This look of delight was one of appreciation for beauty, a fondness for art.
Compared to the slovenly and unpresentable Old Man Qiong, the other two graceful figures possessed curvaceous and alluring forms. The older woman wore a moon-white palace dress, exuding charm and seductiveness. A pair of peach-blossom eyes shimmered with deep affection, making it impossible for anyone to look away.
The other woman wore a veil that concealed her delicate face, yet her cold and aloof demeanor remained striking, commanding attention while inspiring fear that direct eye contact would somehow profane and disturb the beauty.
The identities of the two women were self-evident: the former was Fairy Nishang, and the latter was Nanrong Wan.
"This junior, Xuanye, along with family disciple Yan Taibai, pays respects to Senior Qiong, Senior Nanrong, and Senior Nishang." Mr. Xuanye's respectful bow jolted Yan Taibai from his daze of stunned appreciation, and he hurriedly followed suit, bowing and piping up in a deferential tone:
"Yan family disciple Yan Taibai pays respects to Senior Qiong, Senior Nanrong, and Senior Nishang."
Although he loathed speaking in such a babyish, milky voice, Yan Taibai had no control over the matter, and this particular voice happened to be a woman's absolute favorite.
"What an adorable and precious little one! Come here to Big Sister—Big Sister has some delicious little sugar drops for you!"
Unlike Nanrong Wan, who merely let her lovely eyes reveal a trace of fondness while remaining otherwise indifferent, the captivating Fairy Nishang was practically overflowing with maternal affection. Her peach-blossom eyes flashed with brilliant light as she waved and beckoned to Yan Taibai.
Her soft, sweet voice seemed imbued with an endless magic that made it impossible for anyone to refuse even the slightest bit.
At least Yan Taibai was momentarily dazed; his little face flushed red and beamed with joy as he eagerly moved his short little legs and trotted toward Fairy Nishang.
In the blink of an eye, he plunged right into her embrace, burying his little head directly between her full and towering breasts. Piping in a milky voice, he blurted out, "Fairy Big Sister is so pretty!"—causing Fairy Nishang's cheeks to flush as she giggled delightfully.
Seeing this scene, a flicker of amusement crossed Mr. Xuanye's eyes.
He was well aware that Yan Taibai could not be viewed through the lens of an ordinary child his own age, but he had no intention of exposing the truth.
Because Old Man Qiong spoke up.
"I've long heard that Yan Family Fortress has a strategist named Mr. Xuanye, whose every word is obeyed even by that brat Yan Moyun, making him second in command and above all others in the entire Yan Family Fortress. Seeing him now, it truly is just as rumored—reputation is no match for reality. Why didn't that brat Yan Moyun come? Could he still be harboring a grudge over what happened back then? What a petty mind! To think that old man here even made a special trip wanting to take this little fellow as a disciple and pass on my legacy. Now it seems that won't be necessary."
"Thank you for the undeserved praise, Senior. This junior is unworthy of such honor. Our Ancestor has pressing matters to attend to and is unable to receive the three Seniors in person; I hope the three Seniors will forgive us. If you have any instructions, please simply give them to Xuanye."
Hearing this, Mr. Xuanye remained unfazed, bowing respectfully as he replied.
"As for the matter of taking Taibai as a disciple, Taibai has not yet formally begun cultivation, and we are not yet certain if he is suited to be Senior Qiong's disciple. Therefore, the Ancestor has given orders not to rush."
At these words, Old Man Qiong's expression immediately shifted. With a cold snort, he said:
"What do you mean by 'not rush'? Does your little brat realize how precious a Metal Heavenly Spiritual Root is? The entire Yue Country hasn't seen one in several thousand years! It is the absolute best match for this old man's heritage techniques and divine abilities. Tell that brat Yan Moyun: this little fellow is one this old man is definitely taking. If he dares to disagree, this old man will tear down this Yan Family Fortress of his and leave all of you in the Yan family with no roof over your heads!"
