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

Chapter 117 The Grand Ceremony of the True Lord, the Victims Come to the Door

Outside the pavilion, snow fell silently; inside, the stove crackled and the aroma of tea wafted through the air.

Xiao Bai held the cat, while Zuo Qingqiu sipped her tea, occasionally exchanging a few words in hushed tones. Yingluo shifted into a more comfortable position in Xiao Bai's arms, resting her head on the crook of her arm, her emerald eyes gazing at the snow falling outside the pavilion, finding herself somewhat appreciating the beauty of the snow.

This frozen lake and snow pavilion, thanks to this person, dragon, and cat, is filled with a vibrant and lively warmth, dispelling the bleakness and desolation of winter.

The cozy moments passed quietly. Tea was added to the pot again and again, while the charcoal fire in the stove gradually died down.

Xiao Bai, holding "Bad Yingluo" who was already sleeping soundly in her arms with her soft belly exposed, suddenly raised her head and looked at Zuo Qingqiu, who was intently watching the snow. The joy on her face faded and was replaced by a rare worry.

"Sister," she called softly, her voice tinged with uncertainty, "I'm a little scared about the True Lord Ceremony in a few days."

Zuo Qingqiu withdrew her gaze from the frozen lake and distant mountains, turning to Xiaobai: "Scared? Scared of what?"

"It's not that kind of fear~" Xiaobai wrinkled her little nose, trying hard to organize her thoughts, "It's just that—I feel uneasy, like something bad is about to happen."

"Well, it's just that—we dragons sometimes have a vague premonition of danger. This time, although the feeling was faint,—I just felt uneasy." Her voice grew softer as she spoke, and her arms around Yingluo tightened unconsciously. Yingluo, who was fast asleep, seemed to feel uncomfortable and let out a soft "hmm."

Zuo Qingqiu listened quietly, her beautiful face remaining expressionless.

She reached out, across the stone table, and gently rubbed Xiaobai's head, her fingertips brushing against its soft, silvery-white hair.

"A premonition of danger from the dragon race?" Her voice was calm and gentle, like the snowflakes slowly falling outside the pavilion. "There's no need to worry too much. Even if there are ups and downs in the world, it's all within reason. Since you're by my side, just relax."

She paused, her eyes clear and deep, as if reflecting all the uncertainties: "When soldiers come, we'll meet them head-on; when water comes, we'll dam it. Before absolute strength, any demons, monsters, or schemes are nothing but fleeting clouds."

His words were simple, yet they conveyed an undeniable and powerful confidence and composure.

Xiao Bai looked up at her. Her sister's expression remained as cold and calm as ever, but her eyes were like the deepest night sky, steady and inclusive, as if they could absorb and dissolve all the unease.

That simple sentence acted like a stabilizing force, instantly calming the inexplicable tremor in her heart.

Yes, my sister is a Golden Core True Monarch!

It is one of the most outstanding beings in this world!

With my sister here, what is there to be afraid of?

"Yes!" Xiaobai nodded vigorously, a smile returning to her face, as if the gloom had never existed.

She lowered her head and nuzzled Yingluo in her arms, whispering, "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, your sister is the best!"

Yingluo was woken up by her rubbing against her. She opened her emerald eyes hazily, glanced at her, and then lazily closed them again, her tail tip gently brushing against the ground.

Zuo Qingqiu withdrew her hand and looked out of the pavilion again.

The fine snow continues, and the frozen lake remains silent.

But her divine sense, like invisible ripples, had already quietly covered the entire Moon Reflection Lake, and even further beyond.

Xiao Bai's premonition was not taken lightly.

Dragons are born with keen spiritual senses, especially regarding danger, often sensing it far more acutely than ordinary creatures.

However, as she said, she will bear the storms alone.

This Grand Ceremony of the True Lord is a ceremony, a proclamation, but isn't it also an invisible contest?

Having reached this point, she was no longer afraid of any challenge.

The fire in the stove is dying down, and the tea is getting cold.

"Let's go back." Zuo Qingqiu stood up, her silver fox fur coat brushing against the stone bench without getting dusty.

"Okay~" Xiaobai carefully placed the still-sleeping Yingluo into the basket that had been prepared in advance and lined with a thick, soft cushion. She covered her with a small blanket, then picked up the basket and hopped to catch up with Zuo Qingqiu.

