162: I once attended Shen Shaozu's tenth birthday ceremony!

"I once attended Young Clan Master Shen's tenth birthday ceremony!"

Zhao Qi spoke with a serious expression.

Opposite her,

Leng Lingshuang nodded and asked, "Revered Master, do you want Lord Xu to see my talent so that I can secure better treatment when I go to the Upper Realm?"

"Correct!" Zhao Qi nodded, then added, "I can tell that the old man accompanying Lord Xu does not seem to think highly of you. Just to be safe, it is best to do your utmost to showcase your talent and convince him."

Earlier, she had been observing Xu Wei's attitude toward that old man. Although on the surface the old man appeared to be Xu Wei's protector, some details could not be faked.

The old man seemed to look down on Xu Wei, while Xu Wei was somewhat respectful toward him.

This indicated that the old man's status in the Xu Family was not low, and his opinion of Leng Lingshuang was also very important.

Of course, there was one more thing she had figured out, but she didn't say it: Xu Wei's status might not be as high as she had imagined. Otherwise, how would that old man dare to treat him like that?

"But Revered Master, what if the Sect Master gets angry?" Leng Lingshuang hesitated. The Nine Peaks Grand Competition had always followed the principle of stopping at a touch; they couldn't actually kill anyone, and even serious injuries had never occurred.

"Heh, let her be angry. What can she do?"

"Don't forget, we have Lord Xu from the Upper Realm behind us now!" Zhao Qi chuckled.

"Revered Master, this Disciple understands." A trace of coldness appeared on Leng Lingshuang's face as she gripped the Bi Shui sword in her hand.

Then I will start with that gossip-monger Lin Qingyue!

That's right!

And that Shen Nian who has insulted me multiple times!

Zhao Qi nodded slightly and continued, "Mm. As long as both you and I can step into the Upper Realm and enter a true major sect, the Heavenly Sword Sect will be able to truly rise. Therefore, the death or injury of a few Disciples is nothing; they should feel honored, after all, they are dying by your hands..."

"By the way, what is going on with the rumors about the Ninth Mountain recently? Have you gone to verify them?" Zhao Qi suddenly thought of this and asked.

Leng Lingshuang smiled disdainfully, "Revered Master, rest assured, there is no need to verify this. I know Shen Nian's strength too well; it's nothing more than a single sword strike."

"That is good."

"There is one more thing you need to be mentally prepared for, Lingshuang."

"What is it?" Leng Lingshuang asked, confused.

Zhao Qi spoke with a grave expression, "That Xu Wei likely has feelings for you..."

As soon as these words were spoken, Leng Lingshuang's delicate body trembled, but she quickly suppressed the shock in her heart, though deep down, there was a trace of excitement.

It was obvious that Xu Wei's status and Realm had already given her the greatest favorable impression. She had always wanted to find a true Genius!

She also looked down on people from the Lower Realm, which was why she had remained single until now.

"Don't put too much pressure on yourself. If you can be with him, it will be a good thing for you. Xu Wei has the Soul Transformation Realm cultivation at such a young age; in the Upper Realm, he must be a dragon among men, and he is a good match for you..." Zhao Qi consoled her.

Leng Lingshuang lowered her head, looking at the sword in her hand, and whispered, "I will follow Revered Master's arrangements..."

Zhao Qi looked at her and smiled, "You are teachable..."

However, at this moment.

"Lord Ji, please this way."

Zhao Qi and Leng Lingshuang stood up abruptly, looking in disbelief at Xu Wei, who had been high and mighty just a moment ago, but was now leading two figures into the courtyard like a servant in a tavern.

The leading young man was as handsome as jade, with an impossibly tall and sturdy physique. The aura he exuded made even Zhao Qi unable to control her trembling spirit.

Especially the old man following behind him; if she hadn't seen where he was, Zhao Qi wouldn't have been able to detect his existence at all.

At the same time, Old Wang, who lived in the courtyard, also appeared. When he saw the two people Xu Wei was leading, his whole body shook, and he quickly stepped forward, cupping his hands and bowing his head to show respect.

This scene made Zhao Qi widen her eyes, staring at the burly young man in disbelief.

Who on earth is he!

Leng Lingshuang was also full of surprise. The look in her eyes as she gazed at the burly young man had changed. If he could make Lord Xu so respectful, wouldn't he be even more powerful?

Xu Wei directly ignored the two women and led Ji Ba and the other person all the way to the room.

"Follow me, do not disturb the Lord here..."

After returning to the place where the three of them had been talking earlier.

Xu Wei sat back in his original seat and chuckled, "Do you think I was very humble just now?"

