Chapter 139: The Sacred Mountain Becomes Lively

The Longhu Mountains had sent over thirty people, making them the first competing delegation to arrive at the venue.

Two Daoist elders led the way along with seven Daoist masters, and more than twenty young disciples followed behind them. Their formation showed just how much importance they placed on this Immortal Dao Conference.

Before Wang Sheng could even initiate a call in the group chat, seven or eight squad leaders from the Special Investigation Unit had already rushed over. Mu Wanxuan, who had been busy distributing boxed meals, was also called over to help with the reception.

Since Qing Yanzi, the nominal convener of the conference, had yet to make an appearance, Wang Sheng and Mu Wanxuan naturally had to step forward to handle the reception.

When the two Daoist elders started ascending the mountain at a leisurely pace, Wang Sheng tugged at his senior sister, motioning for her to stand a bit ahead of him.

Seniority and propriety had to be maintained. Otherwise, they would become a laughingstock.

"Brother Sheng!" Behind the two Daoist elders, Shi Qianzhang waved his hand. A few Daoist masters beside him immediately moved to suppress him with dark expressions.

One Daoist master simply used a talisman to conjure a chain, binding Shi Qianzhang and even clamping his mouth shut.

Once the two Daoist elders were close enough, Mu Wanxuan and Wang Sheng stepped forward, cupped their hands, and bowed in greeting. Mou Yue and the others also cupped their fists properly.

Wang Sheng said, "Welcome, esteemed seniors. I am Fei Yu, and this is my senior sister, Bu Yu."

"No need for such formalities!"

The two Daoist elders from the Longhu Mountains stroked their beards and chuckled lightly. The Daoist masters cupped their hands in return, and the young disciples responded to Wang Sheng and Mu Wanxuan with bows.

Wang Sheng then loudly recited a speech that he had long since memorized.

"With heaven and earth laid bare and corrupt cultivators stirring unrest, my master offered his strength to the authorities out of deep concern for the growing threat. Realizing the futility of standing alone against such corruption, he decided to invite the righteous sects to gather and discuss this grave matter.

"Fearing that none would listen, he took the bold step of naming this gathering the Immortal Dao Conference. Thanks to the Longhu Mountains' trust, sending such esteemed seniors and Daoist masters to personally attend, this conference has now truly lived up to its name. My master is still tending to his official duties, but he is on his way. If my senior sister and I fall short in hospitality, we beg for your forgiveness, seniors."

The Daoist elders and Daoist masters from the Longhu Mountains smiled.

As if reading from a script themselves, one of the Daoist masters said, "Brother Qing Yan's righteousness is admirable, and we all look up to him. Now that the threat of corrupt cultivators is growing worse, our sect will uphold the Daoist path according to the Celestial Master's teachings. We will not stand idly by!"

After exchanging some polite formalities, Mou Yue and the others stepped forward to take over the reception, freeing Wang Sheng and Mu Wanxuan once more.

Sometimes, such formalities had to be observed. After all, cultivators of the righteous path valued their reputation and appearance highly.

The lodging for the Longhu Mountains was naturally arranged around the Daoist temple, three sides of which were now lined with temporary shelters. The construction crew that had been staying there had already vacated, leaving enough housing for a thousand or more people.

After the Daoist masters left with the Special Investigation Unit, Mu Wanxuan finally breathed a sigh of relief. Remembering that there were still many dishes that she had not yet tasted, she vanished like a gust of wind.

Shi Qianzhang had been dragged off by his martial uncles, but he soon sneaked back. Upon seeing Wang Sheng, he grinned cheekily.

Wang Sheng was sitting at a desk writing, completely ignoring him.

Wang Sheng had expected Shi Qianzhang to face quite a few hurdles to break through to the Seed Formation Realm. Sure enough, Shi Qianzhang's cultivation was still only at the late stage of the Spirit Convergence Realm. Although he showed signs of an impending breakthrough, he had already fallen out of the first tier of disciples from prestigious sects.

In terms of cultivation alone, he was not even as strong as the pale pretty boy from Mount Hua, who had once tried to pursue his senior sister.

Scratching his head, Shi Qianzhang sidled over with a grin. "Brother Sheng, you seem quite busy."

Without even looking up, Wang Sheng replied indifferently, "Why not blame me for not visiting you last time?"

"I was just whining for the sake of it." Shi Qianzhang chuckled. "Besides, I still haven't formally thanked you for saving my life last time."

Wang Sheng's mouth twitched. If Shi Qianzhang had not mentioned it, he would have preferred to forget. Thinking about it annoyed him a bit. After all, had it not been for saving this guy, his master would not have scolded him, and he would not have gained that infamous reputation among the Special Investigation Unit of being disabled yet still steadfast in the sword.

"Here, Brother Sheng." Shi Qianzhang solemnly placed a stack of colorful talismans in front of Wang Sheng. "Besides talismans, I really don't have anything good to offer. The Special Investigation Unit is already providing you with an ample supply of alchemy pills and such, so I doubt you lack anything in that department. Over the past two years, I have been messing around making these talismans. Brother Sheng, please don't be mad. I truly didn't know I would cause you so much trouble that day."

Wang Sheng could only sigh inwardly. In the end, he still couldn't completely sever ties with this guy, no matter how hard he tried.

