The lower realms are vast, while a hundred years is too little. Therefore, after discussion, the various powers of the Immortal Spirit Sacred Land mostly decided to take the domineering path, which is why incidents like those of Diancang Sect occurred again and again.
But in another top sect in Yun Prefecture, a completely different scene was unfolding—
Yun Prefecture, Crane Spirit Sect.
Green peaks layered with emerald hues, clouds and mist swirling. The mountain gate of Crane Spirit Sect was not as majestic and solemn as Diancang Sect's, instead exuding an air of spiritual vitality. The halls were scattered and uneven, eaves flying high, and everywhere one could see young disciples shuttling on swords. As a newly risen top sect in Yun Prefecture, the entire Crane Spirit Sect was filled with vibrant energy.
At this moment, however, the main peak's main hall was in an uproar.
"What? The Celestial Alliance envoy is personally arriving, Lady Xingcai!?"
A young elder in a moon-white robe suddenly shot up from his seat, his face filled with disbelieving delight.
He looked to be only thirty-something, but his actual bone age was already over five hundred years old—he was precisely the youngest Longevity Realm elder of Crane Spirit Sect, Bai Ziyu.
"Absolutely true!" The disciple delivering the message was so agitated that his voice trembled. "Lady Xingcai has already reached the mountain foot, accompanied by only two handmaidens!"
The hall instantly exploded.
Bai Ziyu rushed to the sect leader in a single stride: "Sect Leader! The Celestial Alliance personally recruiting us is already a great honor, let alone with Lady Xingcai personally attending! This is clearly giving our Crane Spirit Sect full face!" His eyes gleamed, "You should... just agree!"
"Agree my ass!" The Crane Spirit Sect leader roared in anger.
But immediately, another person stepped forward—
"Yes, Sect Leader!" Another female elder squeezed forward, "Lady Xingcai is a direct disciple of the Immortal Spirit Sacred Land, the precious pearl of that founding ancestor! To win her favor, our Crane Spirit Sect will surely soar to great heights in the future!"
"I heard Lady Xingcai loves spirit tea, I'll go prepare some right now!"
"I'll go activate the mountain protection formation! We need the most grand welcoming ceremony!"
"Wait! I need to change into new clothes first!"
"I, I am Lady Xingcai's dog!"
...
The hall fell into chaos, the various young elders chattering at once, not a trace of a master's demeanor to be found.
Crane Spirit Sect leader Mo Qingxuan sat calmly in the main seat, dressed in green robes with a handsome face, but currently wearing a wry smile.
And just now, did I hear something inappropriate mixed in there.
"Everyone... calm down..."
His voice was quickly drowned out by the clamor.
Suddenly, a loud voice rose above the entire crowd:
"Silence!"
The hall instantly fell silent.
Mo Qingxuan's eyebrow twitched, slowly turning his head toward the source of the voice—it was the usually most stern and rigid Law Enforcement Elder.
At this moment, this middle-aged cultivator's face was flushed red, his eyes shining with a fanatical light.
"What is this behavior! What if you scare away Lady Xingcai!?"
Mo Qingxuan instantly covered his face in pain.
Before he could think further, a clear bell sound suddenly came from outside the hall.
A child servant rushed in in a panic, his voice changed in pitch:
"Report—Lady Xingcai has reached the mountainside!"
"Boom!"
The entire hall felt like it had exploded.
The elders instantly turned into streams of light, rushing toward the hall entrance in a frantic scramble.
Some were adjusting their clothes as they ran, others frantically took out spirit fruits they had treasured for years, and some even directly summoned their magical treasures, fearing they would be left behind even half a step.
Mo Qingxuan sat dazed on the main seat, looking at the suddenly empty hall, the shocking declaration still echoing in his ears.
He shook his head with a wry smile, slowly rising.
If Chen Chang'an saw this scene, he would find it very familiar—this was clearly not a sect meeting, but a celebrity fan meeting!
However, there were reasons for things to develop this way—
Twenty years ago, Chen Xingcai had volunteered to join the Celestial Alliance to share her father's burdens.
Yet she never expected to become the sole representative of the "King's Path" faction within the Celestial Alliance.
Unlike the stern and imposing Xiao Chen, the pragmatic Han Yu, or the decisive and ruthless Li Hanzhou—when Chen Xingcai performed her Pian Ruo Jing Hong Jue, it was like a celestial fairy dancing among the nine heavens. In the flowing sword light, there was an inherent immortal charm that captivated the heart.
Moreover, as she grew older, that stunningly beautiful appearance and temperament were finally fully realized!
The Xianling Sacred Land was already famous for "the world's most beautiful woman" Lin Wan, and now there was also the "Swan Fairy" Chen Xingcai. How could the young cultivators possibly hold themselves back? Especially those from the newer sects, whose disciples were mostly young and impetuous. Upon hearing that Lady Xingcai had arrived in person, they wished they could defect on the spot.
