Ten Thousand Sects Pay Court, Old Acquaintances Reunite

Sword Sect, amidst ruins and rubble.

Several powerful elders from the Upper Realm, dressed in cyan sword robes, stood with their hands behind their backs, gazing in the direction of Storm Mountain.

"Storm Mountain... Alliance Ceremony?"

The leader, a ninth-level Soul Formation Ninth Layer elder, flashed a hint of disdain in his eyes.

"Just a bunch of rabble!"

"However..." another elder pondered, "That ancestor from the Upper Realm of Storm Mountain is said to be about to break through to the Nascent Body Integration. If we don't show him respect now, I'm afraid things might get worse later..."

"Hmph! Fine!"

The elder in charge snorted coldly, "Then send two people to check it out! Consider it... giving that old devil some face!"

Exquisite Grotto-Heaven, a palace of jade and jewels.

Lin Qingyao stood quietly behind a middle-aged man with a refined and scholarly demeanor. This man was none other than the Soul Formation elder of the Lin Family, the backer of Exquisite Grotto-Heaven in the Upper Realm.

"Qingyao," the middle-aged man said with a smile, looking at the invitation in his hand, "This grand ceremony is sure to be very lively. Why don't you come with me and take a look?"

"Yes, Grand Uncle." Lin Qingyao nodded obediently.

But involuntarily, the image of the boy she had met briefly at the Martial Dao University surfaced in her mind.

I wonder... how is he now?

Of course, although Lin Qingyao thought Dongfang Yueming was quite talented, the lowest level of forces invited to this ceremony were at least at the first level, and most of the cultivators who could attend were at least at the Foundation Establishment.

How could Dongfang Yueming, a mere martial artist from the small Great Xia Dynasty, be qualified to participate?

Storm Mountain is bustling with activity today!

Countless colorful flags fluttered in the wind; thunderous drum music resounded through the sky!

The disciples, dressed in the attire of Storm Mountain and Purple Thunder Sect, stood tall and proud, their faces filled with pride and self-satisfaction.

"Look! That's the leader of the ' Iron Fist Sect '!"

"And the Valley Master of ' Flying Cloud Valley '!"

"My God! Those are... people from the Sword Sect?!"

With cries of alarm, terrifying sword lights tore through the sky and descended before the gates of Storm Mountain!

Leading the group was none other than a Soul Formation elder from the Upper Realm Sword Sect!

Behind him followed several personal disciples, all of whom had reached the Late-Stage Nascent Soul stage!

That fierce and unparalleled sword intent made everyone present feel a chill run down their spines!

Welcome, fellow Daoist from the Sword Sect!

Feng Xiaotian personally came out to greet him, his face beaming with smiles.

Immediately afterwards.

"We've arrived at the Exquisite Grotto-Heaven!"

The Soul Formation elder from the Lin Family arrived gracefully, accompanied by Lin Qingyao.

Lin Qingyao's ethereal and otherworldly temperament instantly attracted the attention of countless people.

But she didn't pay any attention, and simply searched silently for something in the crowd.

"The Water and Fire Sect has arrived!"

Shui Qingrou and Shui Yan'er arrive together!

One woman was mature and charming, while the other was lively and agile; each had her own unique charm, and they instantly became the focus of the entire event!

"Tsk tsk, so these are the Sect Master and Holy Maiden of the Water and Fire Sect? They truly live up to their reputation!"

Shui Yan'er had no time to pay attention to any of this; she stood on tiptoe, anxiously peering around.

[That bastard... why hasn't he arrived yet?]

Just as everyone was discussing it...

"Love Palace Arrives!"

A melody, seemingly emanating from the heavens, drifted gently into the air.

A magnificent flying boat, pulled by nine blue phoenixes, slowly descended.

Love Palace Master Li Hanyi, accompanied by Li Hongxiu and Li Qingyue, slowly descended the steps.

"Hiss--!"

A collective gasp filled the room!

"So... so beautiful!"

"Are these the Twin Beauties of the Love Palace? They're simply... fairies descended to earth!"

Feng Wuhen, the young master of Storm Mountain, was so astonished that his eyes almost popped out of his head! He quickly straightened his clothes and hurried forward, his face full of ingratiating smiles.

