"Did the King reach some agreement with Cult Leader Luo Hao?" Erica asked, her face wearing a peculiar expression as she gazed at the unscathed Phoenix before her.
It was hard to imagine anyone could smile after descending from "Mount Lu, home of the most vicious Campione," let alone the "King" she served.
Of course, it wasn't that Erica wished harm upon Phoenix. Rather, Phoenix's demeanor seemed too carefree!
The opponent had been none other than the infamous Campione Luo Hao, known for her brutality. The earlier commotion clearly indicated they'd clashed. Even considering her King's formidable strength, shouldn't this have been more challenging?
However... before Phoenix could answer the question about Erica, Lu Yinghua - Luo Hao's disciple - came bouncing over.
When Lu Yinghua reached Phoenix, he performed a deep, respectful bow. "This disciple Lu Yinghua pays homage to Martial Aunt."
"Wait, Martial Aunt? What's going on here?"
Erica and Liliana froze, question marks seemingly floating above their heads.
"Master sent me a message moments ago," Lu Yinghua explained, kneeling on one knee before the two women. "The New King has become sisters with our Master, so naturally, the address must change to 'Martial Aunt.'"
His heart churned with shock and confusion. To become sisters with his Master during their first meeting - and more shockingly... Luo Hao willingly taking the younger sister position? This completely shattered Lu Yinghua's worldview. He felt overwhelming respect and admiration for the woman before him.
Without Luo Hao's earlier message, he might have thought he'd misheard completely.
"Mm," Phoenix nodded absently, glancing at Lu Yinghua. She offered no further explanation.
Since Luo Hao had already spoken, there was no need for her to elaborate.
"Martial Aunt, Master had already instructed me earlier. Now that Master is in seclusion, all members of the Holy Cult of the Five Mountains stand at your command..."
Lu Yinghua remained kneeling on the ground, not rising.
"I understand. For now, there's nothing pressing. If needed, I'll notify you." Phoenix glanced at Lu Yinghua before turning her gaze to Mount Lu's summit. "I'll stay at Mount Lu for these next few days, then travel across the Continent. When the time comes, remember to arrange transportation for me."
Phoenix didn't refuse Lu Yinghua's words.
After all, with the powerful local influence of the Five Prisons Sect operating in China, many things would become much easier.
So why would Phoenix refuse?
"Yes, this disciple will certainly remember."
"Good. Next... you may attend to your own affairs! We'll wander around on our own. If we need anything, I'll notify you." There was nothing else of importance to discuss.
The group present consisted entirely of beautiful young girls. For someone like Lu Yinghua, who harbored a deep aversion to women, simply standing here was already deeply uncomfortable.
Moreover, Phoenix herself didn't want a man constantly following her around. It was best to have him leave first.
"Yes, Martial Aunt."
Hearing this, Lu Yinghua seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. He immediately bowed respectfully and departed.
With his exceptional qinggong skills, he quickly vanished into the mist. One could imagine... he didn't want to remain even a moment longer in the presence of these strikingly beautiful girls.
After Lu Yinghua left, Erica's face lit up with a gossip's delight. Having grown close to Phoenix, she knew exactly what kind of person she was.
In formal settings, she would never act against Phoenix's wishes, but in private, she could let her curiosity show. "King, what exactly did you do with Cult Leader Luo Hao on the mountain? How did you become sisters in the blink of an eye? And... Cult Leader Luo Hao is actually the younger sister? You're the elder sister?"
Cult Leader Luo Hao!
Though Erica had never met her in person, she'd learned about Luo Hao's reputation through books, elders, and others' accounts.
But... the arrogant Cult Leader Luo Hao had become sisters with the King she served? And more importantly, Luo Hao was the younger sister! Phoenix was the elder sister?
Never mind Luo Hao's temper and power - the Cult Leader was already over two hundred years old, wasn't she?
Phoenix... looked no older than... seventeen or eighteen, perhaps? (Erica didn't know Phoenix's true age.)
"Indeed, Your Majesty," Liliana inquired with a gossipy expression, her cheeks flushed red as she gazed at the handsome Phoenix before her, eyes sparkling with admiration. "Just a moment ago, you were battling Cult Leader Luo Hao, yet now you're so close. And as her elder sister, how did you manage that?"
In Liliana's eyes, Phoenix was nothing short of a god at that moment.
That was Cult Leader Luo Hao we're talking about!
But with her male idol Phoenix stepping in, Luo Hao instantly became a junior... well, a junior sister.
So impressive! So domineering!
"Perhaps it's because I'm simply too handsome..." Phoenix replied, preening. "After all, Cult Leader Luo Hao is just a woman. Single for over two centuries, holed up in her home for decades. When she suddenly saw someone as dashing and debonair as me, she fell for me instantly."
"So she became my junior sister."
Seeing Liliana and Erica's curious gazes, Phoenix produced a mirror from her account inventory...
The reflection revealed an undeniably handsome youth - the male-dressed Class Monitor was indeed peerlessly attractive.
"..."
Hearing Phoenix's words and observing her narcissistic behavior, Erica was instantly speechless.
How come I never noticed this side of my "King" before?
"King, can you stop joking around?" Liliana echoed Erica's sentiment, equally exasperated. Cult Leader Luo Hao! How could she possibly act like this over such a trivial matter?
"Fine, no more jokes. But... that's the end of the discussion. Where does all this curiosity come from? Don't you know curiosity killed the cat?"
"Look at Higokumaru here, she doesn't even ask questions." Phoenix's expression turned serious as she put away the mirror and addressed Liliana and Erica. "Some things don't need explanation, and I'm not about to waste my breath lying to you."
"Huh? Sister, did you call me?" Higokumaru suddenly looked up from her sugarcane, confusion written all over her face. She'd been so engrossed in eating that she hadn't heard clearly.
"Keep eating your sugarcane..." Phoenix replied, her tone now calm.