Then, she suddenly lifted her head to look at Su Bei. He could see a faint blush arise on her cheeks. Puzzled, he wondered, How could Eldest Senior Sister have such a feminine expression? Could my words just now have been too impactful?

As Su Bei was reveling in his own grand performance, just as he was about to pat her back and proudly declare, "No longer shall this world obscure my sight!" Wenren Pingxin said faintly, "How long are you planning to hold on?"

Su Bei blinked. His fingers subconsciously squeezed, and he felt as though they had sunk into something incredibly soft... Then, he silently let go.

When had I developed this habit? It must be from spending too much time with Ninth Junior Sister!

"Um... Senior Sister, if I said it wasn't intentional, would you believe me?"

Wenren Pingxin gave him a cold smirk, kicked his leg, then stood up and walked away.

Su Bei sighed, looking at his palm. It was as if he could still feel a trace of that warmth.

Just then, the somewhat languid figure ahead of him suddenly stopped.

The sunlight was perfect, casting a warm, orange glow on her magnificent attire. The gentle, warm breeze was intoxicating. Wenren Pingxin turned back, her cherry lips slightly parted as she said, "Senior Sister believes you."

But which of my statements was she agreeing with?

Su Bei stared blankly at this scene, momentarily entranced, until a voice from the high platform at the center of the Sacred Land announced, "The opening ceremony will now commence!"

Only then was Su Bei jolted back to reality.

Su Bei frantically shook his head, his breathing somewhat ragged as he muttered to himself, "That's your Eldest Senior Sister, after all..."

「...」

The much-anticipated opening ceremony finally began. A drawing of lots determined the order of performances. The Ten Great Sects went first, followed by the top hundred sects, and then the less renowned ones like the Peach Blossom Sect.

Disciples from the Sacred Land delivered opening remarks and the like.

The Sword Sect drew the ninth performance slot. Whether by fate or coincidence, they were right after Wuhua Palace, which had drawn eighth.

As soon as everything was ready, the high platform above burst into a sky full of fireworks. Dusk had fallen, and the fireworks scattered like shards of colored glass!

Above the high platform, in the sky over the Sacred Sanctuary, thousands of whistling sounds echoed—like a clarion call!

One after another, they shot into the sky.

The sounds paused momentarily high in the air before erupting into thousands of thunderous bangs, blossoming into countless fireworks of purple and red.

Everyone looked up in awe, mesmerized by the spectacle.

The fireworks, in all their vibrant purples and reds, vanished in an instant, as ephemeral as a night-blooming cereus.

Having witnessed far more spectacular fireworks displays in his previous life, Su Bei wasn't particularly moved.

Yet, seeing the sparkle in the eyes of his spendthrift disciples and those two innocent junior sisters, he smiled faintly. For some reason, as he watched the fireworks fill the sky, Su Bei suddenly remembered the woman who had written to him.

That woman who seemed to live in the same world as I do, Li Zijun.

The east wind at night unfurls a thousand trees of blossom, and stars fall like rain.

Is she also watching the fireworks at this very moment? Perhaps through the Sky Mirror?

Thousands of bright lanterns illuminated the entire Sacred Sanctuary. Ancient bronze cranes, tens of zhang tall, spewed twisting smoke, and the area resonated with the music of strings and bamboo, making it as bright as day. The high platform of the Sacred Land, in particular, was adorned like a palace in heaven!

The last sliver of the setting sun dipped below the horizon. A cool evening breeze swept in from all directions, washing over the crowd like water, a refreshing coolness seeping into their very bones.

Snow State was unlike Jiangnan. The wind in Jiangnan always seemed gentle and sweet, like cotton candy.

Su Beiyao watched with interest as the first sect took the stage. He hadn't expected it to be the Star Moon Sect. His gaze instinctively sought out where the Star Moon Sect was seated, meeting the eyes of Yu Hongxiu, who gave him a charming smile, lightly licking her red lips.

On the high platform, the shadowy figures of hundreds of women danced, their movements the epitome of seduction.

Unsurprisingly, this was indeed the style of the Star Moon Sect—the Star Moon Enchantresses.

After Star Moon Sect's performance, thunderous applause erupted instantly!

