Chapter 592 Xiao Ling Arrives at the Flower Sect Competition

On the bluestone square, the bright sun at noon gradually rose high in the sky. Guests from all directions took their seats one after another. The seats under the circular corridor were soon filled up. Even the outer stone steps were filled with people standing in layers. The gorgeous clothes and brocades and weapons and ornaments complemented each other, and the noise was buzzing like a swarm of bees flapping their wings.

Representatives from all the major forces took advantage of this gathering to find opportunities to strike up a conversation, raise their glasses to greet each other, or whisper in each other's ears, their words full of warmth.

Some people used spiritual tea as an introduction and chatted about the sect's recent situation and cooperation intentions in just a few words; some people took the opportunity to pass the script to quietly slip the jade slip recording the terms of the transaction into the other party's sleeve.

As the wine cups clinked, laughter and whispers rose and fell, making the scene very lively.

Just as the noise at the banquet was growing louder, three streaks of light suddenly flashed across the distant sky.

The person in the lead was wearing a very standard Hua Zong uniform, which matched her graceful figure, making her look slender, elegant and decent.

Afterwards, two figures followed in the air, their light green skirts and black robes were lifted up by the strong wind, like a pair of cranes flying through the clouds.

At the same time, a clear female voice, wrapped in a majestic fighting spirit, came down from the clouds, and every word was like the collision of metal and stone, shaking the wind chimes on the eaves suddenly -

"Miss Mu Qingluan of Xingyun Pavilion and Master Xiao Ling are here!"

The sound spread out like ripples, spreading towards the square and clearly reaching the ears of everyone who was talking.

The sound wave died down in an instant, and the square suddenly became quiet.

The hand holding the cup was suspended in mid-air, and the amber tea soup was swaying in small ripples. The whispers suddenly froze in the throat, and only the wind chimes on the eaves were still ringing.

The moment everyone heard the words "Xingyun Pavilion" and "Xiao Ling", they all looked up at the sky as if being pulled by an invisible thread.

What came into everyone's sight was three figures, two women and one man, floating towards the square in the air.

The woman on the left is wearing a light pink skirt and her golden hairpins sway with her movements. The girl on the right is wearing a light green dress, which makes her look cute and lively.

Both women were beautiful and had extraordinary temperaments, but the eyes of the people present did not stay on them for long. The eyes of all the guests were fixed on the black figure in the center as if attracted by a magnet.

The young man was as tall as a pine tree, his black hair was blown up by the mountain breeze, his brows were as straight as if carved by a knife, there seemed to be starlight flowing between the slightly raised corners of his eyes, and there was a faint smile at the corners of his lips, which made him look more open and noble.

When his face came into view, everyone in the room gasped...

The handsome face that was rumored to have "sharp eyebrows, starry eyes, and the best in Zhongzhou" was now covered with a thin layer of gold powder halo, with a faint smile on his face. Although his temperament seemed friendly, there was a feeling of being difficult to approach, making people dare not look directly at him but also difficult to look away.

Of course, what attracted the attention of the representatives of various major forces present was far more than the young man’s perfect face that was unparalleled in the world.

More importantly, the young man’s identity is now known to almost everyone in the Central Plains - Xiao Ling of Xingyun Pavilion.

His talent in cultivation is nothing short of extraordinary. He reached the Dou Zun level at a young age. Now, after several years of accumulation, his strength is even more unfathomable.

Not to mention that his attainments in alchemy are astonishing - at the last alchemy conference when he was only in his twenties, he used nine-colored alchemy thunder to refine an eighth-grade top-level elixir. When the elixir was ready, thunderclouds turned into phoenixes and resounded through the sky, and he eventually became the champion with absolute suppression.

Such a feat is almost unmatched in contemporary alchemy. Even if one looks at the thousand-year history of alchemy in Zhongzhou, it can be said to be a legend that shocks the world.

As everyone looked at the dark figure, awe, wonder, envy and many other emotions surged in their eyes, bubbling like boiling water making tea.

Even among the representatives of various forces invited by Hua Zong, many young women looked up frequently, and when their eyes swept across Xiao Ling's face, it was as if fireflies trembled. After all, on the Zhongzhou continent, a person who could straddle both strength and alchemy at the age of more than 20 was as unattainable as a lone star in the sky. Even a noble lady as proud as a peacock could not help but yearn for him.

Even the members of the inner sect of the Flower Sect tightened their sleeves at this moment. They looked at the slender figure standing in the clouds, with tiny lights in their eyes, but they did not dare to show it too much because of the solemnity of the occasion. They only dared to take another sneak peek while adjusting the flower ornaments on their temples.

Although Xiao Ling was aware of the various looks falling on him, he did not take them too seriously.

He glanced down quickly and saw that most of the people at the table were unfamiliar faces, so he looked away.

