"I know where their lair is!" The young apprentice’s eyes gleamed with excitement. "I can take you there!" Xia Mian lowered her gaze with a faint smile, "There’s no need to take me there, after all, you are still under surveillance." The young apprentice hesitated for a moment, not bothered by Xia Mian’s attitude, "Their lair is in the Northern Sichuan region." Xia Mian’s eyes narrowed; this was the second time she had heard these words today. It seems that a visit to Northern Sichuan is inevitable! "Do you recognize this object?" Xia Mian took out the white Cat Claw Jade and waved it in front of the young apprentice. The young apprentice’s eyes instantly revealed astonishment, "How did you come to have this item?" Xia Mian raised an eyebrow, oh, so he does recognize it? Xia Mian held the Cat Claw Jade in her hand, her gaze deep, "I’m asking you." The young apprentice’s expression turned serious, his eyes slightly squinted, frowning as he thought about it, "I seem to have heard a master call it the Key of Xuanmen!" Xia Mian’s eyelids lowered slightly, the Key of Xuanmen—indeed, when that man performed rituals for Shen Man to extend life, which she disrupted, and Shen Man suffered backlash, that man was indeed crazily shouting about the Key of Xuanmen. "What is the use of this thing?" Xia Mian asked again. "I’ve heard it can open the gateway to the Mystical World, but as for where that gate is, none of us believers have ever seen it!" The young apprentice dared not hide anything, telling all he knew. "Back then, I was lured by them because they said they could take me into the Mystical World, where I could obtain everything I desired and achieve immortality..." Xia Mian’s lips curled slightly, "Immortality? You really dared to believe that!" The young apprentice was a bit embarrassed, not responding. Having asked everything she wanted, Xia Mian took out a yellow talisman folded into a triangle from her bag and tossed it to the young apprentice, "Wear it on you at all times; it will safeguard your life!" The young apprentice received the tossed talisman from Xia Mian, treating it as a precious treasure, and bowed repeatedly to Xia Mian, "Thank you, Miss Xia!" Xia Mian no longer looked at him, feeling inexplicably heavy-hearted. The young apprentice had answered her questions, yet opened up a new world for her. Last night in the cave, Gu Xiang had also mentioned that Lu Zechuan’s fate was too good, attracting attention from many in the Mystic Sect; if he doesn’t come, someone else will. Unexpectedly, she meddled a bit in other people’s affairs, but brought such a big trouble upon herself. "I’ve caused you trouble," Lu Zechuan’s deep voice came from beside her ear. Xia Mian lifted her head to see Lu Zechuan’s eyes filled with apology. Xia Mian gently shook her head, "It’s not really trouble." A warm feeling flowed through Lu Zechuan’s heart; meeting and helping him to this extent, he feared even a lifetime wouldn’t be enough to repay her. "Xia Mian, let’s get engaged!" Lu Zechuan, feeling prompted, spoke almost instinctively, "I’ll have my grandmother consult with my aunt to select a good day to settle our matters." Xia Mian was momentarily stunned, "You’re not joking, are you?" She and Lu Zechuan hadn’t known each other for more than a few months, and now Lu Zechuan wanted to get engaged to her? Lu Zechuan’s eyes were deep, filled with sincerity, "No." If not for the curse that he wouldn’t live past twenty-five, he would have long ago wanted to mention engagement to Xia Mian. "For now, the timing isn’t really suitable," Xia Mian seriously considered, "Let’s discuss our lifelong affair after I resolve the issue on your side." Lu Zechuan’s gaze subtly changed, his deep eyes thusly looked at Xia Mian. Eighteen-year-old Xia Mian possessed the vibrant youth of a girl, yet also held a maturity beyond her age, paradoxical and mysterious, drawing him in. Lu Zefang’s welcoming banquet was arranged at Huifeng Restaurant, a property under the Lu Group, which had chains nationwide. Lu Zefang hadn’t returned home since going abroad in high school, a span of six or seven years. Now having returned, Lu Zhenhua spared no effort to create a spectacle to remind the Capital City’s prestigious folks that he had a daughter! If not, he feared the suitable matches wouldn’t fall on his daughter’s side! Riding on the Lu Family’s reputation, Lu Zhenhua invited almost everyone with a name in Capital City. Everyone, out of respect for the Lu Family, didn’t refuse. Lu Zefang, as the main attraction of today’s banquet, was exquisitely dressed, appearing like a blooming rose, radiant and captivating. Wu Mei busied herself at the restaurant early on, fearing the banquet wouldn’t be grand enough, losing face for her daughter. As Huifeng Restaurant was owned by the Lu Group, the welcoming banquet felt entirely reserved for Lu Zefang. The Capital City’s prominent families arrived as scheduled, the lobby of the restaurant was filled with fragrance and glamour. Mrs. Wu sat at the VIP table, her eyes watching the people coming and going in the lobby, hands resting on her dragon-headed cane, in a manner suggesting she was here to settle scores. Wu Mei sat beside her, slightly frowning, "Mom, today’s the day for Ah Fang’s welcoming banquet, please don’t stir up trouble and ruin Ah Fang’s mood!" Mrs. Wu lightly snorted, rolled her blurred eyes, her gaze landing on Wu Yong nearby, "You care about your Ah Fang, I care about my Ah Yong. It’s none of your concern!" Wu Mei’s brows furrowed; she regretted inviting Wu Family members to today’s occasion. With a heavy heart, Wu Mei turned to look at Wu Yong, not far away. Wu Yong, having had his head hurt yesterday, wasn’t too bad, but his head was still wrapped with a bandage, indicating his status as an injured person. Lu Zefang accompanied Wu Yong, chatting with him softly, Wu Yong occasionally responding, giving dry laughs; evidently, he wasn’t interested in Lu Zefang’s topics. "Ah Yong, I heard you’re getting married?" Lu Zefang held her glass, lightly swirling the red wine inside, slightly raising her delicate brows, "Which family’s girl?" If Lu Zefang didn’t mention it, it was fine; as soon as she did, Wu Yong’s face immediately showed impatience, "Don’t mention it!" The matter between him and Xie Yun was practically set in stone. Before, no matter how he treated Xie Yun, she never truly got angry with him. However, ever since encountering Lu Zechuan and Xia Mian at the restaurant yesterday, Xie Yun suddenly acted as if possessed, changed her mind! Her attitude made an about-face; she paid his medical bills, made a phone call for him to his family, and then ran off! Until now, he hasn’t been able to contact Xie Yun! Calling the Xie Family, they only said Xie Yun changed her mind! The wedding she won’t go through with! Wu Yong felt choked with anger, almost suffocated! The situation between him and Xie Yun was mutual acceptance; if Xia Mian hadn’t meddled, even if Xie Yun felt wronged, she would have entered their Wu Family’s door. But now, the catch he secured has flown away! Wu Yong, with bottled up anger, came today not to welcome Lu Zefang, but to watch how his dear grandmother would settle scores for him!