C3 It Seems like the Mountain Master Is My Senior Sister!

Everyone present gaped at the big block dog in amazement.

Was this dog exceptionally perceptive?

After its meal, it not only patted its belly but also used its pinky nail to pick at its teeth.

The most astonishing aspect was its size; while it had the body of a typical big block dog, its belly was swollen like a small boat.

City Lord Huang was taken aback by the sight.

Could it be that the food in the Keep had all been devoured by this big block dog?

Yao Jing, seated next to him, had a glint in his eye.

It was that dog, no, that elder!

City Lord Huang bellowed, "Where did this stray dog come from? Someone, drive it out with a beating!"

At City Lord Huang's command, Yao Jing was terrified.

"Hold on!"

Yao Jing called out loudly.

He feared that if he delayed, some foolhardy servant might actually strike the elder with a stick.

"Hmm?"

City Lord Huang gave Yao Jing a puzzled look.

"Yao Jing, what's the meaning of this?"

"City Lord Huang, proceed with caution, lest you offend the elder."

"Elder?"

City Lord Huang was utterly bewildered.

An elder? What elder?

The big block dog?

Everyone else, except the Imperial City Lord, was equally baffled.

They wondered if Yao Jing had lost his mind or if they had misheard.

How could Yao Jing refer to a dog as an elder?

Yet, Yao Jing's subsequent action dispelled any doubt.

They watched as the elder approached the big block dog and gave it a respectful bow.

"Elder Dog."

It was confirmed; Yao Jing had lost his senses!

But then, something even more astonishing occurred.

The big block dog stopped picking its teeth and looked at Yao Jing with contempt.

"Ah, isn't this the old man from outside the city? Have you dealt with the traitor?"

The big block dog spoke!

Speaking human language? A fourth-tier Fellbeast!

Normally, a big block dog wouldn't even qualify as a Fellbeast.

But this big block dog could speak human language, clearly indicating it was a fourth-tier Fellbeast.

A dog had managed to cultivate into a fourth-tier Fellbeast, while they, the so-called geniuses, hadn't even reached the threshold of Soul Manifestation.

The saying goes, "A dog is better than a person," and Yao Jing was taken aback by the truth of it.

How had the venerable dog come to know of their recent troubles?

He nodded his head in respect and bowed once more.

"We owe you our thanks, Senior Dog, for tipping us off and helping us root out the traitor."

Coal, the big black dog, nonchalantly waved a paw.

"Don't mention it. Consider the meal I've had as compensation. You all..."

Coal paused mid-sentence, suddenly halting.

A figure emerged from behind him.

It was Wu Pingfan!

"Coal, what brings you here?"

Wu Pingfan was holding a chicken leg, which he still clutched as he appeared.

But upon noticing the group of people before Coal, he was visibly taken aback.

After a brief moment of surprise, he awkwardly offered the chicken leg to the group.

"Um... should I give this back to you?"

He was aware that sneaking food from the kitchen with Coal was wrong, but they were simply too famished to resist.

Coal?

Was this young man the master of the dog?

Just how powerful could he be?

"Woof!"

Coal's bark snapped everyone back to reality.

Then, Coal's voice echoed in their minds.

"My master is unaware that I can speak the language of humans, so let's keep that between us."

City Lord Huang was at a loss for words, but Yao Jing quickly gestured dismissively.

"It's merely some food, hardly worth fussing over. Young master, if you don't mind, why not join us for a meal?"

Yao Jing's invitation earned him the admiration of all present.

If a mere mutt was a Stage Four Fellbeast, what level of power did its master possess?

Such a gesture was sure to endear the young master to them.

Wu Pingfan chuckled.

"Grandpa, you're far too kind. Well then, I'll take you up on your offer!"

The guileless smile on the young man's face left everyone feeling uneasy.

This couldn't be right!

How could a concealed powerhouse be so guileless and cheerful?

Wasn't he supposed to speak in riddles?

Yet, in the end, Wu Pingfan did indeed take a seat and joined them for the meal.

They were now in a private room, with only a few people gathered around the table: City Lord Huang, Yao Jing, Xiao Xiao, and Wu Pingfan himself.

Coal, of course, did not join them at the table, and Wu Pingfan would not have it any other way.

They had been graciously invited for a meal, but allowing a dog like Coal to jump on the table would be quite disrespectful, wouldn't it?

Since Wu Pingfan and Coal had finished off all the food in the kitchen, the dishes now on the table had been specially ordered and brought back from a restaurant by City Lord Huang.

Once the food was served, Wu Pingfan didn't wait for anyone else and began eating on his own.

His actions left City Lord Huang and Yao Jing at a loss for words.

Seeing him eating alone, they felt it would be rude to interrupt, so they refrained from joining in uninvited.

Instead, City Lord Huang and Yao Jing engaged in their own conversation.

Xiao Xiao, the ice queen, was content to enjoy her meal while observing the amusing pair of man and dog beside her.

The two men discussed recent political events and shared updates on their cultivation progress. Eventually, Huang Chengzhu posed a question.

"Yao Jing, how has Zhuo Xianqun, the Mountain Lord, been lately? Any advancements in her cultivation?"

The news that the Mountain Lord of Heavenly Mountain had reached the pinnacle of the Mystic Soul Realm and was on the verge of breaking through to the Heavenly Realm was common knowledge.

A rising first-rate power was naturally the focus of much attention.

Wu Pingfan, who had been voraciously devouring his meal, suddenly looked up.

"Zhuo Xianqun?"

The name sounded masculine.

"Hmm? Young Master, you're familiar with our Mountain Lord?"

Yao Jing asked with a chuckle, pride evident in his voice due to the renown of their Mountain Lord.

Wu Pingfan chewed and swallowed the bite he had just taken.

"Are you talking about Zhuo Xianqun, the one who loves extremely spicy food and wears shorts all year round?"

Wu Pingfan vividly recalled how that woman, despite being an excellent cook, always insisted on adding copious amounts of spice to her dishes. During his time on the mountain, she never missed a day to flaunt her legs, either in a short skirt or shorts, much to the distraction of the other male disciples.

He hadn't paid much mind to it when they were together, but now that they'd been apart for so long, he found himself missing her.

"How do you know about her?"

Yao Jing asked, his mouth agape with astonishment.

The Mountain Lord typically kept to himself, only making time for the elders and a few key disciples. Most of his days were spent in seclusion, and as such, the number of people privy to these confidential matters could be counted on one's fingers.

But how did the venerable Senior Dog come by this information?

Could it be that they were old friends?

Wu Pingfan offered an awkward smile.

"The Mountain Lord you're referring to is likely my senior sister..."