Sect Leader Shao, you don't want Linglong Holy Land to have any problems, do you?

"Fellow Daoists, please listen to me for a moment!"

During the banquet, Sect Master Shao Xuanji of the Linglong Holy Land suddenly rose from her throne and spoke loudly.

As her voice rang out, the sound of music and flutes within the celebration immediately ceased, and the previously noisy and chaotic environment instantly fell silent.

Everyone turned their gaze toward Shao Xuanji, their expressions filled with doubt and curiosity.

Shao Xuanji surveyed the surroundings with a solemn expression and slowly said:

"It is a great honor for our Linglong Holy Land to have all of you travel such a long distance to be here; you truly grace us with your presence. Due to limited resources, please forgive us if our hospitality is lacking."

Her voice was gentle yet carried a subtle pressure. It wasn't loud or intense, yet it traveled a thousand miles, clearly resounding in the ears of everyone present.

"Sect Master Shao, there is no need to be so polite."

"Not at all, not at all. You are truly too humble. We are unworthy of such attention."

"Grandmaster Qiao ascending to Mahayana and gaining the prospect of eternal life is a joyous event rarely seen in a thousand years. It is truly our generation's fortune to witness this grand assembly!"

"To witness the elegance of your esteemed sect this time is truly captivating..."

...Everyone responded politely, bowing in respect from afar.

Shao Xuanji nodded, then changed the subject, speaking in a grave tone:

"Today, This Seat heard a rumor concerning the Linglong Saintess. Its contents are utterly absurd and offensive to the ear."

"Although I do not know which individuals with ulterior motives are fanning the flames and attempting slander and defamation, a rumor is just a rumor and cannot withstand the slightest scrutiny."

"However, since the rumor involves the reputation of the Linglong Holy Land, This Seat, on behalf of the Linglong Holy Land, solemnly clarifies that everything mentioned in the rumor is baseless fabrication and pure invention."

As she spoke, a sharp glint flashed in her beautiful eyes, and she said coldly:

"This Seat has spoken. Should anyone dare to continue spreading rumors and disturbing the public, our Linglong Holy Land will pursue the matter to the end!"

As her voice fell, the guests present immediately felt a chill run down their spines and quickly nodded in agreement.

Although discussing gossip felt somewhat satisfying, getting implicated just for the sake of "eating melons" was not worth it.

Qi Yuan, seated at the banquet, also slightly relaxed, highly satisfied with Shao Xuanji's decisive way of handling the matter.

Just then, Shao Xuanji's gaze suddenly turned towards him, and she announced expressionlessly:

"Starting today, the Dao Child of Tai Xuan, Qi Yuan, is appointed as a Grand Guest Elder of this Holy Land. His status is comparable to that of a Grand Elder. All Linglong Holy Land Disciples must not treat him lightly; violators will be severely punished according to sect rules!"

Grand Guest Elder?

Treatment equivalent to a Grand Elder?

As soon as this statement was made, it was like dropping a giant stone onto calm water, immediately causing an uproar.

Not only the guests present, but even many high-ranking officials of the Linglong Holy Land showed extremely surprised expressions, clearly not having anticipated that Shao Xuanji would grant the Dao Child of Tai Xuan such a prestigious status, let alone announce it publicly.

On the cloud platform, the Dao Children from the other Holy Lands all looked toward Qi Yuan, their eyes filled with shock.

The next moment, Qi Yuan, who had become the focus of the entire hall, stood up calmly, slightly bowed to Shao Xuanji, and said with a smile:

"When bestowed by an elder, one dare not refuse. Since Sect Master Shao shows such favor, this Junior will respectfully accept!"

Shao Xuanji took a deep breath, gritted her teeth, and squeezed out a sentence:

"Guest Elder Qi... there is no need for such formality."

After speaking, she flicked her sleeve and sat directly back on the throne to rest her eyes.

If Ancestor Fei Huang hadn't personally instructed her, she wouldn't have announced this publicly even if it killed her... Just as everyone was processing this shocking development, Zhuang Qingyun impatiently pulled Tu Ruoxu's sleeve and anxiously transmitted a message:

"Senior Brother Tu, you were right. The Linglong Holy Land did publicly refute the rumor quickly."

"But this doesn't look like they're reprimanding the Dao Child of Tai Xuan; rather, it looks like they're praising him. Why is that?"

Tu Ruoxu raised an eyebrow, a playful smile tracing his lips, and replied leisurely:

"Junior Brother Zhuang, you can't just look at things superficially. The more this happens, the more it proves my previous speculation was correct!"

Zhuang Qingyun was confused upon hearing this and quickly asked, "What do you mean by that?"

Tu Ruoxu smiled faintly and replied unhurriedly:

"From the current perspective, the Dao Child of Tai Xuan must have already been reprimanded and forced to reach some kind of agreement with the Linglong Holy Land, suffering a significant loss in the process."

"Therefore, to appease the Taixuan Holy Land, the Linglong Holy Land threw out the empty title of Grand Guest Elder."

"Sect Master Shao of the Linglong Holy Land surely understands the principle of combining grace with authority, and balancing strictness with leniency. Since she got what she wanted, bestowing a title in name only upon the Dao Child of Tai Xuan is nothing."

"The so-called Grand Guest Elder sounds impressive and magnificent, but it's actually just a hollow shell. How much compensation and actual power he gets is entirely up to the Linglong Holy Land, isn't it?"

