Starting from Tianlong, Wudu Tianxia

Piaomiao Peak is located on the southern slope of the Tianshan Mountains, towering majestically to the west of the capital of the Western Xia Dynasty.

Lingjiu Palace is built in the middle of the nine heavens, where the climate is warm and humid all year round.

Climbing up from the foot of the peak, there are eighteen perilous natural barriers, including the Broken Soul Cliff, the Hundred-Foot Ravine, and the Sky-Connecting Bridge, all of which are fraught with danger and easy to defend but difficult to attack.

Climbing up the hill, at the summit of Misty Peak, amidst the clouds and mist, there are ancient and vigorous pines. Underfoot, there is a blue stone path, about eight feet long and three feet wide, with neat and sharp stone slabs.

Walking through it feels like being in a fairyland.

Further ahead, at the end of the stone path, on the left and right are two stone-carved eagles guarding the palace gate, each over three zhang tall, with sharp beaks and huge claws, and are exceptionally majestic. Behind them are towering trees with lush leaves and dense branches.

The plaque of "Lingjiu Palace" carved from white marble is wrapped in gold leaf, and the misty clouds in the mountains give it a touch of otherworldly elegance.

The fourth day of Gao Yuan's ascent up the mountain.

At this moment, over a hundred women had gathered at the palace gate. They were dressed in the Nine-Colored Lingjiu Palace maid's clothes, and were the chief and deputy chiefs of the Nine Heavens and Nine Departments, as well as their maids with outstanding martial arts skills, who had returned from their travels.

Unlike the martial arts sects in the Central Plains, which need to manage various businesses such as farmland, taverns, martial arts schools, and brothels to support their sect's development.

Due to its geographical location, Lingjiu Palace mainly uses military force to control the leaders of its subordinate forces, thereby reaping offerings and economic support, making its management extremely efficient.

In summary, it is a case of "one core military force" forcibly extracting economic benefits from "numerous peripheral subordinates".

Therefore, apart from taking turns going down the mountain to the Central Plains twice a year to urge their cave masters and island masters on their behalf, most of the maids of the Nine Heavens and Nine Departments are on Misty Peak.

Grandma has always been short-tempered and eccentric. Except for giving important instructions, she never summons the heads and deputy heads of various departments and their maids.

Even though they were all on the same peak, they rarely saw their master even once a year.

Upon suddenly receiving the Lord's summons, everyone became extremely alert, their hearts filled with doubt and trepidation.

The phrase "Little Master" was the focus of their whispered conversations.

The goddesses all had different expressions, but without exception, each of them carried a hint of astonishment.

It should be noted that the Venerable One has been in charge of Lingjiu Palace for over sixty years and has never mentioned his lineage. The sudden appearance of a junior brother is truly unexpected.

At first, the maids didn't know how to address the young man, but luckily Sister Shi from Zhu Tianbu was quick-witted.

As the junior brother of the Venerable Master and also young, he was addressed as "Little Venerable Master," a title that everyone found appropriate, and the name "Little Venerable Master" spread from then on.

The women surrounded the sisters of the Haotian tribe, insisting on finding out news about the "Little Venerable Lord" and pondering how to get along with him.

The Lord has not accepted any disciples. Although the heads and deputy heads of the Nine Heavens and Nine Departments are capable and have been granted martial arts instruction by the Lord, they cannot be considered disciples.

Judging from this, this young master might very well be the next palace master of Lingjiu Palace, so naturally no one dared to be negligent.

Despite being only fifteen years old, according to Granny Yu, his martial arts skills are already on par with hers. Furthermore, the Haotian tribe sister who returned with him mentioned how handsome and extraordinary the young master is.

These words aroused the curiosity of the maids who had never seen the young master, and they couldn't wait to see him.

"Sister Gu, is what you say true?"

"Of course it's true! The young master is not only incredibly handsome, but also possesses a chivalrous heart, completely different from those despicable men who look down on women!"

The woman who spoke was probably in her early twenties and was one of the maids from the Haotian tribe who had returned with Gao Yuan.

"Young Master Minyi and Young Master Changying were complete strangers to him. His courage and compassion in rescuing them from the capital, disregarding his own safety, are beyond the reach of ordinary men!"

"Oh? Is that so?"

Huo Yinqiu, the head of the Yangtian Department, lightly gathered her hair and parted her cherry lips.

"He was willing to risk his life to save a complete stranger. The young master is certainly different from those despicable men who look down on women. Such a person is truly admirable."

