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nSu Yi gazed intently at the lamplit palace halfway up the slope. Could that palace contain treasures from my past life?

nBefore long, Tang Lingqi led Tang Bao’er and Su Yi toward the palace.

n“Most of those gathered inside are Immortal Lords from across the White Reed Province. Their statuses might be slightly inferior to ours, but all of them are our allies. You cannot look down on them or treat them with contempt due to your position,” warned Tang Lingqi. “Lass, when we arrive, listen more and say less.”

nSu Yi chuckled. He’s saying that for Tang Bao’er’s benefit, but isn’t he indirectly warning me as well?

n“Relax, Grand Uncle. I promise not to cause trouble,” giggled Tang Bao’er.

nBefore long, the group arrived at the palace halfway up the slope. It was worn and battered. Everywhere they looked, they saw signs of damage.

nBut the palace was thoroughly illuminated, and numerous figures were gathered inside. They were seated on the ground, conversing amongst themselves. The atmosphere was quite lively.

nThere were at least ten Immortal Lords, each accompanied by a junior.

nWhen Tang Lingqi arrived with Su Yi and Tang Bao’er, everyone rose to greet and exchange pleasantries with Tang Lingqi.

nThe Immortal Lords then cleared a space for Tang Lingqi at the center of the hall. Su Yi and Tang Bao’er sat beside him.

nIt was clear that as an Immortal Lord of a mighty faction like the Tang Family, Tang Lingqi’s position transcended that of everyone else present.

nSu Yi barely noticed the difference. A seat, that was all.

nHowever, he could tell that the Immortal Lords seemed to take Tang Lingqi as their leader.

n“Now we just have to wait for Grand Elder Li Wuzhen of Qiankun Sword Manor to arrive. Once he gets here, we can immediately begin our journey to the Palace of Scriptures on the mountaintop.”

n“Daoist Brother Tang, have you perhaps made any arrangements?”

nThe Immortal Lords all started discussing the Palace of Scriptures and the legacies it contained.

nTang Lingqi smiled and conversed with them, but Su Yi found this awfully dull. He just sat there drinking wine and pondering the source of that hint of a familiar aura he’d sensed just now.

n“Do you find this boring too?” Tang Bao’er batted her long eyelashes and sat closer to him, her breath tickling him as she transmitted her words directly into his ears.

nBefore she could respond, she pursed her lips. “All those pleasantries and greetings are so superficial. I’ve never liked them.”

n“When like-minded people and good friends meet, it’s naturally a joyous occasion,” said Su Yi. “But this is indeed as you said: completely insipid.”

nTang Bao’er felt noticed. She beamed. “I was right about you! All that bragging is a bit grating, but everything else about you is good!”

nSu Yi was dumbstruck. “Bragging? What bragging?”

nTang Bao’er blinked her almond-shaped eyes and flashed him a crafty grin. “When we just met! You said there were thirty-six evil flood dragons living beneath the surface of the Luo River, and you said the Midsummer Sovereign killed himself. I’m sure you don’t know this, but our scripture repository has a first-hand account of the battle written by one of our ancestors. Nothing you said holds up to scrutiny. It’s nothing but hot air!”

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nSu Yi was at a loss for words. He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

nBut Tang Bao’er giggled. “But don’t worry; I won’t make fun of you. It’s normal for a man your age to have a few such little flaws. If anything, it makes you seem more real!”

nShe grinned cheekily, her pigtails swaying as she spoke. Su Yi almost couldn’t resist the urge to squeeze them.

n“And do you have any ‘little flaws?’” Su Yi asked with great interest.

nTang Bao’er frowned and said with vexation, “I have far too many! For instance, I was born too beautiful, making it hard to avoid endless swarms of flatterers. And I was born with too much talent for cultivating the Dao. The clan’s old-timers are always on about my future prospects and how I’ll surpass our ancestors. Argh! They’re right, of course, but hearing them go on about it all day is boring…”

nIt seemed like she appreciated the opportunity to vent; the words just flowed out of her.

nBut Su Yi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

nShe calls those ‘little flaws?’

nIf such things count as flaws, I have them too. In abundance, even!

nSuddenly, a nearby middle-aged man in gray smiled and said, “Daoist Brother Tang, is that young man perhaps another scion of the Tang Family?”

nTang Bao’er was the famous pearl of the ancient Tang Family; the influential experts here all recognized her. She was a first-rate chosen daughter of heaven! But none of them recognized Su Yi.

nTang Lingqi smiled and said, “This is my young friend Su Yi. We encountered him on our journey through the Midsummer Mountains, and since fate brought us together, we invited him to join us.”

nThe crowd was instantly enlightened. So, that young man isn’t from the Tang Family after all.

nMost of them instantly lost interest in learning more about him, but not all of them. Someone said with a smile, “Our young friend Su is lucky indeed to have won your recognition and support, Daoist Brother Tang!”

nSeveral other higher-ups chimed in their agreement. “Indeed, after such a stroke of fate, his prospects are surely limitless.”

