The Great Martial Saint!

Chapter 847 All Parties Gather, A Great Trend Is About to Begin (23rd Update, Please Vote!)

"Lord Chen, the Garrison Commander of Xuanling Garrison in Canglong Prefecture, has arrived—"

"Lord Shen, Deputy Garrison Commander of Xuanling Garrison in Canglong Prefecture, has arrived—"

Two loud chants rang out in front of the Mountain and Water Manor, attracting countless eyes.

Many guests who had already entered the Shanshui Manor couldn't help but turn around to see the person who had recently been making headlines.

Chen Ping'an, the valiant swordsman, is a grandmaster on the Wind and Cloud Ranking!

With overwhelming combat power, they cleaved through the raging waves and shattered the earth, returning with the head of the pseudo-celestial being.
Each and every one of these events was a remarkable feat that shook the entire state.

"Lord Chen, it is an honor to have you here. Please forgive me for not greeting you properly."

Chen Ping'an had barely stepped off the vehicle when an elderly man in black came to greet him.

Two more people followed him, one on his left and one on his right.

One was a thin, middle-aged man; the other was a robust, middle-aged man.

"This old man, Tie Cangshan, greets Lord Chen." The old man in black robes smiled broadly and was full of enthusiasm.

"So it's Lord Tie." Chen Ping'an glanced at the old man, his expression calm.

Tie Cangshan, Deputy Director of the Zhenfu Division of Xuanling Prefecture.

Among the many deputy heads, he ranked high and was a figure of real power. Logically, the two should have met long ago, but for various reasons, they hadn't met on previous occasions.

"Greetings, Lord Chen."

The two people beside Tie Cangshan greeted him one after another, both with smiles on their faces.

Chen Ping'an glanced over and nodded in return.

The two people beside Tie Cangshan were Leng Yunhe and An Futai.

He had met Leng Yunhe before, at the welcome ceremony when Leng Yunhe first took office in Xuanling, where Leng Yunhe attended as a representative of the Xuanling Prefecture's Zhenfu Division. This was the first time he had met An Futai.

Leng Yunhe forced a smile, his posture restrained, showing none of his previous nonchalance.

"We are deeply honored that Lord Chen, with his many duties to attend to, has personally visited this scenic spot."

Today, Chen Ping'an's status is vastly different from what it used to be. Regardless of their inner thoughts, they must be extremely respectful and courteous in front of Chen Ping'an.

Although he was also an extremely senior martial arts grandmaster, he was clearly not on the same level as Chen Ping'an.

Not to mention him, even Tie Cangshan, the strongest of the three, was treated as a junior in front of Chen Ping'an.

This is a ruthless person capable of slaying a false celestial being!
Grandmaster of the Wind and Cloud, ranked fifteenth on the Wind and Cloud Ranking!
If it weren't for the mention of a joint effort, and the fact that the pseudo-celestial being wasn't at his peak, Mang Dao's ranking would probably have been several places higher.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to jump into the top ten.

These are people they cannot afford to offend.

Regardless of their inner thoughts, at this moment, they were all unusually well-behaved and enthusiastic.

Chen Ping'an responded with a faint smile, but they didn't exchange more than a few words.

During the exchange of pleasantries, Shen Huiqing was not neglected.

"Lord Shen, it's been a long time, but you still look as dashing as ever."

Shen Huiqing nodded slightly, saying nothing more, leaving the absolute home ground to Chen Ping'an.

Her posture was graceful and quiet, her demeanor dignified and elegant, completely unlike her former self.

Seeing this, Leng Yunhe's heart skipped a beat, and his thoughts became increasingly chaotic.

Is this woman's admiration for strength truly so profound?
Or is it...?
As Leng Yunhe recalled the various romantic tales and anecdotes of Mang Dao, his thoughts became increasingly complex.

The variety of patterns almost made his eyelids twitch.

As the most romantic of the deputy directors of the Xuanling Prefecture's Zhenfu Division, he naturally harbored some ulterior motives towards Shen Huiqing, a powerful and influential female Grandmaster.

During their initial contact, he made several attempts and put in some effort.

However, Shen Huiqing showed him no respect whatsoever. The methods he had used to manipulate other women were completely ineffective against her.

