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

After confirming that Xiaobai was alright, and even that she had benefited from the misfortune, Zuo Qingqiu took her hand and returned to the bamboo house where they usually rested.

The interior of the bamboo house is very simply furnished, with a table, a chair, a cushion, an incense burner, and a desk—that's all.

Outside the window are several stalks of green bamboo, glistening in the sunlight after the rain, swaying gently in the breeze and casting dappled shadows, which enhances the tranquility of the room.

Little White was still in a state of excitement after "swallowing the pearl," touching and looking around the bamboo house as if it had been a long time since it had been there.

Zuo Qingqiu watched her retreating figure, a slight smile curving his lips. Then, with a thought, he took out a dark silver magic mirror from the storage bag at his waist, which had shrunk to the size of a palm and resembled an exquisite dressing mirror.

"Little White, come here," she called.

"Huh? Sister, what's this?" Xiao Bai was immediately attracted and hopped over, looking curiously at the small mirror in Zuo Qingqiu's hand.

Zuo Qingqiu did not answer immediately, but instead infused a wisp of immortal energy into the magic weapon in his palm.

"Buzz—"

The small, dark silver mirror trembled slightly, then rapidly expanded and enlarged as if inflated, returning to its original form in the blink of an eye.

A floor-length silver mirror, about six feet high and four feet wide, with intricately carved magic patterns on the frame and a deep, dark mirror surface like the night sky.

The mirror frame, with its flowing, dark silver luster and smooth surface, reflected the scene inside the bamboo house, as well as Zuo Qingqiu and Xiaobai standing in front of it.

"Wow! What a huge mirror crow!" Little White exclaimed, circling the magic mirror and even reaching out its little hand to touch the cool, dark silver frame.

Zuo Qingqiu looked at the magic mirror, and with a slight thought, communicated with the spirit within the mirror.

The next moment, the smooth, obsidian-like mirror surface rippled again, and a soft, moonlight-like silvery-white light shone from the mirror, revealing the virtual, cozy "room".

In the center of the room, the image of a little girl with silver hair and red eyes, dressed in a flowing fairy dress with wide sleeves—the spirit Youli—stood gracefully.

"Master~ Youli is ready~ Please use Youli to your heart's content~" As soon as Youli's virtual image appeared, it immediately bowed respectfully in the direction of Zuo Qingqiu, its voice clear and sweet, carrying undisguised intimacy and flattery.

Those ruby-like eyes shone with an astonishing light when they saw Zuo Qingqiu.

But then, its gaze fell on the little girl next to Zuo Qingqiu, who also had dazzling silver hair, delicate and lovely features, and was curiously looking at it with wide eyes.

You Li's virtual image paused almost imperceptibly.

We both have white hair, petite figures, and an inhuman delicacy. How could there be someone in this world so similar to me?

Almost simultaneously, Youli's powerful "computation" and "analysis" core instantly completed a preliminary "scan" and "assessment" of the silver-haired Little Dragon Girl in front of her.

[Target: Dragon larva, with silver hair.]

Rooted in the ancient dragon race, a lineage of white dragons, and a pure-blooded royal descendant.

Cultivation level: Peak fourth-order demonic beast (peak late-stage Foundation Establishment).

Threat level: High.

On the other side, Zuo Qingqiu introduced Xiaobai, "Xiaobai, this is 'Youli,' the spirit of this 'Yuanguang Dongxuan Mirror.' It has many functions; it can keep you company, store knowledge, assist in deducing cultivation techniques and supernatural abilities, and it can also say many nice things."

She then looked at Youli in the mirror: "Youli, this is Bai Yuling, my maid, and also my half-sister. If I have to go out and am not on the peak, you can keep her company and talk to her to relieve her boredom."

"younger sister?!"

Alarm bells rang loudly in You Li's mind!

Alright, this shameless little white dragon and his master are indeed having an affair!

You Li's heart was churning with emotions, but on her virtual avatar's face, a sweeter smile, even tinged with a hint of "surprise," appeared. "So you're Master's sister! You Li greets Miss Yu Ling! Miss Yu Ling is naturally beautiful, with flowing silver hair. Standing with Master, she's like the moon accompanying the stars, captivating all who behold her~"

She bowed respectfully to Xiaobai, but the title "Miss" subtly placed Xiaobai in the position of "someone who needs to be treated with respect," rather than as its "servant" like Zuo Qingqiu.

