As Liu Tianming's Daoist companion, Lou Lan now held a significant status within Chang Chun Temple.

Being inherently outgoing, and as the daughter of the Prime Minister, she was quite adept at handling various matters. With the sect gathering approaching, the Imperial Family, after obtaining her consent, straightforwardly assigned her to represent their lineage and take charge of the preparations for the specific affairs.

For instance, at this moment, as news of the gathering spread throughout Yunhuang Continent, All Major Sects and countless Loose Cultivators came flocking in. As the host, the Chang Chun Temple naturally had to send people for reception. However, different levels of sects could not be treated the same, and their lodging placement also needed careful attention. Without thorough investigation, if two sects with deep-seated grudges were arranged together, they might start clashing even before the Wu Yue Sect struck.

For this reason, Chang Chun Temple mobilized a large number of people to set up reception outposts outside Yuhua City, to transmit the incoming guests' information back to the city in advance and then urgently arrange for their accommodation.

Of course, for sects with the dominance of the Five Domains, Lou Lan had already memorized their intelligence thoroughly and prepared contingency plans. Upon hearing the Qi Refining Disciple's report, she immediately made a decision.

"This is a sect with a Late-stage Nascent Soul Great Cultivator at its helm; we must receive them with the highest standard of hospitality. Additionally, quickly inform Ancestor Ming Quan about this matter and request his presence to oversee the reception," Lou Lan said. After briefly scanning the list sent by Pan Si Island through the Jade Scroll, she passed it back.

Whenever Southern Border was mentioned, she would think of Liu Tianming. The last message from him mentioned that he found a Secret Realm in the Southern Border.

Now with upheaval in the Central Plains, the sect had issued a summons for all Chang Chun Temple disciples abroad to return and support, but there was still no word from Liu Tianming.

Fortunately, as a direct descendant of the Imperial Family, he had various uncles from the family behind him, ensuring he wouldn't be labeled a traitor to the sect.

Lou Lan sighed deeply and looked down at her documents, attempting to suppress the longing rising in her heart.

Unintentionally, her fingertips brushed another Jade Scroll, which contained the records of the East Sea Alliance cultivators who had arrived at Yuhua City a few days ago.

The news of the battle in the East Sea had already spread across Central Plains. Looking at the list, Lou Lan couldn't help but worry about Yuan Ming, who had gone to the East Sea with his parents.

She wondered how he was faring now.

With a sigh, Lou Lan's gaze remained on the documents, but her mind had unwittingly drifted far beyond the Nine Heavens.

...

On the Flying Boat of Pan Si Island, Luo Zhu looked toward the approaching Yuhua City, smiled, turned her head, and glanced at Xi Ying standing behind her, asking:

"There are quite a number of sects coming to the gathering this time. Fellow Daoist, you came alone; do you have any acquaintances to help with introductions?"

"No," Xi Ying shook her head. This version was sourced from *.

She still maintained the disguise she used in the Southern Border, with some assistance from the Blood Bone Mask to make it even more difficult to detect, especially considering her relation to the Wu Yue Sect; it was not advisable for her to show her true face at the moment.

She did not use Yuan Ming's identity mainly because Yuan Ming's identity was too entangled, and since this was Chang Chun Temple's turf, revealing herself could lead to many complications.

She had also briefed Luo Zhu on some situations in advance, such as the past grievances between Yuan Ming and Chang Chun Temple, asking her to help conceal Yuan Ming's whereabouts.

Luo Zhu naturally did not refuse. As a Nascent Soul cultivator from the Southern Border People, her view of Chang Chun Temple was naturally not very favorable, not to mention that this was a small matter.

"In that case, Divine Envoy, why not stay and travel with me? If we encounter other Fellow Daoists, I can introduce you," Luo Zhu said cheerfully.

Xi Ying glanced at her and nodded silently.

As they spoke, the Flying Boat arrived near Yuhua City. To welcome the guests from various sects, the city's Great Array had been taken down early, and a special landing point for Flying Boats was designated. As Pan Si Island's Flying Boat approached, several Foundation Establishment cultivators drove Magic Artifacts forward to guide the boat to land.

As soon as the Flying Boat touched down, Luo Zhu and the others saw that three Nascent Soul cultivators came to greet them.

The leader was a Daoist-robed youth with a handsome appearance, fair skin, and red lips. He had emerald Spiritual Patterns on his forehead resembling branches, and there was a slight detached indifference in his eyes, yet his smile was so warm it instantly engendered goodwill.

Standing behind him were a handsome adult male cultivator and an old man dressed in a yellow Dragon Robe. The former was Ancestor Ming Quan, and the latter exuded an imperial aura, likely a Nascent Soul from the Imperial Family.

"Fellow Daoist Luo, it's been a long time since we last met; congratulations on the progress in your Cultivation," said the Daoist-robed youth as he greeted Luo Zhu with cupped hands.

"Tian Jizi, you're the one to talk. Your aura is increasingly profound and deep, so much so that even I can hardly make it out. You're probably just a few steps away from Returning to Void, right?" Luo Zhu restrained her flirtatious manner and became much more solemn.

At her side, Xi Ying seemed pensive as she observed the Daoist-robed youth. The name Tian Jizi resonated with some intelligence she remembered.

Chang Chun Temple's supremacy in the Central Plains had been established a long time ago, but the strategy to squeeze other sects out of the living space by adopting a strong posture to attract talents from all over the world in order to craft an immortal foundation for the temple, was determined only after the most recent Supreme Elder, the only Late-stage Nascent Soul Great Cultivator in the Central Plains, ascended to his position.

And his Daoist name was Tian Jizi.

