The Juexin Branch was one of the top Crimson-Letter Sect branches within the Yanluo Kingdom, boasting a wealth of talent and experts as numerous as clouds. Within it, there were over a hundred Chixiao People alone, including many former Banner Leaders, Incense Masters, and Hall Masters from the various war banners of the old Chixiao Sect—all formidable experts capable of holding their own.
Moreover, the number of creation prodigies within the Juexin Branch was countless, with every kind of creation imaginable present.
Was that all?
No.
One must know that after the Chixiao Monarch suffered the Immortal Dao Judgment, the Chixiao Sect was also personally buried by him. During that era of demonic chaos, the Old Master issued the Chishang Seal Order to summon the Chixiao People, subsequently founding the Crimson-Letter Sect. Heroes from all corners responded to the call and joined the Crimson-Letter Sect, pacifying demons and monsters across the world. It was said that at its peak, the Crimson-Letter Sect numbered in the tens of millions.
Among these people, perhaps the majority were minor figures whose names never spread far, but there were also quite a few ancient Earth Immortals who had once shaken entire regions.
The dozen or so individuals from the Crimson-Letter Sect's Juexin Branch who had arrived at this moment were precisely such ancient Earth Immortals. Most of them were even Great Perfection Earth Immortals who had completed the eighty-one cycles, and there were two Spirit-Origin Earth Immortals among them.
The leader was even more remarkable—he was a Chaoyuan Earth Immortal.
Many recognized him. He was the Deputy Branch Master of the Juexin Branch, Shi Lingkai.
Unlike the dozen-plus ancient Earth Immortals behind him, he had not joined the Crimson-Letter Sect later. This was because he was originally a Chixiao Person himself.
To be precise, he wasn't exactly a true Chixiao Person either.
Those familiar with the history of the ancient era in this world knew that the Chixiao Sect had once suffered a severe split.
Looking back to those distant years, the Chixiao Sect rose with overwhelming force, slaying gods when they met gods, killing buddhas when they met buddhas. They seized spirit altars, broke spirit springs, opened spirit veins, distributed spirit treasures, and scattered spirit stones—their momentum was truly unstoppable.
However, as the Chixiao Sect rose, some Chixiao People gradually forgot their original aspirations. They became inflated, began to act tyrannically, bullied others by relying on their power, and even started killing innocents indiscriminately.
Back then, when the Chixiao Monarch learned of this, he was greatly enraged. He personally executed several of the Chixiao People who had led the trouble-making. But out of sentiment for old ties, and considering the bond of having shed blood and sweat together, he did not move against the other Chixiao People who had killed innocents. He merely expelled them from the Chixiao Sect, not even reclaiming their Blood Fiend Dragon-Elephant guardians.
Although not numerous, there were quite a few Chixiao People expelled from the sect back then. And this Shi Lingkai was one of them.
However, after the modern era began, he pledged allegiance to the Black-Hearted Lord Zhou Taihe, whom he had once followed, and even became one of Zhou Taihe's capable battle commanders. His cultivation increased with each passing day, and by now, he had become a famously renowned Chaoyuan Earth Immortal in the Yanluo Kingdom.
It was well known that every Chixiao Person possessed the Blood Fiend Dragon-Elephant. And because they possessed the Blood Fiend Dragon-Elephant, their strength was exceptionally formidable.
Even a Chixiao Person at the Dharma Aspect Great Venerable level could contend with an ancient Earth Immortal.
As for a Chixiao Person with Earth Immortal cultivation, even if they hadn't achieved the Great Perfection of eighty-one cycles, they were enough to make ancient Earth Immortals wary.
If it was a Chixiao Earth Immortal with Spirit-Origin cultivation, their power was absolutely peerless. Even ancient Chaoyuan Earth Immortals dared not confront them.
As for a Chixiao Earth Immortal with Chaoyuan cultivation, their strength was simply unimaginable. Facing off against a Guiyuan Earth Immortal, or even a Loose Immortal, they would not be at a disadvantage.
Exaggerated?
No!
Just rumors?
No!
These were all facts.
Back in the day, the Chixiao People fought campaigns north and south. How many Immortal Dynasty Immortals did they slay? How could that be mere exaggerated rumor?
