Wang Biyun pinched herself hard, pulling her gaze away from the protective heart lock in Xiao Yi's hand.
She understood clearly that now was not the time to make a move. Even if she wanted to play some tricks, it had to be when no one else was around.
She told herself not to rush. The journey back to the Mingyue Pavilion was still long, and there would surely be opportunities.
Although Wang Biyun had tried her best to conceal her thoughts, Xiao Yi still felt very afraid.
This fear was even more daunting than being spanked with a rattan cane by her master after making a mistake.
She was young and didn't know how to express herself accurately, but she just had this intuition.
Her eyelashes trembled incessantly, and her eyes furtively scanned to the right, her hand clutching the protective heart lock tightly.
On the other side, the Old Ancestor of the Jian family finally let out a long sigh of relief.
Fortunately, Fellow Daoist Xu was a person of exquisite thought; otherwise, he truly wouldn't have known how to conclude today's treasure selection ceremony.
The Old Ancestor of the Jian family said a few more polite words of thanks, and the main event of the birthday banquet was over. Next came song and dance performances, followed by feasting and drinking.
The Old Ancestor of the Jian family, along with the family head and the second son of the Jian family, went from table to table to offer toasts, showing no sloppiness regardless of a person's lesser status.
The Old Ancestor of the Jian family displayed sufficient sincerity, which moved the guests. They all raised their wine cups and drank them down in one go, the atmosphere of the banquet becoming increasingly harmonious and lively.
"Old Ancestor Jian."
Before the Old Ancestor of the Jian family could reach Wang Yang, Wang Yang quickly picked up his wine cup and stood up respectfully.
Seeing this, Xu Yi also immediately raised his wine cup and stood up, perfectly fulfilling his duty as a guest elder.
"Fellow Daoist Xu, Nephew Wang, please forgive any lack of hospitality." The Old Ancestor of the Jian family walked up to the two with a cheerful smile, showing no airs of a cultivator in the Integration stage.
"You are too modest. This junior has truly had their eyes opened this time."
Wang Yang dared not continue to follow the Old Ancestor of the Jian family's lead and quickly offered praise.
The Old Ancestor of the Jian family smiled, his gaze naturally falling on Xu Yi.
Xu Yi raised his wine cup and smiled slightly, "I must also thank you for the two treasures you gifted me."
"No, I should be thanking you."
The Old Ancestor of the Jian family raised his cup and gently clinked it with Xu Yi's, a look in his eyes that only the two of them understood.
They each offered a toast and then drained their cups simultaneously.
"Hahaha, Fellow Daoist Xu is truly forthright. I feel as if I've known you for a long time today. After the banquet, may I ask if Fellow Daoist Xu could stay for a couple more days?"
The Old Ancestor of the Jian family's words stunned both the family head and the second son of the Jian family.
The Old Ancestor of the Jian family had not asked any of the many senior experts present to stay, yet he now invited Xu Yi, who was sitting in the last row.
Even they couldn't help but ponder, could their father truly have some dealings with this Xu Yi?
Xu Yi glanced at Wang Yang and saw no significant signs of rejection on his face. Thus, he smiled and agreed, "Then I shall not refuse."
The Old Ancestor of the Jian family's smile widened. He personally poured a cup of wine for Xu Yi and raised his cup again to drink with Xu Yi and Wang Yang.
Wang Biyun, sitting beside Xu Yi, observed the Old Ancestor of the Jian family's unusual treatment of Xu Yi, which further solidified her certainty that the two had a secret relationship.
What a hypocrite, dressed up as a righteous person!
Wang Biyun cursed inwardly, but her eyes dared not show any disrespect.
Seeing the Old Ancestor of the Jian family approaching, she eagerly stood up, offering congratulations with a fawning smile: "Greetings, Old Ancestor Jian. This junior, Wang Biyun, wishes you everlasting longevity and eternal youth."
After speaking, she did not forget to kick Xiao Yi.
Xiao Yi immediately imitated her, picked up her wine cup, and stood up, saying crisply, "Wishing Old Ancestor a happy birthday, and may you have food every day... every day..."
