The poorest member of the Imperial Guard, the Empress begged me to embezzle.

The old woman said worriedly, "But with Anlan's current health, I'm afraid she'll become a burden to the immortal..."

Chu Xiu smiled slightly and came to the bedside.

An Lan obediently extended her arm, and Chu Xiu placed two fingers on her wrist, scanning her injury with his divine sense. He raised an eyebrow:

"So fast..."

At this time, only half a day had passed since An Lan first woke up, and the life force within her body, under the influence of the life force within the jade pendant, had almost completely healed her injuries.

The intensity of the life force within An Lan's body has likely exceeded Chu Xiu's expectations.

"Anlan, come down and walk around for a bit to take a look."

Chu Xiu stood up and made way for him.

"Huh? You can get out of bed so quickly? It's only been a short time."

The old woman worriedly helped Anlan up from the bed and stand steadily.

An Lan never expected that she could recover to this extent in such a short time despite suffering such severe injuries.

She first took two slow steps around the tables and chairs in the room, and after not feeling any discomfort, she boldly took more steps.

"I'm all right!"

"Grandma! My injury is healed!"

Seeing An Lan happily running around the room with her arms outstretched, Chu Xiu couldn't help but smile gently.

"Alright, alright, stop now." The old woman quickly stopped An Lan, pulled him to sit at the table, and looked at Chu Xiu gratefully.

"Immortal Master, your kindness is boundless..."

Chu Xiu quickly said, "Grandma, there's no need to thank me anymore. An Lan was able to recover so quickly largely because of her special constitution and that jade pendant. That's why I want to keep her by my side for a while."

The old woman and An Lan exchanged a glance. Although they didn't fully understand what Chu Xiu meant, out of trust in their savior, the old woman still agreed to Chu Xiu's request and pulled An Lan aside to carefully instruct her on the matters to be taken along.

Soon, Ye Wujiang and Venerable Miaoyin appeared outside the house.

After inviting the two into the house, Chu Xiu introduced An Lan and her family of three to Venerable Miaoyin.

Besides being the lord of Luojia City, Venerable Miaoyin also served as the vice dean of the Zen God Academy. Antu had spent some time at the Zen God Academy and had seen this peerless expert from afar.

Upon seeing the Venerable Miaoyin's face, he was so astonished that he didn't know what to do.

It wasn't until the old woman, who was prostrating herself on the ground and repeatedly chanting the word "Bodhisattva," tugged at his sleeve to remind him that he finally realized what was happening and hurriedly prostrated himself on the ground.

"As requested by Young Master Chu, I have elevated your status from slaves to noble status, which is on par with Zen practitioners."

Venerable Miaoyin first looked at Anlan and the old woman, then at Antu: "As for you..."

“You were once a disciple of my Zen God Academy. Although you had a history of deliberate defection, there were reasons for it, so you can be forgiven.”

"From this day forward, you may resume your status as an outer disciple of the Zen Divine Academy. You may choose a good teacher to study Zen under. As for that relic..."

Miaoyin smiled slightly and looked at Chu Xiu.

Chu Xiu was taken aback, not expecting that even though he had already stored the relic in his storage space, she could still sense it.

The spiritual cultivation of this Venerable Miaoyin is truly terrifying.

Chu Xiu reluctantly took out the relic and handed it to Venerable Miaoyin.

Miaoyin took it from before her eyes and nodded slightly, saying, "It is indeed the legacy left behind by the vice-dean of my Zen God Academy who perished five hundred years ago. Since it is still in Young Master Chu's hands, it means that you have not gained the recognition of the legacy."

Antu lowered his head sadly, speechless.

“But since it was won by your master and my disciple in a bet, it still belongs to you. However, keeping it in your hands will only bring trouble.”

Miaoyin smiled slightly: "If I promise you that you will be able to study in the inner court of the Zen Divine Academy within the next five years in exchange for this relic, would you be willing?"

Chu Xiu frowned and looked at An Tu and An Lan.

