Chapter 72: Seeing Long Xiwei Again

The entire plaza was bustling with extraordinary noise; the clamor pierced straight into the clouds. However, amidst the lively crowd, the expressions of some high-ranking officials were shifting unpredictably.

The ordinary disciples might not know, but as high-level figures, they were aware of certain events that had occurred in secret over the past few days. Peak Master Ji Yaoyue of Saintess Peak, Peak Master Wan Helai of Zhuxian Peak, Elder Chen Jiang of Demon-Slaughtering Peak, and Peak Master Qi of Xuanling Peak…

Their soul lamps had all extinguished; they had died, and their Dao had vanished!

Furthermore, a group of disciples was missing!

This matter had caused widespread panic among the higher-ups! Yet when some elders reported this to the Sect Master, Chu Tianxiong merely locked down the news of such a major event, leaving it suspended and unresolved.

The ones who were even more unable to sit still were those who had long been birds of a feather with Wan Helai. All the Peak Masters whose soul lamps had extinguished were members of the Blood Messenger Alliance!

Thus, those who associated with them had complex feelings, but since they did not know the underlying reasons, they remained in a state of pretending ignorance.

However, when Liu Ruyan appeared, their eyes became much calmer. There was definitely an unknown secret hidden within this. Especially after seeing the two women sitting beside Liu Ruyan, the hearts of certain people finally relaxed completely.

With Chu Tianxiong taking his seat, the explosive scene finally quieted down.

Chu Tianxiong sat on his high seat, looking down at the crowd below. That inviolable majesty filled many disciples with awe!

The Ten Thousand Swords Sect had numerous disciples, but very few had ever seen Chu Tianxiong, the helmsman, in person! However, facing those burning gazes, Chu Tianxiong only gave a cursory glance. He finally let his eyes rest on Lu Jin before withdrawing his gaze.

Right at that moment, a disciple of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect suddenly reported from mid-air:

“Reporting to the Sect Master!”

“Lord Feng Mengdao of the Drunken Immortal Pavilion has come to observe the ceremony, presenting a stalk of Ten Thousand Year Snow Spirit Grass!”

“Hall Master Fenglang of the Great Wind Hall has come to observe the ceremony, presenting a bottle of Dragon-Taming Immortal Dew!”

“Valley Master Yun Chaomu of Carefree Valley, bringing her disciple Long Xiwei, has come to observe the ceremony, presenting three portions of Carefree Phoenix Incense!”

Following the disciple’s report, a wave of commotion instantly rippled across the entire plaza once again!

“Heavens! Did these three great factions actually come to observe the ceremony? And they presented such precious gifts?”

“The helmsmen of these three factions are usually just like our Sect Master: it is incredibly rare to even catch a glimpse of them. Why are they gathering here today?”

“How strange! Have these three factions not always had nothing to do with the Ten Thousand Swords Sect? Why are they suddenly so enthusiastic?”

“Ten Thousand Year Snow Spirit Grass! Dragon-Taming Immortal Dew! Carefree Phoenix Incense! These are the supreme treasures of their respective factions! They are actually willing to give them to our sect?”

“Could they really just be here to observe? The loss outweighs the gain by far!”

“There must be a hidden reason!”

The disciples engaged in spirited discussions.

At this moment, even Chu Tianxiong’s expression turned somewhat astonished. Just as the disciples had said, the Ten Thousand Swords Sect had no daily interactions with these factions. For them to visit so suddenly, and with such grand gifts, clearly meant there was an underlying cause.

However, in the next second, Chu Tianxiong’s eyes drifted toward Lu Jin.

At this moment, Lu Jin’s gaze was fixed on the Carefree Valley camp. Within that camp, a little girl was quickly sticking her tongue out at him!

Seeing this, Chu Tianxiong gave a knowing smile.

It was indeed because of this kid! Since that was the case, the Ten Thousand Swords Sect would gladly play the host!

“Distinguished guests have arrived; invite them in at once!”

“Yes!” the disciple replied.

