Ji Nanjue nodded lightly as Lin Jinyu stood beside him, dressed in a bright red robe embroidered with a phoenix.

"So this is the legendary Eastern Emperor!"

"HISS, the Eastern Emperor who doesn't take concubines! It's said his affection for the Empress is immeasurable!"

"The Eastern Emperor is too handsome, like a woman."

...

Was it my misperception? I always felt that the Eastern Emperor and Lin Jinyu, standing by his side, were casting fleeting glances in my direction.

Su Bei wore a strange expression. Queen Lin looking at me... I don't really mind. As for Ji Nanjue, I've only met him once... and the way he's looking at me is oddly unsettling.

"The Emperor of South Wind Ancient Country, the South Emperor!"

"And the Chief Guard of South Wind Ancient Country's royal guard, Mo Liu!"

The South Emperor did indeed match the image Su Bei had in mind: a middle-aged man with a scholarly appearance.

Su Bei narrowed his eyes as he observed the middle-aged man. He doesn't seem special, just a benign and kindly figure. What's odd, though, is that I can't detect any cultivation from him? As far as I know, the South Emperor has been in power for quite some time, possibly hundreds of years. But how could a mere mortal's lifespan allow him to live for so long?

The guard standing behind him had a cold expression. He was a slightly gaunt figure dressed in a simple green robe, his long, disheveled hair obscuring most of his face, hiding his features. A strangely shaped long saber hung at his waist. Sensing Su Bei's gaze, the guard turned his head, and their eyes met.

Remaining calm, Su Bei noticed the unhealthy pallor of the hand hidden beneath one of the man's sleeves; a fierce and gruesome scar was visible on his arm!

"Interesting," Su Bei murmured to himself. I'm not sure why—perhaps it's a misperception—but I feel a strange stirring deep in my soul emanating from that man?

"That man is the South Emperor's trusted guard, said to possess cultivation at the Half-Step into Dao Integration Realm," someone remarked.

...

Suddenly, a cool voice reached him. Su Bei looked up to see Dan Wulan standing beside him. Beautiful and tranquil as a butterfly's wing, she glanced at him before explaining.

"AH—"

Then, with a faint cry of surprise from her, Su Bei quickly pulled Dan Wulan to his side. As his two disciples looked on in shock, he rested his cheek on his hand, coughed lightly, and said, "Since Junior Sister knows so much, then perhaps you can enlighten your brother further..."

While speaking, a pair of restless hands reached toward Dan Wulan.

Dan Wulan, feeling his insolence, bit her red lip and let him hold her arm, her cheeks slightly flushed as she gently slapped at his mischievous hand.

Mo Li lowered her gaze, casting a sidelong glance at the Silver Gilded Phoenix Feather Step Shake adorning Dan Wulan's head.

A hint of a cold smile touched her lips as she gently pressed her knuckles, producing faint popping sounds.

Xiao Ruoching's face flushed with anger as she watched everything unfold before her. Is Master treating me as if I'm blind and can't see? At least he used to be secretive and hide things behind my back. Is he starting to act brazenly in broad daylight now?

Stamping her foot, she exerted extra force with the soft hand that was massaging Su Bei's shoulder.

"HISS!"

Su Bei instinctively cried out. He turned to see Xiao Ruoching biting her lip, her eyes, brimming like autumn pools, looking at him with grievance. Following her gaze, Su Bei glanced at his own hand holding Dan Wulan's tender one.

Just as Su Bei was about to explain, he saw a tuft of hair bobbing towards him. Its owner was carrying several large cups of what appeared to be sour plum soup. Approaching Su Bei, the person looked curiously at the odd scene unfolding.

The tuft of hair on their head bobbed twice as they came to Su Bei's side and asked sweetly, "Senior Brother, would you like some sour plum soup?"

"Um, I have a few cups here; one for each of you!"

Looking at Dan Wuque blinking, a pleased look on his face, I'm oddly reminded of a sports day event from my past life, Su Bei thought.

Su Bei quickly took the sour plum soup and withdrew his mischievous hand. Before Xiao Ruoching could react, he tilted her chin and poured the sour plum juice into her mouth.

"It's sour, drink more!"

Soon, the Sacred Land Disciples on the high platform finished their introductions. Then, it was time for the representatives from the Great Sects to step forth for the opening ceremony.

From a distance, Su Bei could see the Sword Maiden at the very front of the Sword Sect's contingent, her small face flushed with excitement.

Since these were disciples from the Great Sects, no elders were leading them.

Quickly, following the introductions by the Sacred Land Disciples, one Sect after another stepped forward, as if merely going through the motions.

The Sacred Land Disciples introduced them one by one:

"Green Peach Mountain."

"Water Cloud Valley."

"Dragon Rain Sect."

He could hear various discussions in the noisy crowd:

"They say Water Cloud Valley is not the same as before. Their Great Elder has recently broken through to the Half-Step into Dao Integration Realm! Maybe they even want to compete for the title of the number one Sect in the world..."

"How could that be? The strength of a Sect is judged by its overall power; individual strength is useless. Besides, Water Cloud Valley only has one elder at the Half-Step into Dao Integration Realm, while the rest are Divinity Transformation Stage Elders. They'd simply be worn down by the other Sects..."

"Then by your logic, why don't you mention the Sword Sect? Except for their Great Elder, they too have only one at Half-Step into Dao Integration, and very few above the Refining Void stage. Yet they still maintain their title of being in the world's top ten."