“Wow, so many people…”
As Wan Yunting brought Gu Luotang and Qi Miaomiao out of the car, Yang Jingyi with her daughter Duan Yingying, Qi Wu and Xu Lingwei, Li Zihang and Lin Dachun with disciples like Wang Zhuyu, alighted at the Huashan Sect’s scenic area service center plaza. The plaza was a sea of people, bustling and vibrant.
They also saw that the advertisements on the plaza were mostly promoting the martial arts convention on the thirtieth of the next month, the grand feast of Huashan Sword Debate, attracting countless tourists.
“Huashan Sect’s publicity is really on point,” even Wan Yunting had to remark with a smile.
“Of course, Huashan Sect is using you as a gimmick.”
Duan Yingying, dressed in a graceful floral dress, approached gracefully. Her apricot eyes flickered charmingly at Wan Yunting as she said, “You could sue Huashan Sect for using your name and portrait rights without permission. I guarantee they’d have to pay!”
Hearing the girl’s words, Wan Yunting couldn’t help but smile. “That’s a good idea, but can you even sue? Not unless I don’t participate in this martial arts convention.”
Duan Yingying rolled her eyes and pouted, “Even if you can’t sue, you can’t let Huashan Sect use you as a gimmick for publicity. Why not ask them for some money privately?”
Wan Yunting playfully teased, “Are you fixated on money today?”
“I…”
“Yingying, don’t talk nonsense.”
Yang Jingyi saw Zhou Ruoxi and Master Yun Bai, along with Qingcheng Sect’s Sect Leader Liu Bing, and their Grand Elder and disciples approaching. She cut off Duan Yingying’s rambling. Wan Yunting also pointed at the girl’s nose. Duan Yingying suddenly opened her mouth as if to bite his finger. Fortunately, Wan Yunting dodged quickly, causing Gu Luotang and Lin Dachun beside him to find it amusing…
“Sect Leader Wan, Sect Leader Zhou, Madam Yang, Master Yun Bai, let’s ascend Huashan together. We’ll take the path over there…”
Sect Leader Liu Bing, clad in a magnificent long robe, approached with a smile, pointing with his thumb to a path leading up to the Huashan Sect. He was clearly very familiar with the area.
“Alright, Sect Leader Liu, please lead the way…”
Wan Yunting adopted a courteous demeanor, nodding to Zhou Ruoxi and Master Yun Bai. The people from the three sects then headed towards the entrance of the path leading to the Huashan Sect…
The Huashan Sect was situated on several peaks within Mount Hua. The Huashan Sect was divided into outer and inner disciples. The outer sect was open for tourists, while the inner sect was forbidden to outsiders, much like Wudang and Emei.
“Ah, look! Is that Wan Yunting?”
“It really seems to be! Quick, over here…”
As Wan Yunting, Zhou Ruoxi, Liu Bing, Yang Jingyi, Master Yun Bai, and others walked across the plaza to ascend, some of the surrounding tourists recognized him. They rushed forward with their phones. “Wan Xiong’ying, I’m from Hua Du City! I didn’t expect you to actually come to the martial arts convention!”
“Wan Shū Xiān, I’m a calligraphy enthusiast. Can I witness your calligraphy?!”
“Divine Doctor Wan, my health hasn’t been good in recent years. Can you take a look at me?!”
A crowd surged forward. Especially a few young ladies dressed in Hanfu, perhaps to enhance the atmosphere of the Huashan Sword Debate, discovered that many of the young men and women who had arrived were also Hanfu enthusiasts.
“Ah, idol! We’re your fans on Douyin. Can you take a picture with us?!”
Those few young ladies, brandishing selfie sticks, pushed past Zhou Ruoxi and Duan Yingying, all frantically trying to get close to Wan Yunting.
Zhou Ruoxi, Yang Jingyi, Duan Yingying, Master Yun Bai, and Sect Leader Liu Bing were all pushed aside. Gu Luotang and Qi Miaomiao, who were following behind, were also shoved. Suddenly, a group of young Hanfu enthusiasts exclaimed, “Isn’t that Hanfu Goddess Gu Luotang and Qi Miaomiao? They’ve come too…!”
“My heavens, it really is Goddess Gu Luotang and Fairy Qi Miaomiao! Finally seeing them in person, they are so beautiful…!”
