Gu Han's voice grew even softer, as if she were coaxing Ah Yao, but with a trace of imperceptible complexity.
"It was just a small dispute during a discussion on the Dao. Why is our Linger so aggrieved? Hmm?"
She pulled away slightly and looked down at Ye Ling'er, who still refused to lift her face from her embrace.
Reaching out, she gently stroked Ye Ling'er's cheek, wiping away the cold tears seeping from the corners of her eyes.
Feeling the gentle touch on her face, Ye Ling'er's body trembled once more. She didn't let go of Gu Han's arm; instead, she subconsciously tightened her grip.
She craved this moment of warmth and the cold yet reassuring aura of her Master.
This was her Master, a Master who belonged only to her.
Seeing her still burying her head, Gu Han smiled helplessly.
She raised her other hand and, with a hint of doting as she usually did with Ah Yao, gently rubbed the top of Ye Ling'er's head.
"You're so grown up, yet you're still crying like Ah Yao."
Gu Han's tone held a hint of teasing, trying to dilute the subtle emotions permeating the air.
"If the other Junior Brothers and Junior Sisters in the palace saw this, they would probably laugh at you."
Hearing this, Ye Ling'er loosened her grip slightly but still didn't pull away completely.
She looked up, her eyes red and tear stains still on her face. Coupled with her clear and ethereal features, she looked exceptionally pitiful.
"This Disciple... this Disciple isn't crying."
She retorted in a low voice, her words heavy with a nasal tone and lacking conviction.
"Yes, yes, yes. Our Linger didn't cry; her eyes were just caught by the wind."
Gu Han followed her lead, her fingertips brushing the corners of her eyes, gently wiping away the last bit of moisture.
Seeing that Ye Ling'er's emotions finally seemed to have stabilized a bit, Gu Han felt a sense of relief.
She pushed Ye Ling'er away slightly, letting her stand properly, and looked at her with a gentle gaze.
"An unstable state of mind is detrimental to cultivation. Go back and regulate your breathing properly; don't think too much more about it."
"Yes, Master."
Ye Ling'er replied with her eyes downcast.
"Go on." Gu Han waved her hand.
Only then did Ye Ling'er bow respectfully, turn around, and leave the Main Hall with somewhat hurried steps.
Not until the palace doors closed again did Gu Han slowly sit back on the Cloud Bed and rub her temples.
This girl, Linger... At that moment just now, she had actually caught a glimpse of an extremely complex emotion deep within those tearful eyes.
It was definitely not as simple as a Disciple worrying about her Master.
But that emotion flashed by too quickly and was covered by tears, making it impossible for her to be certain.
Could it be... Gu Han shook her head, casting aside the somewhat absurd thought.
Perhaps it was her past experiences, combined with the sudden sight of Empress Ling Shuang approaching her so forcefully, that made her feel uneasy.
After all, to Ye Ling'er, the Jade Pool Immortal Palace and herself were almost her entire world now.
As for Empress Ling Shuang... Gu Han's gaze turned slightly cold.
This Empress of the Northern Region's style of doing things was truly unexpected.
It seems I must find a way to make her leave sooner.
Just as Gu Han was pondering how to "see off the guest," above the heavens of the Eastern Territory.
A magnificent carriage drawn by nine extraordinary Black Birds was traveling steadily toward the Southern Territory.
The carriage's design was ancient and grand, yet every detail exuded imperial luxury and majesty.
On the body of the carriage, natural cloud patterns and Black Bird reliefs complemented each other, with a faint luster flowing in the sunlight as if something were breathing within.
The nine Black Birds pulling the carriage had deep black feathers, but their edges shimmered with a molten gold luster.
Their gazes were sharp, and their auras were majestic; each one actually possessed the terrifying cultivation of the Undergoing Tribulation stage!
When the nine birds flew together, their wings were enough to obscure a small patch of the sky, and silently, they naturally exuded a brilliant majesty that commanded all directions.
