ALL NOVEL Chapter 173 - A Little Dress Up, the Ancestor Is a Trick
Qingming Palace.
“This evil disciple! When did I ever say I missed him?”
“I called him here because this group of descendants from the immortal clans wanted to see him!”
Ji Hongluan’s cheeks were flushed, her phoenix eyes shimmering with a mix of annoyance and charm. She was curled up in bed, her body trembling slightly as her emotions surged.
On the side, Little Flower, the cat-headed military advisor, watched her master’s flustered state with a resigned expression.
Except for her sharp tongue, my master is as soft as cotton! Little Flower thought, her exhaustion apparent.
The cat sighed internally. It’s no wonder she can’t keep a tough front. She gives in too easily!
“Little Flower, don’t you think I’m right?” Ji Hongluan asked, looking toward her slacking companion, clearly fishing for validation.
“Meow~,” Little Flower replied lazily.
The sound was perfunctory, clearly meaning something like, Sure, sure, you’re right.
In truth, Little Flower knew better. Ji Hongluan missed Xu Yang terribly. On some nights, she even clutched her quilt, imagining it was him. But admitting such things was utterly beneath her! Instead, she stubbornly played hard to get.
If my master were a cat, she’d definitely live alone forever, Little Flower mused.
Ji Hongluan sighed, her resolve wavering. “Forget it. Since he said he missed me, I might as well dress up a little to meet him.”
With that, she walked to her dressing table and began getting ready, her hands moving quickly.
Before long, Xu Yang, dressed handsomely in a black robe, arrived outside Qingming Palace.
Ji Hongluan had been waiting by the entrance for a while. Knowing her disciple’s preferences, she had chosen to wear a purple skirt—his favorite.
“My wife, you look absolutely stunning today. You even dressed up just to see me!” Xu Yang said with a grin, stepping forward to wrap his arm around her slender waist. Without hesitation, he leaned down to kiss her lips, which were adorned with rouge that could captivate any man.
“Don’t flatter yourself!” Ji Hongluan protested, her face flushing red. “I always look like this. I didn’t dress up for you!”
“Alright, alright,” Xu Yang said with a teasing smile. “My wife is naturally beautiful. No effort needed!”
He took a moment to admire her, his gaze filled with appreciation. “But you do look particularly enchanting in a purple skirt—like a fairy descending from the heavens.”
I knew he liked purple… Ji Hongluan’s phoenix eyes sparkled with pride, though she tried to hide it.
“Hmph, I’m charming in anything I wear,” she replied, her tone carrying a trace of smugness. “But behave yourself—there are so many people inside.”
“What are you worried about? We’re Daoist partners,” Xu Yang said righteously. Despite his words, he kept his hand firmly on her waist as they walked into the hall.
Inside, the descendants of the immortals were waiting patiently.
The moment they saw Xu Yang and Ji Hongluan walk in together, their expressions shifted.
So that’s why the leader of the Qingming Sect refused to let those fairies in—it turns out she and Senior Xu are Daoist partners!
It all made sense now.
The crowd couldn’t help but marvel at how well-matched the pair seemed.
Senior Xu’s appearance was nothing short of breathtaking. His phoenix-like eyes, noble bearing, and transcendent aura made him look like a supreme deity descended from the ninth heaven. His every movement exuded grace and majesty, making it impossible for anyone to look away.
Ji Hongluan, the leader of the Qingming Sect, was equally captivating. Her beauty was both charming and dignified, carrying an ethereal quality that was otherworldly yet approachable. She was like a fairy from the Moon Palace, her allure enhanced by her national beauty and refined temperament.
Moreover, according to their intelligence, Ji Hongluan was a descendant of the Ji family of the immortal clan. Though from a collateral line, her cultivation rivaled that of the clan’s direct descendants. Even the Heir of the Era, the clan’s most talented member, surpassed her only slightly in aptitude.
In both appearance and status, Ji Hongluan was undeniably worthy of being Xu Yang’s Daoist partner.
With Senior Xu’s unparalleled talent and the Ji family’s influence, this union is truly a match made in heaven—a strong alliance that will shake the cultivation world.
