Ji Shiyu stuck out her tongue. Such filth wasn’t worth fighting over.
“Don’t shout nonsense. I wouldn’t dare.”
Yun Liu glared at Ji Shiyu, then smiled.
“Hello, little one. I also wish to meet with Mr. Canghai. I wonder if Little Mr. Li Su could be lenient and let me in through the back door.”
Qin Xing also nodded.
Mr. Canghai was knowledgeable and might have a way, besides, the pavilion was filled with talented and eccentric people.
Enter through the… back door of Mr….?
Li Su made a face at Ji Shiyu. It sounded strange, but the title of ‘Little Mister’ was still quite satisfying.
“I’m not a little one.”
After some time apart, the girl’s mischievous nature had mellowed, making her even more radiant. She grumbled, then spoke politely.
“Of course, you may. Before leaving, Teacher had a feeling he would meet Mister again, and missed him very much. He even had me stroll through Shanhai Pavilion, but ended up running into him on the street instead.”
Li Su’s gaze swept over the group. All familiar faces.
All the outer sect disciples who had participated in the Five-Phase Trial had since advanced, joining the Five Peaks, clad in cloud-patterned sword robes, looking dignified yet somewhat ridiculous.
She hadn’t realized there was a Royal Princess among them, so she curiously glanced at the twins, then waved her small hand and ran ahead to lead the way.
“Follow me!”
The little alchemy child of Penglai Island was full of energy, running swiftly, forcing the Shenhua group to quicken their pace.
The Xicheng Immortal Mansion was built in the style of ancient sundial ruins, used to host honored guests.
Powers from all sides mingled, with members of the Demon Sect and righteous factions interacting with veiled intentions.
These imperial patrons outwardly pledged loyalty to the monarch, but behind the scenes conspired with feudal lords, seeking to overthrow the Jing Clan dynasty.
Only the Island Lords of Penghu Immortal Mountain and the archipelago did not belong to East Pole Province, making them exceptions.
At noon, several County Princes jointly held a banquet to welcome the Fangwai Immortal Masters, with all nobility present—except the Shenhua Sect, who were not among the invited.
Madam Jing Rui arrived late, softly apologizing. Her voluptuous figure was bold and revealing, drawing attention.
A few days earlier, she had rushed to Yudu and, that night, knelt and wept in penance before the throne, but was not granted an audience.
It was only later that everyone learned Her Highness the Princess Royal had also been aboard the wrecked treasure ship, making the incident far more serious.
Fortunately, Senior Sister Jing Tan’er was protected by the divine bird, arriving safely under the escort of Shenhua disciples, and, inexplicably, an extra companion had joined them.
Jing Rui was, after all, a royal relative.
The matter was downplayed, but the subtle implications remained.
Whether it was intentional or accidental, no one else could say.
Jing Rui smiled warmly as if nothing had happened, ignoring the various factions in the court and heading straight for the Radiant Light Sect’s seat, beside a Crane-Robed Immortal Elder.
Thus, the divisions were clear.
The southwestern sector of the Sundial Immortal Mansion was controlled by Black Crow, with Qingshan Sect also among the strongest there.
On the other side, the powerful families of various regions kept to themselves.
Foreign County Princes and feudal lords amassed private forces and hosted their own cultivator guests.
Many prominent clans remained neutral, unwilling to take sides until the situation became clearer—such as the wealthy Xiao Family of the southern territory.
It was said the clan leader was so heartbroken over losing a golden son-in-law that he paid no heed to royal strife, and an elderly, noble figure attended the Shengyu Festival in his stead.
“The King is old and blind to the fall of Shenhua Sect. Should a new king ascend, Radiant Light Sect will surely become the national religion, establishing the path of law and cultivation as orthodox.”
Jing Rui drew close to some old acquaintances, whispering and laughing slyly, using her usual tricks.
The unspoken message was clear: if she held power, the Sword Sect would not become the national religion. Her intent to win over Radiant Light Sect was obvious—it wasn’t the first time she’d tried.