"Ting'er, although Sister Miao is not a member of our Crimson-Letter Sect, she is still considered your senior. How can you be so disrespectful to her?"
This Shi Lingkai appeared like a middle-aged man with a goatee on his chin. His eyes swept over Sister Miao's figure, his expression rather lecherous.
"Well, if it isn't the great Branch Master Shi of the Juexin Branch?" Sister Miao said with a smile, still cracking melon seeds in her mouth. "You're quite the rare guest at our Yunchuan Garden Pavilion."
"What, not welcome?"
"How would I dare? We're in business; of course we welcome everyone. Moreover, our Master has said: business is just business. We never involve ourselves in other matters. That was true in the past, is true now, and will be true in the future."
"Old Dong the Tiger certainly knows how to do business. No wonder his operations have grown so large. Admirable, admirable."
Sister Miao didn't engage in much idle chatter with Shi Lingkai. She looked at the crowd and said, "Are you all planning to stay here and watch the excitement, or would you like to enter the garden for a couple of drinks? Today is Miss Xiang'er's day to take the stage and perform. If any of you are interested, you are welcome to come to our Yunchuan Garden Pavilion to witness Miss Xiang'er's elegance."
Lin Xiang'er was the most popular musical courtesan in the Yanluo Kingdom, bar none.
Her piece 'Dancing Before the Monarch' had made countless men fantasize.
Her piece 'Soul Returning to the Blissful Land' had stirred the hearts of countless men.
Her piece 'Dreaming of a Past Life' had stirred the passions of countless men even more.
Anyone who had heard Lin Xiang'er play a tune was inevitably captivated by her enchanting lute music.
Furthermore, a large part of the reason the Yunchuan Garden Pavilion was so lively today was that most people had received news that Lin Xiang'er would be performing there.
Whether it was the Minor Mandate bearer Zhou Ting, Lü Tianze with his Great Nature's Thunderous Might, or Qiao Yu of the Nandou Sect—they were all admirers of Lin Xiang'er. They had come this time precisely for her. Moreover, having shown off so spectacularly in front of so many people today, feeling as majestic as could be and in excellent spirits, a celebration was naturally in order.
"This noble son came precisely for Miss Xiang'er. How could I possibly miss her performance?" Lü Tianze declared arrogantly, his voice loud as if telling everyone that today, he, Lü Tianze, had come specifically to support Lin Xiang'er.
"With just you, you dare to dream of winning Miss Xiang'er's favor?"
Compared to Lü Tianze, Zhou Ting was even more arrogant.
In the past, he might not have had the qualifications to contend with Lü Tianze, since Lü Tianze was a noble son bestowed by the Immortal Dynasty. But now, Zhou Ting was a Minor Mandate bearer. So-called Immortal Dynasty noble sons were no longer worthy of his regard.
"Zhou Ting, don't think that just because you possess a Minor Mandate you can..." Lü Tianze couldn't stand Zhou Ting and was about to challenge and contend with him. But at that moment, Wang Feiyu uttered two words: "Let's go."
Having said that, he entered the garden.
Lü Tianze had always followed Wang Feiyu's lead. When Wang Feiyu said to go, he dared not stay. He shot Zhou Ting a resentful glare, snorted coldly, and hurriedly followed.
Zhou Ting might not regard Lü Tianze, but that didn't mean he would ignore Wang Feiyu's presence.
After all, Wang Feiyu's Edict of Humanity was a true edict, while his Minor Mandate was not a true Heavenly Mandate.
Zhou Ting stared at Wang Feiyu's retreating back and said disdainfully, "It's nothing more than the Edict of Humanity. One day, when I obtain the Great Mandate, let's see how you, Wang Feiyu, can continue to ignore my existence, Zhou Ting."
Shi Lingkai stepped forward to console him. "Ting'er, don't take it to heart. After this year's Temple Fair, the Immortal Dynasty will bestow upon you a Cloud Noble title."
"That would be excellent."
Zhou Ting laughed. "Grandpa Shi, since we're here, why don't we go together to listen to Miss Xiang'er's music? What do you say?"
"Miss Xiang'er's music... your Grandpa Shi has admired it for a long, long time."