Chen Ruoling chatted idly with Xu Qingtong for a while before finally remembering why she had come to see him.
"Qingtong, among the guests who came to observe the ceremonies, there's someone you know!"
Xu Qingtong froze, then asked in puzzlement, "Who?"
"Your old flame, Dongfang Hui of the Jade Sound Pavilion!"
"Ahem! Sis, mind what you say. Duoduo is still a child!"
Duoduo smiled with pursed lips and said, "What are you talking about? I don't understand!"
Xu Qingtong said, "I heard her master confined her after she returned from the Wuji Sect. How could she have come here?"
"Who knows! The people receiving the guests said she came with Fairy Yuqi!"
Xu Qingtong frowned and fell into thought. A moment later, he asked, "Does Siwen know about this?"
"She already knows!" Chen Ruoling said.
"Aunt Siwen-oh, no, Mistress-asked me to tell you to be careful. That Dongfang Hui might cause trouble!" Duoduo said.
"Since she has severed her attachments, she shouldn't have any further entanglements with me!" Xu Qingtong murmured. "No, wait! When you go back, remind Siwen that Dongfang Hui might be coming for her!"
Two days later, a festive atmosphere filled Juxian Academy. Lanterns and colorful decorations hung everywhere, brimming with joy.
The Martial Arts Arena, in particular, had been freshly decorated. Bright red silk encircled the arena, and striking "double happiness" characters adorned the red lanterns.
On the viewing platform of the Martial Arts Arena, Zhong Ziqing sat upright in the center. To his right were Lü Wenqiu, Xiao Yi of the Wuji Sect, and Yin Wanchou of the Profound Yin Church; to his left were Luo Yichen of the Anyang Sect, Nalan Xue of the Jade Sound Pavilion, and Tianji Zi of the Heavenly Mystery Palace.
Farther out on either side sat the sect