The Golden Palace.
Currently, Mu Lingxi stood in the 12-dimensional space belonging to the sect's matriarchs. The three matriarchs were all seated around a large round table situated high in the multi-dimensional space
They were busy sewing.
Matriarch Yuèhuī was the only one not sewing; instead, she was engrossed in a thick book with a barely interested expression. Not that the book wasn't interesting enough for her, rather that was just her default expression.
In-between, Matriarch Liáng skillfully sewed what appeared to be a transparent fabric adorned with stars and cloudy textures of azure and magenta colors.
Suddenly, Matriarch Míng exclaimed, "Ouch!" and sucked her index finger like a baby
"Hm?" Matriarch Liáng glanced at her. "What's wrong?"
Matriarch Míng, still nursing her finger, replied, "I pricked myself." Then, she showed Matriarch Liáng her pricked finger, already expecting some words of comfort.
"So what?" Matriarch Liáng shrugged. "You can't feel pain."
Realizing this, Matriarch Míng chuckled. "Sometimes, I forget..." she said and resumed sewing, mirroring Matriarch Liáng's work.
Her work was the exact same as her fellow matriarch, but it just didn't have some intricate details that Liáng Xīnyuè always made sure to include. Maybe Míng Huīrán would've done this if she wasn't lazy. She preferred watching sect dramas than doing tedious but "necessary" activities such as these.
Meanwhile, Ling Meiyan stood beside Mu Lingxi. She nervously chuckled, trying to hide her disappointment at the nonchalance of the matriarchs. She placed a comforting hand on Mu Lingxi's shoulder. "Just be patient. I'll try to get their attention again."
Ling Meiyan stepped forward and clasped one fist in the palm of her other hand. Her gentle smile transformed into a professional expression, conveying her respect for the matriarchs. She bowed her head and spoke.
"Greetings, esteemed matriarchs, pillars of our sect, guardians of our legacy..."
Matriarch Liáng then extended her hand, signaling Ling Meiyan to cut the formalities and get to the point. Despite her impassive expression, she obviously wasn't pleased that her sewing had been interrupted.
The only person pleased by this interruption was Matriarch Míng because it meant she wouldn't have to do something as boring and tedious as sewing.
Ling Meiyan then introduced Mu Lingxi, saying, "Grandmaster Mu seeks an audience with the revered matriarchs of our sect."
"Well, spill it then," Matriarch Liáng ordered, her needle pausing mid-stitch. "What did Emperor Cloudcrest have to say?"
Mu Lingxi explained everything, from him talking about the deserted star region he tried to cultivate, all the way to the cultivator who defeated him and his protectors.
Of course, the matriarchs didn't care much about what happened in the Mashyan World or the whole Azure Tree, but information dealing with the Eternal Lands was heavily crucial as they themselves weren't as important in the Eternal Lands.
Matriarch Míng shifted in her seat, visibly surprised. "A 3rd Path Cultivator defeating seven True Celestials?!" she exclaimed.
"Impressive," Matriarch Yuèhuī remarked quietly. She was equally surprised by this, but like Matriarch Liáng, they didn't show it on their faces; they were known to display their emotions sparingly.
Matriarch Liáng, however, cut straight to the point. "Did Emperor Cloudcrest really mention that this cultivator claimed to change the entire martial and magic world?"
Mu Lingxi nodded earnestly. "Yes, exactly as he said."
With a sigh, Matriarch Liáng rubbed her temples. "If there's a rogue cultivator with that much power roaming the Eternal Lands, I'll have to be cautious as well. I may just have to postpone any visits there until another year or two..."
Matriarch Míng speculated, "Could it be Wei'er? Though I highly doubt he's ever crossed into the Eternal Lands."
Without much thought Matriarch Liáng dismissed the notion. "I would say no. You've been keeping a close eye on him. Haven't you?" Her gaze bore into Matriarch Míng.
Míng Huīrán scratched her chin, looking slightly sheepish. Like some sort of guilty dog that had just chewed its owner's shoes, she turned away, avoiding Liáng Xīnyuè's analyzing gaze. "Well, mostly. But you know, the lives of other sect disciples can be quite interesting too... so sometimes I—"
Matriarch Yuèhuī intervened calmly. "It's unlikely that this cultivator is Yang Wei. According to Disciple Lingxi, Emperor Cloudcrest stated that this cultivator emitted the aura of a 3rd Path Cultivator and even utilized divine Qi, as unbelievable as it may seem... but Yang Wei lacks both of these things."
Matriarch Liáng nodded in agreement. "That's a reasonable deduction."
Turning her attention to Mu Lingxi, Matriarch Liáng issued a command. "From now on, you will stay at the sect and go nowhere. The next time Emperor Cloudcrest visits you, it should be on sect grounds, so we can intervene..."
Mu Lingxi hesitated. "But I need to confirm with Yang Wei if he knows—"
The intense, almost murderous glare of Matriarch Liáng silenced her. Her red eyes and the aura that slowly leaked from her body was more terrifying than a thousand ancient beasts! And this anger from her was merely the equivalent of a child's bickering anger. "Do you dare defy my orders?"
Bowing her head, Mu Lingxi conceded, "No, it was an oversight. It won't happen again." A drop of sweat fell from Mu Lingxi's forehead.