A Special Welcome Gift

The change in Ling Qingzhu's expression drew the attention of everyone 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 not possibly have been relegated to a corner of the hall. It was only because, after Ling Qingzhu arrived, everyone had gathered around her, making him seem isolated.

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

It left everyone utterly baffled.

Although Lin Langtian, as the Lin Clan's foremost genius, enjoyed considerable renown within the Great Yan Empire, there were plenty 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 Family, both could outshine him.

Yet Lin Langtian, who held no advantage in either talent or appearance, had somehow earned the special attention of Ling Qingzhu, a disciple of a Super Sect. The geniuses of the Great Yan Empire present were deeply perplexed.

Could it be that they had acted too much like simps earlier, while Lin Langtian's cold demeanor had won Ling Qingzhu's favor?

At that thought, everyone instinctively became more reserved, and the burning looks they directed at Ling Qingzhu also faded somewhat.

The silver-haired woman beside Ling Qingzhu also noticed the subtle shift in the hall. A trace of confusion flashed through her beautiful eyes as she looked toward Lin Langtian.

As a member of the Huangpu Family, one of the Four Great Clans, she was no stranger to Lin Langtian. Even in her heart, she had to admit that he was outstanding.

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 think Lin Langtian possessed anything worthy of the latter's attention.

In her eyes, Ling Qingzhu was like a phoenix above the Nine Heavens. No matter how exceptional the Great Yan Empire's geniuses were, they were ultimately just toads in a muddy ditch dreaming of swan meat—nothing but a foolish fantasy.

"Big Sister Qingzhu, what's wrong?"

Huangpu Jing's willow brows furrowed slightly as she tightened her hold around Ling Qingzhu's arm.

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

Ling Qingzhu's willow brows knit faintly at this.

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 wrong?

Still, as the Young Palace Master of the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace, she quickly suppressed the doubts in her heart and gave everyone a radiant smile.

"Hehe, may I ask this young master's name? He looks remarkably similar to an old friend of mine in the sect, so I was startled for a moment."

Though Ling Qingzhu's explanation was somewhat forced, everyone present was clearly socially adept enough not to expose her. Instead, they all nodded in agreement.

"Oh, what a coincidence. Then that is indeed fate. Niece Qingzhu, this is Lin Langtian, the foremost genius of the Lin Clan, one of the Four Great Clans of my Great Yan Empire. You are both young people, so you should spend more time together in the future." Mo Jingtian's Tiger Eyes flashed as he gave Lin Langtian a surprised glance, then said with a light chuckle.

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

As everyone's gazes turned toward him, Lin Langtian raised his brow slightly, then calmly cupped his hands toward Ling Qingzhu.

Lin Langtian did not arrogantly assume that Ling Qingzhu's special attention meant she had fallen for him at first sight.

Who was Ling Qingzhu? Even across the entire Tianxuan Continent, she was one of heaven's favored daughters and the dream goddess of countless men. How could she possibly develop feelings for him at a glance?

Most likely, it had something to do with Spirit Aunt's Bloodline Link.

As the designated next Palace Master of the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace, Ling Qingzhu possessed an extraordinary identity. Perhaps she had discovered something from him.

At that thought, Lin Langtian became slightly wary.

Though he knew Ling Qingzhu to be a righteous person, she was also the Young Sect Master of a Super Sect. If she coveted the fortuitous encounter on him, that would be rather troublesome.

However, Lin Langtian was clearly overthinking things. Ling Qingzhu had indeed been startled by that terrifying Black Flame, but as the Young Palace Master of the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace, she had seen all manner of extraordinary things.

After softly repeating Lin Langtian's name in her heart, 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 top geniuses. You are indeed exceptional."

"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 invitation, she proceeded to meet each of the geniuses in the hall.

Seeing this, Lin Langtian frowned slightly. He could not determine whether Ling Qingzhu had truly noticed anything.

Spirit Aunt's existence was his greatest secret.

Shaking his head, Lin Langtian stopped dwelling on it. As a Nine Nether Flame Sparrow, Spirit Aunt could not possibly 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 a token from his robes and said with a light chuckle.

"Hehe, Qingzhu, as a disciple of a Super Sect, Old Man has nothing worthwhile to give you. There is an exquisite courtyard in the western part of the Imperial City, exclusive to the royal family. It is fully furnished and staffed with servants. Consider it a gift from your uncle."

With that, Mo Jingtian handed the royal token to Ling Qingzhu.

At this, everyone present could not help but marvel that experience truly counted for something. As expected of the emperor of the Great Yan Empire, Mo Jingtian had handled the matter of social etiquette perfectly.

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

Ling Qingzhu accepted it with a radiant smile.

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

The emerald-green hairpin was crystal-clear, as if meticulously carved from jade. Yet the Energy Fluctuation it emitted proved that it was more than a mere ornament—it was a Spirit Treasure of no low grade.

"Miss Ling Qingzhu, this is a treasure of our Qin Clan, the Jade Flowing Cloud Hairpin. Not only is this hairpin exquisite, it can also store three strikes' worth of Yuan Power, making it useful at critical moments. It is a fine Earth-grade Spirit Treasure, and a gift from the Qin Clan to Miss Qingzhu upon our first meeting."

As soon as his words fell, a wave of startled exclamations swept through the Great Hall.

An Earth-grade Spirit Treasure?

