Chapter 91 (2/2)
The three disciples representing Teal Jade Sect this time were Gu Hanxuan, Chu Lingjiao and Xiao Chen. Since Xiao Chen was a new disciple, very few sent him off with cheers. However, a few female disciples were screaming below. “Junior Brother Han! All the way! We’re waiting for you here!” Their cheers were not less rousing than those male disciples cheering Chu Lingjiao on.
Liu Yunzheng gave a cough and said to the disciples below, “When I am not around these days, the elders shall take care of all sect business!” When he had finished, he moved his fingers to cast a spell. The Flying-cloud Stone immediately soared up to the horizon.
On this trip to the palace were not only Liu Yunzheng’s Core Disciples, but also Luo Shangyan. Yet Xiao Chen could faintly discern that she was avoiding him, intentionally or unintentionally.
After about two hours, the Flying-cloud Stone landed on a busy metropolis. It was the capital of the Zhou State, White Cloud City. It was much bigger than even Cloud City in the Human World.
Two columns of Zhou State soldiers stood guard at the city gate, inspecting all who seeked to enter the city. Not only were all the participating sects from the surrounding countries gathering here for the Immortals League Competition, an idle assemblage was here as well. There would be a motley mix of every conceivable person in the city for the next few days.
Upon entering the city, one could see households everywhere hanging colored lanterns, setting off firecrackers and hitting gongs. Old people and children were scattering flowers along the streets, welcoming every sect participating in the competition. The Earth Spiritual Meridian held the fate of the country, hence all its participating sects enjoyed peerless privileged esteem.
With the army leading the way, the twenty-odd contingent from the Teal Jade Sect soon arrived at the city center, where the imperial palace was. Seen from a distance, its ornamented balustrades and jade terraces seemed endless. One have to admit that the palace of Violet Manor was much more imposing than the palace of the Human World.
Even more different was the fact that the top of every building was encircled with some Taoist secret sorcery. The Human World simply could not compare with it. It seemed that even in the palace, there were many cultivators. Xiao Chen began to experience a faint worry, wondering whether Chu Lingjiao’s schemes could succeed.
Some moments later, an attendant brought them into a grand hall named the Xuanyuan Hall. Liu Yunzheng brought only Xiao Chen and the other Core Disciples in. The rest stood guard outside.
Leaders and disciples of the other sects were already in the hall waiting, When they saw Liu Yunzheng enter, they all greeted eagerly, “Oh, so Sect Leader Liu is here! Bring him in quickly!”
“Sect Leader He, Sect Leader Xu… how are you doing?” Liu Yunzheng smiled and greeted each in turn.
Seats were already prepared well in advance in the hall. Xiao Chen and the rest all left for the left hall with the Sect Leader to take their seats. A middle-aged man opposite smiled and said, “I have heard that Sect Leader Liu has gotten himself a disciple who can play the divine zither. It is truly a thing to be delighted over!”
Liu Yunzheng smiled lightly. “Don’t laugh at me, Sect Leader He. I have heard that your top disciple has almost broken into the Core Forming Realm. That counts as something to be delighted indeed.”
Sect Leader He guffawed and looked very glad. “My good friend, you are too modest.” With that, a young man in white beside him rose and beamed a smile. “Chenyi pays his respect to Sect Leader Liu.”
Xiao Chen glanced at him carefully. This man must be in the later stages of the Foundation Building Realm. His cultivation exceeded even Gu Hanxuan’s, who was the highest from their side. Liu Fenghuang spoke into his ears in a low voice, “Junior Brother Han, you will surely be renowned throughout the Zhou State after the Immortals League Competition.”
Xiao Chen gave a slight smile. Maybe, just maybe.
Suddenly, from outside the hall came a loud cry. “Perfected Immortal Zhang from the Penglai Island!” Every Sect Leader, regardless of which sect they were from, all rose to their feet. They all cupped their fists in the direction of the doorway. “Our greetings to Perfected Immortal Zhang!”
From the outside of the hall sauntered in a cyan-robed elder with the bony demeanor of an immortal. Three disciples followed behind him, two men and a woman. They were all strutting with uplifted bosoms and raised heads. An arrogant air could be sensed in their eyes. Four of them walked to the foremost seat in the right hall. Only then did the cyan-robed elder smile. “No need for such ceremony, Sect Leaders.” As he said this, he gave his robe sleeve a downward wave and sat down.
“How is Perfected Immortal Zhang these days?”
“Perfected Immortal Zhang has just come out of his retreat. I’m sure your cultivation has reached a new realm!”
All at once, the Sect Leaders started congratulating him. Liu Fenghuang spoke close by Xiao Chen’s ear, whispering. “Penglai Island is the biggest sect of the Zhou State. This Zhang Qinglian once tried to ally all the sects and factions to become their Alliance Leader… ”
Liu Yunzheng’s countenance darkened and he shouted out in a deep voice, “Fenghuang, shut up!” He thought that Zhang Qinglian had such an unfathomable cultivation; even if she spoke in a lower voice, he would have heard her. He immediately stood up and smiled obsequiously. “With Perfected Immortal Zhang helping us after his retreat, I’m sure the Zhou State will triumph again in the upcoming Immortals League Competition.”
Thanks to the single-handed power of Penglai Island, they had managed to hold on to the Earth Spiritual Meridian after the last Immortals League Competition. So many were the talents of the Penglai Island, they referred to themselves as the foremost Immortals’ sect in the country. Though the other sects were unhappy, they did not dare challenge them.
Zhang Qinglian gazed at him and his eyes narrowed. “Oh? I’m sorry for my ignorance, I wonder who this young friend is.” When he proposed the alliance years ago, Liu Yunzheng had valiantly opposed it. How could he have not recognized him? He simply wanted to embarrass Liu Yunzheng.
Liu Yunzheng smiled awkwardly at the slight. “I’m sorry for my lack of talent. I am the Sect Leader of Teal Jade Sect…” Before he had finished, Zhang Qinglian nodded deliberately. “Oh, so it’s Sect Leader Liu. I heard that there is another young talent emerging from your Sect again. I wonder if Sect Leader Liu brought along with you that divine Archean zither?”
During the last Immortals League Competition, Liu Fenghuang had tried to play the divine zither, but his inner strength was not up to the task. The upshot was for all to see. He made a fool of himself. Zhang Qinglian referred to this matter again so as to ridicule him, as everyone could see now for themselves.
All at once, the faces of Liu Fenghuang and her fellow disciples fell. Even the Teal Jade Sect disciples outside the hall felt so ashamed that they could not raise their heads. Liu Yunzheng looked even more embarrassed. An awkward silence reigned. Quite unexpectedly, Xiao Chen spoke up with a nonchalant smile. “Of course my Master brought the divine zither along. Perfected Immortal Zhang, you don’t need to worry about that on our behalf.”