Hong Qingqing’s carefully adorned face almost seemed to contort as she gripped the child tighter in her arms, causing the little one to cry out in pain.
A child cried out, another soon followed, wailing loudly.
Hong Qingqing’s face stiffened, and she looked towards Xu Huaiying ahead of her in a flustered panic, not knowing what to do.
Suddenly, the focus of the entire hall was on the two crying children.
Seated at the head of the table, Lord Changli’s master, the Sword Immortal who had specially come to support the children, also cast a piercing gaze over them.
Disdain flickered stealthily in his eyes, then disappeared.
Out of consideration for his proud disciple, Lord Changli, who pleaded with him through his eyes, and for the twin brother of the dragon and phoenix twins, Xu Yichen, the Sword Immortal refrained from saying anything. He turned his head and began warmly greeting the other sect leaders seated at the same table.
Realizing the strange atmosphere that had suddenly emerged, the junior disciple who had rashly blurted out that comment also shrank back, hiding behind his senior family members, aware that he seemed to have caused trouble.
However, his words resonated with many of his fellow disciples.
Rumors from outside varied greatly, portraying Lord Changli’s second Daoist couple as enchantresses of the mortal world like Daji and Bao Si. They had been excited to see such a beauty, but now their expectations had been sorely disappointed.
As for looks, she was pretty but not stunning, even less so than the beautiful sisters in their own sect.
They had also heard that Lord Changli’s first Daoist couple, Immortal Su from the Joy Sect, was famed for her beauty across the entire Returning Ruins Continent.
They wondered if Lord Changli was blind, or if the rumors were greatly exaggerated.
The junior disciples, with their minds set on the spectacle, temporarily shifted their attention away, feeling somewhat embarrassed.
But soon, they perked up again as the banquet prepared by Kunlun Mountain was genuinely generous and lavish.
Failing to witness a beauty, they found solace in the exquisite food, which was a pretty good consolation.
Xu Huaiying did feel fondness for Hong Qingqing, especially since she had given birth to two children with promising potential.
After shielding Hong Qingqing from his master’s displeased glances, Xu Huaiying turned and tenderly reassured his wife, An, "The little ones are ignorant; you shouldn’t take their words to heart."
Xu Huaiying was also aware that the recent rumors had somewhat disturbed Qingqing’s peace of mind.
She had been gloomy and joyless these past days.
And regarding Su Li, the originator of all this chaos, he showed a profound revulsion.
Why hadn’t she died in the Secret Realm, instead of stirring up so much troublesome gossip?
At that moment, Xu Huaiying couldn’t remember that their betrothal had also been promised by him. Now, his thoughts were filled with regret for betraying Hong Qingqing forty years ago in favor of Su Li.
Thinking of how Qingqing had waited for him all these years without a word of complaint, his heart softened further, and he was about to speak more comforting words to her.
Suddenly, the Mountain Protection Array around Kunlun Mountain trembled violently.
Alarmed, the Sword Immortal at the head of the table and Lord Changyuan leapt to their feet.
The dazzling light of the Mountain Protection Array flashed a few times before dissipating into nothingness.
Then, before any of the attendees could react, a melodious piece of music began to drift over from the distance.
From a distance suddenly appeared a brilliant halo, the sound of bells and drums resonating, the pipa, and harps playing continuously.
A group of beautiful maidens, draped in Jiao Sha and either holding pipas or playing harps, appeared swiftly before the crowd from afar within a few breaths.
These maidens were barefoot, adorned with jingling jewelry all over, creating pleasing sounds. The moment their toes lightly touched the ground, they split to two sides, and from their midst, a most beautiful woman with a graceful figure stepped forward, bowing from a distance to the several key figures seated at the front.
"Joy Sect’s disciple Ru Hua, accompanied by Foundation Establishment sisters, has come to offer congratulations."
Chang Yuan’s face turned particularly ugly, his anger seeming inexhaustible, "Very well, your Joy Sect has quite the audacity. Are you intending to openly oppose Kunlun Mountain?"
As Chang Yuan spoke, the Sect Leader of Immortal Sword Sect and the Sect Leader of Ten Thousand Beast Sect also showed signs of hatred, standing up in solidarity.
"A mere few at the Foundation Establishment Stage dare to show off their skills before us."
Without the need for Chang Yuan to take action, Master Lin of Ten Thousand Beast Sect took the lead, raising one hand, and a huge palm mirage gathered above the heads of Ru Hua and her fellow Joy Sect female disciples.
With one strike at the Nascent Soul Stage, those at the Foundation Establishment Stage would likely be splattered with blood on the spot.
Thinking of the grievances suffered by his beloved daughter, Master Lin immediately added more force to his hand.
The Sword Immortals turned their heads away in disgust, saying indifferently, "Don’t let this filthy rabble spoil my disciples’ good day."
Some present showed eyes of pity, yet no one came forward to intervene. The disciples of Buddha Sound Sect and Zen Sect were, however, chanting Buddhist verses with sorrow for humanity.
As disaster seemed imminent, Ru Hua and her companions showed no fear, instead smiling merrily at everyone.
Ru Hua: "Master Lin, why carry such great anger? At your age, you may not withstand it."
Ru Hua pulled out a golden hairpin from her Flying Sky Bun, and with a gesture towards the mirage above, the looming giant palm was divided into two.
Master Lin, who had not expected his technique to be broken, stumbled back two steps in recoil after his mishap.
Some female disciples watching Ru Hua’s golden hairpin showed eyes filled with admiration, finding the magic artifact very suitable for female cultivators.
Before the crowd could ponder further, a second wave of music spread rapidly from the horizon to within Kunlun Mountain.
This time a band of splendidly attired male cultivators at the Golden Core Stage formed a procession.
This group of men were all strikingly handsome; some as refined as scholars entering the world, others commanding like princes in person, some cold as alpine snow lotuses, and some fiery as blazing tales.
Female cultivators with wavering hearts could not help but gasp softly at the sight of so many distinguished beaus appearing before them.
Speaking of which, the Joy Sect had truly few of mediocre appearance. Without claiming that each one was supremely beautiful, they were at least considered handsome in the beauty-filled Cultivation World.
It was a wonder if their Mountain Gate only recruited disciples based on their exceptional looks.
"Joy Sect’s disciple Qingqing, accompanied by Golden Core Stage disciples, has come to offer congratulations."
Some couldn’t help but criticize inwardly, wondering if the entire Joy Sect had decided to come forth. Next, wouldn’t it be those at the Nascent Soul Stage?
As they knew, the ones above the Nascent Soul Stage in the Joy Sect were none other than the Sect Leader Su Xun, and the former Daoist couple of Lord Changli, Su Li, Immortal Su.
Suddenly, a part of the crowd became covertly excited, like chickens injected with vigor, waiting. Could it be that the other protagonist from the gossip rumors was about to make an entrance?
This time, from a great distance came a few loud laughs; one did not see the figure yet, but once again the resounding bell and drum thunder echoed as it returned to the stage.