So many people suddenly appeared inside the residence, and none of them concealed their presence, so they were quickly discovered by the estate guards.
"Who goes there?"
A squad of patrolling guards hurried over, shouting sternly. The sudden force of their presence startled the Jade Maiden Sect members, since the aura these guards released was especially terrifying and powerful.
But when they spotted Ian Song among the crowd, they were instantly shocked. All of them bowed deeply and greeted him, their voices trembling with fear: "We didn't know the master had returned. Please punish us for our offense."
"No crime if you didn't know. All of you may leave now," Ian said calmly.
"Yes, sir!"
The group of guards breathed a sigh of relief and quickly withdrew.
Once the guards had left, Lila Li arrived in a hurry, bringing Wendy Lin, Raina Quinn, and several maids with her.
"Husband!"
The moment she saw Ian Song, Lila's face lit up with joy. "You broke through?" she exclaimed.
"Yes, I broke through." Ian Song smiled and nodded at Lila.
"Congratulations, husband!" Lila's smile grew even brighter, dazzling everyone.
Lila was already stunning, and with her extraordinary temperament cultivated since youth, most people couldn't help but feel inferior when they saw her. The Jade Maiden Sect members were full of admiration.
"So this is Skyler Ling's Dao-partner. She's gorgeous," Abbess Yvonne thought in admiration.
"Skyler Ling is really lucky," Lana Snow secretly mused with a smile.
"Second Fool actually has a Dao-partner now!" For some reason, Lena Ling suddenly felt a wave of unprecedented sourness in her heart.
"Wait... isn't that the Prime One Saintess?"
Suddenly, Shayne Snow's expression turned to utter shock, her eyes wide. Although Lila Li's bearing and appearance had changed somewhat over the past two years, she still recognized her—Skyler Ling's Dao-partner was indeed the Prime One Saintess.
Who would have thought? Skyler Ling actually managed to marry the Prime One Saintess.
Back then, Lena Ling had also gone to Myriad Spirits Island, so when she noticed Shayne Snow's strange gaze, she studied Lila Li closely and recognized her as the Prime One Saintess too.
With a shocked expression, she asked, "You... you're the Prime One Saintess?"
Lila Li just smiled indifferently. "That was all in the past. You must be Senior Sister Lena Ling? I've often heard my husband mention you."
Although Lila didn't directly admit to being the Prime One Saintess, no one present was foolish—everyone understood that the woman before them was the Saintess.
The Prime One Church was the biggest cultivation sect in the Tang Dynasty, and to them, the Saintess was like a celestial fairy. For Skyler Ling to marry such a figure was truly impressive.
For a moment, everyone from the Jade Maiden Sect looked at Ian Song with new eyes.
Next, Ian introduced Wendy Lin and Raina Quinn to the Jade Maiden group, and everyone exchanged polite greetings.
Raina Quinn didn't stay long—she quickly left to arrange the banquet.
Lila Li and Wendy Lin remained behind to guide the Jade Maiden Sect members around the estate.
As they admired the exquisitely crafted pavilions and towers, and the rare spirit trees and herbs planted in the gardens, many were visibly shocked. Even Abbess Yvonne, the highest in cultivation, maintained a calm facade but was inwardly awed. After some mental calculations, she realized that just this one manor was worth more than a hundred Jade Maiden Sects.
In fact, she had no idea that the estate was worth over two hundred thousand top-grade spirit crystals. Not just a hundred Jade Maiden Sects—even a thousand couldn't compare.
After some casual probing of Wendy Lin, Abbess Yvonne learned that this was the imperial capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty, which left her even more shocked. She grew increasingly curious—how had Skyler Ling managed to build such a vast fortune in just two years?
An hour later, Raina Quinn returned to announce that the banquet was ready.
Lila Li and Wendy Lin led the Jade Maiden Sect members to the banquet hall.
Over twenty banquet tables had already been set up in the hall.
All the dishes were made from rare spirit birds, fruits, and vegetables, and the bottles on the tables held peerless spirit wine worth several top-grade spirit crystals each.
The aroma and swirling spiritual energy rising from the tables made many third-generation disciples of the Jade Maiden Sect secretly swallow their saliva.
"Everyone, please take your seats!"
Ian Song said with a smile.
Soon, everyone sat down in groups of ten per table.
Ian Song, Lila Li, Wendy Lin, Hannah Murong, Master Heaven-Secrets, Lena Ling, Lana Snow, and Abbess Yvonne all sat at one table together.
With a casual wave, Ian Song sent streams of spirit wine flying into everyone's cups.
This cup, I toast to everyone.
Everyone raised their cups.
To accommodate the Jade Maiden Sect women, Ian Song had Raina Quinn prepare spirit wine that was mild and greatly beneficial for cultivation.
Senior Sister, my estate's wine cellar is stocked with fine wine. Whenever you want to drink, help yourself! Ian said with a smile, pouring Lena Ling another cup.
Then I won't be polite," Lena Ling said with a forced smile. Normally, the promise of unlimited fine wine would make her eyes light up, but today she couldn't feel happy at all.
Sob!
Suddenly, the sound of crying rang out. Everyone turned to see Leah Ling slumped over the table, weeping.
What's wrong?
Ian Song walked over and asked softly.
Senior Azure is dead. I'm so sad!
At her words, everyone fell silent. If not for Senior Azure's desperate defense, few would have escaped the black-clad pursuers.
Silly girl, who told you Senior Azure is dead? Ian Song smiled.
Leah Ling suddenly looked up, her face streaked with tears. "Second Fool, you're not lying to me?"
Pfft!
Master Heaven-Secrets, who had been drinking calmly, suddenly spat out his wine, staring at Ian Song with a strange expression.
Even Hannah Murong couldn't help but laugh.
Lila Li and Wendy Lin remained composed, having already heard Lena Ling call Ian Song 'Second Fool.'
Leah Ling, don't be rude. You mustn't call him 'Second Fool' anymore! Abbess Yvonne scolded.
It doesn't matter. A name is just a label—Second Fool, Skyler Ling, Ian Song, they're all me! Ian Song said with a casual smile.
Leah Ling asked shyly, "Sec—Skyler Ling, are you serious? Senior Azure really isn't dead?"
Ian Song explained, "She's fine. Actually, Senior Azure is a family elder sent to find me. Her soul-fire is stored in our ancestral grounds, so she hasn't truly died. In time, she'll re-form her soul and be reborn."
He deliberately made up a family background to explain both Azure (Huang Yan) and his own origins.
Hearing Ian mention his family, Abbess Yvonne and the others suddenly understood and filled in the blanks themselves: Ian Song must be a child of a great clan, accidentally abandoned and later reclaimed. His rapid rise to Fusion must be thanks to their support.
Knowing Senior Azure could return, the Jade Maiden Sect's gloomy mood vanished. Having just survived a deadly ordeal, everyone drank much more than usual.
So, except for Abbess Yvonne and Lana Snow, even Lena Ling, the notorious drinker, ended up drunk.