Chu Xingchen hesitated slightly, his gaze falling on the calm Li Moze.
Since it was Bai Xuanling's request, there must be some reasoning behind it, right?
Presumably, the Sect Master of Tianyan Sect had also been informed.
After a moment of thought, Chu Xingchen made up his mind. He lifted his head slightly, his gaze sweeping past the two opposite him with a hint of disdain. His expression was a smirk that looked rather punchable.
"If you put it that way, then it's true. For your Xuanqing Tianzong... it's indeed so." Chu Xingchen glanced casually around, sighed softly, then looked at Yun Yun and asked, "Yun Yun, what do you think?"
As his words fell, the scene instantly fell silent.
Xu Jin frowned slightly, not with anger, but with confusion—how strong must one's cultivation be to be so thoughtless?
Lü Xuan's gaze showed a hint of surprise, but he quickly looked at Bai Xuanling—you've done a great job?!
Lü Xuan had also dealt with Chu Xingchen before; without someone's instructions, he would never act so brainlessly and arrogantly.
Faced with the Sect Master's questioning gaze, Bai Xuanling remained calm and met his eyes, as if to say, 'This is just how I am. It's your own fault for misjudging my character.'
Yun Yun looked at Chu Xingchen, her expression difficult to read—why are you dragging me into this mess?
Although she felt a bit betrayed, she knew the distinction between the inner and outer situations.
Her expression hardened slightly as she spoke, "It... is what it is."
A faint smile appeared on Li Moze's serious face. "Tianyan Sect has two representatives, and they naturally have their own flair. From an outsider's perspective, today's Xuanqing Tianzong seems a bit lacking."
Hearing this, Chu Xingchen showed an understanding expression, then grinned widely. "Oh? Then I shall await the 'flair' of Xuanqing Tianzong that outsiders don't know about, as mentioned by Sect Master Li."
Li Moze's expression remained calm, the smile fading slightly. "There will be an opportunity."
Lü Xuan sighed inwardly. If the tone was set high, then so be it. Otherwise, if this provocation failed, Xuanqing Tianzong would become the laughingstock first.
He had originally planned to keep a low profile, but unexpectedly, he was still outmaneuvered by Bai Xuanling here.
Lü Xuan's expression also turned more serious. He raised his head slightly and said, "Isn't this an opportunity? I came here with the intention of properly 'experiencing' the flair of Xuanqing Tianzong."
Hearing this, Bai Xuanling's face showed a satisfied smile. He looked leisurely at Xu Moze and said calmly, "We of the older generation lack a certain aggressive spirit. But for the younger generation, what matters most is this enterprising will."
Lack an aggressive spirit?
Li Moze looked at Bai Xuanling, still with his shameless demeanor, and understood their purpose. He said calmly, "Naturally. My disciple, Xu Jin, has long been looking forward to this. After all, apart from close friends, a true rival is hard to come by."
Chu Xingchen said cheerfully, "Sect Master Li is so eloquent. In all my time, I've never met a worthy rival. What a pity."
Xu Jin took a step forward, his gaze fixed on Chu Xingchen. "That's only because Brother Chu has only met mediocre opponents."
Chu Xingchen met his gaze without flinching, the smirk on his face growing more audacious—this should be enough of an act, right?
At this moment, the scene was somewhat quiet.
Suddenly, a voice came from outside the main hall. "Grand Dao Sect has arrived."
Li Moze withdrew his gaze and said calmly, "Please, fellow Dao companions of Tianyan Sect, take your seats first."
Lü Xuan waved a large hand, his robes fluttering. His expression turned cold, and his aura instantly rose, giving him the air of one who holds all the cards.
He was no longer the old man on Zhufeng Peak who enjoyed watching his disciples make fools of themselves.
Bai Xuanling now silently followed Lü Xuan to a side seat and sat down.
Seeing her own master had gotten serious, Yun Yun's expression also became solemn. Her gaze turned almost cold, and as she passed by, she glanced at Xu Jin.
Chu Xingchen followed closely behind Bai Xuanling, casting a questioning glance—is this how it's done?
Bai Xuanling slightly raised an eyebrow—well done.
As Chu Xingchen and the others took their seats, people from Grand Dao Sect also appeared outside the hall.
Leading them was the Grand Dao Sect's Sect Master, followed by Yu Yang Daozi, whom they had fought before, and what seemed to be several Grand Dao Sect elders.
However, compared to the confrontational attitude of Tianyan Sect, Grand Dao Sect seemed much more gentle. After a few pleasantries and mutual expressions of goodwill, they all took their seats.
This immortal gathering had not invited all eighteen immortal gates, but had selectively invited a few.
After all, with more people, interests become complicated, and the matters they wanted to attend to would be hindered.
Besides, if the Buddhist sect had come, then this matter would not have fallen upon Xuanqing Tianzong.
To control the situation, Xuanqing Tianzong chose to host it at their own sect, which meant Tianyan Sect was implicitly granted the authority to invite other sects.
Hosted by Xuanqing Tianzong, Tianyan Sect had invited Haotian Palace, Xiaoyun Hall, and Grand Dao Sect.
Although Tiannyan Sect and Grand Dao Sect were not exactly enemies, their priority in annoying Xuanqing Tianzong was higher.
Before this assembly, a time had been agreed upon. The invited immortal gates arrived one after another within a short span.
However, compared to the Sect Masters of Tianyan Sect and Grand Dao Sect bringing their personal disciples, Haotian Palace and Xiaoyun Hall seemed to be just there for show.
Elders led the teams, bringing only a few core disciples. Compared to the elite forces of other sects, they seemed to be there purely for the experience of participation.
But they had come, and that showed their attitude. Besides, the people who came were actually the future pillars of their sects.
After all, attending a gathering was a matter of prestige for a sect; they wouldn't send people just to embarrass themselves completely.
However, among those who came, besides Yu Yang Daozi of Grand Dao Sect, there was also someone from Xiaoyun Hall whom Chu Xingchen had met a few times—Ye Antao.
The reckless young woman who had led the charge at Wuxuan Guan, whom Chen Mouguang had considered a true fool, and who had taken off her mask twice.
She was naturally not a core disciple of Xiaoyun Hall, but since she was brought this time, her status in Xiaoyun Palace probably wasn't too low.
However, from the moment she entered and saw Yu Yang Daozi, Ye Antao had never lifted her head. She silently hid in the back, afraid of being recognized by Yu Yang Daozi.
She only breathed a sigh of relief after safely taking her seat.
At that time, she had caused trouble for Grand Dao Sect. Although she wore a mask, if she was recognized and Yu Yang Daoz remembered her, it would definitely not be a good thing.
The battle at Wuxuan Guan had truly left Ye Antao stunned.
However, compared to Ye Antao's guilty conscience, someone else seemed much more unrestrained.
Ye Antao looked at Chu Xingchen, who had taken off his mask, looking relaxed, arrogant, and at ease, still nodding and greeting Yu Yang Daozi as if he didn't care at all.
But Yu Yang Daozi clearly had no intention of acknowledging him, only giving a perfunctory response.
Just as Ye Antao was marveling at Chu Xingchen's incredible audacity and never imagined she would have schemed with a cultivator of this level back then...
Chu Xingchen's greeting gaze also turned her way.
The good news was, Chu Xingchen still remembered their 'friendship' from back then.
The bad news was, Yu Yang Daozi's suspicious gaze also turned her way.
Ye Antao's eyes widened, and for a moment, she didn't know what expression to make.
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