When Chi Qianxue stepped into the void and arrived, the disciples below also saw her.
"Alright, Iâll take care of the matters here. All of you can disperse," Chi Qianxue said loudly.
The disciples below hesitated briefly but eventually scattered around, though many of their gazes still lingered on Xu Zimei.
Chi Qianxue, dressed in a white robe, came floating over from afar, her figure gently landing before Xu Zimei.
She frowned as she looked at Chi Leiâs body, then turned her head towards Xu Zimei and said, "You really dare to act so recklessly in our Heavenly Pool City."
"I had intended to wait for you to handle it, but alas, I couldnât restrain myself," Xu Zimei said with a light chuckle.
"Youâre the first to kill a member of the Chi Family in Heavenly Pool City," Chi Qianxue lifted her head to size up Xu Zimei, her eyes full of spiritual energy as she spoke slowly, "I donât know whether you are truly confident or simply recklessly bold."
Xu Zimei smiled and responded, dodging the question, "The Spring of Life has been found, I presume!"
"The family has made contact with the Ice Snow Mountain Range, if all goes well, it should be settled in the next few days," Chi Qianxue replied.
"What about the thing you promised me?" Xu Zimei asked.
"Although I have now secured the position of Saintess, I have not yet received our ancestorâs inheritance. Once the matter of the Spring of Life is resolved in a few days, I will naturally give you the item," Chi Qianxue replied.
"Thatâs perfect, Iâll stay at the Chi Family for these few days," Xu Zimei smiled and said, "After all, I did save your life before and informed you about the Spring of Life."
Hearing Xu Zimeiâs words, Chi Qianxue rolled her eyes. Saved her life? It was more like he had taken her hostage.
"Arenât you afraid Iâll spread word about Elder Xueluoâs death if you stay at our Chi Family?" Chi Qianxue curiously asked.
"If I were afraid, I wouldnât have come to Heavenly Pool City, and I wouldnât have let you go in the first place," Xu Zimei said with a light chuckle.
"Then come with me," Chi Qianxue said as she walked towards the city, "But let me remind you, if you come to our Chi Family, keep a low profile. If you offend some people, I canât protect you."
Hearing Chi Qianxueâs words, Xu Zimei chuckled lightly, then reached out and pinched Chi Qianxueâs chin, speaking indifferently, "Little woman, remember this, I donât need anyoneâs protection.
Even if the entire Chi Family were to come at me with all their might, I would still be willing to try it alone."
Having her chin pinched, Chi Qianxueâs expression turned awkward as she quickly stepped back two paces.
Her face flushed with a hint of red, for she had never been touched so closely by another male her age.
Though her heart was not fluttering in panic, there was still an unusual faint feeling within her.
"Anyone can brag," Chi Qianxue huffed softly, speaking dispassionately.
"Itâs not about bragging, itâs merely a simple statement of a viewpoint," Xu Zimei shook his head, "The reason you think Iâm bragging is simply because we have different perspectives.
Would an elephant care about the feelings of an ant?
In your eyes, the Imperial Rule Immortal Sect may seem very impressive, but in my eyes, the Imperial Rule Immortal Sect is just an ordinary obstacle on my Martial Path."
"Since youâre so powerful, why not reveal your origins to me?" Chi Qianxue asked, "You arenât from the core regions of the Eastern Continent, are you?"
She had met Xu Zimei before in the depths of the Hundred Thousand Mountains.
"Knowing too much is not good for you," Xu Zimei said, "By the way, youâve met the person who was with me before. His name is Xiao Guizi; he should be coming to find me in the next few days. Keep an eye out for him."
"You really treat this place like itâs your own home," Chi Qianxue muttered.
"If this were my home, the ones who should be happy would be your Chi Family," Xu Zimei replied.
...
The two walked into Heavenly Pool City, which, though it was just a city, spanned such a vast area that one couldnât see the end at a single glance.
The Chi Family was situated in the central part of Heavenly Pool City, occupying two-thirds of the entire cityâs area, primarily inhabited by direct lineage family members.
The surrounding courtyards were where the collateral family members lived.
Heavenly Pool City was exceptionally lively, with dazzling shops on both sides of the streets, not to mention the various small stalls that had everything one could want.
Most of these stalls were operated by some of the collateral members of the Chi Family.
On this path, any family member who saw Chi Qianxue would usually greet her respectfully.
After all, as the Saintess of the entire Chi Family, her noble identity was beyond comparison to these collateral family members.
"It seems I still donât know your name," Chi Qianxue said, looking at Xu Zimei.
"A name is just a tag, unimportant; in the end, people always remember my handsome face," replied Xu Zimei, shaking his head.
"Shameless," Chi Qianxue murmured under her breath.
The Chi Family mansion appeared enormously grand and impressive.
Walking through the vermilion gates, one could see the expanse of the courtyard seemed to have no end.
Red walls and green tiles, with ivy extending from one side of the walls, basked in the sunlight on the vibrant green foliage.
At the very center of the courtyard was a particularly large lotus pond, where the lotus flowers carried a hint of Immortal Qi.
Colorful carp would occasionally leap from the water surface of the pond, causing ripples and splashes.
A thin layer of white mist shrouded the area around the pond.
Just as Xu Zimei and Chi Qianxue had entered the Chi household, two young men came towards them.
Both of them looked somewhat similar, wearing blue robes and carrying swords at their waists, with a hint of valor between their brows.
"Oh, isnât this our newly appointed Saintess," the young man on the left jeered upon seeing Chi Qianxue, "Whatâs the rush? Hardly a Saintess and already eager to bring a man into the family."
Chi Qianxue frowned slightly but ignored the mockery from the young man on the left, instead addressing the one on the right, "Chi Yang, keep your brother in check, otherwise next time I wonât hesitate to strike him down."
At Chi Qianxueâs words, the young man on the leftâs expression changed slightly, and he retorted with a cold huff, "Chi Qianxue, donât think you can do whatever you want just because youâve become the familyâs Saintess.
If you dare harm a fellow clan member, not even the Clan Leader will be able to protect you."
"Alright, Chi Xing," as the words of the young man on the left fell, the one called Chi Yang shook his head.
He apologized to Chi Qianxue, "Heâs still young, and his thoughts are too naive. I apologize to you on his behalf."
"Brother, why--?" Chi Xing, hearing Chi Yangâs apology, turned his head in confusion and quickly asked.
Chi Yang turned and gave Chi Xing a stern look, which made Chi Xing quickly shrink back.
"Considering weâre of the same clan, I hope there wonât be a next time," Chi Qianxue huffed coldly, then left with Xu Zimei.
Once they were far away, Xu Zimei asked with a light laugh, "It seems your role as the Saintess doesnât make for an easy life in the Chi Family, huh?"