Zhao Qi, who was beside him, was still filled with shock and doubt, but she smiled calmly, "Lord Xu is overthinking it..."

And Leng Lingshuang, who was beside her, couldn't help but ask, "Lord Xu, who was that?"

After taking a sip of tea, Xu Wei said in a leisurely manner, "That is my big brother, the eldest son of the Ji Family Clan Chief!"

When he said this, he didn't blush or have a racing heart; instead, there was a trace of pride in his heart.

What was wrong with being a little humble?

He didn't feel ashamed either. Could an ordinary person latch onto the Ji Family?

As soon as these words were spoken, Leng Lingshuang was stunned for a moment, but Zhao Qi showed an unprecedented look of shock, standing up abruptly and exclaiming, "Is Lord Xu talking about the Ancient Desolate Families, the Ji Family!!!"

The eldest son of the Ancient Desolate Families Clan Chief!

What a high and mighty figure that is!

Zhao Qi knew more than Leng Lingshuang. The strongest forces in the Upper Realm, those that had stood for endless years and were the Peak power resisting the Heavenly Demon Realm—she knew the name of the Ancient Desolate Families!

So it was no wonder she lost her composure.

"Ancient Desolate Families?" Leng Lingshuang murmured, a trace of confusion in her eyes; it was obvious she didn't know.

Seeing the other party's exaggerated reaction, Xu Wei was very satisfied and chuckled, "Mountain Revered Master Zhao is quite experienced..."

As long as the other party knew the worth of the Ancient Desolate Families, that was enough. This way, what he had just done wasn't losing face, but gaining face!

To be honest, he was really afraid that people from the Lower Realm would be ignorant and wouldn't even know about the Ancient Desolate Families, so he had been prepared to explain it.

Immediately, Xu Wei added, "Correct!"

"My big brother comes from the Ji Family, one of the four great Ancient Desolate Families of the Upper Realm. He is currently ranked sixth on the profound dragon ranking, the most top-tier Prodigy of the Human Race, and possesses the Azure Heaven Hegemon Body!"

"Hiss...!" Zhao Qi immediately gasped, and the way she looked at Xu Wei changed.

She had previously guessed that Xu Wei's status was not high; it seemed she had been completely wrong!

To be able to call the son of an Ancient Desolate Families Clan Chief 'brother', this was simply...!!

Leng Lingshuang saw her Revered Master with such a shocked expression for the first time and was a bit dazed, unable to help but ask, "Revered Master, what are you talking about? What are the Ancient Desolate Families?"

"Heh, it seems Miss Leng doesn't know yet..." Xu Wei smiled faintly, then added, "Then let me briefly explain..."

"The so-called Ancient Desolate Families are the true overlords of the entire Human Race's Upper Realm and Five Domains. Their Legacy dates back to before the ancient times. The power of any one of them is unimaginable. A single cultivator at the Dao Integration Realm stepping out could erase the entire Lower Realm with a snap of their fingers. They are also above the Holy Lands and divine sects, and are the strongest force for the Human Race to confront the Heavenly Demon Realm head-on. The only force that can be mentioned in the same breath, other than the Human Emperor Hall in its Peak period, is none other than them..."

"And that person just now is the eldest son of the Ji Family Clan Chief, one of these four great Ancient Desolate Families... Ji Aotian!"

Leng Lingshuang's pupils shrank instantly. In her mind, she imagined terrifying, boundless figures looking down upon all living things. Just imagining it made her scalp tingle...

Zhao Qi immediately chimed in, "Lord Xu is not exaggerating at all. According to the records of the Heavenly Sword Sect, the Ancient Desolate Families have even had Immortals appear in the past, especially the strongest one, the Shen Family, known as the Heaven of Eastern Profound!"

Mentioning the Shen Family, Xu Wei became even more interested in boasting, "I didn't expect Mountain Revered Master Zhao to know quite a bit."

"Correct!"

"The Shen Family is the strongest of the four great Ancient Desolate Families!"

"It is also the strongest of our Human Race!"

"And I was very honored back in the day, having personally attended the tenth birthday ceremony of the Shen Family's Young Clan Leader, Shen Nian..."

"Young Clan Master Shen is truly a banished Immortal!" Xu Wei spoke eloquently, a trace of nostalgia in his eyes.

In fact, he had never even seen him. Only his father, the Xu Family Clan Chief, had obtained a spot, and he had even sat outside the Sumeru World opened by the Shen Family, not even catching a glimpse of Young Clan Master Shen...

Hearing that familiar name, Leng Lingshuang's mind went blank instantly.

Shen Nian???

Impossible!

It is absolutely impossible for it to be the same person!!