Leading the welcoming party was the chief disciple of the Tianyan Sect, along with other prominent disciples of the sect. On their way to the Tianyan Sect, both parties had already exchanged greetings. While Yan Zihui and the Tianyan disciples chatted amiably, Lu Yaoyao was only partially engaged in the conversation, since she had her eyes busy wandering around as they passed through the town streets.
The people of Yanhuo Town, having lived here generation after generation, seemed to have adapted to the environment and climate; everyone had somewhat tanned skin but appeared fresh and clean, with no signs of excessive sweating.
Wen Zixing and the others were also observing Yanhuo Town. It was their first visit, and everything seemed novel and fascinating. Observing the locals’ unique attire, Wen Zixing thought to himself how much it resembled the ancient Western Region. As he watched inquisitively, he discovered that every person they walked past had black hair, occasionally with a slight curl.
The chief disciple of the Tianyan Sect, named Bu Yang, was a handsome young man with a hearty personality. He was expecting a group of Guiyuan disciples but was surprised to find that they were all famous figures of their generation. While flattered, he and his fellow disciples couldn’t help but harbor some doubts.
As a weathervane of the Cultivation Realm, the Guiyuan Sect was always under the watchful eyes of other sects, and news from there spread especially fast. Bu Yang had also attended the memorial ceremony at the Guiyuan Sect three years ago with his master, but as members of a smaller sect, they remained on the fringes. Still, they were present when His Venerable publicly announced his daughter’s existence to the world and had caught a glimpse of this so-called little princess from afar.
Unbeknownst to Lu Yaoyao, as her gaze wandered around, she also became the focus of others’ attention. The disciples of the Tianyan Sect could hardly contain their bubbling curiosity, and they tried their best to look casual as their gazes repeatedly lingered on Lu Yaoyao. They maintained a composed facade, but internally, they were squealing in excitement.
Is this their legendary little princess?!
So, pretty, and, cute!
Very, very, very cute!
She had such fair and delicate skin that it seemed like even a passing breeze could scratch it, and the baby fat on her cheeks gave off an irresistible charm. Whenever her large, round eyes blinked, her long eyelashes cutely fluttered like little fans—a real heartthrob stealer. Truly worthy of being the daughter of His Venerable!
Seemingly noticing their increasingly overt stares, the little princess turned her head curiously towards them, and then gave them a sweet and tender smile.
Oh my, oh my, oh my—!!!!
The disciples clutched their chests, nearly jumping with excitement.
The princess smiles at them!
…
As Lu Yaoyao followed closely beside Yan Zihui, she couldn’t help but notice the Tianyan Sect disciples flanking them on both sides. Her curiosity was piqued as she observed their expressive faces, which made her wonder inside: Are the disciples of the Tianyan Sect always this lively?
Wen Zixing also noticed the odd behaviors of the Tianyan Sect disciples. He almost made his usual comments but managed to restrain himself at the last moment. As disciples of the Guiyuan Sect, they were representing their sect’s image whenever they traveled outside. With this in mind, all four of them instinctively carried themselves with dignity, projecting an air of seriousness.
However, the exaggerated expressions of the Tianyan Sect disciples and their overt glances were too much to ignore, so taking advantage of a moment when no one was looking, Wen Zixing winked to Du Qianshan, who walked by his side: Look, these guys are so amusing!
“???” Confused, Du Qianshan winked back in response: What are you saying?
Thinking he got a response, Wen Zixing winked again: Look! Our Yaoyao is too eye-catching!
“???” Still puzzled, Du Qianshan finally asked out loud, “Xingxing, what are you talking about?”
“Cough, cough!” Wen Zixing straightened up, “Don’t speak.” They have to maintain the cool image of a proper Guiyuan disciple!
Du Qianshan: “…”
Yan Zihui and Bu Yang, of course, noticed the antics of their junior brothers and sisters. They exchanged glances, their originally polite conversation suddenly becoming much more relaxed.
Turns out we both have handful juniors, huh? What a coincidence!
…
Unlike the Guiyuan Sect, which stood completely separated from mundane cities and controlled hundreds of thousands of miles of land within its precinct, the Tianyan Sect was situated in the most bustling neighborhood of Yanhuo Town.
The Tianyan Sect, a modest sect with everyone from the sect leader to the menial disciples totaling fewer than a hundred people, was even smaller than average cultivation clans, yet it was the largest sect within a thousand-mile radius. The region was hot all year round, with sparse vegetation and scarce water sources. Only the area where Yanhuo Town currently stood had an underground river, so the sect had drilled many wells in the town to avoid a water shortage.
