Strange Incense Competes in Splendor, Common Incense Draws the Eye, Madam Enters the Hall, Only an Inch Away!

When everyone heard this, they turned to look. Seeing that Gu Nianjun was strikingly beautiful, her purple skirt fluttering and her bearing extraordinary, their hearts stirred as one. They all thought, This temple fair truly has clouds gathering from all eight directions. Such a beautiful woman has come to attend! If I display some brilliance, I will surely win her favor!

Li Xian followed the sound and looked over, spotting Gu Nianjun, Zhou Shijie, and Li Xiaofan. A faint joy rose in his heart; he had not expected to see his younger brother here. He examined him closely and saw that his younger brother's appearance had changed, gradually shedding the childishness of youth and gaining several traces of handsome maturity. He felt even more keenly that time flowed on and all things had changed.

Wang Dezhong of the Jiushan Sword Sect was flushed red with excitement, unable to hide his pride and delight. His expression soared with confidence as he struck up a conversation with Gu Nianjun. Gu Nianjun smiled sweetly and gracefully, never losing her manners. They exchanged names, and she met Zhou Shijie and Li Xiaofan one by one.

They were roughly the same age, all hailed from great sects, and all possessed exceptional talent and aptitude. They secretly admired one another, and naturally began chatting together.

Gu Nianjun asked, "May I ask what relationship this hero has with Senior Wang Shulong?"

Wang Dezhong said, "Could it be that Miss Gu knows my father?" Gu Nianjun smiled. "No wonder this hero can wield the Ironheart Sword Art so impressively. You truly possess your father's bearing—like father, like son."

Wang Dezhong smiled. "You flatter me, you flatter me. These little tricks of mine are merely making a fool of myself."

Zhou Shijie said, "Brother Wang is too modest. This