Snow was falling heavily in Zhenwu City, but it couldn't dampen the enthusiasm of the martial artists. Inns were packed to the brim, everyone warming their wine while they waited, chatting excitedly. Couriers moved up and down the mountain constantly, ensuring that news from the mountaintop arrived immediately.
That was why people came here even if they couldn't ascend the mountain — to get first-hand news.
Meanwhile, on Zhenwu Mountain.
It was a clear, sunny day.
The mountain and the city felt like two different worlds, with a stark dividing line visible even from afar.
On the Zhenwu Arena.
Desks were arranged in a special pattern. Guests who had arrived over the past three days were now seated under the guidance of Zhenwu Sect disciples. At the very center was a high platform, currently unoccupied.
Yet everyone looked toward it with reverence. They knew who would be seated there soon, and anticipation rose in their hearts.
More guests continued to arrive.
"Cangzhou's Misty Rain Pavilion sends its congratulations!"
Luo Wentian's voice rang out, drawing many eyes.
Luo Wentian gestured gracefully, and several graceful women in white dresses approached from below the mountain. Their movements were ethereal, their lotus steps light. Even though their faces were veiled, it was obvious these women were stunning beauties.
Some young attendees, brought by their elders to gain experience, stared blankly, then lowered their heads in shy embarrassment.
Ning Qi curiously sized up the leading woman. She also wore a white dress, but hers was embroidered with a bright moon.
He wasn't awestruck by her beauty — what caught his attention was her unmasked aura. She was actually a Core Formation Realm expert, not much weaker than the Divine Sword Elder.
Ye Qinghe came over, grinning:
"That's Liu Mingyue, the Second Pavilion Mistress of Misty Rain Pavilion. Don't be fooled by how young she looks — she's actually about the same age as our Master. Last time our Master chased the Three Fiends of Iron Ridge to Cangzhou, Misty Rain Pavilion was a huge help."
Ning Qi nodded in understanding, smiling as he replied:
"Pavilion Mistress Liu is impressive, but she's not even one-tenth as amazing as you, Senior Sister."
Zhuang Chen, nearby, wiped his mouth and nodded repeatedly. Ye Qinghe laughed happily, called them "two little rascals," and skipped off to greet more guests.
More sects arrived today than in the past three days combined — especially those from distant regions.
"Yunzhou's Ascetic Sect sends its congratulations!"
…
"Chuzhou's Evernight Blade Sect sends its congratulations!"
…
"Cangzhou's Sea-Overturning Gang sends its congratulations!"
…
"Three-Eyed Divine Fist Gu Buyi sends his congratulations!"
…
"Swift Sword in the Wind, Ye Chen, sends his congratulations!"
…
Powerful sects and famous experts arrived one after another. Many belonged to top-tier forces, and although the Heaven-Man Realm experts didn't come personally, they sent representatives of sufficient status to attend the ceremony. 𝙍âℕỖ𝐛Ёŝ
As for the wandering experts, the weakest among them were in the Jade Liquid Realm, and quite a few were in the Core Formation Realm.
Each time a renowned expert appeared, exclamations would ripple through the crowd.
Ning Qi noticed that most of the attendees were from the four provinces of Qingzhou, Yunzhou, Cangzhou, and Chuzhou. Since Zhenwu Sect lay on the border of Qingzhou and Yunzhou, the majority came from those two provinces. Chuzhou and Cangzhou were places where Daoist Longshan had traveled extensively in the past, forming many connections.
The sun climbed higher.
Zhenwu Mountain grew even more lively.
Ning Qi was in a good mood — not just because it was Master's Heaven-Man Ceremony, but also because many of the guests had brought gifts. Among them were numerous martial manuals and techniques. To be presented as a congratulatory gift on such a day, they were surely of high quality.
Over the years, Ning Qi had already read through the entire Scripture Pavilion. This new influx of knowledge naturally pleased him.
He stood to the side with Zhuang Chen and the White Ape, occasionally drawing attention.
But he remained composed.
Suddenly.
His brow arched as he looked toward the horizon.
The previously lively Zhenwu Arena fell silent. A mysterious ripple came from the distant sky, drawing everyone's eyes, including the Core Formation experts.
Under the gaze of the crowd.
A figure stepped through the air — no, to be precise, three figures.
A middle-aged man in white robes, plain-looking, walked in front. On either side of him, each held in an arm, were two stunning women who looked strikingly similar. Their cultivation wasn't low — they were clearly a pair of lovely twins.
The three of them acted as if no one else was around. The two beauties served him with spirit fruit and fine wine, fingers gently dancing as they poured, occasionally offering kisses, their fragrance wafting lightly.
Many young men looked on with envy, while their elders showed only respect.
Anyone so carefree could only be a Heaven-Man Realm expert.
Some knowledgeable people had already recognized who he was, and their eyes lit up with realization.
When first seen, the trio were far away. But in the blink of an eye, they had already reached Zhenwu Mountain.
Daoist Longshan rose into view, stepping out to greet the newcomer with booming laughter:
"Brother Xiaoyao, you've come in person — I'm truly grateful!"
His words revealed the man's identity.
The one known as Lord Xiaoyao — Ren Xiaoyao — was known for his carefree, flirtatious nature, though he also had a touch of chivalry. His story was somewhat legendary. Once a wandering cultivator, he had encountered repeated strokes of fortune and eventually ascended to the Heaven-Man Realm. He was the idol of countless wandering martial artists.
Lord Xiaoyao also laughed heartily:
"Brother Longshan, it's your Heaven-Man Ceremony — of course I had to come! I thought I might be late since I stopped by Moonlight Pavilion in Yunzhou for a fine jug of wine. Who would've guessed I'd be the first one here?"
Everyone sighed in admiration.
What Lord Xiaoyao meant by "first one here" was that he was the first among the Heaven-Man Realm experts. In the eyes of such cultivators, only others of the same realm were worthy of attention.
There was a saying — beneath the Heaven-Man Realm, all are ants.
Even Core Formation cultivators were only slightly worthy of acknowledgment — unless they had the potential to step into the Heaven-Man Realm, in which case they would be viewed differently.
If one couldn't touch the power of Heaven and Earth, they couldn't be called a true powerhouse.
Daoist Longshan gestured grandly:
"Brother Xiaoyao, please!"
The two of them sat at the central high platform, chatting and laughing. Their Heaven-Man presence made the crowd all the more awed.
From afar, Ning Qi curiously studied Lord Xiaoyao. The man's aura wasn't hidden and seemed a bit stronger than Daoist Longshan's — though not by much.
Daoist Longshan had once told Ning Qi that cultivation in the Heaven-Man Realm was incredibly difficult. Many stagnated for decades, and some, after barely reaching the realm, exhausted their potential and never progressed again.
"Looks like Lord Xiaoyao's early encounters had limits — or perhaps his natural talent hit a ceiling. It probably won't be long before Master surpasses him."
"I wonder... would a single strike of my Heavenly Sword Technique be able to wound him?"
The thought surfaced involuntarily in Ning Qi's mind — this was the second Heaven-Man Realm expert he had ever seen, aside from Daoist Longshan.