures on display, and a spiritual atmosphere. Everyone who came and went exuded an extraordinary aura.

Gu Yuanyuan was dazzled by what she saw, her mouth slightly agape.

The female deacon did not linger on the first floor, but led the two directly to a hidden teleportation array.

A flash of light, and the three of them appeared on a quieter floor, where the spiritual energy was so dense it was almost tangible.

After passing through several corridors, we arrived at the door of an elegant and tranquil room.

"Master, the guest has arrived."

The female deacon respectfully reported.

"come in."

A clear, melodious sound, seemingly carrying a strange rhythm, came from inside the room.

The female butler gently pushed open the door and stepped aside. Shen Qingtan led Gu Yuanyuan inside.

The quiet room was simply and elegantly furnished. A woman stood with her back to them by the window, seemingly looking down at the underground city.

She wore a moon-white long dress, her figure slender and graceful. Even just her back view gave people a feeling of being aloof from the world and as cold as the moon.

Hearing footsteps, the woman slowly turned around.

In an instant, Shen Qingtan felt her breath catch in her throat!
The woman before him was stunningly beautiful, as if she embodied the essence of heaven and earth. Her eyebrows were like distant mountains shrouded in mist, her eyes like autumn waters rippling across the surface, and her temperament was aloof and otherworldly, yet she possessed an indescribable grace and majesty.

What shocked Shen Qingtan the most was that when the woman's gaze fell on her, a vast and profound spiritual power, refined to the extreme, instantly swept through her sea of ​​consciousness!
His spiritual power was strong but not domineering, yet it possessed a profound insight that made her feel that all her secrets were exposed under his gaze!

"What terrifying mental cultivation!"

Shen Qingtan was shocked and quickly composed herself, bowing respectfully.

"Junior Shen Qingtan greets Pavilion Master Tantai!"

Gu Yuanyuan, standing behind her, turned pale with fear at the invisible pressure emanating from her. She instinctively hid behind Shen Qingtan, only daring to peek out with half her head out.

Tantai Xueli's gaze lingered on Shen Qingtan for a moment, she nodded slightly, and then fell on Gu Yuanyuan behind her.

There seemed to be a barely perceptible glint in those deep eyes.

"No need to be polite."

Tantai Xueli's voice remained clear and melodious, yet carried a subtle gentleness.

"Did Gu Sheng send you?"

"Yes."

Shen Qingtan quickly agreed, carefully taking out the palm-sized bronze palace that exuded an ancient and mysterious aura from her bosom, and presented it with both hands.

"This item was entrusted to me by Brother Gu, who instructed me to personally deliver it to the Pavilion Master. Brother Gu also said..."

She stepped aside and gently pushed Gu Yuanyuan, who was behind her, to the front.

"This is Miss Gu Yuanyuan, Brother Gu's newly accepted disciple. Brother Gu has asked the Pavilion Master to take care of her."

Tantai Xueli's gaze fell on the Divine Craft Maze, her eyes narrowed slightly, and then she reached out her slender hand to take it.

The miniature palace radiated a warm glow in her palm.

She didn't check immediately, but looked at Gu Yuanyuan again.

Gu Yuanyuan felt extremely uncomfortable under Tantai Xueli's gaze. She nervously twisted the hem of her clothes with her small hands and lowered her head, not daring to look directly at her.

Tantai Xueli looked at the somewhat timid girl in front of her, her eyes filled with barely perceptible surprise and...understanding? She leaned down slightly and softened her voice.

"Your name is Gu Yuanyuan?"

"Yes, it is."

Gu Yuanyuan's voice was barely audible, and her face was slightly flushed.

"Keep your head up."

"Tantai Xueli said softly."

Gu Yuanyuan hesitated for a moment, then slowly raised her head and mustered the courage to look at Tantai Xueli.

When their eyes met, she felt that the eyes of this incredibly beautiful teacher's wife (that's what she thought subconsciously) were like the clearest lake water and the deepest starry sky, as if they could see through everything about her.

"His innate talent is exceptional, and his understanding of the world is clear... his foundation is indeed excellent."

Tantai Xueli murmured to herself, a faint smile seemingly curving her lips.

She straightened up and said to Shen Qingtan.

"I've accepted the gifts. I'll take care of Yuan Yuan. Thank you for making this trip."

Shen Qingtan quickly replied.

"You flatter me, Master. It is my duty."

Tantai Xueli nodded slightly, then took out a warm, white jade pendant and handed it to Shen Qingtan.

"The journey has been arduous and quite taxing. With this jade token, you may retreat to the 'Spirit Nourishing Chamber' on the third floor of the pavilion to recuperate. All resources and losses incurred will be borne by the Linglang Pavilion."

Shen Qingtan looked at the jade tablet and felt the rich spiritual energy contained within it, and her heart trembled.