"Fairy Hongxiu Sleeves, Fairy Qingyue, you've finally arrived!"

With the arrival of various forces, the entire square was already packed.

However, amidst this bustling noise, some people astutely noticed a problem.

"Hey? Have you guys noticed... there seems to be one person missing?"

Who is it?

"Martial Sect Master! That Martial Sect who's been making waves lately! Why haven't they arrived yet?"

Upon hearing this, the entire room fell silent instantly.

Everyone's gaze involuntarily turned to the only road leading to the mountain gate...

"They're here! They're here!"

"They're from the Martial Sect!"

With a commotion, two figures slowly appeared in everyone's sight.

Indeed, it was Dongfang Yueming and Qin Rushuang.

However, unlike the grand and elaborate ceremonies at those holy sites, the two of them walked in calmly, as if they were just attending an ordinary gathering.

"Tch! That's it?"

"Not even a mount? That's so shabby!"

The disciples of Storm Mountain wore undisguised disdain on their faces.

Feng Wuhen sneered and casually pointed to the far corner of the square, a spot near the garbage heap, and instructed a disciple, "Go, take them to sit over there."

"Yes!"

The disciple stepped forward with a wicked grin and said in a condescending tone, "Please, gentlemen! This is a seat of honor specially reserved for your ' Martial Sect ' by our sect leader!"

Upon hearing this, Qin Rushuang's pretty face turned cold.

However, when you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head.

She was worried that Dongfang Yueming, being hot-blooded, might want to fight with the other party.

But Dongfang Yueming merely glanced at that spot indifferently, his expression calm.

It's alright.

He took Qin Rushuang's hand and slowly walked over.

They're just a bunch of ants, why bother arguing with them?

[It's good to be polite, after all, I still need to borrow their cultivation techniques to see them after the ceremony.]

However, just as he passed the seats in the Love Palace.

"Fairy Hongxiu Sleeves, look at this..."

Feng Wuhen was fawning over Li Hongxiu, trying to strike up a conversation.

"Hongxiu?"

Dongfang Yueming paused, and subconsciously looked over.

Their eyes met.

"Boom--!"

The teacup in Li Hongxiu's hand trembled suddenly, spilling tea all over her, but she didn't even notice!

She stared blankly at the figure she had longed for day and night, her eyes instantly welling up with tears!

It's... it's him!

He... really came!

Their eyes met in the air, as if traversing thousands of mountains and rivers, transcending life and death.

"What's wrong?" Qin Rushuang keenly sensed the strangeness between the two and followed Dongfang Yueming's gaze, her heart immediately sounding alarm bells!

[Another... stunning beauty?!]

[And... judging from that look in his eyes, he's clearly... an old flame!]

A strong sour feeling instantly welled up in my heart!

"She is... an old friend from my time in the Great Xia Dynasty," Dongfang Yueming explained softly.

"An old friend?" Qin Rushuang pursed her lips and muttered softly, "I think it's... a lover?"

Meanwhile, Li Qingyue also noticed her sister's loss of composure.

She followed her sister's gaze, and when she saw the figure in green, a hint of surprise flashed in her beautiful eyes!

[Dongfang Ri?!]

[Wait, could he be that... mortal martial artist who came from the Great Xia Dynasty?!]

But... he actually... he's already reached the Golden Core?!

[This... how is this possible?!]

Li Hanyi, the Palace Master of the Love Palace, also observed the two with great interest.

Her gaze lingered on Qin Rushuang for a moment, a hint of admiration flashing in her eyes.

[At such a young age, she has already Nascent Soul; this woman... Bufan.]

However, when her gaze fell on Dongfang Yueming, she couldn't help but pause slightly in surprise.

[strangeness...]

Why... can't I see through him?!

Just then!

Feng Wuhen, who had been keeping a close eye on Li Hongxiu, finally noticed something was wrong!

Looking at Li Hongxiu's dejected appearance, and then at the "poor boy" in the corner, a fierce fire of jealousy instantly ignited in his eyes!

"Fairy," he said, his face grim, pointing at Dongfang Yueming, and asked in an unfriendly tone, "You... know that good-for-nothing?"