Chapter 205: Don't have designs on them

At that moment, an elder stood up to try to ease the atmosphere: "Don't scare yourselves, everyone. The five top sects have always been arrogant and conceited, looking down on others—how could they possibly humble themselves to come to us?"

"It's definitely just us overthinking."

Upon hearing this, everyone felt the elder made sense, and their tense nerves gradually relaxed.

"Yeah, I also think the people from the five great sects wouldn't come in person; they usually look down on us small sects."

"Right, right, if you don't believe me, I'll swear on my sixty-year-old wife."

Several elders chatted back and forth, and the atmosphere gradually became lively again.

But just as everyone was letting their guard down,

Suddenly, a report came from outside the door: "Grand Elder, someone claiming to be the person in charge of the Imperial God Sect requests an audience outside."

Hearing this, everyone instantly started exchanging glances, the smiles on their faces freezing in an instant.

The meeting hall fell into dead silence once again.

Everyone's gaze turned in unison toward Grand Elder Mao Ping, and they couldn't help but murmur inwardly.

Why would the people from the Imperial God Sect show up at this exact moment?

The few elders who had previously sworn solemnly on their wives also shrank their necks upon hearing this.

Who would have thought the Imperial God Sect would actually come to our door?

This is truly beyond expectation.

Facing everyone's gaze, Grand Elder Mao Ping narrowed his eyes, likewise feeling extremely surprised.

But his expression quickly returned to calm.

Then he laid out his plan in an orderly manner, saying: "Everyone must remember, do not inform the Imperial God Sect about the matter concerning Li Yilan and Ye Xiaozhi."

After all, the Imperial God Sect's sudden visit left him unable to discern their purpose, so he could only be extremely vigilant.

The Grand Elder's worry was shared by everyone, who responded in unison: "Yes, we obey."

Immediately, the Grand Elder looked at several venerable elders and said: "You few, follow me to check the situation."

Having said that, the Grand Elder and his group walked toward the door.

At that moment.

At the doorway, a tall, broad-shouldered man in fine robes led a group of disciples wearing garments emblazoned with the Imperial God Sect insignia, waiting silently.

That tall, broad-shouldered man in fine robes was none other than the current Sect Leader of the Imperial God Sect, Jiang Shanhai.

He was a mighty warlord who held supreme authority over the Imperial God Sect; within the sect he could summon wind and rain, commanding awe and respect.

But at this moment, he stood like a wooden puppet at the door, honest and still, daring not to make the slightest move.

It turned out that

Not long ago, he suddenly received news from his own patriarch, Jiang Taomu.

He learned that the Imperial God Sect had submitted to the Azure Cloud Sect.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Shanhai felt as if a golden hammer had struck heaven and earth, his head buzzing.

He racked his brains, not knowing at all what the Azure Cloud Sect was, and promptly sent people to investigate it.

He discovered it was merely a local power in Azure Province.

And yet his exalted Imperial God Sect was actually supposed to submit to such a sect.

This news once made him think he had misheard.

He deliberately asked the patriarch, only to be scolded until he was drenched in dog's blood.

At the same time, the patriarch solemnly ordered him to go to the Azure Cloud Sect's residence in Cloud City to pay a visit and familiarize himself with the faces.

Helpless, he thus came here.

And upon arriving here, as expected, these people were pathetically weak.

I truly don't know why our patriarch would come up with such a plan, submitting to the Azure Cloud Sect.

Just as Jiang Shanhai was puzzling over this, Mao Ping led the Azure Cloud Sect members to the door.

Seeing Jiang Shanhai outside, Mao Ping's expression immediately tightened.

He knew this person; he was the Sect Leader of the Imperial God Sect, one of the five major powers of Central Province.

As a mere Grand Elder of a small sect, seeing him naturally left him flattered and startled.

He hurried forward and respectfully said: "Sect Leader Jiang's visit to my humble abode, I have failed to welcome you properly; I hope you will forgive me."

Saying this, he deliberately bowed slightly to show sincerity.

Seeing this, Jiang Shanhai immediately lowered his bow even further and hastily replied: "Grand Elder, you flatter me; I came uninvited, so I am the one who is disturbing you."

Seeing Jiang Shanhai so low-key, Mao Ping secretly grew wary.

He narrowed his eyes, truly unable to fathom Jiang Shanhai's purpose.

However, the other side is immensely strong; in a world where strength reigns supreme, he naturally had to show weakness first.

Thus he lowered his bow even more and humbly said: "Sect Leader Jiang, your words are too kind; your presence brings glory to my shabby dwelling."

Seeing Mao Ping being equally courteous, Jiang Shanhai dared not overstep.

After all, the Imperial God Sect has now submitted to the Azure Cloud Sect; the Grand Elder before him, in terms of status, is actually superior to him.

Thus he immediately lowered his bow even further, saying: "Grand Elder, you're being too polite, far too polite."

Seeing this, Mao Ping thought the lofty Sect Leader was actually being more courteous than himself, so he could only bend his waist lower still.

Thus, as they bowed back and forth, their waists bent lower and lower, nearly to the point of lying on the ground.

This scene left both the Azure Cloud Sect and Imperial God Sect onlookers dumbfounded.

They simply couldn't understand what these two were doing.

Seeing everyone looking at them with puzzled faces,

the Grand Elder and Jiang Shanhai gave an embarrassed smile.

The Grand Elder immediately spoke: "Jiang Sect Master, please come inside."

Jiang ShanHai nodded and also responded, saying: "Good."

Immediately, the two of them, mutually yielding, walked into the main hall.

They arrived at the main hall.

Again, the two yielded over where to sit, and the scene once again fell into awkwardness.

Finally, MaoPing spoke: "Jiang Sect Master, we need not be so polite."

"Why not just state the purpose of this trip directly?"

MaoPing originally intended to treat the other party courteously, making it hard for them to cause trouble for our side.

Who would have thought, the other party seems to have the same idea.

In that case, it might as well be to lay things out plainly.

Jiang ShanHai smiled and nodded, saying: "Grand Elder, don't misunderstand."

"I really came this time to get acquainted with the Qingyun Sect, to let everyone get to know each other."

After all, this is the ancestor's intention; he also couldn't well not follow it, so he truthfully stated the purpose.

Upon saying that.

The members of the Qingyun Sect all cast strange glances.

The lofty Gods' Sect Master actively visits the Qingyun Sect just to get acquainted?

Who could believe that?

MaoPing also narrowed his eyes and said: "Jiang Sect Master, don't joke; let's be frank."

Jiang ShanHai gave a bitter smile and said: "To be honest, I really came just to get acquainted."

Immediately.

He waved his hand, and gifts were brought up by the disciples, one after another.

There were imperial-level techniques, imperial-level treasures, and various rare pills and cultivation resources.

Faced with so many precious gifts and magical treasures, even though the Qingyun Sect elders were well-informed, they were now astonished, their eyes shining, unable to look away.

Seeing this, the Grand Elder immediately became alert.

In past Qingzhou Grand Tournaments, the five major sects often preselected competing disciples and sent gifts in advance to show goodwill.

And the Gods' Sect's current behavior, in his view, is very likely because they have taken a liking to the two disciples, Li YiLan and Ye XiaoNie.

He immediately said: "Jiang Sect Master, to be frank, you need not have any designs on those two disciples of the Qingyun Sect."