The Spirit-Nourishing Quiet Room is where the Linglang Pavilion entertains its most distinguished guests; the concentration of spiritual energy there is more than ten times that of the outside world! This return gift is truly exceptional!

She hesitated for a moment, but finally accepted the jade pendant with both hands and bowed deeply.

"Thank you for your generous gift, Pavilion Master! This junior... is unworthy of it."

"Go."

Tantai Xueli waved her hand gently.

Shen Qingtan bowed again, glanced at Gu Yuanyuan who was still somewhat bewildered, gave her a look to reassure her, and then turned and left the quiet room.

In the quiet room, only Tantai Xueli and Gu Yuanyuan remained.

The atmosphere was a little quiet for a while.

Looking at her master's wife, who possessed a cool and aloof demeanor and a powerful aura, Gu Yuanyuan felt unsure of what to do with her hands and feet, and her heart was pounding wildly.

She stole a glance at the Divine Labyrinth in Tantai Xueli's hand, then quickly lowered her head again.

Tantai Xueli put away the Divine Craft Maze and turned her gaze back to Gu Yuanyuan. Looking at her coarse cloth clothes that were covered in dust and looked a bit worn, and her face that was slightly flushed with nervousness, her eyes softened a little.

"Yuan Yuan?"

Tantai Xueli called out softly.

"Ah? Here!"

Gu Yuanyuan was startled and quickly responded.

Looking at her nervous expression, Tantai Xueli smiled slightly, revealing a faint yet captivating smile.

She moved gracefully to Gu Yuanyuan's side, extended her fair and jade-like hand, and gently took Gu Yuanyuan's slightly cold hand in hers.

Gu Yuanyuan's body stiffened, only to feel a warm and gentle force coming from the other person's palm, instantly dispelling all her tension and chill, making her feel warm and comfortable. "Don't be afraid."

Tantai Xueli's voice was like a clear spring flowing.

“Since you are Gu Sheng’s disciple, then you are also my… junior.”

She paused, then flipped her wrist, revealing a flawless, pure white jade bracelet with a warm, lustrous sheen in her palm.

"This is a small gift for us to meet."

Tantai Xueli gently slipped the jade bracelet onto Gu Yuanyuan's slender wrist. The jade bracelet felt cool to the touch, and its size adjusted itself perfectly.

Gu Yuanyuan looked at the jade bracelet on her wrist, which looked quite valuable, and felt a little lost.

"Master...Master's wife...this is too precious..."

She blurted it out instinctively, then realized what she had said, her face instantly turning bright red, wishing she could disappear into the ground!
Upon hearing this, Tantai Xueli was slightly taken aback. Then, a genuine smile appeared in her clear, cold eyes, like the first melting of ice and snow, or the gentle ripples of spring water.

Looking at Gu Yuanyuan's embarrassed appearance, she was not displeased at all. Instead, she nodded slightly, her voice carrying a hint of pleasure.

"Okay, from now on you can call me Master's Wife."

"what?"

Gu Yuanyuan was completely stunned, staring blankly at Tantai Xueli, her mind a complete blank.

She just misspoke because she was nervous! Her teacher's wife actually...actually agreed?!

Tantai Xueli didn't explain further, but simply patted the back of her hand gently and then gave instructions to the door.

"Someone is coming."

A beautiful maid dressed in a light pink palace gown entered in response to the call and bowed respectfully.

"Pavilion Master."

“Take Miss Yuan Yuan to Ningxiang Pavilion, bathe her in the best Jade Essence Spring, and then get her a set of Cloud and Rainbow Flowing Light Dress to change into.”

Tantai Xueli's voice returned to its cool and clear tone, yet carried an undeniable air of authority.

"Have the skillful Zhang Mama personally do her hair and makeup, and make sure... she does it with utmost care."

"Yes, Pavilion Master!"

The maidservant responded respectfully, then turned to Gu Yuanyuan with a gentle smile on her face.

“Miss Yuan Yuan, please come with me.”

Gu Yuanyuan was still a little dizzy. She looked at Tantai Xueli, then at the maid, nodded subconsciously, and followed the maid out.

Inside Ningxiang Pavilion, mist swirled, and a refreshing fragrance filled the air.

In the enormous white jade bath, the milky-white "Jade Marrow Spirit Spring" exudes a rich spiritual energy and a warm luster.

As Gu Yuanyuan soaked in it, she felt as if every pore on her body had opened up, and she felt indescribably comfortable. The fatigue and fright of the past few days seemed to have been washed away.

After bathing, she changed into the dress called "Cloud and Rainbow Flowing Light Dress" brought to her by a maid.

The dress was made of some unknown material; it was soft and silky to the touch, shimmering with iridescent light, and felt incredibly light on the body, as if it had no weight.

