Chapter 170: Meeting Master Jiang

Innumerable gazes converged on Ling Guihai.

“Gasps! Ling Guihai actually managed to invite Xia Chaoge!”

“As expected of a Golden Rank expert, only he has the prestige to invite a peerless prodigy like Xia Chaoge!”

Liu Qingxian was also incredibly excited. Her gaze towards Ling Guihai showed newfound respect. She hadn’t expected Ling Guihai could actually invite Xia Chaoge, the celestial prodigy she admired most.

Feeling everyone's admiration, especially Liu Qingxian's newfound respect, Ling Guihai felt as if bathed in a spring breeze, utterly delighted. His earlier displeasure instantly vanished. He puffed out his chest and proudly told the waiter, “Fairy Xia was invited by me.”

“Quickly, invite her in.”

In truth, even he hadn't expected Xia Chaoge to actually come. When he had visited Xia Chaoge, he hadn't even met her, only being told to leave the invitation. Moreover, Xia Chaoge had a reclusive nature and disliked crowds. She rarely made public appearances at events, so he hadn't held any expectations. To his surprise, she had actually shown up! This was a huge show of respect for him! It was well known that she had ignored invitations from Golden Rank experts even higher ranked than him.

Then, Ling Guihai looked at everyone and solemnly declared, “You should all be aware of Fairy Xia's character. It's incredibly rare for her to attend our small martial arts exchange gathering. We must not be rude to her.”

“Let's rearrange the seating properly.” As he spoke, he looked at Jiang Fan and declared self-righteously, “Jiang Fan, I can sit at the very last seat. But you can't possibly make Fairy Xia sit at the last seat, can you?”

Jiang Fan was indifferent. He hadn't given way before because Ling Guihai had been difficult, which annoyed him. He had no attachment to the so-called main seat. He immediately stepped aside.

Liu Qingxian's lips parted, but then she remembered that it was Xia Chaoge who was coming. It was a great honor to even meet such a peerless prodigy. There was no need to displease her over seating arrangements. So she didn't try to stop him.

Consequently, the seating was rearranged. Ling Guihai, Liu Qingxian, and the arriving Xia Chaoge were placed at the main seats. The remaining positions were assigned based on strength. As for Jiang Fan, although the swordplay he displayed was indeed powerful, no one believed Jiang Fan's strength surpassed theirs. After all, they were all Foundation Establishment Stage Eighth or Ninth Layer experts. Therefore, Jiang Fan was assigned the very last seat. It was precisely the seat Ling Guihai had occupied just moments ago.

However, unlike Ji Ruyue, Jiang Fan had no powerful companion willing to happily sit at the last seat with him. The contrast was stark. This made Ling Guihai feel comfortable. This was more like it!

No sooner had the seating been arranged than footsteps were heard from outside the door! Everyone's breath hitched. The legendary Xia Chaoge had arrived!

Ling Guihai announced, “Stand up! Prepare to welcome her!”

Everyone rose to their feet. Only Jiang Fan remained motionless, a frown on his face. He found this extreme obsequiousness among elite disciples utterly unbearable. They were all peers; interactions as equals should suffice. Even if the other party was powerful, mere respect was enough. Why such sycophantic behavior?

Ling Guihai was directly opposite Jiang Fan, making it hard for him not to notice Jiang Fan's unusual inaction. He couldn't help but quickly say, “Jiang Fan, what are you doing? Aren't you going to get up?”

Everyone looked over, startled by his casual demeanor.

“Junior Brother Jiang, the one arriving is Xia Chaoge, the third-ranked peer prodigy in the Nine Sects region! How can you be so disrespectful?”

“Her presence here is a huge honor for us; it's only natural for us to be respectful!”

“Get up quickly! If your disrespect causes Xia Chaoge to be displeased and leave, you won't be able to bear the consequences!”

Ji Ruyue, who had long disliked Jiang Fan, narrowed her eyes and said, “You don't think this is beneath your dignity, do you? Seriously, even we, the chosen ones, are showing utmost reverence. Who do you think you are? Is your prestige greater than ours?”

