There is only one truth

At the same time.

Linglong Holy Land.

As the grand ceremony commenced, countless Floating Cloud Platforms of varying sizes slowly rose, displaying elegant tables, chairs, screens, golden plates, and jade cups.

In addition, many Linglong Holy Land female Disciples, dressed brightly and possessing beautiful faces, stepped on Lingbo, fluttering among the cloud platforms like colorful butterflies flitting through flowers, pouring wine and serving dishes for the numerous guests.

The ceremony process was not complicated; representatives from all invited parties first presented congratulatory gifts to the host, the Linglong Holy Land, and then took turns paying respects to the protagonist of the celebration, Qiao Liying, who had just been promoted to a Mahayana Realm Cultivator.

After that, the guests would be guided by the Welcoming Disciples to their respective cloud platforms to sit down, and after eating and drinking their fill, they would return home.

Even in the Cultivation World, matters are handled based on status and rank. Top forces like the Seven Great Holy Lands would be arranged to be hosted on the most central cloud platform, enjoying the best dishes and environment.

As for the small and medium forces, their treatment would be significantly worse; they would generally be assigned to some peripheral area, unable to even clearly see what the Linglong Holy Land Sect Leader looked like.

After completing the standard procedures as the representative of the Taixuan Holy Land, Qi Yuan was personally guided by a Linglong Holy Land Elder to a noble and magnificent cloud platform.

This cloud platform was located in the very center of all the Floating Cloud Platforms, surrounded by Jiao Silk, and equipped with a specialized Spirit Gathering Formation. With carved railings and jade steps, it was breathtakingly beautiful and reserved specifically for honored guests from the Seven Great Holy Lands.

Upon approaching, Qi Yuan quickly saw the figure of the Linglong Saintess.

At this moment, Xiao Yueni was wearing an ornate, Sweeping Sunset Dress. Her black hair, which usually reached her waist, was pulled up high, adorned with a Seven Treasures Phoenix Crown, surrounded by pearls and jade, with pendants jingling.

She was already born with picturesque features and captivating beauty, but now, dressed in full regalia, she appeared even more graceful, dignified, and devastatingly beautiful.

Sensing someone's gaze, Xiao Yueni's face flushed slightly, but she quickly recovered, gracefully bowing to Qi Yuan and gesturing with a slender hand:

“Dao Child of Tai Xuan, please come this way.”

Immediately afterward, acting as the host, she led Qi Yuan to an empty seat.

Qi Yuan glanced around and found that the Dao Children of the other Holy Lands were all seated, but Qin Lingxue was conspicuously absent.

Although he felt some doubt internally, he showed no expression on the surface, smilingly greeting the Dao Children who were present.

“Apologies for being late. This Qi greets all Fellow Daoists.”

“Greetings, Fellow Daoist Qi.”

“Fellow Daoist Qi is too polite. We just arrived ourselves.”

Except for Ji Tianpeng, the Dao Child of Ziyang Holy Land, who gave a cold snort, everyone else responded warmly to Qi Yuan, seemingly enjoying the conversation.

For some reason, Qi Yuan felt that every single one of them was secretly observing him, and the gaze of one person, in particular, contained intense hostility, or perhaps, jealousy.

It was none other than Zhuang Qingyun, the Dao Child of Boundless Holy Land, who had been quite friendly to him last time.

In contrast, Ji Tianpeng's openly defiant attitude seemed the most normal.

Could it be that the previous Rumor had such a great impact?

Thoughts swirling, Qi Yuan ignored those cryptic glances, casually raising the Nectar in his cup and drinking it down.

At this moment, Pu Genshuo, who was sitting next to him, winked and nudged his arm with his elbow, transmitting a message:

“Brother Qi, I never expected you actually managed to conquer Xiao Yueni, that haughty woman! Truly worthy of being a model for our generation. My admiration for you is like the surging river water, continuous and endless...”

Qi Yuan frowned slightly upon hearing this, and quickly transmitted a question:

“Where did you hear this Rumor?”

Pu Genshuo chuckled, revealing a lewd smile:

“We’re brothers, why hide anything? With hundreds of thousands of eyes watching, who could you and Xiao Yueni hide your little affair from?”

