Xi Dongliu came to a secret chamber in the rear courtyard with a face as dark as iron.

Before entering, he adjusted his emotions and then knocked and walked in.

Inside the chamber, a delicate white jade incense burner was placed on a desk, diagonally holding a stick of blue Spirit Incense, which was slowly burning and emitting curling smoke.

Next to the white jade incense burner, two paperweights were pressing down on a sheet of white rice paper. A young man wearing a white robe embroidered with golden patterns was painting a portrait of a woman.

The young man was handsome and carried an extraordinary aura, merely standing there with a brush made one think of the term 'divine elegance'.

The woman he was painting was even more ethereal and vivid.

"Young Master Ximen," Xi Dongliu greeted the man with a bow and then spoke.

The man paused in his actions and turned to look at Xi Dongliu, his face revealing a mild smile.

"Uncle Xi, come and see how my painting is progressing," the handsome young man said.

Upon hearing this, Xi Dongliu immediately approached, scrutinizing the drawing, his eyes showing deep admiration.

"The likeness is only seventy percent, but the spirit captures ninety percent. I didn't expect that after so many years without seeing Miss Xi, Young Master Ximen could still paint such a lifelike portrait, truly a testament to your devoted heart," Xi Dongliu praised as he clapped his hands.

The handsome young man called "Young Master Ximen" was named Ximen Rui, a favorite son of the Nine Yin Venerable, the leader among the Six Venerables of Wuyue Sect.

"My heart for Xiao Ying has never changed, but I wonder what she thinks?" Young Master Ximen said, a trace of sorrow in his expression.

"Miss Xi's thoughts have always been hard to predict, but I believe with her wisdom, how could she not understand Young Master Ximen's sincere heart? Moreover, everyone in the Xi Family believes that you two are a match made in heaven," Xi Dongliu asserted.

Upon hearing this, the sorrow on Ximen Rui's face disappeared, replaced by joy.

"Uncle Xi, the young man who returned with Xiao Ying, how is his strength?" Ximen Rui straightened up and inquired seriously.

"That guy is a bit strange..." Xi Dongliu hesitated, not quite sure how to describe him.

"Hmm? How much did he drink?" Ximen Rui frowned and asked.

The pot of Two Extremes Immortal Brew was in fact a gift he had given to Xi Dongliu to assess Yuan Ming's strength.

Xi Dongliu raised a finger.

"He only drank one cup. He must be in the Nascent Soul Realm, but at most he has just broken through, and his realm is not yet fully stabilized," Ximen Rui sighed with relief.

If Yuan Ming was just a Nascent Soul Early Stage Cultivator, he would not be a concern at all.

"No, that pot of Two Extremes Immortal Brew, I only drank one cup, and he drank the rest," Xi Dongliu shook his head and said with a wry smile.

Upon hearing this, Ximen Rui's pupils slightly constricted and the smile that had just formed at the corners of his mouth stiffened, showing an incredulous expression.

"You're saying he almost finished that pot of Two Extremes Immortal Brew?" Ximen Rui couldn't help but reconfirm, his voice involuntarily raising.

"Not only did he finish the Two Extremes Immortal Brew, but throughout, his expression was natural, without showing the slightest unusual demeanor, and his face didn't even flush," Xi Dongliu explained.

"This suggests that he's very likely a seasoned Nascent Soul Middle Stage Cultivator and possibly also a cultivator proficient in Body Cultivation with a formidable body," Ximen Rui analyzed, recovering from his initial surprise.

"That's what I was thinking too," Xi Dongliu nodded, agreeing.

Ximen Rui's eyebrows furrowed slightly, and he fell silent.

Just then, Xi Dongliu's expression suddenly changed, followed by a look of joy.

"What's the matter?" Ximen Rui asked, surprised.

"Miss Xi has finished her seclusion; let's go greet her," Xi Dongliu said.

"Good," Ximen Rui immediately exclaimed with joy.

They quickly arrived at the entrance to the final courtyard, just as Xiao Ying was walking out from the barrier of the gateway.

With just one glance, Ximen Rui was stunned.

The Xiao Ying before him bore little resemblance to the figure he could capture on paper.

She wore a water-blue gown, her black hair cascading like a waterfall casually pinned with a wooden hairpin, her face bare of any makeup, and devoid of any adornments. Her flawless visage alone brightened the entire courtyard like springtime.

Her slightly cold demeanor added a chilling touch to the spring aura, giving her whole presence an ethereal quality, as if she were a Nine Heavens Fairy residing alone in Chang Palace, untainted by any dust.

"Miss Xi..." Even Xi Dongliu showed a look of surprise.

Ximen Rui couldn't help but swallow hard, awakened by Xi Dongliu's soft call.

"Xiao Ying, congratulations on your successful emergence from seclusion. Here is an Ocean Relic Pearl that I spent many years acquiring from overseas, a congratulatory gift from me," he immediately stepped forward, presenting a fist-sized snowy white Treasure Bead.

The bead, similar to a clam pearl but containing immensely rich and vast Water attribute spiritual power, was evidently an exceedingly valuable treasure.

To their surprise, Xiao Ying didn't even glance at it, merely greeted Xi Dongliu and then asked,

"Uncle Xi, where have you placed Fellow Daoist Yuan?"

Xi Dongliu was momentarily caught off guard and casually revealed Yuan Ming's location in the courtyard.

By the time he realized his mistake, Xiao Ying had already left the courtyard, her figure disappearing from sight.