For a moment, a group of young Hanfu enthusiasts also surrounded Gu Luotang and Qi Miaomiao. Qi Wu, Li Zihang, Lin Dachun, Zhao Xuewu, Wang Zhuyu, Tang Doudou, and other disciples, along with Zhou Ruoxi, Master Yun Bai, Emei Sect disciples, and Qingcheng Sect Leader Liu Bing, Grand Elder Jia Hongji, and others, were stunned.
No wonder this year’s martial arts convention attracted so many young people to watch; this was the effect of celebrity idols.
Wan Yunting protected Gu Luotang and Qi Miaomiao. Qi Wu, Li Zihang, Lin Dachun, Zhao Xuewu, and other disciples also protected their sect leader and the others. They struggled to pass through the plaza and reached the gatehouse of the mountain road leading up to the Huashan Sect.
They saw Tan Song, the sect leader of Tai Shan Sect, leading dozens of Tai Shan Sect disciples, and Ge Shulin, the Fourth Elder of Huashan Sect, leading a group of young disciples, receiving the representatives from the various sects attending the martial arts convention.
“Eh, it’s Sect Leader Wan of Wuliang Daoist Temple, Madam Yang, Sect Leader Zhou of Emei Sect, and Sect Leader Liu of Qingcheng Sect!”
Tan Song saw Wan Yunting and his group approaching them rapidly, while enthusiastic tourist fans were still chasing after him, Gu Luotang, and Qi Miaomiao for photos and autographs…
Ge Shulin, the Fourth Elder of Huashan Sect, looked startled and said, “I was wondering who could cause such a stir among the tourists. So it’s the legendary Sect Leader Wan. Hurry and welcome them…”
Before he finished speaking, Ge Shulin led a group of disciples forward, quickly stopping the chasing enthusiastic tourists and arranging crowd control to prevent any stampede accidents.
“Sect Leader Wan, you are most welcome…”
Ge Shulin, in his fifties, was tall, dressed in a magnificent grey and white long robe, the uniform color of Huashan Sect disciples.
“Haha…”
He warmly greeted Wan Yunting with a laugh, completely ignoring Yang Jingyi, cupped his fists and said with a smile, “I’ve long heard that Sect Leader Wan is a person of great talent and imposing presence, a prodigy in martial arts. To see you in person today, indeed, you are extraordinary.”
Faced with Ge Shulin’s obsequious and smooth talk, Wan Yunting suspected that he was the mastermind behind using his reputation for the martial arts convention’s publicity.
“I am Ge Shulin, the Fourth Elder of Huashan Sect. Sect Leader Wan can just call me Old Ge,” Ge Shulin said with a smile, introducing himself. Wan Yunting cupped his fists in return and smiled, “Elder Ge, it’s a pleasure to meet you…”
Upon hearing Wan Yunting address him as Elder Ge, Ge Shulin’s expression faltered slightly, but he continued to smile enthusiastically, “Sect Leader Wan’s visit brings great honor to our Huashan Sect.”
“Elder Ge, you are too kind…”
Wan Yunting responded with a polite but somewhat insincere smile, engaging in pleasantries. At this moment, Liu Bing beside them coughed lightly, and Ge Shulin finally noticed Sect Leader Liu Bing of Qingcheng Sect and Master Yun Bai of Emei Sect. As for Sect Leader Zhou Ruoxi, Ge Shulin did not recognize her.
He quickly cupped his fists and greeted Liu Bing and Master Yun Bai enthusiastically, “Ah, my apologies, Sect Leader Liu, for not welcoming you sooner, truly! And Master Yun Bai, it’s been a while. I presume the person beside you is your Emei Sect’s new Sect Leader?”
Master Yun Bai seemed to dislike Ge Shulin’s demeanor. She nodded and said, “This is our Emei Sect’s new Sect Leader, Zhou Ruoxi.”
Immediately, Ge Shulin cupped his fists towards Zhou Ruoxi and smiled, “Sect Leader Zhou, Sect Leader Shi of Huashan Sect attended your investiture ceremony last time. Unfortunately, I was busy and couldn’t make it, which I regret even now. Seeing your grace and elegance today, it’s truly inspiring that Emei Sect has such a capable successor. I envy you.”
Faced with the praise from the Huashan Sect elder, Zhou Ruoxi replied with a slightly awkward but polite smile, “Elder Ge, you flatter me.”
“I say, Old Ge, stop flattering Sect Leader Wan here.”
