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

Zuo Qingqiu watched his figure disappear, then left the old house and came to the majestic and solemn Zude Hall once again.

The hall was empty, with only a few disciples standing by. Zuo Qingqiu walked straight to the head seat and sat down.

Not long after, Zuo Chunqiu entered with five young men and women.

Three boys and two girls, all between twelve or thirteen and fifteen or sixteen years old, were dressed in the standard uniform of the Zuo family. Each of them had a youthful face and their eyes were filled with tension, excitement, and an undisguised curiosity as they secretly sized up Zuo Qingqiu, who sat upright with an aloof and cold demeanor like the bright moon in the sky.

Is this the legendary ancient ancestor?

That True Lord who attained the Golden Elixir at the age of over two hundred and caused extraordinary phenomena in the heavens and earth?

She looks...so young, so beautiful, and...so dignified.

Just sitting there quietly made them feel an invisible pressure, and they unconsciously softened their breathing.

"Kneel down and pay homage to the ancient ancestor!" Zuo Chunqiu shouted in a low voice.

The five boys and girls, as if waking from a dream, immediately knelt down in unison, kowtowing and bowing: "Greetings, Ancient Ancestor! May the Ancient Ancestor enjoy eternal bliss and the Great Dao flourish!"

His voice trembled slightly from nervousness.

Zuo Qingqiu calmly swept his gaze over the five people, and with a slight movement of his divine sense, he had already seen most of their cultivation, physical attributes, and even their temperament and fortune.

Yes, their aptitudes are indeed quite good. All five of them are at the second-grade Void Aperture level, with the best one, the girl in red, even vaguely touching the edge of the first grade. She is full of spiritual energy, with bright and lively eyes, and is a promising talent. Their temperaments are also quite calm; at least in front of her, they can maintain basic manners and do not lose their composure.

"Get up," she said, her voice clear and cold, like jade striking each other.

The five men rose as instructed, stood at their sides with their hands at their sides, and dared not raise their heads.

"On the path of cultivation, the most important thing is one's character, followed by one's foundation, and only then one's aptitude and opportunities." Zuo Qingqiu cut to the chase without wasting words. "Your aptitude is decent, but you must not be arrogant because of it. You must know that heaven rewards diligence, and water dripping wears away stone."

Her gaze fell on the most talented girl in red: "You, come here."

The girl in red trembled, quickly stepped forward, and knelt down again: "Ancient Ancestor."

Zuo Qingqiu extended a finger and pointed it in the air.

A tiny, almost invisible bolt of purple lightning shot from her fingertip and entered the red-clad girl's brow.

The girl shuddered, feeling a cool, tingling sensation flood her mind. Instantly, many of the obstacles she had encountered regarding the circulation of her cultivation technique and the absorption of spiritual energy became clear! She even faintly sensed the loosening of the bottleneck at the ninth level of Qi Refining!

"The 'Heavenly Fire Life Scripture' you are cultivating has excessive fire energy, which has damaged your lung metal element. In the future, you should pay attention to using water-based spiritual energy to balance it. The best time to cultivate is during the Mao hour (5-7 am) every day, which can draw on the lesser yang energy of the east to balance the fire element," Zuo Qingqiu said calmly.

The girl in red was both surprised and delighted, and quickly kowtowed, saying, "Thank you for your guidance, Ancestor! I will remember it!"

Zuo Qingqiu then looked at the other four people and pointed out their mistakes or areas for improvement in their cultivation. She would guide them on the flow of qi, remind them of important points, or impart some small techniques. Every word hit the nail on the head, enlightening the young men and women who received her guidance, filling them with immense joy.

This wasn't some profound guidance, but for these young men and women in the Qi Refining stage, it was like clearing away the clouds to reveal the sun, enough to save them from many detours.

Finally, Zuo Qingqiu's gaze swept over the five people, and his voice was solemn: "What I have said today, you must diligently contemplate and not slacken. You must also remember that cultivation is not about fighting and vying with others, but about understanding your own mind and nature, and seeking the Great Dao. Avoid arrogance and impatience, and be down-to-earth; this is the right path."

"Yes! We will follow the teachings of our ancestors!" the five replied in unison, completely convinced.

