"This is indeed an interesting place." Chu Lingwei nodded. Not only she was interested, but even the Illusionary Cat beside her blinked its excited eyes and was already eager to try.
"Indeed. Because of this, the entire Lingzhou City is filled with demon cultivators and disciples from various sects who bring their spirit beasts to advance." A good place for demon cultivators and spirit beasts to improve their cultivation, of course, they would come.
Chu Lingwei looked at the Illusionary Cat and playfully stroked its head. "Do you want to go?"
"I don't want a mirror to help me improve my cultivation. I'm just curious how it helps demons and spirit beasts improve their cultivation." The Illusionary Cat shook its head and then nodded.
He just wanted to figure out why this place was so strange.
"A hundred miles away, not too far." Chu Lingwei murmured to herself. It wouldn't be impossible to go and see.
"Fellow Daoist Chu, I can accompany you anytime you want to go. However..." Long Ziqian was very willing to take Chu Lingwei to see the Jingliang Forest, but he had just been punished and dared not act rashly.
"However, what?"
"However, you must seek Grandpa's approval." Long Ziqian wore an unnatural smile. He had already become a laughingstock in the Long family due to his punishment. If he were punished again, wouldn't he be laughed to death?
"Alright."
Chu Lingwei sat back in her chair. She still had to seek the approval of her uncles and father. Her uncles would definitely not have a problem, but with her father... Chu Lingwei was a little worried.
Long Ziqian and Chu Lingwei agreed that if she got Lan Xingning's approval, he would accompany her.
"Weiwei, will my uncles agree to let you go?" The Illusionary Cat sighed, which was rare. Such an interesting place, it would be a pity not to go.
"Probably, that place is not dangerous." Chu Lingwei was unsure.
One day later, Chu Ze returned to the courtyard.
"Father, you're back." Chu Lingwei hurried to meet him. Seeing that her father's expression was normal and his eyes were smiling, it seemed their conversation went well.
"Mm."
Chu Ze smiled at his daughter, his gaze full of affection. "The Long family patriarch thinks highly of you."
"Father, I didn't do anything." Chu Lingwei pulled Chu Ze to sit at the table, took out some spiritual tea, spiritual fruits, and spiritual wine. "Father, you must be hungry. Quickly eat something."
"Weiwei, I have already bid farewell to the Long family patriarch on your behalf. You will return to the Cultivation Academy with me." Chu Ze found his daughter's attempts to appease him amusing and interrupted her fantasy.
This place was too dangerous. The longer Weiwei stayed here, the more dangerous it would be.
Chu Lingwei's face darkened. Why was her father so insistent on her leaving? "Father, why do you want me to go back so soon?"
"Weiwei, Father has something very important that requires you to return to the Cultivation Academy."
Chu Ze sighed. He had long suspected that Qingqing was a member of the Phoenix clan, and he never expected her to be the Phoenix Saintess. Having once been the sect leader of the Xuanxin Sect, he naturally knew about the matters of the Phoenix clan.
The destruction of the Phoenix clan was deliberate. Even after a thousand years, those people were still not satisfied.
Weiwei was the Phoenix Saintess, so it would be better for her to stay at the Cultivation Academy.
Chu Lingwei knew that her father had no important matters for her to attend to. He said this only because he wanted her to return to the Cultivation Academy.
There was only one possibility: the person hiding behind the scenes knew that she had emerged from the Xiushui Bank.
"Alright, I'll bid farewell to the Long family patriarch, and then I'll leave." Chu Lingwei felt helpless, but she couldn't disobey the elders.
"Good daughter." Chu Ze felt his daughter's obedience, reached out, and ruffled her hair. "Go quickly."
Under Chu Ze's earnest gaze, Chu Lingwei, with the Illusionary Cat, walked out of the courtyard and towards the Long family patriarch's courtyard.
"Weiwei, are we really going back to the academy?" The Illusionary Cat was very interested in the lake there and was very disappointed that they were leaving now.
"Let's go back. Only when we go back will they feel at ease." A glint flashed in Chu Lingwei's eyes. Her father and uncles wanted her to be safe, and this was what they wanted. She did not want to disobey.
However, after returning to the Cultivation Academy, it wasn't as if she couldn't come out again.
Arriving at Lan Xingning's courtyard, her eldest uncle and second uncle were playing chess in the courtyard. Seeing Chu Lingwei approach, Lan Xingyi beckoned her over.
"Weiwei, come and see, who will win this game?"
Chu Lingwei walked to their side, looked at the chessboard in front of them, and said, "It's a draw."
"Then Weiwei, who do you think will win?" Lan Xingyi asked again.
"The one who wants to win should win," Chu Lingwei said. "As long as you are firm in your heart, you can forge a path no matter how dangerous the chessboard is."
Lan Xingning, who was about to place a move, paused slightly. His wrist felt a little heavy, and he placed the chess piece down.
"Big Brother, I win." Lan Xingyi wore a smug smile and placed his chess piece down. The outcome was decided.
"Weiwei, are you here to bid farewell to us?" Lan Xingning's gaze fell on Chu Lingwei's face. This was the result of his and Chu Ze's discussion. Weiwei had to leave this place.
"Yes."
Chu Lingwei took a step back and bowed to Lan Xingning and Lan Xingyi. "Eldest Uncle, Second Uncle, Chu Lingwei must return to the Cultivation Academy."
"Go, go back and cultivate well."
Lan Xingning's stern face finally showed a smile. Weiwei was their Phoenix clan's hope, and she could not be harmed in any way.
"Yes, I will definitely cultivate diligently and not let you down." Chu Lingwei was extremely firm.
"Eldest Uncle, this is a small token of my appreciation. Please accept it, Eldest Uncle." Chu Lingwei took out a storage bag containing some magical artifacts, pills, and spiritual herbs.
Lan Xingning's spiritual sense swept over the storage bag in Chu Lingwei's hand, and his expression changed slightly. "Weiwei, take it back. We are not lacking in cultivation resources."
"I know you lack nothing, Eldest Uncle, but this is a small token of my appreciation. Are you going to refuse even this?" A flicker of disappointment appeared in Chu Lingwei's eyes. As a member of the Phoenix clan, it was only natural for her to provide some cultivation resources for the clan.
"Weiwei, Second Uncle thanks you."
Lan Xingyi stepped forward with a smile, took the storage bag, and stuffed it into his elder brother's hand. "Big Brother, don't forget, Weiwei is also our family."
A hint of understanding crossed Lan Xingning's mind, and he nodded.
After leaving Lan Xingning's courtyard, Chu Lingwei returned to her own courtyard. After bidding farewell to her father, she prepared to leave.
This time, she was leaving alone. Her father would be staying here temporarily.
Chu Lingwei walked out of the Long manor and headed towards Wangqin Tower, like a cultivator going out for experience, not rushing her journey.
The waiter saw Chu Lingwei and led her to the second floor, to Long Ziqian's usual seat.
"Fellow Daoist Chu, Young Master Long Xiaoxiao has instructed that all your future bills will be charged to him."
"Then bring up the best spiritual cuisine your restaurant has." Hearing this, Chu Lingwei felt a little bit of comfort.