Liu Xiu is responsible for handling various household chores, while Liu Jin holds a more significant position. She is currently acting as Gao Xuan's assistant, arranging various meetings for him.
During this period, Liu Jin's status has skyrocketed like a rocket. Even Patriarch Liu Feng now treats her with utmost politeness.
Although Yuan Anbang is an upper-tier Golden Powerhouse, he does not dare to put on airs in front of Liu Jin.
Liu Jin is dressed in a classical bright red palace gown, making her appear both opulent and alluring. Her beauty is striking, with a tall and graceful figure, perfectly complementing the striking red color.
She respectfully salutes Yuan Anbang with a bow, "Mr. Yuan, Mr. Gao requests your presence inside."
Yuan Anbang nods slightly to Liu Jin before proceeding with Yuan Wuxian onto the covered bridge.
Upon entering the Waterside Pavilion, they see Gao Xuan clad in a loose white short robe, barefoot and seated on a soft couch, gazing at the distant lake view in a relaxed and leisurely manner.
On the tea table in front of Gao Xuan, there are tea, desserts, and a fruit platter. A very pretty young girl is softly playing the guqin beside Gao Xuan.
The girl's guqin performance is quite good, though just quite good. Moreover, her playing is rather casual, sometimes even pausing briefly.
Yuan Anbang notices Yun Qingshang, the delicate and elegant girl sitting in a corner behind Gao Xuan, her gaze slightly lowered as if indifferent to everything.
He takes just a glance at Yun Qingshang and then retracts his gaze. As someone on the path of Body Refinement, he immediately sees that Yun Qingshang's physical strength is formidable, no less than his own. She might even be stronger than him.
Realizing this, Yuan Anbang is inwardly startled. It's one thing for Gao Xuan to be powerful, but for even Yun Qingshang to be so strong, it's truly terrifying.
Because this implies that Gao Xuan can easily enhance the Power of others. It means Gao Xuan can effortlessly cultivate his Direct Lineage.
Yuan Anbang suppresses his various thoughts and respectfully bows deeply to Gao Xuan, "Yuan Anbang greets Mr. Gao."
Gao Xuan smiles slightly, "No need for formalities, please sit at your ease."
He then greets Yuan Wuxian behind Yuan Anbang, "Wuxian is here too, haha, it's been a while since we've met, and your cultivation has greatly improved. Come, have a seat."
Gao Xuan then instructs Liu Jin, "Serve tea to our guests."
As he speaks, he introduces Liu Jin, "Wuxian is a friend of mine. Back on Taiwei Star, we even sparred once."
Yuan Wuxian quickly replies, "Ashamed, ashamed, back then I was young and ignorant, and I'm grateful that Mr. Gao showed mercy..."
Though he says this, Yuan Wuxian is actually quite pleased in his heart. In today's era where Gao Xuan is undoubtedly the strongest within the Alliance, being spoken to in such a manner carries a different significance.
Of course, while Yuan Wuxian is elated, he maintains a respectful demeanor. He is aware that Liu Po met his end, and although it wasn't Gao Xuan who caused it, it was indeed due to Gao Xuan.
Yuan Wuxian wasn't particularly fond of Liu Po, but they were, in any case, friends. Upon hearing that the Liu Family executed Liu Po, he felt quite uncomfortable.
If he were to provoke Gao Xuan, the Yuan Family might possibly dispose of him in the same manner, right?
Thus, Yuan Wuxian is now very clear about his position and knows what posture he should adopt.
Gao Xuan doesn't have much connection with Yuan Wuxian, only finding him to be a decent person with integrity and responsibility. Seeing him being so cautious now, Gao Xuan can't help but sigh, recalling how the once proud and unyielding young man has changed...
This is only natural. At this stage, it's hard to make any true friends.
Though the Alliance is vast, how many are worthy of being his friend?
Yuan Anbang, however, is quite adept at conversation, speaking with great skill. Despite his typical Qin Family long eyebrows and slender eyes, he exudes a certain scholarly elegance.
Even when casually chatting with Gao Xuan, he can talk at length without causing awkward silences.
Gao Xuan knows what the Yuan Family intends and that they won't promise anything substantial. However, they haven't caused trouble behind his back, so he can't let them off so easily.
He says, "I've long heard of the Yuan Family's Thundering Iron Horse. I'm just in need of a steed; I wonder if I could purchase one?"
The Thundering Iron Horse is a divine horse of the Yuan Family, a unique existence that is part marvel, part lifeform, possessing the ability to traverse the Void.
In the early days of humanity's space travel, technology was immature, so it was the saints of the Yuan Family who rode the Thundering Iron Horses, exploring star maps far and wide, finding many habitable star systems and thus establishing a vast Human Alliance.
The Thundering Iron Horse produces a foal every millennium, and the new millennium has just passed, with the newborn Thundering Iron Horse being only twenty years old.
