The following day.
The eagerly anticipated "Grand Ceremony of the Three Immortals' Departure from Their Chambers" was held successfully.
As the most significant event for the "Three Immortals Sword Sect," the "Grand Ceremony of the Three Immortals' Departure from Their Chambers" was unprecedented in scale and incredibly lively.
The venue for the "Grand Ceremony of the Three Immortals' Departure from Their Chambers" was exceptionally special: the supreme treasure that suppressed the sect's destiny, the "Three Immortals Cloud Platform"!
The "Three Immortals Cloud Platform" hung high in the sky, resembling a floating continent.
Abundant spiritual energy permeated its surroundings, with wisps of immortal mist coiling around it—a true earthly paradise!
The "Three Immortals Cloud Platform" itself was an "acquired spiritual treasure," having suppressed the "Three Immortals Sword Sect's" destiny for hundreds of thousands of years, it possessed incredible divine might and was profoundly mysterious!
This was also one of the reasons why the "Dark Sword Sect" most dreaded the "Three Immortals Sword Sect"!
Normally, the "Three Immortals Cloud Platform" was not open to everyone; only a select few "Grand Elders" were qualified to cultivate on the platform.
But today, the "Three Immortals Cloud Platform" was completely accessible.
Streams of seven-colored rainbow light, like prayer flags, descended from the "Three Immortals Cloud Platform."
As cultivators entered these rainbow lights, they would flash with spiritual energy and be guided onto the cloud platform, a marvel of divinity.
Today, almost all the elders, stewards, and disciples of the "Three Immortals Sword Sect" were present.
Over a hundred thousand cultivators gathered, creating a vibrant and bustling scene.
Everyone was discussing who would be the "Holy Son" of this generation.
For the "Penglai Sword Sect."
There was no need to guess.
It was a foregone conclusion.
The "Holy Son" of this generation would be the "Kong Xu Holy Son" with absolute certainty.
Who else could it be?
As for the other "Quasi-Holy Sons," they were merely "accompanying the crown prince in his studies," going through the motions, serving as mere decorations.
Did any of them truly believe they could compete with the "Kong Xu Holy Son"?
Surely not, surely not, surely not...
For the "Yingzhou Sword Sect."
There was no need to guess this either.
It would undoubtedly be the "Ni Hong Quasi-Holy Son."
The "Ni Hong Quasi-Holy Son" was exceptionally outstanding; in terms of talent, cultivation, strategy, and methods, he was second to none, and he was "far ahead of the pack," vastly surpassing all other "Quasi-Holy Sons."
If nothing unexpected happened, the "Holy Son" of the "Yingzhou Sword Sect" for this generation would undoubtedly be the "Ni Hong Quasi-Holy Son."
However, speaking of "unexpected," an accident had indeed occurred within the "Yingzhou Sword Sect."
The second seed contestant, "Dong Ba Quasi-Holy Son," had disappeared.
Rumor had it that last night, Qian Duoduo, the chief manager of the "Dragon Rider Merchant Guild," had invited "Dong Ba Quasi-Holy Son" to a banquet, and "Dong Ba Quasi-Holy Son" never returned.
"Dong Ba Quasi-Holy Son's" steward, "Ben Dao," was going frantic with worry. He had already reported the matter to the higher-ups of the "Yingzhou Sword Sect."
The higher-ups of the "Yingzhou Sword Sect" attached great importance to this and immediately dispatched people to the "Dragon Rider Merchant Guild" to verify.
However, the "Dragon Rider Merchant Guild" stated that Qian Duoduo had not invited "Dong Ba Quasi-Holy Son" at all last night.
"How could we be so inconsiderate? Knowing that 'Dong Ba Quasi-Holy Son' was participating in the 'Grand Ceremony of the Three Immortals' Departure from Their Chambers' today, why would we disturb him? It's a misunderstanding! There must be some misunderstanding!"
Whether it was a misunderstanding or not, it was hard to say!
Some "rumors" quickly spread, suggesting that the "Dragon Rider Merchant Guild" had been instigated by a certain influential figure to secretly eliminate "Dong Ba Quasi-Holy Son."
As for why "Dong Ba Quasi-Holy Son" was eliminated? And who was that "influential figure"?
Heh heh...
If "Dong Ba Quasi-Holy Son" didn't participate in the "Grand Ceremony of the Three Immortals' Departure from Their Chambers," who would benefit the most?
