Grand Arrival at the Chen Family Estate

The clear blue sky spread out endlessly.

Liu Ming sat on the ship, deep in thought. Sometimes he would smile or take a moment to relax as he looked at the changing scenery, but his smiles were short-lived.

In the distance, he could see numerous mountain peaks scattered across the land, with no villages in sight. This part of the land was where cultivators lived, which meant they were getting closer to their destination.

Liu Ming had two main objectives currently.

The first was reaching the Central World State and entering Immortal Cloud City.

The Central World State was one of the four major states in the Eastern Reaches.

It was the largest in terms of size and was bordered by the Ancient World State to the northwest, the Great World State to the north, and the Demon World State to the southeast, with the Eastern Sea along its oriental coast.

While it might not have held as much power as some of the other states, like the Ancient World State, the Central World State was known for being the unrivalled spot for events. It proved to be a great place for business, as it attracted powerful families and cultivation clans from all over the Eastern Reaches.

Calling it the central hub that welcomed everyone seemed fitting.

Immortal Cloud City was one of the five domains that made up the Central World State.

When Liu Ming arrived, his second main task would start.

He was set to meet with Chen Yuxuan, his aunt.

Though they weren't blood relatives, the head of the Chen family, Chen Xiaosheng (who was Chen Yuxuan's younger brother), had made a martial pact with the Liu family. This pact established a kind of familial bond between their families.

According to Maomao, it was Chen Yuxuan who had informed him almost a month ago about a Disciple Market Auction happening in Immortal Cloud City. This was not only a way for her to honor their long-term cooperation and mutual support but also a chance for her to visit her nephew, Liu Ming.

Ughh...

The young patriarch's face immediately twisted into a frown, as if he had just taken a mouthful of something extremely unpleasant.

"Somehow I feel this woman's going to be a problem..."

Su Yan quickly noticed Liu Ming's frown. She was always attentive to him, so she could easily pick up on even the smallest changes in his mood.

"Is something wrong, Young Lord?" she asked, her eyes slightly widened.

Liu Ming noticed something different about her this time.

Normally, her expression was formal but concerned, but today she actually looked worried──almost eager to know how he was doing.

"Ahem!"

Liu Ming cleared his throat and looked out at the sea of undying clouds.

"It's nothing serious. I'm just thinking about a few things. There's no need to worry."

Su Yan gave a small smile in response and also looked straight ahead.

"On that note..."

The ship slowed down, and it seemed they were coming in for a descent.

After navigating through what felt like an endless sea of clouds, a grand palace appeared before them.

[Chen Family Estate]

The palace had a complex and detailed design, with many multi-tiered pagodas featuring upward-curving eaves, wooden beams, and intricate decorations.

The central building was the largest and most elaborate, with several tiers and a golden roof. Surrounding it were smaller buildings and pagodas, all with the same architectural style and golden roofs.

The buildings were arranged around a spacious courtyard, with wide pathways and steps leading up to the main entrances.

"We've finally arrived in Immortal Cloud City."

The Nine Dragons Chariot descended majestically in front of the large group waiting in the courtyard.

This group was the Chen family's hosts. Their job was to give Liu Ming and his entourage a warm welcome.

In such traditions, when one noble family visits another, the visited family must arrange a host family to show proper respect. If a host family isn't prepared, it's seen as a serious insult or even a declaration of hostility.

The maids were visibly excited.

"I've never seen a man from the Liu family before."

"In these days, they're not easy to come by!"

"So, we're incredibly fortunate to be meeting not just any member of the Liu family, but the family head himself!"

"I can't wait!"

"Neither can I!"

With flushed faces and eyes sparkling like stars, they watched the ship, eagerly waiting for the young patriarch to step out.

Some of the manservants were chatting among themselves.

"What do you think the young lord looks like?"

"If he's really from the Liu family, he must have that exceptional masculine beauty that runs in their blood."

"Hm?"

"Do you not remember how handsome Lord Liu Changsheng used to be? Older women would practically faint whenever he was around?"

"Aaah... I suppose you're right."

They fell silent as soon as the gangway of the royal ship extended.

The first to step out were the female disciples.

"Yawn~ I'm not sure I like this ship. It's too comfortable, actually. I didn't even realize when I fell asleep. I could have made something for Brother Ming instead."

Xiu Meixiang tiredly stretched her arms out.

Yu Lan glanced at her tired junior sister and sighed. Her blue eyes returned to her own outfit, which she found a bit lacking.

"Hmph! I could've dressed better."

She pressed her hands against her ample breasts and lifted them slightly.

They kept their outfits understated, as there was no need for anything flashy.

Su Yan had strongly advised against dressing too elaborately, knowing that without such a warning, Yu Lan would definitely go all out to dress like the queen she fancied herself as.

"Those must be the family head's disciples."

"Indeed, Indeed."

The host family noticed the female disciples but kept their composure.

"Now, where is the young lord?"

Even though it was Liu Ming's first time stepping outside, his name had already spread throughout the entire cultivation world. Many people knew who Liu Ming was, but very few had actually met him. This only added to Liu Ming's air of mystery and made everyone even more eager to see him!

"I hope I didn't take too much time."

Liu Ming stepped forward with his arms behind his back and a smile on his face.

Purr~

Maomao rested gently on his shoulder.

"Oh?"

It only took a moment for Liu Ming to spot two standout figures in the host family──a young man and a young woman who looked to be about his age.

They were dressed in luxurious outfits that nearly matched his own, making them easily noticeable among the crowd of servants.

When their eyes met, the young man and woman lowered their heads and clasped their hands in respect.

"Descendants of the Chen family, pay respects to the Liu Family Head!"

A short silence followed.

Liu Ming took this time to study the two of them closely.

They were from the Chen family, which meant they were the children of Chen Xiaosheng.

This made them his cousins, or if he wanted to be even less formal, his siblings.

"Brother and Sister, there's no need for all this formality. We're all part of the same bonded families, so let's just be relaxed with each other."

Liu Ming wore a smiling face as he addressed them.

The young man, Chen Fan, smiled at the humility of the young patriarch standing before him. He felt that he could now call him a brother.

"Then I am happy to have you here, brother."

Noticing that her brother was already starting to bond with Liu Ming, the gorgeous young lady, Chen Ruyi, walked over to the young patriarch.

Liu Ming raised his eyebrows as he looked at her.

She was dressed in colorful robes, and a touch of makeup only added to her charm. Her skin was smooth and fair, like pearlescent jade, and her brown hair flowed down her back like a waterfall. Her loose robes did little to hide her tall and curvy figure, which was plump in all the right places and lean where it needed to be.

Truly, she embodied the beauty of the Chen family!

"This maiden, Chen Ruyi, offers her personal greetings."

She lowered her head, unintentionally giving a brief view of her full and youthful cleavage.

Yu Lan and Xiu Meixiang immediately squeezed their faces.

Only Su Yan remained calm. With her eyes closed, there was nothing for her to find offensive.

'Still... she seems a bit too familiar with the young lord, even though they're just speaking for the first time. Amazing. I'll need to learn this technique if I want to connect with him better and understand his needs.'

Su Yan nodded methodically.

Equally calm, was Liu Ming. He gave Chen Ruyi a warm smile──the young patriarch always made sure to stay composed in front of any woman, no matter how incredibly beautiful they were. It was something his grandfather had always reminded him to do.

"Chen Ruyi..."

He took her slender, smooth hand and kissed it.

"That's a beautiful name."

Right then, every woman in the courtyard blushed deeply.

"Th-, thank you, brother..." Chen Ruyi replied.