“Don't you think about what kind of place Linglong Holy Land is? It's full of lonely, cold, and bored women. They usually love talking about gossip between men and women, stirring up trouble where there is none. Since such explosive news rarely appears, how could they not have glowing eyes!”

“It’s only been less than half a day, and probably even the cats and dogs inside Linglong Holy Land know about it. Maybe the people from Joyful Union Sect have already finished creating works about the two of you and are rushing to print them...”

Upon hearing this, Qi Yuan's scalp immediately tingled. No wonder Xiao Yueni spent so much time changing her appearance before leaving this morning, acting as if she wanted to drill into the ground and escape—it was apparently to avoid being recognized.

What was even more terrifying was that even with full preparations, someone still saw them, and the news spread throughout the entire Linglong Holy Land within one hour... Wasn't gathering over a hundred thousand women together a bit too terrifying?

Qi Yuan took a deep breath and righteously replied:

“Brother Piao, Fairy Xiao and I share only a pure relationship as Fellow Daoists. Please don't spread Rumors. If you affect Fairy Xiao's reputation, be careful, or I will settle the score with you.”

Hearing this, Pu Genshuo immediately shrank his neck and lowered his voice to transmit a message:

“Brother Qi, you certainly have great romantic luck this time, but the trouble is also significant. Others are fine, but Zhuang Qingyun of Boundless Holy Land is an ardent pursuer of Xiao Yueni.”

“That guy is insidious and cunning, skilled at using schemes. If you meet him in the future, you must be careful.”

As he spoke, Pu Genshuo shook his head with a look of regret and curled his lips:

“Xiao Yueni is beautiful, but she’s not my type. As the saying goes, new shoes pinch your feet, but old shoes fit just right. Only mature women who have experienced the world know how to be considerate of a man...”

Not far from the two of them.

Zhuang Qingyun, the Dao Child of Boundless, glanced darkly at Qi Yuan across the seats, and transmitted a message to Tu Ruoxu, the Daozi of Wangu Holy Land, who was beside him:

“Senior Brother Tu, what is your view on this Rumor?”

Zhuang Qingyun and Tu Ruoxu had the best relationship, so when he encountered trouble, he couldn't help but ask for the other party's opinion.

Everyone knew that Tu Ruoxu, the Daozi of Wangu Holy Land, was supremely intelligent and infallible in his calculations, nicknamed “Star of Wisdom.” His judgment was definitely more reliable than his own.

Hearing this, Tu Ruoxu narrowed his eyes slightly and replied with an air of nonchalance:

“Junior Brother Zhuang, your heart has been blinded by emotion, and you haven't seen the essence of the problem.”

“Ah?”

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Qingyun was immediately stunned and eagerly pressed for clarification:

“Please forgive This Junior Brother for being slow-witted. I hope Senior Brother Tu can enlighten me.”

Tu Ruoxu looked up, glanced in the direction of the Linglong Holy Land Main Hall, and said with absolute certainty:

“Just relax. The more this kind of Rumor spreads, the more it proves that the relationship between Qi Yuan and the Linglong Saintess is purely innocent. The reason for the current situation is likely that Linglong Holy Land wants to use this opportunity to target the Dao Child of Tai Xuan.”

“If my prediction is correct, in order to protect the reputation of the Linglong Saintess, Linglong Holy Land will take action soon.”

“Even if they don't pin the blame for spreading the Rumors on the Dao Child of Tai Xuan, they will pressure the Dao Child of Tai Xuan, forcing him to make some kind of concession!”

Zhuang Qingyun realized the truth upon hearing this, but then frowned again and said with deep concern, “But I heard that Ancestor Fei Huang of Linglong Holy Land is very fond of Qi Yuan, I'm afraid...”

Before he could finish, Tu Ruoxu waved his hand and said confidently:

“This news is merely intended to confuse the public. The higher a Cultivator's cultivation base, the more indifferent their emotions become. Cheng Feihuang is a top-tier mighty figure in the Late Mahayana Stage. How could she suddenly regard an outsider Junior with special favor?”

“There is only one truth: after Linglong Holy Land acquired a fourth Mahayana Cultivator, its ambition swelled, and it wants to put pressure on Taixuan Holy Land to gain more influence in the Cultivation World!”

As he spoke, Tu Ruoxu's eyes shone with the light of wisdom...