Seeing no response from the elderly man, Ding Hui immediately showed a hint of disappointment.
She was quite interested in the elderly manās Gu Worm.
"Such a pity..." she muttered to herself, then turned around without saying more to regroup with Monk Quan Heng.
"Do not wander around, there are some people in the An Mansion that not even I can contend with, their strength is unfathomable."
Monk Quan Heng spoke in a hushed tone.
Ding Hui nodded slightly.
This was to be expected.
Within the Ten Major Families, hiding stronger monsters than Monk Quan Heng was almost a sure thing, and Ding Hui was not surprised at all.
Or rather, that Monk Quan Heng had such strength at his age was the unexpected phenomenon, a true prodigy among prodigies.
After some thought, Ding Hui asked, "What about the medicinal materials?"
"Iāve already arranged for someone to prepare them."
Obviously, Monk Quan Heng still had some authority in the An Mansion.
"That elderly man, help me inquire about him."
Monk Quan Heng looked in the direction Ding Hui pointed, and frowned slightly.
"Thatās one of the distinguished guests of the An Mansion, he seems to have moved in a few days ago. Iām not familiar with him, Iāll try to inquire about him later. For now, letās head toward the Soothing Spirit Pillar."
At the mention of the Soothing Spirit Pillar, Ding Hui immediately became spirited.
The Ten Pillars held substantial allure for her.
They departed.
Meanwhile, the elderly man fishing by the small pond also began to pack up his fishing rod.
"Master..." the attendant serving the elderly man spoke softly, his gaze icy.
"Do not act rashly, this is the Da Xia Dynasty, not our side. Do you want us to be ruined?"
"..."
The elderly man sighed.
"Youāre too young to understand... how terrifying the Da Xia Dynasty truly is!"
...
"Master Quan Heng!"
"Indeed, Master Quan Heng."
"Master Quan Heng, when will you have time to come and discuss Buddhism with me again?"
"Master Quan Heng! The Buddhist scriptures you taught last time were so helpful, my sister can now sleep soundly every night and her Spirit has improved greatly!"
As they passed, everyone greeted Monk Quan Heng.
Logically speaking, Monk Quan Heng had not been in Thunder City or at the An Mansion for long, yet he managed to win peopleās hearts in such a short time, which in a certain sense, is a talent.
Ding Hui shifted her gaze from Monk Quan Heng beside her, contemplating the people they had just encountered.
"Are they all guests of the An Mansion? Like you?"
Ding Hui asked softly.
"Yes."
"Interesting, the An Mansion is indeed playing a grand game!"
Ding Hui remarked with a smile.
Monk Quan Heng frowned, but he didnāt seem inclined to discuss this topic further.
"Ahead is the location of the Soothing Spirit Pillar. Without the consent of the Family Head of the An Family, I can only observe from a distance..."
Before Monk Quan Heng finished speaking, he suddenly stopped as if he had seen someone.
"Lord Duan."
Following Monk Quan Hengās gaze, Ding Hui looked ahead to see a figure in a black robe, accompanied by several attendants, walking past.
Inside the pitch-black robe, it was as though all light sources were absorbed, making it impossible to discern the personās appearance beneath.
Ding Hui watched in fascination, wondering how such a thing was achieved.
Step!
The black-robed person suddenly stopped as if discovering something unbelievable, staring directly in their direction!
Although it appeared as just a dark mass, Ding Hui felt as though she could seeāwithin that darknessāa shocked, startled, even dazed face!
It was a visualization of an expression, a capability to capture information.
In truth, all she saw inside the black robe was darkness, not a person.
Ding Hui turned to look at Monk Quan Heng beside her.
Itās strange, was Monk Quan Hengās presence here really so shocking to that guy?
Given Monk Quan Hengās demeanor, they must have met before.
Could it be... this shock wasnāt because of Monk Quan Heng, but because of... me?
Ding Huiās mind stirred, her eyes turned, and as Monk Quan Heng, taken aback, reached to grab her wrist, Ding Hui had already stepped forward.
"This Lord Duan..." she began.
Before she finished, the black-robed person spun around and left, leaving only their back to them.
The An Familyās servants suddenly realized and hurried to catch up.
This group both appeared suddenly and departed quickly.
Ding Hui watched the departing back of the black-robed person, slightly frowning, and felt a touch of puzzlement.
She was certain she had never visited the An Mansion before and thus wouldnāt have acquaintances there.
Unless some old folks had infiltrated the An Mansion by means of medical skill during her years away from Thunder City.
However, although she had made quite a few enemies in Thunder City, none to the extent that she couldnāt show her true face.
"Master Quan Heng, was that Lord Duan also a distinguished guest of the An Mansion?"
"No, as far as I know, Lord Duan seems to have been an honored guest at the An Mansion for a long time, not just in recent days."
"...Do you know his background?"
"Iām not sure, but... as I said earlier, there are people in the An Mansion whose depth I canāt fathom. Lord Duan is one of them."
Monk Quan Heng whispered, "Master Ding, right ahead is the Soothing Spirit Pillar, according to what we agreed, donāt do anything rash."
"Donāt worry, I know my limits."
Boom!
Suddenly, a flash of lightning struck out of the blue.
It was as if thunder was summoned from the heavens, a bolt of lighting struck the Soothing Spirit Pillar directly ahead!
Threads of electricity ran wild across the dragon-carved and phoenix-etched strange patterns, like rushing thunder, quickly becoming dim.
Monk Quan Heng spoke no further, leading Ding Hui forward.
"Master Quan Heng."
"Master Quan Heng, please halt. It seems the Family Head did not schedule Masterās visit today."