Besides Chu Tianxiong, an old man also stood up. “Sect Master, I will go welcome them.”

This person was the Peak Master of Flying Sword Peak, Li Yunhe.

Li Yunhe had been fiercely loyal to Chu Tianxiong for many years and served as his right-hand man. Chu Tianxiong had once saved his life. Filled with profound gratitude, Li Yunhe provided his full support to Chu Tianxiong within the sect, never harboring a second thought. At the same time, he was also a commander within the Holy Tabernacle organization.

Chu Tianxiong nodded.

Soon, the helmsmen of the three great factions, along with some attendants, were led into the venue by Li Yunhe and a group of disciples. Seeing them arrive, cheers erupted from the crowd, making the Ten Thousand Swords Sect appear quite welcoming.

“We greet Sect Master Chu!”

“A meager gift to show our respect!”

“Your arrival brings light to our humble sect! Please, take the seats of honor!”

After a round of pleasantries, the members of the three great factions all took their seats. Once seated, the direction of their gazes aroused the curiosity of many.

At this time, Liu Ruyan’s eyes also noticed this point. When she saw that the members of these three factions were intentionally or unintentionally looking toward Lu Jin’s position after sitting down, her brow furrowed slightly.

Clearly, these people had all come for Lu Jin!

“Hmph, Lu Jin. In today’s life-and-death battle, even if you invite outside help, it will not save you!”

“You two. Since Shizun sent you here, no matter what happens today, you must help me slay Lu Jin!”

Liu Ruyan’s voice was low. Upon hearing her words, the two women sitting on her left and right nodded with somewhat stiff, uncoordinated movements.

Upon seeing Long Xiwei, Lu Jin’s eyes also flashed with a bit of surprise. He clearly had not expected her to come.

Furthermore, the arrival of the people from the Great Wind Hall and the Drunken Immortal Pavilion was definitely because of him as well. However, he remained very calm.

Right at that moment, a fragrant breeze suddenly wafted to his side. The woman dressed in white actually fluttered down next to him in front of the entire crowd, taking the seat right beside him.

“Lu Jin! Heehee, I came today to cheer you on!”

Long Xiwei revealed her two small canine teeth, her smile looking incredibly beautiful.

Lu Jin took a deep breath. “Thank you!”

“Why are you being so polite with me?”

“Oh… you are welcome, haha!”

Chatting at such close quarters in front of a massive crowd with a girl he had shared the joys of fish and water with, yet wasn’t entirely familiar with, made Lu Jin feel a slight flutter of panic.

Long Xiwei, however, spoke in a very serious tone: “Lu Jin, you must fight well. But I am not worried about you. With your strength, the Blood Moon Holy Land will surely fight to have you!”

Hearing this, Lu Jin did not quite know what to say.

In the eyes of the world, the Blood Moon Holy Land was a sacred ground for cultivation, a place countless people dreamed of. Yet, the dark currents lurking in the shadows remained unknown to them.

Long Xiwei continued: “After that thing with you previously… my cultivation miraculously advanced to the 3rd-grade Jindan Realm! My Shizun said she will take me to the Eight-Part Blood Dragon Altar in three days for the talent assessment!”

At this point, Long Xiwei raised her beautiful eyes, looked at Lu Jin, and said earnestly: “I really want to enter the Blood Moon Holy Land together with you…”

These words caught Lu Jin by surprise again.

In Long Xiwei’s heart, the Blood Moon Holy Land was also such a wonderful place. It was just a pity that the Blood Moon Ancestor was acting under false pretenses, bewitching too many people and harming even more…

“What is wrong? Are you unwilling?” Seeing Lu Jin’s expression change slightly, Long Xiwei asked sharply.

“Huh? I am willing. But, well, I should first get a good result in today’s grand tournament…” Lu Jin smiled.

It seemed Long Xiwei only knew about the Ten Thousand Swords Sect’s disciple assessment this time; she did not know that his match with Liu Ruyan was a duel to the death.