But now.
Looking at the scene before him, Leng Yunhe's eyes revealed a complex emotion.

His so-called romanticism seemed like a joke compared to his fierce and reckless nature.

A proud and dashing young man, with a fierce and talented spirit, he is destined for endless romantic escapades!
The Shanshui Manor covers an extremely vast area. As you walk in, the scenery along the way is endless, with colorful flowers, mountains and lakes, winding paths, artificial hills and flowing water, which is quite beautiful.

Along the way, people would greet him and chat with him warmly from time to time.

Today, his status within Xuanling City is vastly different.

When he first arrived in Xuanling City, although he already held power in one region, in the eyes of the leaders of various factions, he was just a newly risen upcomer.

Internally, it has a shallow foundation and an unstable foothold; externally, it is beset by troubles and entanglements, resulting in a precarious situation.

Such people deserve proper courtesy, but there's no need to be overly concerned if you delve too deeply into their background.

But even today, his status is already extremely important.

The welcome banquet established his authority; his actions outside Xuanling City made him a figure of great influence.
One case after another, no one dared to underestimate them in the slightest; to be precise, they not only dared not underestimate them, but also held them in the utmost respect.

This point can be clearly understood from the decisions made by various parties who occasionally detour to exchange greetings and make conversations.

"Lord Chen." Lan Taiwen, the garrison commander of Xiaguang Prefecture, also stepped forward to greet him.

This once renowned grandmaster, now standing before Chen Ping'an, dared not display the slightest arrogance.

He looked at the man in front of him, his feelings complicated, but his expression remained warm and full of smiles.

He rose to prominence, vanquishing the false celestial beings before returning home.
Only now did he realize that his so-called "touching the winds and clouds" was nothing but a joke in front of the other party.

As he traveled inward, Chen Ping'an spoke with many people, including leaders of various forces within Xuanling City, as well as colleagues from the Zhenfu Division and the Qiankun Division.

This grand banquet was of the highest caliber, attended only by the most elite figures in Xuanling City. Each of them wielded terrifying influence in the outside world.

During their conversation, Chen Ping'an ran into Elder Rong from the Gu family's residence.

"Elder Rong," Chen Ping'an said with a smile.

"Lord Chen." Old Rong was in good spirits and addressed Chen Ping'an as "Lord" in public, giving him ample face.

Although Chen Ping'an was the husband of the eldest daughter of the Gu family, he dared not be presumptuous in the slightest as an elder.

Today, Chen Ping'an's status is extraordinary.

In the past, he might have dared to boast that everything was fine, but now he really wouldn't dare to do so rashly.

This is a Grandmaster of the Wind and Cloud!
He's still a Grandmaster ranked high on the popularity charts!
These figures, in terms of influence and status, are even above ordinary pseudo-celestial beings!
If Chen Ping'an were to combine this with his natural talent, it wouldn't be an exaggeration for him to befriend a martial arts master.

Such a person is so fortunate to have become the son-in-law of the Gu family.

The two exchanged pleasantries as they walked inside. During this time, Old Rong quietly reminded them that banquets are never pleasant and that they should be careful in everything they do.

Clearly, as the person in charge of the Gu family's base in Xuanling City, Elder Rong's perception and insight are extremely sharp.

Although this banquet appears to be held to welcome the special envoy, the scale and commotion it has generated, given the current situation, suggests that there may be other motives behind it.

Chen Pingan responded with a smile, displaying humility and politeness.

"Thank you very much, Elder Rong. I will keep that in mind."

The main venue for this grand banquet is located in the center of the Mountain and Water Manor, surrounded by lakes, accessible only by a winding path.

On the magnificent, white jade platform, banquet tables had already been set up.

There will be someone to greet you and arrange your seating.

As a Grandmaster of the Wind and Cloud Realm, Chen Ping'an held an extraordinary position and was placed at the front of the table. Although Elder Rong was there on behalf of the Gu family, due to the difference in cultivation level, he was only placed in a position towards the middle.

Elder Rong gave him a look and then sat down first. Chen Ping'an nodded slightly and stepped forward.

During the process, it naturally attracted a lot of attention.