This...
It seemed there was no difference if "Dong Ba Quasi-Holy Son" didn't participate in the "Grand Ceremony of the Three Immortals' Departure from Their Chambers," as "Ni Hong Quasi-Holy Son" would win in the end anyway. Wait, "Ni Hong Quasi-Holy Son"... are you saying that "Ni Hong Quasi-Holy Son" he...
Heh heh, you inferred all this yourself; I didn't say anything!
Suddenly, rumors flew everywhere, with all accusations pointing towards the "Dragon Rider Merchant Guild" and "a certain Ni Hong Quasi-Holy Son who wishes to remain anonymous."
The higher-ups of the "Yingzhou Sword Sect" declared that they were paying close attention to this matter.
The most important task today was the "Grand Ceremony of the Three Immortals' Departure from Their Chambers," and they couldn't be distracted.
However, the "big shots" all vowed that after the "Grand Ceremony of the Three Immortals' Departure from Their Chambers" concluded, they would investigate this matter thoroughly!
The "Ni Hong Quasi-Holy Son's" face darkened, and he resembled a "powder keg" on the verge of ignition.
He glanced at his loyal advisor, "Mr. Ryuu."
"How do you do your job? Where exactly is Dong Ba? Why didn't you keep an eye on him?"
"Mr. Ryuu" felt utterly wronged!
Did he have the time to concern himself with the fate of "Dong Ba Quasi-Holy Son"?
These past few days, "Mr. Ryuu" had been incredibly busy working towards "Ni Hong Quasi-Holy Son's" grand dream of becoming the "Co-Lord of the Three Immortals."
He had been shuttling between the "Grand Elders" of the "Penglai Sword Sect" and the "Fangzhang Sword Sect," generously "splashing cash" at the slightest disagreement!
He was practically dying of overwork; how could he have the time to bother with "Dong Ba Quasi-Holy Son"?
Besides, "Dong Ba Quasi-Holy Son" was no longer a child; did he need to be watched?
As a result, "Dong Ba Quasi-Holy Son" was now missing, and "Ni Hong Quasi-Holy Son" was blaming "Mr. Ryuu."
Poor "Mr. Ryuu" felt so wronged! However, he dared not show the slightest hint of dissatisfaction.
As the "loyal advisor," pfft, as the "Chief Strategist," he not only had to devise plans for "Ni Hong Quasi-Holy Son" but also serve as "Ni Hong Quasi-Holy Son's" " spittoon"; any displeasure "Ni Hong Quasi-Holy Son" felt would be vented upon him.
"Mr. Ryuu" quickly admitted his fault.
"I'm sorry, Your Highness, I was wrong!"
"Hmph, useless!"
"Ni Hong Quasi-Holy Son," still seething with anger, glared fiercely at "Mr. Ryuu" and berated him impatiently.
"Mr. Ryuu" lowered his head, not daring to reply.
Witnessing this scene, "Wang Jiujiu" felt an unparalleled sense of satisfaction.
Joyful!
This "Mr. Ryuu," who thought he had some cleverness and always acted like a big shot in front of him, was now being scolded like a dog!
And "Ni Hong Quasi-Holy Son," weren't you very arrogant and powerful? But in the end, weren't you still toyed with in the palm of my hand? Hahahaha...
This feeling of "everyone is drunk, but I am sober," manipulating everyone in the palm of your hand, was truly wonderful and intoxicating.
"Wang Jiujiu" inwardly cackled like a pig, but outwardly, he maintained a pretense of trying to persuade "Ni Hong Quasi-Holy Son."
"Your Highness, you don't need to worry too much about the matter of Dong Ba Quasi-Holy Son; he's likely fine... Moreover, as long as you successfully defeat all your rivals today and achieve ultimate victory with absolute strength to become the Co-Lord of the Three Immortals Sword Sect, all rumors and slanders will be disproven!"
Undeniably, "Wang Jiujiu's" words were very skillful.
"Ni Hong Quasi-Holy Son's" eyes lit up upon hearing this, and he couldn't help but nod.
"Prince Jiujiu, you are right, absolutely right! Once I achieve final victory, let's see who dares to speak ill! Heh heh, Prince Jiujiu, I will be counting on your assistance today!"
"Heh heh, it's nothing, it's nothing!"