The Grand Finale

After the sound of the flute, a tall figure, whose presence reached the clouds, appeared in the center of the square.

This was a middle-aged Daoist priest wearing a Crimson Flame Cloak with a Snow Wolf Fur Collar, carrying a three-foot jade flute at his waist.

His features were sculpted, elegant yet imposing, like a blend of ice and fire, perfectly matching the snowy landscape and the Flame Platform.

Master Chun Xiao was the Sect Master appointed by the Dao Alliance after the Sect-State War twenty years ago.

Because of this, the Elders didn't think highly of him.

Furthermore, his mandatory order for the Elders to attend the Sect Tour Ceremony meant none of them greeted him.

Except for True Person Zhe Hui, who had grown old with resentment born of love.

She slightly bowed to Master Chun Xiao, her eyes full of affection, her charm overflowing.

"I'm just reminding Senior Brother, lest you be bewitched by a vixen and ruin important matters."

The "vixen" True Person Zhe Hui referred to wasn't meant in a biological sense.

A vixen?

Master Chun Xiao's expression stiffened.

Not even a vixen would tempt him...

He pressed his hand to the jade flute, barely resisting the urge to play.

He simply said calmly:

"Trust Junior Sister Jade Pot. She must have her reasons."

Having been overshadowed within the sect, True Person Zhe Hui already had significant issues with Elder Yuhu.

Seeing Master Chun Xiao still protecting Jade Pot now made her even more furious.

"Is it because of the legendary Demon-Monster Fusion?"

It's worth noting that the Dao Alliance didn't forbid discussion of a dangerous topic like Demon-Monster Fusion because, like Turning Stone into Gold, it was considered impossible.

Legends were just legends after all.

Junior Sister Zhe Hui was clearly trying to stir up trouble.

Master Chun Xiao stood with his hands behind his back, his imposing gaze suddenly becoming distant and profound.

"Aren't we cultivators precisely the fusion of demons and monsters?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire audience fell silent.

Despite it being a metaphor, such rebellious words still scared the Elders into not daring to respond.

After a long time.

Only then did a sentence drift down from the sky—

"You can't just say things like that."

Everyone looked up.

A Dao Alliance Immortal Boat, dark all over and marked with the Sword Cloud Insignia, slowly sailed from the east.

Accompanying it was a Royal Traveling Palace from the Xiahou Dynasty—

A Flying Horse Immortal Carriage pulled by flying horses.

And the Sect Masters or Elders from several other small sects in the Cambrian Kingdom, all arriving on Sword Riding as a courtesy.

Seeing this, the old master of ceremonies took out several more VIP seats from his Storage Bag.

Standing tall like a pine, he shouted with cadence:

"Welcome, Sect Overseer!"

"Welcome, Princess Fei Yue!"

"Welcome, Sect Master Ma, Elder Chen..."

After the guests landed, Sect Master Chun Xiao slightly cupped his fist towards the arrivals and respectfully said:

"Princess, Sect Overseer, Sect Master Ma, Elder Chen... Your presence at our Humble Sect brings us great honor."

Sect Overseer Qi Shan, wearing a Sword Cloud black robe, was tall and slightly plump with a short beard, exuding a powerful aura.

The Dao Alliance had always advocated for freedom of speech, but the joke about demons and monsters fusing into humans was still going too far.

"Just call me Sect Supervisor. If you don't have a heart that reveres the Dao Alliance, there's no need to add 'Overseer' for me."

Master Chun Xiao was older than Qi Shan, and his peak Nascent Soul cultivation far surpassed Qi Shan's early Nascent Soul, so he didn't show Qi Shan much respect.

"Has the Sect Overseer forgotten that this Venerable One grew up in True Origin City?"

Qi Shan, with his not-so-round belly, could only rely on his official authority to pressure him.

"It's best that Sect Master Chun remembers that point."

Princess Fei Yue, who had been listening nearby, then bowed in return to Master Chun Xiao and said:

"Sect Master Chun is too polite."

Despite still wearing a simple, maid-like pink long dress, Princess Fei Yue had completely shed her usual playful demeanor. She was now noble, graceful, and refined, truly embodying the air of a princess.

This created a stark contrast with the two actual maids beside her.

When she was serious, Princess Fei Yue was quite adept at handling situations.

"If it is truly as Sect Master Chun says, that cultivators are originally fusions of demons and monsters, then demons and monsters are nothing to fear, and the Dao Alliance will endure forever."

After speaking, the princess smiled and asked Qi Shan, "Am I right, Sect Overseer?"

This single sentence turned Qi Shan's face ashen. He snorted coldly and said, "I thought Xiahou Jing sent you here to crash the wedding night."

Xiahou Jing is the current emperor of the Cambrian Kingdom. He is currently in a semi-retired state, with the First Prince, Xiahou Yuan, handling state affairs on his behalf.

Facing Qi Shan's obvious sarcasm, Princess Fei Yue retorted, "I heard the bride and groom are chilling every night and are practically expecting a child already. How could it possibly be my turn to crash anything?"

This wave… this wave was a group attack!

Both Master Chun Xiao and Qi Shan's faces turned black as ink.

The surrounding disciples and Core Disciples felt jealous in their hearts, but couldn't help but snicker.

Everyone said Princess Fei Yue was obsessed with fun, but who knew she was also sharp-tongued and a master of cutting remarks.

The host, Master Chun Xiao, with a dark expression, said, "Everyone, please take your seats!"

The old officiant then announced—

"Please welcome the newcomers!"

At the sect gate.

Led by an old female officiant.

Master Yuhu, the Onmyoji, and Mu Yun, as well as the Laborer Dao Companion Xiao Bai, walked step by step from the long stairs of the sect gate, slowly approaching the plaza.

The "newcomer" specifically referred to Xiao Bai.

The purpose of the New Dao Companion Sect Tour Ceremony was mainly to let the important Elders, Instructors, and disciples within the sect get to know Xiao Bai, the newcomer, so they wouldn't fail to recognize him later.

Besides getting to know him, there was also the matter of acceptance.

When they first heard that the Pill Elder was taking a Laborer disciple as a Dao Companion, were it not for the Sect Master's mandatory order, the Elders wouldn't have wanted to attend the Sect Tour Ceremony. Even if they attended, they wouldn't have given gifts.

The reasoning was simple: who would accept a Laborer with Fetal Breath cultivation?

Who had the leisure to indulge the Pill Elder's nonsense?

Everyone took their seats.

Beyond their line of sight, several spiritual pressures from the stone steps gradually approached...

Only Princess Fei Yue was visibly excited, her thoughts completely unrelated to Princess Mu Yun, whom she hadn't seen in years.

"I'm so looking forward to this!"

A moment later.

The old female officiant, with a solemn expression, slowly appeared at the edge of the plaza.

Following her was a petite girl dressed as a Dao child... Princess Mu Yun.

And a frail, effeminate man with squinting eyes, the Onmyoji.

Two Core Disciples stood on either side, respectfully welcoming their Master behind them.

Master Yuhu, as cool and clear as snow falling on a calm lake, as exquisite as an ethereal painting, immediately captured everyone's attention the moment she appeared.

The Pill Elder, who hadn't shown herself in a long time, subtly had a bit more feminine charm in her brows.

This left the male disciples, Deacons, and Elders utterly amazed and envious, almost to the point of wanting to kill.

Finally, the one who was last to appear, the one who had been mentally sliced and diced countless times in everyone's dreams, the Fetal Breath Realm pretty boy Laborer...

However, before they even saw Xiao Bai, everyone sensed a subtle, yet undeniable, spiritual pressure.

—Qi Refining!

The entire place was stunned.