At this moment, a mountain breeze swept past the gates of Crane Spirit Sect, stirring up several spirit flower petals.
Chen Xingcai, dressed in white, her sleeves fluttering, lightly tapped the stone steps with the tips of her feet. She seemed like a light cloud, floating gracefully to their presence. Her features were as if painted, her skin whiter than snow, and her eyes as clear as autumn water, possessing a natural lively charm with every glance.
At the gates of Crane Spirit Sect, two young disciples had been waiting for some time.
"L-Lady Xingcai!"
One of the disciples' voice trembled with excitement as he hurried forward to pay his respects.
His cheeks flushed, his eyes darting around, unable to directly meet Chen Xingcai's gaze.
The other disciple was even more dramatic, dropping to one knee and holding out a freshly picked bouquet of spirit flowers: "My Lady, you've traveled far, please, please accept this!"
Chen Xingcai smiled slightly, like a spring breeze brushing against the face. She gently raised her hand, her fingertips touching the spirit flowers, causing the petals to immediately emit a soft glow.
"Thank you."
Her voice was clear and melodious, causing the two disciples' hearts to race, almost making them forget to breathe.
The mountain breeze blew, lifting a few strands of her black hair before her face.
In the sunlight, her figure was dreamlike and illusory, as if she might ride away on the wind at any moment.
Inside the Crane Spirit Sect main hall, all the elders were dressed impeccably, looking like scholars heading for the imperial examinations in the mortal world—jade crowns, flowing cloud robes, gilded belts. Even the usually sloppily dressed Law Enforcement Elder had unexpectedly perfumed himself. Spiritual light floated in the hall; if you didn't know better, you'd think you'd entered some elite social club.
Only the sect leader, Mo Qingxuan, dressed in a simple white long robe with an ancient jade pendant hanging at his waist, his hair loosely tied up. Not a single pattern adorned his entire being. He sat calmly in the seat of honor, standing out in this ostentatious display yet somehow drawing all the attention.
"Hisss—"
Bai Ziyu suddenly sucked in a breath of cold air, his gaze scanning Mo Qingxuan back and forth before he slapped his thigh as if enlightened: "Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!"
Several nearby young elders looked over at his words, seeing Bai Ziyu wink: "You see, we're all dressed like peacocks showing off our tails, canceling each other out. But our sect leader's simple attire actually..."
He didn't finish, but everyone understood.
In an instant, several sharp gazes stabbed toward Mo Qingxuan. The Law Enforcement Elder was so angry his beard stood on end—this old fox, usually pretending to be detached from worldly desires, actually resorting to such tactics at a critical moment!
Mo Qingxuan stared back, bewildered. He dressed this way purely out of habit—he knew exactly what kind of people these Crane Spirit Sect elders were, and rather than going through the trouble, he simply wore what was comfortable.
Suddenly, the clear sound of jade pendants came from outside the hall.
"Lady Xingcai has arrived—"
As the attendant announced her, the entire hall fell silent. Everyone unconsciously straightened their robes, stood up straight, and stared fixedly toward the entrance.
Chen Xingcai arrived stepping in the morning light.
Today, she was rarely dressed in formal attire—a light moon-white wide-sleeved flowing fairy dress, a sky-blue silk ribbon tied at her waist, and only a white magnolia hairpin in her hair. Though extremely simple and elegant, her stunningly beautiful face made it radiate a breathtaking beauty.
Mo Qingxuan rose unhurriedly, walking forward with steady steps. He was already handsome, and the simple white robe accentuated his noble temperament. Reaching the center of the hall, he paid his respects with perfect courtesy: "Mo Qingxuan of Crane Spirit Sect, welcomes Fairy Xingcai."
His tone was neither servile nor overbearing, his movements perfectly measured.
Chen Xingcai's eyes lit up slightly. She was used to fawning and flattering faces, so it was refreshing to encounter someone so composed. She returned the greeting lightly: "Sect Leader Mo is too kind."
The two stood facing each other, one noble as jade, the other brilliant as a sunset, creating an unexpectedly harmonious feeling of a handsome scholar and beautiful lady.
"Crack—"
Some elder unknowingly crushed the armrest of their chair.
Bai Ziyu gritted his teeth, glaring at his own sect leader—You, Mo Qingxuan! Usually acting like a block of wood, yet so smooth at critical moments!
The Law Enforcement Elder had already taken out a small notebook, frantically recording every detail of Mo Qingxuan's movements.
Mo Qingxuan was completely unaware of the resentment behind him, only speaking warmly: "Fairy Xingcai has traveled far, please take a seat and rest first."
As he stepped aside to let her pass, his sleeve brushed against Chen Xingcai's robe. In the moment their sleeves overlapped, a collective gasp echoed through the hall.
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