It was said that in his early years, he had consumed a certain Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures which made him appear eternally youthful, forever bearing the visage of a young man, yet in reality, he had lived through several hundred springs and autumns, and was the eldest among all Late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators, with unfathomably deep strength.

"This Fellow Daoist seems somewhat unfamiliar, could you be a new colleague under Island Master Luo?" Tian Jizi turned his head toward Xi Ying and asked in an amiable tone.

"I am a Divine Envoy from the Moon Sect, in charge of affairs in the Southern Border. Fellow Daoist Tianji may call me Shadow." Xi Ying replied indifferently.

Upon hearing the words "Divine Envoy of the Moon Sect," Ancestor Ming Quan's expression shifted slightly as he fixed his gaze on Xi Ying for a few moments, his sleeve moving subtly as if intending to secretly initiate some kind of technique.

But at that moment, the yellow-robed elder standing beside him coughed once, causing Ancestor Ming Quan's body to stiffen, and a hint of helplessness to appear on his face.

At the same time, Tian Jizi also showed a look of surprise.

"Oh, I've only heard that your sect has a Divine Envoy Yuan who is active in the East Sea for a long time, but I wasn't aware that there was another envoy stationed at the Southern Border. However, thinking about it, the battle at the Bamboo Sea Square in the Southern Border not long ago, Shadow God Envoy, might you have also taken part in it?" Tian Jizi asked.

"Fellow Daoist is quite well-informed." Xi Ying nodded.

"Hehe, the Wu Yue Sect that lay dormant for thousands of years has been rekindled; as an elder of Chang Chun Temple, I naturally need to keep an eye on relevant news. Besides, your sect's military exploits are well known to me, especially that Divine Envoy Yuan, who should be credited with the most for the restoration of the East Sea. I actually wanted to meet him in person, but unfortunately, he seems to have other important matters and did not come with the people from the East Sea Alliance to the meeting. Since Shadow God Envoy is here, I wonder if you could contact him for me? Just say Tian Jizi is looking for him to discuss important matters," Tian Jizi said with a smile.

"We envoys do not necessarily have the means to contact each other at all times, and where Divine Envoy Yuan has gone, I am not clear either, I'm afraid it would be difficult for me to help Fellow Daoist make contact," Xi Ying tactfully declined Tian Jizi's request.

"Then... May I ask if Fellow Daoist has ever heard Divine Envoy Yuan mention the whereabouts of a certain Returning to Void Cultivator known as Elder San Jue?" Tian Jizi fell silent for a moment before asking again.

"Elder San Jue? I seem to have heard that name..." Xi Ying feigned contemplation.

"That's excellent, does Shadow God Envoy know of his whereabouts?" Tian Jizi asked eagerly.

"I am not sure of that. I only heard Divine Envoy Yuan mention him in passing when discussing the situation in the East Sea. He said that Elder San Jue was initially turned into a puppet by the Undying Tree, and after being defeated, Lord Nether Moon God personally intervened to restore his sanity. In gratitude, he promised to assist the Moon Sect twice in return, and in order to deal with the conflict in the East Sea, Divine Envoy Yuan had no choice but to use both opportunities against the Wu Yue Sect. After fulfilling the agreement, Elder San Jue left on his own without leaving any means of contact. His current whereabouts are truly unknown to anyone," Xi Ying shook her head, delivering the pre-constructed excuse.

Hearing this, Tian Jizi's face showed a hint of disappointment.

"Nonsense! If Ancestor San Jue were truly free, how could he not return to our temple?" Just then, Ancestor Ming Quan suddenly spoke out, unable to refrain from retorting.

"How could I possibly guess the thoughts of a Return to Void senior? Perhaps he feels there are more important tasks to attend to?" Xi Ying replied with a cold snicker.

Ancestor Ming Quan clenched his teeth and wanted to say more but at that moment, the yellow-robed elder beside him coughed twice more.

"Ming Quan, when there are guests present, Brother Tianji has not spoken, so what are you making a fuss about? Be mindful of your status!" The elder scolded sternly.

Ancestor Ming Quan was taken aback and also realized his impropriety, promptly holding his tongue.

"Hanyu, you needn't be so serious either; Ming Quan is also concerned about the sect, and it was out of impulsiveness that he spoke such words. Shadow Daoist, please do not take offense." Tian Jizi shook his head and then extended an apology to Xi Ying at the end.

Xi Ying couldn't be bothered to argue with Ancestor Ming Quan any longer, but hearing Tian Jizi call out the elder's name, she remembered the identity of the yellow-robed elder.

He was Liu Tianming's great-grandfather, the grandfather of his grandfather, named Liu Hanyu, and could be considered the current representative of the Imperial Family lineage within Chang Chun Temple.

Tian Jizi had come to welcome Pan Si Island, bringing along representatives of two factions; one couldn't help but wonder if this implied something.

"Alas, to think that even the envoys of your sect are now unable to contact Ancestor San Jue, it seems that the Ancestor indeed may have other considerations. Anyway, let's not dwell on this matter for now. However, Shadow God Envoy, there is another question I wish to ask you. When you came to attend this alliance meeting, did you come in your personal capacity or as a Divine Envoy of the Moon Sect?" Tian Jizi paused, then suddenly asked another question.

"Naturally, it is as a Divine Envoy of the Moon Sect," Xi Ying replied as a matter of course.

"Then, may I regard it as an indication that the Nether Moon God will also take action in this battle?" Tian Jizi's eyes flashed with a trace of sharpness.

"Perhaps, but I cannot say for certain, after all, I am just a Divine Envoy. Just like your Ancestor San Jue, Lord Nether Moon God operates on a different level, perceives things from a unique perspective, and considers matters differently. How could we, the lowly, presume to guess their thoughts? We can but follow orders," Xi Ying replied, neither confirming nor denying.