373: Chapter 373 Who Made an Appointment with You?

"Maybe, he doesn't seem very impressive. He probably isn't some expert from the Sword Forest."

Lin Xiao commented casually, but it drew strange looks from the women.

"Husband, for someone to seem impressive to you, I'm afraid the Sword Saint Patriarch himself would have to come," Leng Bingyan said helplessly.

Lin Xiao thought about it and realized it was true; he now habitually treated those with decades of cultivation as mere chickens and dogs.

But in reality, these people were already prominent figures with reputations in the martial world.

This wouldn't do; I can't lose touch with the masses! I haven't gathered enough Comprehension Ability yet!

"I am Gu Jianxin, the eldest disciple of Sect Leader Bai of the Sword Forest. I have come with my fellow disciples to visit the Prince of Zhenbei. I hope you will forgive our intrusion!"

"By my master's command, we have come to find our Sixth Junior Sister, Leng Bingyan, to convey an important matter. We hope the Prince will grant us this favor!"

A voice that was neither humble nor arrogant drifted into the courtyard.

"It really is my Eldest Senior Brother and the others."

Leng Bingyan stood up excitedly, but she didn't head out immediately. Instead, she looked at Lin Xiao expectantly.

"Why are you looking at me? They have business with you. If you want to go, then go," Lin Xiao said with a smile.

"Thank you, husband!"

Leng Bingyan was very happy. Although they were her fellow disciples, she wouldn't have dared to meet them alone if her husband hadn't agreed.

After all, she was no longer a lone wanderer of the martial world; she had to be mindful of her wifely duties.

Leng Bingyan walked out of the courtyard and was met by a man in a white robe who looked to be in his early thirties. Beside him were several other young men and women.

"Eldest Senior Brother, Second Senior Sister, Third Senior Brother... Little Junior Sister came too?"

Leng Bingyan greeted her fellow disciples, her joy plain to see. After all, she had spent nearly half her life in the Sword Forest.

The group exchanged pleasantries; though they hadn't seen each other for nearly a year, their bond remained strong.

"Bingyan, it's been so long since you left the Sword Forest. It's so good to finally see you safe and sound."

The one speaking was a gentle-mannered female swordsman, the Second Senior Sister, Wei Yurou.

"I didn't expect so much to happen either. Seeing everyone again really feels like a lifetime ago," Leng Bingyan said with emotion.

"Sixth Junior Sister, I heard there's a place in Cang Province called the Baiyu Pavilion that serves delicious food. Is that true?" asked a simple-looking fat man with squinted eyes.

"It's true. The owner of the Baiyu Pavilion is my sister, Su Wansha, and she came with us this time."

Leng Bingyan smiled and said, "Third Senior Brother, I saw that you're ranked third on the prodigy rankings. The responsibility of winning for the Sword Forest rests on your shoulders. If you succeed, I'll pay out of my own pocket for you to eat your fill at the Baiyu Pavilion!"

"Really? Then I'll have to give it my all! You're the only one who understands me, Sixth Junior Sister. Master said that if I win, he'll make me the Hall Master of the Sword-Wielding Hall, but I have no interest in that!"

The third disciple, Yin Zhong, broke into an excited grin, his eyes widening from the size of mung beans to soybeans.

Gu Jianxin sighed. "Third Junior Brother, the Tianwu Grand Tournament is a major event in the martial world and concerns the reputation of our Sword Forest. How can you be so flippant?"

"Hehe, Eldest Senior Brother, I was just joking... I'll be serious, definitely serious..." Yin Zhong laughed awkwardly.

Gu Jianxin could do nothing with him, so he pulled out a copper entry token and handed it to Leng Bingyan.

"Sixth Junior Sister, this is the entry token you'll need for the Tianwu Grand Tournament. Just drop it into the drawing pool before the battles begin."

Leng Bingyan was stunned. "An entry token for the tournament? Why am I in it? I didn't sign up!"

Gu Jianxin explained, "It was Aunt Ding. She stepped forward to guarantee you a challenger slot."

"Aunt Ding!?"

The image of Ding Cuihua's kind smile appeared in Leng Bingyan's mind, and she was dumbfounded.

The Tianwu Grand Tournament allowed for "late entries," but only if a sufficiently heavyweight figure stepped forward as a guarantor.