Sect Leader Liu Bing couldn’t stand it anymore. Ge Shulin was even more adept at this than he was. He said, “Speaking of your Huashan Sect, using Sect Leader Wan’s name for publicity all over the internet and attracting so many tourists to your Huashan Sect, how much money has this privately brought you?”
Ge Shulin, however, did not seem embarrassed by his words. Instead, he smiled and said, “Sect Leader Liu, how dare our Huashan Sect use Sect Leader Wan’s name? This is actually considered our Huashan Sect’s good fortune.”
“If it weren’t for Sect Leader Wan’s widespread reputation and immense influence among the people of the nation, our martial arts convention this year wouldn’t have such a response, attracting young people to come seeking us out.”
“Fine, no wonder your Huashan Sect has developed so well in recent years. It turns out you have a shameless business genius like you, Old Ge. I, Liu, am impressed.” With Ge Shulin’s words, Liu Bing didn’t know what else to say.
“Haha, Sect Leader Liu, you praise me too highly.”
Ge Shulin cupped his fists to Liu Bing, then smiled at Wan Yunting, Zhou Ruoxi, and Master Yun Bai. “Sect Leader Wan, Sect Leader Zhou, Master Yun Bai, let’s not chat here. I’ll personally lead you up. Our Sect Leader Shi is also awaiting your arrival.”
Seeing the elder’s formidable flattery, Wan Yunting chuckled and said no more, beckoning Yang Jingyi, Gu Luotang, and the others to follow. He, along with Zhou Ruoxi and Liu Bing, ascended Mount Hua with Ge Shulin.
“Elder Ge!”
Just then, a team approached from a distance. They wore uniform attire, with a sword emblem embroidered on their chests. They were the disciples of the Divine Sword Sect.
Among them was a middle-aged man named Yan Changjian, who was 1.8 meters tall. He had a handsome face with a full forehead and sharp eyes that left a deep impression. Notably, he was accompanied by an attractive woman, who held a broadsword in its scabbard with both hands. This was his personal sword.
“Sect Leader Yan…”
Ge Shulin turned his head to look at Yan Changjian, the sect leader of the Divine Sword Sect, leading twenty disciples of the Divine Sword Sect. Among them were young male and female disciples, each carrying swords of different styles. They all exuded an extraordinary aura, drawing appreciative glances.
Wan Yunting, Yang Jingyi, Gu Luotang, Zhou Ruoxi, Master Yun Bai, and Sect Leader Liu Bing, who were about to ask Elder Ge about ascending Mount Hua, all turned to look at the approaching Divine Sword Sect members. Second Elder Feng Yimin raised an eyebrow and said, “I didn’t expect the Divine Sword Sect to participate in this martial arts convention!”
Wan Yunting asked doubtfully, “The Divine Sword Sect? I’ve never heard of such a sect before.”
Zhou Ruoxi explained, “This Divine Sword Sect is a small sect from Weihai. They rarely appear in public, and even less so participate in martial arts events. So, most people really haven’t heard of them.”
Yang Jingyi nodded and added, “This Divine Sword Sect hasn’t been established for sixty years!”
Wan Yunting was surprised, “Such a new sect, who was their first sect leader?”
Yang Jingyi thought for a moment and said, “It seems his name was Yan Donghai. He was a sword master who appeared out of nowhere. It is said that he created a set of sword techniques himself. Back then, he challenged many powerful figures from various sects and finally obtained the qualifications to establish a sect, thus founding the Divine Sword Sect.”
“And now, this Yan Changjian is Yan Donghai’s son, the second sect leader who inherited the Divine Sword Sect!”
“Created sword techniques? What kind of sword techniques?” Wan Yunting asked.
Yang Jingyi shook her head. Sect Leader Liu Bing said, “This Divine Sword Sect has rarely appeared in the last thirty years, nor have their disciples been seen in the martial world. Therefore, we do not know what kind of sword techniques Yan Donghai created.”
“Even one of our Qingcheng Sect’s ancestors accepted a challenge from Yan Donghai. According to his description, Yan Donghai’s self-created sword techniques were like a swimming dragon, the sword energy like a rainbow, and as fast as lightning. In just thirteen moves, he defeated our Qingcheng Sect’s ancestor.”
“So powerful?”
Wan Yunting and Zhou Ruoxi and the others were astonished.
Liu Bing nodded, looking at the approaching Divine Sword Sect members, and raised an eyebrow, “The appearance of this Divine Sword Sect is probably not a good omen!”