The three of them drove straight ahead all the way, stopping directly in front of a pavilion in the center.

The pavilion has a total of three floors, with a structure that is narrow at the top and wide at the bottom. Each higher floor is built on a smaller base compared to the one below. It extends outward in the shape of a flying goose, and the four corners are embellished with exquisite dougong brackets.

Besides this, starting from the main door in the center of each floor, there is a red lantern every five steps along both sides. When night falls, this place would become brilliantly lit.

Gazing at this exquisitely crafted and luxuriously decorated pavilion, Bai Xiaoxuan could not help but feel a sense of shock, and an involuntary tension arose in her heart.

Sharing her anxiety was Ji Dantong beside her, though his tension arose not from the architecture of the pavilion but from the nervous anticipation before meeting the master. After all, she had sneaked out on her own this time.

Generally speaking, the first floor of the pavilion is meant for entertaining outside guests, though due to the scarce visitors year-round, it is also used as a place for disciples to receive guidance from the Immortal Envoy and disseminate various information.

The second floor, on the other hand, is a place for the Sect Leader Immortal Venerable and the various Immortal Envoys to discuss important matters. Despite its infrequent use in recent years, there is still dedicated staff to clean it.

As for the third floor, it is a forbidden place for everyone in the sect, being the private quarters of the Sect Leader Immortal Venerable. Not only is there special security outside the door, but the inside is said to be full of hidden mysteries. Those who enter without understanding are said to never return.

"What's the matter? Feeling guilty and afraid to go in?!" Sun Miaohan taunted with a smile, "So the junior sister can feel scared!"

"Huh, if someone as wicked as you isn't guilty, why should I be?" With that, Ji Dantong stepped forward into the pavilion, surprisingly finding Sun Miaohan's provocation had actually reduced her nervousness quite a bit.

However, as soon as Ji Dantong stepped into the pavilion, her body instantly became rigid, like a petrified sculpture, unable even to blink.

Soon, beads of fine sweat appeared uncontrollably on Ji Dantong's forehead, as if a mountain was pressing down on her delicate frame without a hint of mercy.

Seeing this, Sun Miaohan hurriedly cupped her hands and said, "Master, please be lenient. This time, junior sister has made great contributions. Please allow her to speak and explain the situation!"

A moment later, Ji Dantong felt the pressure suddenly lighten, causing her to stumble backward, nearly tripping over the threshold.

At the same time, an elegant and dignified woman appeared out of thin air in the central seat, scaring Bai Xiaoxuan, who was supporting Ji Dantong, into a fright.

The woman had a very delicate appearance, looking about thirty. Her long, black waterfall-like hair was tied atop her head. Her deep, beautiful eyes, high nose bridge, and slightly parted cherry lips outlined a face full of grace and charm, like a beauty from a painting.

"If it weren't for your senior sister pleading on your behalf this time, I'd have to properly teach you, a rebellious girl!" the woman's cold voice said, "Aren't you going to thank your senior sister?"

The admiration in Ji Dantong's eyes disappeared instantly, replaced with a stubborn and unyielding expression, and she snorted disdainfully, "Did I ask her to plead for me?!"

"It seems you don't think you did anything wrong!" the woman asked with a light smile.

"I admit that sneaking out was wrong at first, and I won't deny it, but it's my own business. I'm willing to pay the price for my actions!" Ji Dantong said without backing down, "But if someone uses me and pretends to be a good person in front of you, then I absolutely won't agree!"

The woman nodded approvingly, "Good, it seems like your outing wasn't wasted, and you've indeed grown. Since you're willing to pay for your mistakes, then..."

Before she could finish, Sun Miaohan knelt on one knee and cupped her hands, "Master, calm down. Junior sister is young and impulsive, but she's loyal to the sect. She brought back a treasure this time. I boldly ask you to retract your order!"

The woman was silent for a long while before finally sighing, "If only Dantong had half of your mindset, I'd be much more at ease!"

Ji Dantong's eyes flashed with indignation, but she ultimately did not voice her objection, choosing instead to suppress all her discontent forcefully.

"Since your senior sister has pleaded for you twice, I'll put your punishment aside for now," the woman said, looking at Ji Dantong. "Show me the treasure you brought back!"

Without a word, Ji Dantong suppressed her anger and took out the Proud Snow Evil Shadow Bamboo from her pocket, causing Liu Mei, the elegant woman in the center, to raise an eyebrow before saying, "Not bad, not bad, the Proud Snow Evil Shadow Bamboo, but..."

The woman's words halted there, causing Ji Dantong's heart to tighten as she hesitated, "It seems like someone deliberately cut a part off?"

Although the woman's tone was interrogative, in Ji Dantong's ears, it felt extraordinarily certain, as if nothing could escape her eyes.

Just as Ji Dantong was about to find an excuse, Sun Miaohan spoke up again, "Master, you misunderstood junior sister. When I encountered her, I conducted a routine search. Her backpack also had a small piece of the Proud Snow Evil Shadow Bamboo. It should have been accidentally damaged while obtaining the treasure."

"How do you know I accidentally damaged it while obtaining it?!" Ji Dantong angrily retorted, "Were you there at the scene?!"

Sun Miaohan quickly feigned a very panicked expression, explaining, "Don't be angry, junior sister. I was merely guessing. You couldn't possibly have damaged it on purpose, right?!"

"I, I..." For a moment, Ji Dantong felt she was about to explode, squeezing out a few words from between her teeth, "I certainly didn't damage it on purpose."

With that, she took out a small piece of the Proud Snow Evil Shadow Bamboo.

However, during this process, Sun Miaohan curiously leaned over and asked, "Junior sister, I saw a piece of white paper in your bag. What's written on it?"

"What does it have to do with you!"

Ji Dantong roared, glaring angrily at the remarkably acting Sun Miaohan as if she would kill her with her eyes. The latter looked at her with an innocent and wronged expression, only adding to her frustration.

The next moment, their open and hidden dispute was halted.

The woman seated in the center said coldly, "Hand over the paper for me to see!"

The chill in her voice was palpable, paired with her noble face, making one feel as if in the depths of winter.

Ji Dantong shut her beautiful eyes, taking a deep breath, knowing there was no escaping this time. Her master's sensitivity in such matters was as powerful as her strength, leaving people bewildered. She could only take out the design blueprint.

The woman nodded in satisfaction, gesturing gently. The paper in Ji Dantong's hands spontaneously flew towards her, unfolding itself in mid-air to reveal a blueprint of a long sword.

"What a ridiculous thing!"

The woman casually remarked, her tone full of disdain, seeming to find it very amusing.