513: Chapter 513 Sima Jingting

[City Lord Jia smiles as he leads you from the high positions, introducing everyone one by one:]

["This is Fellow Daoist Xie Mu, Pavilion Master of Tianxing Tower, from Canglan Holy Land..."]

[Only then do you realize that Tianxing Tower is an industry of Canglan Holy Land; no wonder it's everywhere.]

[You nod.]

[City Lord Jia continues the introductions:]

["This is the Pavilion Master of Langgan Pavilion, Pavilion Master Sima Jingting..."]

[Hearing the surname "Sima," you smile calmly.]

[Pavilion Master Sima Jingting doesn't stand up; he just nods at you and continues drinking his wine.]

[City Lord Jia doesn't mind and moves on:]

["This is the Pavilion Master of Guanlan Pavilion..."]

["This is the Pavilion Master of Heavenly Sword Pavilion, Peak Master of Starfall Peak from the Heavenly Sword Sect..."]

["This one is from Heavenly Sound Pavilion, the Second Elder of the Tianyin Sect, Yue Song..."]

[After a round of introductions, you have a good idea of everyone present.]

[These shopkeepers come from Langgan Pavilion, Tianxing Tower, Wangyou Pavilion, Yellow Crane Restaurant, Guanlan Pavilion, Heavenly Sound Pavilion, Wanling Pavilion, Heavenly Sword Pavilion... nearly a hundred forces of various sizes.]

[Some are run by the five top-tier forces, others are joint ventures by several first-rate forces.]

[Most of those present today are at the Soul Transformation Realm.]

[As for this City Lord Jia, he is from Wanling Valley, at the Late Stage of Soul Transformation.]

[Ziyang Immortal City is co-managed by the three strongest local forces, with the position of City Lord rotating every hundred years.]

[This round just happens to be Wanling Valley's turn.]

[After all the introductions, you are led to a high-ranking elegant seat.]

[You look around and suddenly speak:]

["City Lord Jia, why don't I see Shopkeeper Song of Ziyang Pavilion?"]

[Ziyang Pavilion is an industry of Ziyang Palace.]

[Before City Lord Jia can speak, Pavilion Master Sima Jingting sneers:]

["A mere shopkeeper from a bottom-tier force, does he even have the right to sit at the same table as us?"]

[You smile, your voice not loud, but clearly reaching everyone's ears:]

["This place is called Ziyang Star."]

["This city is called Ziyang Immortal City."]

["Don't you have any idea what the Ancestral Master of Ziyang Palace did for the Immortal Realm back then?"]

[Pavilion Master Sima Jingting's expression changes slightly.]

[You don't stop and continue speaking:]

["When the Demon and Monster races were wreaking havoc in the Immortal Realm, who led their subordinates to slay Demon Emperors and destroy Monster Lords?"]

["Who ultimately forced both races to bow their heads and submit, not daring to step easily into the Human Race's territory again!"]

["And who founded Ziyang Palace, recruited many disciples, and taught the Dao?"]

["Among the major forces today, even the five top-tier forces, which one has not received the favor of Ziyang Palace?"]

["Which one has not owed a debt of gratitude to Venerable Ziyang?"]

["Do you really think you can sit here and drink wine peacefully today because of your own ability?"]

["Without the peace he fought for back then, you wouldn't even have the right to sit here."]

["The predecessors plant trees, and the successors enjoy the shade."]

["The fact that you can live well today is, more or less, thanks to Venerable Ziyang."]

[You pause, your gaze sweeping over everyone present.]

["If you don't even have this bit of respect, are you even worthy of sitting in this position?"]

[As your voice falls, the hall falls into a dead silence.]

[Pavilion Master Sima Jingting's Face turns ashen, but he can't say a single word.]

[He is at the Late Stage of Soul Transformation, two minor Realms higher than you.]

[But he knows in his heart that if a fight really broke out, he might not necessarily be your match.]

[Over these years, the legends of your iron sword have been passed around as if it were divine.]

[Slaying a Nascent Soul Prodigy with one strike, shattering the protective jade pendant given by the Sima Old Ancestor with one strike.]

[Who knows how many trump cards you still have?]

[He doesn't dare to gamble.]

[But he is not convinced in his heart.]

[Especially since you killed Sima Tao—the Prodigy of their Sima Family.]

[That incident made the Sima Family a laughingstock in the entire Immortal Realm.]

[Wherever they go, people point and stare:]

["Is that the Sima Family? The one whose Prodigy was slain in public?"]

["I heard even the Nascent Soul couldn't escape; it was gone in one strike."]

["Tsk tsk..."]

[He has heard these words until his ears have grown calloused.]

[But what can he do?]

[Go to the Wuji Immortal Sect to demand justice?]

[The Sima Family has some foundation, but compared to the Wuji Immortal Sect, what do they count for?]

[This anger can only be bottled up.]

[Bottled up until his chest aches.]

[He picks up his wine cup and takes a fierce gulp.]

[City Lord Jia is stunned for a moment, then smiles to smooth things over:]

["Fellow Daoist Qin is right, quite right... it was my oversight, I will definitely send an invitation later."]

[However, you are stunned.]

[A thought suddenly flashes through your mind—]

[The Immortal Slaying Sword Art.]

[That sword spirit recognized you as its master.]

[But did Venerable Ziyang... also once obtain the Immortal Slaying Sword Art?]

[Then what exactly is his relationship with me?]

[They are not from the same era.]

[Separated by how many tens of thousands of years?]

[You can't figure it out.]

[So you simply stop thinking about it.]

[You look up at City Lord Jia and speak indifferently:]

["Why not invite Shopkeeper Song here now?"]

["It just so happens that I also want to get to know him."]

[City Lord Jia's smile freezes on his Face.]

[After a pause, he still nods and shouts to the outside:]

["Go, quickly invite Shopkeeper Song!"]

["Yes!"]

[A voice acknowledging the command comes from outside.]

[The atmosphere that follows is very subtle; everyone exchanges pleasantries and polite remarks, smiling on the surface, but no one knows what they are thinking in their hearts.]

[To those who show you a good Face, you naturally return the respect.]

[To those who don't give you Face, you don't bother with them.]

[However, you are a bit disappointed.]

[That Pavilion Master Sima Jingting is actually behaving himself, with no intention of provocation at all.]

[It seems he's plotting something bad.]

[People of the Sima Family are indeed patient.]

[Soon, Shopkeeper Song of Ziyang Pavilion arrives.]

[He is arranged in the outermost elegant seat, near the main gate.]

[You can't say anything more; speaking up again would instead make him a target for everyone.]

[Shopkeeper Song sits there, looking somewhat overwhelmed by the favor, smiling at everyone.]

[This banquet is like a microcosm of the various forces in the Immortal Realm.]

[The representatives of large forces are relaxed and at ease, chatting and laughing.]

[The representatives of small and medium-sized forces can only accompany them with smiles.]

[Xie Mu of Tianxing Tower suddenly speaks:]

["I heard Brother Qin has a mysterious iron sword. I wonder if you would do us the honor of letting us see it?"]

[You sweep your gaze around.]

[Everyone is looking over with expectant eyes.]

[You smile.]

["It's just an ordinary iron sword. Since everyone is curious, then take a look."]

[After saying that, you raise your hand.]

[An unremarkable, rusty iron sword floats in the center of the hall.]

[Everyone immediately releases their Divine Sense, sweeping over it again and again.]

[With every sweep, the expressions on their Faces change.]

[From expectation to curiosity.]

[From curiosity to surprise.]

[From surprise to confusion.]

[Finally, they look at each other in bewilderment.]