Lingxiao Sect, Mountain Gate Plaza.
A hundred disciples stood in formation, their robes stirred by the wind, and not one dared whisper to another.
Everyone stared at the far end of the mountain path, where clouds and mist coiled, empty of all else.
Chen Tianhao stood in the center of the plaza.
Today, he had changed into bright white sword attire, worn a jade crown, and combed his hair neatly.
The voice of the Liuyun Peak Master rang out.
“Her Highness the Third Princess will soon arrive at the Mountain Gate. According to the Sect Master’s intention, matters concerning the reception of Her Highness this time will be led by Soaring Moon Peak, with our Liuyun Peak assisting.”
“Chen Tianhao.”
“Disciple is present.”
Chen Tianhao bowed, his movements meticulous.
“This opening Sword Dance will be yours. You must display the spirit of our sect’s younger generation.”
The Liuyun Peak Master’s gaze swept to the other side below the stage, where there were only two people in that line.
“Soaring Moon Peak’s side… lacks manpower. In the end, you will still have to hold up this spectacle.”
Soaring Moon Peak was the lineage of Elder Ling Qingxue.
There were only three people on the entire peak.
Aside from Elder Ling, who had not come, those present were the two disciples she had taken in three days ago, Lin Xiao and Xiao Luoyi.
Those words sounded grand and noble.
The princess had come because Elder Ling had taught her swordplay in a dream.
By rights, Soaring Moon Peak should have led everything.
But in reality, Ling Qingxue had merely tossed a sentence at the Sect Master.
“The way of the sword lies in the heart; empty rituals are useless.”
Then she did not come.
As for her two disciples…
One was a Qi Refining loser, and the other, though talented, had a somewhat solitary nature.
How could they receive the procession of the Third Princess of the Great Chu Immortal Dynasty?
“Disciple understands.”
Chen Tianhao spoke and accepted.
Just then, the mountain wind blew apart the clouds and mist, revealing two figures.
The young woman walking in front wore a sword robe, simple in style, her long hair pinned up with a single wooden hairpin.
Half a step behind, a green-robed maidservant followed.
No grand display and no extra attendants.
The two simply stepped onto the spirit stones, walking up to the plaza step by step.
The entire scene watched the two arrive in silence.
Chen Tianhao was stunned for a moment.
This was far too different from the expected grandeur of an Immortal Dynasty princess.
But he quickly reacted and immediately bowed.
“Chen Tianhao, true disciple of Liuyun Peak of the Lingxiao Sect, respectfully welcomes Her Highness the Princess.”
Chu Qingchen stopped.
Her gaze first swept over the Sect Master and elders atop the steps, and she performed a junior’s salute.
“Qingchen has come to Lingxiao Sect to exchange Sword Intent. If there is any disturbance, I hope the seniors will not mind.”
“Her Highness is too polite.”
The Sect Master stroked his beard and smiled.
“Her Highness sent word a few days ago, saying that in a dream you had the fate to discuss the sword with Elder Ling. This time, Your Highness travels lightly and simply, single-mindedly seeking the Dao. Truly a model for cultivators like us.”
“The grace of being taught the sword in a dream, Qingchen dares not forget.”
Chu Qingchen’s eyes calmly swept across the stage.
“I wonder if I can meet Elder Ling today?”
“Elder Ling… prefers quiet and purity. She awaits Your Highness’s arrival at Soaring Moon Peak.”
The Sect Master changed the subject without any change in expression.
“According to Lingxiao Sect tradition, welcoming guests requires a disciple to perform a Sword Dance, to make friends through the sword. I wonder if Your Highness would be willing to watch?”
“That would be wonderful.”
Chu Qingchen sat down on the cushion that the maidservant Qingluan had placed, her posture natural.
Qingluan stood quietly behind her.
The Liuyun Peak Master nodded at Chen Tianhao.
Chen Tianhao took a deep breath, turned his wrist, and the Jinghong Sword in his hand gave a humming sound.
When the sword point traced the first circle in the air, female disciples below the stage were already whispering.
“It’s the Liuyun Sword Art… Senior Brother Chen’s first move shows he is fully skilled…”
Before the words finished, the sword move suddenly changed.
Chen Tianhao and the Jinghong Sword transformed into a streak of azure flowing light.
As the sword light turned, the spiritual energy around him circulated, and it actually made one see the image of a Jiao Dragon surging within the clouds and mist.
“Cloud Dragon Manifestation!”
“Senior Brother Chen’s Liuyun Sword Art has already been trained to perfection…”
Praise slowly increased below the stage.
The several elders of Liuyun Peak all wore smiles, and even the Sect Master atop the steps nodded.
Chu Qingchen watched quietly, her face courteous, but her eyes showed no ripple at all.
Beside the martial arts platform, among the Soaring Moon Peak line, Lin Xiao stood straight, eyes fixed on Chen Tianhao’s sword, but his mind was on the plot from the later part of the game.
