The charming widow of the Marquis's mansion: The stable boy carries the flag and raises the dra

The Primordial Holy Palace.

Ye Niannu unfolded the scroll again and looked at it over and over.

She leaned against the stone wall, pressing the note to her chest, as if she could feel Wang Long's presence through the paper.

"My lord..."

She murmured softly, her voice filled with joy, like honey overflowing from the depths of her heart, impossible to hide.

Ye Niannu was quite certain that Wang Long would come to pick her up soon and leave her, so she wouldn't have to stay in this suffocating place anymore!

Just then, footsteps came from outside the stone gate.

The footsteps were neither hurried nor slow, yet they carried a deliberate weight, as if proclaiming the authority of the newcomer.

"Um?"

Ye Niannu's smile vanished instantly, her brows furrowed slightly, and she turned to look at the stone gate.

The stone door was slowly pushed open.

A thin figure stood in the doorway, backlit, making it impossible to see his face, but a gloomy aura emanated from him.

The newcomer wore a long gray-black robe, had a gaunt face, high cheekbones, deep-set eyes, and a habitually downturned mouth, as if he found fault with everything.

It was Xu Ming, the Grand Elder of the Primordial Holy Palace.

The oppressive aura of a supreme being subtly enveloped him, like an invisible net, exuding immense pressure.

"Ye Niannu."

Xu Ming's voice was hoarse and dry, like sandpaper rubbing against iron, making it extremely unpleasant to listen to.

Ye Niannu put away the note, glanced at him indifferently, and spoke in a flat tone.

"Greetings, Elder."

Xu Ming entered the cave and glanced at the little spiritual liquid remaining in the spiritual pool.

His gaze fell back on Ye Niannu, his eyes filled with scrutiny and displeasure.

"People from the Heavenly Evolution Sect have arrived."

Upon hearing this, Ye Niannu frowned almost imperceptibly for a moment, then relaxed her brow.

What are they doing here?

"I am still in seclusion and cannot receive guests."

Xu Ming's lips twitched, revealing an expression that was both a smile and a mockery.

"Seclusion? How long have you been in seclusion? You've been at the peak of the Saint Realm, and you're still at the peak of the Saint Realm, without any sign of breaking through."

"Using those resources on you is a complete waste!"

Ye Niannu's face turned cold.

"All my resources were brought to me by my master from outside."

"I haven't spent a single spirit stone or pill from the Primordial Holy Palace, not before, not now, and not ever again!"

Ye Niannu pointed at Xu Ming, who was going all out and showing no fear of being at the peak of the Saint Realm.

"When my master brought me into the Primordial Holy Palace, my Holy Body had not yet awakened. You all said I was a waste, that keeping me around was a disgrace to the Primordial Holy Palace, and that you wouldn't give me any resources."

"It was my master who overcame all opposition to raise me and teach me cultivation."

"Later, after I awakened my Immaculate Holy Body, you bestowed upon me the title of Holy Maiden, hoping to reap the benefits?"

"Elder, is there such a thing as a free lunch in this world?"

Xu Ming's face flushed red and then turned pale, and his lips twitched twice.

He hadn't expected Ye Niannu to so bluntly bring up those old stories.

In those years, he did indeed say to Ye Wushuang's face that "raising a good-for-nothing is a waste of the sect's resources."

But that's all in the past.

Now that Ye Niannu has awakened the Immaculate Holy Body and is also a Holy Maiden, if she could marry the young master of the Tianyan Sect, it would be an extremely beneficial thing for the Taichu Holy Palace.

What's wrong with sacrificing a little for the sect?

It doesn't matter who you marry.

And this is the young sect master of the Tianyan Sect!

"snort!"

Xu Ming snorted coldly, stood with his hands behind his back, and his tone turned serious.

"As long as you remain in the Primordial Holy Palace, you are a member of the Primordial Holy Palace!"

"Having enjoyed the sect's protection and status, one should bear the corresponding responsibilities!"

