Fairy, I am truly a virtuous gentleman!

"I never expected Chu Lingci to be so powerful. Ji Daoyun severely injured the Holy Son of the Golden Lotus Sect with a single blow, and she defeated Ji Daoyun with another move. Compared to the other true disciples of the holy lands present today, she is almost not on the same level."

"To comprehend sword intent before reaching the Golden Core stage is even more impressive than Shen Xin, who ranked third on the Golden Core Immortal Ascension List of the Taiyi Sword Sect a few years ago."

"Although I've never heard of Chu Lingci before, I remember that the Taiyi Sword Sect once spread news that a girl with a clear sword heart and a natural Dao seed had emerged, with a promising future. Could this be her?"

"Hmm? Now that you mention it, I think I've heard about it before..."

At the scene, countless guests began to have a lively discussion.

Without exception, they all praised it highly.

With the appearance of the Jade Venerable Daoist and the genius disciple's sword breaking through the Heavenly Flame, the Taiyi Sword Sect has truly made a name for itself at this Grand Gathering of Myriad Laws.

Inside an empty main hall, the doorway was wide open and unobstructed, allowing a clear view of the arena.

"From this point on, she became famous. Once she reaches the Golden Core stage, she will likely rank highly on the Ascension Ranking."

Ning Yuan made another casual comment before retreating back onto Qiao Shuang's plump and soft thighs.

His head maid's body was warm and fragrant, which he found quite alluring.

Qiao Shuang's expression was gentle, her eyes filled with affection.

She tucked her hair behind her ears to avoid it falling on the boy's face, gently massaging his body with her jade-like hands, and occasionally picking up a spiritual fruit from the table beside her and putting it into his mouth.

The two were deeply in love, oblivious to everyone else around them, and were very intimate.

Xiao Lingjiang, standing to the side, kept her eyes down, her head bowed, remaining an unnoticed maid.

However, after hearing Ning Yuan's previous words, she couldn't help but ask a question out of curiosity.

"Why did Fairy Lingyin capture this true disciple of the Taiyi Sword Sect?"

"I can't say."

Ning Yuan smiled but did not answer.

Xiao Lingjiang gave a soft "hmm" and didn't ask any further questions.

At that moment, a sentence suddenly popped into her mind.

"Heh, this kid has quite a few female confidantes."

Xiao Lingjiang pursed her lips, her small face tense.

But as she looked ahead, she couldn't help but think that if she hadn't been so eager to succeed, she could have shone brightly at this grand gathering of all laws... Perhaps, even the engagement might have already been finalized.

...

...

On the stage, Chu Lingci sensed something and glanced sideways again, gently looking in a certain direction.

Then she raised her right arm and looked at her fair and slender hand. As a master of the Divine Palace Realm, she was far superior to those at the Foundation Establishment and Spirit Platform Realms.

However, if one does not form a golden elixir and use the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to reshape the physical body, then that body will forever belong to the mortal realm.

Therefore, Chu Lingci's hands were not particularly beautiful. Her once delicate, pink palms, without the care of fine spiritual objects, were covered with rough calluses.

That was proof of her diligent training, day after day, year after year.

He was not interested in cosmetics, matters between men and women, or power and wealth; his heart was as clear as a mirror, and he was devoted to the Way.

Although she was young and couldn't understand some things, generally speaking, very few things could disturb her peace of mind.

But Ning Yuan was an exception.

It was because of his arrival that I was feeling uneasy.

Upon seeing him, Chu Lingci couldn't help but let his mind wander, the handsome young man's face flashing repeatedly in his mind, and he even became more forceful than usual.

What's wrong with me?

Chu Lingci asked himself this question.

Even though she owed Zhu a favor because of her senior sister's matter, in her opinion, the matter was over. The two of them didn't have much interaction, and she was already grateful that she didn't pursue the matter of Zhu's reckless kidnapping.

Unable to find an answer, and seeing that no one else was going on stage, she simply closed her eyes and rested.

...

...

Before long, noon arrived.

With the resounding of a golden drum, the grand assembly of all laws came to an end.

The divine voice of Ji Changhong, the Crown Prince of Dali, descended from the sky, publicly announcing the top one hundred geniuses on the Hidden Dragon List.

Everyone eagerly awaited the final result.

Even Ning Yuan raised his head from Qiao Shuang's fragrant and smooth bosom.

"The leader, Chu Lingci of the Taiyi Sword Sect."

"A reward of five thousand coins, one quota to the Crimson Abyss, and either Human Crow's Head or Ten Thousand Jade Fragrance, plus a box of Heavenly Jade Marrow!"

