Chapter 6011 - 6012

Yu Ranran initially approached the conversation with a somewhat critical eye, but as she listened, her expression gradually became focused, then surprised, and finally, filled with admiration and excitement!

This Mr. Chen’s erudition and unique insights far exceeded her expectations!

Many points that had puzzled her were easily clarified with a simple touch from him. Some of his conjectures were completely unheard of, yet logically consistent, leaving her utterly amazed!

Before she knew it, the two had been talking from dawn till mid-morning.

The tea was changed several times, and the spiritual energy patterns on the stone table were replaced repeatedly.

Yu Ranran was completely immersed in this high-level academic discussion, her eyes growing brighter and her cheeks flushing slightly with excitement.

Looking at Kai across from her, eloquent, intelligent, and exuding confidence and charm, the initial attraction she felt for his appearance quickly fermented,

transforming into a complex emotion mixed with admiration, appreciation, and a subtle, almost budding, affection.

How long had it been? How long had it been since she’d encountered a peer with whom she could have such a deep conversation, someone whose knowledge truly impressed her?

The young talents in the manor were either obsequious, empty and dull, or, despite their high level of cultivation, illiterate.

This Mr. Chen, however, was not only incredibly learned, but also…and so handsome.

Yu Ranran felt her heart race. Her gaze lingered on Kai’s slightly parted lips as he spoke, his long, clean fingers, and his long, thick eyelashes that drooped slightly as he listened intently…

“Young Miss? Young Miss?”

Kai’s gentle call startled her from her reverie.

“Ah? Oh! Mr. Chen, please continue, I’m listening!”

Yu Ranran hurriedly averted her gaze, two blushes rising on her face. She lowered her head somewhat shyly, picking up her teacup as if to cover her embarrassment. Kai

noticed her subtle movements and understood.

The plan was progressing even more smoothly than he had anticipated.

This young lady was not only intelligent, but in some ways, she seemed remarkably naive.

His displayed knowledge and demeanor had clearly succeeded in attracting her attention, even… winning her favor.

This was an excellent breakthrough.

But he had to be careful not to overdo it. He

needed to maintain this attraction without appearing too eager or frivolous.

He had to act like a true, scholarly gentleman, occasionally revealing his appreciation for the intelligent woman, nothing more.

“It’s getting late…”

Kai glanced at the sky and said considerately, “The profound meanings of these scriptures cannot be fully understood in a short time. If Miss is interested, I can stay in the manor for several days and am always ready to discuss them. I just wonder if that would be a disturbance?”

“Not at all! Not at all!”

Yu Ranran blurted out, then realized she had been too eager. Her face turned even redder, and her voice lowered. “What I mean is… Mr. Chen is very knowledgeable. I would be honored to receive your guidance.”

“I’ll have someone arrange it for you right away. You can stay in the manor as long as you wish!”　　”By the way, Mr. Chen, do you have any requirements for your lodging? Although the Yingbin Villa is quiet, it’s a bit too simple. Perhaps…”

She had already subconsciously begun to consider Kai’s needs.

Kai smiled inwardly, but his expression remained gentle and humble: “Thank you for your kindness, Miss. The environment here is elegant and suits my taste perfectly. There’s no need to trouble yourself further. However…”

He hesitated slightly, then said, “But Chief Steward Fei left in a hurry and didn’t say when he would return.”

“I am honored to be invited to the manor. Besides discussing scriptures with Miss, is there anything else I can help with?”

“If Miss has any questions about ancient books, or matters concerning the collation and verification of the manor’s classics, please give the order. I am willing to do my best.”

This was a well-chosen statement, both indicating his status as a guest and his willingness to help, and subtly probing whether there was an opportunity to access the more core collections or affairs of the Jade Immortal Manor.

Yu Ranran’s goodwill towards Kai had grown considerably at this moment, and upon hearing this, she immediately said, “Mr. Chen, you’re too kind! Your willingness to stay and guide me is already a great help!”

