A Special Meeting Gift

The change in Ling Qingzhu's expression drew everyone's attention in the hall.

But when they followed her gaze toward the figure in the corner, their faces froze.

Lin Langtian?

Of course, given Lin Langtian's status, he could never have been relegated to a corner of the hall. It was only because, after Ling Qingzhu arrived, everyone had gathered around her, creating this situation.

What shocked them, however, was that Ling Qingzhu, who was like a goddess, had shown Lin Langtian an unusual attitude.

Everyone found this utterly unbelievable.

Although Lin Langtian, as the Lin Clan's foremost genius, enjoyed considerable renown within the Great Yan Empire, there were others present whose talent matched or even slightly surpassed his.

As for looks, Lin Langtian could certainly be called handsome, but whether it was Qin Shi of the Qin Clan or Mo Ling of the Imperial Clan, both could outshine him.

Yet Lin Langtian, who held no advantage in either talent or appearance, had received special attention from Ling Qingzhu, a disciple of a Super Sect. This left the Great Yan Empire's geniuses thoroughly puzzled.

Could it be that they had been acting too much like fawning dogs, while Lin Langtian's cold demeanor had won Ling Qingzhu's favor?

Thinking this, they unconsciously became more reserved, and the fiery looks they cast at Ling Qingzhu also eased somewhat.

At this moment, the Silver-haired Woman beside Ling Qingzhu noticed the subtle shift in the hall. A trace of confusion flickered through her beautiful eyes as she looked toward Lin Langtian.

As a member of the Four Great Clans' Huangpu Family, she was no stranger to Lin Langtian. Even in her heart, she had to acknowledge his excellence.

Among the current Four Great Clans, perhaps only Wang Zhong of the Wang Clan could contend with Lin Langtian.

Even so, Huangpu Jing, who knew more about Ling Qingzhu's background, did not believe Lin Langtian possessed anything worthy of the latter's attention.

In her eyes, Ling Qingzhu was like a phoenix soaring above the Ninth Heaven. No matter how outstanding the Great Yan Empire's geniuses were, they were ultimately toads in a muddy ditch dreaming of swan meat—nothing but wishful thinking.

"Sister Qingzhu, what is it?"

Huangpu Jing's delicate brows furrowed. Then, as she held Ling Qingzhu's arm, her grip tightened slightly.

Huangpu Jing's movement also pulled Ling Qingzhu free from some image in her mind. When she came back to herself and looked at Lin Langtian again, everything from before seemed like nothing more than an illusion.

At this, Ling Qingzhu's willow brows furrowed slightly.

That terrifying Black Flame was something she had never even heard of from the elders in her sect. Yet she had sensed such terror from a young man in a remote empire of the Eastern Xuan Region.

Could she really have sensed it wrongly?

Still, as the Young Palace Mistress of the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace, she quickly suppressed her doubts. With a radiant smile, she said to the crowd,

"Hehe, may I ask this young master's name? He bears a striking resemblance to an old friend of mine from the sect, so I was startled for a moment."

Although Ling Qingzhu's explanation was somewhat far-fetched, everyone present was clearly socially adept. Not only did they refrain from exposing her, they even nodded in agreement.

"Oh, what a coincidence. That is indeed fate. Niece Qingzhu, this is Lin Langtian, the foremost genius of the Lin Clan, one of the Four Great Clans of our Great Yan Empire. You are both young people, so you should spend more time together in the future." Mo Jingtian's tiger-like eyes flickered as he gave Lin Langtian a surprised glance, then chuckled.

"I am Lin Langtian. Greetings, Miss Ling Qingzhu."

Seeing everyone's eyes turn toward him, Lin Langtian raised a brow. His expression remained calm as he cupped his hands toward Ling Qingzhu.

Lin Langtian was not so arrogant as to think Ling Qingzhu's special attention meant she had fallen for him at first sight.

Who was Ling Qingzhu? Even across the entire Heavenly Profound Continent, she could be called a favored daughter of heaven, the dream goddess of countless men. How could she possibly develop feelings for him at a glance?

This likely had something to do with Spirit Aunt's Bloodline Link.

As the future Palace Mistress designated by the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace, Ling Qingzhu possessed an extraordinary status. Perhaps she had noticed something from him.

With that thought, Lin Langtian became slightly wary.

Though he knew Ling Qingzhu was a righteous person, she was also the young leader of a Super Sect. If she coveted the fortune on him, things would become troublesome.

But Lin Langtian was clearly overthinking it. Ling Qingzhu was indeed shocked by that terrifying Black Flame, but as the Young Palace Mistress of the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace, she had seen all manner of extraordinary things.

After murmuring Lin Langtian's name to herself, Ling Qingzhu smiled lightly.