She stumbled after speaking and couldn't help but glance at Wang Biyun's expression.
Wang Biyun glared at her fiercely from under her head. Xiao Yi panicked and blurted out, "May you have food every day!"
Wang Biyun's vision darkened, and her inner rage was almost uncontrollable.
Bringing Xiao Yi along was the worst decision she had ever made.
Who knew that the Old Ancestor of the Jian family, upon hearing Xiao Yi's childish blessing, would laugh heartily and even reach out to pat Xiao Yi's head, asking kindly, "Little girl, are you a disciple of the Mingyue Pavilion?"
Xiao Yi nodded vigorously, "Yes, my master is True Master Jing Qiu. She's very powerful."
"Oh, how powerful is she?" the Old Ancestor of the Jian family asked with a smile.
"She can split this big winter melon with one hand!"
Xiao Yi spread her arms wide, gesturing in front of her chest, her eyes filled with deep admiration.
"Splitting a winter melon with bare hands? Hahahaha!"
The Old Ancestor of the Jian family did not expect that Jing Qiu, who was always stern and serious in front of him, would secretly use methods like splitting melons with bare hands to entertain her young disciples in private.
Jing Qiu, who had always seemed dull and uninteresting in his memory, suddenly came alive.
At this moment, Wang Biyun truly had the urge to ram her head against the banquet hall wall.
Look at what nonsense Xiao Yi had spouted, completely disgracing the Mingyue Pavilion. Her master would never be able to hold her head up in front of the Old Ancestor of the Jian family again.
Xiao Yi was simply an unlucky star!
No, she had to find a way, she couldn't let her continue to harm the Mingyue Pavilion.
Her expression turned grim, a faint glint flashing in her eyes.
"True Master Jing Qiu has indeed taken a good disciple. Please send my regards to her when you return," the Old Ancestor of the Jian family said to Xiao Yi with a smile, contemplating when he might visit the Mingyue Pavilion, perhaps even having the chance to witness Jing Qiu splitting a melon himself.
"Yes, I will."
Xiao Yi nodded, taking the matter to heart.
After speaking with Xiao Yi, the Old Ancestor of the Jian family drank another cup of wine and immediately left with his second son, not saying a word to Wang Biyun throughout.
Wang Biyun blamed everything on Xiao Yi and was determined not to let her have an easy time.
Although Xu Yi did not deliberately observe the movements beside her, the Old Ancestor of the Jian family's exaggerated laughter was difficult to ignore.
Then, as she turned her head, she happened to catch the cold glint in Wang Biyun's eyes.
Xu Yi's brow twitched, and she casually raised her hand, injecting a stream of spiritual energy into the protective heart lock in Xiao Yi's hand.
If Wang Biyun truly intended to plot against Xiao Yi, her evil deeds would rebound upon herself. This move was called treating someone in the manner they treated others.
As for what would happen to Wang Biyun after suffering the backlash, Xu Yi could not concern herself with it.
When the banquet concluded, Xu Yi fished out the now-full little green worm from the fruit basket and placed it in her sleeve. Then, together with Wang Yang, they left, guided by a maidservant assigned by the Old Ancestor of the Jian family.
"Go! Come back with me!"
Wang Biyun waited until Wang Yang had left and immediately reached out, grabbing Xiao Yi's arm, intending to drag her out.
Xiao Yi struggled, "Senior Sister Wang, I... I... I need to use the restroom!"
"We'll talk about it outside."
"No! I need to go now! Ah!!!"
Xiao Yi, knowing Senior Sister Wang's temperament well, immediately shouted in a high-pitched voice, drawing the attention of many cultivators around them.
Senior Sister Wang's expression stiffened. Reluctantly, she released her grip, "Then hurry. I'll wait for you right here. You must return within the time it takes for one cup of tea."
"I know."
Xiao Yi responded, hunched over, and slipped into the crowd, disappearing quickly.
Wang Biyun stood in place, watching the people coming and going, feeling inexplicably uneasy.