Wait a minute, where is my master?

Hearing Jin Xu's affirmative response,

Xia Yunzhao's face couldn't help but light up with joy.

She raised her hand and patted Kui Lei's shoulder firmly, using it to release her emotions before smiling at the Taoist in front of her.

"Thank you, Mr. Jin, for making this possible. When will we depart?"

Obviously, Xia Yunzhao was already impatient to cherish the time spent with Jin Xu.

"When to leave? Hmm..."

The Taoist raised his hand, patted the ear of Little Purple Spirit Elephant next to him, and spread his Spiritual Sense toward the whole mansion.

"Strange, why haven't I seen Senior Chi yet?"

He muttered to himself with a hint of confusion in his eyes.

"What did you say, Mr. Jin?"

Xia Yunzhao, who had once again given Kui Lei's shoulder a couple of hearty pats, leaned forward and asked.

"It's nothing significant. Before I can pinpoint its exact location to open up a spatial passageway, I must first send over an object imbued with my Spiritual Power to the next small world."

As Jin Xu spoke, he took out Senior Chi's Communication Jade Token and sent a message through it.

Shortly after, a reply came from Ancestor of the Immortal Palace.

"Chi has some important matters to deal with and will return to Shangjing City by the next morning. Jin Taoist, since you've traveled far and wide today, why not rest for the night?"

The Taoist looked at the contents of the Communication Jade Token, pondered for a moment, and then smiled lightly as he talked to himself.

"That's a good idea. I can use this time to take someone and set up the warning Formation."

He turned around to indicate that Yu Yaoer could go rest with Little Purple Spirit Elephant, and after requesting a few Array Masters from the Empress of Great Xia, he dove back into the spatial passageway.

...

The next morning, as dawn broke,

Jin Xu, accompanied by the Array Masters who had been busy the whole night, emerged from the spatial passageway.

"You've all worked hard. Here's a small gift; please accept it."

He released the Spiritual Power Light Shield and took out several bottles of Spiritual Liquid from his storage magic treasure, sending them floating towards the Array Masters.

Although these people drew salaries from the Great Xia dynasty, and the Taoist had the honorary title of being related to the Great Xia by marriage,

since he had called people up to work overtime in the middle of the night, Jin Xu felt obligated to compensate them for their overtime work.

"Thank you, Lord Imperial Uncle."

"You're too kind, Lord Imperial Uncle."

"Next time there's anything like this, just contact me directly, Liu Laoliu. I'm the head of this group of people. There's no need to fuss... Your Majesty!"

The most sycophantic of the Liu-surnamed Array Masters, who was in the midst of presenting his Communication Jade Token to Jin Xu with a flattering and ingratiating face, suddenly caught sight of Xia Yunzhao and Kui Lei entering from outside the martial arts field and hurriedly bowed in salute.

"Liu Laoliu, right? You... did well."

The Empress, who obviously heard something, stepped from the entrance of the martial arts field to close to the Demon Realm's spatial passageway and then looked at the Liu-surnamed Array Master with a slightly meaningful gaze before speaking in a flat tone.

"Thank you for the praise, Your Majesty. It is an honor for your old servant to serve the Lord Imperial Uncle and Your Majesty!"

Seeing that he had received praise, Liu Laoliu hurriedly knelt on one knee and bowed respectfully.

However, in the next moment, he suddenly shivered involuntarily.

"Strange, which part of my speech was improper? Why do I feel a chill down my spine after Her Majesty said that..."

Liu Laoliu remained kneeling, puzzled.

"Miss Yunzhao, good morning. Commander Kui, good morning."

Jin Xu, who had not noticed the unusual air between the monarch and her subject, greeted the two as they approached.

And upon Xia Yunzhao's gaze meeting the Taoist's face, her expression suddenly became extremely bright.

"Good morning, Mr. Jin."

"Alright, you all may leave now."

She first responded to Jin Xu, then turned to the Array Masters kneeling on the ground and gave her orders.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Liu Laoliu, sensing the chill had vanished, hurriedly got up and led his subordinates away, meanwhile harboring a new question in his heart.

"Why does Her Majesty call her uncle 'Mr. Jin'?"

...

After the Array Masters left.

Jin Xu exchanged a few words of idle chat with the two women, then fell silent.

About the time it takes to brew a cup of tea later, Yu Yaoer, yawning, accompanied by the equally sleepy-looking Little Purple Spirit Elephant, also walked over from outside the martial arts practice area.

"Little Yu, didn't I say that if Little Purple Spirit didn't want to go to the small world with us, she could rest at the residence?"

"Mr. Jin, I told her, but she... ha~ insisted on coming."

The Little Fish Demon said, opening her small mouth for a yawn and stretching lazily, unintentionally showing off her "generosity" right in front of Xia Yunzhao's eyes.

"...Really?"

Upon hearing this, Jin Xu turned his head to look at the Little Purple Spirit Elephant, which was so sleepy it couldn't walk straight, and asked.

"Grr~~"

Little Purple Spirit Elephant first let out a roar, then realizing that her new master seemed unable to understand their language from the Demon Realm, she nodded her little head vigorously.

"A slight oversight. Without Little White, it's not easy to communicate with Little Purple Spirit."

Jin Xu muttered to himself quietly upon seeing this.

Then he silently sat cross-legged in the martial arts practice area, waiting for the Immortal Palace Ancestor to return.

Another period of time, about the duration of burning an incense stick, passed.

A refreshed Senior Chi, dragging a "for some reason" little fatty who had suddenly advanced three minor realms in Body Cultivation overnight, darted into the practice area.

"Jin Taoist, you've been waiting long. I will activate the small Breakthrough Formation right away, you... "

He was cut off mid-sentence when Jin Xu handed over a High Grade Spirit Stone, already imprinted with his Spiritual Power, to him.

The Immortal Palace Ancestor, upon seeing this, wasted no words, accepted the Spirit Stone, and after saying to wait a moment, vanished from the spot.

Meanwhile, the little Taoist looked at the vacant spot in front of him and the little fatty left behind by Senior Chi, a thought striking his heart; thus, he spoke.

"What did you and Senior Chi do last night? Can you tell me?"

The little boy, who had advanced three realms in Body Cultivation overnight, seeing Jin Xu looking at him,

initially took a few fearful steps back, then burst into tears, running away from the martial arts practice area.

The little Taoist inside: "Am I that scary?????"

Confused, he looked around at the others, finding that everyone's faces, like his, were also filled with bewilderment.

A moment later.

The Immortal Palace Ancestor reappeared inside the martial arts practice area.

"Jin Taoist, I've delivered the token inside the small world; you can begin your journey. Eh... where's that disappointing little one of mine?"

After finishing, Senior Chi suddenly realized that the little fatty was not in his place anymore.

"Ahem, Senior Chi, I just asked him what you and he did last night and whether it's convenient to talk about it.

"And then... he ran off crying."

The little Taoist said in an embarrassed tone, then signaled to the Immortal Palace Ancestor whether he should go look for the boy. Under the lock of his Spiritual Sense, the little fatty had returned to his room by now, weeping bitterly on his bed.

"I apologize for making you all laugh. Jin Taoist, please attend to your important matters; I'll go see him later."

Jin Xu then repeatedly assured himself with Senior Chi that the little boy was alright.

Only then did he close his eyes, slightly sensing the position of the mark, before striking a heavy punch toward the empty space beside him!