Chapter 132 Human Relationships

Time flowed quietly, and after a few peaceful days, the day for the Wandao Sword Sect Elder to arrive for the reception finally arrived.

The Mu Family mansion on this day was more solemn and subtly busy than usual. Servants walked with hurried but orderly steps, sweeping the square in front of the main hall until it was spotless. Besides the Family Head Mu Yuntian, who sat in the main hall, several heavyweight Elders of the Mu Family, as well as some core Disciples, had gathered in the square in front of the hall to show respect to the Wandao Sword Sect Elder. The Mu Family had a long Legacy and had branches within the Wandao Sword Sect, so this reception was both polite and maintained the dignity of a prominent family.

Xiao Ming, dressed in brocade robes, stood near the front of the younger generation. His eyelids were slightly lowered, looking calm and waiting, but in reality, his mind was clear, taking in every subtle movement around him. Not far opposite him, a figure was particularly eye-catching.

It was Mu Wanning.

She was not wearing her usual plain dress today but had changed into a sharp, athletic outfit. The outfit had a pale yellow base, decorated with dark red cloud patterns along the edges. The tailoring was form-fitting, perfectly outlining her tall and athletic figure. It lacked some of the gentleness of a boudoir maiden but added a sense of heroic spirit, like a female general ready to wield a sword and ride into battle at any moment. However, this outfit did not hide her charm; instead, it blended with her vigorous heroic spirit and restrained nobility, making her appear even more unique. Especially the curves of her chest, slightly constrained by the outfit, looked even more impressively full against her upright posture, forming a breathtaking arc that added a heart-stopping allure to her heroic bearing.

Xiao Ming raised his eyelids leisurely, his gaze falling on Mu Wanning without any avoidance, examining her carefully. The appreciation was almost clearly written on his Face. Compared to the hazy glimpse from a few days ago, she now appeared in the daylight with a striking contrast, blending the nobility of a royal princess with the heroic spirit of a female warrior on the battlefield.

Mu Wanning seemed to sense this aggressive gaze, which was completely different from usual. Her pale golden eyes turned instantly, meeting Xiao Ming's gaze precisely. Her willow-leaf eyebrows furrowed immediately, and a flash of clear disgust and confusion crossed her eyes.

For the past few days, she had felt that this "younger brother" was somewhat strange. She couldn't put her finger on exactly what was wrong. His appearance, build, and Aura were no different from usual, but deep within those eyes... there seemed to be less of the arrogance of the past and more of a depth that made her heart tremble slightly. She even had the absurd feeling that this Face, which she had looked at for years, was now far more pleasing to the eye than before, with a subtle, bewitching handsomeness that made her subconsciously want to look away, yet she felt pulled by some invisible force.

Her red lips parted slightly, and she was about to coldly rebuke him for his rude staring—

"Clang—!"

A clear and magnificent sword roar suddenly came from the distant sky, instantly breaking the slightly tense and silent atmosphere in the square. Everyone looked up to see a silver stream of light piercing through the sky. It was extremely far away at first, but in an instant, it was close. It was a dazzling light sword, magnified dozens of times and appearing as solid as reality! Standing steadily on the sword body was an old man in white robes.

The old man had gray hair and a clear, thin Face, but his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's. When they opened and closed, they shot out brilliance. There was no deliberately released imposing Aura around him, but just standing there, he seemed like a peerless ancient sword with its sharpness restrained, making people afraid to look directly at him. Wherever he passed, fine Sword Qi could be heard hissing in the air.

The giant sword moved extremely fast. In the blink of an eye, it flew over the Mu Family square. Then the brilliance converged, and the phantom of the giant sword dissipated. The old man's figure fell silently like a leaf, landing without stirring up any dust.

"Respectfully welcoming the Wandao Sword Sect—Elder Di Jian!" Led by several Mu Family Elders, everyone cupped their hands in a salute, their voices uniform.

Mu Yuntian walked out slowly from the main hall, wearing a perfectly appropriate smile, and cupped his hands: "Elder Di Jian, you have traveled a long way. I have failed to welcome you properly. Please come inside for tea."

Necessary pleasantries and formalities took place in the hall. Elder Di Jian clearly did not like too many worldly rituals. He took a sip of spiritual tea and immediately got to the point, his gaze like lightning sweeping over the young Disciples of the Mu Family standing in the hall.

The selection process was simple and direct. With a slight movement of his perception, Elder Di Jian had sensed the bone structure, cultivation, and especially the sword Dao talent of everyone. He pointed out a few seedlings with decent Aptitude who barely met the entry standards of the Wandao Sword Sect, which was considered giving the Mu Family some Face.

Then, his gaze fell on Mu Wanning and Xiao Ming, who were standing in the front row.

