Having successfully refined the bamboo flute, Xu Ziqing was delighted and just about to share his joy with his senior brother when he saw Yun Lie looking in another direction. He followed his gaze.
Beneath the deep shade stood two women side by side. One wore yellow and had gentle eyes; the other was wrapped in black robes and seemed as cold as frost and snow. With their graceful bearing, they looked ready to ride the wind away.
Xu Ziqing, however, felt no inclination to admire their beauty. All he could think was that they must have witnessed how he and his senior brother had refined the flute together.
A little displeasure rose in his heart. Ruyi Immortal Estate was renowned far and wide, yet two of its Ruyi Envoys had secretly watched them. Even if they meant no harm, it was still improper. Common courtesy would have demanded that they withdraw.
He thought, on one hand, of how completely he and his senior brother had concentrated on the refinement. Being observed in such circumstances was dangerous. On the other, though the Bitter Bamboo’s surviving bloodline was rare, a few records of it did exist. Xu Ziqing had failed to recognize it only because the possibility had never occurred to him. These two women were both Golden Core Perfected Ones with broad experience. What if they recognized the bamboo and trouble followed?
The more he considered it, the more tangled his thoughts became.
Once the women realized they had been noticed, they did not leave. Instead, they approached.
Rui Rou wore a smile as she said softly, “We saw that you were refining an artifact and ought to have withdrawn. But the birthday banquet is about to begin, and we must arrange the seating, so we had no choice but to wait here. We hope you gentlemen will forgive us.”
After an explanation like that, it was difficult to take offense.
Of course, it was probably three parts truth and seven parts fabrication. Greeting guests was one thing, but why would two Golden Core Perfected Ones have to wait here personally? Even as the leader of the Wuling Immortal Sect’s delegation, Yun Lie did not necessarily merit such elaborate treatment.
More likely, they had wanted to observe his senior brother.
Xu Ziqing’s brows drew together, then relaxed. He glanced at Yun Lie and, seeing his senior brother utterly unmoved, settled his own thoughts and let go of his earlier worries.
It was not his place to speak now. He merely smiled and remained silent.
Yun Lie said, “Our fellow disciples are still at the Guest Residence. We must return there first.”
Rui Rou smiled faintly. “There isn’t much time left. Eldest Senior Sister and I will accompany you.”
Yun Lie inclined his head slightly and took the lead. “Ziqing, let’s go.”
Hearing his senior brother call him so suddenly, Xu Ziqing paused for an instant before hurrying after him. “Yes, Senior Brother.”
The two men walked in front. Perhaps Rui Rou and the black-robed woman knew they had breached propriety earlier, for they did not follow closely. Instead, they kept roughly a zhang’s distance behind them.
Meanwhile, the women conversed through their spiritual senses.
“Eldest Senior Sister, what do you think of Yun Lie?”
“His potential is considerable. His future is difficult to predict.”
“It’s rare to hear you praise someone so highly. If Master knew, she would surely be delighted.”
“Everyone I’ve encountered before was merely chasing an undeserved reputation. Praising them would have dirtied my mouth!”
Rui Rou laughed softly at that, her eyes shimmering with particular charm. “Yes, yes. Eldest Senior Sister is the very model of uprightness. I couldn’t admire you more.”
The black-robed woman’s expression chilled. “Such a glib tongue! Don’t learn the frivolous ways of the Pure Maiden Envoys!”
Rui Rou apologized several times, then changed the subject and transmitted another message.
“Eldest Senior Sister, I assume you already know what Master intends this time…”
“What Mother said is absurd. Are the dignified disciples of our Ruyi Immortal Estate supposed to submit to being picked over like goods? It’s outrageous!”
“It’s hardly a matter of letting others choose us. We will first inspect the candidates ourselves. In the end, doesn’t the decision still rest in our sisters’ hands? It may not be a bad arrangement.”
The black-robed woman’s features were cold, with a trace of killing intent about her brows and eyes. “If anyone refuses to submit, simply blast them to death. This situation may well have arisen because Mother has been too softhearted.”
Rui Rou smiled bitterly. “Times have changed. If things continue as they are, by the next ten thousand years our Jade Maiden faction may lose control of the estate altogether…”
At last, the black-robed woman sighed. “Enough. I know where to draw the line. You needn’t persuade me further.”
Rui Rou shook her head lightly and ceased transmitting.
By then Xu Ziqing and Yun Lie had reached the Guest Residence.
A party of people was just emerging. They were the Wuling Immortal Sect disciples, who had been informed that it was time to attend the banquet and had come out expressly to meet the two of them.
No further explanation was needed. The disciples were dressed in bright, elegant clothes without being excessively showy, displaying the bearing of a distinguished sect.
Leading them was the courteous gentleman who served as the deputy for this journey, Ou Mubai of Tianwu Peak. Seeing Yun Lie, he joined the others in bowing and calling, “Eldest Senior Brother.”
Yun Lie nodded slightly. “Two Ruyi Envoys have come to lead the way. Go and pay your respects.”
Ou Mubai and the others had already seen the two tall women approaching gracefully from behind. They went over to exchange greetings and courtesies.
The black-robed woman had a stern, forbidding air. Even a slight movement of her brows carried an oppressive dignity. As she stood there without speaking, she rather resembled Yun Lie in the impression she gave.
Facing the group, she merely nodded coldly. “Mu Ronghua.”
