With The Ever Spring Mistress gone, the Emperor finally noticed a surprising person among them.

"Daoist Mu Lin?

" The Emperor's attention had been so occupied with the Celestial being present, that his senses didn't pick up on another important person there.

There was no way he would forget who Lin Mu was after all. He was the one who had won the Tournament of the Four Guardian beasts as well as the one that his son had used the Imperial Might Talisman against. The Emperor also knew that Lin Mu had a great backing, which was why they had to suffer for a bit. But despite all that, the Emperor had no ill feelings. He knew where the fault lay, and he was far too old to be petty about things like this.

Thus he couldn't help but wonder why Lin Mu was there.

"Emperor Feng, greetings.

" Lin Mu cupped his hands.

"I believe this is our second time meeting.

"

"It is… but how are you here?

" Emperor Feng asked, while Feng Lan and Guang San switched their attention.

"It is Daoist Mu Lin who found out about the hidden Bloodline of Meihua, Father.

" Feng Lan quickly answered.

"He's also the reason why the Ever Spring Mistress is here today.

" Guang San added.

While it was the Saintess that had invited her over, they knew that without Lin Mu being there, it wouldn't have happened. Why would a celestial help them out without a cause after all?

Hearing that, an impressed look appeared on Emperor Feng's face.

"Well, not exactly me.

" Lin Mu spoke but didn't state it clearly since there were still other people here. Guang San knew what Lin Mu meant and coughed lightly.

~Ahem~

At the same time, he sent out a message to the elders that were present who hurried out of the hall. With the Emperor being there, they knew it was not their position to be inside the hall. Even if they were the Elders of the Morning Glory clan, their ranking was still quite lower than the emperor.

As such, they left without any protest, leaving the hall with just a handful of people.

"Regardless of who it might be, I can't help but thank you, Daoist Mu Lin.

" The Emperor actually cupped his hands in gratitude for Lin Mu too. 'There's no doubt… the Celestial backing him is probably the reason why the Ever Spring Mistress is here today.' He could read between the line and easily figured the fact out.

"It is just something I had to do being friends with Crown Prince Feng Shun.

" Lin Mu said.

"That's not all, Daoist Mu Lin also saved Meihua from an onslaught of Branch Horn Wolves!

" Feng Lan quickly added.

"What??

" Emperor Feng's expression turned serious while concern shone in his eyes.

Feng Lan then narrated what happened with Meihua, as well as how Lin Mu had met them. After hearing the story, Emperor Feng couldn't help but feel even more thankful to Lin Mu.

"Looks like the Imperial Feng Clan will also be in your debt, Daoist Mu Lin.

" Emperor Feng thanked him once more.

"Feng Shun has certainly made some good friends.

" He added feeling a bit proud at his son's choices.

Lin Mu gave a little nod before remembering,

"Oh wait, is the Crown Prince also coming over soon?

"

"What? Why?

" Emperor Feng asked.

"Well, we were supposed to meet here. He's the one who suggested I go to the Morning Glory Clan before.

" Lin Mu replied and gave a bit more background to what was the arrangement.

"I see… well Feng Shun isn't at the Capital so I didn't meet him. I had to rush since the Ever Spring Mistress had arrived without a notice.

" Emperor Feng replied wondering what his son was doing.

"Oh? He's not at the Capital city? Perhaps he's already on his way here.

" Lin Mu guessed.

"I don't know about that.

" Emperor Feng replied.

"I certainly didn't see him on the way. I would sense if he was anywhere near here.

" He added.

"Is that so, huh… perhaps he went somewhere else.

" Lin Mu thought to himself. 'Is he perhaps getting the people ready for the expedition?' That was the best he could guess as to what could be happening.

The group continued to talk more, while another meeting happened in a private courtyard in the Morning Glory clan. Clouds surrounded this courtyard, preventing anyone from entering or looking in.

~SHUA~

A rain of petals happened in the courtyard, as the Ever Spring Mistress materialized inside it. Her petals had passed through the clouds without any problem as if they were nothing. Only a celestial would be able to tell that the clouds weren't actually blocking entry, but merely preventing anyone from spying in.

"Saintesss~

" The Ever Spring Mistress called out in the voice of a young girl again. Her demeanor seemed to change, and became like that of a childish girl. With curled lips, she looked around, quickly finding the person of her interest sitting at a table made out of solid clouds.

"There you are!

" The Ever Spring Mistress said before rushing towards her.

~puff~

But before she could jump at her, a cushion of clouds stopped her.

"Meanie! Is this how you greet me after two hundred thousand years?

" The Ever Spring Mistress said with a pout.

"Over a million years old and you still can't act like a celestial.

" The Saintess replied calmly.

"Humph! I can act like a Celestial when I want to. Didn't you see how I shocked the kids?

" The Ever Spring Mistress replied with puffed cheeks.

~Sigh~

"What can I do with you…

" The Saintess shook her head.

"Hahah!

" But the expression of the Ever Spring Mistress changed quickly as she burst out laughing.

"And you still wear that veil everywhere you go.

"

"Unlike you, I don't have a choice.

" The Saintess replied.

"Yeah, yeah, you and your crushing Karma.

" The Ever Spring Mistress let out a puff of breath.

"We can never go out to have fun because of that.

"