"The Star Moon Enchantresses never disappoint! TSK TSK TSK... It's so explosive every year!"

"I'm dead!"

"..."

After the performance, disciples from the Sacred Land came forward to interview the disciples of the Star Moon Sect. They shared laughs and talked, mainly discussing who had attended the opening ceremony of the Sacred Land, how long they had practiced the dance, and their thoughts on participating in the opening ceremony.

Finally, an elder from their sect offered some words of encouragement, extending an invitation to everyone from the Twenty-One Provinces to join their sect, and so forth.

Throughout the streets and alleys of the Twenty-One Provinces, people sat on the ground. They watched the performances in the sky without blinking, enthusiastically commenting:

"Hmm, this Star Moon Sect's show is really good!"

"What's it called? Sea of Moon and Stars?"

"HISS—this Dao Sect's show is so stunning! What is this?"

"A hundred people performing Alchemy? Worthy of being the world's number one sect! I've also bet a good amount of silver on the Dao Sect this time. I hope they can make it to the end on the Ascension Platform!"

One performance after another unfolded on the high platform. Everyone stared wide-eyed, mesmerized by the fireworks that continued to fill the sky.

This opening ceremony was even more stunning than they had imagined!

After the Great Thunderous Buddha Sect, the seventh to perform, took the stage, the opening ceremony's atmosphere reached a climax. Everyone watched the giant Buddha statue with awe!

"My God! Can there be a stronger opening ceremony than this?"

"So many Arhats! They've truly showcased the essence of the Buddha Gate to the fullest!"

"Indeed! This performance genuinely introduces a sect's culture and history. It's truly magnificent!"

"Which sect is performing next?"

"I believe it should be Wuhua Palace..."

"Oh!"

After the interview with the Buddha Gate, Wuhua Palace finally took the stage under the expectant gazes of the crowd!

This sect was a rising star in the Twenty-One Provinces, a dark horse whose strength was rapidly approaching that of the Dao Sect, the world's number one sect!

Although their general reputation was only average, it didn't stop their opening ceremony performances from being breathtaking every time.

Su Bei had already gone backstage. The Sword Maidens and the others were already dressed in their prepared splendid attire. Their pretty faces were slightly flushed, and they nervously clutched their skirts.

After all, this was a grand opening ceremony for the entire Twenty-One Provinces. Su Bei stepped forward, looking at them gently and encouragingly, saying, "Go for it! I believe in you; you can definitely do it!"

"Don't feel any pressure. Just perform as we've practiced!"

"..."

This group—some deaf or mute, some dismissed by others as trash, some just ordinary people with unremarkable cultivation—all looked at Su Bei with solemn expressions, tears welling in their eyes.

It was this man who had led them out of the Sword Sect. Looking at his smiling face, they felt as if they were transported back to that afternoon when he faced them, his back to the setting sun, and gently said, "Menial disciples are also Sword Sect Disciples."

At this moment, how could they not feel how precious that declaration had been?

Backstage, Su Bei ran into Lin Duo again.

Lin Duo squinted at Su Bei, then glanced at the numerous women behind him and sneered, "Elder Su has certainly gone to great lengths this time. Finally, the opening ceremony isn't just about randomly thrusting a sword at the sky, is it?"

"..."

Su Bei ignored Lin Duo's sarcasm and responded indifferently, "The Sword Sect's affairs are no concern of Elder Lin. As for that pair of Spirit Swords of yours, Elder Lin, my two disciples find them quite comfortable to use."

Lin Duo's expression turned grim. He snorted coldly, then began walking towards the high platform with the other Disciples of Wuhua Palace. Turning back, he added, "Elder Su is always so glib. Lin Mo would hope to have a battle with Elder Su on the Ascension Platform!"

"I'm just afraid Elder Su lacks the courage and only knows how to hide behind others, borrowing their prestige!"

"..."

Even though Lin Duo knew Su Bei likely wouldn't participate in the combat segments, he didn't hold back his sarcastic taunts.

A glint flickered in Su Bei's eyes as he watched Lin Duo's departing figure.

「...」

Amidst the crowd's eager anticipation, the Disciples of Wuhua Palace finally took the stage.

Dazzling fireworks soared into the dark sky.