Jiufeng Ridge, the entrance to Zhou Family Mountain.
When the red-robed beauty who had been gazing at the mountain gate of Zhou Family Mountain for a long time arrived at the entrance and was about to apply for entry,
one of the Zhou Family Cultivators responsible for guarding and registering the entry and exit of cultivators stared at her in slight surprise for a moment, then said, "This Taoist friend seems unfamiliar, have you not visited our Zhou Family before? May I ask where you were cultivating previously?"
Faced with such questioning, the red-robed beauty gracefully smiled and said, "Indeed, this is my first time visiting the Zhou Family. I have been cultivating at the Mu Family of Biyun Mountain before this."
With her smile, the Zhou Family Cultivator, who was past his middle age, suddenly felt his heart rate increase, instantly feeling a throbbing sensation in his chest.
Without thinking, he said, "So you've been cultivating with the Mu Family, no wonder you are now coming to our Zhou Family."
It turned out that after the Mu Family of Biyun Mountain was destroyed, although it had been rebuilt, the modest gate of the Mu Family was clearly not capable of accommodating too many Loose Cultivators.
Furthermore, many Loose Cultivators felt that it was an unlucky place and did not wish to continue cultivating there.
Among them, the Zhou Family, due to the good reputation earned through the Mu Family's destruction, became the preferred destination for these cultivators.
In the recent year, the number of Loose Cultivators coming to the Zhou Family for cultivation was indeed quite substantial.
Their arrival also directly increased the income of the Zhou Family by a considerable amount.
Hence, after hearing what the red-robed beauty had said, the heartstruck Zhou Family Cultivator quickly registered her and allowed her to enter the mountain gate.
At this point, his gaze followed the departing figure of the red-robed beauty for a while, and it wasn't until her silhouette had disappeared from his sight that he muttered to himself, "Her name is Lin Hongyu? Next time she comes, I must take time off to get acquainted!"
Meanwhile, the red-robed beauty, following the directions given to her, had arrived at the Cultivation Area reserved by the Zhou Family for Loose Cultivators. She honestly rented a Second Rank Cultivation Room and entered it to cultivate.
However, in truth, it wasn't long after she entered before she cast a spell to pass through the walls and left arrogantly right under the noses of the guarding Zhou Family Cultivators.
And yet, none was the wiser to her actions.
After leaving the Cultivation Area reserved for Loose Cultivators, she floated into the air, took a quick survey of the nine peaks, and soon made a beeline towards Pagoda Peak as her target.
But just as she arrived at the base of Pagoda Peak and was preparing to ascend, her heart suddenly skipped a beat as she felt as if something was watching her.
She'd been discovered!
Her expression changed, realizing the implications.
As expected, she soon saw a streak of firelight descending from the summit of Pagoda Peak, and in the blink of an eye, it landed near her and revealed its true form.
"So it's you, you beast!"
Looking at the Fire Divine Jackal in the sky staring down at her coldly, the red-robed beauty's face turned frosty as she couldn't help but curse quietly.
At that moment, the voice of Zhou Mingde gently rang in her ears.
"As we have a distinguished guest, why not come to the summit for a chat? I have prepared Spiritual Tea and cleaned a seat for you."
Upon hearing this, the red-robed beauty's expression changed again, and a trace of annoyance flashed in her eyes.
Knowing in her heart that since Zhou Mingde and the Fire Divine Jackal had discovered her without taking action, it was likely they had recognized her origins.
And Zhou Mingde must have known about that particular incident from the past.
She felt as if a scandal had been exposed!
She couldn't help but snort coldly, "Hmph, since you dare to invite me, why would I be afraid of you!"
She then flew straight towards the summit following the Fire Divine Jackal.
At that time, Zhou Chun, who was working inside the Central Peace Hall, was alerted by the actions of the Fire Divine Jackal and couldn't help stepping out of the hall to look towards the sky.
But in the end, he only saw the silhouette of a red-robed female cultivator following the Fire Divine Jackal to the summit.
Knowing that the person was brought by the Fire Divine Jackal, and was a guest of Zhou Mingde, Zhou Chun, although curious, dared not probe with his Divine Sense.
Ultimately, he returned to the hall full of questions.
In a stone pavilion on the summit, Zhou Mingde had indeed prepared Spiritual Tea, waiting for the arrival of the red-robed beauty.
Seeing the red-robed beauty arrive with the Fire Divine Jackal, he immediately raised his hand and said, "Please take a seat, Taoist Friend Lin. Daoyi has already received the news and will be arriving shortly."
Upon hearing her own name spoken directly, Lin Hongyu's face darkened, and she couldn't help but speak angrily, "Did he tell you everything?"
Upon hearing her tone, Zhou Mingde realized why she was angry and quickly shook his head, replying, "Why are you angry, Taoist Friend Lin? With such a major event, Daoyi, as the Clan Leader of the Zhou Family, of course had to share the details with me!"
Hearing his response, Lin Hongyu calmed down substantially.
She then sat down and took a good look at Zhou Mingde, speaking coldly, "You seem to have some skill. I heard that the scoundrel Wu Jingming was unable to defeat you after two encounters and was eventually killed by Taoist Mingxia of Green Lotus Temple who rushed to the scene!"
"You're referring to the Black Dragon Protector, I presume. Although I did indeed fight him twice, even with the help of my Spirit Pet, I could only at best hold my own against him before he played his hand," said Zhou Mingde, shaking his head slightly as he sighed lightly, "Had he used the trump card he had employed in his final battle at the Mu Family situation, I'm afraid I wouldn't have stood a chance!"
"The trump card you're referring to must be the Dragon Spirit Possession Talisman. That object wasn't Wu Jingming's to begin with; it was a precious artifact from his sect, granted to him for missions. Unless it's a life-or-death situation, how could he dare to use it lightly!"