Xu Manor’s Grand Banquet.
Many important members of the Xu and Qin families were present—mostly close relatives by blood or influential branches within the imperial court. Among them were Xu Yi and Xu Shan.
Xu Yi and Xu Shan had both left for sect cultivation at a young age.
The eldest son, Xu Yi, displayed extraordinary talent in talisman arts. At the mere age of four, he was chosen by the Grand Elder of the Tianzhuan Sect as his last disciple. The Tianzhuan Sect was a Jade Purity grade sect with a considerable reputation in the cultivation world. After all, how many Jade Purity cultivators existed in this vast world? Most sects only had Nascent Soul cultivators as their strongest members.
Although Xu Yi had never returned home, the Grand Elder praised him as the most exceptional talent the Tianzhuan Sect had seen in five hundred years.
The second son, Xu Shan, possessed a Pure Yang Physique and was personally taken as a disciple by the Sect Master of the Yanyang Sect. He cultivated the Flaming Sun Heart Technique and was recognized as a rare genius. The Yanyang Sect Master even betrothed his only daughter to Xu Shan.
When the two brothers returned, Xu Manor hosted a grand welcome for them—especially their mothers, Madam Qian and Madam Lin.
Before, with their sons absent, they had felt powerless and looked down upon. Especially after Xu Ming and Xu Pangda became the family’s greatest hopes, they had lowered their heads even further.
But now, their sons had returned—strong in cultivation and highly valued by their sects. They felt as if they were walking on air.
Also at the main table were the Xu family’s matriarch, the elder members of both the Xu and Qin families, Wang Feng, and Xu Pangda.
“Is Qingwan unable to return?” Wang Feng asked Qingwan’s mother.
Madam Qin shook her head. “No, I haven’t seen Qingwan in a long time. I only receive occasional letters from her. This time, she said there’s an important matter in her sect, so she couldn’t come back.”
After a brief pause, she smiled. “It’s alright. Qingwan is now a celestial being, after all. I understand. Besides, I finally get to see Ming’er this time—otherwise, he might think I’ve been avoiding him on purpose.”
Ever since Qin Qingwan joined the Tianxuan Sect, Madam Qin frequently traveled between the capital and her maiden home.
Every time she visited her maiden home, she would coincidentally miss Xu Ming’s return.
And every time she returned, Xu Ming had already left.
Madam Qin felt helpless—she truly wanted to see Xu Ming.
“I’ve heard of Miss Qin’s reputation for a long time during my time in the sect. It’s a pity I couldn’t meet her this time,” Xu Yi said politely.
“Qin Qingwan is ranked on the Beauty List. Who in Yanyang Sect doesn’t admire her?” Xu Shan added with a smile.
Madam Qian chuckled. “Yi’er, you should put in a good word for yourself with Uncle Qin and Aunt Qin. You and Qingwan are both celestial beings—perhaps fate will bring you together.”
Xu Yi smiled faintly but said nothing.
His silence, however, suggested that he did indeed have an interest in Qin Qingwan.
Madam Lin, though displeased, maintained a warm smile. “Qingwan is indeed beautiful. Even as a child, she was a stunning little girl. And isn’t it interesting? Shan’er and Qingwan were born on the same day—just different months. That must be fate!”
Xu Shan laughed. “Mother, you can’t say things like that so lightly. It’s just a coincidence. But I do admire Miss Qin. Whenever I tell my fellow disciples that she lived right across from me, they refuse to believe it.”
“Haha! You youngsters are indeed at the age for marriage,” the old matriarch said with a smile. “But you must still focus on your cultivation. The future of the Xu family rests on your shoulders.”
“The Old Ancestor is right.” Xu Yi and Xu Shan responded in unison.
However, when they heard the words “focus on cultivation,” their breathing subtly quickened.
Of course, they prioritized cultivation.
Qin Qingwan was not only breathtakingly beautiful but also born with a Sacred Physique. If they could cultivate alongside her, their progress would soar to unimaginable heights. This was precisely why, in the minds of many, Qin Qingwan was even more enticing than the other top-ranked beauties on the Beauty List.
“Speaking of which, Old Ancestor, are we still waiting for a certain elder?” Xu Yi asked the matriarch.
There were twenty tables set up in the courtyard, filled entirely with relatives. The dishes had all been served, yet not a single person dared to pick up their chopsticks.
The reason was simple—everyone was waiting for the Old Ancestor to start first.
But the Old Ancestor had been waiting as well, though no one knew for whom.
What made it even stranger was that she had given up the seat of honor.
Who could possibly command such respect from the Old Ancestor?
Could it be that the Wu Emperor himself was coming?
“Be patient, be patient,” the Old Ancestor chuckled. “Someone has already gone to fetch him. He will be here soon.”
“It’s fine. That person must be quite busy with important matters.” Madam Lin smiled, convinced that it had to be the Wu Emperor. After all, the Xu and Qin families had produced so many outstanding talents, and their ties with the royal family ran deep. It wouldn’t be surprising for His Majesty to grace them with his presence.
Madam Qian’s eyes gleamed with curiosity. “Old Ancestor, I heard that you will not be presiding over the ancestral ceremony this year. Forgive my ignorance, but shouldn’t such an important event be led by you?”
The Old Ancestor smiled. “No, no. I am old and won’t have many years left. It’s time for you young ones to take over.”
Upon hearing this, Xu Shan and Xu Yi instinctively straightened their backs.
In the entire Xu family, they both believed they had the best prospects.
He wasn’t even a cultivator, and his official rank wasn’t that high—he had merely placed among the top three in the imperial examination.
And then there was Xu Ming…
People said Xu Ming was formidable, but so what? He had no powerful sect backing him.
Even if he had climbed to the second spot on the Qingyun Ranking, that didn’t mean anything to them.
They had been training in seclusion all this time, never stepping foot outside their sects.
If they were to truly face Xu Ming, who knew who would emerge victorious?
“Old Ancestor, may I ask who you intend to entrust with presiding over the ceremony?” Madam Lin asked nervously.
Whoever led this ceremony would undoubtedly be the next head of the Xu family.
“This person is naturally…”
Just as the Old Ancestor was about to announce the name, a man dressed in Flying Fish Robes stepped into the courtyard, walking directly toward the main table.