"My clan brother asked me to stay behind, was it because I made the decision to agree to Li Xuan's matter?" As everyone left, Yue Zheng Hua asked Yue Zheng Qi in a low voice.
Yue Zheng Qi shook his head and said, "I asked you to stay not because of the matter of the Saintess, but because there is another mission for you to undertake."
"Clan brother, just give the order," Yue Zheng Hua said, straightening his posture.
"The Saint Clan's Holy Lord is very likely to participate in this Saintess Ceremony, and it is likely that he harbors ill intentions. This is also why I insisted on having the Saintess choose a side for a marital alliance."
"What you need to do is to closely monitor the Saintess's every move. At this critical juncture, we can only inconvenience the Saintess. Although the Saintess has someone in her heart, that person is, after all, from a remote place. Perhaps after seeing the outstanding talents from various clans, her heart will change."
Yue Zheng Qi spoke.
"Clan brother, do you mean I should monitor the Saintess to prevent her from escaping?" Yue Zheng Hua asked, frowning slightly.
"Do you find this action inappropriate?" Yue Zheng Qi immediately asked, having noticed Yue Zheng Hua's expression.
Yue Zheng Hua nodded helplessly and said, "Clan brother, have you considered the Saintess's feelings? And if Jiang Shi does not agree, or even rejects everyone, I fear our Moon Clan's reputation will be greatly tarnished."
"Furthermore, if the Saint Clan also participates and wins in the end, won't we lose both the bride and the soldiers?"
"I have naturally considered your opinion. Therefore, the worst-case scenario this time is Jiang Shi's martial arts competition. If the Saint Clan wants to win, it will depend on our rules." Yue Zheng Qi said with a smile.
"So, clan brother already has a plan. If that's the case, then I have nothing to worry about," Yue Zheng Hua said, suddenly understanding.
"Yes, that's all. There's nothing else. You may go for now. It is estimated that various forces will arrive starting tomorrow. The reception matters will be handled by the Second Elder," Yue Zheng Qi nodded slightly and said.
...
Saint Clan, Sacred Mountain.
"Welcome, Holy Lord!" On the Sacred Hall, several figures stood in a row. After bowing together towards the void, an ethereal figure slowly appeared on the throne above the hall.
"Did the Moon Clan's Saintess Ceremony invite our Saint Clan?" the Holy Lord asked slowly.
"Replying to the Holy Lord, the invitation was sent to our clan territory a month ago," the foremost of the three elders standing below replied.
"Elder Shen Tian, is there any new intelligence regarding the Moon Clan's movements?" the Holy Lord asked again after nodding.
"Replying to the Holy Lord, it seems that the Moon Clan is holding this Saintess Ceremony with the intention of choosing an ally for the Saintess. However, the intelligence is not yet clear, and the Moon Clan's choice is still undecided. But one thing is certain: our Saint Clan will definitely not be on the Moon Clan's list of allies."
"Moreover, if the Yuan Clan or the Xuan Clan, or any of these clans, form an alliance with the Moon Clan, our situation will be quite troublesome," Elder Shen Tian said, bowing respectfully.
"Naturally, our Saint Clan will not be on that list of allies. The Moon Clan's actions are merely to deal with us. It seems that Yue Zheng Qi is also worried about my breakthrough," the Holy Lord said with a cold laugh.
"Holy Lord, your clone previously said that you could break through the bottleneck in ten years at the earliest, and a hundred years at the latest. After six years of seclusion, how are things progressing? If you were to break through, we would be able to act with greater freedom," Elder Shen Tian asked.
As Elder Shen Tian finished speaking, everyone in the hall turned their gazes to the Holy Lord on the throne.
Clearly, whether the Holy Lord broke through or not had crucial significance for the subsequent balance of power.
The Holy Lord shook his head slightly, a hint of regret on his face. "It is too difficult for me to take that step. Although there are some bottlenecks now, I can only rely on myself. After this Saintess Ceremony, I will go into seclusion again. By then, this Saint Yuan Continent will be dominated by our Saint Clan."
"The Holy Lord is mighty!" Elder Shen Tian and the others echoed in unison.
The Holy Lord waved his hand and then rose, saying, "Since the Moon Clan has invited us, and intends to choose an ally with the Saintess as the condition, why can't our Saint Clan seize this Saintess?"
"Elder Shen Tian, summon Sheng Xu Ling. Since it is a contest among the younger generation, let them see the future of our Saint Clan!"
"We obey the Holy Lord's command!" Elder Shen Tian replied, bowing respectfully.
Moon Spirit Mountain, Moon Spirit Plaza.
As the Saintess Ceremony approached, various forces began to arrive one after another. Perhaps because of the Saintess Ceremony, a massive barrier had long been erected around the vast Moon Spirit Mountain. At the mountain gate, many Moon Clan members were stationed to guard it.
On this day, a flying boat arrived swiftly. Upon seeing the massive, egg-shaped barrier, the flying boat slowly hovered in mid-air.
"It seems this Saintess Ceremony is extremely grand, even a powerful clan like the Moon Clan is so vigilant."
Li Xuan stood on the flying boat, gazing in the direction of Moon Spirit Mountain not far away, and murmured. His brow then furrowed slightly.
Because Li Xuan noticed that all the factions entering the barrier had invitation letters. For someone like him, without any background or introduction, it would be difficult to enter.
"Are you also here to witness the Saintess Ceremony, fellow Daoist?" Just as Li Xuan was worrying about entering the barrier, a voice suddenly sounded in his ear.
Li Xuan turned to look. A man about thirty years old was looking at Li Xuan with a smile. After a brief sensing, he realized that this person's strength was considerably greater than his own.
No wonder he could approach him so stealthily. Li Xuan immediately became wary.
"Fellow Daoist, there's no need to be nervous. Although this is the outskirts of the Moon Clan's territory, it is still within the Moon Clan's sphere of influence. With the Saintess Ceremony imminent, I would not dare to bring trouble upon myself at this time."
"By the way, my name is Wang Kun. I am a rogue cultivator, and like you, fellow Daoist, I am here to witness the Saintess Ceremony. However, for now, we can only wait here in the periphery."
Seeing Li Xuan's wary expression, the newcomer quickly revealed his identity and introduced himself.
"My name is Li Xuan, same as yours, fellow Daoist," Li Xuan replied, feeling somewhat relieved, and cupped his hands in greeting.
Wang Kun, acting like an old friend, landed on the flying boat and said, "To be honest, my accommodation is too crowded. Although your flying boat is a bit rudimentary, it can still be used to observe from the sky. This is why I have come to bother you, Immortal Friend."
"Of course, when the Saintess Ceremony begins, this barrier will be removed, and we will be able to enter the outskirts of the Moon Spirit Plaza to watch the Saintess Ceremony."
"In that case, let's wait," Li Xuan's heart stirred. According to what Wang Kun said, he didn't have to worry about not being able to see Yue Fu Yao.
With this thought, he felt much more at ease.
Moreover, there were still two days until the Saintess Ceremony. And below, as Wang Kun had said, it was indeed crowded. Being able to wait in the high altitude would also provide a sense of peace.
"Alright."
Wang Kun nodded and then sat down on his own to wait.