The next morning, Wan Yunting, Gu Luotang, and Qi Miaomiao woke up early. After washing up, they grabbed their packed luggage.
They then headed to the mess hall to meet Yang Jingyi and Duan Yingying, Wu Weizi and Xu Lingwei, Qi Wu and Li Zihang, Lin Dachun and Zhao Xuewu, Wang Zhuyu and Tang Doudou with Huang Shaoqing, and other disciples. After exchanging greetings, they began their breakfast…
After breakfast, everyone returned to their rooms to collect their luggage. At precisely eight o'clock, they gathered at the gatehouse of the mountain sect. As Yang Jingyi, Duan Yingying, and Xu Lingwei were the last to arrive, Wan Yunting called out, "Is everyone here?"
They exchanged glances and confirmed the headcount before replying, "Reporting to the Abbot, everyone is present."
Wan Yunting nodded and instructed, "Then let's head down the mountain."
"Yes…"
Lin Dachun, Zhao Xuewu, Wang Zhuyu, Tang Doudou, and Huang Shaoqing, each with their luggage slung over their shoulders, started their descent down the mountain, their faces filled with excitement…
"Junior Brother Wu Wei, you will remain at the Daoist temple to guard it. Call me if anything happens," Yang Jingyi, clad in a black Daoist robe, turned and instructed Wu Weizi.
Wu Weizi nodded and smiled, "Don't worry, I will guard the mountain gate."
Wan Yunting also nodded, "Thank you, Martial Uncle Wu Wei."
Wu Weizi smiled, "Then I will await your good news here at home."
Wan Yunting nodded and said to Yang Jingyi, Duan Yingying, Xu Lingwei, and Qi Wu, "Then let's head down the mountain."
Yang Jingyi nodded. She intended to take her daughter's hand, but Duan Yingying had already run off to link arms with Wan Yunting. This made Yang Jingyi shake her head slightly, thinking how a daughter raised is like spilled water once married…
As the group descended, a large bus was already waiting at the foot of the mountain. Wan Yunting directed the disciples to board. Once everyone was on board, he told the driver to head directly to the county town, from where they would take a train.
This time, Wan Yunting and Yang Jingyi brought Duan Yingying, Xu Lingwei, Qi Wu, Li Zihang, Lin Dachun, Zhao Xuewu, Huang Shaoqing, Wang Zhuyu, Tang Doudou, and Gu Luotang and Qi Miaomiao, who were accompanying Wan Yunting to witness the spectacle.
A total of thirteen people boarded the bus. They arrived in Buxida County town at half-past ten in the morning. At noon, they took a train to Mangan City. Arriving at six in the evening, they had dinner near the airport before boarding a plane at precisely eight o'clock.
The plane was Wan Yunting's private jet, flying directly to Xidu. The journey took about four hours. At ten-forty in the evening, the plane slowly landed at Xidu Airport.
As the ancient imperial capital, Xidu's prosperity was evident. The ancient city seemed to transport one back to the bustling imperial capital of a thousand years ago, allowing visitors to experience the vibrant colors and brilliant culture of the old city.
"Young Master Wan, I am Xia Shu, the person in charge of our company here…!"
As Wan Yunting, Gu Luotang, Qi Miaomiao, Duan Yingying, Yang Jingyi, Xu Lingwei, and the others exited the airport, a woman in a business suit, exuding a mature aura, approached them. She was attractive and had a capable demeanor. She politely nodded to Wan Yunting and said, "The cars are ready."
"Manager Xia, thank you for your trouble."
Wan Yunting knew that Xia Shu was the president of the Ouyang family's company branch in Xidu. Although only thirty, she was already the general manager of the group here, possessing outstanding abilities and the trust of Ouyang Zhixin.
Xia Shu smiled and gestured, "Please get in the cars first. I'll take you to the hotel."
Wan Yunting nodded and beckoned Duan Yingying to lead Yang Jingyi and the others to the cars. Xia Shu followed, instructing the driver to head to the hotel.
The hotel was also one of the Ouyang family's properties, a five-star hotel in Xidu. Rooms had already been arranged for Wan Yunting and his entourage.
By the time Wan Yunting and his group returned to the hotel, it was already midnight. Xia Shu personally escorted Wan Yunting upstairs to his assigned room.