"Lord Chen."

"Chief Chen."

"."

Every now and then, people would stand up to greet each other and exchange warm greetings, creating a scene that was quite moving.

Some of the guests seated towards the back looked astonished, their expressions filled with curiosity and awe.

Many guests peered over, but their gazes were not filled with interest; rather, they were filled with an indescribable reverence. Among them were expressions of kindness and goodwill.

Chen Ping'an remained calm, dressed in a long robe with black patterns, and took his seat in the front row under the guidance of his attendants.

This rank is already within the area where pseudo-celestial beings reside, and even among them, Chen Ping'an's ranking is among the top few.

He arrived rather late; by now, a considerable number of people had already gathered at the grand banquet.

Even if it were a pseudo-celestial being sitting here, it would already be more than half full.

Among them were the behind-the-scenes decision-makers of various forces, and Chen Ping'an also saw a few familiar faces.

Tong Changchun of Yuanhai Tower, Fu Guangsheng of Bicang Chamber of Commerce, Xu Quan of Xuanling Chamber of Commerce, and others.

The group smiled, their eyes meeting, conveying goodwill. Chen Ping'an smiled back, a gesture of greeting.

Besides a few individuals, there were quite a few pseudo-celestial beings, but based on Chen Ping'an's spiritual senses, he did not detect any top-level pseudo-celestial beings. At most, they were only close to that level.

He had barely sat down when a servant poured him some wine. The wine was clear and refreshing, quite good.

"Yokoyama Sect, Inspector Elder and Elder Kuroyan, have arrived!"

"Attendant Cao, stationed here!"

A chant rang out outside the Mountain and Water Manor, signaling the arrival of the Hengshan Sect members. Chen Ping'an, holding his wine cup, sipped his wine without paying any attention.

Before long, several people entered the Jade Platform, and the leader was none other than the Black Rock Monster.

Black Rock Monster, with a high, prominent back and surging aura, resembled a mountain. Cao Penghai followed behind him, and although he too was physically imposing and powerful, he seemed like a small mountain compared to a mighty one.

A commotion arose around them, clearly from people exchanging pleasantries.

As one of the most powerful forces in the seventeen states of the Bicang region, the Hengshan Sect carries considerable weight on such occasions.

As a top-tier pseudo-celestial being, Black Rock Old Monster's prestige and status are naturally extraordinary.

He walked along with a playful smile and a mocking gaze, his presence as imposing as a mountain. Every now and then, representatives of various factions would rise to greet him with pleasantries.

Black Rock Old Monster didn't pay much attention to it, and his attitude remained as arrogant and domineering as ever.

As he passed Chen Ping'an, he gave him a look as heavy as a mountain, with a hint of ferocity.

Chen Ping'an's gaze was calm and indifferent, as if he were unaware while holding his wine glass.

Having witnessed another side of Black Rock Monster, he found his current demeanor strangely comical.

Arrogant and overbearing?

Do not!
It's a matter of being pragmatic and quietly admitting defeat!
Near the top of the table, Old Monster Black Rock landed casually, glanced at the calm and composed Chen Ping'an, grabbed a spirit fruit, and swallowed it whole.

The attack on Lingxi Valley's base and the suspected breakthrough of Shen Linyuan of the Wenxin Sword Pavilion have all affected their minds and hearts. Even the Supreme Elder has now intervened.

Previously, if Chen Ping'an, the ruthless swordsman, dared to appear in front of him, he would have dealt with him without hesitation.

But times have changed. Now, Chen Ping'an, the valiant swordsman, has risen to prominence and even has the feat of slaying a pseudo-celestial being.

Although he scoffed at Chen Ping'an's obviously diminished achievements, his ranking on the leaderboard was undeniably solid.

Ranked fifteenth on the popularity list, logically speaking, he should be able to rival or even suppress ordinary pseudo-celestial beings.

With their combined efforts, they managed to kill a pseudo-celestial being who was clearly in poor condition. What is there to boast about?

If he were to make a move, with his immense strength and surging blood and qi, he could annihilate even a fully-fledged pseudo-celestial being!

However, combat strength is one thing, and reputation is another. Today, Chen Ping'an's reputation has already surpassed the territory of several states, stepping out of the local area and heading towards the dynasty's borders.