Bai Yu watched nervously, pretending not to hear.
No wonder Shishu always lingered in the mortal realm, uninterested in returning to the sect.
This infamous, bewitching widow all but had the word “rebellion” written on her face.
Did she really think the Zhusheng Monarch was already dead?
Besides the promising disciples of the younger generation, the Radiant Light Sect’s delegation included Elder Redpine.
Eyes narrowed, he spoke with measured words, but his hand, hidden beneath the table, reassured his followers—a gesture of self-interest rather than loyalty.
“Madam, do not flatter us to death. One who eats the lord’s grain should share the lord’s burdens. Radiant Light Sect always stands under the Zhuwu Lieyu banner.”
Elder Redpine was no fool. He served whoever was the legitimate ruler of Zhusheng.
The royal surname mattered little; preserving the sect’s prosperity was what mattered most.
He did not meddle in worldly disputes, but neither did he refuse the embrace of power.
Jing Rui smiled silently, cursing the old bastard’s ancestors in her heart.
They welcomed dancing girls and gifts without complaint but shirked when real action was needed.
All hypocrites!
Originally, everything had been under control, and the Shengyu Festival was set to tip the scales—who could have predicted Yun Liu would appear midway, upending all her plans.
Now, not only had she failed to manipulate the little princess, but she was caught between these old lechers, with nowhere to shed her tears.
Sometimes, she even suspected that enigmatic youth was a high-ranking member of the righteous path, sent to test her loyalty.
Otherwise, how could he be so skilled at reversing mind-manipulation techniques?
If that list was submitted, wouldn’t she be declared a traitor…
Jing Rui’s face shifted between green and white as she irritably shook off the sticky hand of the Radiant Light Sect elder, her eyes filled with disgust.
Having failed her mission, she would face punishment even if she survived returning home.
The banquet was lively, but none were more popular than the Island Lord of Canghai, a distinguished guest and alchemist of Radiant Heaven Tower, with guests from all sides eagerly conversing.
“Shenhua Sect visitors have arrived.”
A maid quietly announced the arrival of guests, and murmurs of surprise spread throughout the hall.
“Oh? The Sword Sect is here as well. Invite them in!”
The Northern County Prince scanned the room, his smile strange.
Reactions varied.
The Shenhua Sect, its status as the national religion merely symbolic, was as frail as the ailing monarch.
Their uninvited presence promised interesting developments.
The first to dash in was a lively girl who rushed to her teacher’s side, speaking joyfully.
“Teacher, I have invited the Lord of the Pavilion!”
Mr. Canghai, who had been struggling to cope, finally relaxed.
At last, they had arrived.
He had refused so many beauties and treasures that his lips had gone dry, and Madam Black Crow’s seductive glances were simply unbearable.
“Mr. Yun Liu?”
“The newly appointed East Extreme Pavilion Master, a Heavenly Dao Alchemy Master!”
At these words, everyone present was moved, sitting up straight in anticipation, though curiosity lingered.
If the Chief Disciple of Tianxiang Peak had left the sect to seek new opportunities, why was he mingling with Shenhua Sect?
Not long after, several elegant young women entered quietly, their cloud-patterned robes representing the Five Peaks of Shenhua.
Among the cultivators of the Immortal Estates, the first recognized was the Clear Mist Peak Senior Sister—no surprise, as among the younger generation of Yun Manor, there were few Golden Core Sword Cultivators. Qin Xing was already a renowned powerhouse in East Pole Province.
The other female sword cultivators each had their own style and unique spirit, equally captivating.
The most eye-catching was the Falling Cloud Peak disciple, her twin golden ponytails and starry eyes dazzling to behold.
Then, among the Red-Clothed Girl and Golden-Clothed Girl stood a white-robed youth, serving quietly.
He must be the legendary Shanhai Pavilion steward—his lazy demeanor unremarkable, devoid of any spiritual aura.
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