Wan Si Rui stood below the stage, watching Tan Tai Wang Shu, the center of everyone's attention. She was truly beautiful at this moment!
Standing on the high platform, she seemed unreachable, exuding an aura of distance.
He, on the other hand, could only watch her from a corner below the platform.
Wan Si Rui liked that position and wished to be in it. Not just that position, but he also saw those seated above the clouds.
The thought "perhaps I can replace them" appeared in his mind. At this moment, he seemed to have a clear understanding of his future path.
He wanted to become such a powerful being, one who could stand above everyone else.
Lin Yan, also on the high platform, felt the burning gaze from the male protagonist. She looked towards him.
That one glance made the male protagonist's heart tremble, and he would never forget this scene.
Lin Yan was already in the Golden Core stage and could have her own Taoist title, which should be bestowed by her master or the sect leader.
The sect leader announced her Taoist title as Wang Shu in front of everyone.
This was something she and Xu Lan had decided. Lin Yan recalled a previous conversation with Xu Lan.
"I want to use your name as your Taoist title, after all, this is the name your mother gave you." Xu Lan looked at her excellent disciple with sadness for her departed friend.
She felt sorrow that her friend could not witness her daughter grow up. This name was the last gift her mother left for her daughter, and she did not want to cover it with another appellation.
"Your mother would be very pleased to see you now."
Looking at Xu Lan's gentle gaze, Lin Yan felt deeply moved. Xu Lan devoted herself to cultivation, and the only warmth she offered was to Tan Tai Wang Shu and this sect.
"Thank you, Master." Lin Yan threw herself into Xu Lan's embrace. "I have lived very well all these years. With you here, I have truly lived very well."
Xu Lan stroked her disciple's hair, feeling heartache for this girl who had carried so much for so long.
From a very young age, she had been strict with herself. Even now, reaching the Golden Core stage, though the sect was their responsibility, she only needed to focus on her cultivation. Yet, she had taken on the sect's burdens.
Simply because someone called her "senior disciple," she had always acted like a little adult, taking care of the other disciples.
To see her exhibit such girlish behavior now was truly rare.
"Then it's settled. Your Taoist title will be Wang Shu. My little Wang Shu deserves this title."
At this moment, the sect leader announced her Taoist title to everyone. Lin Yan looked at Xu Lan and saw satisfaction and pride in her expression.
This Taoist title carried many meanings. She would ensure this title spread throughout the cultivation world.
After it was decided, many elders presented congratulatory gifts, which were placed in boxes. Lin Yan respectfully received them and thanked them one by one.
Those who came to witness the ceremony also offered gifts, all of which Lin Yan thanked them for diligently.
The Nascent Soul elders who had arrived realized their initial gifts were somewhat modest, so they added some items from their private collections to the congratulatory gifts.
They looked at this young Golden Core true person and couldn't help but envy the Ling Xiao Sword Sect's incredible luck.
They had already figured out that this disciple was the child of Yun Xi Sword Xu Lan's old friend, raised by her, and therefore, there was no possibility of poaching her.
"True Person Wang Shu is truly accomplished at such a young age!" An elder from the Qing Yun Sect, having a good relationship with the Ling Xiao Sword Sect, spoke casually.
"Not at all, not at all," the sect leader said humbly. "She is simply more diligent."
Others also looked at this young Golden Core true person and, at the same time, presented their own disciples.
"Let the younger generation exchange pointers more often. We old folks can leave this place to them. It would be awkward for them with us here," said a Nascent Soul mighty being, a wine gourd hanging from his waist, a person of free spirit.
"You say old? I'm not old!" said a young and beautiful woman.
"Fairy Hua Ling is in her prime, of course, she is not old," another person immediately appeased her.
After agreeing, the sect leader led them to the reception hall, leaving the place to the juniors.
After the Nascent Soul mighty beings departed, the atmosphere here seemed to instantly lighten. Subsequently, Lin Yan's junior disciples offered spiritual wine and food.
Lin Yan also sat down and raised her cup, inviting everyone to drink together.
However, halfway through the drinking, someone stood up, intending to challenge Lin Yan.
Seeing such impudence, the disciples of the Ling Xiao Sword Sect wished they could rush forward and teach him a lesson, but Lin Yan stopped them with a look.
"Does this senior disciple wish to spar with me?"
"Indeed. True Person Wang Shu is the youngest Golden Core cultivator in the entire Southeast Region. Naturally, we wish to test your strength." The man looked at Lin Yan's face.
It had to be said that True Person Wang Shu was indeed beautiful. But he had to make a move; he couldn't let this true person's reputation grow too strong.
However, since she was so beautiful, he shouldn't let her lose too miserably.
"Senior disciple, your thoughts do not represent ours." A female cultivator in the Golden Core stage spoke up.
After the female cultivator spoke, Lin Yan looked at her. The female cultivator gave Lin Yan a smile.
"Junior Sister Wang Shu, I am Ling Ying from the Qiong Hua Sect."
"Greetings, Senior Sister Ling Ying."
The Qiong Hua Sect was a sect primarily composed of women. Although they were not as large as the Ling Xiao Sword Sect, the Qiong Hua Sect consistently formed alliances through marriages with major sects, so few dared to provoke them.
Lin Yan returned her a faint smile.
"What? True Person Wang Shu, are you afraid?" A sword cultivator could not refuse a duel. If she truly refused, then all the swords of the Ling Xiao Sword Sect would be disgraced.
"That person is too shameless! Senior Sister has just entered the Golden Core stage, and he is already in the middle Golden Core stage. How can he have the nerve to spar with Senior Sister? Isn't this bullying?" A junior sister below said anxiously.
"Exactly! How could he do this? Senior Sister absolutely cannot agree to him!" someone next to her also said.
All the people of the Ling Xiao Sword Sect were whispering, their voices carrying to the stage. The person who stood up to challenge Lin Yan also heard these voices.
However, he had to challenge Lin Yan today. Their sect and the Ling Xiao Sword Sect had a competitive relationship. If True Person Wang Shu's reputation spread, the Ling Xiao Sword Sect might surpass their sect in a short period.
The sect elder had already signaled him with his eyes. Even though he knew this was somewhat unethical, he had to press on.
"There is no such thing as daring or not. Since senior disciple wishes to test my depth, please proceed!" Lin Yan gestured for him to move to the martial arts stage with her.