Birds perched on him without the slightest fear, chirping away as usual.
Zhang Tianling was pricking up his ears, listening to the birds' melodious conversation.
Suddenly, a loud call rang out in the distance.
"Senior Brother Tianling, so this is where you were!"
The shout startled the birds, and they flapped their wings and scattered.
The sheep and fawns grazing nearby instinctively turned their heads as well.
Seeing the graceful figure hurrying toward them from afar, they turned back to enjoy the scenery.
Gongsun Fu rushed up to Zhang Tianling, her face burning with anxiety. "Senior Brother Tianling, the Grand Luotian Offering has already begun! Why are you still loafing around here?"
"Guests from across the Kunlun Continent and all the other planes have gathered here. You're the alliance leader, yet you still haven't shown your face! What are you thinking? Come with me!"
Zhang Tianling gave a lazy yawn and grinned. "Junior Sister Fu, it's not as though you don't know my temperament."
"I've never had any interest in all that incense-burning, prayer-reciting red tape."
"Besides, I stewed an old softshell turtle last night and drank three taels of aged wine."
"I haven't fasted or abstained from meat. According to the rules, I can't attend the Grand Luotian Offering."
"You..."
Gongsun Fu was torn between exasperation and amusement, utterly helpless against her willful senior brother.
Just as she stood at a loss, a chuckling, teasing voice came from afar.
"Alliance Leader Tianling truly is free-spirited and unfettered by nature. Your reputation is well deserved!"
Gongsun Fu turned to look.
An old man in white robes, with the bearing of an immortal sage, approached with a smiling young man behind him.
It was her grandfather, Gongsun Qian, walking over with Lin Mo.
"Grandfather, look at Senior Brother Tianling..."
Her face