A flash of white light, and everyone appeared on an incredibly wide avenue.
There was only one building on the avenue, with several majestic stone statues standing tall, exuding an unparalleled grandeur. Li Xuan looked up and saw it was the Hu mansion.
"Miss Hu, we've arrived already? If I'm not mistaken from my earlier observation, the city gate is kilometers away from here," Li Xuan said.
"Young Master Li Xuan, that is indeed the case. Otherwise, why would we be using a teleportation gate? Because Shuangyang City is vast and boundless, ordinary mortals would find it difficult to travel such a long distance if there were urgent matters."
"Therefore, the City Lord's mansion established short-distance teleportation gates in the east, south, west, and north of the city long ago. This is to serve the citizens within the city," Hu Xueman said with a smile, as if the recent events had been forgotten.
Li Xuan nodded. Shuangyang City was indeed massive. Without these teleportation gates, those who were not spiritual masters would have a hard time traveling out.
"Young Master Li Xuan, you are welcome to be a guest in Shuangyang City, and welcome to be a guest at our Hu family. Please come in," Hu Xueman said with a smile, seeing Li Xuan fall silent.
Li Xuan's face twitched visibly but he held back, shook his head, and walked over with a smile.
"Miss Hu, why doesn't your family have any guards?" Li Xuan asked as they approached the main gate, after taking a look around.
"Young Master Li Xuan, please wait a moment." Hu Xueman smiled, as if accustomed to Li Xuan's questions. She then made a motion with her hand, and a token appeared in her grasp.
Li Xuan looked at Hu Xueman with some curiosity.
Hu Xueman waved her hand, and the token flew towards the main gate. It slowly descended and landed in the center of the gate. Upon closer inspection, Li Xuan noticed a slot on the gate, almost the same size as the token. After Hu Xueman chanted a few incantations, the massive gate creaked open with a rumble.
"I forgot to tell you, Young Master, flying is prohibited in Shuangyang City. Furthermore, there is an aerial blockade formation set up within the city, making it impossible to take flight. So, please understand," Hu Xueman explained.
Li Xuan nodded slightly. As one of the three major cities, it indeed had more stringent rules.
"Young Master Li Xuan, please come in," Hu Xueman said.
Li Xuan nodded slightly and followed Hu Xueman inside.
Upon entering the mansion, numerous household servants immediately surrounded them.
"The eldest young lady is back, the eldest young lady is back." As everyone shouted, a flash of spiritual light flickered at the main gate, and many people instantly appeared within the grounds.
"Mother, Second Uncle, Second Aunt, Great Elder, you're here," Hu Xueman said happily as she saw them and walked over.
"Snowman girl, you're back. Did you manage to obtain that spiritual herb? You have no idea, those people from the Qin family have been encroaching on our markets lately, and many of the forces that had pledged allegiance to our Hu family have also withdrawn to join the Qin family. We cannot hold on much longer," an elder said, sighing as he approached.
"Great Elder, I have not failed in my mission. This is all thanks to this friend, who I was fortunate enough to bring the spiritual herb back with. Qin Wuming of the Qin family is truly despicable. He actually enlisted the Nine Withered Elder to deal with us. Fortunately, this young master acted and defeated him, thus securing this spiritual herb."
After speaking, Hu Xueman took out the spiritual herb from her spatial ring.
"My good daughter. Your father can finally be saved," a dignified young woman said, pulling Hu Xueman's hand and speaking excitedly.
"What! The Qin family even invited the Nine Withered Elder? They intend to push our Hu family to a dead end. Little friend, I, on behalf of the Hu family, thank you for your great kindness." The Great Elder's heart skipped a beat, as he knew the strength of the Nine Withered Elder.
Although he himself could have killed the Nine Withered Elder, the fact that this young man before him had defeated the Nine Withered Elder with the strength of the God Extinguishing realm was enough to make one's imagination run wild regarding his power and talent.
No, he had to win this person over at all costs!
"Snowman, you must be exhausted after such a long journey. Give me the spiritual herb, and you quickly take your friend down to rest. I will have the kitchen prepare a spirit feast to entertain this young hero properly tonight." The Great Elder, having made up his mind, walked over with a smile.
Hu Xueman listened, and was stunned for a moment before coming back to her senses.
"Old sir, there is no need to be so polite. Helping others when in need is what a righteous person should do," Li Xuan said neither subserviently nor arrogantly.
"Young hero, you are so courteous and not boastful. In the future, you will surely be an outstanding individual. Snowman, hurry up," the Great Elder praised Li Xuan without reservation, while saying to Hu Xueman.
"Young Master Li Xuan, please follow me." Hu Xueman said with a look of helplessness, then handed the spiritual herb to the Great Elder and led Li Xuan further inside.
"If that is the case, then I will trouble you all," Li Xuan said, cupping his fists towards everyone.
"Young hero, by securing this spiritual herb, you have saved our Hu family. It is not an exaggeration to call you our Hu family's savior. Speaking so formally, young hero, makes it sound as if we are strangers," the Great Elder smiled slightly, his expression showing gratitude.
...
"Great Elder, are you really planning to hold a spirit feast?" A middle-aged man spoke after Li Xuan had left.
"Of course. Second brother, this person secured the spiritual herb, and thus secured our Hu family's status in Shuangyang City. It is entirely appropriate to hold a spirit feast for this reason," the Great Elder nodded slightly.
"Great Elder, I think you have ulterior motives. I have never seen you fawn over someone like this before, especially such a young junior," the middle-aged man said, looking at the Great Elder in surprise.
"That's right. I do have ulterior motives. Second brother, you also heard your niece. She said he defeated the Nine Withered Elder. And, as you said, he is still very young," the Great Elder said, casting a meaningful glance at the middle-aged man.
"Listening to the Great Elder's meaning, you intend to win this person over? Given this young man's strength, his background is likely not simple either," the middle-aged man said cautiously.
"From our recent interaction, this young master is definitely not an evil person, and his origins are absolutely clean. Even if there are secrets behind him, we must make every effort to show goodwill," the Great Elder said, then looked in the direction Li Xuan had disappeared.
"In that case, I will follow the Great Elder's instructions," the middle-aged man said, no longer questioning after hearing the Great Elder's words.
After all, the Great Elder before him was a Life God realm cultivator. And he also found Li Xuan to be quite likable.
Saving the Hu family alone was enough.