119: senior

One after another, the Sects began to enter the arena, sparking a wave of discussion among the spectating Cultivators.

Sects with status and strength had better seating with superior views of the competition; conversely, the others could only stay in the corners to catch the breeze. After all, more than half of the Cultivators at this Heavenly Selection Grand Ceremony were here for the first round of trials.

"Look, the people from the Heavenly Fire Holy Land have arrived. I wonder if they can secure a spot in the Heavenly Selection Grand Ceremony this time."

"That young man must be the Saint of the Blood Shadow Holy Land, Mo Yanya. He once killed a Foundation Establishment Eighth Layer Cultivator while only at the Foundation Establishment Sixth Layer. I wonder if he has broken through to the Golden Core stage by now."

"Damn it, why hasn't Fairy Qiyue of Profound Moon Palace come? I traveled all the way from the northern part of the Central Region just to catch a glimpse of Fairy Qiyue's beauty. Why?"

The grumbling discussions rose and fell. Chen Xuan had the illusion that those people were shouting "Refund!"

No wonder Qi Yue wore a veil. With this kind of popularity in his past life, she probably could have made a fortune by livestreaming.

Mu Wanqing tilted her head and looked over. "I didn't expect Elder Qi Yue to be so famous."

Xiao Lingxian was also a bit surprised; she had never heard Sister Qiyue mention this before.

Qi Yue narrowed her eyes slightly, scanning the distant Profound Moon Holy Land before her gaze finally settled on a woman whose appearance somewhat resembled her own.

Secluded Moon, who was just about to take her seat, suddenly felt an inexplicable chill run down her spine. "What's going on? Is it an illusion?"

As soon as Chen Xuan's group entered the venue, an Outer Sect Elder from Heavenly Secret Pavilion approached them. He was slender with a scholarly air. "You must be the Cultivators from the Dao Seeking Sect? Your seats are over here."

After saying that, he turned and led Chen Xuan and the others to a remote corner.

The spectating Cultivators glanced over and understood immediately—another group here to try their luck in the first trial.

Qi Yue frowned slightly. Just as she was about to speak, Xiao Yun, who was beside her, spoke up: "Elder, could you have made a mistake? Our Sect Master is an acquaintance of your Elder Fang. We shouldn't be in a place like this."

Upon hearing this, the welcoming Elder first glanced sideways at Xiao Yun. Seeing that he was only at the Second Layer of Golden Core Stage, he then looked at Chen Xuan's group. Except for the Man in White Robes at the lead, whose temperament was somewhat extraordinary, the rest appeared to be ordinary Cultivators.

Acquaintances? What kind of status did Elder Fang have? Why would he be associated with an obscure Sect like yours that no one has ever heard of?

He forced a smile and said amiably, "Please wait a moment, everyone. I will send someone to inquire right away."

Soon, a Disciple ran over and whispered a few words to the reception Elder.

The reception Elder's smile remained unchanged as he said, "If you are indeed Cultivators from the Dao Seeking Sect, then this is indeed the correct location. You must not be from the Central Region, right? Seats for Sect Masters from the Outer Regions are generally more remote. Please be understanding!"

Qi Yue frowned slightly and said in a cold tone, "Oh? Since when did this rule start? Why have I never heard of it?"

The reception Elder still wore a smiling face. "If you have any objections, you can go find Elder Fang afterward—if you really are acquainted, that is."

As soon as he finished speaking, the surrounding Cultivators burst into laughter. Many looked at Chen Xuan and his group with mocking eyes.

Chen Xuan narrowed his eyes slightly. Playing the sarcasm game with me, are we?

Just then, a sudden burst of spiritual power erupted, and a figure flashed by.

In an instant, the Heavenly Secret Pavilion Elder's neck was suddenly seized. His pupils constricted, and the smile on his face froze instantly, turning into a look of terror.

He tried to circulate his spiritual power to resist, only to find that the spiritual power throughout his body was as if frozen; he couldn't mobilize even a shred of it.