Most of the representatives from various forces invited by Hua Zong this time have the cultivation level of high-level Dou Zong, and even those who are Dou Zun are only handful.

It was rare for him to be present at the venue in his capacity. One must know that ordinary sects would at most send elders or core disciples as envoys. It was really rare for someone like him, who was almost the pillar of the sect, to come to watch the ceremony.

It is also because of this that it is understandable that everyone at the banquet was so shocked and surprised by Xiao Ling’s sudden appearance.

Of course, the real shocking thing is naturally his own strength that is enough to shock most people in Zhongzhou, and his superb skills in refining medicine paper. The terrifying influence brought about by the dual effect, where such a person sets foot, how can he not stir up waves?
As the three figures flew to a place not far from the bluestone square, Hua Feisu, who was in the lead, raised her hand slightly, and her whole body suddenly glowed with a bright and lustrous light. Countless petals condensed from the void, and as if pulled by invisible silk threads, they spread out in layers in front of the three people.

Tiny pink and white petals swirled into a ball in the air, and then pieced together like building blocks, forming a petal staircase that hung from the clouds to the edge of the bluestone square in the blink of an eye.

Such a grand ceremony immediately caused exclamations from the people at the table. Although Hua Zong treated everyone with courtesy when they attended the banquet before, he had never had such a dreamlike reception ceremony.

Only Xiao Ling and his party were granted the honor of having steps built with flower petals and light lamps leading the way, which shows how highly the Hua Sect treated them.

After the petal steps were laid, Hua Fei turned sideways and made a gesture of invitation in the direction of Xiao Ling and Mu Qingluan.

The two nodded in response, and then, under the gaze of everyone, they stepped onto the petal stairs side by side and walked slowly along the stairs to the bluestone square below.

As the two walked, the whole place was silent, and everyone's eyes were focused on them.

Even the rustling sound of Xiao Ling and Mu Qingluan's feet stepping on the soft petals seemed particularly clear in such a quiet atmosphere. The sound was soft and delicate, like the spring willow catkins brushing against the jade steps, or the night wind blowing through the glass cups, and each sound struck the heartstrings of everyone.

After a while, Xiao Ling and Mu Qingluan had already stepped onto the bluestone square. Their eyes met those of several Hua Sect elders on the platform and they nodded slightly.

The elders of the Flower Sect did not put on airs towards Xiao Ling. They all responded with smiles, their old faces wrinkled with smiles, and their eyes and brows were full of warmth, making them look more lively than the flowers blooming in spring.

Then, Xiao Ling and Mu Qingluan, led by a female disciple of Hua Sect, came to a high seat with a wide view and sat down.

After he sat down, Xiao Ling moved his fingertips slightly, and a wisp of mental power spread out like spider silk, quietly weaving a barrier around him that blocked his perception.

The moment the light golden film enveloped the seats, the eyes that were originally focused there all hit the invisible barrier. Only the outlines of two figures could be vaguely seen, but it was no longer possible to see what was happening at the table.

Seeing this, everyone present gradually withdrew their gazes that were originally focused on Xiao Ling.

Since this person has blocked his perception with a barrier and obviously does not want to be exposed to the public too much, people will not be so tactless as to continue to spy on him.

The previously silent square was now gradually filled with the sound of conversation, but the topic nowadays all revolved around the young man in black clothes sitting at the high seat. From the might of the nine-colored pill thunder at the alchemy meeting to his iconic strange fire, every word they spoke was about the title of "Master Xiao Ling", "the number one alchemist in Zhongzhou".

Sitting at the table, Mu Qingluan picked up a delicately carved crabapple cake on the table with her fingertips, biting it gently, and the crumbs fell on the brocade. She looked up at the crowds of people below the stage and said vaguely, "Brother, there are quite a lot of people here this time. I'm afraid most of the well-known forces in Zhongzhou have sent representatives here, right?"

She looked at the densely packed crowds of people below the stage, her eyes curved.

Xiao Ling picked up the gilded teacup and blew away the foam, a faint smile appeared on the corner of his lips: "After all, Hua Sect is one of the two sects in Zhongzhou, and it has a good reputation. We still have to give it some face."

He glanced at the representatives from various forces around the square and said casually, "Besides, who wouldn't want to join in the fun at such a grand event? Who knows if someone wants to take advantage of the opportunity to do something..."

Mu Qingluan raised her eyebrows when she heard that, and turned to look at Xiao Ling: "Brother, what you mean... is something going to happen later?" She pinched half a piece of dessert with her fingertips, her eyelashes cast tiny shadows under her eyes, and there was a hint of inquiry in her eyes.

"Maybe. Let's see what happens next." Xiao Ling tapped the edge of the table with his fingertips, his eyes sweeping over the secret sentries roaming in the dark corners of the square. "Maybe there will be unusual movements." His tone was light, but it seemed to hide some sharpness. After he finished speaking, he lowered his eyes and drank tea. He said no more and just waited for the ceremony to begin.

