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

Zuo Xiuxian raised an eyebrow: "Oh? Which family is the Xiao family?"

"Yes." Zuo Chunqiu nodded. "Your grandson agrees."

Zuo Xiuxian looked at him with some surprise: "You've come to your senses? You don't mind that she's only at the peak of Foundation Establishment? You used to say that you wouldn't marry anyone but a female cultivator at the Purple Mansion level."

Zuo Chunqiu's lips twitched, revealing a faint, almost self-deprecating smile: "In the past, I was young and impetuous, unaware of my own limitations. Female cultivators in the Purple Mansion are rare, and most of them are proud and arrogant. How could they easily marry out? The Xiao family and my Zuo family have been linked by marriage for generations, and we know each other well. To offer a woman who has reached the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage is already a show of sincerity. I... have nothing to complain about."

Zuo Xiuxian gave him a deep look, as if trying to read something from his face, but in the end he just nodded: "It's good that you can understand. Once you're married, your heart can settle down. Just then, didn't you say last night that to solve your mental problems, you need to undergo 'mortal transformation' training? Once these important matters entrusted by the ancient ancestor are initially sorted out, you can also hand over your important official duties. Then, you can get the marriage done."

"After the marriage, I will grant you a twenty-year leave. You will... disguise yourself as a newly arrived mortal from another family, go to the mortal settlement at the foot of the mountain, find a place to stay, and experience the 'mortal world' properly."

"Yes, grandson understands." Zuo Chunqiu bowed and replied calmly, as if he were talking about a trivial matter that had nothing to do with him.

For him, whether the bride's surname was Xiao or Jiao, or whether she was a Foundation Establishment cultivator or a Qi Refining cultivator, really made no difference.

Since that person is destined to be forever out of reach, it doesn't matter who you marry.

It was just fulfilling the family's mission, meeting the elders' expectations, and incidentally...

It's simply a matter of completely giving up those unrealistic fantasies.

-

Clouds drifted across the sky, and a fierce wind howled.

Zuo Qingqiu, holding Xiaobai's hand, rode the wind from the direction of Cuiwei Mountain. In the distance, the majestic outline of the Yuntai Mountain range could be seen faintly in the clouds.

The peaks, like swords, pierce the sky, with the main peak, Taihua, soaring into the clouds. Palaces and pavilions are faintly visible on its summit, shimmering with a faint golden halo under the sunlight, exuding an ethereal aura far surpassing that of Zuojiayu.

She suddenly increased her flying speed, leading Xiaobai, and her figure transformed into a pale purple streak that was difficult to see with the naked eye. She swept over the mountains and headed straight for Zixu Peak.

At the summit of Zixu Peak, her cave dwelling was still shrouded in misty spiritual energy and faint Daoist rhymes of thunder, just as it had been when she left.

The cave's protective barriers were intact, indicating that no one had broken in.

She landed on the platform in front of the cave with Little White and waved to remove the restriction.

"Sister, we're back~"

Little White cheered and, like a bird returning to its nest, hopped and skipped into the cave, looking around and touching everything as if it had been gone for a long time.

Zuo Qingqiu watched her retreating figure, a faint trace of gentleness flashing in her eyes.

Immediately, her gaze turned towards the direction of the main peak of Taihua Mountain.

They've returned, but both morally and logically, they should inform the Grand Elder.

It's not that she's bound by any etiquette or rules—with her current status as a Supreme Elder and Golden Core True Monarch, within the Taihua Sect, she can go wherever she wants, return whenever she wants, and leave whenever she wants, all according to her own will, without needing to report to anyone.

But in her heart, Master Qingwei, the elder who watched her grow up, gave her much guidance and protection on her path of cultivation, and was like a loving father, was an elder worthy of respect and admonition.

It's only natural to say goodbye to your elders when you return home from a trip.

Etiquette is static, but people are dynamic.

She never believed that becoming a True Lord meant she should be aloof and sever all human ties.

If even this little bit of warmth is to be discarded, then what difference is there between immortality and a cold stone?