"Hello, Sister Youli! It's nice to meet you!" Little White was quite guileless. Seeing a "little friend" with white hair like herself who also looked cute, she was very happy. She waved her little hand, her big eyes curving into adorable crescent moons. "Wow? Your hair color is just like mine! It's so pretty! And your eyes, your pupils are so red and bright, like the glow of the sunset!"

As she spoke, she tilted her head, her tone innocent and naive: "But little sister Youli, you didn't copy my hair, did you? I love touching my hair~ I say it's as beautiful as moonlight~"

Zuo Qingqiu couldn't help but chuckle upon hearing this, and reached out to ruffle Xiaobai's silver hair: "Yes, Xiaobai's hair is indeed very beautiful."

"I may have to disappoint Miss Yuling. Youli's appearance has been the same since she was born, and she has not imitated Miss Yuling."

You Li maintained her perfect smile and her voice remained sweet, but the meaning behind her words began to become somewhat subtle.

"Master is so amazing~ Youli admires you to the point of prostration~ I think you are definitely a person with great fortune recorded in ancient books. With the Dragon Princess by your side, your immortal fortune will surely be prosperous. However, only a peerless person with such heavenly appearance as you can make the Dragon Princess willingly serve you closely."

On the surface, it's praising Zuo Qingqiu's "heavenly beauty" and the noble status of the White Dragon Clan princess, but in reality, it subtly points out: I am a spirit of an artifact, born to serve my master; you are a "noble" dragon princess, yet you are willing to be a slave.

Xiao Bai is simple-minded, but the royal bloodline of the ancient dragon clan gives him an innate and keen intuition about "status" and "rank".

She blinked her big eyes, seemingly sensing something amiss in You Li's words, but wasn't quite sure.

"Oh dear, what do you mean by serving? Youli, you're so good with words!" Xiaobai waved her hand, mimicking Zuo Qingqiu's usual calm demeanor, trying her best to adopt the magnanimous attitude of the "first wife." "Sister is so good to me! I'm not serving you, I'm your sister! But you, Youli, with your sweet tongue, you must know how to please sister, right? With you around, sister won't feel bored anymore."

It sounds like they're praising You Li for being "talkative" and "good at relieving boredom," but it actually implies: You're just a talking "little thing," there to keep your older sister entertained. As for me, Bai Yuling, I'm the "younger sister," family.

You Li's virtual image maintained its smile, but a glint of lightning flashed in its red eyes.

"Miss Yuling is too kind. It is my honor to share Master's burdens and relieve his boredom. The purpose of my existence is to do my best to meet all of Master's needs, whether it is storing and deducing, or simply keeping him company and offering praise. As for Miss Yuling, as a princess of the Dragon Clan, cultivation must be more important to you. If you neglect your cultivation because of playing, Master will probably be heartbroken."

The subtext is: My purpose in being here is to serve my master in every way; that's what I call "professional." As a little white dragon who needs to cultivate, you're always clinging to your master and playing around, which is "neglecting your duties" and will make your master feel "embarrassed."

Xiao Bai choked for a moment.

Although she didn't quite understand those intricacies, she could sense that this "mirror spirit" named You Li didn't seem to like her and was "stealing" her sister away!

"Hmph! I won't let that interfere with my cultivation! Sister gave me so many good things, I'm cultivating really fast!" Little White puffed out her budding chest defiantly, then suddenly remembered something, her eyes lit up, and she said with a hint of smugness, "Besides, Sister just gave me a really~ powerful treasure pearl! After I ate it, I felt so energetic! My cultivation will definitely be even faster now! Right, Sister~"

As she spoke, she looked at Zuo Qingqiu, her large, kalanz-like eyes seeking approval.

Zuo Qingqiu stood aside, watching You Li and Xiao Bai "chatting happily." One was sweet-talking and obedient, and the other was lively and cute. He felt quite gratified.

She felt that it was a good thing that Xiaobai had a "companion" to talk to on a daily basis.

As for the hidden veiled meaning in their words... Zuo Qingqiu, with her long-standing reclusive nature and somewhat detached attitude towards worldly affairs, didn't notice it at all.

She simply assumed it was two little girls praising and being modest with each other.

They are such polite little girls.