The Ninth Lady is a rebellious person.

Chapter 550 When visiting someone's home, one must know a thing or two.

Gong Tinglan's words were powerful and resounding, expressing not only concern for the survival of her family, but also worry about the impending calamity for the common people, and a steadfast commitment to the righteous path of the Xuanmen. Every word struck the heart of the Gong family head like a heavy hammer.

He is indeed old, and not as daring and enterprising as a young person.

Looking at Gong Tinglan's eyes, which resembled his deceased mother's but were now filled with a resolute light, and recalling the general trend he had predicted using divination techniques during his seclusion, he felt a vague unease about the eeriness of it all.

The head of the Gong family fell silent, his lips pressed together, a fierce internal struggle raging within him. It concerned the fate of humanity, the survival of his clan, and the righteous path of humankind…

As the head of the family, he needs to be cautious and deliberate in every decision he makes.

After a long while, the head of the Gong family sighed deeply. The surprise on his face disappeared, replaced by solemnity. He looked at Gong Tinglan intently and said, "You have become more and more composed, and you are more decisive than your father."

Gong Tinglan stared at him intently.

The head of the Gong family turned around and walked to a seemingly ordinary and inconspicuous wall at the deepest part of the library. He made a hand seal and released several beams of spiritual light. The wall rippled and slowly slid open to both sides, revealing a more secluded, dusty stone chamber behind it.

"Come in." The Gong family head's voice carried a hint of weariness, but also a hint of determination: "Although only direct descendants can enter this library, it contains information that not even core figures can access. It is not the most secret information that can be made public. What you see now is probably just the surface. The true core secret history of the Gong family throughout the generations is here. Only the head of the family can read it. As for the Imperial Preceptor, I have long had doubts."

Gong Tinglan's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly followed, asking, "What is Father's concern?"

“He has lived too long.” The head of the Gong family sighed. “This is no longer the era of cultivating immortality. Those who cultivate secret techniques and methods in the Xuanmen can at most live longer. If they are lucky enough to enter the Foundation Establishment Realm, with the current spiritual energy, their lifespan can reach 150 to 200 years, which is already the upper limit.”

In times when spiritual energy was abundant, cultivators who reached this level might have a lifespan of two to three hundred years, but in this era of shallow spiritual energy, that is unlikely.

Let alone the fact that most people today have mediocre aptitude and cultivation, even our ancestors from hundreds of years ago, there were many seniors with profound Daoist knowledge, yet we never heard of any fellow Daoists who could attain the Dao and ascend to become true immortals. Instead, they all followed the natural course of life and death, passing away peacefully.

"...But the number of Imperial Advisors exceeds two hundred, which is illogical. And don't you find it strange that the emperors of the Tantai clan can only be described as 'emperors come and go, but the Imperial Advisors remain constant.' Whoever sits on the dragon throne, the Imperial Advisor remains standing at the top, immortal. My suspicions stemmed from the thought that the Tantai clan possessed a cultivation method for achieving immortality unknown to us, or that he had reached the Golden Core realm and could ascend to the Void. But now, according to what you've said, there may be more to the story... Who dares to trespass into my Gong family!" The Gong family head suddenly shouted sharply, swiftly unleashing a powerful Soul-Suppressing Talisman into the void.

Gong Tinglan hurriedly stopped him, saying, "Father, this is a guest I invited."

A ripple spread across the void, and Lang Jiuchuan emerged from the Yin Path, the talisman belonging to the Gong family head still between his fingers. He landed lightly on the ground, cupped his hands in a bow, and said, "This humble Taoist has come without warning, disturbing the family head. Please forgive me!"

The head of the Gong family glared at Lang Jiuchuan, his pupils dilating in shock. He immediately looked at Gong Tinglan, his eyes flashing with anger, giving her a look that said, "If you don't explain, I'll unleash my fury on you."

Gong Tinglan coughed lightly and said, "Father, this is Fellow Daoist Lang, whose given name is Jiuchuan and whose Daoist name is..."

He looked at Lang Jiuchuan; it seemed he didn't even know her Taoist name.

"Qing Yi." Lang Jiuchuan stepped forward again and bowed: "Junior Qing Yi greets Patriarch Gong."

The head of the Gong family snorted, unimpressed, and stared coldly at Gong Tinglan, saying, "Dingshen, this is the most important place in my Gong family. You invited outsiders here without permission. Are you relying on your power as the young master and disregarding the rules of the Gong family?" This is not only the library, a vital place for the direct descendants of the Gong family, but he also opened the hidden stone chamber that only the head of the family can enter, and people came. Does this traitor want to betray his Gong family?
They claim to be single-mindedly pursuing the Dao and severing all worldly ties? They don't value the secrets of the Gong family at all, revealing their entire history to others. Are they even outsiders?
Gong Tinglan said, "I have already sworn a blood oath with Fellow Daoist Lang. Since we share the same goal—to seek justice for the common people and for the righteous path—it is not unreasonable for her to come and discuss important matters with us. In any case, I will also send a message to her. Moreover, she was once a disciple of the Imperial Preceptor, so she may know some things that we do not know. Patriarch, rest assured, Fellow Daoist Qingyi is an outstanding person among us, with immeasurable merits and high prestige. I trust her character."

For the first time, the head of the Gong family felt as if his son had been bewitched by a vixen.

He used to be troubled by this heir's rebellious nature. On the surface, he was a seemingly otherworldly immortal, keeping everyone at arm's length. He was even willing to castrate himself to refuse marriage, showing no regard for his own family. Now it seems that he just hadn't met the right person to deal with his rebellious nature.

He should have been happy, even if he hadn't truly come to his senses. There were exceptions, though, and he might have been moved by some women. But seeing Gong Tinglan being so 'generous,' he felt no joy at all, only gritted teeth and hatred!

Was that potion of infatuation that this bastard willingly brought to him and gulped down in his stomach?
Lang Jiuchuan stepped forward, first handing over the Thunder-Suppressing Talisman, then taking out an unremarkable little box and presenting it with both hands: "It's our first meeting, and I apologize for disturbing you, senior. If anything I've seen or heard here is spread, I'm willing to be struck by lightning."

She raised two fingers and made an oath without saying a word.

Patriarch Gong: "..."

Decisive and efficient, giving no time for refusal.

Gong Tinglan had already opened the small box that Lang Jiuchuan had handed her and said, "To outsiders, you're actually part of the Gong family's camp, one of our own. I invited you here, so there's no need for me to offer any apologies. This is..."

A fragrance that went straight to the soul wafted over, causing the soul to tremble, as if it were enveloped by a rich spiritual energy, which also carried a golden light of willpower.

He looked down and saw ten neatly arranged purple-gold incense sticks inside, the incense itself carrying a strange energy.

"Merit incense. It's something I made myself, nothing special. You can light one while cultivating, and the merit and vows will nourish your soul, making your cultivation twice as effective," Lang Jiuchuan said casually.

Since they are allies, she is willing to be generous, and it would be impolite for a guest to arrive empty-handed!
Gong Tinglan's hand trembled slightly as she said, "You're too kind..."

pat!

"Seeing that you're a sensible girl, I'll forgive you for trespassing." The head of the Gong family snatched the box from him, closed it, and casually cast a spirit-locking hand seal on it before putting it in his sleeve. His face was cold and hard as he said, "Come in, all of you."

"Yes, thank you." Lang Jiuchuan brushed past Gong Tinglan and followed.

Gong Tinglan: "!"

He looked at his empty hands and felt a little annoyed; he was slower than the old fox!

(End of this chapter)