C98 The Love Token!

Elder Chiu Yue was oblivious to the events that had unfolded; he was simply aware that his disciple had emerged from the Hidden Space. His only concern was for Jiang Su's well-being; nothing else mattered.

The sight of the four figures on the round platform left everyone in awe!

"The Eldest Senior Brother has defied the laws of the Cultivation World, rescuing them from the Hidden Space! It's incredible!"

"Isn't Eldest Senior Brother's cultivation level only at the Mid Period of the Foundation Stage? He's incredibly powerful."

"Eldest Senior Brother looks so cool with that stoic expression! I wish I could live closer to Sword Wing Peak to catch a glimpse of him when he descends the mountain."

"I'm dying to know what happened inside, but the Water Mirror is broken."

Upon hearing these murmurs, Jiang Su breathed a sigh of relief. To dodge any unnecessary complications, he had quickly stashed the Qianyuan Sword and Little Kylin into his storage space upon exiting.

He hadn't anticipated such a fortunate turn of events. With the Water Mirror shattered, only Xi Junrong, Murong Qi, and Lee Shiyan were privy to the occurrences within.

This was precisely what he desired.

He aimed to maintain a low profile.

Su Wuyou and Lin Tian rose from their seats, applauding enthusiastically.

They swelled with pride for Jiang Su.

Yang Tian felt a pang of sorrow watching Shen Yunqing's tears; her emotional outpouring, however, was not for him.

Bai Yih, seated, had been fixated on Murong Yan since her arrival, a pattern spanning centuries.

In this regard, they were strikingly alike.

Bai Yih, using his divine sense, sent a furious message to Yang Tian, who was beside him, lost in thought as he gazed at Shen Yunqing. "I informed you that the son of a Devil Cultivator master was visiting the First Devil Sect today! Why didn't you report this to me? He's the Female Ruler's brother!"

Yang Tian shuddered under his master's wrath, his complexion ashen. He was unaware of Murong Qi's identity. Moreover, as he had tried to inform Bai Yih, his master had been entranced by Jiang Su and hadn't listened attentively.

This wasn't his fault!

Murong Qi, the Female Ruler's cousin, had been frail since childhood. He convalesced within the Wuchu Region's palace, frequently visited by the Female Ruler herself. She strictly forbade any inquiries about Murong Qi, leaving many in the Devil Domain clueless about his appearance.

Yang Tian promptly examined the booklet in Hsu Feng's possession, confirming that Murong Qi had indeed registered under a pseudonym at the mountain's base.

Atop the round platform, Murong Qi sensed Jiang's melancholy and wondered what had transpired. Upon seeing Murong Yan unharmed, he resumed his icy, aristocratic demeanor and spoke, "Sister, we owe our victory over the beast tide and escape from the Hidden Space to Eldest Senior Brother."

Jiang Su turned at the sound of his voice, locking eyes with Murong Yan. Her eyes shone with the luster of fine jade, otherworldly in their beauty.

A tender breeze flirted with Murong Yan's veil, revealing its delicate lightness.

Her lips were a striking red, her presence serene and majestic.

Jiang Su's heart raced as he realized how long it had been since he'd last seen his wife.

Murong Yan's voice drifted on the breeze, "Thank you."

Her eyes seemed to shimmer as if tears had melted away frost, enhancing her loveliness.

Jiang Su's ears flushed with warmth. He was well aware of his wife's allure, but today, he sensed a subtle shift in their relationship, a change he couldn't quite articulate.

Could Murong Qi be the cause?

Elder Chiu Yue, observing Jiang Su's changing expressions and reactions, surmised the situation. His disciple might have developed feelings for the Female Ruler, whose behavior towards Jiang Su was peculiar.

In that instant, Elder Chiu Yue felt a pang of sorrow.

Torn between his belief that one shouldn't interfere with another's marriage—especially since the Female Ruler was wed to the Prince of Tianqi—and his regret over her union with a non-cultivator, he found himself wishing his disciple and the Female Ruler could be together. And it seemed, perhaps, the Female Ruler harbored some affection for his disciple as well.

His face went through a series of changes before he steeled himself. With tears brimming in his eyes, he reached out and firmly grasped Jiang Su's hand.

Jiang Su, puzzled, studied his master's countenance. What was wrong with him?

"I've seen through it all. You rescued Murong Qi and the others, and to keep us from worrying, you concealed your old wounds. It must be quite painful now," Elder Chiu Yue said, his acting so convincing that he seemed genuinely concerned.

Like Su Wuyou before him, Master Chiu Yue had suddenly taken to the stage of pretense. Jiang Su blinked innocently, and just as he was about to speak, Elder Chiu Yue spun him around to face away from Murong Yan.

"Don't speak. This is for your own good."

Murong Yan's smile remained radiant, even behind the veil. Murong Qi, watching his sister's stunning smile, felt his heart race.

She was clearly looking at Jiang Su.

He was causing a stir, and she was smiling.

Murong Qi was overjoyed. He wished for nothing more than for his sister and his Eldest Senior Brother to be together.

It was truly the first time he had ever seen his sister smile at a male cultivator like that.

In the vast Cultivation World, countless admirers longed for his sister's attention, many of whom were powerful cultivators at the Nascent Infant Stage or higher.

Yet, Murong Yan never offered them such a smile.

In their presence, she was like an aloof and dignified statue, impervious to their advances, her smile unattainable.

Once Elder Chiu Yue had finished, he instructed Jiang Su to face forward again.

Murong Yan's demeanor was serene as she produced a bead from her waist—the very Barrier Bead Murong Qi had used in the Hidden Space.

"In light of this, I give this to you. Take care of yourself," she said.

Elder Chiu Yue's eyes gleamed, urging Jiang Su to accept the gift promptly. This, indeed, could be seen as a token of affection.

Jiang Su already possessed a personal jade amulet and a handkerchief.

With a mental sigh, he accepted the Barrier Bead from his wife. The system's promised rewards, it turned out, were all gifts from his wife.

Sure enough, a familiar mechanical voice followed.

"You have completed the hidden mission. Your reward: a Divine Barrier Bead and ten Essence Flowers."

Elder Chiu Yue had reached his objective. Clearing his throat, he spoke with deference, "Female Ruler, given your presence, would you do me the honor of presiding over today's Disciple Recruiting Ceremony? I would be grateful for your assistance in selecting any exceptional disciples."

Murong Yan gave a slight nod, gracefully turning to take her place at the head seat, exuding a regal presence that filled the room.

The assembly was abuzz with shock. Was the Female Ruler actually going to remain here?

The very thought was overwhelming. They were rendered speechless.