Chapter 202: Gathering of Heroes

Upon entering the mountain gate, a ten-mile mountain path stretched ahead, leading to Heavenly Sword Villa at its end. After the seven members of the Xiao Clan entered the gate, their footsteps consciously varied in speed, causing increasing distance to form between them. Xiao Juetian, Xiao Kuangyu, and Xiao Kuanglei walked at the front. Xiao Boyun and Xiao Zhen were in the middle, while Xiao Wuji and Xiao Nan lagged behind.

Xiao Juetian, the Clan Master of the Xiao Clan, had four sons, named "Wind, Rain, Thunder, and Cloud" in order of age: Xiao Kuangfeng, Xiao Kuangyu, Xiao Kuanglei, and Xiao Kuangyun. Xiao Kuangfeng gained fame in a previous ranking tournament in the upper realm, while Xiao Kuangyu was the third-place finisher in the last tournament, equally impressive. This time, it was the turn of Xiao Kuanglei, who had just turned twenty. As for the youngest son, Xiao Kuangyun, although he was only a month younger than Xiao Kuanglei and also twenty years old, he was a well-known playboy—or, more accurately, a complete good-for-nothing addicted to wine and women. The Xiao Clan would certainly not allow him to embarrass them.

However, within the Xiao Clan, Xiao Kuangyun was the most favored, as he was Xiao Juetian's only son born to his legal wife.

Xiao Juetian glanced back indifferently and said to Xiao Kuanglei, "Leier, the important task of shedding the 'perennial third-place' title in this ranking tournament falls to you. Your father doesn't expect you to defeat Ling Yun, but with your talent, there's no reason for you to lose to anyone else besides Ling Yun... Of course, that includes Xiao Zhen. He's eyeing you fiercely for a showdown."

"I understand, Father. I will not disappoint you or the clan," Xiao Kuanglei nodded, a resolute expression on his face.

"Yuer, tonight, explain the details of the ranking tournament thoroughly to Leier again. Also, when the round of sixteen begins, don't forget to give Leier the 'Shocking Dust Sword.' It will be our secret trump card for this tournament," Xiao Juetian instructed.

"Don't worry, Father, I know how to guide Third Brother," Xiao Kuangyu replied with a faint smile.

Behind them, Xiao Boyun's words to Xiao Zhen were largely similar. Xiao Boyun's long eyebrows slanted slightly, indicating his temperament was far from gentle. He said in a low voice, "Zhener, this ranking tournament is your chance to make a name for yourself! Your opponents aren't just other clan disciples, but also Xiao Kuanglei! In the past, during the contention for the Clan Master position, I couldn't defeat Xiao Juetian and ended up as a Sword Clan Elder. I've accepted that. But my son will absolutely not lose to his son! This time, you must not only secure second place for the Xiao Clan but also defeat Xiao Kuanglei, so your father can hold his head high."

Xiao Zhen nodded heavily, "Don't worry, Father, your son will not disappoint our fellow disciples, and certainly not you."

As for Xiao Wuji's instructions to his grandson, Xiao Nan, they were much simpler: "Naner, bringing you to this ranking tournament is an opportunity your grandfather fought hard to secure. You are still young, and breaking into the top ten is basically impossible. But as a Xiao Clan disciple, you absolutely cannot fall outside the top fifty. You've cultivated diligently for so long; this actual combat will be your best training and a test of your hard work during this period."

"Yes!" Xiao Nan replied respectfully, then added, "Grandfather, when I came out of secluded cultivation a few days ago, I occasionally heard that the fiancé you personally selected for Yuerui... his name seemed to be Xiao Luocheng, and he was crippled? Is that true?"

"Yes, that is true," Xiao Wuji nodded, his expression calm, clearly not taking the matter too seriously. "Yuerui's aptitude is mediocre, and her appearance and temperament are unremarkable. Rather than finding a 'phoenix's tail' within the main clan, it's better to find a 'chicken's head' in a branch clan. Moreover, with your grandfather around, no one in the branch clan would dare bully her. Although Xiao Luocheng's aptitude was ordinary, he was considered a top talent in New Moon City. If he hadn't been crippled, he and Yuerui would likely be married by now."