…………

"Seventh place, Hehuan Sect, Wang Mei."

"A reward of one thousand coins, one quota for the Crimson Abyss, and ten taels of Heavenly Jade Marrow."

…………

"Ninth place, Taiyi Sword Sect, Zhu Qixian."

"A reward of one thousand coins, one quota for the Crimson Abyss, and ten taels of Heavenly Jade Marrow."

…………

Soon, the list and the corresponding rewards were read out and distributed.

The ninth one is passable, but not bad either.

Upon hearing the final list, Ning Yuan stroked his chin, perked up, and thought to himself, "This is what I'm thinking."

Although the Great Desire Moon Demon Jade Cicada Supreme Heart Sutra is a demonic secret technique, and its main beneficiaries are practitioners of the Moon Demon Heart Sutra, the Jade Cicada chapter is also quite effective.

Based on Zhu Qixian's original strength, she would have only ranked in the twenties or thirties, but now she has managed to break into the top ten, which is quite different from the original situation.

Thinking of this, Ning Yuan's lips curled up slightly.

So, will things still develop the way they originally did?

Immediately afterwards, Ning Yuan's gaze swept across the top row of arenas, where he spotted a woman in a pink dress with a graceful figure, delicate and pitiful demeanor, charming and alluring, and a beauty mark at the corner of her eye.

"Wang Mei of the Hehuan Sect... there's something strange about her."

Ning Yuan pondered for a moment, then secretly memorized the information.

After the grand assembly of all laws concludes, a three-day banquet will be held as usual, and all candidates will be invited to attend.

However, Ning Yuan was not very interested. Just as he was about to ride away on his precious carriage, someone suddenly flew into the hall and stopped him.

"Brother Yuan, I never expected to meet you on the last day of the Grand Gathering of All Laws. What a coincidence!"

The newcomer was dressed in a magnificent purple robe, with a jade pendant at his waist. His expression carried a hint of cynicism. He was none other than Xiao Heng, the eldest son of the Xiao family.

Xiao Heng first smiled and cupped his hands in greeting, then said, "I am here on behalf of the Crown Prince to invite Brother Yuan to come and take a seat in the hall. To be honest, your father's disciple, the Xuan Gu Supervisor, is also here."

"Oh? Senior Brother Xuan Gu is here too? Haha, since it's the Crown Prince's invitation, please lead the way, I'll go right away!"

Ning Yuan showed a perfectly timed look of surprise, then readily agreed.

Xiao Heng smiled and said, "No rush, I have something else to say."

As soon as he entered the hall, he spoke with Ning Yuan. However, he turned around, his expression turned serious, and he looked at Xiao Lingjiang, who was standing quietly to the side.

"Young Sister Jiang, your absence from home for so long has caused Uncle Xiao Yu considerable anxiety. You must have had enough fun at Brother Yuan's residence these days. Why don't you go back soon so that your family won't worry?"

Upon hearing this, Ning Yuan remained silent, only glancing at Xiao Lingjiang with a smile.

Nobody knows what the girl is thinking now.

But her eyes were as still as a dark pool.

Xiao Heng sighed softly, then said earnestly, "I know you've been wronged. The clan will stand up for you, and the clan will provide the compensation you deserve. It was indeed the fault of some elders that some decisions were made without consulting you, but the ancestor has already declared that he will not let those people off easily. You don't trust us, but don't you trust him?"

Ning Yuan, upon casually thinking about it, knew that Xiao Heng was referring to the Grand Tutor of the Great Li Immortal Dynasty, one of the Three Dukes, a noble and distinguished figure.

This Grand Tutor Xiao was renowned for his impartiality, incorruptibility, and ruthless methods, earning him the deep trust of the Holy Emperor and the officials of the Immortal Dynasty.

Ning Yuan remained unmoved on the surface, as if he was not worried at all that Xiao Lingjiang would leave him, rendering his careful preparations over the past few days futile.

He sneered inwardly.

Hmph, this is an old topic that's been discussed countless times.

Is justice delayed still justice?

A fresh, bloody scar won't heal so quickly.

As expected, Xiao Lingjiang quickly replied coldly, "I am now Young Master Ning's maid, and I will obey your orders. As for my father, I will send a message home myself."

Xiao Heng felt a slight headache and could only look to Ning Yuan for help.

The boy turned around and asked, "Are you sure?"

Xiao Lingjiang remained calm and replied, feigning composure, "I'm certain. Lingjiang would rather stay by your side, young master."

Ning Yuan chuckled, revealing a seemingly helpless yet smug smile. Then, right in front of Xiao Heng, he waved his hand and pulled the girl into his arms.