"Oh, isn't this Abbot Wan of the Wuliang Daoist Temple?"
Just as the group was about to enter the elevator, several men in long robes emerged. It was Liu Bing, the sect leader of the Qingcheng Sect, along with two elders and several young disciples.
"What a coincidence, Sect Leader Liu. Fancy meeting you here." Seeing Liu Bing, the sect leader of the Qingcheng Sect, Wan Yunting cupped his fists and greeted him with a smile.
"Haha, indeed, quite a coincidence."
Liu Bing was good at social interaction, having met Wan Yunting twice before. He smiled and said, "Abbot Wan, you are staying at this hotel too?"
"Yes, we just arrived and are on our way up." Wan Yunting nodded.
Liu Bing immediately asked those still in the elevator to step out. "Quickly, let Abbot Wan and his party board."
Seeing Liu Bing's politeness, Yang Jingyi smiled and nodded gracefully. Liu Bing waved his hand, indicating no need for formality, and said, "By the way, Abbot Wan, Sect Leader Zhou of the Emei Sect is also staying at this hotel. We met her again tonight!"
Wan Yunting's eyes lit up. He hadn't known Zhou Ruoxi and her group were also here. He cupped his fists at Liu Bing and smiled, "Sect Leader Liu, we will head up now."
"Alright. By the way, Abbot Wan, what time are you heading to Mount Hua tomorrow? How about we travel together?" Liu Bing then asked.
Wan Yunting and Yang Jingyi exchanged a glance before Wan Yunting turned back to Liu Bing and smiled, "Tomorrow at nine in the morning, we will meet in the third-floor restaurant. After breakfast, we will head over together."
"Great, it's settled then. Abbot Wan, please go up." Liu Bing was pleased and cupped his fists, watching Wan Yunting and his group ascend by elevator.
Beside Liu Bing, an elder named Jia Hongji, the Grand Elder of the Qingcheng Sect, said, "Sect Leader, you seem to think highly of this young Abbot of the Wuliang Daoist Temple?"
Liu Bing turned to the Grand Elder and waved his hand, "Elder Jia, you are usually uninvolved in martial arts affairs, so you don't know this Abbot Wan's capabilities. I dare say that at this Mount Hua Sword Convention, Abbot Wan will certainly steal the show!"
Suddenly, a tall, ordinary-looking man dressed in modern casual wear said dismissively, "Father, he's just all hype. What a martial arts prodigy? I saw him just now, and he's nothing special."
Liu Bing, while leading everyone out of the hotel, turned and glared at his son, Liu Zaiyi, saying, "Don't be arrogant. You think he's nothing special?"
"That's because you can't see through his hidden true strength. The reason Abbot Wan is called a martial arts prodigy is because he possesses genuine talent and skill, not mere boasting."
"Indeed."
Another middle-aged man, Feng Yimin, the Second Elder of the Qingcheng Sect, nodded and said, "I heard a rumor that last year at the Wudang Sect, Abbot Wan comprehended the Great Dao Sword Technique inheritance left by the Wudang Sword Ancestor on the Sword Cliff. Is it true?"
"Replying to Second Elder, it seems to be true!"
A young disciple of the Qingcheng Sect, short in stature and ordinary in appearance but with thick eyebrows, bright eyes, and an extraordinary aura, named Lu Fengqiao, nodded and said, "I am in contact with a senior brother from the Wudang Sect, and he confirmed this matter is true."
"No way?"
Liu Zaiyi was surprised. "I heard that even Zi Qing, who is considered the number one swordsman among their younger generation, couldn't comprehend the sword dao inheritance left by their Sword Ancestor on Wudang's Sword Cliff. How could that Wan Yunting?"
"That's precisely why he's called a martial arts prodigy!"
Liu Bing glanced at his son again, "This Abbot Wan, regardless of his skills or background, is beyond what we can match. Befriending him will only bring benefits, not harm. Do you understand?"
The Grand Elder and Second Elder nodded. It was no wonder Liu Bing wanted to travel with Wan Yunting and the Wuliang Daoist Temple group to Mount Hua tomorrow.
Meanwhile, inside the elevator, Yang Jingyi raised an eyebrow and commented, "Sect Leader Liu of the Qingcheng Sect is a person of expediency. He's not someone to get too close to!"