"Ye Niannu, you've been stuck at the peak of the Saint Realm for so long, unable to break through. Marrying into the Heavenly Evolution Sect might allow you to use their resources to advance even further!"

"The young master of the Heavenly Evolution Sect is already at the mid-stage of the Supreme Realm. If it weren't for your Immaculate Sacred Body, do you think he would even look at you?"

Upon hearing this, Ye Niannu smiled instead of getting angry, raised her eyelids, and glanced at him indifferently.

"That's perfect, let him stop looking. I don't even like him. Let them go back to where they came from!"

Xu Ming's face darkened completely.

He took a step forward, and his aura at the peak of the supreme realm was like an invisible mountain, crushing down on Ye Niannu!

"Ye Niannu! Don't be ungrateful!"

"The sect has nurtured you for so many years, not so you could act recklessly!"

He raised his hand, and a gray light condensed in his palm, radiating a chilling sense of oppression.

Ye Niannu's expression remained unchanged; she simply looked at him quietly without taking a single step back.

Just as that gray light was about to leave his hand.

A white figure appeared without warning at the stone gate, and a clear, cold voice rang out, instantly severing the surging spiritual energy fluctuations in the air.

"Elder, what a magnificent display of power!"

Ye Wushuang instantly appeared in front of Ye Niannu, shielding her behind him, and stared coldly at Xu Ming.

Her aura was restrained, yet it was like a sharp blade hidden in its sheath—still when still, but when it moved, it was as powerful as thunder.

Xu Ming's hand paused.

He met Ye Wushuang's icy gaze, and his body involuntarily stiffened.

Ye Wushuang's status in the Primordial Holy Palace was second only to that of the Supreme Elder who was in seclusion for many years.

His strength is unfathomable. He reached the peak of the Supreme Realm several years ago, and it is said that he is only one step away from becoming the Heavenly Supreme.

Xu Ming considered himself strong, but he wasn't confident he could face Ye Wushuang.

"Palace Master Ye, you've come at the perfect time."

Xu Ming withdrew his hand, cleared his throat as if trying to remain calm, and softened his tone.

"I've only come to persuade Niannu to be mindful of the bigger picture and consider the overall situation. The young master of the Tianyan Sect has already arrived at the mountain gate, bringing two Supreme Peak protectors with him. They've shown great sincerity; we can't let them leave empty-handed, can we?"

Ye Wushuang glanced at him, then at Ye Niannu, her expression calm, but her voice carried an undeniable chill.

"I will discuss this matter with Niannu. It is not a reason for you to take action arbitrarily!"

"Elder, please return!"

Xu Ming's expression changed, and the corners of his mouth pursed into a thin line.

"Palace Master Ye, don't forget, the Supreme Elder is also watching."

"This isn't something you can decide on your own."

He raised his finger and pointed in a certain direction deep within the cave, as if it were a reminder, or perhaps a threat.

"The Supreme Elder means that he hopes Niannu will prioritize the overall situation. The sect has nurtured her for so many years, and now it's time for her to contribute to the sect."

Xu Ming flicked his sleeves and let out a cold snort.

"I have said all I need to say. Take care of yourself."

After saying this, he turned and walked quickly and hurriedly out of the cave.

As he passed by Ye Wushuang, he tilted his head slightly and lowered his voice.

"Palace Master Ye, protecting your own is fine, but don't drag the entire Primordial Holy Palace down with you."

After saying that, he left without looking back.

The stone door closed again, and the cave returned to silence.

Ye Niannu put away her previous confrontational demeanor, her eyes slightly reddening, and looked at Ye Wushuang.

"Master..."

Ye Wushuang walked over and gently patted her shoulder.

"It's alright. With your teacher here, he won't have a chance to bully you."

Ye Niannu leaned into her arms, her face extremely pale.

She really didn't want to see the so-called young master of the Tianyan Sect, but she had no choice but to.

Ye Niannu felt a lump in her throat, calling out Wang Long's name in her heart.

"My lord, come quickly!"