……

Time passed quietly as everyone was whispering to each other.

About half a quarter of an hour later, a red rainbow light suddenly burst out from the depths of the back mountain of Hua Sect, immediately attracting everyone's attention.

Under the gaze of the crowd, the rainbow light shot across the sky like an arrow and shot straight towards the bluestone square.

When the rainbow light landed on the ground, a golden light suddenly rose up in the center of the square.

As the light faded, the figure of a woman in gorgeous clothes appeared. She wore a brocade robe with a phoenix pattern embroidered with gold thread. Her wide sleeves were adorned with thumb-sized pearls, and the jade belt around her waist was inlaid with twelve pigeon blood rubies. She looked extremely noble.

However, the color of the nail polish on her lips was very dark, which made the thin lines of her lips seem cold and harsh when she pursed her lips, and the upturned curve at the end of her eyes made her look even sharper.

The moment everyone present saw his face clearly, they recognized the person's identity almost at the same time. It was the current acting leader of the Hua Sect, Hua Jin.

Hua Jin stood still, her wide sleeves embroidered with golden phoenixes fluttering as her eyes swept across the seats around the square.

When she passed by the high seat where Xiao Ling and Mu Qingluan were, her eyebrows twitched slightly, but she looked away after only a few breaths, without showing too much abnormality.

However, Hua Jin secretly felt a sense of regret in her heart. If she could establish a relationship with Xiao Ling, or even go one step further, with the support of this master and Xingyun Pavilion, wouldn't the position of sect leader be as easy as taking something out of a bag?
What's more, in terms of appearance, demeanor, age and cultivation, which one of Xiao Ling is not a thousand times better than that evil flower demon king with ulterior motives?
If she could gain his favor, she, Hua Jin, would immediately break off her relationship with the evil flower king, and he could do it without blinking an eye.

However, Hua Jin knew in her heart that such thoughts were nothing but illusions.

She sighed secretly and suppressed those vain calculations in her heart. Instead of pinning her hopes on the unattainable stars, it would be better to hold on to the power in front of her.

If she could take advantage of this succession ceremony to secure her position as the sect leader, she might have the opportunity to come into contact with Xiao Ling in the future. By then, when she holds the power of the Hua Sect, she might be able to conspire for some benefits with the Xingyun Pavilion in the name of the sect, so as to bring the two closer together.

After calming down his thoughts, Hua Jin raised his chin slightly, and his voice, like a huge bell, spread out to the surrounding areas of the square: "Thank you all for taking the time to attend the Hua Sect's Sect Leader Handover Ceremony today. On behalf of the entire sect, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to you all."

As her wide sleeves fluttered, a golden glow flashed, and her fingertips brushed across the gilded token on her waist. "As the acting sect leader, I must carry on the aspirations of my predecessors and safeguard the foundation of the sect. I hope you all will enjoy this grand event and witness the new chapter of the Hua Sect together."

When Hua Jin finished speaking, the sound was like a heavy drum that shook people's hearts. Everyone present responded with a roar, and the seats around the square suddenly burst into thunderous applause. The continuous applause rolled up the petals and swept over the eaves, startling the white pigeons under the eaves to flutter their wings.

Seeing this scene, Hua Jin couldn't help but raise a faint smile at the corner of her mouth. She enjoyed this feeling very much, but if she wanted to truly possess it, she had to hold the position of the leader of the Hua Sect firmly in her own hands.

When the applause died down, Hua Jin spoke again, his voice a little more cold and sharp: "According to the rules of the Hua Sect, during the handover ceremony of the Sect Leader, the competitors must fight with their partners to compete for the position of Sect Leader."

She paused for a moment, her tone becoming a little colder, and she spoke again,
"Since I am the current leader of the Hua Sect, I am the first successor to the throne. If anyone is dissatisfied, you can challenge me and my partner today. Otherwise, after today, the position of the leader of the Hua Sect will be inherited by me, and the leader token will naturally not fall into the hands of outsiders!"

At this point, Hua Jin's expression suddenly turned cold, with a fierce look in her raised brows. Obviously, she was full of resentment that she still did not have the sect leader's token in her hands.

When she mentioned the person holding the token, the corners of her eyes trembled slightly, and the corners of her lips curled up with disgust, but she forced herself to suppress it, and her fingertips tightly grasped the token of the Acting Sect Master on her waist.

But in a flash, Hua Jin's face showed a proud smile again. From today on, the position of the leader of the Hua Sect would be in her pocket. After all, the rules of the Hua Sect competition required both men and women to face the enemy at the same time, but the pair of sisters could only fight alone. With the help of the Demon Flower Evil Monarch, she naturally didn't think it was reasonable for her to lose... (End of this chapter)