That fellow Chen Tianhao secretly pledged himself to the Second Prince, using the map of Lingxiao Sect’s Protective Mountain Array as a token of allegiance, nearly causing the sect’s destruction.
Although that might be something for much later.
“See that?”
A mocking voice came from behind, lowered.
“Supposedly Soaring Moon Peak is receiving her, but in the end Elder Ling doesn’t come. Of the two true disciples, one stands there stupidly without moving, and the other has a cold face as if everyone owes her money… In the end, it still relies on Senior Brother Chen to hold up the scene.”
“Keep your voice down. Junior Sister Xiao is right there.”
“So what if she is? Did I say anything wrong? The princess clearly came for Elder Ling, and now it’s all been dumped on Liuyun Peak.”
“If it weren’t given to Liuyun Peak, what then? Look at those two. One has Dual Spiritual Roots and mediocre aptitude. The other, though talented, just look at her. Does she look like someone who knows how to deal with people? If you ask me, Elder Ling taking disciples is really…”
The words stopped at once.
Because Xiao Luoyi turned and walked over.
She said nothing, simply watching the two female cultivators who had been gossiping, her eyes cold enough to kill.
One of the female cultivators felt her scalp tingle under the gaze and forced out a smile.
“Junior Sister Xiao… we were just chatting casually…”
“Finished chatting?”
Xiao Luoyi spoke, her voice very soft, not disturbing anyone on the stage.
“I…”
“How my senior brother is, and how Soaring Moon Peak is, is not for you to gossip about.”
“If you have time, you might as well practice your Sword Technique a couple more times. The outer sect competition is soon. Don’t fail to keep even an outer disciple’s position.”
The two women’s faces instantly turned white.
Xiao Luoyi’s words directly poked at their sore spot.
Outer disciples were tested once a year, and those who failed had to become menial servants.
“You…”
“What about me?”
Xiao Luoyi took half a step forward.
“I am a true disciple of Soaring Moon Peak. According to sect rules, true disciples can discipline outer disciples. Do you want to try?”
The two gritted their teeth and glared at her, but in the end did not dare make another sound.
Xiao Luoyi turned back, walked to Lin Xiao’s side, and looked again toward the martial arts platform.
Lin Xiao saw all of this and sighed.
He knew Xiao Luoyi was protective of her own, but he had not expected her to be so direct.
At this moment, the Sword Dance on stage reached its final stage.
Chen Tianhao gave a shout, and the Jinghong Sword pointed at the sky.
The cloud qi around him suddenly contracted, becoming the shadow of a Cloud Dragon.
It circled him three times, then finally became a streak of azure light that drilled into the sword point.
The dance finished, and he stood firm.
Chen Tianhao put the sword back into its sheath, bowed to the elders on stage, and then looked at Chu Qingchen.
“This disciple has made a fool of himself. Please instruct me, Her Highness the Princess.”
Thunderous applause rose below the stage.
Chu Qingchen smiled.
“Senior Brother Chen’s Sword Technique is exquisite. Lingxiao Sect truly lives up to its reputation for producing outstanding talents.”
Though the words were praise, they were all courtesy, without any emotion.
A flicker of imperceptible disappointment passed through Chen Tianhao’s eyes, but he quickly hid it and bowed again.
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
A Liuyun Peak elder stepped forward at the right moment.
“Your Highness has traveled far and is weary. The Sect Master has prepared a banquet for Your Highness. Please follow me…”
Chu Qingchen rose.
She did not look at Chen Tianhao, did not look at the Sect Master, and did not look at anyone.
Her eyes looked only in one direction, and then she began to walk.
She directly walked down the steps, through the crowd, toward Soaring Moon Peak.
Qingluan was stunned for a moment, then immediately followed.
The whole place was silent.
Even the applause stopped.
Chen Tianhao’s bowing posture froze.
The Sect Master on stage seemed about to speak but stopped.
The several Liuyun Peak elders looked at each other.
Chu Qingchen walked very steadily, her goal clear.
Wherever she went, the disciples subconsciously made way for her.
Everyone’s eyes followed her movements.
She stopped in front of Lin Xiao.
Three steps away – this was a swordsman’s wary distance.
Lin Xiao raised his head and met her eyes.
Only then did he see clearly that Chu Qingchen’s pupils reflected his figure.
She just looked at him like that, as if there were only him in her eyes.
Xiao Luoyi’s hand suddenly tightened on Lin Xiao’s sleeve.
She shifted half a step forward, half her body blocking Lin Xiao, her eyes fierce.
But Chu Qingchen seemed not to see her.
“Senior Brother Lin Xiao?”
“…Yes.”
“Qingchen, I’ve long heard of your name.”
Her voice was very soft, yet heavy as a thousand catties, instantly stunning everyone.