"Lady Lumina, we've arrived. This is the Exalting Estate, the most luxurious residence on the entire Xianzhou Luofu, which General Jing Yuan has gifted to you."
"Since the General has bestowed this estate upon you, Lady Lumina, you're welcome to change the name if you don't like it."
Within the Exalting Sanctum of the Xianzhou Luofu, Yanqing led Lumina to an extravagantly decorated gate and offered a brief introduction.
"No need. I quite like it." Lumina's eyes sparkled as she gazed at the opulent gate before her.
After enduring so much hardship during the Amber Era and saving countless lives, it's time to properly reward myself and savor the fruits of my success!
Lumina sighed inwardly, her entire demeanor instantly radiating an air of grandeur and refinement.
Yanqing: ?
Lumina's transformation was so blatant that Yanqing couldn't help but notice. Puzzled by her sudden shift in temperament, he scratched his head in confusion.
Yanqing didn't dwell on it. Lady Lumina is such an important figure, she must be contemplating something of great significance, he thought.
He pointed to the massive facial recognition device at the entrance and explained, "Lady Lumina, this estate requires facial recognition or a credential token for entry. I don't have the authority to grant access, and I'm unsure if General Jing Yuan prepared anything for you. Would you like to try it first?"
Lumina nodded silently and walked toward the device Yanqing indicated.
[Welcome to Exalting Estate. Please present your identification and state your purpose.]
As Lumina stepped into the designated area, a cold, mechanical voice echoed.
"My name is Lumina. General Jing Yuan gifted me this estate."
[Please wait while I verify...]
Lumina's eyebrow twitched slightly, as if she had anticipated this outcome.
[Apologies, Miss Lumina. No records matching your name were found in the system.]
"So, Jing Yuan came up with this plan on the spur of the moment, huh?" Lumina thought, inwardly rolling her eyes. If you're improvising, fine, but why haven't you granted me the necessary permissions? Is it possible that even the esteemed Divine Foresight General could make such a blunder?
[Ding! Receiving message from General Jing Yuan. Please wait...]
[Message received. My apologies, Lady Lumina. Welcome to the Exalting Estate.]
As the announcement faded, the opulent gates before her slowly parted, unveiling their mysterious facade.
"I'll give you credit for this one," Lumina muttered, deciding to give Jing Yuan another chance. She stripped the "Divine" from his title, leaving him with the name "Foresight General."
From now on, he'll be known as the Foresight General, she thought, striding into the estate.
Before her stretched a garden of breathtaking beauty, like a landscape painting come to life. Lush ancient trees stood like emerald screens, shielding the estate from the clamor of the mundane world.
The air was filled with the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers, soothing the hearts of all who entered.
The gentle murmur of the stream sounded like music, a soothing melody that filled the air with tranquility.
"Hmm... not bad at all. It's quite lovely," Lumina murmured, nodding in satisfaction. As expected of the Luofu's premier estate, it lived up to its reputation. In her experience, it was only slightly inferior to the meticulously crafted retirement haven she had painstakingly created for herself.
"Since this place is reserved for honored guests, the artisans spared no effort in its construction," Yanqing explained, his eyes sparkling with awe at the sight before him. Though he had visited several times, he was still mesmerized by its splendor.
"It seems such a waste to have this vast estate all to myself," Lumina mused, lowering her gaze to contemplate the sprawling garden-like mansion. A wildly audacious idea began to form in her mind.
"Unthinkable, utterly unthinkable," she muttered, swiftly dismissing the notion. It was far too daring, and she would surely face severe consequences if she acted on it.
But on second thought... given my status and the Xianzhou's attitude towards me, could I essentially freeload a mansion every time I visit one?
The news of Jing Yuan gifting the Luofu's premier estate to an Emanator of Abundance would undoubtedly reach the ears of the other Generals. When I happen to visit their Xianzhou as a guest, might they follow Jing Yuan's example and offer me a residence as well?
"Lady Lumina, all the buildings and rooms in the estate are fully furnished. Please feel free to choose whichever you prefer to move in."
"Yanqing, you're already leaving?"
While Lumina was happily indulging in these pleasant thoughts, Yanqing had completed the task assigned to him by his General. He lowered his head, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and spoke softly.
Lumina: ?
Hearing this, a surprised expression bloomed across Lumina's face. "You're... already leaving?"
"Yes, Lady Lumina. Is there anything else I can assist you with?" Yanqing nodded, his slightly youthful face betraying no particular emotion.
"Did you complete the mission your General assigned you?" Lumina asked, her lip twitching as she observed Yanqing's utterly guileless demeanor.
"The General's mission? Wasn't it just to escort you to the Exalting Estate, Lady Lumina? Yes, I completed it."
"Lady Lumina, did I do something wrong?"
Yanqing scratched his head, genuinely puzzled by Lumina's inexplicable remark. He thought he might have fallen short in some way.
"No... never mind. You may leave," Lumina said, shaking her head in resignation as she observed Yanqing's innocent confusion.
Did your General really mean for you to just show me around the estate? Lumina mused inwardly. His true intention was clearly for you to keep a close eye on me and prevent me from wandering off.
She sighed inwardly, speechless. Still, Yanqing's obliviousness to Jing Yuan's true intentions actually made things easier for her.
"Very well, Lady Lumina. Then I shall take my leave." Though still puzzled by her demeanor, Yanqing bowed respectfully and departed.
"Jing Yuan, oh Jing Yuan... no matter how meticulously you plan, you could never have foreseen that your precious disciple would turn out to be such a clueless fool as Yanqing..."
Shaking her head, Lumina waited until Yanqing's figure vanished completely before melting back into the shadows of the garden...