Chapter 320

Chapter 320: A Meeting on the Side

The hall was already filled with many people, over ninety percent being celestial maidens, along with some leaders from prominent families and loose cultivators. As Ling Qi had said, too many celestial maidens had come to Zhen Yan Sect. The side halls connected to the main hall through removed walls were also packed. Instead of chairs, the side halls had… benches.

Long wooden planks stretched end to end, space-saving benches without fixed seats. Many followers of celestial maidens already occupied them.

Luo Tian Nu: “…”

Followers: “…”

Other sects at the back: “…”

“Luo Sect Master, proceed!” Ling Qi urged as the entrance crowd grew.

“Ah, right!” Seemingly overwhelmed by the unfamiliar scene, Luo Tian Nu numbly walked in while her bewildered followers followed Disciples to the side hall.

Luo Sect Master stared blankly at the rows of chairs until a familiar celestial maiden waved. She navigated past empty seats to sit beside her.

“You’re early, Luo Sect Master! Confident about the competition?” the celestial maiden greeted warmly.

“Chu Sect Master.” Luo Tian Nu still seemed dazed. “What’s Zhen Yan Sect’s intention here?”

“Probably space constraints,” Chu Tian Nu casually replied, handing her a spiritual fruit from the side table. “Try this first.”

Luo Tian Nu skeptically took a bite. Spiritual energy surged into her Dantian, purifying her entire cultivation.

“This…!” She gaped at the fruit in shock.

“Noticed it?” Chu Tian Nu smirked.

Luo Tian Nu scanned the room—every seat had a plate of these fruits. “High-grade spiritual fruit? Ninth-tier? They’re using these for guests?!”

“The Second Peak elders modified ninth-tier fruits that originally took millennia to mature. These need only five years.” Chu Tian Nu explained. “Zhen Yan Sect’s mass-producing them. They’ll share cultivation methods freely after the competition.”

“Free?!” Luo Tian Nu trembled. “They’re giving away ninth-tier equivalents?!”

“Zhen Yan Sect always does this.” Chu Tian Nu sighed. “Remember the Qiu Zhang Technique? Their improved cultivation methods? Sect Master You thinks beyond individual sects. This… is a true leader’s vision.”

Silence fell. Both felt guilty, contemplating their own sects’ contributions.

This sentiment spread among all celestial maidens present. The hall buzzed with unity, awaiting You You’s arrival.

The protagonist appeared not through doors, but via a spatial distortion above the platform. A round passage opened, You You stepping out followed by a group, papers in hand.

“Apologies for the delay,” she said, placing documents on a box. She pointed at her entourage. “Old Two, Four, Five-Six-Seven-Nine… Sit anywhere. I’ll give more red lotuses next time so Feng Rong and I won’t need to fetch you.”

“Understood, Grandpa!” Old Two nodded.

The group descended to a nearly full hall. Old Two and Four grabbed remaining seats. Old Seven, being female, received welcoming waves from celestial maidens. Hong Fei thanked one who offered an aisle seat.

Only Old Nine lingered behind Hong Fei. When she glared, he realized no seats remained. Surrounded by celestial maidens, he froze until You You barked, “Why’re you standing?”

He shuddered, conjuring a stool via spell to squeeze beside Hong Fei, grinning obsequiously.

Hong Fei ignored him. A neighboring celestial maiden asked, “Your follower?”

“No.” Hong Fei stated coldly. “He’s unworthy.”

Enthusiastic celestial maiden: “…”

Boot-licking Old Nine: “…”

The crisp sound of heartbreak echoed.