As Chu Qianli removed her makeup, an inexplicable sense of doubt lingered in her heart.
The State Preceptor, in his speech and actions, was unhurried, unhurried, and indifferent. He was like a wooden puppet, devoid of any emotion.
Not cold, not at all, but remarkably serene.
So serene it bordered on numbness.
To think such a person could exist in this world.
Like a living dead.
She decided to test him.
After washing her face clean, she walked with light steps to the designated spot, beneath the pavilion in the backyard.
The State Preceptor sat by the table, which was spotlessly clean, not even a drop of tea on it.
He hadn't even had a sip of tea, sitting upright and straight, like a student in class.
Of course, his hands were not on the table, but clasped on his lap.
"Your Excellency, may I ask a presumptuous question?"
Naturally, there was no reaction from the other party. Having spent only a short time together, Chu Qianli felt she could adapt to his demeanor.
Once adapted, she began to relax.
"Your Excellency, is your current demeanor something you trained into, or are you naturally like this?"
She was merely joking, assuming he wouldn't pay her any mind, and was about to get to the main point.
Unexpectedly, the State Preceptor responded, "Discipline."
Chu Qianli paused, somewhat taken aback.
The State Preceptor, who was like a wooden puppet, actually answered her such a trivial question?
It was too surprising.
Her hands rested on the table, her fingers tapping lightly as if without consciousness.
"Your Excellency, would you like something to eat?"
With a turn of her wrist, an apple was placed before him.
Another turn, and a bottle of drink appeared.
The State Preceptor's gaze swept over the apple and the drink, his expression unchanged.
The secret of the Qiankun Chain seemed to hold no surprise for him.
The drink was something from this era, yet he saw it and remained unmoved.
His heart was like still water.
She wondered what kind of environment could cultivate such a petrified person—cough! She shouldn't use such a word to describe him, after all, he was a master.
She couldn't be so disrespectful.
"State Preceptor, what do you desire?"
"A soul."
"What?" Chu Qianli had tried her best to maintain her composure, but his words were truly beyond her expectation.
It was as if the dark gods in television shows required human souls as a price for their transactions.
Was he trying to turn her into a demon?
A hint of wariness flickered in Chu Qianli's eyes: "How would Your Excellency obtain my soul?"
It would likely involve controlling her with Gu techniques or soul-capturing spells.
But neither of those were good things.
The State Preceptor lowered his gaze and picked up the bottle of drink Chu Qianli had placed before him.
He examined it closely.
His long fingers moved slightly on the bottle, as if intending to open it.
Finally, he focused on the cap, and with a flick of his long finger, the bottle opened.
He lowered his head, bringing his face close to the bottle opening, and sniffed through his veil.
The action was so elegant it was astonishing.
Like a nobleman.
After just a sniff, he set the bottle down.
Chu Qianli asked, "Since you are curious, why not taste it? Your Excellency is so powerful, you should know with a glance whether I've poisoned it."
"Sweet."
"Your Excellency dislikes sweets?" she smiled. "Then shall I get you a flavorless one?"
The State Preceptor no longer addressed the question but stared at her and said faintly, "I wish to see your world."