Chapter 219: Daughter of the Sword Immortal!

After this round passed, the banquet's atmosphere gradually rose. Cups clinked, the mood was exceedingly lively.

Ye Qingran tilted her head slightly, gazing at the full moon overhead; her eyes grew distant, thoughts drifted far, the surrounding sounds faded, and an unexpected line rose in her heart: "The moon shines brightest in my hometown."

She missed Huaxia, missed everything of the past. Yet she liked this place more, because here she was finally not alone. She had a lovely child and the families of Medicine King Valley.

So, whatever the reason she came here, she was filled with gratitude.

Ye Qingran emerged from her thoughts, her gaze sweeping the guests, yet she did not see that familiar figure.

Dongfang Mo, it seemed, had not been seen since she mentioned his leg ailment that time.

The night veil closed, the stars spread like water.

In the night sky, the sound of a long sword cleaving the void echoed.

Swoosh swoosh swoosh~

Everyone heard the sound and looked up, but the darkness limited their view. Yet Dongfang Qingxuan and Ye Huanhuan suddenly stood, excitement flashing on their faces.

The crowd stared at them in confusion until a sharp, sword‑like voice rang from the sky.

"Xuan Yuan Sword Sect, Ling Qingwu leads fellow disciples to pay their respects!"

A melodious yet sharp voice pierced the air, and the moment it fell, four silhouettes of imperial swords appeared over Yuhua Yuan.

Four people—two men and two women—all clad in Xuan Yuan Sword Sect uniforms, looking dashing, spirited, and arrogant.

In the moonlight, the imperial swords, their sashes fluttering with the night wind, their garments rustling, exuded a hint of celestial elegance!

The crowd was stunned; Xuan Yuan Sword Sect disciples appeared at this moment in the Imperial Palace of Donglin Country!

"Senior sister?!"

Seeing the leading woman clearly, Ye Huanhuan shouted excitedly.

"Junior sister!" The leading woman nodded arrogantly, her expression cold yet indulgent.

Upon hearing that it was Ye Huanhuan's senior sister, the Donglin Emperor rose abruptly, his expression not without surprise, "Is this the daughter of the Qingyun Sword Immortal, the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect disciple ranked among the top ten, Miss Ling Qingwu?"

Daughter of the Qingyun Sword Immortal?

A Xuan Yuan Sword Sect disciple in the top ten?

Heavens!

What a transcendent status!

Although Ye Huanhuan is also a disciple of the Qingyun Sword Immortal, she pales in comparison to Ling Qingwu. Even Dongfang Qingxuan, who entered the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect a few years earlier, is merely a junior brother before Ling Qingwu.

"His Majesty of Donglin, we are passing through and have come to pay our respects; we apologize for any disturbance."

Ling Qingwu remains neither servile nor arrogant.

"No problem, attendants, prepare seats for the esteemed guests of the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect."

The four were placed beside Ye Huanhuan, all bearing haughty expressions and indifferent faces, as if they looked down upon the small nation of Donglin. Had there not been a junior sister present, they would have refused to attend such a banquet.

The others did not consider them rude; rather, they thought it natural.

Although the attendees of the palace banquet were all influential figures of Donglin Country, even so, their gazes toward the few Xuan Yuan Sword Sect disciples were still filled with longing and reverence.

After all, this is a world where strength reigns, and the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect is one of the seven major sects of the Central Region, representing authority. Many disciples of the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect hail from colossal dynasties whose power dwarfs that of Donglin Country by countless multiples!

Yet in the vast Yuhua Yuan, among the many guests, only the Crown Prince and Ye Huanhuan could converse with them. Especially Ye Huanhuan, who could chat merrily with Ling Qingwu; for a moment, the looks directed at Ye Huanhuan were full of envy.

Ye Huanhuan felt the fervent gazes, and her vanity was intensely satisfied.

Indeed, Ye Huanhuan knows people from the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect; the sect's prominent figure Ling Qingwu is her senior sister, and they get along well!

Ye Huanhuan greatly enjoys this situation.

Thus, she deliberately raised her voice and asked, "Senior sister, how is the master lately? I haven't seen him for a long time; I miss him terribly!"

"My father is well; no need to worry. I came via Donglin to urge you on his behalf; he wants you to finish matters here promptly and then return to the sword sect for cultivation."

Ye Huanhuan beamed, "Very well."

……

Ye Huanhuan savored the gazes, her eyes flashing as she looked at Ye Qingran beside her, and said to Ling Qingwu, "Senior sister, this is my elder sister; she also wishes to cultivate in the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect, but she lacks a Spiritual Root. I wonder if there is any way…"

Ling Qingwu stepped over Ye Huanhuan, looked at Ye Qingran, saw her veil obscuring her face, let out a soft hum, and a look of disdain flashed in her eyes.

The female disciple beside her sneered, "No Spiritual Root, yet you dare dream of entering the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect? You wouldn't even dare utter such a daytime fantasy!"

The two male disciples also curled their lips, laughing sarcastically.

Since when has the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect become a junkyard? When can any stray cat or dog get in?

Seeing Ye Huanhuan being favored by the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect disciples while Ye Qingran was mercilessly mocked, everyone thought the two were worlds apart.

"Senior sister, is there any method to grow a Spiritual Root?"

Ling Qingwu shook her head, giving a cold smile, "How could a Spiritual Root possibly grow? Don't even think about it in this lifetime!" (implying something.)

Ye Qingran merely smiled, unconcerned.

It seems the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect is no better; a disciple ranked in the top ten of the sect actually utters such ridiculous words—this must be the sect's true caliber!

"Huanhuan, your senior sister and senior brothers happen to be here; shall we have them witness you claim the Xiliang Cheng First Beauty throne?"

Mu Qingrou suddenly spoke.

Ye Qingran had just mentioned something growing on her face, making her certainly less beautiful than usual; if Huanhuan were to challenge her now, she would surely seize the crown and retake the First Beauty seat!

By then, Ye Qingran would truly be worthless!

But she didn't realize that Ye Huanhuan froze on the spot.

Now asking her to compare beauty with Ye Qingran?

Isn't that asking her to court death?

She truly wanted to turn around and scold Mu Qingrou harshly!

Xia Zhimeng heard this and almost spat out her food from laughing. She gave Mu Qingrou a thumbs‑up; this woman is usually a bit despicable, but at a crucial moment she turned out to be a divine assist!

"First Beauty?" Ling Qingwu raised an eyebrow slightly.

Mu Qingrou began to explain, "In our Xiliang City we have a custom each year at the Mid‑Autumn banquet to select the First Beauty. Winning the First Beauty is the highest recognition of a woman's appearance."

Ling Qingwu nodded.

She had seen Ye Huanhuan's looks, very beautiful, and becoming the First Beauty in Xiliang City should be no problem. So she nodded and agreed, "Junior sister, don't worry, I will help you."

Ye Huanhuan literally wanted to vomit blood.

It's not that she doesn't want the First Beauty throne, but today she really can't! If she actually entered the selection, she might end up being crowned the First Ugly!

"Ah, that's not allowed!" Xia Zhimeng's eyes flashed with cunning, and she waved her hand hastily, "My sister Qingran's face has recently grown all sorts of strange things; holding the First Beauty contest now would be a huge loss, no, no, absolutely not!"

Hearing Xia Zhimeng say that, Mu Qingrou's resolve to act grew even firmer.

Ye Qingran, today I will definitely pull you down from the First Beauty throne!

"Huanhuan, you just go ahead!"

Mu Qingrou urged.

"No, I'm not in good condition!"

"Even if you're that bad, could Ye Qingran be any worse?"

Ye Huanhuan: "……"