In a grand hall within the inner precincts of the Emei Sect, by seven in the evening, several tables had been laden with food and drinks…
Disciples from various sects, clad in their distinct attire, were seated at the dining tables, beginning their meal. Some disciples from different sects sat together, drinking and chatting, creating a lively atmosphere.
"Sect Leader Zhang, welcome, welcome…"
At the entrance of the main hall, Third Elder Guo Yu was responsible for greeting guests, warmly welcoming the lords of various sects who had arrived early. He gestured with a smiling face, "Sect Leader Zhang, please come in. There are seats available, and food and drink are plentiful…"
Inside the inner hall, at a large dining table, several familiar faces were seated!
Liu Bing, the Sect Leader of the Qingcheng Sect! Shi Yizhen, the Sect Leader of the Huashan Sect! Li Feiyu, the Sect Master of the Xingyi Sect! Zhang Qing, the Great Elder of the Kunlun Sect! Seated beside him was a middle-aged man, dressed in Kunlun Sect attire, the Sect Leader Yuan Gaowu!
There were also a few unfamiliar faces, all of whom were sect leaders or elders from various prominent sects, personally attended to by the acting Sect Leader of the Emei Sect, Master Jun Xuan.
"Welcome, all sect leaders and masters, elders, for traveling such a distance to attend the grand wedding ceremony of our new Sect Leader. I shall now propose a toast with tea in lieu of wine to all of you." Master Jun Xuan, clad in a new long robe, exuded an air of accomplishment as she raised a cup of tea. She toasted Sect Leaders Liu Bing, Shi Yizhen, and others present.
"Master Jun Xuan is too kind. Everyone, please…"
Li Feiyu raised his wine cup, and along with the other sect leaders and elders present, rose to reciprocate Master Jun Xuan's toast. After everyone had finished their drinks, they all resumed their seats, and Master Jun Xuan urged them to partake in the dishes…
"Master Jun Xuan, I heard you are now the acting Sect Leader?" Li Feiyu inquired with a probing smile.
Master Jun Xuan nodded, appearing somewhat resigned. She chuckled, "Yes, that child Ruoxi is still young, so I can only let her take a break for now. I will manage our sect's affairs temporarily, and when the time is right, she can then take over as Sect Leader."
"In that case, Master Jun Xuan, it must not be easy," a woman said with a laugh. She was the wife of Dong Dahai, the Sect Master of the Bagua Sect.
"Indeed. We have met that girl Ruoxi before. It was during the ancestral worship ceremony at the Wuliang Daoist Temple, the martial arts sparring. That girl Ruoxi, despite her young age, has already reached the Dan Jin realm. She is a rare prodigy in martial arts. However, she is still too young, and it would not be appropriate for her to assume the position of Sect Leader right now," Sect Leader Shi Yizhen of the Huashan Sect remarked with a smile.
Sect Leader Liu Bing of the Qingcheng Sect and Elder Zhang Qing of the Kunlun Sect also nodded in agreement.
Tan Song, the Sect Master of the Taishan Sect, also seated among them, said, "That's right, Sect Master Wan of the Wuliang Daoist Temple has also arrived. We encountered him on our way up the mountain earlier. Later, a disciple from your Emei Sect called out to him. I don't know if Sect Master Wan has reached the mountain yet!"
"Oh?"
These words caused Sect Leaders Liu Bing and Shi Yizhen, among others, to turn their heads towards Sect Master Tan and inquire, "Sect Master Wan of the Wuliang Daoist Temple, Wan Yunting, is quite a figure!"
"Indeed. During the New Year period in the capital, he was the most talked-about person!"
"At such a young age, he has become the Chairman of the Huaxia Traditional Chinese Medicine Association, and he is also a scion of the Ouyang family in the capital, as well as the new Sect Master of the Wuliang Daoist Temple. During the last martial arts competition, he displayed astonishing martial prowess. This Wuliang Daoist Temple has truly struck gold!" Elder Zhang Qing nodded and said with a smile.
Mentioning the Sect Master Wan of the Wuliang Daoist Temple, Master Jun Xuan's old eyes narrowed slightly, and then she nodded with a smile, "Yes, I have also heard that Sect Master Wan is a distinguished individual. I will send a disciple to check where he is now. Xin Cai, quickly go and see if Sect Master Wan has arrived on the mountain. If you see him, please invite him in for a meal."
"Yes, Master…"
Zhang Xin Cai nodded and turned to leave. As she did, she saw at the distant entrance that Uncle Guo was warmly greeting Wan Yunting, along with Lu Xiaodie and Zheng Rong, as they entered. "Sect Master Wan is a rare guest. This must be your first time visiting our Emei Sect, right? Please, come inside…"
Wan Yunting knew this person was Guo Yu, the Third Elder of the Emei Sect. He sneered inwardly but maintained a professional, polite smile. "Thank you, Elder Guo. I haven't had the chance to visit your Emei Sect before. Now is a good opportunity to experience the scenery of Mount Emei."
Guo Yu, aware of the young man's important status, nodded and smiled. "Very well, Sect Master Wan. After the meal, I will personally take you around our Emei Sect and introduce you to our history and culture."