"Hmph, if he's crippled, then so be it. He was only decent-looking. Our Xiao Clan has hundreds of branch clans; finding someone stronger than him is effortless. What's ridiculous is that the New Moon branch clan claimed a sixteen-year-old boy impersonating the Divine Phoenix Empire's 'Evil Heart Divine Physician' Huangfu He crippled Xiao Luocheng and stole everything from the clan's treasure vault. They treated me like a fool, utterly ridiculous! They obtained a King Profound Dragon Pellet from the Black Moon Merchant Guild, and even the Merchant Guild admitted it, yet they repeatedly insisted it was fake and then tried to deceive me with a Lesser Profound Beast's Profound Core. It's preposterous! Not crippling everyone in that branch clan on the spot was already an act of immense benevolence." Towards the end, a hint of resentment colored Xiao Wuji's voice.

"So that's what happened. A small New Moon branch clan possessed a supreme treasure like the King Profound Dragon Pellet yet didn't offer it, and when Grandfather condescended to visit personally, they repeatedly deceived you. That's unforgivable! It's fortunate Yuerui didn't marry into that clan," Xiao Nan echoed.

"There's no need to mention these minor matters again. Tonight, you can explore Heavenly Sword Villa a bit, then get some rest and gather your strength. Your grandfather looks forward to seeing your performance tomorrow."

"Yes, Grandfather."

At the mountain gate, the appearance of a group of five instantly drew everyone's attention. All five were women, dressed in similar ankle-length, nearly floor-sweeping white gauze dresses. The dresses were originally pure white, but as they moved, shimmering ice-blue light, like scattered stars, naturally floated around their bodies, adorning their attire with an icy blue hue and a dreamlike aura. All five women appeared very young. Besides the maiden at the back, whose face was veiled and who seemed to be only sixteen or seventeen, the other four women appeared to be around twenty years old. Of the five women, two, one at the front and one at the back, had their faces covered with light veils, concealing their features and revealing only their crystal-clear beautiful eyes. The faces of the other three women were unveiled, and each was exceptionally beautiful. All three exquisite faces were imbued with a profound coolness. They wore no makeup, yet their skin was as fair and smooth as snowy jade. Seeing them, one would instinctively think of phrases like "icy skin and jade bones" and "snowy complexion, crimson lips." Each of the three snowy complexions had its unique charm, but all were flawlessly exquisite, radiating a beauty so sublime it contained a holy, cold arrogance that made one almost afraid to look directly. They seemed like celestial maidens treading the Nine Heavens, untouched by mortal dust. From afar, one could distinctly feel an ethereal, immortal aura mixed with a chilling presence permeating the chest. To their right, a clan entourage also heading towards the mountain gate unanimously halted, staring at them dumbfounded, as if all their souls had been instantly drawn away.

As they approached, the Heavenly Sword disciple guarding the mountain gate remained completely frozen for a full five seconds. Only after sharply biting his tongue, concentrating his mind, and calming his spirit did he manage to regain composure with difficulty. His head lowered, no longer daring to meet their gaze, he stepped forward and stammered, "Are the five... five esteemed guests from Ice Cloud Immortal Palace? Please... please show your invitation and roster." After speaking, the Heavenly Sword disciple wished he could slap himself twice on the spot. Welcoming guests at the mountain gate was a matter of the Villa's reputation, which was why he, an important disciple capable of handling any situation, had been specially chosen. When facing clan masters from the Xiao Clan and Burning Heaven Clan, he had remained neither obsequious nor arrogant, his expression unchanged. But facing the immortal maidens of Ice Cloud Immortal Palace, his composure finally shattered; after all, he was a normal man. Although he hadn't seen the invitation yet, women with such ethereal beauty and transcendent aura could only be from Ice Cloud Immortal Palace. The floating, dreamlike ice radiance was undeniable proof. Furthermore, to easily control any unforeseen circumstances, the ranking tournament rules had a strict provision: participating factions, including escorts and competing disciples, could not exceed a total of seven people. Even major powers like the Four Great Clans were not exempt from this. The seven-person limit was too few even for a small clan; hardly any faction would arrive with fewer than seven people... except for Ice Cloud Immortal Palace! Ice Cloud Immortal Palace rarely interacted with the outside world, especially places with many men, a reason everyone knew well. Thus, it was not surprising at all that Ice Cloud Immortal Palace arrived with only five people this time.

