The atmosphere in the hall was somewhat tense.

Tian Fangfang glanced at Bing Mo and the others, then at the silent Gu Baiying, and finally stepped forward to smooth things over, smiling: “So this little brother is also Junior Sister’s… Junior Sister’s person. But seeing that little brother’s complexion doesn’t look too good, is your health poor? Would you like my junior brother to take a look? My junior brother’s medical skills are quite decent.”

Bing Mo shook his head, his eyes misting over: “There’s no need to trouble the immortal master. I’ve had this physical ailment since childhood. After coming to Chaos Hall, the Young Mistress also worried about this and had people search for many pills and spiritual herbs, but unfortunately, my body is disappointing and failed the Young Mistress’s kind intentions.”

His words contained traces of subtle boasting, which immediately made Gu Baiying’s expression stiffen again.

Just then, another voice came from within the hall: “Bing Mo, what are you crying and whimpering about here again? When the Young Mistress sees this later, she’ll feel distressed again.”

Accompanied by this voice came a heavy smell of alcohol. Two people walked out of the hall – one was a yellow-robed man, handsome and robust with an upright bearing, holding a wrist-thick rope in his hand. Beside him was a man carrying a wine pot. This man’s features weren’t as outstanding as the previous few, but his eyes held a natural air of carefree boldness. When he smiled slightly, he was like aged wine – mellow and fragrant, becoming more appealing the more one looked.

Chuideng Gui smiled: “This is General Lan and Jiu Mo. These two are also people of Chaos Hall.”

Even Tian Fangfang, who was always smooth in dealings, was now shocked by the abundance of Zanxing’s harem, murmuring: “They are all different types.”

When these two reached the center of the hall, General Lan looked Gu Baiying up and down critically, then snorted with laughter: “This is the newcomer about to enter Chaos Hall? Another useless pretty boy – how boring!”

“Don’t be rude to Young Master Gu,” Chuideng Gui said.

“What immortal master or whatever – once you’ve entered Chaos Hall, why put on airs?” General Lan’s face showed disdain: “The ones who should worry are you all, not me. After all, this pretty boy is good-looking. When he comes in to compete for favor, he’ll naturally take away some of the Young Mistress’s attention. I’m different, though – in this hall, only I can play games with the Mistress.”

Chuideng Gui looked at Gu Baiying with a headache, apologizing for General Lan: “Young Master Gu, his temperament has always been like this, but he means no harm. Once you get along with him longer, you’ll know he’s a good person…”

“What kind of games?” Gu Baiying interrupted Chuideng Gui’s words, looking at General Lan.

General Lan swung the thick rope in his hand: “Rope games, naturally. A pretty boy like you naturally wouldn’t understand – when it comes to playing with ropes, there are so many variations.”

“Cough cough cough.” Tian Fangfang choked.

Gu Baiying stared at him coldly.

“You’re talking nonsense again. Young Master Gu is from a sect. If the General frightens him, it won’t be easy to explain to the Young Mistress.” A man and a woman walked in from outside. The man wore green gauze robes, was graceful and elegant, with excessively pale skin as if he had just bathed somewhere. Water droplets on his chin rolled into his robes, leaving only a trace of alluring crystalline shine. The woman beside him wore a light purple long dress, with floor-length hair, beautiful as the moon and flowers, gentle and shy.

It was the green-robed man who had spoken. The beautiful woman curtsied to everyone: “You must be here at Chaos Hall waiting for the Young Mistress. I am Shu Nu, and this is Shui Jun.”

“Aren’t you a woman?” Mendong was stunned: “Could it be…”

“Women can also serve the Young Mistress,” Shu Nu smiled with curved eyes, looking at Meng Ying standing to the side. “This fairy maiden is absolutely beautiful and otherworldly, a rare beauty even in Heishi City. If you wanted to come to Chaos Hall…”

“She doesn’t want to.” Mu Cengxiao quickly stepped in front of Meng Ying.

“Is that so?” Shu Nu smiled charmingly. “That’s truly somewhat regrettable.”

This group of colorfully dressed people standing in the already rainbow-colored hall made one’s eyes ache. Tian Fangfang sighed: “Men and women, old and young – Junior Sister’s place is certainly lively.”

“Add that smiling tiger Xiao Shuang, and it’s red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, purple.” Mendong secretly poked Gu Baiying’s arm: “Master Uncle, you’re just missing white.”

Gu Baiying gritted his teeth: “Shut up.”

“The Demon Empress had mentioned Young Master Gu’s matter to us before.” Chuideng Gui smiled: “As Young Master Gu is from a sect, you might have many reservations about entering the hall. However, Young Master Gu’s worries should be unnecessary. The Young Mistress has a gentle temperament and is considerate in every detail. Young Master Gu is already a dragon among men, a heaven’s chosen one, and you have the bond of traveling and staying together with the Young Mistress at Gufeng Mountain. Once you enter Chaos Hall, the Young Mistress certainly won’t treat Young Master Gu poorly.”

“As for us…” Chuideng Gui placed the lantern he was carrying on the table. “Including Lord Xiao Shuang, we seven people get along harmoniously in daily life, close as family. Since Young Master Gu has come to Chaos Hall, you are a person of Chaos Hall. In the future, we will treat you like close family as well.”

He spoke these words very sincerely, as if he truly hoped Chaos Hall could have one more friend, but it made Gu Baiying’s expression even uglier.

The hall was quiet, with no one speaking. Mendong and Tian Fangfang also didn’t dare to speak. Only Mimi crouched on the ground, looking at this person, then glancing at that one.

After a long while, Gu Baiying spoke. His expression was indifferent, his eyes deep and cold without the slightest warmth: “Thank you for your kind intentions, but it’s unnecessary.”

“I have no intention of entering Chaos Hall.”

He stood in the hall with an upright bearing, his voice calm, yet somehow making people feel a trace of sympathy.

It made sense – this youth had always been proud and arrogant with extremely strong self-respect, and was a pampered existence even in the Taiyan Sect. Now being treated as a future male consort was bad enough, but to personally witness his beloved’s abundant harem and traces of happiness, even the most broad-minded man would probably feel stifled at this moment.

Chuideng Gui shrugged, seeming to have long expected this reaction from Gu Baiying, so he smiled again: “If that’s the case, I won’t force it. Please rest in the hall for a moment, everyone. The Young Mistress should return before long.”

Shu Nu stepped forward again, gently asking the Taiyan Sect members: “Honored immortal masters, let me first prepare some tea and refreshments for you. Lord Xiao Shuang brought back quite a lot of fine tea from Duzhou, all types that sect cultivators love to drink. Zhenmei Rain Tea, Jinshui Emerald Peak, Dongbai Spring Buds, Jiangshan Green Peony… what would you like to drink?”

Mendong secretly glanced at Gu Baiying sitting silently to the side and muttered quietly: “You might as well give him a cup of vinegar…”

“What?” Shu Nu was confused.

“Nothing.” Tian Fangfang smiled and took over the conversation: “Whatever’s convenient, whatever’s convenient is fine.”

Shu Nu smiled again with pursed lips: “Very well, please wait a moment, honored immortal masters. The tea and refreshments will be ready shortly.”