"I couldn't help myself! No, he's slandering me! He's slandering me! Listen to my explanation. I was just stunned!"
Coming to his senses, the young man cried out. This was no time to dwell on who the other man was; he had something far more important to explain. As Lin Yue strolled leisurely onward, the others pushed him along too.
His explanation only made everyone laugh harder.
"Yes, yes, having such a closely guarded secret exposed would probably stun me too! We all understand."
Phoenix Maiden teased him again.
"Come on, come on! The gathering comes first!"
The young woman holding the qilin cub was laughing as well. She gave the young man a shove, denying him any chance to explain.
The young man was pushed along, wanting to cry but unable to shed a tear.
Meanwhile, he wondered just who Lin Yue was. This era was clearly different from his own, and the two of them had never met. Why did the other man know his embarrassing past so well?
As time passed, the young man kept close behind Lin Yue. Countless times, he wanted to approach him and ask about his origins, only to stop himself.
"We're here!"
One of the prodigies cried out in amazement.
"That's right. Ahead lies the South Sea Purple Bamboo Forest, the residence of a mighty elder and a cultivation sanctuary famed throughout the world. This gathering will be held here."
Phoenix Maiden spoke as well.
Passing through the Purple Bamboo Forest, the young talents flew onto a floating island, divine radiance swirling around them.
Table after table had already been laid out on the floating island. Intelligent exotic beasts poured wine and arranged dishes. Immortal birds wheeled overhead amid celestial music, and the Great Dao manifested around them.
Cultivators from various races