"So it is Young Master Lin Langtian. Young Master Langtian truly deserves his reputation as one of the Great Yan Empire's foremost geniuses. You are indeed remarkable."

"You flatter me. Miss Ling Qingzhu is the true favored daughter of heaven, a model for our generation," Lin Langtian returned the compliment.

After exchanging a few words, Ling Qingzhu acted as though nothing had happened. At Mo Jingtian's introduction, she proceeded to meet each genius in the hall one by one.

Seeing this, Lin Langtian frowned slightly. He could not tell whether Ling Qingzhu had discovered anything.

Spirit Aunt's existence was his greatest secret.

Shaking his head, Lin Langtian stopped dwelling on it. Spirit Aunt was a Nine Nether Flame Sparrow. Surely she would not be so easily detected by someone from a Lower Plane...

A few minutes later, after Mo Jingtian had led Ling Qingzhu around to meet all the geniuses in the hall, he took out a token from his robes and said with a chuckle,

"Hehe, Qingzhu, as a disciple of a Super Sect, there is not much this old man can give you. There is an elegant courtyard west of the Imperial City. It belongs exclusively to the Imperial Clan, and it is fully furnished with servants and everything else. Consider it Uncle's gift to you."

With that, Mo Jingtian handed the Royal Token to Ling Qingzhu.

At his words, everyone present could not help but admire his cunning. As expected of the Emperor of the Great Yan Empire, he had handled the social niceties perfectly.

As a disciple of a Super Sect, Ling Qingzhu clearly lacked no treasures. Thus, the courtyard Mo Jingtian presented was a novel and thoughtful gift.

Ling Qingzhu accepted it with a brilliant smile.

After Mo Jingtian, Qin Shi smiled faintly and took an exquisite emerald hairpin from his robes.

The emerald hairpin was crystal-clear, as though it had been meticulously carved from jade. Yet the energy fluctuations it emitted proved that it was not merely an ornament, but a Spirit Treasure of considerable grade.

"Miss Ling Qingzhu, this is a treasure of my Qin Clan, the Jade Cloud Hairpin. Not only is it exquisite, it can also store Yuan Power three times and prove useful at critical moments. It is a fine Earth-grade Spirit Treasure, offered by the Qin Clan as a meeting gift for Miss Qingzhu."

The moment his words fell, a wave of astonished exclamations rose in the hall.

An Earth-grade Spirit Treasure?

Even for a top Great Yan Empire force like the Qin Clan, an Earth-grade Spirit Treasure was exceptionally valuable.

No one had expected the Qin Clan to pay such a steep price merely to win over Ling Qingzhu, a disciple of a Super Sect.

Yet contrary to their wishes, when Ling Qingzhu accepted the Earth-grade Spirit Treasure hairpin, she only offered a brief word of thanks. No particular emotion showed on her face.

Qin Shi was stunned for a moment, and disappointment flashed across his face.

He had hoped to use this to win Ling Qingzhu's favor, but it seemed she truly was a lofty fairy untouched by worldly things...

People's joys and sorrows were never the same. While Qin Shi stood there dejected, the other geniuses eagerly stepped forward one after another with their own gifts.

These meeting gifts included precious Beauty Pills that preserved one's appearance, adorable Spirit Pets, beautiful calligraphy and paintings, and more.

Any one of these gifts, if put up for auction, would have caused quite a stir outside.

Unfortunately, while these items were valuable, not a single one caused a change in Ling Qingzhu's expression.

Although everyone had been mentally prepared, a trace of disappointment still surfaced in their hearts.

After all, if they could befriend Ling Qingzhu, they might gain a chance to enter one of those legendary Super Sects directly...

Just as the gift-giving was about to end, a young man dressed in dark robes suddenly looked toward the corner. A deeply hidden flash of resentment passed through his eyes as he said,

"Brother Langtian, where is your meeting gift?"

The moment he spoke, everyone in the hall turned toward Lin Langtian in the corner.

They had all been too disappointed by the failure of their own gifts to notice that Lin Langtian had yet to take out a gift of his own.

Lin Langtian was momentarily taken aback, then frowned slightly.

Naturally, he had no meeting gift.

After all, he had intended to pocket the five hundred thousand Pure Yuan Pills Clan Leader Lin Fan had given him. He had hidden in the corner precisely to muddle through the gift-giving, yet someone had unexpectedly called him out.

With that thought, Lin Langtian looked toward the young man in dark robes.

He was no stranger to this man. He was Huangpu Ying, the strongest genius of the younger generation in the Huangpu Family.

But as far as Lin Langtian remembered, he had never offended him.

As he considered this, Lin Langtian suddenly noticed an intense fire in Huangpu Ying's gaze toward Ling Qingzhu.

This guy isn't jealous, is he? Lin Langtian thought in surprise.