"In the end, the Linglong Holy Land gains the substance, and the Taixuan Holy Land gains Face, ensuring neither side loses all decorum. This is the brilliance of this move!"

After hearing these words, Zhuang Qingyun suddenly realized the truth, and his Face immediately showed admiration:

"Senior Brother Tu is indeed exceptionally clever! You enlightened me in just a few words. I didn't expect the Dao Child of Tai Xuan to be a pitiful person!"

Speaking of this, the hostility in his gaze toward Qi Yuan had completely vanished, replaced by a hint of pity... Not knowing what he suddenly thought of, Zhuang Qingyun's expression darkened slightly, and he transmitted a message asking:

"Are you suggesting that the rumor was also spread by the Linglong Holy Land themselves?"

After pondering for a moment, Tu Ruoxu shook his head and analyzed confidently:

"Not so. It's unlikely the Linglong Holy Land would spread rumors about their own Saintess. Most likely, they merely capitalized on the situation. The true spreader of the rumor is someone else."

Hearing this, Zhuang Qingyun was first stunned, and then his expression turned fierce:

"Who do you think that person is? How dare they slander Fairy Xiao's reputation? I will never forgive them!"

Hearing this, Tu Ruoxu gave a reserved chuckle, his eyes deep:

"Anyone who spreads rumors has a specific motive."

"Think carefully: if this explosive news were spread, who would be the biggest beneficiary? That person is the true mastermind!"

Zhuang Qingyun was still completely confused and transmitted hesitantly:

"Are you suggesting..."

Tu Ruoxu glared at him, angry at his lack of insight:

"The true mastermind is actually... Ji Tianpeng!"

This sentence was spoken decisively and forcefully.

"Huh?"

Zhuang Qingyun widened his eyes in confusion, seemingly failing to understand.

"Yesterday, the Purple Sun Dao Child, Ji Tianpeng, publicly challenged the Dao Child of Tai Xuan, only to be suppressed in a single move, losing Face completely."

"There were many onlookers at the time. If that news spread, wouldn't the Purple Sun Holy Land lose even more Face?"

Speaking up to this point, Tu Ruoxu paused, looking like he had everything under control:

"The best way to suppress the heat of one piece of news is to create even more explosive news to divert everyone's attention."

"Look, now everyone is discussing the scandal between the Dao Child of Tai Xuan and the Linglong Saintess. Who still cares about Ji Tianpeng losing the fight?"

"Ji Tianpeng and Qi Yuan already have a poor relationship. By weaving Qi Yuan into the rumor, he could not only escape the negative impact of his defeat but also drag his opponent into trouble. It's truly killing two birds with one stone!"

"So that's it!"

Zhuang Qingyun instantly understood, and then transmitted a message with a grateful look, "I didn't expect Ji Tianpeng to be behind it. If Senior Brother Tu hadn't been so meticulous and wise, that guy really would have gotten away with it."

"You guy surnamed Ji, just you wait! Zhuang Qingyun isn't done with you!"

Saying this, he glared fiercely at Ji Tianpeng, who was lowering his head and drinking moodily.

Noticing Zhuang Qingyun looking at him with an unfriendly expression, Ji Tianpeng felt bewildered.

Did I offend him?

Is this kid crazy?

...The ceremony ended, but Qi Yuan did not meet up with the Disciples of the Taixuan Holy Land. Instead, he went straight to the solemn and majestic Main Hall of the Linglong Holy Land.

At this time, the Main Hall was empty. Besides Sect Master Shao Xuanji of the Linglong Holy Land, who was seated high above, there was no one else.

She was dressed in a gold-embroidered ceremonial robe, her hair coiled high, with Phoenix eyes and finely drawn eyebrows, exuding the dignified aura of a Holy Land Ruler.

"Junior greets Senior Martial Uncle Shao."

After entering the hall, Qi Yuan calmly stepped forward and bowed, showing no sign of transgression.

Shao Xuanji looked down at Qi Yuan, who stood below the jade steps, her eyes flashing with a complex and indecipherable look.

After a moment of silence, she composed herself and said with a cold expression:

"Qi Yuan, This Seat admits I underestimated you before, but if you think you can do whatever you want in the Linglong Holy Land relying on Ancestor Fei Huang's indulgence, then you are gravely mistaken!"

Qi Yuan gently shook his head and said calmly:

"This Junior would not dare. However, isn't it too arbitrary to assume this Junior would act against the Linglong Holy Land just because Ancestor Fei Huang holds this Junior in high regard?"

Shao Xuanji frowned slightly, stared deeply at Qi Yuan, and after a long while, sighed and spoke in a softer tone:

"In that case, This Seat won't beat around the bush. This storage bracelet contains enough resources for you to Cultivate all the way to the Hedao Realm."

"After accepting it, you must swear a Heart Demon Oath never to set foot in the Linglong Holy Land for the rest of your life, nor approach my Disciple ever again!"

Qi Yuan looked up and saw a delicately crafted storage bracelet floating quietly in front of him.

"It seems... you haven't quite grasped the situation yet."

Qi Yuan smiled slightly and said unhurriedly, "The person who is qualified to set the terms right now is me!"

Saying this, he brazenly looked straight into the eyes of the beautiful Sect Head before him:

"Sect Master Shao, you wouldn't want the Linglong Holy Land to have problems, right?"