"Little White," she called out, "I'm going to Taihua Peak to see the Grand Elder. You rest in the cave and don't wander off."

"Okay~" Little White poked its little head out of the cave and replied with a grin, "I'll prepare hot water and snacks for you, sister, when you come back~"

Zuo Qingqiu nodded slightly, and with a sway of her body, she transformed into a faint breeze, merging into the clouds and mist of the mountains, and drifting towards the main peak of Taihua.

She didn't deliberately hide her presence, but she also didn't flaunt it.

The journey was uneventful, much like a routine inspection by sect elders, and did not attract much attention.

Occasionally, a disciple would catch a glimpse of a blurry purple figure streaking across the sky from afar. He would simply assume it was an elder on his way, bow respectfully, and then continue with his own business.

Most of the disciples of Taihua Sect were unaware that their Supreme Elder, who had not yet officially taken office and had caused such an astonishing phenomenon, had quietly left the sect in the past few days.

Taihua Peak, the summit of the main branch of Taihua Sect, is the core place where the sect leader and elders conduct their quiet cultivation and deliberations.

The peak is towering high, straight as a sword, with its upper half hidden in the clouds and mist all year round. Only when the sun shines brightly can one glimpse the magnificent and ancient palace complex at the top.

The palaces are mostly built with huge blue and white stones, with carved beams and painted rafters, flying eaves and brackets. The style is simple and grand, and after thousands of years of wind and rain, it has gained a sense of vicissitude and weight.

Zuo Qingqiu did not fly directly to the summit. Instead, when he approached the protective barrier of Taihua Peak, he concealed his escape light and switched to ordinary wind riding. His speed was not fast, and his demeanor was composed.

Just as she stepped into the area of ​​Taihua Peak, still some distance from the main hall at the summit, a gentle yet vast divine sense swept over her silently, like mercury spilling onto the ground, pausing slightly on her.

It is the divine consciousness of the True Man Qingwei.

Zuo Qingqiu remained expressionless and continued flying.

As she landed and stepped onto the jade steps, arriving at the spacious plaza atop Mount Taihua, and walked toward the magnificent main hall, "Taihua Palace," a familiar figure in a black Taoist robe was already standing with his hands behind his back under the eaves of the palace's main entrance.

It was none other than the Grand Elder, the Pure and Subtle True Man.

He still had that lean and vigorous appearance, with three long strands of beard hanging down to his chest, wearing a lotus crown, with a peaceful face and eyes as deep as an ancient well, as if they could contain all things in the world.

But at this moment, his usually calm eyes held a hint of barely perceptible relief and gentleness.

"You're back?"

Master Qingwei looked at Zuo Qingqiu as she slowly approached, a faint smile on his face, his tone as ordinary as an elder in the family asking about his children and grandchildren who were returning home late.

Zuo Qingqiu stopped at the bottom of the steps and bowed slightly: "Grandmaster Uncle".

Master Qingwei waved his hand: "No need for formalities. Come in."

He turned around and walked into the hall first.

Zuo Qingqiu followed half a step behind, and the two of them stepped into the spacious and solemn main hall of Taihua Palace, one in front of the other.

The hall is extremely spacious, with a dome supported by seventy-two golden pillars with coiled dragons, and the floor is paved with shiny, mirror-like green jade.

Directly in front was a tall jade platform, upon which sat the throne of the sect leader, which was currently empty.

There are several chairs on each side, where the elders sit when they hold meetings.

The hall was empty and quiet, with only the soft echoes of two people's footsteps.

"Have the past events been resolved?"

Instead of walking towards the jade platform, Master Qingwei sat down at a tea table on the side of the hall, waved for Zuo Qingqiu to sit down as well, and casually asked.

-

PS: Judging from the backend data, it seems that everyone prefers the cute little dragon girl, Xiaobai, to the protagonist, who is aloof and ethereal. Wow, the charm of the aloof fairy can't even compare to that of a little dragon girl!