"This is a secret, known by very few. I'm not sure where Elder Su heard about it."
Die Yi was clearly confused.
She was naturally not fooled by the Saintess's words. If there indeed was a woman called Nan Ji, how could she possibly have been taken in as a disciple and trained to become the second Saintess in her previous life? She only had one senior sister, Ji Nanjue... or should I say, senior brother. Thinking back to the scene from the previous night, she now had doubts about Ji Nanjue's orientation. Could it be that the long-term act had completely transformed her? She hadn't grown a tail, had she?!
Clearly, Su Bei was unaware of the various thoughts running through the minds of the people inside the room. However, he believed the Saintess wouldn't deceive him over such a trivial matter, so he continued with a gentle voice,
"A month ago, at the foot of Unrepentant Cliff, Miss Nan Ji saved my life."
"Miss Nan Ji also blessed me with a significant fortune. Such great kindness, I shall never forget. Alas, our last departure was too hasty, so I wish to personally meet Miss Nan Ji and express my gratitude."
Although he harbored the desire to meet this woman, his words were extremely sincere!
The puzzlement in Die Yi's eyes deepened. From the conversation between the two, it seemed that this Miss Nan Ji truly existed!
Could it be... could she actually be real? What exactly was going on with this life's reincarnation?! She felt indignant that Key Smoke had taken in a new disciple without informing her. Moreover, to be able to save Su Bei, that person's cultivation must be exceedingly high!
"Aunt, Die Yi would also like to meet Miss Nan Ji!"
She looked at Key Smoke with round eyes and an earnest expression on her little face.
Above the dark clouds, the gathered vapor had not yet dispersed, but the spring rain had lessened, though it continued to patter down.
Key Smoke quickly pretended to be choked by her tea, shooting a fierce glare at Die Yi. This little rascal, why is she undermining me? I was just figuring out how to bluff my way through, and here she comes asking again!
She casually twirled the ends of her black hair with her fair, slender hand and said evenly,
"Well, Miss Nan Ji isn't currently in the Sacred Land. When time permits, I will be sure to convey your desire to meet her, Elder Su!"
"It's getting late, Elder Su. Please head back. With the Ascension Platform event tomorrow, you should rest early!"
As he watched Key Smoke give him the cue to leave, Su Bei had no choice but to desist, but the suspicion in his heart had grown even thicker.
The Saintess is definitely hiding something! Ji Nanjue clearly said that Nan Ji was in the Sacred Land. However, it wouldn't be right to expose it. Miss Nan Ji must already know about this and is deliberately having the Saintess use this excuse to tactfully refuse me...
He sighed, long and forlorn. Indeed, a chance encounter is true fate. If one has to deliberately create opportunities, it just means the affinity between two people isn't strong enough after all. Is the mysterious woman, who exists only in the deepest recesses of my heart, destined to remain just a beautiful memory?
The Twenty-One Provinces were never short of excitement, and even less short of people who flocked to it!
For the common folk, the opening ceremony might have been considered a major event. However, this time, because of the Saintess's prize for the 'Number One Sect Under the Heavens,' everyone's gaze was fixed upon the rumored Ascension Platform.
Although it was just a competition for those below the Dao Integration realm, and not the true grand tournament of myriad sects, it was quite close!
How many in the world could achieve Dao Integration? ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novel·fıre·net
Although the Great Sects had their own covert rivalries, the Ten Great Sects of the world had all made true appearances before. Yet, especially the Dao Sect, long holding the title of the Number One Sect Under the Heavens, remained mysterious and unfathomable; no one knew what kind of foundation this unassuming sect truly possessed!
Across the public forums of every state capital, various messages were quickly refreshing.
"I think this 'Number One Sect Under the Heavens' contest was initiated by the Dao Sect precisely to silence all the talk and openly reclaim the title in the eyes of the world!"
"The Sword Sect's opening ceremony was certainly dazzling, but in terms of overt strength, a good number of the top hundred sects could put on a similar display. For the Sword Sect, which is currently facing a talent gap, I fear this battle on the Ascension Platform will be..."
"Let's speculate: will the Sword Sect even manage to face Wuhua Palace in the tournament?"
"It's hard to say. I've heard that because there are so many participating sects this time, the Ascension Platform competition has been divided into ten major zones. Each zone is overseen by one of the world's top ten sects. The hundreds of sects in each zone will battle it out, with only the top ten from each zone earning the right to challenge one of the Ten Great Sects!"
"And finally, there's the decisive battle among the remaining top ten sects. The schedule is quite complicated; it's estimated to take at least a month..."
The news spread throughout the Twenty-One Provinces, and everyone was eagerly anticipating it.
Today marked the official start of the Ascension Platform battle. Projected by the Sacred Land, a grand celestial vista was reflected in the skies above all the state capitals.
The Ascension Platform was not set up in the Sacred Sanctuary but was instead constructed atop Azure Cloud Mountain.
Enshrouded by a hazy, thick mist, it resembled a pavilion floating in the heavens, brimming with immortal aura. Swirling Spiritual Energy permeated the air. Above this expanse, immortal cranes cried in unison amidst fragrant, obscuring mists and auspicious, enveloping clouds.
At this moment, from these usually serene peaks of Azure Cloud Mountain, a clamor arose. The sounds coalesced and spread far and wide, clearly audible even from many miles away.