"Yue Xia, are your palms itching?" Yue Ran clenched his fists, "Perfect timing, I've been looking for someone to spar with!"
"No, no, no..." Yue Xia quickly waved his hands, trying to think of an excuse, when his sharp eyes caught the numbers on the Purgatory Tablet changing, "She's passed eighteen!"
Yue Ran quickly turned back. On the Purgatory Tablet, the number behind Xiao Man's name had changed to eighteen. She had indeed passed the eighteenth level, meaning only two more levels to clear the trial!
"Can Second Brother come out now?" However, after waiting for a long time, Xiao Man did not appear, nor did the barrier of the Purgatory Tower open. Yue Ran could only sigh as he looked at the tower.
By the time dawn broke and the Heavenly Sword Sect opened its gates to welcome guests from all directions, the Purgatory Tower remained silent.
Yue Ran stood by the entrance of the Divine Martial Hall, listlessly greeting guests. He watched his father exchange pleasantries with other martial artists, while he kept glancing outside, eagerly anticipating Xiao Man's emergence.
"Yue Ran," Mu Qi walked up to him, "Look, Wen Ting has arrived too."
Yue Ran merely cast a cursory glance at Wen Ting before averting his gaze. His sole concern now was when his Second Brother would emerge. If he didn't come out today, Yue Ran wouldn't be able to formally propose.
"Young Sect Master Yue."
"Young Sect Master Wen." Yue Ran returned the courtesy.
Wen Ting walked past Yue Ran into the hall. As he passed, he murmured, "Today will undoubtedly be an unforgettable and grand day for you, Young Sect Master Yue."
Yue Ran looked back at Wen Ting's retreating figure. He had a feeling Wen Ting's words held a hidden meaning. However, this was the Heavenly Sword Sect, and if Wen Ting dared to cause trouble here, he wouldn't be able to leave.
"Congratulations, Young Sect Master Yue."
"Likewise, likewise," Yue Xia helped Yue Ran entertain the guests.
By the time all guests had arrived and Yue Ran's capping ceremony was concluded, Xiao Man had still not appeared.
At the banquet, Sect Master Yue was beaming, and Madam Yue smiled gently. Only Yue Ran, the guest of honor, looked dejected, his gaze frequently drifting towards the hall entrance, hoping to catch a glimpse of Xiao Man.
"Dong, dong, dong..." Just as everyone was enjoying their meal, a bell rang throughout the Heavenly Sword Sect, its resonant tone echoing far and wide. Sect Master Yue rose and walked towards the hall entrance. The sound of the bell originated from the Purgatory Tower. After so many years, someone had finally conquered the tower!
Yue Ran was overjoyed and rushed out, "Second Brother cleared it! Second Brother cleared it!"
"Ran'er!" Madam Yue called out to him.
"Mother, she cleared it."
Madam Yue's expression turned grim. If Xiao Man emerged at this moment, she feared Yue Ran might act impulsively. She hurried forward and grabbed Yue Ran's arm.
"Ran'er, listen to Mother, don't act rashly."
"Mother, I told you, I won't back down."
"If you dare to act rashly, I will die right before your eyes today!" Madam Yue declared fiercely, "And I mean it!"
"Mother, why on earth..."
Suddenly, a beam of light appeared in the plaza of the Divine Martial Hall. Before Xiao Man could even register what was happening, she landed in the plaza. Worse still, the Purgatory Tower had restored her original appearance and even changed her into women's attire!
Yue Ran flung Madam Yue's hand away and rushed forward, catching the falling Xiao Man.
"I knew that on my birthday, a fairy sister would descend from the heavens to celebrate with me!" Yue Ran exclaimed with a smile, "My birthday wish has come true."
"Let me down!" Xiao Man commanded in a low voice.
Yue Ran tightened his grip, "No!"
"You..."
"She's a woman!" the crowd exclaimed in disbelief. The Purgatory Tower of the Heavenly Sword Sect was renowned throughout the land. Many had come to challenge it, but most had been stopped at the tenth level. Now, a woman had conquered it!
However, a flicker of an unreadable expression crossed Sect Master Yue's eyes. Two elders who had been at the banquet quietly excused themselves and disappeared.
"You are..." Sect Master Yue composed himself and stared at Xiao Man in Yue Ran's arms, asking with some uncertainty, "Xiao Qin?"
"Father, in the Purgatory Tower, besides her, was there anyone else?" Yue Ran joyfully carried Xiao Man into the hall and placed her in his own seat. Sect Master Yue did not object. Only Madam Yue looked at Xiao Man with unease. She looked so much like her, possessing seven parts of her resemblance in women's attire!
However, Xiao Man's demeanor was detached and aloof, somewhat diluting the resemblance. If not for her intimate familiarity with her own features, she would have barely recognized her.
"Congratulations, Sect Master Yue, on gaining a formidable warrior."
"This is hardly a formidable warrior; it's more like a daughter-in-law," someone quipped, "It seems today, Sect Master Yue is blessed with triple happiness."
Sect Master Yue glanced at Xiao Man and didn't reply, merely drinking with a smile. Yue Ran, on the other hand, was beaming and kept serving Xiao Man food, "This is delicious, try it quickly."
A knowing smile played on Wen Ting's lips. He raised his wine cup and toasted Xiao Man from afar, "Congratulations, A'man, on entering the Nascent Soul realm."
Xiao Man pretended not to notice, lowering her gaze and continuing to eat. Wen Ting did not seem awkward. He stood up and bowed to Madam Yue.
"Sect Master Yue, Madam Yue, this junior is deeply enamored with Miss Xiao at first sight and hereby seeks her hand in marriage. I implore both of you to grant my request."
"A toad lusting after swan meat! You're not worthy!" Yue Ran roared in anger.
Xiao Man reached out and pulled Yue Ran, urging him to calm down.
"He actually dares to..."
"My matters are my own to decide," Xiao Man told Yue Ran to sit down and then calmly faced Wen Ting, "Wen Ting, has your injury fully healed?"
Wen Ting stood up and walked to Xiao Man's side, "It's just a minor injury, I won't die. If I can have Miss Xiao as my wife, even if it costs me half my life, I would do it willingly."
"I am not from the Heavenly Sword Sect."
"Oh, really?" Wen Ting glanced at Yue Tianxia with a half-smile. "Since you are not from the Heavenly Sword Sect, would you be willing to join my Beast Taming Sect? I, Wen Ting, will offer you the position of Young Sect Master's Wife. After marriage, I will heed your every command. What do you say?"
"Not interested," Xiao Man's expression turned cold, her eyes burning with anger. What did Wen Ting want?
"Is it me you're not interested in, or the Beast Taming Sect?"
"Neither."
Wen Ting appeared greatly regretful, sighing, "I know you still blame me. It's alright, one day, you will forgive me."
"Profound Heaven Sect arrives!" At this moment, a herald's voice announced from outside the hall.
A man and a woman appeared at the entrance of the Divine Martial Hall. The man was all smiles and refined, while the woman was frosty and stunningly beautiful. Yet, their simultaneous appearance did not feel out of place.
"Sang Hua and Junior Sister Linghu pay their respects to Sect Master Yue," Sang Hua said with a smile, bowing, "Congratulations to Young Sect Master Yue on his capping ceremony."
"Thank you, please be seated."
Sang Hua's gaze fell upon Xiao Man before he subtly shifted it away. He then led Linghu Yaqi to their seats for the Profound Heaven Sect. Sang Hua's arrival broke the awkwardness of Wen Ting's proposal, and the banquet continued.