"El... Elder Fang..." He stammered, unable to complete the title.

Elder Fang, tall with graying temples, suddenly slammed him onto the ground to the side. The man lay there like a dead dog, his breath faint.

This sudden turn of events caused quite a stir, drawing the attention of many nearby.

Elder Fang walked quickly to Chen Xuan and cupped his hands in shame. "Fellow Daoist Chen! A mistake! This is all a misunderstanding!"

"It is my Heavenly Secret Pavilion's lack of discipline that allowed this blind fool to offend you and the others. This old man apologizes to you."

Chen Xuan said calmly, "What happened?"

Elder Fang sighed and explained, "I just went to look for you at your assigned seats, only to find that they had been taken by a second-rate power. After asking a few Disciples, I found out that this blind fool had accepted fifty thousand Spirit Stones from someone else."

"Sigh... I've made a fool of myself in front of Fellow Daoist Chen. This old man will take you to a different spot right now."

Chen Xuan could understand this; in a large forest, there are all kinds of birds. It wasn't surprising.

Just as Elder Fang turned to lead Chen Xuan's group away, his pupils suddenly constricted, and his heart skipped a beat.

He never expected that the Mysterious Realm Emissary, who had just wiped out the Zixia Holy Land and was at the height of his fame, would come to this remote corner.

"Gr... Greetings, Senior Qin." Elder Fang hurriedly bowed.

Qin Tianxing's gaze swept over Chen Xuan and the others, and he then said in a cold voice, "Is this how your Heavenly Secret Pavilion treats its guests?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Elder Fang shuddered in fear.

It had only been a few days since the Zixia Holy Land was destroyed. Now, within the Central Region, who would dare provoke these Mysterious Realm Emissaries? Even if his own Heavenly Secret Pavilion was the number one Sect in this Lesser Exquisite Grotto-Heaven, so what?

If they truly provoked these people, it would be a simple matter of them lifting a finger!

If the Sect Master found out about this, he would probably want to personally get rid of him to apologize to these Seniors.

Elder Fang swallowed and said with a trembling voice, "I... I do not know where I have neglected you, Senior. Please inform me, and this Junior will correct it immediately."

Wang Er's face turned cold, and the Spiritual Qi around him rippled slightly. "Senior Chen, how should we deal with this fellow?"

Senior Chen?

The brain of this Elder with graying temples suddenly stalled for a few seconds, and then he abruptly turned his head to look at Chen Xuan's group.

Chen Xuan waved his hand and said, "This Elder Fang is considered a friend of mine. What are you doing?"

Friends?

Hearing those two words, the ripples of Spiritual Qi around Wang Er suddenly froze. Wang Er, who was about to strike, immediately approached Elder Fang. "Fellow Daoist, that was just a joke earlier. Don't take it to heart."

Elder Fang was somewhat overwhelmed by the sudden favor and hurriedly waved his hands. "I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare."

Even Qin Tianxing couldn't help but force a smile, looking at Elder Fang and saying in a deep voice, "My subordinate was a bit reckless and startled you, Fellow Daoist. I hope you won't take offense."

Elder Fang felt as if he had been struck by lightning; his head was buzzing.

A Mysterious Realm Emissary, whom even the Sect Master had to treat with respect, was actually speaking to him so politely?

He recalled when he sat across from Chen Xuan in the private room; although he was polite, he had secretly looked down on the Dao Seeking Sect's reputation. Although he had been holding this Senior in high regard, it was only at this moment that Elder Fang realized he had still underestimated him.

After a few simple pleasantries with the Elder, Qin Tianxing smiled and invited Chen Xuan, "Brother Chen, why don't you come and sit with me up above? I've already had beautiful dancers prepared, along with the finest flowing sunset drunkenness."

Hearing the words "beautiful dancers," Mu Wanqing frowned slightly and blinked her almond-shaped eyes at her Revered Master.

Even Xiao Lingxian's eyes flashed with a hint of surprise.

Chen Xuan said somewhat speechlessly, "You go ahead first. I'll come by later."