"you do not say!"

A maidservant chimed in, her eyes full of curiosity, "I wonder what the young master's temperament is like? What proper etiquette should we show him when we meet him?"

Just as everyone was discussing this, Qin Ziqing's warning voice rang out: "Is the matter of the Young Master something we can discuss in private? Have you forgotten the palace rules that 'one must not speak ill of the Lord'?"

Upon hearing this, the women shuddered. In the past, anyone who dared to speak ill of the Lord would at least be whipped. Now, even though they were saying good things about the young Lord, they were still apprehensive.

It wasn't that they lacked respect for Gao Yuan; they were simply curious and momentarily forgot about hierarchy.

Just then.

A series of steady footsteps echoed from beneath the plaque of Lingjiu Palace.

Everyone looked up and saw Granny Yu walk out with a serious expression, her gaze sweeping over them: "Are all the heads and deputy heads of the Nine Heavens and Nine Departments, and their maids, present?"

"Reporting to Granny Yu, everyone has arrived!"

The heads of the various departments stepped forward and answered in turn according to their departmental order, their tone extremely respectful, without a trace of a smile.

Although Granny Yu was only the leader of the Haotian tribe, she had served the Venerable Lord the longest and was of the highest seniority.

Most of the abandoned girls who had just entered the palace had been taught skills by their mothers-in-law since childhood, so the people's awe of them was second only to that of the Empress, and no one dared to show the slightest disrespect.

"Grandma, what kind of person is the young master?"

The woman, who spoke with caution, was in her thirties. Her name was Huang Sangyu, the head of the Xuantian Department, and she had just returned from a mission in the Song territory.

Twenty-five years ago, Granny Yu saved her life from the knife of her enemy. Knowing that her whole family was dead, she took pity on her and brought her into Lingjiu Palace. She was one of the leaders that Granny Yu had raised since she was a child.

Huang Sangyu was usually a calm woman, but the incident came as a shock, and she felt somewhat uneasy about a stranger who was about to rise above all the other women.

Grandma Yu asked calmly, "What kind of person?"

"The Venerable One's junior brother is naturally a dragon among men."

She glanced at everyone, her tone slightly stern:

"The palace rules are strict, and you know what kind of temper the Lord has. Don't underestimate the young Lord just because he is young. If the Lord finds out, even your mother-in-law won't be able to save you."

"Yes!" the crowd responded.

Grandma Yu's words struck like a hammer blow, sounding an alarm in the hearts of many...

The Misty Palace is located in the central part of the Lingjiu Palace.

Inside the hall, the bronze incense burner stands majestically, its wisps of fragrance spreading like silk threads in the air, creating a hazy, tranquil atmosphere that soothes the mind and soul.

The main hall is grand in scale and can accommodate hundreds of people, yet it still feels empty.

The four walls are constructed of heavy granite, with intricate carvings on the stone surface and ancient patterns outlined in colored ink. Amidst the solemn atmosphere, countless cleverly designed passageways are hidden.

On the high platform at the head of the hall, the throne of the supreme ruler is placed majestically.

Hanging on the wall is an ancient portrait painting. The figure in the painting is indistinct and difficult to discern, yet it exudes a Taoist charm, ethereal and otherworldly.

Granny Yu led more than a hundred maids from the Cloud Pavilion all the way to the Misty Palace.

There are nine protruding rocks around the palace, resembling nine stone platforms.

The nine tribal leaders moved swiftly, each leaping onto a stone platform, while the remaining maids gathered quietly in the center of the hall, silent and still.

Before long, the side gate of the main hall quietly opened.

A majestic figure entered slowly and calmly, and took his seat on the throne of the esteemed ruler.

A young man followed closely beside her, with a clear and handsome face, and a lively and spirited look in his eyes.

Without a doubt, the young man was the Venerable Master's junior brother, whom everyone had been curious about for a long time.

The women dared not meet their grandmother's gaze and all lowered their heads.

At this moment, Granny Yu, standing on the first stone platform, spoke first:

"This humble servant, Yu Wanqing, along with the chief and deputy chiefs of the Nine Heavens and Nine Departments, and all the maids, pay our respects to Your Majesty! Pay our respects to the Young Master!"

When the voice ends.

The heads and deputy heads of the nine departments of the Misty Palace, along with all the maids, followed Granny Yu's movements, bowing gracefully forward.

"This servant greets Your Majesty!"

"Greetings, Young Master!"

......