“The library in the manor does indeed hold many ancient book fragments, some of which even my father may not fully understand. If you don’t mind the trouble, I can take you to the library another day; perhaps we can discover more!”

The library!

Kai’s heart stirred.

Perhaps there he could find clues about the Divine Race, Soul Refining Crystals, or the secrets of the Jade Immortal Mansion!

“In that case, I’ll trouble you, Miss.”

Kai bowed and thanked her, his smile gentle yet like a spring breeze caressing Yu Ranran’s heart.

Looking at his smile, Yu Ranran felt overjoyed; her previous doubts about Fei Qing had long since vanished.

Now, her mind was filled with this handsome and learned Mr. Chen, and the wonderful time she could spend discussing ancient books and strolling through the sea of ​​books with him in the future.

“Well… Mr. Chen, please rest. I’ll come back to consult you later.”

Yu Ranran stood up somewhat reluctantly, leaving Tingzhu Garden with several glances back.

As she stepped out of the courtyard, a smile she couldn’t hide lingered on her face. She instructed her accompanying maid, “Go tell the steward of the welcoming courtyard that Mr. Chen is an important guest of mine. He must be treated with utmost care, and all expenses must be in the highest standard. No negligence whatsoever!”

“Also, tell the library that I’ll be taking Mr. Chen to consult ancient texts in a few days. Have them prepare accordingly.”

“Yes, Miss.”

The maid respectfully replied, secretly surprised that her mistress seemed particularly attentive to this new gentleman.

Yu Ranran walked back briskly, pondering which difficult questions she should ask Mr. Chen next, and what clothes she should wear to see him…

Inside the courtyard, Kai watched Yu Ranran leave, the gentle smile on his face slowly fading, replaced by calm.

The first step—approaching the target and gaining favor—had been accomplished well.

Next, it was time to use this goodwill to gradually penetrate the core of the Jade Immortal Mansion, get close to Yu Wuji, and investigate the Soul Refining Crystal and the secrets of the Divine Race.

He walked back to the stone table, picked up the slightly cooled tea, and took a small sip.　Yu Ranran left the welcoming courtyard with a heart full of joy and a hint of sweetness, even forgetting to delve into the strangeness of Fei Qing’s hasty departure.

However, the atmosphere inside the Wuji Hall, the power center of the Jade Immortal Mansion, was completely different.

The hall was majestic, with black jade as its base and white jade as its pillars. The dome was inlaid with luminous pearls, emitting a soft yet cold light.

Deep within the hall, on a wide throne carved from a single piece of meteorite iron, sat a middle-aged man dressed in a purple-gold dragon robe and wearing a jade crown.

He appeared to be around forty years old, with a square face, eyes that seemed to hold the movement of the sun, moon, and stars, a high nose, and tightly pursed lips, exuding an imposing aura.

His aura was deep and profound, as if he were one with the entire hall and even the ground beneath his feet, his breath subtly stirring the surrounding spiritual energy.

This was none other than Yu Wuji, the Lord of the Jade Immortal Mansion, a supreme expert of the seventh rank of the Upper Immortal Realm!

At this moment, he held a newly presented communication jade slip in his hand, his face so grim it was almost dripping with water.

The jade slip contained the joint investigation report from the Punishment Hall and the Inner Guard: the brothers Tu Gang and Tu Meng were confirmed missing; there were no signs of struggle or residual energy at the scene, as if they had vanished into thin air.

Preliminary investigation revealed that unidentified individuals had been inquiring about the Fallen Soul Slope incident and the Tu brothers’ whereabouts in the city recently.

Combined with the fact that someone had offered a high price to inquire about Fallen Soul Slope a few days ago, it was suspected to be targeted retaliation or an attempt to silence witnesses regarding the execution at Fallen Soul Slope. Furthermore, the perpetrator was highly skilled, used unorthodox methods, and was extremely adept at concealing and destroying traces.

“Useless! All useless!”