With the name of a rising star, he has ascended to the top. Such a person is not only inferior to him, but even the Supreme Elder of their Hengshan Sect is clearly inferior to Mang Dao in terms of prestige.

Under such circumstances, he naturally wouldn't act rashly. Although he was arrogant, he still understood the principle of assessing the situation.

Amidst the current internal and external troubles, we should first deal with the attack on the Lingxi Valley base.

As for Chen Ping'an's matter...
Black Rock Old Monster glanced at Chen Ping'an, who was calm and composed to his left, and sneered.

If he doesn't make a move, plenty of others will. For now, we can just sit here and watch the show.

"Bicang Chamber of Commerce, Lady Biluo, arrive—"

Outside the Mountain and Water Manor, a loud singing voice rang out, causing a stir among those present.

"Has Lady Biluo arrived?"

What brings you here today?

"."

Amidst the commotion, a beautiful figure entered, clad in a long green dress covered with a sheer veil. She was voluptuous, with fair skin, and her long, snow-white legs were faintly visible beneath the veil.

"President Biluo."

"Greetings, Lady Biluo."

"."

Everyone stood up, exchanged greetings, and even Black Rock Old Monster stopped what he was doing and looked away.

"Greetings, fellow Daoists. I am honored to meet you."

Lady Biluo had a gentle expression, a cheerful smile, and a voice as warm as a spring breeze.

"This woman's bewitching arts have become increasingly refined." Old Monster Black Rock's expression was solemn, and he felt a sense of apprehension.

His mastery of the spiritual path was not particularly strong. Although he was better than the average pseudo-celestial being, he was clearly far inferior to a spiritual powerhouse like Lady Biluo.

His physique was strong and his blood and energy were vigorous, making him unafraid of ordinary attacks, but he was powerless against the spiritual realm.

Otherwise, with his physical strength and vitality, he might have been able to reach the ultimate power of that pseudo-celestial being.

"Hidden cultivation level?"

Chen Ping'an's mind stirred.

Under the influence of divine sense, Lady Biluo concealed her true strength, only revealing herself at the pseudo-celestial realm. However, compared to before, she displayed more of her divine sense aura.

If we were to make a judgment, it could be considered as an advancement in secret techniques, with the aura being revealed outwards.

Having met her before, he already knew that Lady Biluo had already reached the realm of celestial beings. Now, with only a rough sense of her, if he didn't observe carefully, he would truly be deceived by her hidden methods.

Such concealment is more than enough to fool ordinary martial arts masters. Even a seasoned second-realm master would likely be deceived if they didn't investigate carefully.

"Looks like they've been hiding quite a few tricks up their sleeves." Chen Ping'an raised his wine glass and drank it all in one gulp.

Lady Biluo, without revealing her cultivation level, is clearly playing a grand game. Considering the current situation in Bi Cang, she likely has her own schemes.

Just as Chen Ping'an put down his wine glass, Madam Biluo gracefully walked over, bringing with her a fragrant breeze.

That fragrance is not pungent like cosmetics, but rather sweet and refreshing, natural and unadorned, with a fragrance that grows stronger with distance and a captivating charm without being embellished.

"Young Master Chen, we meet again."

Lady Biluo, dressed in a long green gown with a sheer veil, stood before Chen Ping'an's desk.

Chen Pingan looked up and saw a smiling, flawless face, her smile as innocent as a newly blossoming bamboo.

"Greetings, Madam." Chen Ping'an stood up and bowed.

Theoretically speaking, he had met Lady Biluo more than once, and today's meeting was not their second. If he were less confident in his own disguise, he might have felt a jolt of fear, thinking that the other party was trying to test him.

But at this moment, he was calm and composed, and respectfully bowed with his hands clasped in greeting.

"Young Master Chen, there's no need for such formalities." Madam Biluo gently raised her hand, and with a flick of her sleeve, a subtle fragrance wafted over her face, gently permeating her soul.

"I have long admired you, young master, and my heart is filled with joy to see you here today." Lady Biluo's eyes shone brightly, like distant mountains shrouded in mist, revealing the innocent charm of a young girl.

