CHAPTER 1005: CHAPTER 1004: DUSHAN GRAND CEREMONY 02

Apart from the neighboring Anhe Daoist Sect, the first Daoist lineage to come and congratulate the Sword Sect was quite surprising: Overseas South Heavenly Gate, Ying Platform.

When Xiang Anshi and Hou Niao met, they were particularly nostalgic. The two had known each other in the Mirage, traveled together, and were considered good friends. Yet, since then, their paths had diverged, and they hadn’t seen each other for seventy years.

But the friendship remained.

After catching up on old times, Hou Niao smiled and asked, "Why did you come so early?"

The journey from overseas is far, and the maritime environment is unpredictable. It was normal for people from Ying Platform to come a few days early, but arriving twenty days in advance was unusual and did not conform to cultivators’ strict timing.

Xiang Anshi laughed, "Ying Platform is isolated overseas, making contact with the mainland inconvenient, so we came early to meet friends. Especially with you as the Sect Leader, I need to curry favor; otherwise, I’m afraid you’ll make life difficult for Ying Platform in the future."

Hou Niao patted his shoulder, not in the least bit reserved, "Since you want to curry favor, did you come empty-handed?"

Xiang Anshi knew him well, "How dare I? The special produce and fine wines of Ying Platform are guaranteed to be different from the mainland; knowing your attitude as a wealthy landlord, I brought you some to entertain the guests."

Hou Niao was straightforward, "I’m just worried about too many people coming; I’ve only prepared a table’s worth of dishes, yet there are guests for ten tables. Let’s not talk about that. How’s that Hong Xiu Fairy from Ying Platform? Has the inheritance gone smoothly? How are you getting along?"

Xiang Anshi’s expression was obviously pleased, "We’re quite lucky. When the twelve Upper Envoys descended to the Lower Realm, we had already basically determined her belonging to us, so there were no troubles, quite smooth, unlike the mess here on the mainland.

Hong Xiu Fairy comes from the Upper Realm of Zhou Immortal, which is one of the few major Boundary Domains in the universe. Her Daoist lineage aligns well with ours, undoubtedly the inheritor.

As for getting along, it’s pretty good; the Fairy isn’t authoritarian, nor does she intend to replace Ying Platform’s future decisions... Well, let’s just say, our concern is that she is a bit too easygoing, lacking some ambition?"

Hou Niao was speechless, "Be content! Do you know how many people would envy you for saying that here on the continent? Many Daoist lineages on the mainland are still in chaos; they would laugh themselves awake at night to have half your luck."

Even if one is a friend, some words are difficult to say outright. Which Upper Realm figures sent to Jinxiu are truly indifferent? If they were, they wouldn’t have this opportunity. The Upper Realm of Zhou Immortal being a universe Daoist lineage, wouldn’t there be a single ambitious cultivator?

It’s just the methods are different, but the goals are the same. At the very least, Hong Xiu Fairy has already captured the hearts of Ying Platform, and even a proud figure like Xiang Anshi is captivated by her, demonstrating her methods.

Silent influence, who can predict what the future holds?

But these words couldn’t be spoken openly; saying them would seem like sowing discord. Ying Platform people must discover them themselves. Of course, even if Hong Xiu Fairy intends to control Ying Platform, it’s not necessarily a bad thing; it’s an inevitable trend for Jinxiu Continent.

Xiang Anshi looked around, "Brother Hou, find some time; the Fairy wants to have a private talk with you?"

Hou Niao felt moved, it was indeed so, "Good, I’ll arrange it."

Ying Platform’s group consisted of ten or so people, led by two Masters. Under the reciprocated hospitality of the Sword Sect, they toured the Dushan architecture, praising it endlessly; it was scenery they could never see on their warm island, unique and deeply impressive.

They were accommodated in a large hall within the Tongtian Sword Building complex. In future, every mainland Daoist lineage would be similarly assigned such a hall, with no preference or distinction in luxury because the interiors were the same, empty.

In the evening, the Sword Sect Masters invited the two Masters from Ying Platform to a banquet, with two companions from Anhe. It was a gathering for the old, while the young had their own activities. Unfortunately, Tianfeng Daoist did not attend; he’d arrive for the grand ceremony.

Yes, a proud Daoist.

In a nondescript Ice Hall of the Tongtian Sword Building, Hou Niao met Hong Xiu Fairy again; ten years had passed since their last encounter in the spatial rift. Xiang Anshi was absent, leading him to realize that this meeting with the Fairy was likely not simple.

"It’s been ten years since we last met, Fairy’s elegance remains; visiting Dushan is an honor for the Sword Sect from top to bottom." Hou Niao awkwardly exchanged pleasantries, as he wasn’t adept at it.

Hong Xiu Fairy looked at him amusedly, "Actually, Sect Leader Hou doesn’t need to speak so formally. We’ve met several times, and I’ve never seen you be polite to others. Comparatively, I prefer the old you."

Hou Niao smiled, speaking between the lines, "Daoist sects all like this set, so..."

Hong Xiu Fairy waved her hand, glancing at the empty setup around them, noting internally that indeed all universal Sword Sects were alike.

With a gentle gesture, a finely crafted low table appeared between them, with several dishes of Immortal Fruit nectars that Hou Niao had never seen before,

"Try some local produce from our Zhou Immortal, perhaps different from Jinxiu?"

Hou Niao felt embarrassed; he was ungracious as the host, though he had thick skin and was undaunted,

"Then I’ll take advantage of the Fairy’s generosity, as the Fairy knows, spiritual vitality in Jinxiu has recovered so recently that there is nothing of great worth, scarce as resources are, poor in spirit and lean horses..."

Hong Xiu Fairy grinned, "Hmm, I like listening to you talk like this more... Previously you said, Daoists like this set, right and wrong, depends on the person! Our Zhou Immortal prefers straightforwardness with friends, not false politeness."

"I’m very willing to make friends with the Upper Realm, but I’m unsure where to find friendship?"

"Friendship comes from history!" Hong Xiu Fairy looked at him, "History has its inertia, not absolute, but it can roughly influence the relationship for a period, Zhou Immortal Upper Realm and Qingkong World have deep ties; we share a common bond, a Sword Immortal, so personally, I am very willing to make friends with the Sword Cultivators."

"This is Jinxiu, not Qingkong."

"Having gained Qingkong Inheritance, I consider you aligned with Qingkong, is there any difference?"

Hou Niao fell silent for a moment, "Have you said this to Yue Duo?"

Hong Xiu Fairy shook her head, "I don’t need to tell her because she understands better than I do; when we need to stand together, we will. I’ll only tell you because you don’t understand history."

Hou Niao raised his eyebrows, "Just like in the spatial rift?"

Hong Xiu gave him a deep look, "I knew it would be like this, this time I came to see you alone to tell you that what happened at the last moment in the spatial passage wasn’t as you imagined; some things cannot be seen in Jinxiu."