Chapter 529: Flashy on the Surface

Even from afar, Wang Sheng could tell that the Celestial Wind Sect's young sect master was a tall man with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes. He was as handsome as polished jade and moved as gracefully as a swan, startling the observers.

Wang Sheng compared him to Liu Yunzhi and immediately felt that Li Tianyao looked a bit crude. Unlike Liu Yunzhi, whose handsomeness was as natural as breathing, the corners of his eyebrows showed traces of deliberate embellishment. No one could hope to stand out in terms of looks before the heartthrob of Earth's cultivation world.

Right after, Wang Sheng examined Li Tianyao's Dao of the Sword, determining that it had a fierce grandeur and sharp momentum born from absolute confidence. Considering he was a True Immortal with an already shaped Dao of the Sword and the backing of both the Celestial Wind Sect and the North-River Sword Sect, he had more than enough reasons to be confident.

Wang Sheng glanced at the six sword attendants, whose beauty rivaled spring orchids and autumn chrysanthemums, and then at the two Heavenly Immortals who stood like guards. Unlike them, his own sword spirit kept secrets from him, argued with him whenever possible, and even set a ridiculous rule that forbade intimacy with his senior sister before marriage.

He silently picked up a lemon-shaped celestial fruit and bit down on it.

Pfft. It's sour.

A female disciple beside him whispered, "Protector Pi, please mind your manners. Do not eat right now."

Several gazes turned to Wang Sheng. He swallowed the fruit in one gulp and forced an embarrassed smile.

The Celestial Wind Sect's group stopped halfway up the stone steps. The Xinghai Sect's graceful vice sect master politely gestured ahead. Looking at the grand palace of the Xinghai Sect, Li Tianyao smiled and resumed ascending the steps.

A Protector beside Wang Sheng murmured, "That's the Celestial Wind Sect's young sect master, huh? We're all cultivators, yet our fate greatly differs."

Another whispered, "So what if he was born with a high rank? That's not how you achieve immortality."

"I heard he has cultivated for only a thousand years. He has exceptional talent. The Celestial Wind Sect fully supports him, and he is said to have a notable rank even among the disciples of the North-River Sword Sect. If even he cannot seize the fruit of immortality, who can?"

Wang Sheng folded his arms. "Determination does not depend on age, and heroes are not judged by origin. The future is never certain."

Many around him smiled faintly.

Another person warned, "He's getting closer. Speak carefully."

The group nodded. As newly joined Protectors of the Xinghai Sect, they stood obediently behind the elders and disciples.

Yao Xingzi remained inside the palace. He simply rose and waited beneath the high platform. There was no need for excessive ceremony, but proper etiquette still had to be observed. The Xinghai Sect's vice sect master had gone out to greet the guests and had even flown past half of the steps, which already showed considerable respect.

The visitor was only the heir of the Celestial Wind Sect, not its sect master. As the sect master of the Xinghai Sect, Yao Xingzi did not have to welcome him outside.

Li Tianyao gazed at the people above him. Although he had a gentle and friendly expression, Wang Sheng felt a sense of innate arrogance lingering underneath it when their eyes met.

Wang Sheng frowned slightly. He had not sensed it from a distance, but it was now perfectly clear that Li Tianyao's Dao of the Sword was imbalanced. It lacked the purity that a sword cultivator should possess, which usually meant that the cultivator had several sword intents within himself. They interfered with one another, causing them to lose their original individual purity.

To correct it, one had to undergo rigorous cultivation. Ideally, they would restrain their cultivation to focus on unraveling and sorting every strand of sword intent.

On the other hand, Wang Sheng's four great sword intents always maintained a natural hierarchy and could even benefit one another. He had no intention of pointing out Li Tianyao's errors, though. After all, he was unfamiliar with him, and they even had a hint of hostility between them. He was merely observing the sword rhythm and sword intent of another sword cultivator from a neutral standpoint.

Right after, his attention shifted to the two Heavenly Immortals behind the young sect master. He instinctively reached out to sense their Dao Rhythm and felt as if he saw two brilliant immortal swords.

His Dao Heart trembled.

His sword intents immediately tried to react, but he fortunately restrained and completely forced them down in time. Even so, the Heavenly Immortals still glanced in his direction.

Realizing it was only a peak Primordial Immortal, they didn't press the matter further. They followed Li Tianyao into the great palace along with the six breathtaking sword attendants behind them.

Wang Sheng grabbed another celestial fruit and chewed it slowly while following the crowd inside. When choosing his seat, he deliberately picked a corner at the back.

Out of sight meant less irritation. All these flashy displays were useless compared to practicing the sword properly.

What use were sword attendants? They were merely six female immortals of exceptional beauty. The Laifeng Pavilion had plenty of beauties of that caliber.

The real problem was the extraordinary immortal swords they carried.

Wang Sheng could not help but feel a twinge of envy.

He had Spiritless and the Star Deity's greatsword, which were far superior in every aspect to the six immortal swords. Even so, his love for fine swords stirred restlessly.

Yao Xingzi stepped forward to welcome them. Li Tianyao returned the courtesy with a formal Daoist salute, and the two exchanged the usual pleasantries.

Li Tianyao's tone was warm and gentle enough to make one feel as if a spring breeze had touched them. However, it seemed to have been specially trained.

