The interior of the Crazy Winter Heavenly Palace had a similar design to the exterior.


    But the colour theme was perhaps the only commonality between his room and the outer disciples’ common room.


    With huge area and high ceilings – this was a grand chamber worthy of being called a throne room.


    A deep blue coloured carpet reached from the door all the way to the other end of the room, where a crystal throne could be seen behind an intricately designed crystal table.


    Smaller crystal chairs lined the sides of the carpet for the inner half as well, hinting that this chamber was probably more for work purposes than for rest.


    At this moment, Elder He Luoxuan was the only one in the room, leaning back comfortably on the grand crystal throne as he read a thick scroll in his hands.


    “Greetings, Elder He,” Zhao Yunxiao stopped by the door. “Your tea and snacks are here.”


    “Bring it over,” He Luoxuan beckoned with a wave of his hand, his eyes not leaving the scroll.


    “Yes, Elder He,” Zhao Yunxiao stepped foot on the carpet and slowly made his way forward.


    At the same time, he carefully observed He Luoxuan’s expression and demeanour.


    The design of the crystal tables and chairs.


    “You said your name is Zhao Yunxiao?” He Luoxuan casually asked without looking up from the scroll. “How long have you been with the sect?”


    It would appear that He Luoxuan did not know much about the outer disciples who would be going with him on this trip.


    Was it the inner disciples who made the selection then?


    Or did he leave solely it to the administrative deacon of the Myriad Fields Pagoda, Rui Tang?


    “This disciple is useless. I have been with the sect for more than ten years, but I am still only an outer disciple at the Intermediate Essence Gathering realm,” Zhao Yunxiao answered calmly.


    “Everyone has their own role to play. Outer disciples like yourself are vital to the survival of the sect as well,” He Luoxuan replied. “In fact, there are millions who would love to join the sect as an outer disciple, so there is no reason to think badly of your situation.”


    “I understand, Elder He,” Zhao Yunxiao stepped back after he was done pouring the tea. “Please enjoy.”


    “Hmm?” He Luoxuan finally sounded a little surprised after glancing at the tray that Zhao Yunxiao brought. “Who came up with the menu?”


    “Reporting to Elder He, the outer disciples decided on it together,” Zhao Yunxiao said without hesitation.


    “Mm, good choice,” He Luoxuan nodded as he picked up the tea cup for a sip. “But that is not what I am asking. What I want to know is who suggested this menu in the first place. Is it you?”


    He Luoxuan finally looked straight at Zhao Yunxiao, his deep eyes seemingly peering straight into Zhao Yunxiao’s soul.


    Zhao Yunxiao shuddered.


    Under the penetrating gaze of the elder, it felt as though his body had been stripped bare right there and then.


    There was no overwhelming pressure or sense of intimidation, but Zhao Yunxiao instinctively understood that there was nothing that he could hide from the elder.


    “Reporting to Elder He, this useless disciple is indeed the person who suggested the menu,” Zhao Yunxiao replied frankly.


    “Not bad,” He Luoxuan retracted his gaze with a smile. “How do you know my preferences? Did you ask around about me before coming on the trip?”


    “This useless disciple has always admired Elder He, thus has always been observing Elder He to emulate your habits in a wishful bid to become like you one day,” Zhao Yunxiao scratched the back of his head in embarrassment.


    The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    “Hahaha, what nonsense! Instead of all that, I see that you are just really good at buttering up to others!” He Luoxuan laughed. “But it’s all right. It is good that you are willing to make the effort to do the necessary research before coming. Good job.”


    “Thank you for the kind words, Elder He,” Zhao Yunxiao answered with a smile.


    It seemed that Elder He Luoxuan was not too uptight as well.


    “


    “


    An hour was neither too short nor too long.


    During this time, Zhao Yunxiao was able to observe and learn several small nuances of the elder’s, many of which were not things that he could hear of just by asking around.


    In fact, not even He Luoxuan himself would have been aware of certain things that Zhao Yunxiao had observed about him over the past hour!


    ***


    It was a triumphant return for Zhao Yunxiao.


    “Did Elder He really say we can take anything we want?” Yu Hang asked in disbelief.


    “Damn, if I knew that the server would get double the benefits, I would have volunteered for sure!” Zheng Biru added.


    “That’s too bad, Senior Martial Brother Zheng,” Zhao Yunxiao smirked in response. “Maybe you can be the next one to do it though.”


    At the same time, he also understood that such a thing would not have been possible.


    Even if it was Zheng Biru who had gone to serve the elder, the credit would still go to him once the elder asked who came up with the menu.


    And if Zheng Biru tried to lie and claim credit... who knew what kind of punishment Elder He would mete out instead?


    “Hahaha! I was just joking, Junior Martial Brother Zhao!” Zheng Biru patted Zhao Yunxiao on the shoulder. “You are the one who came up with everything, so you should naturally be the one to receive the greater portion of the rewards!”


    “That’s right! It’s all thanks to Senior Martial Brother Zhao!” Yu Hang chimed in.


    “Senior Martial Brother Zheng and Junior Martial Brother Yu are too kind,” Zhao Yunxiao said with a smile. “It was a group decision after all.”


    It would appear that his comrades were pretty easy to work with this time.


    “Now then, let’s start choosing, shall we?” Zheng Biru rubbed his hands together in glee. “You can go first, Junior Martial Brother Zhao!”


    “Then I shall not stand on ceremony!” Zhao Yunxiao nodded and took his pick.


    The items in the drawers were not exceptionally expensive, but some of them were rather rare. Those were naturally the items that Zhao Yunxiao went for.


    In any case, there were plenty of each item in stock. Even if he took first pick, he would not be depriving the other two of anything they wanted.


    The rest of the journey went smoothly, with the three outer disciples resting in their common room as they got to know one another better through casual chats.


    In the end, they were still in He Luoxuan’s personal heavenly palace right now. It was only natural that there was barely anything that the elder would need their help with.


    After half a day had passed, Hu Nan finally appeared at their door once more.


    “Get ready and assemble at the entrance. We have arrived.


    “Yes, Senior Martial Brother Hu!”


    ***


    The Origin Lake Sect was a faction located in the northern regions of the Duyuan Empire not far from Purple Plum Mountain, named after the mystical lake that was located within its core grounds.


    “


    “


    And leading them all was the sect leader of the Origin Lake Sect himself – Sect Leader Dan Juexing!


    To welcome Elder He Luoxuan’s arrival at the Origin Lake Sect, it could be said that the Origin Lake Sect had spared no effort and came out in full force this time!