Chapter 123: The Demon Immortal Kingdom, Ye Banzhuang

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation     Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Inside the treasure carriage.

“We’ve arrived at the capital of the Demon Immortal Nation, Shattered Cloud City… Let’s go down,” Lu Xuan announced.

“Wait, wait…” Cheng Lingzhu sat in front of the mirror, wearing a grand red phoenix dress embroidered with golden threads and adorned with a golden hairpin and jade ornaments. She even wore the hairpin left by the ancient Empress, Yu.

“How do I look?” Cheng Lingzhu turned her head, her features exquisitely beautiful and captivating.

The red dress added an impressive aura to her, and coupled with today’s makeup and the demeanor she developed as a major figure in the past…

Lu Xuan felt as if he was seeing Cheng Hongtan again.

Cheng Lingzhu didn’t intend to overshadow the ruler of the Demon Immortal Nation. The broad-minded and non-competitive master wouldn’t have such thoughts. She was just being formal because she was meeting her disciple’s disciple.

That must be it… Cheng Lingzhu thought to herself.

“You look beautiful, but there’s no need for such formality,” Lu Xuan said. “We’re just meeting a disciple, and we came to the Demon Immortal Nation for a vacation, to relax.”

“She is the ruler of a nation, after all. You said this fourth disciple is even stronger than your third one. It wouldn’t be appropriate to meet her casually.”

Cheng Lingzhu adjusted the hairpin in her reflection. Lu Xuan, sitting nearby, suddenly smiled, “How about we make a bet?” “Hmm?” Cheng Lingzhu’s eyes narrowed slightly.

She became alert at the mention of a bet, still vividly remembering the last time she lost a wager to Lu Xuan.

“Let me finish explaining first, ” Lu Xuan said with a warm smile. “I bet that once you arrive at the palace and meet Ye Banzhuang, you will feel that this morning’s meticulous preparation… Wasn’t really necessary.”

Cheng Lingzhu was puzzled. She looked at her reflection in the mirror imposing and full of presence. As Cheng Hongtan, with her status and cultivation, even an empress would have to avoid her sharp edge. Yet Lu Xuan said it wasn’t necessary? What did he mean? Was it going to be a casual meeting, perhaps in a setting like a hot spring or a swimming pool? The thought startled her.

“Do you want to bet?” Lu Xuan raised his eyebrows.

“Let’s bet on it,” Cheng Lingzhu felt confident. There was no reason for her to lose, as Lu Xuan’s bet was about her “feeling” that makeup was unnecessary after entering the palace.

The decision was in Cheng Lingzhu’s hands. She just had to feel that her makeup wasn’t wasted, right?

“What’s are the stakes?” Cheng Lingzhu suddenly remembered to ask.

“If I lose, you can ask for anything,” Lu Xuan said with a playful smile, “But if I win…”

He leaned in and whispered a few words into Cheng Lingzhu’s ear.

Cheng Lingzhu’s face turned red upon hearing them: “No way!” “It’s part of your adaptability training,” Lu Xuan reasoned.

“But… Still no,” Cheng Lingzhu protested, her cheeks burning.

Lu Xuan stood up and came behind Cheng Lingzhu at the dressing mirror, wrapping his arms around her neck, his face close to her cheek. He sighed,

“The outcome is in your hands. Besides, you know I often get hungry at night…” “You… You’re not allowed to talk nonsense,” Cheng Lingzhu’s cheeks were hot. “The bet is on then, let’s go,” Lu Xuan pulled Cheng Lingzhu up, and the treasure carriage descended.

Lu Xuan’s fourth disciple was named Ye Banzhuang, a name given by Lu Xuan himself. She was a congenital being, originally a lotus seed that Lu Xuan unearthed from an ancient tomb during an archaeological excavation.

Lu Xuan found several kinds of miraculous soil to nurture the lotus seed. After several hundred years, Ye Banzhuang was born. On the day of her birth, Lu Xuan was experiencing life as an actor in a troupe, and suddenly found a child in his arms while his makeup was only half done. Hence, the name Ye

Banzhuang.

In essence, Ye Banzhuang was raised by Lu Xuan. Unlike ordinary children, she was born with the appearance and intelligence of a five or six-year-old child. She had no cultivation restrictions within her and didn’t need to follow specific cultivation realms or bloodline paths. Given enough time, becoming a true immortal was almost certain for her.

Lu Xuan was very pleased with this disciple, except that she initially kept calling him “father,” which took him quite some time to correct.

The treasure carriage landed directly inside the palace of the Demon Immortal Nation. Lu Xuan had already contacted Ye Banzhuang in advance, so their arrival was unhindered.

As Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu stepped out of the carriage, they saw thousands of palace maids neatly lined up waiting for them. At the front of the formation stood a little girl, about eight or nine years old, wearing a chest-high ruqun, looking adorable and charming.

Cheng Lingzhu felt something was off. Why would such a young child be in the palace?

Then she saw the little girl lift her arms gracefully in a deep bow: “Disciple Ye

Banzhuang greets Master! ”

Behind her, the thousand palace maids knelt in unison: “Greetings to the Teacher of the Emperor! ”

Cheng Lingzhu was bewildered.

Lu Xuan winked at her, the meaning clear – yes, this little girl was his fourth disciple.

“No need for such formalities,” Lu Xuan nodded slightly.

Ye Banzhuang straightened up, and the palace maids rose to their feet.

“This way, Master,” Ye Banzhuang spoke crisply, gesturing for them to follow.

The palace maids parted like flowing water, revealing a path to the sleeping quarters. Led by Ye Banzhuang, Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu walked in that direction. Entering the sleeping quarters, Ye Banzhuang dismissed the maids, “You all may leave.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” the palace maids bowed and left the room.

Once they were alone, Ye Banzhuang seemed to shed her formal demeanor, bouncing excitedly towards Lu Xuan. Standing in front of him, she opened her arms, “Master, hug.”

“You are already a big girl,” Lu Xuan said, tapping her head gently with a folding fan. “You can’t ask your master for hugs anymore.”

“But in front of Master, I am always your disciple,” Ye Banzhuang smiled sweetly, then leaned against Lu Xuan’s hand. “Can master pat my head then?” “That’s fine,” Lu Xuan agreed, placing his hand on her head.

Ye Banzhuang closed her eyes, rubbing her head against Lu Xuan’s palm, clearly enjoying it.

“Ye Banzhuang is a natural Divine Spirit,” Lu Xuan transmitted his voice. “In her view, there is no such thing as romantic feelings between men and women. Her heart is as pure as a baby’s, untouched by the mortal world.”

This was somewhat similar to Lu Xuan, who would sever worldly desires every three years, whereas Ye Banzhuang was born this way.

Cheng Lingzhu finally understood why Lu Xuan had told her there was no need for special preparation before coming here..