The Cold and Aloof Palace Master's Daily Demon-Slaying Life

After calming Xiaobai down, Zuo Qingqiu turned her gaze back to the ten elders who were still bowing. Her gaze was calm and undisturbed, showing neither the smugness of a newly promoted leader nor the deliberate humility and refusal, but only a kind of clarity and serenity that came with the passage of time.

"Dear senior masters," she began, her voice clear and melodious, like a mountain spring striking a rock, "please rise quickly. Titles like Supreme Elder and True Lord are for outsiders. In Qingqiu's heart, you will always be my senior masters. Just call me 'Qiu'er,' as before."

After he finished speaking, the platform was silent for a moment, with only the sound of the wind whistling.

The ten elders slowly straightened up, each with a different expression.

Master Bibo's eyes were slightly red as he looked at Zuo Qingqiu, his eyes filled with love and relief, clearly pleased with these words.

Master Lieyang grinned broadly and laughed heartily, saying in a gruff voice, "Qiu'er, what you said is pleasing to the ear! I like your steadfast nature! What 'Grand Elder'? That sounds so distant!"

"Third Junior Brother, watch your words." Master Qingwei coughed lightly, his expression showing little reproach. He looked at Zuo Qingqiu, stroked his long beard, and said gently, "Qiu'er, we old folks understand your intentions. However, propriety cannot be disregarded. You are now a Golden Core True Monarch, your status is different from before, and the proper decorum must still be observed. Otherwise, what will the sect think? What will the outside world think?"

"What Senior Brother says is absolutely right." The stern-faced Fourth Elder of the Heavenly Sword True Man nodded slightly, his voice as metallic as his sword, "The dignity of a True Monarch is a matter of the sect's honor and should not be taken lightly."

"Yes, True Lord." The Second Elder of True Man Wenhua held a scroll, his tone gentle yet firm. "How we address each other in private is a matter of personal relationship. But in public, according to the rules of the sect, the proper etiquette cannot be neglected. This is the rule, and it is also a sign of respect for you as a newly promoted True Lord."

The other elders nodded in agreement.

While they certainly loved Zuo Qingqiu, they cared even more about the rules and dignity that had been passed down through the Taihua Sect for millennia. A Golden Core True Monarch was of paramount importance to the sect, and his supreme status had to be established in every aspect.

Zuo Qingqiu listened quietly, her expression unchanged.

How could she not understand these principles? After more than two hundred years of cultivation, she was no longer an innocent girl. A sect was not a paradise; it also had hierarchy and rules.

After a moment's thought, she said, "If that's the case, let's compromise."

Her gaze swept over everyone: "In front of outsiders, on formal occasions, please follow the sect's ancient rules and address me as Supreme Elder or True Lord. But in private, when no outsiders are present, my fellow disciples need not stand on ceremony and may simply call me Qiu'er. Is that acceptable?"

Master Qingwei exchanged glances with the other elders, all seeing approval in each other's eyes. This suggestion was both respectful of the sect's rules and preserved past relationships, striking a perfect balance.

"Good." Master Qingwei smiled and nodded. "Then we will do as Qiu'er says."

The atmosphere immediately eased, no longer as serious as before.

Master Lieyang rubbed his hands together and chuckled, "That's more like it! In private, she's still Qiu'er, that sounds much better! Calling her 'True Lord' makes her sound old!"

Everyone laughed.

Master Bibo wiped his eyes, stepped forward, took Zuo Qingqiu's hand, and examined her closely, as if he couldn't get enough of looking at her: "Good, good, really good... Our Qiu'er has truly become a True Lord..."

Zuo Qingqiu let her hold his hand without pulling it away, and simply said softly, "Fifth Martial Uncle, I'm fine."

"I know, I know..." Master Bibo said repeatedly. Suddenly, as if she remembered something, the smile on her face faded, turning into a deep sadness, and her voice lowered, "If... if Junior Brother Yuan Lei could see your achievements today, how wonderful that would be..."

The moment the words "Junior Brother Yuan Lei" were uttered, the relaxed atmosphere on the platform instantly froze.