In the span of two years, Shi Qianzhang had become a little steadier, but his overall demeanor was still somewhat careless and unruly. Compared to others his age, he was still a little less mature. Ever since Guo Qianxing died, it seemed he hardly had any friends left.

Wang Sheng put away the rough draft of the rules that he had written and grabbed a plastic stool, gesturing for Shi Qianzhang to sit. "What talismans are these?"

Shi Qianzhang immediately grew excited. "Look at this one first—my proud work from the past six months! It's a Flight Talisman! It allows you to fly!"

Wang Sheng was taken aback. "Flight Talisman?"

"Want to try it, Brother Sheng? It can take you as high as over thirty meters! I calculated it. Even if the talisman fails, a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator would not die from the fall. At most, they would just break a leg!"

Wang Sheng's face darkened, and he pretended to draw his sword. Shi Qianzhang laughed and dodged away, continuing to introduce the other talismans. Shi Qianzhang truly had a knack for studying talismans. Those that he had developed were remarkably effective in combat.

The Flight Talisman allowed a cultivator to ascend without expending true essence, though the drawback was its slow speed. For someone like Shi Qianzhang, who used talismans offensively, a Flight Talisman would give him a height advantage and allow him to rain down attacks on his opponent. Skillfully paired with a Wind-Summoning Talisman, he could even maneuver freely in the air.

Shi Qianzhang also gave Wang Sheng a full set of tactical bombardment talismans, including Lightning Talismans, Five-Fire Talismans, Gale Talismans, Extreme Frost Talismans, Earth Fissure Talismans, Rain of Arrows Talismans...

Combined with the Flight Talisman, their firepower would be extraordinary.

After Shi Qianzhang finished describing the stack of talismans, Wang Sheng looked at him, feeling somewhat exasperated. Could Shi Qianzhang be aiming for a top-three spot at the Immortal Dao Conference? Could a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator withstand his barrage of talismans?

Should they set a rule specifically to limit Flight Talismans?

After thinking it over, a certain referee decided that Shi Qianzhang was only at the late-stage Spirit Convergence Realm and would not get very far. There was no need to restrict him with special rules.

Not everyone deserved to receive the black whistle treatment.

Shi Qianzhang had only chatted with Wang Sheng for a short while when a commotion rose again at the foot of the mountain.

Shi Qianzhang rolled his eyes. "Brother Sheng, you stay here and have your fun. I am going to see if any single female monsters need rescuing. Bye!"

Afterward, he dashed away, disappearing quickly.

Wang Sheng was still a bit confused when he heard a member of the Special Investigation Unit shout from the foot of the mountain, "The Daoist masters from Mount Mao have arrived!"

So Liu Yunzhi has arrived. No wonder...

Liu Yunzhi was already at the early stage of the Seed Formation Realm. Shi Qianzhang, who was only at the late stage of the Spirit Convergence Realm, had no choice but to hide to avoid "Little Sister Liu" beating and ridiculing him. The enmity over being struck with a blunt weapon would clearly last a lifetime.

As if it had been prearranged with the Longhu Mountains, Mount Mao also sent two Daoist elders and seven Daoist masters.

Wang Sheng once again recited his prepared script. After exchanging a few polite greetings, Mou Yue and the others, who had returned, led the Daoist elders and Daoist masters to the Daoist temple behind the venue. Liu Yunzhi, however, stayed behind with a few young disciples to chat briefly with Wang Sheng. Their interaction was like that of noblemen, distant but proper.

The handsome Mount Mao disciple naturally became the center of attention wherever he went. According to incomplete statistics, from the foot of the mountain to his conversation with Wang Sheng, Liu Yunzhi had already been secretly photographed more times than a certain sword cultivator had been in the past few days combined.

Fortunately, Wang Sheng's master arrived at Mount Sanqing just before the third delegation arrived. Wang Sheng and Mu Wanxuan got to greet their master, but they were each called away before they could even ask how he had been over the past two years.

Mu Wanxuan was busy managing logistics, while Wang Sheng had to attend a referees' meeting. Thus, the task of receiving the guests fell onto Qing Yanzi.

A master was truly a master. Sitting in Wang Sheng's original seat, he immediately radiated an aura that Wang Sheng lacked. It was just like back then, at that old book stall on the Wudang Mountains.

***

Mou Yue presided over the referees' meeting, which was quite important. Eighteen Daoist masters representing various Daoist heritages were gathered to discuss how to set the tournament rules.

When Wang Sheng arrived, the Daoist masters had already prepared everything, making him, their junior, feel somewhat embarrassed.

As soon as he entered the room, the two Daoist masters in the corner caught his attention. Fei Lianzi had his arm in a sling and his left cheek covered with gauze. Gao Shixing had a corner of gauze peeking out from his shoulder, and his right cheek was also wrapped.

Wang Sheng was rendered speechless. They called that a friendly spar? It looked more like they had been testing each other at the edge of going all out.

"You two..."

Fei Lianzi coughed lightly and exchanged a handshake with Gao Shixing. The two then smiled at Wang Sheng.

Laughing, Fei Lianzi said, "We only got to know each other through fighting. Come, let us discuss serious matters."

Looking at their hands bulging with veins, Wang Sheng silently pulled over a chair and sat between them. He suddenly had a rather good idea.

Wang Sheng said, "How about we hold a warm-up match before the main tournament?"