Even for a Top Power like the Qin Clan of the Great Yan Empire, an Earth-grade Spirit Treasure was immensely valuable.

No one had expected the Qin Clan to pay such a tremendous price merely to Win Over a disciple of a Super Sect like Ling Qingzhu.

Unfortunately, things did not go as they wished. After Ling Qingzhu accepted the Earth-grade Spirit Treasure hairpin, she merely offered a faint word of thanks, displaying no particular reaction.

At this sight, Qin Shi was taken aback, and a trace of disappointment soon flashed across his face.

He had originally hoped to use this to win Ling Qingzhu's favor, but it seemed that she truly was an aloof fairy untouched by the dust of the mortal world...

People's joys and sorrows were never the same. While Qin Shi was despondent, the other geniuses eagerly stepped forward one after another, presenting their own gifts.

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

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

Unfortunately, although these items were precious, not a single one caused any change in Ling Qingzhu's expression.

Though everyone present had been mentally prepared, they could not help but feel a trace of disappointment.

After all, if they could build goodwill with Ling Qingzhu, they might even have a chance to join one of those legendary Super Sects directly...

Just as the gift-giving was about to come to an end, a Youth in Ink-colored Clothes suddenly looked toward a corner. Deeply concealed resentment flashed through his eyes before he spoke.

"Brother Langtian, where is your meeting gift?"

The moment these words were spoken, everyone turned to look at Lin Langtian in the corner.

They had all been too disappointed by the failure of their own gifts to notice that Lin Langtian, in the corner, had yet to take out his own present.

Hearing this, Lin Langtian was also startled, and then his brows furrowed slightly.

Naturally, he had no meeting gift.

After all, he had intended to pocket the five hundred thousand Pure Yuan Pills that Clan Leader Lin Fan had given him. He had hidden in the corner precisely to muddle through the gift-giving, yet who would have thought that someone would call him out?

With that thought, Lin Langtian looked toward the Youth in Ink-colored Clothes.

He was no stranger to this man. He was Huangpu Ying, the strongest Genius of the Huangpu Family's Young Generation.

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

As he pondered this, Lin Langtian suddenly noticed the intense passion in Huangpu Ying's gaze as he looked at Ling Qingzhu.

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

He remembered that after Lin Dong and Ling Qingzhu developed a bond in the Original Timeline, Huangpu Ying had become dissatisfied with Lin Dong.

Though this man was one of Ling Qingzhu's admirers and pursuers, his strength was clearly lacking. He would be defeated by Lin Dong in the Seed Selection tournament a few years later.

And Ling Qingzhu's special attention toward Lin Langtian just now had clearly caught this man's notice, causing him to bear a grudge against Lin Langtian.

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

However, seeing everyone looking at him—and even a hint 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 valuable, she likely would not think much of it. But giving a gift and not giving one were two entirely different matters.

Leaving everything else aside, 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 planned to embezzle the five hundred thousand Pure Yuan Pills from the start, could he?

"Brother Langtian, what is it? Could it be that you didn't prepare anything?" Huangpu Ying raised a brow and chuckled.

Yet beneath that smile was a trace of ill intent.

Lin Ke'er and Lin Chen, standing beside Lin Langtian, also looked at him with some 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 Over Ling Qingzhu and make her think more favorably 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 at Lin Langtian in surprise.

The gift-giving itself was optional, a matter of appearances. None of them believed that this alone could forge a deep friendship with Ling Qingzhu or the Super Sect behind her.

But the proper etiquette still had to be observed.

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

If she bore a grudge over some minor mistake and caused them to lose even their qualifications to participate in the Hundred Dynasties War, the losses would be enormous.

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

Ling Qingzhu's Beautiful Eyes also slowly turned toward the Green Shirt Man before her. She, too, was deeply curious about this man who had stirred such unusual ripples within her heart.

"Hehe, Langtian, if you haven't prepared a gift, then I shall give you one, and you can present it to my niece Qingzhu afterward. How about that?"

Seeing this, Mo Jingtian stepped in at just the right moment to smooth things over.

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

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

"Thank you, Your Majesty, but I had naturally prepared a gift. It is simply somewhat unusual." Lin Langtian lightly smiled as he politely declined.

If Lin Fan found out that not only had he failed to prepare a gift, but he even owed the imperial family a favor, he would probably strip him of the Law Enforcement Elder position he had only just obtained.

"Oh? How is it unusual?" Huangpu Jing, the silver-haired woman beside Ling Qingzhu, raised her delicate brows.

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

Seeing this, Lin Langtian sighed inwardly. Yet after a brief moment, 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 he needed for the upcoming auction, but giving Pure Yuan Pills directly would probably 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 that mutated Golden Spirit Wheel Realm artifact might catch Ling Qingzhu's eye.

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

He had yet to figure out all of the Golden Spirit Wheel Realm's uses. What if it turned out to be some supreme treasure? Wouldn't that be a huge loss?

After considering it over and over, Lin Langtian cupped his hands toward Ling Qingzhu and said, "Miss Qingzhu, as a disciple of a Super Sect, I presume you do not think much of the treasures of the Great Yan Empire. Therefore, I have decided.

"The gift I will give Miss Qingzhu is a promise. Should Miss Qingzhu ever require my assistance, so long as it is within my abilities and does not violate my principles—

"Even if I must cross a sea of blades and fires, I, Lin Langtian, will certainly do everything in my power to help!"