Zuo Qingqiu nodded slightly and said no more.

Seeing this, Zuo Chunqiu knew that the instruction was finished, and quickly signaled the five people to step down.

The five young men and women bowed respectfully again, then, suppressing their excitement, left the Zude Hall.

It is conceivable that what they have gained today will become a valuable asset on their spiritual path, and may even change their lives.

The hall returned to silence.

Zuo Chunqiu bowed again: "Many thanks to our ancestor for his great kindness! Such guidance is like a second life to them!"

Zuo Qingqiu waved his hand, indicating that there was no need for such formalities.

She stood up and said to Zuo Chunqiu, "You should assist the elders in handling family matters properly. The new rules for resource promotion are related to the future of the family and must be fair and impartial, without favoritism."

Zuo Chunqiu's heart skipped a beat, knowing that this was the Ancient Ancestor giving him a warning, but also an opportunity. He quickly replied solemnly, "Chunqiu understands! I will do my utmost to live up to the Ancient Ancestor's expectations!"

"Hmm." Zuo Qingqiu said no more and walked out of the hall.

"Is the Ancestor returning to the sect so soon? Why not stay in the clan for a few more days..." Zuo Chunqiu hurriedly followed.

"No need." Zuo Qingqiu continued walking. "The sect still has matters to attend to."

As they spoke, they had already walked out of the Zude Hall.

Sunlight streamed down, illuminating her figure in white, which was as pure as snow.

She didn't look back at Mount Cuiwei, which held so many complex memories, nor did she glance at Zuo Chunqiu, who stood respectfully with his head bowed behind her.

With just a light step, clouds rose beneath his feet, and he slowly ascended into the sky.

"Respectfully bidding farewell to our ancient ancestor!"

Zuo Chunqiu and the clansmen standing around him all bowed to see them off.

Standing on the clouds, Zuo Qingqiu took one last look at Zuojiayu below, the family land where she was born, grew up, and yet became estranged from.

Then, she turned around, and the clouds surged, transforming into a streak of light that sped off toward Taihua Gate.

The wind passes without a trace, and the clouds disperse across the sky.

Only her clear, cold voice seemed to remain, drifting away on the wind:

"The past is gone, the road ahead is long."

"Let's go and see."

-

Zuo Chunqiu stood on the white marble square outside Zude Hall, looking up at the streak of light that quickly receded into the distance and eventually disappeared completely into the azure sky and the depths of the clouds.

The autumn wind was still crisp and clear, blowing the hem of his blue robe and dispelling the last trace of excitement and hope in his heart.

The square was deserted; the hustle and bustle of the ancestral worship ceremony had long since faded, leaving only the cold jade ground reflecting the dazzling sunlight.

Everyone dispersed.

The ancient ancestor has also passed away.

That brief moment of guidance, like a fleeting glimpse of a beautiful swan, brought immense opportunities to those lucky juniors, and also allowed him, the person responsible for the introduction, to gain recognition before the ancient ancestor.

But when that white figure soared away without a backward glance, all that remained for him was a profound emptiness and an indescribable melancholy.

Just like many years ago, when that twelve-year-old girl boarded the airship without looking back and left the towering mountains.

Now, two hundred years have passed.

The figure flew higher and farther, so far that even looking up made his neck ache, so far that they were now from completely different worlds.

"My Lord," a steward standing not far away cautiously stepped forward, "those young masters and ladies have already been sent back."

Zuo Chunqiu snapped out of his daze, his face regaining its usual composure and indifference.

He nodded, his voice calm: "Well done, you can go now."

The deacon bowed and withdrew.

Zuo Chunqiu stood still for a while, gazing at the drifting clouds in the sky, as if he could still see that fleeting glimpse of a white figure.

In the end, he only sighed almost inaudibly, turned around, and slowly walked down the square along the way he had come, heading towards his residence in the core area of ​​Zuojiayu.

His steps were unhurried, his back straight. He was still the young and promising head of the Zuo family's finance department, highly regarded by the elders, the leading figure of the younger generation of the Zuo family, and the future heir to the position of clan leader.

Only he himself knew how cold and empty his beating heart felt at that moment.