Fairy, I am truly a virtuous gentleman!

The woman was graceful and elegant, beautiful and poised.

As she herself said, in order to protect Ning Yuan, Qiao Shuang had been hiding and staying nearby.

Just like before, if Zhu Qixian's sword light dared to advance even a fraction further, Qiao Shuang would immediately take action and obliterate her body and soul, eliminating any threat.

However, if the strangeness Ning Yuan gave Qiao Shuang before could be excused as a misperception, then...

Having witnessed how Zhu Qixian went from vehemently refusing to submit to willingly yielding, Qiao Shuang was truly awakened to the danger.

Ning Yuan, or rather, Ning Yuan before today, would never have possessed such cunning and demonic methods.

She originally wanted to immediately grab Ning Yuan, seal his entire body, and bring him before her master for examination.

But the boy's calm demeanor and fearlessness aroused Qiao Shuang's suspicions, making her wonder if it was her master's doing.

It is said that it is easier to change mountains and rivers than to change one's nature, but if the renowned Grand Preceptor of Dali were to take action, then anything is not impossible.

Suddenly, the boy smiled and said something.

Do you think I've been possessed?

Qiao Shuang pursed her lips, offering no reply.

She was observing and pondering.

Seeing this, Ning Yuan didn't take it to heart and just sighed.

"That's enough, this matter is over. Now go and see my father."

Qiao Shuang finally couldn't hold back anymore.

"Now?"

"Right now."

Ning Yuan's tone was calm yet firm.

Qiao Shuang was momentarily dazed, and for a moment she couldn't recall when the father and son had last met.

Not to mention Qiao Shuang, even Ning Yuan himself had a very vague impression of her, only remembering a faint and distant figure.

When was the last time I saw my father?

If this is the current body in this world, then it must be six years ago, when I had just turned ten years old.

At that time, the new emperor ascended the throne, and under Qiao Shuang's careful care, he sat on the high platform.

Seeing that the man used his supernatural powers, ostensibly to host a banquet but actually to engage in a battle of magic, fighting against many powerful figures from various immortal sects and holy schools in the Great Xuan Heaven, and emerging victorious.

That majestic and radiant figure is etched in his heart, never fading away.

Therefore, Ning Yuan was unable to accept it for a long time when he learned of his death.

At the same time, Qiao Shuangyu gently raised her hand, and a powerful magical force spread out. In an instant, spiritual light overflowed between heaven and earth, dazzling and bright, with clouds and smoke rolling.

As the light faded, a magnificent, colorful carriage appeared in the sky above the courtyard.

"roar!"

The deafening roar of the dragon echoed in all directions.

Eight dragons, each nine zhang long, with jagged blue-gold scales on their bodies, crimson horns on their heads, ferocious teeth and snouts, and eyes like copper bells, were imposing and terrifying. They were bound by golden chains and dragged a precious carriage, floating in the nine heavens.

This scene was quite dramatic, yet Qiao Shuang's face remained icy as she rebuked, "Insolence! You beast!"

With a wave of her hand, a thick, long whip of golden flames appeared out of thin air, exploding with a thunderous roar as it lashed out at the backs of the eight dragons.

The dragon let out a painful cry and fell to the ground with a whimper.

Ning Yuan stood with his hands behind his back in the courtyard, his eyes filled with longing.

"Nine-colored celestial chariot, azure-gold and crimson dragon, it's been a long time."

After saying that, Ning Yuan took the lead and walked towards the carriage.

Qiao Shuang glanced at them out of the corner of her eye and subconsciously said, "Young Master, your cultivation is only at the Qi Refining stage. These beasts haven't been completely tamed yet, and you almost got into trouble before. Be careful..."

Before she could finish speaking, the beauty froze in shock.

The young man stood with one foot on the forehead scale of the largest and most prominent blue-gold-red dragon, looking quite relaxed.

Meanwhile, those few ancient savage demons, whose intelligence had not yet been awakened and who were each comparable to Golden Core cultivators, all lowered their enormous heads, showing their docility and obedience.

Ning Yuan turned around, smiling, and said, "Hmm, what did you say?"

Qiao Shuang gently stroked her eyebrows and said softly, "It's nothing, I was overthinking it, Young Master Shenwei."

After saying that, Qiao Shuang's figure automatically ascended, her clothes fluttering, like a fairy dancing, and landed in the driver's seat of the precious carriage.

Seeing this, Ning Yuan invited, "The Nine-Colored Heavenly Cloud Chariot is a superior spiritual treasure, which can be controlled with a thought. It's cold outside, come in and sit with me."

Qiao Shuang was immediately tempted, but after some hesitation, she politely declined.

"Thank you for your kindness, young master, but as a maid, I am not qualified to ride with my master. I will stay outside."

Ning Yuan nodded slightly, seemingly unaware of the beauty's subtle aloofness.

Qiao Shuang sighed inwardly, feeling extremely regretful, but still gave the order.

"rise!"

Eight enormous blue-scaled red dragons immediately pulled the chariot and soared straight into the sky.

...

...

The manor where Ning Yuan was located was not actually the Imperial Preceptor's residence.

This was merely his own residence, while Ning Muxian's Daoist temple was located elsewhere, though he hadn't visited it in a long time.

With this thought in mind, Ning Yuan came to his senses and found himself above a magnificent city.

As dusk approached, the setting sun cast a crimson glow upon the earth.

On the more than ten-meter-wide bluestone avenue, people come and go in an endless stream.

Shops lined both sides of the road, standing side by side in an orderly fashion.

It has thirty-three floors and is a grand restaurant with glass windows that symbolizes the thirty-three heavens beyond heaven.

There are also ordinary, down-to-earth meat pie stalls.

Every now and then, you would pass by several strange and unusual people riding rare and exotic beasts, such as white tigers and giant elephants.

There were also ordinary tourists riding in rune-engraved vehicles that used spirit stones as their power source.

Long streets and palaces, strange people and beasts, bathed in the glow of the setting sun.

The towering city wall, hundreds of meters high and reaching the sky, cast vast shadows under the golden sun, making the entire city seem to stretch to the horizon.

This is Luodu, the capital of the Immortal Dynasty.

What a magnificent sight!

Unfortunately, without solid strength, all of this is like a mirage, easily shattered, and will amount to nothing more than ruins and scorched earth a hundred years from now.

Ning Yuan silently gazed at the mortal world, his pupils seemingly reflecting the raging flames soaring into the sky.

As the capital of the Immortal Dynasty, Luodu is naturally a no-fly zone. Not to mention ordinary cultivators, even those at the Nascent Soul True Monarch level have no choice but to obediently stay on the ground.

Otherwise, the protective array that covers the entire Luodu is no joke.

Of course, Ning Yuan's special status meant he was not among the ordinary.

Qiao Shuang rode the cloud chariot and ascended all the way.

Until it passed through the smoky clouds.

Suddenly, an enormous gate, hundreds of feet high, appeared between heaven and earth.

The entire door is like a jade carving, shimmering with light and crystal clear. Its end disappears into the clouds, where countless intricate seal characters float and sink, exuding an aura of majesty, like a giant's palace.

Before this heavenly gate, even the nine-colored celestial chariots driven by eight red dragons were as insignificant as ants.

"Who goes there!"

At that moment, a deep, resonant sound echoed throughout the heavens and earth, scattering the clouds and clearing the sky.