The stunning woman at the front, who was not wearing a veil, took out the invitation and roster and handed them to the Heavenly Sword disciple. Seeing the jade-like hand, as white and smooth as snow, so close, the Heavenly Sword disciple's heart rate immediately quickened. For the first time in his life, he realized a woman's hand could be this beautiful. He even felt as though he would gladly die if he could just touch that jade hand... but even with ten thousand times more courage, he wouldn't dare act on it. He cautiously extended his hand, gripping the very edge of the invitation and roster, and took them. His gaze swept over the invitation and roster, and he quickly lowered his head, saying, "So it is Immortal Fairy Bingli and Immortal Fairy Bingchan from Ice Cloud Immortal Palace who have graced us with their presence... Ah? Immortal... Immortal Fairy Bingchan?" The Heavenly Sword disciple, whose reaction was a beat slow, instinctively looked up at the veiled woman whose gaze was as cold as ice crystals. The moment their eyes met, a shiver ran through him, and he immediately realized his severe lapse in composure. He hastily lowered his head again and respectfully said, "Immortal Fairy Bingchan's name precedes her, pardon this junior's impropriety. Five esteemed guests, please enter..." After speaking, he floated to the side with unsteady steps. As a chilling, fragrant breeze swept past him, he didn't even dare to lift his head.

Only after they had walked far away did the Heavenly Sword disciple fully regain his senses. He stared blankly at their receding figures for a moment, feeling somewhat disoriented. At this moment, a disciple beside him suddenly asked, "Senior Brother Haiya, did you just call out... Immortal Fairy Bingchan? Could that be the legendary Chu Yuechan?"

"Yes!" The senior brother named Haiya nodded, "Chu Yueli, Chu Yuechan, Shui Wushuang, Wu Xuexin, Xia Qingyue... That is indeed Chu Yuechan's name. She actually came in person..."

"Should we report it to the Villa Master immediately? The Villa Master will surely be thrilled to know Chu Yuechan has come..."

"Report your head!" Ling Haiya slapped him on the back of the head. "The Villa Master and Madame Villa Master are currently greeting guests together. Everyone in the Villa knows that the name Chu Yuechan is a huge taboo for Madame Villa Master. If you report something that causes trouble, see how you'll handle it!"

"Then, how should I report it?"

Ling Haiya thought for a moment and said, "Just say that Ice Cloud Immortal Palace has arrived, a total of five people, led by Immortal Fairy Bingli, Chu Yueli. Her name is listed first on the roster anyway. Absolutely do not mention Chu Yuechan!"

"Oh, alright." The Heavenly Sword disciple quickly moved aside, took out a sound transmission talisman, and sent the message to the Villa.

At this point, the group of people who had been staring dumbfounded finally walked past. The middle-aged man leading them clasped his fists and asked, "Young brother, were those ladies just now the immortal maidens from Ice Cloud Immortal Palace?"

"Yes," Ling Haiya nodded simply and decisively.

"Indeed. It truly is better to see once than to hear a hundred times; seeing them far surpasses any description," the middle-aged man sighed, then continued, "We are from the Profound Saber Sect of the Eastern Region, specifically here to pay our respects to Heavenly Sword Villa..."

Clan contingents continued to arrive. Although each group comprised only seven people, the elders were invariably renowned figures of power, and the younger members were top-tier geniuses celebrated across the region. In the coming days, these world-renowned formidable figures and the peak-level young talents of the younger generation would gather at Heavenly Sword Villa to compete in the ranking tournament.

As dusk fell, an unusual group arrived at the mountain gate. It was unusual because this group consisted of only four people, even fewer than Ice Cloud Immortal Palace's contingent. These four people were Qin Wushang, Cang Yue, Yun Che, and Xia Yuanba. When they reached the mountain gate, Ling Haiya stepped forward and stated solemnly, "Please stop, everyone. Our Villa is currently preparing for the Azure Wind Ranking Tournament these days and is not receiving guests. Please turn back." There were only four of them. Besides the elder, two of the young men and women only possessed True Profound Realm cultivation, and one was astonishingly only in the Elementary Profound Realm. In Heavenly Sword Villa, a gathering of elites, this was truly a pathetic sight. No one would believe they were there to participate in the Azure Wind Ranking Tournament.