The two figures, one human and one dragon, gradually disappeared along the winding stone path by the lake.

The pavilion still retains its warmth and the aroma of tea lingers. Only the fine snow remains, silently covering the footprints of those who came, quietly concealing the momentary warmth in a pure white expanse.

Several days later, at Taihua Peak, the main peak of Taihua Gate.

The weather at Taihua Peak today is completely different from usual.

The sect's protective formation was fully activated, with clouds and auspicious colors surrounding the peaks, cranes calling out, and spirit birds flying about.

From the mountain gate to the summit plaza, the white jade steps are spotless, and ancient pines on both sides are covered with snow. The interplay of verdant green and pure white makes the scene even more solemn and magnificent.

The summit plaza is incredibly spacious and can accommodate tens of thousands of people.

The ground is paved with a single piece of white marble, which exudes warmth even in the cold winter, dispelling the chill.

At this moment, hundreds of prayer mats and jade tables have been set up in the square according to their positions, with spiritual fruits and immortal wines displayed on them, emitting a wonderful fragrance.

Strongmen and maids moved about silently, replenishing and changing the drinks, maintaining the grand atmosphere of the event.

Despite the freezing weather and the recent snowfall, the chill did nothing to dampen the growing enthusiasm in the square.

Guests from the top sects of the Central Plains have been arriving one after another.

Those who cultivate the Tao are impervious to heat and cold.

Apart from a few Qi Refining stage attendant disciples whose cultivation was still shallow and who needed thick clothes to keep warm, the guests in the room, whether they were elders from various sects or accompanying elites, were at least at the Foundation Establishment stage. Most of them wore ordinary robes and thin shirts, and were calm and composed in the cold air after the snow, chatting and laughing.

"Fellow Daoist Taixuan, it's been a long time! You're even more radiant than before!"

"Fairy Bixia, congratulations on your sect acquiring another spirit mine! A cause for celebration!"

"Haha, Master Ouye is here too? The 'Fire Shield' you made for me last time was a great help!"

The sounds of greetings and congratulations mingled together.

Those invited to witness the True Lord's Grand Ceremony were all prominent figures from various sects, either powerful elders or reclusive seniors. Even if they were not familiar with each other, they had all heard of each other.

This is a great opportunity to expand our network and exchange information.

It's common for people to appear amicable on the surface but harbor sharp wit in their words.

Several ancient monsters, whose auras were profound and who appeared as ordinary as mortals, yet whom no one dared to underestimate, had already taken their seats in the front row near the main seat, closing their eyes to rest and seemingly oblivious to the surrounding commotion, as if they were detached from worldly affairs.

The subtle fluctuations emanating from them caused the surrounding space to stagnate slightly; they were truly terrifying beings at the Great Perfection of the Purple Mansion realm.

Suddenly, the crowd stirred slightly as the light shone on the entrance to the square.

A tall Taoist priest, dressed in a dark purple robe, approached with his hands behind his back.

His face was ancient and his age was hard to discern. His black hair was not loose, but rather seemed to be drawn by an invisible force, with each strand floating slightly, and faint sparks running through it.

Between the opening and closing of his eyes, it seemed as if billions of thunderbolts were being born and dying deep within his pupils, and the air around him emitted subtle crackling sounds, as if it were a world of its own.

"The Sect Master of the Divine Firmament Sect, True Person Lei Huang, has arrived in person!"

"It's actually Sect Master Lei Huang! It seems the Shenxiao Sect attaches great importance to this grand ceremony."

"The seven lineages of the Thunder Law Daoist tradition share the same origin. It is only natural that True Monarch Zixu would come to witness the attainment of the Yin Thunder Fruit.

The newcomer was none other than the sect leader in charge of the Shenxiao Sect—Master Leihuang.

His presence at the ceremony undoubtedly gave Taihua Gate a great deal of face.

In no time, even more people came forward to greet and exchange pleasantries, and the scene became increasingly lively.

Master Lei Huang remained calm, nodding slightly in response to the greetings from the crowd without saying much, and walked straight to the reserved seat in the front row.

The invisible lightning field surrounding him caused those who approached him to feel a slight numbness and a sense of dread.

As guests arrived, the square became increasingly bustling with noise.

The noise paused for a moment when one person appeared.

He was a swordsman who appeared to be middle-aged.

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