He remembered that in the original timeline, after Lin Dong formed a connection with Ling Qingzhu, Huangpu Ying had become displeased with Lin Dong.

Though this man was Ling Qingzhu's admirer and pursuer, his strength was clearly lacking. A few years later, he would lose to Lin Dong in the Seed Selection.

Ling Qingzhu's special attention toward Lin Langtian had clearly caught this man's notice, which was why he now bore a grudge against him.

Thinking this, Lin Langtian could not help but curse him as an idiot.

But seeing everyone looking at him—and even a trace of interest appearing in Ling Qingzhu's beautiful eyes—Lin Langtian could not help but feel a headache coming on.

Based on what he knew of Ling Qingzhu, even if he brought out something good, she likely would not care for it. But giving a gift and not giving one were entirely different matters.

Leaving aside everything else, if Lin Fan asked about it after he returned to the clan, he would have trouble explaining himself. He could hardly say that he had long intended to embezzle the five hundred thousand Pure Yuan Pills.

"Brother Langtian, what is it? Don't tell me you failed to prepare anything?" Huangpu Ying raised a brow and chuckled.

Yet beneath that smile lay a trace of ill intent.

Seeing this, Lin Ke'er and Lin Chen beside Lin Langtian also looked at him in confusion.

They knew that before coming to the Imperial Capital, Clan Leader Lin Fan had specifically given Lin Langtian five hundred thousand Pure Yuan Pills to win Ling Qingzhu over and leave her with a favorable impression of the Lin Clan.

But judging from Lin Langtian's appearance, it seemed he had prepared nothing.

Qin Shi, Wang Yan, Mo Ling, and the other top geniuses of the Great Yan Empire also looked toward Lin Langtian in surprise.

Though the gift-giving was optional and largely a matter of appearances, they did not truly believe such gifts could forge a deep friendship with Ling Qingzhu and the Super Sect behind her.

But the proper courtesies still had to be shown.

After all, as a disciple of a Super Sect, Ling Qingzhu was like an emperor emeritus in a low-level empire like the Great Yan Empire.

If she were to resent them over some small misstep and even revoke their qualifications to participate in the Hundred Dynasties War, the loss would be tremendous.

Thus, even though Lin Langtian was the Lin Clan's foremost genius, if he slighted Ling Qingzhu and caused a disaster, he would likely face much criticism and even reprimands upon returning to the clan.

Ling Qingzhu's beautiful eyes also slowly settled on the green-clad man before her. She too was quite curious about this man who had stirred such unusual ripples within her heart.

"Hehe, Langtian, if you have not prepared a gift, I can give you one, and then you can present it to Niece Qingzhu. What do you think?"

Seeing this, Mo Jingtian smoothly stepped in to defuse the situation.

This would not only show goodwill toward Ling Qingzhu, but also win over Lin Langtian, the Lin Clan's foremost genius. It was truly killing two birds with one stone.

People called Mo Jingtian the Tyrant Tiger of the Imperial Clan, but beneath his rough and domineering exterior, he was no less a shrewd old fox.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, but I have naturally prepared a gift. It is simply somewhat different from the others," Lin Langtian said with a smile, politely declining.

If Lin Fan learned that not only had he failed to prepare a gift, but had also ended up owing the Imperial Clan a favor, the Law Enforcement Elder position he had only just obtained might be stripped away.

"Oh? How is it different?" Huangpu Jing, the Silver-haired Woman beside Ling Qingzhu, raised a delicate brow.

Ling Qingzhu and everyone else in the hall fixed their eyes on Lin Langtian, awaiting his answer.

Lin Langtian sighed inwardly, but within moments, he barely managed to come up with an idea.

First of all, he absolutely could not take out the five hundred thousand Pure Yuan Pills.

Not only were they the capital for his upcoming auction, but directly giving away Pure Yuan Pills would likely earn him even more ridicule.

Giving money was far too vulgar. It did not suit Young Master Lin's style.

As for other treasures, only the mutated Golden Spirit Wheel Realm might catch Ling Qingzhu's eye.

But Lin Langtian was clearly reluctant to part with that treasure.

He still had not figured out all the uses of the Golden Spirit Wheel Realm. What if it was an incredible treasure? Would that not be a massive loss?

After weighing it over, Lin Langtian cupped his hands toward Ling Qingzhu and said,

"Miss Qingzhu, as a disciple of a Super Sect, I imagine you do not think much of the treasures of our Great Yan Empire. Therefore, I have decided that my gift to Miss Qingzhu will be a promise. If Miss Qingzhu ever requires my help in the future, then so long as it is within my abilities and does not violate my principles, even if I must cross mountains of blades and seas of fire, I, Lin Langtian, will certainly give my full support!"