Wu Long met Elder Hai who brought him to meet the Sect Leader again, this time in a more informal setting as she was sitting on a sofa in a room that was furnished and decorated with a clear purpose of facilitating conversations. This is where she usually met with her direct disciples.
She pointed to the sofa opposite of her and he sat with a smile.
"Ling'er and Ziyan told me that you taught them a very useful technique, but those stinky girls don't even think about their Master and refuse to teach it to me unless you give your consent"
She said in a slightly sulking tone.
"They did not mention it"
"That is because I told them not to, if they want me to get your permission to learn it I will get it from you personally"
She said with a prideful tone and his smile widened as he looked at her.
"If it is about the Cyclic Burning Cauldron?"
Wu Long guessed and saw affirmation in Lian Zhiqiu's eyes that shone with a covetous light.
"Will this make my greetings from the last time accepted?"
She slightly widened her eyes and then a smirk touched her beautiful plump lips as she humphed.
"Cheeky brat, sure, I'll look past your previous transgressions"
"Then it would be my honor to help the Palace Master as any disciple would undoubtedly feel"
He chuckled and started teaching her the technique she wanted so much that she was willing to sacrifice the comment in response to his greetings the last time they met.
"Huh, it is indeed quite complicated, but I get the gist of it"
She ponderingly looked at her palm as Spiritual Qi circulated atop it in a profound pattern. Wu Long's eyes glinted with appreciation as he saw that.
"As expected from an accomplished Formation Master such as the Palace Master, this level of comprehension is truly astounding"
He smiled and it was her turn to have slight praise in her eyes mixed with curiosity.
"Interesting, how did you know?"
"The formations in this sect are of the highest level on the continent, much higher than a small sect could afford, and even the Imperial Family could not boast having better ones...
Which all could still be explained away if you said that you used funds that you gained while traveling, but the truly ingenious formation installed in this very peak under us is something I doubt you would let outsiders to know about, much less create"
"Hah, so it is true that you knew"
She widened her eyes and then narrowed them as she looked at him.
Lian Zhiqiu then looked at him as a smile again appeared on her beautiful face.
"Are you going to try and use this knowledge against me?"
"Of course not, but I do wonder what this knowledge can give me had I wanted to do so"
"What do you want it to give you?"
They looked at each other for some time in silence after her question.
They both knew perfectly well that Wu Long would not use what he knew against her, and yet they continued to toy with the possibility of it as they looked each other in the eyes.
"Let me ask you instead, what do You want it to give me?"
He then smiled and a glint ran and disappeared in her gorgeous orange-red eyes. She smiled in return and slightly changed her posture as her upper body slid slightly to the side and she placed her elbow on the armrest of the sofa while her crossed legs changed places.
"Be careful when playing with fire, it might burn you"
She eventually chuckled as he responded with a chuckle of his own.
"Playing with it is certainly dangerous, but what about appreciating its beauty?"
The sliding door opened and an attendant came into the room, carrying tea on a small tray, but quickly noticed that the two were simply looking at each other in silence, their posture relaxed but their locked gazes almost making sparks in the air as they met.
Her movements became a little swifter as she placed the tea on a short table between them and then hurriedly left the room. The hot tea steaming in between their locked eyes.
The silence continued as they both took their respective cup of tea and sipped a little, though still looking each other in the eye.
Wu Long then smiled as he conceded just as she was about to speak up and turn her gaze away, shifting his gaze to his tea first and opening his mouth to speak before she could.
"I do have to leave on another trip, however"
"Heh, I wonder if I made a mistake in agreeing to dismiss that comment earlier"
She smiled at the absurdity of a disciple saying this line to a Sect Leader.
"It can't be helped, I have to fulfill my promise to His Highness"
"Song Minfu? Heh, I was wondering when you will bother telling me about your little deal no one seemed to care to notify me about"
"I did not want to insult you by telling you something you already knew"
Wu Long charmingly smiled and she humphed in response as she slightly rolled her eyes while folding her arms in front of her generous bust but a smile still did not leave her lips.
"Be careful, it involves bigger interests... ah, pardon me, I should not insult you"
She grinned as she said the last part and he chuckled in response.
"Do you need any assistance from the sect?"
"Hah, that can barely count, I am just waiting for it to start since all fun would be ruined if I completely nipped it in the bud"
"Is that something someone with your status should be saying?"
"And who is asking this?"
"Besides, all those preparations, wouldn't it be cruel to deny at least flaunting what was brewing for so long?"
"Admittedly, that would be quite rude. Though I do hope you can entertain some of the drama"
"Hah, you mean those little proteges of yours?"
"I would call them an investment"
"Suit yourself, I suppose I can yield the main role unless it turns sideways"
They then locked eyes once more, this time briefly and chuckled as they got up and Wu Long turned to leave while Lian Zhiqiu went to the door that led to her office.
She called out just as he was by the door and she stood on the other side of hers, not yet closing it.
"Please call me Wu Long, Palace Master"
"... take care of those two, I may not be a good Master at all times but I will not stand by and watch someone make either of them sad"
She said as a hint of tenderness as well as mature charm appeared in her youthful and ever-leisurely attitude. There was also a note of seriousness in her tone that was usually carefree.
"You do not need to remind me, Palace Master"
"That so? Great to hear"
The seriousness disappeared as a playful smile returned to her face and tone as she looked like a young playful maiden once again, disappearing behind the door.
Wu Long looked at the door that was shut for some more, his eyes glinting with an unknown light, and then left through the door he was in front of.