Xu Tianyi nodded. "Would you be willing to serve by my side as my maid? You will gain my protection and my tutelage. Your future will no longer be bound to this city."
Her mouth opened slightly in disbelief, then closed as she dropped into a deep bow. "It would be Mu Qing's greatest honor to serve Senior!"
For a foundation establishment cultivator like her, such a chance was akin to a divine favor. Countless female cultivators would kill for a position like this.
Xu Tianyi smiled faintly. "Good."
---
A soft ripple of energy passed through the room as he sent a sound transmission to the City Lord outside. Moments later, the City Lord reentered, bowing respectfully.
"Senior, your orders?"
Xu Tianyi spoke lightly, "From this day forth, Mu Qing will serve as my maid. She is to be relieved of all duties related to the city lord mansion and the immortal city."
The City Lord's expression froze for a heartbeat before he quickly regained his composure.
"As Senior commands."
Xu Tianyi continued, "As per your city's rules, she should have signed a spiritual contract for confidentiality."
The City Lord nodded hastily. "Yes, Senior. Such a contract is necessary for all stewards. It prevents the leakage of any information related to the city's administration or defenses."
"Good," Xu Tianyi said softly. "Then prepare to dissolve it. I will offer appropriate compensation for the remainder of her service term."
He handed over the spiritual contract jade slip, which Xu Tianyi nullified with a flick of his finger. A golden flame burst from the jade, leaving behind motes of light that faded into the air.
A spiritual contract was a binding agreement designed to ensure that no information about the City Lord's Mansion or the Immortal City was leaked to outsiders. It also served to safeguard any confidential matters—if someone violated the contract, they would suffer severe backlash from its binding power.
Compensation in the form of high-grade spirit stones and a few rare pills exchanged hands. The City Lord bowed deeply again before leaving, grateful that things had gone so smoothly.
Mu Qing followed suit, excusing herself to make preparations to leave. Xu Tianyi watched her retreating figure, his eyes filled with thought.
---
In the Myriad Beast Mountain Range
The vast wilderness stretched endlessly under the crimson hue of the setting sun. Towering trees clawed at the heavens, and demonic roars echoed faintly through the mist-choked valleys.
A young girl who looked no older eighteen or nineteen years old, her fiery red hair whipping behind her as blood trickled down her arm. Her phoenix-shaped eyes burned with defiance, and even in exhaustion, she exuded a heroic and unyielding aura.
Behind her, a massive Ironhide Tiger, a peak first-rank demon beast, roared as it gave chase.
High above, a magnificent crimson phoenix circled lazily in the sky—Fengfeng, Xu Tianyi's companion, observing both predator and prey with interest.
She had been searching the mountain range for this girl under her master's orders.
Fengfeng tilted her head slightly. There was something familiar about the girl's aura. Though gentle with Xu Tianyi, Fengfeng was a late third-rank demon king—one of true spirit blood, proud and discerning.
That faint phoenix resonance she sensed piqued her curiosity. When the beast lunged again, Fengfeng spread her wings to intervene—but before she could move, a sharp cry pierced the air.
When the beast lunged again, Fengfeng spread her wings to intervene—but before she could move, a sharp cry pierced the air.
A flash of azure light burst from Mu Qinglaun's body, and a clear phoenix cry echoed faintly across the land.
An ethereal bird of azure plumage manifested, its presence rippling with ancient bloodline majesty.
The demon beast faltered under the intense pressure and was soon torn apart by the combined might of the girl and the Azure Bird.
Mu Qingluan fell to her knees, breathing hard but victorious. Her azure companion chirped softly and landed beside her.
The two locked eyes—master and companion—and a faint smile appeared on her lips.
"Good work, Luan."
Panting and pale, Mu Qinglaun quickly collected the demon's core before leaving the scene, eyes calm despite exhaustion.
Watching from afar, Fengfeng's gaze softened. Through her mental link, she reported everything she had seen to Xu Tianyi.
---
Xu Tianyi's POV
Xu Tianyi opened his eyes as the message reached him. A small smile tugged at his lips. "A bloodline regression to the ancestral level, hm? So, the daughter has awakened the Phoenix within her as well."
He chuckled softly. "Heaven truly does favor her. A top-tier heaven-grade bloodline and a Luan Bird companion…If this isn't the handiwork of fate itself, then I don't know what is. She truly has the makings of a story protagonist."
He shook his head, amused.
Turning his gaze back to the courtyard, he sent a message to Fengfeng to wait for him outside the city and calmly awaited Mu Qing's return.
A few hours later, Mu Qing returned and knelt politely. "Senior, I have completed my preparations. I have also informed my daughter through sound transmission to return to the city as soon as possible. She had gone to the Myriad Beast Range for training."
Xu Tianyi nodded. "Good. Sit down for now. Tell me about your life here in the Immortal City."
Mu Qing blinked, surprised at the casual tone. Still, she sat respectfully on the opposite couch.
They talked quietly for a time — about her years as a steward, the responsibilities she managed, and the difficulty of raising her daughter alone. Xu Tianyi listened with interest, occasionally sipping tea that had long gone cold.
To her surprise, the lofty Nascent Soul expert spoke neither arrogantly nor coldly. His presence carried authority, yes, but also an odd sense of ease — like a towering mountain beneath a soft spring breeze.
Mu Qing occasionally glancing at him with a mixture of gratitude and awe.
---
Mu Qinglaun's Perspective
By the time Mu Qinglaun reached the outer gates of the Immortal City, her injuries had mostly healed. Though tired, she was in good spirits from the gains she had earned during her training.
She would have stayed longer to train, but her mother's urgent sound transmission had cut her practice short.
"Mother wouldn't call me back unless something important happened," she murmured, quickening her pace.
A servant soon arrived to guide her directly to the City Lord's Mansion.
The City Lord wants to meet me? she thought, frowning. She rarely entered the city lord mansion—her duties as a guard didn't require it.
The unexpected invitation and the City Lord's personally welcoming smile left her even more confused—he was not a man known for kindness.
His expression was surprisingly warm.
"Qingluan, come. Your mother is entertaining a very important guest. Follow me."
As they walked, he briefly explained the situation: her mother had been accepted as the personal maid of a Nascent Soul True Monarch from the Heavenly Sword Sect.The news hit her like a bolt of lightning.
Her mother… was taken as a maid by a Nascent Soul True Monarch?
Part of her felt uncertain—it was an overwhelming change—but another part felt relief. To serve directly under a Nascent Soul expert was an honor beyond measure. Such opportunities could alter entire destinies.
Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself and entered the private guest room. Inside, she found her mother seated beside a young man, serene and poised.
He looked no older than twenty-five, his black hair smooth and eyes gleaming with calm gold light.
She could feel it—the silent authority in his presence, the unfathomable depth behind his composed smile.
She quickly bowed.
"Junior greets Senior."
Her mother greeted her warmly and explained the decision, which she already knew. After a moment's hesitation, she nodded. "I understand, Mother. I will accompany you."
Mu Qinglaun accepted it without hesitation, for she knew this was a heavenly opportunity for both of them.
Compared to the limited resources and constant danger of her current life, joining the Heavenly Sword Sect was a dream she could never have reached alone.
Xu Tianyi smiled faintly at her calm demeanor and stood. "Then let us depart."
Together, they left the City Lord's Mansion with Xu Tianyi.