The hem of the skirt has faint cloud-like patterns that flow around it, and when you move, it's as if starlight is falling.

Then, an old nanny (Skilled Hands Zhang) with a kind face but extremely sharp eyes walked in.

She looked at Gu Yuanyuan, who had changed into her new clothes, with amazement in her eyes, and then began to do her hair and makeup.

Granny Zhang's craftsmanship was truly superb.

She didn't do much embellishment, but simply used a jade comb to smooth and shiny Gu Yuanyuan's somewhat dry and yellow hair, tied it into a simple yet exquisite bun, and inserted a warm and lustrous white jade hairpin.

Then she took a fragrant ointment and applied a thin layer to her face, concealing the signs of hardship and making her skin appear even more radiant.

Finally, using a special ink brush, I lightly sketched a few lines on her eyebrows and the corners of her eyes.

The whole process lasted for more than an hour.

When Gu Yuanyuan stood in front of the giant glass mirror again, she could hardly recognize the person in the mirror.

The girl in the mirror has a slender figure, snow-white skin, and exquisite features.

Wearing a flowing, iridescent gown, she resembled a newly blossoming lotus, pure and ethereal. Her simple updo and jade hairpin added to her graceful and elegant demeanor. Although her eyes still held a touch of childishness and innocence, her hidden beauty and purity shone like a meticulously crafted gem, radiating dazzling brilliance.

"Miss...you're so beautiful..."

The maid beside her looked at the completely transformed Gu Yuanyuan and couldn't help but whisper her praise.

Looking at herself in the mirror, Gu Yuanyuan gently stroked the smooth hem of her skirt and felt the warmth of the jade hairpin in her hair. A feeling she had never experienced before, a mixture of unfamiliarity and joy, welled up in her heart.

She was no longer that dusty little girl in the ruins... Master... Mistress... She murmured these two titles in her heart, and for the first time, a bright and pure smile appeared on her little face.

Inside the Linglang Pavilion and Ningxiang Pavilion.

The misty fog had not completely dissipated, and the faint fragrance of the Jade Marrow Spring lingered in the air.

Gu Yuanyuan stood awkwardly in front of the huge glass mirror, looking at her completely transformed self in the mirror, her little face turning bright red.

Her short, dry, and frizzy hair was cleverly tied into several playful little buns by the skillful Zhang Mama with a few silver ribbons adorned with tiny crystals. The buns fell behind her ears and in front of her forehead, adding a touch of liveliness and charm.

The shimmering "cloud and rainbow dress" she wore was made of light and soft material. As she walked, the skirt flowed like clouds and sparkled like stars, making her originally slender figure appear exquisite and graceful.

On her wrist, the lustrous white jade bracelet given to her by Tantai Xueli shone with a warm glow, complementing her fair skin perfectly.

"Miss...you're so beautiful."

The maid beside her couldn't help but exclaim in admiration again, her eyes filled with amazement.

Gu Yuanyuan felt uncomfortable all over.

The luxurious dress, the exquisite hairstyle, and the priceless jade bracelet on her wrist made her feel as if she had stolen someone else's clothes, and she didn't know what to do with her hands and feet.

She instinctively reached for the slightly fluffy hem of her skirt, but a cool hand gently pressed down on her wrist.

Tantai Xueli had appeared behind her at some point, her cool gaze falling on the girl's reflection in the mirror, and she nodded slightly.

"good."

"Master...Master's wife..."

Gu Yuanyuan turned around, her face turning even redder, her voice barely audible.

"This...this is too...too expensive, I'm not used to wearing it..."

"You'll get used to it after wearing it for a while."

Tantai Xueli's tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable air of authority.

“Since you call me ‘Master’s Wife,’ you are now a member of my Linlang Pavilion. When we go out, we can’t let people say that I, Tantai Xueli, mistreat my juniors and can’t even afford to give them a decent set of clothes.”

Looking at Gu Yuanyuan's still embarrassed and uneasy appearance, a faint smile flashed in her cool eyes, and she suddenly said.

"Say it again?"

"what?"

Gu Yuanyuan was stunned for a moment, then realized what was happening. Looking at Tantai Xueli's face, which was so close to her and so beautiful that it seemed otherworldly, her heart pounded and she whispered.

"Master...Master's wife..."

"Ah."

Tantai Xueli responded, a barely perceptible curve appearing at the corner of her lips.

She raised her hand and gently brushed away the unruly stray hairs on Gu Yuanyuan's forehead, her movements as natural as if she were treating her own child.

As Gu Yuanyuan felt the coolness and gentleness of the fingertips, her tension and unease strangely dissipated.

Although young, she was very perceptive. The relationship between her master, Gu Sheng, and the woman before her seemed to be more than just that of a master and disciple or Daoist couple; at least, her master had never mentioned it. (End of Chapter)