On both sides and behind the carriage, two full teams, totaling twenty guards clad in heavy azure dragon-patterned armor with auras as deep as an abyss, silently escorted the carriage.
They were the "Azure Dragon Guards" of the Qing Xuan Imperial Dynasty who struck awe into the Eastern Territory, with the lowest cultivation being at the Great Ascension Stage.
The auras of the two leading commanders were even more obscure like the sea, having actually reached the Late Stage of Undergoing Tribulation!
With such a formation, such pomp, and such undisguised imperial majesty... everywhere they passed in the Eastern Territory, whether it was the Cultivators and commoners in the bustling cities or the reclusive experts in the deep mountains and secluded valleys.
All felt a sense of awe and trembling from the depths of their Souls, involuntarily stopping what they were doing to look up at the sky.
"Is that... Her Majesty the Empress's carriage?!"
"And the Azure Dragon Guards! Two whole teams! Is Her Majesty... is Her Majesty going on an inspection tour?"
"Looking at the direction... it's the Southern Territory?! Is Her Majesty going to the Southern Territory?!"
"Haven't you heard? Two days ago, there was an Immortal Ascension battle beyond the heavens! The ripples spread across all Five Territories!"
"It's said that the Northern Territory's Empress Ling Shuang fought with the newly ascended 'Yaochi Empress' of the Southern Territory!"
"Hiss... Is it true? Two Empresses fighting? What was the result?"
"The results are varied, but it's said that the Longteng Emperor even made an appearance!"
"What?! This..."
"No wonder... no wonder Her Majesty is going personally! Is she... unable to sit still?"
"Shh! Watch your words! How can we speculate on the Empress's thoughts? However..."
"The Southern Territory is probably really going to become the focus of the Five Territories this time!"
"Two veteran Empresses and one newly ascended Empress—this kind of lineup hasn't been seen in ten thousand years!"
Low exclamations and suppressed discussions spread like wildfire throughout the Eastern Territory.
Inside the carriage, the space was far more vast than it appeared from the outside.
Elegant and fragrant incense rose in curls, and the floor was covered with a thick, soft spiritual carpet.
The interior furnishings were extremely elegant, yet every detail revealed the nobility of an emperor.
Empress Qingxuan reclined on a soft couch covered with a snow-white plush blanket.
Today, she had changed out of her usual imperial court robes and was wearing a somewhat casual purple long dress.
The hem of her skirt flowed like mercury on the ground, and a pale white silk sash was loosely tied around her waist, outlining her breathtakingly graceful curves.
Her cloud-like black hair was only partially tied up with a simple white jade hairpin, while the rest cascaded down her shoulders like a waterfall, a few strands playfully brushing against her exquisite profile.
With one hand supporting her chin, the fingertips of her other hand were lightly and rhythmically stroking the pale green "Profound Heart Bracelet" on her wrist.
Her eyes were slightly downcast, her long eyelashes casting a faint shadow beneath them, making it impossible to see the emotions within.
Only those slightly pursed red lips and the aura around her—more silent than usual, even carrying a trace of faint chill—
all indicated that the current state of mind of this Ruler of the Eastern Territory was by no means as lazy and relaxed as it appeared on the surface.
"Your Majesty, we are about to enter the borders of the Southern Territory ahead."
Beside the soft couch, a maidservant dressed in palace attire with a steady temperament reported softly.
She was one of Empress Qingxuan's personal female officials, and her cultivation was also extraordinary.
The movement of Empress Qingxuan's fingertips paused slightly as she slowly raised her eyes.
"Pass the order."
Her voice was clear and steady, carrying an unquestionable majesty.
"After entering the Southern Territory, there is no need to hide our tracks, nor is there a need to be deliberately high-profile."
"Proceed according to etiquette, straight to the Myriad Absolute Mountain Range, to the Jade Pool Immortal Palace."
"Yes! Your Majesty!"
The female official respectfully took the order and quickly conveyed the instruction.
The nine Black Birds let out clear, high-pitched cries, drawing the magnificent carriage as it officially entered the domain of the Southern Territory.
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