Chapter 24: Five Regions United (V)

The Yinyun Square of the Xuanyin Qin Sect had now been set up as the venue for the Grand Competition.

In the center of the square stood a massive and ancient zither stage, with strings hanging down like silk, the curved lines emitting a faint spiritual light that seemed to symbolize the heritage of the entire Xuanyin Qin Sect.

In front of the zither stage, seats of varying heights had been arranged, and they were gradually filling up as the Cultivators arrived.

Lin Chen, Cuier, and Chief Disciple Lei Ji, the most promising figures, were already seated in the second row of the square.

Their positions faced the zither stage, and the first row in front was occupied by Grand Elder Bai Youyou, Sect Master Qi Meng, the Thunder Empress, and other important Elders.

Grand Elder Bai Youyou, dressed in a solemn, light gauze gown, possessed a captivating temperament and an unparalleled beauty, with a touch of cold clarity between her brows.

Sect Master Qi Meng was also dressed in a solemn silver-white gown, her temperament beautiful and majestic; although she was a delicate young girl, the dignity she carried made no one dare to underestimate her.

As for the Thunder Empress, she was full of domineering spirit, wearing armor, with an explosive figure that exuded both beauty and intense pressure.

On the right side of the Xuanyin Qin Sect, from the first row to the last, everything was left empty.

This area was reserved specifically for the Tianji Pavilion.

The Cultivators squeezed into the back rows whispered among themselves.

The Tianji Pavilion could not be underestimated; even the Xuanyin Qin Sect, which had annexed the Yunyin Sword Sect, had to reserve enough seats for them.

On the left side of the Xuanyin Qin Sect, the first row of seats was occupied by the core figures of the Xuanyin Second Sect.

Mu Tianhe and several core Elders of the Second Sect occupied the front row, while behind them were some Sword Sect Elders and newly joined Second Sect Elders.

Mu Tianhe's brows were filled with coldness, and although he had not revealed himself, his Aura could not be ignored.

In the second row, the two beautiful women, Mu Xueyan and Xue Yao, occupied the core positions.

Both possessed a noble temperament and peerless beauty, and the young talents around them cast looks of adoration.

Mu Xueyan sat quietly, her figure light and graceful; she wore a white gown with an ice-and-snow sword at her waist, resembling a Fairy in the snow.

Xue Yao wore a light blue gown, the hem of which was as light as a cloud, swaying gently with the wind.

After leaving the Heavenly Realm, she gradually returned to her true nature, changing from her original coldness to a lively girl, occasionally chatting with the Disciples beside her.

The Disciples around the two cast looks of admiration toward them.

They were either Sword Sect Disciples or newly emerged talents who had come because of their admiration for the name "Xuanyin."

But no matter who they were, they all held great admiration for these two proud daughters of heaven.

On the left of the Xuanyin Second Sect, some seats were also left empty; Cultivators moved in and out occasionally, sometimes sitting down and sometimes leaving.

These were reserved spots for emergency needs, such as for the Danxiang Valley of the Western Regions; no one knew if they would come.

Looking at the layout of the entire venue, the first row was for Elders and Sect Masters, the second row for competing Disciples, and the rows further back were for Core Disciples.

The seats from the third row onwards were almost all for ordinary Disciples.

At this moment, the atmosphere suddenly turned quiet.

Everyone's eyes were focused on Great Elder Situ Qian and his group, their gazes filled with curiosity and anticipation.

As everyone's gazes swept over, they quickly noticed the two figures behind Great Elder Situ Qian.

The woman on the left, wearing a silver-white robe, was undoubtedly the Heavenly Maiden of the Tianji Pavilion.

Because she had obtained the recognition of the heavenly dao divine weapon and the Four Wings of Tianji, she had become the pride of the Tianji Pavilion and an existence admired by all.

Every step she took seemed to lead the direction of the entire Sect.

Almost everyone recognized her, for her noble temperament and extraordinary reputation had long spread throughout all major Sects.

However, the man wearing a silver-blue robe made the Cultivators present feel surprised.

He walked side by side with the Heavenly Maiden, his figure slender and his temperament cold, appearing exceptionally unusual.

Cuier, Lin Chen, and the others were the first to recognize that it was Lin Fan.

Although the Disciples of the Xuanyin Qin Sect felt this man looked familiar, they could not recall who he was for a moment.

Just as everyone was confused, Ling Yun, who was ranked second on the Cultivation Ranking, suddenly slapped her forehead and shouted in surprise:

"Isn't this the spiritual body of Lin Fan, manifested by Young Sect Master Lin Chen? The two look so similar in figure; no wonder he looks familiar."

Ling Yun's reminder instantly caused everyone's gaze to focus on Lin Fan.

Many young girls of the Xuanyin Qin Sect could not help but blush, their heartbeats accelerating uncontrollably.

They had never imagined that the man who had been in intimate contact with them during the Soul Awakening Grand Method was actually a hidden expert from the Tianji Pavilion.

At this time, some Sword Sect Disciples also began to discuss in low voices.

A few Sword Sect Disciples had a look of surprise flash in their eyes, and then a young man recognized Lin Fan:

"Wait, isn't this the dissolute man who persuaded us to retreat in the Ghost Domain back then and gave us a way to survive? He is actually a hidden expert of the Tianji Pavilion; no wonder he told us to join the Xuanyin Second Sect back then."

Everyone was suddenly enlightened; the Tianji Pavilion was truly deep and unrevealing, quietly arranging everything.

Unlike the shocked gazes of the crowd, a strange emotion surged in Lin Chen's heart.

She frowned slightly, pursed her lips, and clenched her pink fists.

"Very well, you actually hooked up with Su Wanqing, and you even want me to be a concubine. Without a hundred bubble teas, this won't be settled."

In front of her, Bai Youyou's eyes were as calm as water, as if she had not been affected by any waves.

However, the pain in her heart was like an undercurrent in the deep sea, indescribable.

"Brother Bai Fan, you are ultimately still the Bai Yi who cares for the world. But, I am no longer that girl who only waits for you in the wooden hut. This time, I will not let go of your hand again. And I will never stab that sword again."

Instructor Liu Qingwan stood on the stage in the center of the square, wearing a pure white gown, her skirt hem fluttering lightly.

"Everyone, the group from the Tianji Pavilion has arrived; please wait a moment."

A guard behind her quietly stepped forward, holding a special list of Tianji Pavilion participants, and handed it to her steadily.

At the same time, the etiquette Disciples elegantly guided the group from the Tianji Pavilion to their seats one by one.

Great Elder Situ Qian stood at the very front of the line and took the lead in sitting in the front row.

Following closely were Lin Fan, Su Wanqing, and others.

Left Sword Envoy Yun Che and Right Sword Envoy Qi Mo came to the second row of the Xuanyin Second Sect.

Princess Hu Qinlan, Yin Miaoxue, and Princess Jin Xuan were arranged to enter the third row of the Xuanyin Qin Sect.

Clearly, the three of them were not participating in the competition.

As the members of the Tianji Pavilion took their seats, the atmosphere of the entire venue changed quietly.

In the audience, Disciples whispered, exchanging their views and guesses about the arrival of the Tianji Pavilion.

Especially the sight of Lin Fan and Su Wanqing sitting side by side attracted the attention of many.

In the center of the stage, Instructor Liu Qingwan scanned the area; seeing that everyone was seated, she was about to announce the official start of the Three Sects Grand Competition.

Suddenly—

The sky changed color, dark clouds rolled in rapidly, and darkness quickly covered the entire venue; the originally azure sky became gloomy.

"What is going on?"

Everyone looked up one after another, their expressions instantly becoming grave.