"Young Master Yang, this place is..."
After the great eagle flew far into the distance, Elder Ban finally ventured to ask in a cautious voice.
"Madam Luan Feng's palace — Phoenix Luo Palace!" Yang Kai replied.
"Madam Luan Feng..."
Elder Ban's eyes nearly bulged out of his head. He realized that the things he'd encountered today were more shocking than anything he'd experienced in his entire life. Before this, simply riding on the back of a Demon Beast King had been astonishing enough, and now he'd actually arrived at the palace of a Sacred Spirit.
If Yang Kai hadn't brought him along, he probably couldn't have gotten here in eight lifetimes. But Yang Kai had not only gotten the Eagle Flight Demon Beast King to willingly serve as a mount — he was even completely familiar with the way to this Sacred Spirit's palace...
Elder Ban was having trouble figuring out just who Yang Kai really was and where he came from.
As they were talking, the palace gates suddenly swung open, and a beautiful, slender woman in courtly attire walked out. She went straight to Yang Kai, stopped before him, and curtsied gracefully. "This servant greets Young Master Yang!"
Yang Kai glanced at her and smiled. "Tianlong — long time no see."
This woman was the very maid Madam Luan Feng had assigned to serve him the last time he visited Phoenix Luo Palace. Although Yang Kai hadn't interacted with her many times, he did know her, so seeing her again wasn't unfamiliar.
"It hasn't been that long..." Tianlong's smile was a bit strained. She looked up and asked, "I wonder what brings Young Master Yang here this time?"
Yang Kai said, "There's something I need Madam's help with. Where is she?"
Tianlong replied, "You've come at an unfortunate time, Young Master. Madam happened to enter seclusion a few days ago."
Hearing this, Yang Kai shot her a glance and snorted. "Madam is a Sacred Spirit — her cultivation comes from the blessings of heaven and earth. What does she need seclusion for? She just doesn't want to see me, does she?"
Tianlong quickly said, "That's not it at all — Madam really has entered seclusion."
Yang Kai ignored her and walked straight into Phoenix Luo Palace.
Seeing this, Tianlong hurried after him with quick, tiny steps.
Once inside Phoenix Luo Palace, Yang Kai barged straight through, calling out at the top of his lungs. "Madam! Madam! Yang Kai has come to see you!"
Tianlong didn't know whether to laugh or cry as she followed behind. She kept reminding him, "Please, Young Master, stop shouting. If you disturb Madam's cultivation, she'll blame this servant."
"Madam! Madam!" Yang Kai paid her no heed and kept on calling.
After a long while, a figure suddenly appeared before Yang Kai. The figure was majestic and noble, with a deep, profound aura — none other than Madam Luan Feng herself.
Only now, Madam Luan Feng's expression as she looked at Yang Kai carried a hint of grievance, as though he had seduced and abandoned her. Her eyes were filled with accusations steeped in blood and tears.
"Madam!" Seeing her appear, Yang Kai broke into a grin, stepped forward, and cupped his fists. "Yang Kai greets Madam."
Tianlong, who had been trailing behind Yang Kai, also stepped forward. She looked at Madam Luan Feng with a helpless expression and said, "Milady, this servant..."
"You may go." Madam Luan Feng waved her off.
Tianlong received the order and withdrew respectfully.
Madam Luan Feng gave Yang Kai a look of disgust, then turned and walked ahead.
Yang Kai cheerfully followed, waving to Little Ling'er and Elder Ban along the way.
Once they reached a grand hall, Madam Luan Feng turned and took her seat in the seat of honor, showing no intention of inviting Yang Kai and the others to sit. She simply picked up a cup of steaming tea and took a sip.
"Have a seat!" Yang Kai gestured toward Elder Ban.
How would Elder Ban dare to sit? Being able to stand here at all was already a feat of extraordinary composure. He quickly waved his hands. "This old man will stand — standing is fine."
The woman before him was the Sacred Spirit Madam Luan Feng. Even though she wasn't releasing any overwhelming aura, Elder Ban still didn't dare be the slightest bit impudent in her presence. He didn't even dare crack a smile, fearing that the slightest impropriety might upset the Sacred Spirit.
He held Little Ling'er tightly by the hand, making sure the child wouldn't be disrespectful and offend Madam Luan Feng.
Since Elder Ban wouldn't sit, Yang Kai didn't force him. He simply turned to Madam Luan Feng with a grin and said, "You seem to be in a rather foul mood, Madam."
Madam Luan Feng glanced up at him and replied irritably, "I was in a perfectly fine mood, but now I'm not. Why are you here again?"
Yang Kai said, "It's been so many days — I missed you terribly, so I came to see you."
Madam Luan Feng gave a slight nod. "Well, you've seen me now. Please leave, Young Master."
"Oh, come now." Yang Kai smiled awkwardly. "I've barely arrived and you're already chasing me off — that's no way to treat a guest."
"If the Young Master wishes to stay for a few days, then I can only welcome it. You can stay in the same room as last time — just let Tianlong know if you need anything." With that, Madam Luan Feng stood up, clearly not wanting to spend another moment with Yang Kai.
"Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait!" The moment Yang Kai saw she was about to leave, he quickly stopped her.
Madam Luan Feng snorted. "Boy, what exactly have you come to me for this time? Spit it out — I'm not in the mood to waste time chatting with you."
Yang Kai smiled sheepishly. "Your eyes miss nothing, Madam. I do have a small favor I need your help with this time."