Wan Yunting cupped his fists and smiled. "That would be excellent. I thank you in advance, Elder Guo."
"Ah, Sect Master Wan, you are too kind."
Guo Yu personally led Wan Yunting, Lu Xiaodie, and Zheng Rong towards the inner hall. Zhang Xin Cai, who came out to greet them, saw Wan Yunting and her lustful eyes lit up. She eagerly stepped forward and said with a smile, "Sect Master Wan, my Master and the other sect leaders are dining at a table inside. Please come in quickly."
Wan Yunting naturally did not know this Zhang Xin Cai. He took her for an Emei Sect disciple and offered a professional fake smile, being led in by Guo Yu…
"Please wait!"
At this point, Zhang Xin Cai stopped Lu Xiaodie and Zheng Rong, who were following Wan Yunting. With a polite smile, she said, "The sect leaders are inside. Disciples can dine outside!"
This statement made Wan Yunting raise his eyebrows and turn to cast a sidelong glance at Zhang Xin Cai.
Lu Xiaodie narrowed her beautiful eyes; she was naturally displeased.
"Xin Cai, watch your words."
Guo Yu's old face darkened as he reprimanded Zhang Xin Cai, "How dare you stop someone brought by Sect Master Wan? You are truly ignorant. Go aside."
Seeing this, Zhang Xin Cai rolled her eyes and said nothing further, turning to enter the inner hall.
"Disrespectful."
Guo Yu huffed, then turned to flatter Wan Yunting with a smile. "I apologize, Sect Master Wan. These disciples are ignorant. Please don't mind her. Please, come inside."
Wan Yunting nodded, leading Lu Xiaodie and Zheng Rong into the inner hall. He saw the people seated at the dining table, some familiar, some not. Upon seeing him, Tan Song stood up and called out with a smile, "Sect Master Wan has arrived!"
Sect Leaders Liu Bing, Shi Yizhen, Yuan Gaowu, Elder Zhang Qing, Dong Dahai, and other sect masters and leaders all turned to look at Wan Yunting, whom Guo Yu had invited in. Those seeing him for the first time were subtly observing this Sect Master Wan.
"Sect Master Wan, it has been some time since we last met at your Wuliang Daoist Temple. How have you been recently?" Sect Leader Liu Bing of the Qingcheng Sect stood up and was the first to greet Wan Yunting enthusiastically.
"Sect Leader Liu, Sect Leader Shi, Elder Zhang, Sect Master Tan…"
Wan Yunting looked at those present and first cupped his fists in greeting to those he knew. He then smiled at Liu Bing, "Thank you for your concern, Sect Leader Liu. Wan has been doing very well recently."
"Haha, of course, Sect Master Wan is doing well,"
Tan Song chimed in with a laugh and said, "Before the New Year, Sect Master Wan truly made a name for himself in the capital, appearing on the headlines every day. As friends, we should congratulate Sect Master Wan on finding his family."
"Indeed."
Sect Leader Shi Yizhen of the Huashan Sect nodded and smiled in agreement. Everyone in the martial world knew of Wan Yunting's identity as a scion of the Ouyang family in the capital. Unlike Liu Bing and Tan Song, he did not flatter Wan Yunting with such effusive praise.
"Welcome, Sect Master Wan, to our Emei Sect. Please take a seat."
Finally, it was the turn of the host, Master Jun Xuan, to speak. She pointed to two empty chairs beside her and enthusiastically invited him, "Sect Master Wan, I cannot drink alcohol, so I can only offer tea in lieu of wine. On behalf of the entire Emei Sect, I welcome you to attend the wedding of our future Sect Leader, Zhou Ruoxi!"
Wan Yunting raised his wine cup, and Lu Xiaodie also raised hers, standing up with him. He toasted the other sect leaders and said with a smile, "Master Jun Xuan, you are too kind. I toast all of you…"
"Come, let's finish it…"
Liu Bing and Tan Song, among others, shouted. Everyone reciprocated the toast and finished their drinks before resuming their seats.
Seeing how polite Liu Bing and Shi Yizhen were towards Wan Yunting, it was clear that their true interest lay in the Ouyang family in the capital!
"Sect Master Wan, please try these dishes. They are all local specialties. I wonder if you will find them to your taste," Master Jun Xuan said, gesturing to the dishes on the table and politely inviting him to eat.
"Alright, I'll try some."
Wan Yunting picked up his chopsticks and smiled. He picked up a dish and tasted it. Instantly, the spiciness made him feel a bit overwhelmed. He quickly drank some tea and said with a slow smile, "As expected of Shu province. The dining culture here is quite different from our southern customs."
"Yes, I find it a bit hard to get used to, but if you dip the boiled meat in tea, it's not so spicy anymore."
Tan Song, seated beside him, dipped a slice of boiled beef in his tea cup before eating it. Wan Yunting looked on in surprise and followed suit.
Master Jun Xuan smiled and said nothing, but her old eyes narrowed as she looked at Wan Yunting, and then she said, "By the way, Sect Master Wan, you must be quite familiar with our future Sect Leader, Zhou Ruoxi, right?"