Even when Sikong Zun, the Tianwang Sect leader, personally invited the princess to his birthday banquet, she declined, offering polite excuses but refusing to attend.
For a woman who dared to reject Sikong Zun’s invitation to fawn over a teenage boy, it was no wonder everyone was shocked.
If Yunya had suddenly fallen for this menacing-looking youth, it might be understandable.
After all, a woman’s heart is hard to fathom.
But the Holy Emperor’s uncle, the second-ranked alchemist in Tianlong Continent, was also smiling ingratiatingly at the boy. That was truly baffling.
As the second most prominent alchemist in Tianlong Continent, just below Masterful Hand Venerable, and a member of the royal family, this uncle held an exalted status. Even the Holy Emperor addressed him respectfully as “Royal Uncle.”
Yet, such a formidable figure was showing deference to a mere boy. It was unthinkable.
Everyone wondered if their eyes were playing tricks or if they were hallucinating.
They rubbed their eyes, but the scene remained unchanged.
Golden Light Venerable, Sikong Xuan, Masterful Hand Venerable, and the others couldn’t help but stare at the boy being fawned over.
They desperately wanted to know who he was. Could he be more prestigious than the Holy Son?
What confused them further was that the boy’s cultivation wasn’t high, his appearance was unremarkable, and they’d never seen him before. Who was he?
They exchanged bewildered glances, completely at a loss.
Finally, Masterful Hand Venerable stepped forward, his expression cool, and asked, “Princess, Fourth Royal Lord, are you seeing someone off?”
Yunya smiled. “Yes, escorting a distinguished guest.”
She didn’t deny it.
“Distinguished guest?” Sikong Xuan sneered. “The princess once declined my brother Sikong Zun’s invitation. Is this unremarkable boy somehow more esteemed than my brother?”
He was clearly upset.
Having lost out earlier and now witnessing this, he needed to vent.
“Sikong Xuan, mind your tone. Others may fear Sikong Zun, but we don’t. Think your Yin-Yang Realm cultivation makes you invincible? The world is vast,” Yunya said coldly. “This person’s importance is beyond your comprehension.”
Her words stunned the crowd.
Someone more respected by her than Sikong Zun? Who could that be?
Was there such a figure in Tianlong Continent?
Or was he from another continent?
“You’re from Yuehua Sect, aren’t you?” the unremarkable boy said, his voice carrying a mix of gentleness and pride.
Golden Light Venerable looked at the boy, certain he didn’t know him.
Still, he nodded. “I am indeed Golden Light Venerable of Yuehua Sect.”
Given that both the Fourth Royal Lord and Princess Yunya treated this boy with such respect, he dared not offend him, nor did he want to.
The boy smiled. “Your sect’s Ling Xiao is impressive. We met in the depths of Fulong Mountain Range not long ago. My master spoke highly of him and even gifted him some pills.”
So, the perfect-grade ordinary pills Ling Xiao had were a gift!
Golden Light Venerable had a sudden realisation.
Ling Xiao had his reasons for saying this. If people knew he’d refined those pills, it could bring trouble.
Not necessarily attacks against him.
If someone, especially an acquaintance, asked for his help refining, would he agree?
Helping one could lead to endless requests, leaving no time for cultivation.
Refusing might strain relationships.
So, he stayed low-key, inventing a fictional master to take the blame.
“Shame Ling Xiao isn’t here today, or we could’ve caught up,” the boy said with a smile, then turned to Yunya and the Fourth Royal Lord, bowing. “I’ll take my leave. You have other guests, so no need to see me out.”
Before Yunya could respond, he vanished from the spot.
In truth, the one retrieving the spirit stones and herbs was just Ling Xiao’s martial soul clone, which disappeared upon recall.
But the others didn’t know that. His god-like exit left them dumbfounded.
As soon as Ling Xiao left, Yunya turned excitedly to Golden Light Venerable. “So, he knows your sect’s Ling Xiao. That’s wonderful.”
Golden Light Venerable asked, puzzled, “What does this young man do?”
Yunya said eagerly, “The perfect-grade ordinary pills were refined by his master. Knowing him is a blessing for Yuehua Sect.”
What?
The revelation shocked and amazed everyone.
Moments later, their expressions shifted.
Golden Light Venerable and Lan Yuer beamed with joy.
Sikong Xuan and the others, however, were consumed with jealousy and frustration.
From the Fourth Royal Lord’s words, the alchemist behind the boy might surpass Masterful Hand Venerable.
As Tianlong Continent’s top alchemist, Masterful Hand Venerable was revered by all warriors.
Someone even greater? The implications of befriending such a figure were staggering.
Sikong Xuan and the others felt intense jealousy tinged with resentment.
With Yuehua Sect now under the Royal Auction House’s protection, targeting them would be far harder.
Meanwhile, Ling Xiao had slipped out of the auction house, reaching a secluded part of the Holy City and reverting to his true appearance.
His earlier act was impromptu, aimed at elevating Yuehua Sect’s status.
The higher your status and the more allies you have, the more cautious others would be, making you safer.
Back in his true form, Ling Xiao hurried to Yuehua Sect’s residence, where only a few disciples remained, the others likely out exploring.
He returned to his room, set up a protective barrier, and took out the herbs.
The lotus glowed with purple light, its five petals each representing a century, a five-hundred-year Purple Leaf Snow Lotus, radiating intense cold energy.
The Tianmai Spirit Fruit resembled a banana but was blood-red, about three inches long, with a strong bloody scent detectable from afar.
It typically grew alongside guardian beasts as strong as Tianmai Warriors, making it nearly impossible to obtain without a fierce battle.
The Tianmai Spirit Fruit was the key to the Tianmai Pill, and it had to be a thousand years old, or the effect would be greatly diminished.