The wind seemed to have died down a bit.

A very subtle ripple flickered in the depths of Zuo Qingqiu's calm eyes, like a small pebble thrown into a deep pool; the ripple vanished in an instant, too fast for anyone to notice.

Yuan Lei Zhenren, Hu Shaogong.

Her master, the peak master of Yuanlei Peak, possessed the cultivation of the late stage of the Purple Mansion realm. His "Nine Heavens Responding to the Origin Thunder Technique" was renowned throughout the Central Plains. Although he was unruly and arrogant, he imparted all his knowledge to her, his last disciple, and treated her with great care.

At the age of twelve, she participated in the entrance examination of Taihua Sect and entered the sect with the highest score. Immediately, she was noticed by Master Yuan Lei, who disregarded the gossip that might arise from accepting female disciples and the traditional prejudice that women were unsuitable for cultivating thunder magic, and insisted on taking her as his personal disciple. From then on, he taught her the Dao, imparted supernatural powers to her, protected her growth, and treated her like a teacher and a father.

Without Master Yuan Lei, there would be no Zuo Qingqiu today.

Unfortunately, 150 years ago, in order to seek the opportunity to break through to the Great Perfection of the Purple Mansion, Master resolutely ventured into the "Ancient Battlefield of Gods and Demons," one of the most dangerous places on the Old Earth Continent, and never returned.

The soul lamp left in the sect was completely extinguished three years later.

The Ancient Battlefield of Gods and Demons is a battlefield remnant from the era of gods and demons, where the innate gods and demons fought. Although eras have changed and time has passed, it has been preserved to this day, remaining immortal and indestructible.

The ruins are filled with shattered space, chaotic laws, and all sorts of bizarre curses, remnants of killing formations, wandering remnants of gods and demons, and the lingering resentment of countless powerful individuals who perished here while trying to enter the ruins to gain opportunities.

While a Golden Core True Monarch might be alright on the outskirts of the ruins, venturing deeper inside would likely require extreme caution. After all, no one could say for sure whether the depths of the ruins might harbor the remnants of divine or demonic souls comparable to those at the mid-stage, late-stage, or even Great Perfection of the Golden Core realm.

For cultivators of the Purple Mansion realm to enter is basically a matter of life and death; it is a classic case of seeking fortune in danger.

After Yuan Lei Zhenren's soul lamp went out, this matter became a wound that the Taihua Sect's higher-ups were unwilling to touch, and also a heavy regret on Zuo Qingqiu's cultivation path.

The platform was so quiet that you could hear the sound of the sea of ​​clouds churning.

After a long while, Zuo Qingqiu gently withdrew her hand from Bibo Zhenren's grasp and turned her gaze to the distance, which was to the north, roughly the direction where the ruins of the ancient battlefield of gods and demons were located.

Her voice was soft, yet exceptionally clear, carrying an undeniable firmness:

"Once I'm done with this busy period, I will personally visit the Ancient Battlefield of Gods and Demons."

She paused, then continued, "Collect Master's remains."

"Buried in Tombstone Peak."

Tombstone Peak is the final resting place of the sages of Taihua Sect throughout history who made significant contributions to the sect. Those who are able to enter Tombstone Peak are all recorded in history and receive incense offerings from future generations of disciples.

Everyone was shocked upon hearing this.

Master Qingwei opened his mouth, as if to say something, but in the end it turned into a sigh: "The ancient battlefield of gods and demons is extremely dangerous, even for a True Monarch..."

"Senior Uncle, there's no need to persuade me further. My mind is made up." Zuo Qingqiu interrupted him, her voice still calm, yet carrying the unique, unyielding tone of a True Lord. "My Master's kindness to me is as heavy as a mountain. As his disciple, how can I allow his remains to be left to wander in a desolate place, unable to rest in peace?"

She is now a Golden Core True Monarch, possessing the Yin Thunder Fruit, and her combat power far surpasses that of ordinary early-stage Golden Core cultivators. Although the Ancient Battlefield of Gods and Demons is dangerous, as long as she doesn't venture too deep, she is confident enough to protect herself and accomplish her mission.