nIt might have seemed like they were complimenting Su Yi, but they were really just highlighting how capable Tang Lingqi was. Su Yi knew this, but he didn’t care in the least.

nTang Lingqi smiled and waved the praise away. “Don’t misunderstand, everyone. My young friend is an extraordinary person; he has no need of this old man’s support.”

nHe’d only just said this when a young man in yellow robes said, “Senior, according to our agreement, every faction was only permitted to bring a single junior, right? So Fellow Daoist Su…”

nHe trailed off, but his meaning was perfectly clear.

nSu Yi drained his cup of wine and said casually, “Relax. I have no interest in this operation, and I won’t become your competition.”

nHaving his concerns blatantly revealed like this made the yellow-robed young man’s face stiffen. He snorted coldly and said, “I was just asking! Besides, even if you do participate, I’m in no way afraid of competing over good fortune with you!”

nSu Yi smiled and ignored him.

nThe yellow-robed young man felt snubbed, and he said no more. However, when he looked at Su Yi, it was obvious that he was still angry.

nThe gray-robed middle-aged man smiled. “Since our young friend Su came here with Daoist Brother Tang, he’s no outsider. Seems to me there’s no reason he can’t participate.”

nWho couldn’t have read between the lines? He was just giving Tang Lingqi face.

nSeveral other Immortal Lords agreed, but this left their juniors displeased. Who’d be happy when another competitor appeared out of nowhere?

n“We understand your good intentions, Senior. But none of us will be convinced if you give a spot away casually,” that yellow-robed young man said heartily. “I have a suggestion. How about Fellow Daoist Su spars with me? If he can withstand three strikes, he can join us on this expedition. How about it?”

nMany of the other juniors approved. The Immortal Lords didn’t try to stop them. Instead, they watched with great interest.

nYoung people ought to compete amongst themselves! What was youth without competitive spirit?

nThe young man in yellow was called Han Jingsong. He was one of the top elites among the gathered youths.

n“What do you think, Fellow Daoist?” Han Jingsong looked at Su Yi, his gaze a bit provocative.

nAll eyes were instantly upon Su Yi.

nBut Su Yi just shook his head. “No need for that. I already said I’m not interested in this expedition.”

nThe crowd was stunned, and their gazes shifted. It’s just a spar, not a life-or-death duel. You seriously don’t even have the guts for that?

nHan Jingsong looked disappointed. He shook his head. “And here I thought Senior Tang had brought someone impressive. It seems… I jumped to conclusions.”

nWith that, he returned to his seat.

nThe other juniors laughed. At least this guy knows what’s good for him. He backed down of his own accord, so he has no one to blame but himself.

nTang Lingqi witnessed the entire exchange, and although he was confused about Su Yi’s lack of interest in their expedition, he didn’t say anything.

nAfter all, they’d just bumped into each other along the way. Establishing a bit of positive karma was more than enough.

nBut Tang Bao’er was obviously displeased. “You’re the one who suggested the spar. Aren’t other people allowed to refuse? You’re like a little kid playing house. I wouldn’t agree to a request like that either.”

nHer voice was crisp and clear, and she made no effort to hide it. Han Jingsong’s face was instantly red with anger and humiliation.

nA little kid playing house? Listen to her! What could be more insulting than that?

nTang Lingqi glared at her. “Bao’er, don’t be rude!”

nTang Bao’er pursed her lips. “I’m just telling it like it is.”

nTang Lingqi grimaced, then looked around and said apologetically, “Please don’t take offense, everyone. It’s the Tang Family’s fault for spoiling her rotten!”

nThe crowd smiled with understanding. Only Han Jingsong was still displeased. However, he dared not give voice to his anger.

nThere was nothing for it; Tang Bao’er’s status was far beyond his. He couldn’t afford to offend her.

nAll he could do was take his resentment out on Su Yi. How could someone too afraid to fight possibly have earned Tang Bao’er’s protection? It was simply unfair!

n“Why isn’t Qiankun Sword Manor’s Li Wuzhen here yet? Don’t tell me something happened to him along the way?” someone suddenly asked.

nMany of the others furrowed their brows.

n“Hm?” Su Yi suddenly sensed something and looked outside the hall.

nMeanwhile——

nAn effeminate male voice resounded from outside.

n“Li Wuzhen? Are you talking about this guy? He came here with me.”

nA tall, slender figure entered the hall accompanying the speaker.

nThis new arrival was dressed in silver, with a face like cut jade. His gaze was calm and cool, and his entire body was swathed in purple flames. His aura was cold, sharp, and imposing. When they sensed his gaze, everyone felt as if they were staring down a poisonous snake. Their hair stood on end, and they felt thoroughly uncomfortable.

nEspecially after seeing the still-bleeding head he was holding aloft. Its face was smeared with blood, and its eyes were wide with terror.

nThe crowd was instantly stunned.

nThat head belonged to none other than Grand Elder Li Wuzhen of Qiankun Sword Manor!

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