"That woman is really something!"

This scene was naturally witnessed by many people in the audience.

Many people were amazed and deeply moved by Lady Biluo's romantic demeanor.

Can you still play like this?
She knew exactly how to treat people and how to act accordingly. Towards Chen Ping'an, she used the pure and innocent charm of a young girl to befriend him. The young master's words, however, took a different approach, subtly bridging the gap between them.

Compared to the adults around him, his methods were far superior.

And that naturally graceful girlish demeanor, those pure words...
Lady Biluo truly deserves to be called a master in this field!

Everyone was filled with admiration and respect.

Xu Quan of the Xuanling Chamber of Commerce, for example, opened his eyes wide to admire Lady Biluo's charm.

Lady Biluo is often charming, but it's rare to see her like this!
At least, in all his years with the Xuanling Chamber of Commerce and his long dealings with the Bicang Chamber of Commerce, he had never seen Lady Biluo like this before.

Fu Guangsheng stood behind the long table, watching the exchange between Guild Leader Bi Luo and Chen Ping'an, the "Wild Blade," and was truly amazed by their demeanor. This was the first time he had seen the Guild Leader act this way, and he couldn't help but ponder Chen Ping'an's position in the Guild Leader's heart.

Previously, when Mang Dao first arrived at Xuanling, the guild leader sent him to offer his congratulations. He had a vague feeling that Mang Dao might be special to the guild leader. Now that he has seen him, it has confirmed his thoughts.

However, the chairman has always acted this way, so it's hard to make a judgment in a short time.

"Lady Biluo, you are truly a woman of boundless charm, like willow catkins in spring, drifting with the wind. I wonder if this old man may have the honor of experiencing your admiration?" The Black Rock Old Monster's unrestrained voice rang out, shattering the atmosphere.

Lady Biluo's eyes flickered, her graceful figure swaying: "Fellow Daoist Heiyan, I have always been sincere, how could I speak of romance? Fellow Daoist has deeply misunderstood me."

She wasn't annoyed by Black Rock Old Monster's retort; her words, in fact, had a unique charm.

"Madam, do you find me too uncouth to speak like this?" Old Monster Black Rock said smugly. "I'm curious, is it that Madam always reacts this way when she encounters a young man like Lord Chen? If it's as easy as you say, then it's just something you can say at will?"

Black Rock Old Monster's eyes were playful, and his lips were full of mockery.

Although he was unwilling to take action, he also did not want to see anyone assisting Chen Ping'an.

With the banquet currently underway and the situation unclear, the arrival of the special envoy Biluo in Xuanling will undoubtedly bring questions. While Lady Biluo's presence may seem like casual remarks, she subtly hints at supporting Biluo's position.

As the head of the Bi Cang Chamber of Commerce, Lady Bi Luo wields extraordinary influence as the highest-ranking official in the Xuanling states. If she were to endorse the Chamber, the subsequent attacks would likely be less effective than expected.

This was not the situation he wanted to see, which is why he intervened in a domineering and sarcastic manner.

"When you speak of your heart's desire, is it a young man like Lord Chen?"

"Fellow Daoist Heiyan has misunderstood me." Madam Biluo bit her lip and sighed softly, her eyes trembling slightly as if she were about to cry: "My heart has never been set on any young man. From beginning to end, my heart has only been set on Young Master Chen."

As she spoke, Madam Biluo suddenly turned around, looked down at Chen Ping'an, and said with deep affection, "Young Master Chen, please don't misunderstand me. My heart is as clear as day."

“I understand Madam’s intentions,” Chen Ping’an replied silently.

Looking at the scene before him, he was utterly speechless.

We're all on the same side, what's all this fuss about!

"It's so lively!"

A sharp and resounding voice suddenly rang out in the arena, and then a figure in a golden robe with cloud patterns appeared in everyone's sight.

Ji Mingchang, Special Envoy of the Prince of Bicang's Mansion!
The pre-banquet incident, which had been a brief interlude, came to a temporary end with the arrival of Jin Yun Jian Ji Ming Chang and Bi Cang Wang Sun Ji Chang Kong.

The grand banquet of the Mystic Spirits has finally begun.

(End of this chapter)