Yu Wuji’s deep, furious roar echoed through the hall, making the air vibrate. “Two executioners of the fourth rank of the Upper Immortal Realm, just vanished silently in their own residence?”

“You don’t even know how they died? What use are you to me!”

The elders of the Execution Hall and the commander of the Inner Guard kneeling below were trembling with fear, their heads bowed even lower, cold sweat soaking their backs.

“Investigate! Continue investigating! Expand the scope, screen everyone who recently entered the city, whose whereabouts are suspicious, and whose cultivation level is unknown!”

“At Fallen Soul Slope, increase manpower, raise the array alert to the highest level! Without my order, no one is allowed to approach within a hundred miles!”

Yu Wuji issued a series of orders, his tone icy. “Also, strengthen the city defenses, shut down all teleportation arrays, leaving only the emergency passages open, which I will personally control!”

“Yes! We will obey the Lord’s orders!” Everyone hurriedly responded.

“Where is Fei Qing? Have him come to see me!” Yu Wuji remembered this trusted steward in charge of internal affairs and the prison.

A steward cautiously stepped forward and reported, “Reporting to the Lord, Chief Steward Fei… said yesterday evening that he had urgent private business and needed to leave the manor for several days. He has already reported to the elder on duty, and at this moment… he should no longer be in the manor.”

“What?”

Yu Wuji’s brows furrowed sharply. “He left the manor yesterday? Did he say what private business it was? Where did he go? When will he return?”

“The Chief Steward only said that the private business was urgent, without specifying what it was or where he was going. He only said that he would return in three to five days at the earliest, and half a month at the latest,”

the steward answered with a forced smile.

Yu Wuji’s brows furrowed even more deeply.　　Why did Fei Qing suddenly leave the manor at this time?

And at such a crucial moment when he ordered heightened security and the investigation into the disappearance of the Tu brothers?

A strange unease, like a cold snake, crept into Yu Wuji’s heart.

The Tu brothers were Fei Qing’s confidants, specializing in handling the dirty work at Fallen Soul Slope.

Their sudden disappearance, followed immediately by Fei Qing’s departure from the manor?

This was too much of a coincidence!

Could it be… that something had happened to Fei Qing too?

Or… that he knew something, became afraid, and ran away?

Or perhaps, this was all part of a larger conspiracy targeting Fei Qing, or the Fallen Soul Slope incident?

Countless thoughts collided in Yu Wuji’s mind.

He was inherently suspicious, and having risen to the position of manor lord, controlling the vast Jade Immortal City, his cunning and ruthlessness far surpassed that of ordinary people.

“Pass down the order…”

Yu Wuji’s voice returned to calm, but became even colder. “From this day forward, Yu Xian Mansion is on the highest alert. The outside is relaxed, but the inside is tense. All gates are under heightened security checks. Without my warrant or the joint signature of the elders, no stranger is allowed to set foot in the inner mansion!”

“The guest elders currently in the Yingbin Villa, all have their identities and backgrounds re-verified and are under close surveillance! Also, send people to find out Fei Qing’s exact whereabouts after leaving the mansion. Find him alive or dead!”

“Furthermore…”

He paused, a cold glint in his eyes, “Inform the young lady to stay home for the time being. Without my permission, she is not allowed to move around freely, and she is absolutely forbidden from bringing any strangers into the inner mansion!”

“Yes!” The crowd solemnly accepted the order and quickly withdrew to carry it out.

Inside the main hall, only Yu Wuji remained.

He slowly stood up, walked to the huge window, and looked down at the magnificent and heavily guarded Yu Xian Mansion below.

“No matter who you are, daring to run wild in my Jade Immortal Mansion, harming my people, coveting my secrets…”

Yu Wuji muttered to himself, his eyes sharp as knives, “I will make sure you… never return!”

However, Yu Wuji’s order seemed to have come a step too late.

Or rather, he underestimated the extent of his daughter’s infatuation and overestimated her ability to carry out his orders.