Looking at Mu Wanning, a flash of undisguised amazement and appreciation crossed the old man's eyes. This girl was not old in bone age, yet her cultivation had already reached the Soul Transformation Early Stage. Her Aura was solid, her Foundation was strong, and what was even rarer was her natural, noble temperament and the special Physique fluctuations that were faintly visible... However, after carefully sensing her spiritual power attributes and Physique characteristics, Elder Di Jian slowly shook his head and let out an almost inaudible sigh: "Although the Physique is not yet activated, her talent is superb. It is a pity... she is not destined for our Sect." His tone was full of regret; such a Genius, it was a pity she was not suitable for the path of the sword.

Then, his gaze turned to Xiao Ming (Mu Changge). This time, Elder Di Jian's eyebrows moved almost imperceptibly. With his Soul Transformation Late Stage cultivation and hundreds of years of experience in the sword Dao, he could see at a glance that this "Mu Changge" had very ordinary sword skills, which could be described as rough (nonsense, Xiao Ming had never practiced sword before and was just cramming these few days), and although his spiritual power appeared strong and stable, it was ultimately not the sword Dao. His talent was far inferior to his sister's. But... strangely, this child had an indescribable, weird sense of coordination, as if he were a sharp blade hidden in a tattered scabbard. The scabbard was shabby, but the blade faintly held a cold light. Especially those eyes—beneath the calm appearance, there seemed to be a depth that did not match his age and cultivation.

"Why does this child... give this old man a feeling of inexplicable dissonance and curiosity?" He thought, and a strand of pure and obscure Sword Intent quietly probed out, like the most delicate tentacle, carefully "feeling" Xiao Ming from head to toe, from outside to inside, once again.

Xiao Ming felt a chill in his heart, but his expression remained unchanged.

Elder Di Jian's Sword Intent probe lasted for several breaths without finding any abnormalities. In the end, he could only attribute that strange feeling to some special encounter this child might have had recently, or perhaps his natural Aura was just different. He withdrew his probe and did not delve further. After all, this trip was mainly to give the Mu Family some Face and accept a few Disciples. As long as they were not people from the Demonic Path, he had seen many young people with some secrets.

So, he turned to Mu Yuntian, who had been watching with a smile, and his voice returned to indifference: "Family Head Mu, let your son join my Sect!" His tone was not overly enthusiastic, but he maintained a faint smile.

The smile on Mu Yuntian's Face deepened (although it was a fake smile), full of "gratitude" and "relief." He cupped his hands: "Elder, you are too kind. To be favored by the Elder is my son's good fortune. The entire Mu Family is endlessly grateful." After speaking, he clapped his hands, and a servant immediately brought up a jade tray covered with red silk and presented it respectfully.

Elder Di Jian glanced at it, knowing it was the usual "token of appreciation," and did not refuse. With a wave of his sleeve, the jade tray disappeared, and a faint, formulaic smile appeared on his Face: "Family Head Mu is too polite. Since the candidates have been decided, I will not stay any longer. I will take them back to the mountain tomorrow!"

A reception that was filled with hidden agendas but superficially harmonious had thus been settled. Elder Di Jian nodded slightly, said no more, and the Mu Family Elders eagerly arranged for him to go to the guest courtyard to rest. The selected collateral Disciples were full of excitement and retired respectfully to prepare. The crowd in the square gradually dispersed. In Xiao Ming's lowered eyes, a hint of dark laughter flashed and vanished. Wandao Sword Sect—I am coming.

Xiao Ming followed the crowd, making a show of wanting to return to his own courtyard, but his gaze swept across the crowd without leaving a trace, precisely capturing the figure in the pale yellow athletic outfit who was turning alone and walking toward the backyard on the east side.

Mu Wanning seemed to have no attachment to this "talent show" and did not talk to anyone else as she left directly. Her straight back and steady steps, even in the dispersing crowd, carried a sense of aloofness and distance, as if she carried an invisible barrier, isolating the hustle and bustle of the world.

Watching the beautiful figure walking further and further away, yet still eye-catching, a dark and playful smile rippled in the depths of Xiao Ming's lowered eyes before quickly disappearing.

'Wandao Sword Sect... an interesting place. However,' he thought, smiling as he turned: 'If my "good sister" were not accompanying me, wouldn't it be much less fun?'

He recalled the breathtaking, hazy scenery by the spirit pool the night before, and the natural arrogance and inadvertently revealed noble majesty in her eyes. Such a woman—wouldn't it be a waste not to keep her by his side? Moreover, the secrets of the "Human Emperor Body" and the "Cyan Luck" on her were like a forbidden fruit waiting to be picked, exuding an alluring luster.

Immediately, the corners of Xiao Ming's mouth hooked into an imperceptible arc, and he already had a plan in mind.