Due to the rarity of the Thundering Iron Horse, it has never been allocated to anyone. Gao Xuan's request for it is quite excessive, for it is not simply a matter of purchasing.
Yet, at present, can the Yuan Family dare to refuse Gao Xuan?
Thousands of thoughts flash through Yuan Anbang's mind, but he dares not refuse. He lowers his head slightly, "My family just happens to have a newborn Iron Horse. If Mr. Gao favors it, I'll take responsibility for gifting it to you."
"Hahaha, Mr. Yuan is so generous, I won't stand on ceremony then."
An elated Gao Xuan further instructs Liu Jin, "Go ahead and serve Mr. Yuan some tea..."
Yuan Anbang inwardly smiles bitterly, realizing that the price of tea is a Thundering Iron Horse.
Yet at this point, what else can he do but express his gratitude with respect?
As they depart from the Liuyue Pavilion, both Yuan Anbang and Yuan Wuxian remain silent. In today's meeting, they have paid a hefty price without gaining any substantial benefit.
Upon descending the bridge, Yuan Wuxian notices a group of people standing before the Qi Observation Pavilion.
Among them, one man is warm and jade-like, precisely Zhou He from the Celestial Dragon Star Realm. In front of Zhou He stands an elderly man with a dignified presence, but it is unknown which powerhouse of the Zhou Family he is.
Yuan Anbang is the first to cup his hands and greet, "Master Zhou, you've come as well."
Master Zhou returns the gesture courteously and says lightly, "In a shift unseen in three millennia, I must have a look."
This old man, with his white hair and rejuvenated face, exudes a gentle and refined air typical of a sage.
In such circles, Yuan Wuxian does not have the right to speak. He sidles up to Zhou He, "Brother Zhou is here too?"
Zhou He smiles wryly, "As an old acquaintance of Gao Xuan, I naturally must come and show support."
Yuan Wuxian also smiles wryly. The thoughts of the elders of various families are simple: they sent them not to build connections with Gao Xuan, but to let Gao Xuan show off in front of old acquaintances.
After all, one must display their wealth among hometown acquaintances rather than walking in brocade garments at night. When one becomes prosperous, it's natural to want to flaunt and appear before old acquaintances.
These powerhouses from the Noble Families are indeed versed in the ways of the world.
Upon seeing that Yuan Wuxian understands this point, Zhou He's smile becomes even more bitter. Actually, there are no particular connections between him and Gao Xuan; he feels no pleasure in coming here to flatter Gao Xuan.
"Gao Xuan has a generous nature and won't deliberately put on airs,"
Yuan Wuxian comforts him, "Seeing Gao Xuan now, I'd only feel despair."
Upon considering, Yuan Wuxian nods, "We're both of the same age. Seeing Gao Xuan is just plain disheartening."
He then remarks, "Did you hear? Liu Po is dead?"
Zhou He slightly shakes his head, not surprised. With Liu Po stirring up trouble everywhere, it was expected that Gao Xuan would be the end of him.
If he had crossed Gao Xuan, it's likely the Yuan Family would handle him in the same manner, don't you think?
Walking back down the corridor, Yuan Wuxian notices a group of people standing by the Qi Observation Pavilion.
The one leading them is wearing a black long robe, with a lean and sharp face—Song Town, the Heaven Measuring Sword himself.
Standing in front of Zhou He is an elderly man with a white beard, possessing a noteworthy demeanor. It's not clear which powerhouse of the Song Family this is.
Both Yuan Wuxian and Zhou He turn their gaze towards Song Yunxi, who stands prominently due to her striking beauty.
During the Sword Dao finals, Liu Po sought trouble primarily because of Song Yunxi.
As a result, it's said that Song Yunxi and Gao Xuan are now close... Although this news is yet to be verified. It seems, though, that the Song Family People have understood the ways of the world and have spread.
Seeing Liu Jin politely stop Song Town, Song Yunxi slightly tilts her head and then suddenly calls out loudly, "Gao Xuan, I've come to see you."
This shout draws the attention of the entire group.
Soon, Gao Xuan's voice is heard, "Yunxi, come in quickly."
Feeling pleased, Song Yunxi raises her chin slightly toward Liu Jin, then takes Song Town's arm and enters the pavilion.
Zhou He and Yuan Wuxian both look at Song Yunxi, filled with emotion.
The way Liu Jin politely intercepted Song Town earlier was noteworthy, "Elder Song, please wait a moment. Mr. Gao will see you shortly."
Song Yunxi suddenly called out loudly, "Gao Xuan, I've come to see you."
This cry caught everyone's attention.
Gao Xuan instantly responded, "Ah Yunxi, hurry and come in."
Song Yunxi, feeling rather pleased, tilted her chin slightly at Liu Jin and led Song Town inside by the arm.
As they stepped down from the veranda, Yuan Wuxian couldn't help asking Zhou He, "What is it?"
Zhou He said with a tone of melancholy, "I just wish I had a beautiful sister…"
Yuan Wuxian: "..."
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