They inexplicably felt a premonition: in the near future, the five regions of the world might undergo tremendous change…
This thought filled them with frustration.
Why can’t our ancestors be like the Ji family?
If they were, wouldn’t we be the ones holding onto this golden thigh?
With Senior Xu’s presence, even if the Ji family’s current strength is lacking, it feels inevitable that they will rise to prominence in the upcoming golden age.
‘My ancestor is truly disappointing!’
Many descendants of the immortal clans shared similar sentiments.
“Master Xu, congratulations on breaking through to the Void Shattering realm and setting yet another record as the youngest Void Breaking Venerable in the Northern Province!”
“This is a gift from the Ying family—please accept it, Master Xu.”
Ying Wudi stepped forward, maintaining a humble and low-profile demeanor.
Since the lesson taught to him by Master Xu, he had reined in his flamboyant nature. Even his once radiant, divine-light-infused hair now appeared ordinary—just to stay low-key.
Xu Yang glanced at the gift and confirmed what Xiao Hongluan had said: it was indeed a holy treasure. Though it wasn’t particularly useful to him, it was valuable enough to pass on to his disciples.
Accepting the gift, Xu Yang nodded slightly.
“Thank you for the Ying family’s kindness.”
“Brother Wudi, is this gift from the Ying family?”
Zhu Zaohou suddenly spoke, looking at Ying Wudi with curiosity.
Ying Wudi paused, clearly surprised. “Aren’t you representing the Zhu family?”
“Of course not!” Zhu Zaohou replied confidently. “My ancestor specifically instructed me to present this treasure to Master Xu on behalf of Ji Family Ancestor Ji Daoxuan.”
As he spoke, he carefully handed over a jade box containing the treasure to Xu Yang, adding apologetically:
“I must apologize, Master Xu. Had I known you were breaking through to the Void Shattering realm, I would have prepared two gifts!”
His words seemed to trigger a wave of responses from the surrounding immortals and holy land heirs.
“Senior Xu, the gift I’m presenting was also sent by Ji Family Ancestor Ji Daoxuan. But rest assured, I’ve already informed my clan about your ascension to Venerable. They have prepared a larger gift, which is on its way and should arrive shortly. Please be sure to accept it when it comes!”
“If I had known Senior Xu was on the verge of breaking through, I too would have prepared two gifts!”
“Fortunately, my clan is nearby. We learned of Master Xu’s imminent breakthrough a few days ago and specifically prepared two gifts—one representing our clan’s goodwill!”
“…”
Hearing this, Ying Wudi’s expression stiffened.
Wait a minute—if all these gifts were arranged by the Ji Family Ancestor, doesn’t that mean mine was too?
Ying Wudi felt an overwhelming sense of betrayal. He knew his own Ancestor well enough to understand that, with his usual stingy nature, there was no way he’d willingly part with a holy treasure.
Ancestor, you’ve really thrown me under the bus this time!
Taking a deep breath, Ying Wudi admitted sincerely:
“Master Xu, I may have misunderstood. The gift I presented earlier was likely arranged by Ji Family Ancestor Ji Daoxuan. My ancestor must have neglected to inform me.”
Not wanting to risk offending Xu Yang further, Ying Wudi added humbly:
“To express my sincerest apologies, I will personally send two more holy treasures to you after returning to my clan!”
Though the loss of two more treasures was painful, Ying Wudi considered it a worthwhile price to ensure Master Xu’s favor.
Xu Yang hadn’t anticipated the Ji family’s bold move to stake so much on him. He glanced at Xiao Hongluan, squeezing her hand gently. She returned his gaze with visible confusion.
It seems Xiao Hongluan didn’t know about this either…
This Ji family ancestor truly is a unique individual.
Turning back to Ying Wudi, Xu Yang smiled calmly and said:
“You’re too kind. As the saying goes, a gift of goose feathers sent from a thousand miles away is more precious for its sentiment. For the young master of the Ying family to travel so far to congratulate me, even without a gift, I could never be angry.”