Usually, it had to be a leader of the Five Great Sects or someone at the level of a Martial Arts Grandmaster with enough influence.

Clearly, Ding Cuihua was unwilling to let the Heaven Grade sword technique she had spent her life creating remain unknown.

She wanted to use this Tianwu Grand Tournament to make "Flying Clouds Chasing the Moon" famous throughout the world!

"Really... Aunt Ding didn't even tell me," Leng Bingyan said, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

Wei Yurou covered her mouth and chuckled. "Junior Sister was fortunate enough to meet Aunt Ding, who had retired from the martial world, and even have her guarantee you. Your cultivation must have improved tremendously."

"However, this challenger slot requires you to start from the qualifiers. It's much more taxing than participating directly in the Prodigy Battle, and it's easy to reveal your techniques and trump cards. You must be careful, Junior Sister."

"Since Aunt Ding has made a rare appearance and guaranteed you with her reputation as a Martial Arts Grandmaster, you should have no problem achieving a good rank," Gu Jianxin consoled her.

Leng Bingyan hesitated for a moment and said, "Senior Brother, Senior Sister, I must ask the Prince before I can decide whether to participate."

Everyone froze, looking at each other in bewilderment.

"Junior Sister, Aunt Ding has gone to such lengths for you, using her reputation in the martial world as a guarantee, and you're still considering it?" Wei Yurou asked in surprise.

"After all, I am now a member of the Zhenbei Princes Mansion, so naturally, I must listen to the Prince. Besides... if I don't participate, no one will know, so it won't tarnish Aunt Ding's reputation," Leng Bingyan said with a smile.

"Sixth Senior Sister, I used to admire you for your boldness and for being a woman of her word in the martial world. Why have you become so indecisive now?"

A woman with a round face and an air of arrogance in her features spoke with clear disdain. "Is it really necessary to get a man's permission just to participate in the Tianwu Grand Tournament?"

This woman was Li Qiner. Although she was the same age as Leng Bingyan, she was ranked seventh because she had joined the sect a few months later.

Though she never said it out loud, Li Qiner had been competing with Leng Bingyan since they were children, and their strengths were evenly matched back then.

Now, Li Qiner was ranked seventeenth on the prodigy rankings, having squeezed into the top twenty, which allowed her to participate directly in the Prodigy Battle.

"Little Junior Sister, for one, I never intended to participate in the tournament. For another, I am a married woman now; it's not appropriate for me to be out making public appearances."

Leng Bingyan said calmly, "I know we made a promise back then to fight in the Prodigy Battle together, and I haven't forgotten. How about this... if the Prince allows it, I will definitely give it my all."

Li Qiner's face flushed. "Who promised you? I couldn't care less whether you fight or not..."

Just then, several Taoists dressed in robes approached from not far away.

"Is that not Young Hero Gu and Heroine Wei of the Sword Forest?"

Gu Jianxin and the others turned around and immediately went forward to bow respectfully.

"Junior greets Daoist Master Cangshuzi! I have come by my master's orders to find my junior sister. I hope you will forgive us for disturbing the peace of this place!"

Taoist Master Cangshuzi laughed and stroked his beard, exuding the air of a great senior expert.

"A guest is a guest; there is no need for such formality, Young Hero Gu. I should congratulate you on your junior sister's marriage to the Prince of Zhenbei. Your master, Sect Leader Bai, has truly taught his disciples well."

Gu Jianxin and the others looked a bit dazed. They practiced in the Sword Forest all year round and rarely concerned themselves with the affairs of the secular court.

They hadn't expected that even the leader of the Taoist sect would now mention the Prince of Zhenbei in every breath, as if being associated with him was of the utmost importance!

"Master taught us how to practice the sword, not how to pick a man..." Li Qiner couldn't help but mutter under her breath.

Wei Yurou gave her a nudge, signaling her with a look not to be so outspoken.

"Thank you, Daoist Master..." Gu Jianxin didn't know what else to say.

Taoist Master Cangshuzi didn't have time to pay them much more attention. He led his disciples and walked quickly toward the entrance of the courtyard.

"Your Highness, this humble Taoist has come to receive you. Please proceed to the Tianwen Dojo to attend the opening ceremony of the Tianwu Grand Tournament!"