Everyone understood that temperaments differed and took no offense. They simply clasped their hands in greeting.
Rui Rou smiled gently. “Everyone, please follow us.”
With that, she stepped forward and seemed to float several zhang away. Mu Ronghua’s figure flickered, and she moved alongside her.
For some reason, the two female cultivators employed the technique of Shrinking the Earth to an Inch as soon as they began walking.
This technique was exceedingly difficult to master and consumed enormous amounts of true essence, but it was also exceptionally ingenious. It could carry someone several li in a leisurely stroll, while more powerful cultivators could compress a thousand li into a few steps or traverse ten thousand li in the blink of an eye.
Rui Rou and Mu Ronghua walked without haste, their movements unhurried. Yet because they used this technique, they left everyone far behind in a single breath.
The Wuling Immortal Sect disciples were naturally proud, particularly the twelve Golden Core Perfected Ones, all exceptional geniuses specially selected by their sect. Accustomed to maintaining their dignity, how could they allow disciples from another school to steal the entire show? They immediately acted.
The promising Foundation Establishment and Essence Transformation cultivators had originally come along with familiar seniors from their own sect. Few among them could use a marvelous technique like Shrinking the Earth to an Inch. Thus the Perfected Ones each took care of the companions they knew.
Before Xu Ziqing had decided what to do, his wrist tightened as several long, slender fingers closed around it. A white sleeve stirred before his eyes. There could be no doubt that it was his senior brother.
He relaxed and made no attempt to resist. His feet seemed to lift from the ground, the surrounding scenery shifting as countless objects flashed past. Before long, he could see the backs of the two women ahead.
They soon passed through innumerable seas of flowers and gardens, until an extraordinarily spacious mountain tract appeared before them.
Countless strange rocks and steep peaks rose on either side. On the mountain stood an immense, magnificent palace. It looked like an immortal palace, yet the pressure emanating from it was so suffocating that it also resembled an abyss.
The female cultivators here were unlike those in the Wanlan Flower Realm outside. Their bearing and movements were noticeably more composed and solemn.
When they saw Rui Rou and Mu Ronghua arrive, they bowed and greeted them. “Greetings, Senior Sisters, Ruyi Envoys.”
Both women enjoyed considerable standing and were accustomed to such respect. They simply stopped. Rui Rou said, “Please enter.”
Several other women in magnificent clothes were also arriving, each guiding disciples from other sects. The entire process was orderly and without the least confusion.
The Wuling Immortal Sect disciples climbed the steps and entered the opulent palace.
The interior was exceedingly spacious. Innumerable tables and chairs stood to either side, subtle fragrances drifting through the air. Every furnishing was ingeniously designed and exquisitely crafted, while the palace’s construction itself seemed almost beyond human skill.
Within the great hall rose many tiers of steps. A female cultivator stood upon each tier, the higher positions occupied by those with greater cultivation.
At the center, embraced by those countless steps, stood a lofty throne. Its overwhelming dignity made it seem unattainable even from afar, inspiring reverence at a glance.
Many cultivators were already seated amid the rustle of fine garments and the fragrance of perfumed hair. Their positions, however, depended upon personal standing and the status of their respective sects.
The Wuling Immortal Sect was a second-grade immortal sect, one of the foremost powers in the entire Qingyun Great World. Its disciples were therefore entitled to exceptionally attentive hospitality when visiting a third-grade sect.
After entering, Mu Ronghua took her leave of the disciples and headed deeper into the palace. Rui Rou remained smiling and continued to guide them.
Following her, the Wuling Immortal Sect delegation arrived at seats fairly close to the steps. Twelve low tables had been prepared there, one for each of the twelve Perfected Ones taking part in this visit.
As leader, Yun Lie naturally sat behind the first table. Xu Ziqing had accompanied him, so he sat with him. The remaining Golden Core Perfected Ones took their own places, each sheltering those they had brought under their protection.
These young cultivators were only beginning to make their mark and had come to broaden their horizons. They could not simply be seated far behind and exposed to humiliation or harm while still weak.
Many beautiful women moved between the seats. Each time they led a group in, more cultivators took their places. The seamless arrangements demonstrated Ruyi Immortal Estate’s considerable foundations and the experience of its disciples.
Gradually hundreds of seats filled. A few guests even shared seats in small groups ahead of the sect delegations, something that could be surprising at first glance.
Some of those cultivators possessed an unfathomable bearing, like the eye of a storm. Even with their pressure restrained, they inspired dread. Several were actually Nascent Soul Ancestors!
Those who had been displeased to find obscure rogue cultivators seated ahead of them fell silent upon recognizing these ancestors. Sect standing certainly mattered, but the power and dignity of a Nascent Soul Ancestor amply justified such seating.
More and more people entered the hall. Numerous female cultivators flitted about like butterflies among flowers, placing fresh blooms, spiritual fruit, fine nectar and wine on the low tables as refreshments before the banquet.
Still more women streamed inside, taking their places below the steps on either side. By the time every guest had arrived, the low tables were covered with precious wine. The women who had been busy serving returned to stand among their fellow disciples. Apart from the guests chatting among themselves, the hall was not particularly noisy.
Just then, an incomparably powerful presence enveloped the entire palace. A woman’s voice suddenly sounded, silencing everyone.
“The Estate Mistress has arrived.”