"I have long heard my father say that the sect master of the Xinghai Sect is easily one of the three strongest cultivators in all of the thirteen qi planets. Meeting you now, I can't help but feel moved by your presence and Dao Rhythm. Please accept my respect."

Yao Xingzi forced a smile that looked rather strained. "No need to be so formal, Young Master Li. You're a prodigy of rare talent, hailed as the closest to ascension among the thirteen qi planets. Now that I've seen you in person, I can confidently say that you truly are an exceptional individual with extraordinary aptitude."

In the corner, Wang Sheng could not help but smile faintly.

The elder seated nearby seemed eager for conversation. Using voice transmission, he told Wang Sheng, "Martial Brother, the sect master is actually praising someone. This has to be the first time in history."

Wang Sheng nodded without changing his expression.

Meanwhile, Li Tianyao introduced the two Heavenly Immortal experts behind him. As Wang Sheng had expected, they were the stern and silent elders of the famous North-River Sword Sect who had come to guard the Celestial Wind Sect. Though they didn't have a high rank within the sect, they were still formidable Heavenly Immortal Realm sword cultivators.

The two elders took their seats first. Following the etiquette of a disciple, Li Tianyao sat on the third cushion to the left. The sword attendants stood behind him with lowered heads, their attention fixed solely on the immortal swords in their arms.

Yao Xingzi and the vice sect master did not go up the high platform. Instead of going up the high platform, Yao Xingzi sat on a cushion before it, while the vice sect master coiled her tail beside him.

The atmosphere turned just a little awkward.

Normally, the host should initiate a topic, but Yao Xingzi clearly was not good at handling situations like this.

Fortunately, the veiled vice sect master stepped forward. "May I know the purpose of your visit, Young Sect Master Li?"

Li Tianyao smiled. "It is nothing major. I came today because my father believed that a written reply to the sect master's previous letter would seem too impersonal, so he asked me to visit and explain the situation in person.

"When he first read the sect master's letter, he was greatly shocked and immediately suspected that some petty schemer sought to sow discord between our sects. We have never sent anyone to threaten your sect in any way.

"As everyone knows, we have always treated you all with respect and have never harbored ill intent toward you. The one plotting behind the scenes truly possesses a malicious heart."

Yao Xingzi stroked his beard and nodded. "Sect Master Li's letter would've been enough since I trust him. Nevertheless, I'm still quite moved that you came here personally. All's well that ends well. Anyway, since you've come all this way, at least allow me to show you our hospitality."

"My father also entrusted me with a few gifts," Li Tianyao said. He rose and called toward the entrance, "Bring them in."

Several celestial soldiers waiting by the gate carried up several large chests wrapped in gold and jade. They were opened in the palace, unleashing brilliant radiance. Two were filled with top-tier Immortal Stones, two with artifact-crafting materials, and one with assorted strange treasures that were mainly for display.

Li Tianyao cupped his hands. "May our sects remain allies for all generations, never taking up arms against one another."

Looking moved, Yao Xingzi rose and returned the gesture. Every Xinghai Sect member in the palace stood up as well and followed his example.

Deep down, Wang Sheng shook his head. Wary of the Xinghai Sect joining hands with the Fengli Sect, the Celestial Wind Sect would naturally make all kinds of promises. When trouble came, they would turn faster than flipping a page.

𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Fortunately, most present were not children. They listened politely but did not take the words to heart.

Yao Xingzi ordered the gifts gathered. Using voice transmission, he then instructed the elders to prepare an appropriate return gift.

Though this diplomatic visit had caught them unprepared, their arrangements were still thorough. Tea and pastries came first, followed by song, dance, and ethereal music, and then wine and cheerful conversation.

Such occasions were not suitable for discussing the Dao. Drinking and chatting were enough.

Living up to his status as the Celestial Wind Sect's heir, Li Tianyao handled the situation gracefully. Noticing that Yao Xingzi wasn't talkative and that the vice sect master had no desire to entertain him, he carried the conversation himself so that the hall would not grow cold.

Judging by his appearance, bearing, manner of speech, cultivation, and Dao of the Sword's realm, he was no wastrel or spoiled heir. He was certainly a capable individual.

However, just as the gathering reached its warmest point, Li Tianyao suddenly said, "Actually, while I'm here, I'd like to make a request."

Yao Xingzi replied calmly, "Oh? Speak freely, Young Master Li."

Li Tianyao smiled. "I have such a deep passion for the Dao of the Sword that it can be called an obsession. Before I ever went to the North-River Sword Sect to seek a master, I had already heard that Senior Lishang, the vice sect master of the Xinghai Sect, possessed an ancient sword of great renown. I have always hoped to witness it.

He then turned to the vice sect master. "This might be daring of me, but would you be willing to grant me a few pointers, Senior Lishang? I know full well I am no match for you. Still, I'd like to have a friendly exchange in the Dao of the Sword, with not a shred of disrespect."

The veiled vice sect master frowned slightly. She exchanged a glance with Yao Xingzi, who smiled faintly.

"Very well," the vice sect master replied. She unraveled her coiled tail and slithered into the arena.

In the corner, Wang Sheng raised an eyebrow.

Lishang? Nishang? Xuni?

He carefully sensed the vice sect master's aura.

Ah, it really is Xuni.

Wang Sheng did not care much about the matter itself. On the contrary, he was more eager to see how Li Tianyao would fare. He truly wanted to know whether a sword cultivator with sword attendants was really stronger than one without.