The Tianyan Sect also had the desire to move to a better location and occupy a mountain to properly establish their sect, but reality did not allow it. Even cultivators could not live without water. Within hundreds of miles covered by Yanhuo Mountain, only Yanhuo Town had water sources, so they had to remain within the town and could not expand.
They couldn’t just dominate Yanhuo Town and leave no room for mortals to live. Most disciples of the Tianyan Sect were from the town itself, and they all had mortal relatives living in this town.
It didn’t take long for the two groups to arrive at the Tianyan Sect. Several people stood at the gate, clearly waiting for them, and Lu Yaoyao was sure the middle-aged man standing at the very front was the sect leader.
As Lu Yaoyao and others approached, they stopped in front of the group and respectfully cupped their hands—
“Guiyuan Sect disciple Yan Zihui greets Sect Leader Bu and the esteemed elders.”
“Guiyuan Sect disciple Lu Yaoyao greets Sect Leader Bu and the esteemed elders.”
“Guiyuan Sect disciple…”
After the initial exchange of greetings, Tianyan sect leader Bu Biekuang laughed and gestured to help Yan Zihui up, “Welcome, esteemed martial nephews and nieces. You are guests from afar, no need for formalities. We’ve been looking forward to your arrival. Please, come in!”
The Tianyan Sect treated Lu Yaoyao and her group with warm and cordial hospitality while also maintaining a comfortable distance.
“Each one of you is a dragon among men; the Guiyuan Sect truly is a place of outstanding talents and blessed land!” Bu Biekuang lavishly praised them, not neglecting anyone, and even praised the Guiyuan Sect as a whole.
For Lu Yaoyao and her friends, this was their first encounter with a sect leader who was so articulate. In their minds, they were just juniors and ordinary disciples of their sect, and these were elders, of the same generation as their master. And such elders… could they really be this friendly?
Only Yan Zihui seemed quite accustomed to such occasions and was able to handle it with ease, “You flatter us, Sect Leader Bu. Your sect’s disciples also exhibit exceptional deportment and talent!” Yan Zihui returned the compliments with equally lavish compliments and then presented an exquisite box. “This is a modest gift for Sect Leader Bu and the esteemed elders. Please treat it as a sign of respect from younger generations and kindly accept.”
“Well…” Sect Leader Bu hesitated for a moment before graciously accepting the box, then said, “You are too polite. Well, we happen to have prepared some welcome gifts, too.” Before they could decline, he continued, “I have the audacity to call myself an elder, and an elder’s gift must not be refused. Please, do not be polite with me.”
“Right,” one of the elders laughed. “This is just a welcome gift, do not disdain it.”
With the conversation reaching this point, Yan Zihui could hardly refuse further, and they all ended up receiving several gifts. After the pleasantries, Yan Zihui steered the conversation toward their purpose, “We have come concerning the disturbances at Yanhuo Mountain. I wonder, Sect Leader Bu…”
Before Yan Zihui could finish, Bu Biekuang interrupted, “There’s no rush at this moment. You have traveled from afar and must be tired. I’ve had my disciple Bu Yang prepare some guest courtyards, why not rest first? Our sect has organized a welcome feast for you this evening. We can attend to the formal matters tomorrow.”
“Do not decline, martial nephews and nieces. We have been keeping a watchful eye on Yanhuo Mountain, and it has been stable for the past half a month. It seems unlikely there will be significant disturbances in the short term; a day earlier or later will not affect the overall situation.”
“If that is so, then I respectfully comply,” Yan Zihui conceded.
“That’s appropriate.”
After more pleasantries, Yan Zihui and others followed Bu Yang to their accommodation.
Bu Yang led Lu Yaoyao’s group to a carefully arranged courtyard. “It’s just a modest lodging; please do not mind.”
“You’re too humble, Junior Brother Bu. This courtyard is very pleasant,” Yan Zihui noted as his gaze swept over the lush greenery in the courtyard—a rare sight considering the local climate. Since greeneries were rare even within the Tianyan Sect, they were very sincere in their hospitality.
“By the way, the welcome gift from my master contains items you might need,” Bu Yang mentioned, concerned they might be unaware.
Items they all needed? Lu Yaoyao was puzzled. What could they possibly need?
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I have a feeling that the needed items are probably clothes and other necessities to deal with the extreme temperatures in the town, and probably, the mountain. If so, it would be interesting to see what their outfits would look like!
Thanks for the chapter! 😀