"I am Meng Xunqing. By the orders of my master and Empress Island, I shall devote myself fully to serving and protecting the sovereign of Great Huan. The other elders and attendants will all be stationed outside the square. Please rest assured!"
Just as Patriarch Cloudsplitter and the others were about to leave to entertain the cultivators from the various factions, a group of beautiful women arrived at the Heaven-Supporting Army's cordon along the edge of the square. Meng Xunqing, one of the Eight Immortals, whose beauty was almost dreamlike, slowly stepped forward and bowed to the people of Nine-Dragon Island as she explained.
The people of Nine-Dragon Island froze. The expressions of Patriarch Cloudsplitter and the others formerly of the Black Tower Tribe shifted slightly, but Guihai Canglan was the first to offer a courteous greeting. "So it is Fairy Meng and our honored guests from Empress Island. Thank you for your island's generous aid in our hour of need!"
"It was only our duty. There is no need to mention it!"
Meng Xunqing returned the bow with exquisite grace and replied. As she spoke, however, she stepped onto the lotus platform and came to stand beside Xiao Ying, who had remained proudly upright like a statue.
The people of Nine-Dragon Island seemed about to speak, then stopped. In the end, none of them tried to prevent Meng Xunqing from speaking or acting.
After all, everyone had witnessed Empress Island's assistance during the founding ceremony. Even the Blue Sky Empress had personally intervened twice, while Demon Emperor Lingjing had helped hold another emperor in check. This was tantamount to openly laying out their chariots and horses in support of Nine-Dragon Island, a tremendous kindness indeed. Moreover, Meng Xunqing's cultivation was plain for all to see, and she had explicitly