Heavy snow fell in Zhenwu City, but it couldn't dampen the enthusiasm of the Martial Artists. Inns were packed, and everyone warmed wine, conversing loudly. There were dedicated people traveling back and forth between the mountain and the city, ensuring that news from the mountain arrived as soon as possible.
This was also the reason why everyone rushed to this place even if they couldn't go up the mountain—to get firsthand news.
Meanwhile, on Zhenwu Mountain at this moment, the sky was clear.
The mountain top and the mountain base were like two different worlds, with a very clear demarcation line visible from a distance.
Above the Zhenwu Dojo, tables were arranged according to a special pattern. Guests who had arrived over the past three days had already been seated by the True Martial Sect Disciples. In the very center was a high platform, currently empty.
However, everyone looked at that high platform with reverence. They knew what kind of figures would be seated there later, and anticipation rose in their hearts.
Guests arrived one after another.
“Cang Prefecture’s Misty Rain Pavilion congratulates!”
Luo Wentian's voice rang out, attracting many gazes.
Luo Wentian gestured with his hand, and several graceful women in white dresses descended from the mountain. Their figures were light and ethereal, their lotus steps delicate, exuding an unparalleled charm. Even with white veils covering their faces, it was clear that these women were peerless beauties.
Some younger individuals, brought by their elders to broaden their horizons, stared intently before shyly lowering their heads.
Ning Qi curiously observed the leading woman. She also wore a white dress, but it was embroidered with a bright moon.
He wasn't captivated by her beauty, but rather by her unconcealed aura. She was actually a Yuandan Realm expert, not much inferior to Divine Sword Old Man.
Ye Qinghe giggled and leaned over, saying,
“That's Liu Mingyue, the Second Pavilion Master of Misty Rain Pavilion. Don't let her youthful appearance fool you; she's actually about the same age as our Master. Last time, when Master pursued the Iron Ridge Three Fiends to Cang Prefecture, Misty Rain Pavilion helped a great deal.”
Ning Qi suddenly understood and replied with a smile,
“Pavilion Master Liu is good, but she's not even one-tenth as good as Senior Sister.”
Zhuang Chen, standing nearby, wiped his mouth and nodded repeatedly. Ye Qinghe was delighted, laughing and scolding them as ‘two little rascals’ before going off to greet more guests.
Even more factions arrived today than in the previous three days, especially those from distant places.
“Yun Province’s Ascetic Sect congratulates!”
…
“Chu Province’s Undying Blade Sect congratulates!”
…
“Cang Prefecture’s Overturning Sea Gang congratulates!”
…
“Three-Eyed Divine Fist Gu Buyi congratulates!”
…
“Swift Wind Fast Sword Ye Chen congratulates!”
…
Powerful forces and renowned experts continued to arrive. Many of them were first-rate forces, and some even top-tier forces. Their Heavenly Human Realm experts did not come in person but sent sufficiently important representatives to attend the ceremony.
As for the rogue experts, the lowest among them were Jade Liquid Realm, and many were even Yuandan Realm experts.
Every time a famous expert arrived, it would cause a stir of exclamations.
Ning Qi noticed that the attendees were primarily from Qing Province, Yun Province, Cang Prefecture, and Chu Province. The True Martial Sect was located at the border of Qing Province and Yun Province, so these two provinces had the most visitors. As for Chu Province and Cang Prefecture, they were places where Dragon Mountain Daoist had traveled frequently in the past, forming many connections there.
The sun rose higher.
Zhenwu Mountain became even more lively.
Ning Qi was in a good mood, not only because today was his Master's Heavenly Human Grand Ceremony, but also because many of the guests brought gifts, including numerous classics and martial arts techniques. Those presented as gifts at today's Heavenly Human Grand Ceremony were naturally not ordinary items.
Ning Qi had already read through all the classics in the Scripture Pavilion over the years, and now a fresh batch had been added, which naturally made him happy.
He and Zhuang Chen stood aside, and with the White Ape following, they occasionally drew some attention.
However, he remained composed.
Suddenly, he raised an eyebrow, looking towards the sky.
The bustling Zhenwu Dojo also fell silent as an inexplicable fluctuation emanated from the distant sky. All gazes were involuntarily drawn there, even those of the Yuandan Realm experts.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, a figure stepped through the air. No, to be precise, there were three figures.
The middle-aged man in white robes had an ordinary appearance, but he held a stunning woman on each side. The two women looked similar and had high cultivation, appearing to be a pair of beautiful twins.
At this moment, the three seemed to disregard everyone else. The two beautiful women held spiritual fruits and fine wine, serving him tenderly, their fingers gently caressing, and occasionally offering fragrant kisses, a gentle breeze of perfume wafting by.
This scene made many young people envious, but their elders showed expressions of awe.
One who could act with such ease must undoubtedly be a Heavenly Human Realm expert.
Some well-traveled individuals had already recognized the identity of the newcomers, and understanding dawned in their eyes.
At first glance, the three were still far away, but in the blink of an eye, they had already arrived before Zhenwu Mountain.
Dragon Mountain Daoist's figure soared upwards, also appearing in everyone's sight. He actively went to greet the middle-aged man, laughing heartily:
“Brother Xiaoyao, for you to come personally, this humble Daoist is immensely grateful!”
His words already revealed the identity of the newcomer.
Ren Xiaoyao, known as Xiaoyao Jun, was a carefree and romantic individual, yet also possessed some chivalry. His experiences were somewhat legendary; he came from a rogue Martial Artist background but had continuous fortuitous encounters, eventually reaching the Heavenly Human Realm. He was the goal for countless rogue Martial Artists.
Xiaoyao Jun also laughed heartily:
“Dragon Mountain, my old friend, of course I had to come to your Heavenly Human Grand Ceremony. I thought I would be late after getting a pot of fine wine from Wangyue Tower in Yun Province, but I didn't expect to be the first one here?”
Everyone yearned. The ‘first one here’ Xiaoyao Jun referred to naturally meant he was the first among the Heavenly Human Realm experts to arrive. In the eyes of Heavenly Human Realm experts, only those of the same realm could truly catch their Dharma Eye.
There's a saying: below the Heavenly Human Realm, all are ants.
Even Yuandan Realm Martial Artists could only garner slight attention from Heavenly Human Realm experts, unless they were those with the potential to step into the Heavenly Human Realm; only then would they be viewed differently.
Without comprehending the Heaven and Earth Power, one could not truly be considered a strong expert.
Dragon Mountain Daoist gestured with his hand:
“Brother Xiaoyao, please!”
The two took their seats on the central high platform, conversing and laughing, their Heavenly Human aura further captivating everyone.
Ning Qi observed curiously from a distance. This Xiaoyao Jun's aura was unconcealed; he seemed a bit stronger than Dragon Mountain Daoist, but not by much.
Dragon Mountain Daoist had once told Ning Qi that cultivation in the Heavenly Human Realm was even more difficult, often involving decades of stagnation. Many people, after barely stepping into the Heavenly Human Realm, had already exhausted their potential and could make no further progress.
“It seems this Xiaoyao Jun's early fortuitous encounters had a limit, or perhaps his Aptitude itself reached its limit. It probably won't be long before Master surpasses him.”
“I just wonder, could a single Heavenly Sword Technique of mine injure him?”
This thought involuntarily arose in Ning Qi's mind. This was the second Heavenly Human Realm expert he had seen apart from Dragon Mountain Daoist.