Wan Yunting's expression faltered. He turned to look at his Shimu, Yang Jingyi, recalling his encounter with Liu Bing at the Emei Sect. He smiled and nodded, "Shimu is right. However, for now, I must unite the major sects, so I have to deal with him."
Yang Jingyi nodded and sighed, "The reason the major sects are so scattered now is that there are too many people like Sect Leader Liu, who only seek personal gain and disregard the overall situation of the martial arts world!"
Wan Yunting chuckled lightly, "It can't be helped, that's human nature!"
The disciples behind him, Lin Dachun and Zhao Xuewu, found his words reasonable and nodded in agreement.
As the elevator doors opened, Xia Shu, who had been silently accompanying them, immediately invited Wan Yunting and the others out, saying, "Young Master Wan, the rooms on this floor are all reserved for you. You can choose whichever you like."
Wan Yunting nodded and turned to Yang Jingyi, Qi Wu, and the others with a smile, "Choose whichever room you'd like."
Yang Jingyi waved her hand, "Don't waste them. Let two or three people share a room."
Immediately, Lin Dachun and Zhao Xuewu began calling out to share rooms. Wan Yunting didn't interfere, letting them decide for themselves.
After arranging a premium suite for Yang Jingyi's mother, Xia Shu personally escorted Wan Yunting, Gu Luotang, and Qi Miaomiao into the hotel's most luxurious suite, which overlooked the night view of the ancient city of Xidu.
"Young Master Wan, it's getting late. Please rest early. If you need anything, just let me know." Xia Shu said.
"Alright, Manager Xia. Thank you for your trouble." Wan Yunting nodded with a smile.
Xia Shu smiled, said no more, and turned to leave. After exiting, she finally let out a sigh of relief, unable to suppress the excitement in her heart.
"Luotang, Miaomiao, go take your baths quickly. I'll text Senior Sister Zi Qing from Wudang Sect to see if they've arrived…"
Wan Yunting sat on the living room sofa, holding his phone and making a WeChat call to Lan Xin.
Gu Luotang first had Qi Miaomiao go to bathe, then brought him a glass of water to accompany him. As he connected Lan Xin's call, Wan Yunting immediately inquired about the Wudang Sect. Lan Xin replied, "We are already at the Mount Hua Sect. The Grand Sect Master is personally here, and Uncle-Master Xian and the others have also arrived."
Wan Yunting nodded, "Alright, then we will head to the Mount Hua Sect tomorrow and meet you there."
"Okay, Abbot Wan. I'll inform my master right away."
"Mm, that's all for now."
After hanging up, Gu Luotang beside him asked, "Yunting, do you really think the major sects can unite to resist the Heavenly Eye Main God Cult?"
Wan Yunting put down his phone, turned to her, and smiled, "I don't know. I'll try first. If it doesn't work, we'll think of other ways."
Gu Luotang nodded, stood up, and smiled, "Then I'll go to bed with Miao Miao!"
Wan Yunting's expression froze, his smile a little unnatural. He understood Gu Luotang's meaning.
When they met Sect Leader Liu Bing of the Qingcheng Sect downstairs in the elevator, he had mentioned that Sect Leader Zhou Ruoxi of the Emei Sect was also at this hotel. Gu Luotang had taken the hint.
Watching Gu Luotang enter her room, Wan Yunting took out his phone and directly called Zhou Ruoxi. Zhou Ruoxi, sleeping alone in a guest room downstairs, was just about to go to bed, thinking about taking everyone to the Mount Hua Sect tomorrow morning.
Just then, her phone on the nightstand rang. It was Wan Yunting calling. Zhou Ruoxi's face instantly lit up with excitement. She picked up the phone and answered, "Yunting, where are you?"
"I'm at the hotel. Which room are you in? I'll come find you." Wan Yunting said softly as he walked out.
Zhou Ruoxi, who was about to lie down, got up in surprise, "You're at the Xidu Grand Hotel?"
"Mm…"
After Zhou Ruoxi told him her room number, the doorbell rang shortly after. Zhou Ruoxi, wearing a white bathrobe, quickly went to open the door.
Indeed, she saw the man standing at the door. A smile appeared on her face as she embraced him, closed the door behind them, locked it, and then pinned him against the wall for a passionate kiss.