Although the legacy contained within the relic rejected Antu, according to Ye Wujiang, the legacy seemed willing to accept his sister, Anlan.

This is an invaluable legacy left behind by a powerful figure of the same level as Miaoyin.

Handing it over like this would indeed be a great loss.

Just as Antu hesitated, Ye Wujiang suddenly asked:

"The owner of this relic should be the one from the Wood Demon Kingdom..."

Wood Demon Kingdom!

The moment this word was uttered, it immediately caught the attention of Chu Xiu, An Lan, and An Tu.

Miaoyin nodded: "It is indeed that one."

Antu immediately said, "Venerable One, I would like to try again..."

Seeing Antu's resolute expression, Miaoyin sighed, flicked her sleeve, and presented the relic to Antu: "Since you have made your decision, then I will return it to you, but..."

She smiled slightly: "For Young Master Chu's sake, the promise I made before still stands."

"Thank you, Venerable One! Thank you, Immortal Master!" Antu and his family of three expressed their gratitude repeatedly.

Chu Xiu smiled wryly. In just a few words, he had inexplicably incurred a favor from Miao Yin again.

"Is this young lady the one Young Master Chu is taking with him on this trip?"

Miaoyin looked at Anlan behind Antu.

Although An Lan was a little nervous, she still forced herself to remain calm and gave a graceful bow: "Greetings, Venerable Miaoyin."

She had only heard of these legendary figures through the praises of her neighbors, never expecting that she would have the opportunity to meet and talk with this legendary, unparalleled expert today.

“She is quite a beauty…” Miaoyin looked at Chu Xiu meaningfully.

Chu Xiu quickly said, "An Lan's physique is somewhat special, which seems to be related to the cultivation technique I've been studying. That's why I want to keep her by my side and understand her better."

"Oh~" Miaoyin deliberately dragged out the sound, then waved her hand, "I'll wait outside. You can set off when you're ready."

After saying that, Miaoyin flashed away and left the house.

As soon as Antu saw Miaoyin leave, he immediately handed the relic in his hand to Chu Xiu:

“Immortal Master, this relic is not meant for me, but it seems to favor my sister. It is best to entrust it to you for safekeeping. If my sister can obtain this inherited power, that would be a wonderful thing.”

"If my elder sister is also not destined, then the immortal can handle it himself."

Chu Xiu nodded and put it away.

While Antu and his family were reminiscing about their parting, Chu Xiu walked up to Ye Wujiang.

"Brother Ye, you've caused me so much suffering!"

"Suffering? What suffering is there?"

Ye Wujiang laughed and said, "Countless peerless experts would kill to spend a night with Miaoyin, but she has always ignored them. Now she has taken the initiative to befriend you. Isn't that a good thing?"

Chu Xiu smiled wryly and said, "It's a good thing, but I'm not sure about it."

"Your strength is far too great. I am like an ant before you. How could you possibly understand this feeling of insecurity..."

Ye Wujiang remained silent for a moment after hearing this. At this moment, he finally understood why Chu Xiu was still wary of him even though he had opened his heart to him.

Ultimately, it all comes down to trust.

But that's normal. If he put himself in Chu Xiu's shoes, he would realize that he was being too hasty.

"I understand."

Ye Wujiang patted Chu Xiu on the shoulder, "In the future, if I need to make any decisions about you, I will discuss them with you beforehand."

Chu Xiu breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good."

Having already said goodbye to her family, An Lan, with red eyes, stood quietly to the side waiting. After seeing Ye Wujiang and Chu Xiu finish their conversation, she stepped forward and said:

“My benefactor, I am ready.”

Chu Xiu laughed and said, "You shouldn't call me your benefactor anymore."

“Then… shall I call you Young Master?” An Lan asked softly.

Chu Xiu nodded in agreement.

After seeing Antu and his foster mother off, Chu Xiu and his party boarded the vehicle of Venerable Miaoyin—a huge, luxurious airship.

With a flick of her sleeve, Miaoyin declared, "Let's set off! Our destination: the capital!"