Liu Qingxian frowned. To be honest, she also thought the others were overly fawning. If Xia Chaoge hadn't been someone she had always admired, she would certainly not have risen to welcome her. Seeing Jiang Fan's reluctance, she spoke up in his defense, “Forget it. If Xia Chaoge truly cared about such formalities, she wouldn't be living in seclusion. Let Jiang Fan do as he pleases.”

Ling Guihai decisively said, “How can that be allowed? I went through great trouble to invite Xia Chaoge. What if she gets angered and leaves? Can Jiang Fan take responsibility for that? Jiang Fan! Stand properly! If you ruin our efforts, I'm not done with you!”

Seeing the conflict escalate into animosity, Liu Qingxian somewhat regretted having urged Jiang Fan to come. If she had known things would turn out like this, it would have been better for Jiang Fan to just do his own thing. As it was, she could only ask Jiang Fan to bear with it, lest he truly invite unnecessary animosity. With a hint of apology in her eyes, she said, “Jiang Fan, just stand up. Whether you welcome her or not is up to you.”

Ling Guihai's brows furrowed deeply. But time was short, leaving no leisure to argue further. As the footsteps were already nearing the door, he impatiently urged, “Then stand at the back and don't make a sound. Don't let Xia Chaoge notice you!”

Seeing Liu Qingxian's pleading gaze, Jiang Fan sighed helplessly. He also didn't want to drive away the person Liu Qingxian admired most. So he let out a sigh and slowly stood up.

Creak—

As the door was pushed open, everyone's hearts almost stopped, and their gazes converged on the doorway. There stood a woman in a simple white dress, standing out like a crane among chickens at the entrance. Her shoulder-length hair casually flowed behind her. Beneath delicate willow-leaf brows were eyes as clear and cold as deep autumn. Her nose bridge was high, and her lips were as thin and delicate as peach blossoms in April. Her full, yet gracefully curved facial contours reflected a soft glow in the sunlight. Though her face was bare, she exuded a profound sense of stunning beauty. In terms of appearance, she was in no way inferior to Liu Qingxian, renowned throughout the Nine Sects.

Her figure was graceful; veiled by her snow-white gauze dress, she resembled a masterpiece meticulously carved by the most skilled jade artisan. A fraction thinner, she would appear gaunt; a fraction plumper, she would seem bloated. She was simply perfect!

Such an exquisite beauty left everyone in the room utterly captivated. They had only heard her name, but never seen her in person. Now they truly understood that Xia Chaoge was a flawless, unparalleled beauty!

Admiration shone in Ling Guihai's eyes as he quickly bowed to welcome her, “Ling Guihai greets Fairy Xia!”

Everyone else came back to their senses and offered deep bows in succession. Only Jiang Fan stood awkwardly, without any hint of flattery.

Xia Chaoge's brows subtly revealed a hint of displeasure, and her voice, ethereal and cold, said:

“Thank you. Please, everyone be seated.”

Ling Guihai's heart swelled with excitement. Xia Chaoge, whom no one else could invite, he, Ling Guihai, had brought here! He immediately said, “Fairy Xia, please have a seat.” He pulled out the central main seat, inviting Xia Chaoge to sit.

Xia Chaoge, however, ignored him and instead looked around, saying, “Excuse me, is Young Master Jiang Fan here?”

“Jiang Fan?” Ling Guihai asked in surprise, “Fairy Xia, why are you looking for Jiang Fan?” The two were poles apart and shouldn't have any connection. How could they know each other?

Everyone else was equally astonished, their gazes turning to Jiang Fan. An absurd thought couldn't help but cross their minds. Could it be that the person the waiter said Xia Chaoge was looking for wasn't Ling Guihai at all? But rather... Jiang Fan? However, they immediately dismissed this utterly absurd idea.

But then.

The very next moment completely overturned their understanding!

Following their gazes, Xia Chaoge saw Jiang Fan. With graceful lotus steps, she moved towards Jiang Fan, a wisp of fragrance preceding her. Then, she bowed deeply.

“Xia Chaoge greets Senior Uncle Jiang!”