Though dripping with threats, the tone sounded rather comical to the ear.
"Uncle Qiong, stop trying to frighten Mr. Xuanye. Has this little fellow already chosen a sect?"
Holding Yan Taibai in her arms, Fairy Nishang pressed her lips in a light smile and brought up the main business.
Meanwhile, Yan Taibai was lamenting the impressive size of Fairy Nishang's chest in his heart.
It was a pity his current body was just too small.
"Fairy Big Sister, the Ancestor and Mr. Xuanye have allowed Taibai to choose the Moon Masking Sect. Once I join the sect, can Fairy Big Sister personally teach and guide Taibai in the Dao of cultivation?"
Prompted by Mr. Xuanye's gaze, Yan Taibai piped up with this answer in his milky voice.
This only deepened the expression of affectionate delight on Fairy Nishang's face. Without a moment's hesitation, she nodded gently, her slender, jade-like fingers gently rubbing Yan Taibai's little head as she agreed.
"Of course you can. When the time comes, you can simply come to my dwelling to cultivate. After all, Uncle Qiong is frequently away from the sect and probably won't have time to guide your cultivation."
"Mm-mm-mm-mm! Thank you, Fairy Big Sister."
Having gotten his wish, Yan Taibai was naturally overjoyed, his little head bobbing up and down like a chick pecking at rice as he repeatedly bowed in thanks.
Women, after all—no matter their age—always liked being called "Big Sister."
Just remember never to call them "Elder Sister"!
Otherwise, you wouldn't even know how you died.
"Why don't you come back to the sect with me to cultivate right now? That way, it will be easier for me to guide and take care of you."
Hearing the words "Fairy Big Sister," Fairy Nishang grew even more fond of Yan Taibai, who possessed a scholarly temperament despite his tender age. She found him simply impossible to put down.
She even threw aside the rules of the Moon Masking Sect.
Well, not entirely—such rules mainly depended on who the person was.
For a disciple with a Metal Heavenly Spiritual Root, such minor rules truly amounted to nothing.
Furthermore, the earlier they took Yan Taibai away from Yan Family Fortress, the weaker his emotional ties to the fortress would become.
Before coming, they had already investigated Yan Taibai's background thoroughly: apart from a blood tie so thin it was practically negligible, Yan Taibai had almost no connection to the Yan Family Ancestor.
His parents had even perished while carrying out a mission for Yan Family Fortress.
Although the fortress had provided ample compensation, such compensation meant nothing compared to the lives of his biological parents.
Therefore, the earlier the better, naturally.
How could Mr. Xuanye fail to guess Fairy Nishang's intentions and plans? He hastily stepped in to dissuade her.
"Senior Nishang, Taibai has not yet formally begun cultivating immortality. Furthermore, the Ancestor would not agree to Taibai leaving the family at such an early age, so I hope Senior will understand."
"If Yan Moyun doesn't agree, let him come find this old man. I think taking this little fellow away right now is best—it will save him from having any deep ties with your Yan family. Besides, this little fellow has nothing to do with your Yan family in the first place."
Old Man Qiong curled his lip and sneered.
Only he could get away with saying such a thing; neither Nanrong Wan nor Fairy Nishang would dare. For the two of them to say so would be tantamount to a complete falling out.
At these words, the smile on Mr. Xuanye's face stiffened slightly before instantly returning to normal. Unfazed, his smile remained as he explained:
"Senior Qiong jests. Taibai is, after all, a child of our Yan family, and moreover, he is betrothed to our yet-unborn grand-daughter. How can you say he has nothing to do with our Yan family?"
High-level cultivators could use divine sense to probe an unborn child in the womb to determine its gender.
With Mr. Xuanye's words, not only Old Man Qiong, Nanrong Wan, and Fairy Nishang, but even Yan Taibai was so shocked that his little face was plastered with astonishment and a complicated expression.
What kind of ghost story was this?! Yan Ruyan wasn't even born yet, and she was already his fiancée?
Wasn't this a joke?