"Young Master Ximen..." Xi Dongliu said somewhat awkwardly.

Ximen Rui's eyes twitched slightly before he quickly put on an indifferent demeanor, laughing as he said, "It's no big deal..."

Meanwhile, Xi Ying swiftly reached Yuan Ming's door and knocked.

Yuan Ming had just refined all the spiritual power contained in the Two Extremes Immortal Brew, and the flush on his face had not yet completely faded.

Previously, he had suppressed the potency of the brew forcibly, waiting until Xi Dongliu left before releasing it, only to discover that the potency was even more domineering than he had anticipated. Despite his strong divine soul, he had almost succumbed to inebriation.

However, after refinement, the benefits were quite apparent; the intense heat from the Two Extremes Immortal Brew was somewhat similar to the Power of the Sun from the Golden Crow True Fire, greatly benefiting his physique.

As Yuan Ming stood radiating heat, he opened the door and instantly saw the elegant silhouette of the woman outside.

Even with his firm resolve, he momentarily lost his composure, thinking he had seen a fairy from the Heavenly Palace.

Ironically, in Yuan Ming's mind, a Nine Heavens Immortal should naturally bear an unadorned look, not clad in glittering, ornate Lingluo Immortal Robes.

It was for this reason that a brief look of confusion crossed Yuan Ming's face.

"Xi Ying?" However, he quickly regained his composure, though sounding somewhat uncertain.

He had never seen Xi Ying's true form before, always encountering her as Xiao Ying, and so, when her name overlaid her true self, Yuan Ming still felt slightly uncomfortable.

Xi Ying suddenly broke into a smile, the chilliness in her expression melting away in an instant, leaving only a captivating beauty.

At the same time, Yuan Ming, still slightly flushed from cultivating, turned an even deeper shade of red.

So much so that he hadn't even had time to notice any change in Xi Ying's aura.

"Let's go, we're heading to Red Lotus Island," said Xi Ying, her smile fading as she spoke.

"Alright."

Though it was somewhat abrupt, Yuan Ming did not hesitate even slightly.

Upon saying this, the two left the courtyard and walked toward the estate's exit.

However, just as they stepped out of the third courtyard, they were met by a middle-aged man in a dark purple robe standing there, his face stern, his brows like a swordsman's and his eyes fierce, sporting a short tufted beard, exuding a stable and imposing presence akin to a tiger lying in wait.

The moment Xi Ying saw the middle-aged man, her brows furrowed.

From the subtle expressions on her face, Yuan Ming read not disgust but a sigh, as if to say "this is bad."

"Father," Xi Ying spoke up.

Always read from the source: *.

The middle-aged man was none other than Xi Ying's father, Xi Zheng.

"You still know to call me father?" Xi Zheng responded, his voice deep.

"Father, I..."

Xi Ying hadn't finished speaking when she saw her father had already walked past her.

"Come with me," said Xi Zheng, his tone authoritative and brooking no denial.

Xi Ying had no choice but to nod slightly toward Yuan Ming, then silently followed her father.

The three of them arrived at a large banquet hall where they immediately saw Xi Dongliu and Ximen Rui waiting there.

"Uncle Xi." As soon as Ximen Rui noticed this, he quickly approached with eagerness.

The stern expression on Xi Zheng's face suddenly relaxed, and he smiled, saying, "Young Master Ximen, sorry to keep you waiting."

"Not at all, today is a great day for Xiao Ying's coming out, no matter how long it takes," Ximen Rui quickly replied.

"If only Xiao Ying were as considerate as you," sighed Xi Zheng.

Xi Ying's brow furrowed slightly, suppressing her displeasure, and hurriedly said, "Father, I have urgent matters and need to leave for a while."

"Even if you had the most pressing matters, you cannot leave today," Xi Zheng said lightly after a glance at her.

As Xi Ying tried to argue, Xi Zheng had already turned his gaze to Yuan Ming and asked, "And who might this Fellow Daoist be?"

"I am Yuan Ming, a mere East Sea Wondering Cultivator," Yuan Ming replied, seeing he was asked.

"He is with me," Xi Ying said, not wanting further questioning.

However, hearing Yuan Ming was just an East Sea Wondering Cultivator, Xi Zheng lost interest in asking further and instead turned to Ximen Rui:

"How has your father been recently?"

"My father has always been busy with sect affairs, unable to get away. He actually wanted to come as well, as he has wanted to meet Xiao Ying for a long time," said Ximen Rui, not forgetting to glance at Xi Ying again.

"Normally, we elders should not meddle in the affairs of the young, but I am quite satisfied with you, and it's only right for your father to want to meet Xiao Ying. He is busy with important sect duties, so let's prioritize the Divine Sect. I will take Xiao Ying to visit him another day," said Xi Zheng, his expression gentle.

"For Uncle Xi to personally visit is an honor for me, and my father will surely be pleased to hear of it," Ximen Rui responded excitedly.

"Since Xiao Ying has been in seclusion, you two rarely meet. Make sure to get along well this time," said Xi Zheng.

"Of course, I eagerly look forward to it," Ximen Rui replied, even more delighted.

Xi Ying listened with furrowed brows but refrained from speaking out against it.

Yuan Ming, left out of the conversation by Xi Zheng, listened to his and Ximen Rui's discussion, and observing Ximen Rui's handsome face, unexpectedly found himself feeling a trace of revulsion.