Long Ming got off the carriage as he walked inside the mansion. There was a large garden surrounding it, like a small forest. Long Ming could feel the presence of Spirit Gathering Formation that gathered the surrounding energy into the mansion.

The flora and fauna inside the garden were imbued with true qi of heaven and earth. There were small demon beasts and medicinal herbs in the garden, with a faint presence of surveillance.

When Long Ming arrived at the outer courtyard, He saw Jiang Wanxue sitting before a stone table, with a tray of teapot and teacups on the table. 

" Greetings, Young Master Long. I am pleased that you accepted my invitation and joined me." Jiang Wanxue's voice was calm as she looked at Long Ming. Unlike before, she didn't wear any veil this time.

Long Ming looked at her as he walked and took his seat. " You are looking pretty as always, Miss Jiang." 

" Haha, I am flattered." Jiang Wanxue's eyes squinted when she heard Long Ming. She thought Long Ming was going to act cautious and reserved, but he appeared pretty calm.

" This is called Bitter Kalpa Tea. Plucked from a thousand-year-old Bitter Kalpa Tree, the leaves were specially processed, making it filled with a rich spiritual qi which can nourish someone's soul."

Long Ming could feel the refreshing fragrance of the tea as Jiang Wanxue poured two cups and passed one to him. Long Ming took a sip as he felt his soul was absorbing the spiritual qi at a rapid pace.

" Well, I admit, This is really a good tea." Long Ming spoke. " The bitterness can wake up someone from a stupor. However, it will also help someone to gain a sudden enlightenment if used at the right moment."

However, Long Ming smiled as he took another sip. His Heavenly Revelation Eyes flashed as he looked at the teacup.

" Unfortunately, this is not a thousand year of Bitter Kalpa Tea, but only 500-year-old Bitter Kalpa Tea. Not only the bitterness is higher, but the spiritual qi is still turbid."

Jiang Wanxue's eyes squinted as she looked at Long Ming. " Is Young Master Long trying to say I told you a lie?"

" Telling a lie?" Long Ming smiled. " Perhaps Miss Jiang didn't know it was a 500-year-old tea rather than a 1000-year-old tea. It's understandable. After all, Miss Jiang won't tell a lie, would she?"

Jiang Wnaxue and Long Ming's gaze locked as the atmosphere became tense. Jiang Wanxue understood Long Ming's hidden meaning. 

Even if he said that Jiang Wanxue might have mistaken, that is the same as giving her some face and whitewashing that she didn't just lie to him.

Long Ming already possessed a remarkable talent for recognizing various herbs and their details thanks to the Medicinal Record of Thousand Herbs. Not to mention that he also checked the medicinal scriptures of Four Seasons Valley.

Also, the Wine Master profession increased the sensitivity of his tongue, making him taste even the smallest detail of a dish.

" Young Master Long truly possesses remarkable abilities. No wonder you became the True Disciple of Four Seasons Valley. Your standing is no less than Saintess Mu."

" That's only for the public. In the end, we all belong to one sect." Long Ming smiled. 

" Well, Rather than having small talks, How about we jump to the main topic, Miss Jiang?" Long Ming spoke. " What do you wish to speak with me?"

" Very well, I shall be forward." Jiang Wanxue looked at Long Ming and spoke. " The Imperial Tournament is near. The Azure Sun Secret Realm will be opened. I wonder if Young Master Long will follow my team while venturing inside?"

" Follow you?" Long Ming looked at Jiang Wanxue. " Why will I do that, Miss Jiang? Are you forgetting I am the disciple of Four Seasons Valley?"

" In the Azure Sun Secret Realm, all individuals are independent. Other than that, I am sure no one will question if you leave your team and venture on your own."

" But why? Why am I going to do that?" Long Ming was still confused.

The Imperial Tournament was divided into two phases. First was the exploration inside the Azure Sun Secret Realm, and the second was the Battle Ranking Matches after that.

The Azure Sun Secret Realm was something created by the Empress Crimson Sky of Four Seasons Valley. After she became a Heavenly Emperor and ascended, the Azure Sun Secret Realm was used to be the sole property of Four Seasons Valley till the sect faced the great disaster.

After that, the Azure Sun Sacred Realm remained closed for several thousand years till a joint effort of the Holy Qilin Empire and other sects opened it forcefully. However, unfortunately, Four Seasons Valley lost its rights and it became a public property.

However, the Azure Sun Secret Realm was something, after all, made by a Heavenly Emperor. The rules of the realms were very powerful as no one above the Early stage of the Harmonization Realm could enter the realm. If someone tried to violate this rule, the power of the Heavenly Emperor would descend and immediately kill the cultivator.

Thus, it became the perfect training ground for the disciples of various sects.

" It's because I believe we can maximize the profits in that way." Jiang Wanxue looked at Long Ming. " I have heard many things about you, Young Master Long."

" You aren't someone who is raised in the Four Seasons Valley. You just got invited by Saintess Mu and decided to stay in the Four Seasons Valley. Till now, You have been helping Four Seasons Valley wholeheartedly. However, I don't see Four Seasons Valley returning your favor in a good way."

" In fact, you seem to have become the eyesore of many people and even got attacked many times." Jiang Wanxue's voice was calm. " How about you join us, Young Master Long?"

  " I am making a group of young geniuses of the Holy Qilin Empire. If I exaggerate, I will say it will consist of the geniuses of the entire Eastern Province."

" The resources and the techniques will be no lesser than a sect. So, What do you say, Young Master Long?"

Long Ming looked at Jiang Wanxue as his eyes narrowed. It looks like Jiang Wanxue really knows the art of scheming. Not to mention, she also got information from Long Ming, both inside and outside of the sect.

" Miss Jiang's offer is lucrative." Long Ming finished his tea as he looked at Jiang Wanxue. " However, I think I am unable to accept it. Please, Pardon me."

Jiang Wanxue didn't look disappointed as she looked at Long Ming. " I think following us in the Azure Sun Secret Realm will be still a nice choice. After all, The death rate of Four Seasons Valley disciples inside the secret realm is many times higher than the disciples of other sects."

Long Ming's gaze turned cold as his Heavenly Revelation Eyes flickered. A light, but oppressive aura spread from his body, his invisible charm turned into something dominating.

" I think you should rephrase your words, Miss Jiang. After all, it's easy to mistake it as a threat." 

Jiang Wanxue's brows creased as she felt the oppressive aura. She never felt Long Ming wouldn't hesitate to show his killing intent like that.

" Young Master Long is right." Jiang Wanxue's expression didn't falter. " However, it is true. I won't say the dangers from other sect is nonexistent. However, a large amount of disciples of Four Seasons Valley indeed died in the Azure Sun Secret Realm."

Long Ming's oppressive aura vanished when he heard that. He got up and adjusted his clothes.

" However, If that's true, then I am even more responsible for the safety of my junior disciples."

" Since we can't reach any agreement, I don't think any further talk will be fruitful. I shall take my leave then."

" Hmph, Lady Jiang, I told you. Such a lowly person shouldn't join our expedition team."

Long Ming's steps halted when he heard that. A familiar figure emerged from the courtyard as he looked at Long Ming with contempt. 

" En? Do I know you?" Long Ming felt the dude was familiar. But he couldn't remember him.

  Yo-You forgot me?! I am Liu Ye of the Liu Family of the Holy Qilin Empire!" Liu Ye shouted.

" Ah, I see." Long Ming nodded. " How unfortunate, I don't remember the names of small fries. I apologize." 

" Ba-Bastard!" Liu Ye was livid when he heard Long Ming. " Yo-You are still shameless!"

He pointed at Long Ming and shouted. " You disrespected Miss Jiang and tried to walk away like that? Apologize to her!"

Long Ming looked at him as if he was looking at a twitter user. Then, he shrugged and looked at Jiang Wanxue.

" Well then, I apologize for my sudden outburst. Miss Jiang, I hope you don't mind it."

" Hu-Huh?" Liu Ye was stunned when he heard Long Ming. " Th-That sound insincere…"

" Liu Ye, Just because you have a mouth, you think you can keep blabbering?" Long Ming finally snapped out. 

" Then, I also have a palm. Want me to use it on you?"

" You-You!!"

" ENOUGH!"

Jiang Wanxue stood up and she looked at Liu Ye. " Young Master Liu, I don't want any ruckus."

" Y-Yes, Lady Jiang."

Long Ming nodded as he turned around and left. Jiang Wanxue looked at Long Ming's departing figure as she chuckled.

" My Lady, What should we do now?" A black clothed man appeared behind her.

" Nothing. Nothing at all." Jiang Wanxue sat back and sipped another mouthful of tea.

" Everything will be done by others." 

She chuckled lightly as she looked at Liu Ye, who was seething with anger.

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