Two days later, on the opening day of the Golden Palace Banquet, Lu Zhaozhao heard a bustling noise outside before she even left the inn.
After tidying up briefly, she pushed open the door. Many disciples were also staying at the inn, and they were walking outside in twos and threes, arms around each other's shoulders.
The open space of Wenyuan Academy today is completely different from what it was two days ago.
The academy gates hadn't even opened yet, but the open space was already packed with people. Most of them were independent practitioners or people who had come just to join in the fun, but there were still gaps in the space.
"Knock knock knock—"
A bell rang out from the bell tower. At the appointed time, a ray of golden light pierced through the clouds and struck the sundial. A row of disciples appeared, and the academy gate slowly opened from the inside.
A group of disciples emerged from the gate, arranged in eight rows, walking out with wooden tablets in their hands. Their hair was combed back and gathered into a large bun at the back of their heads, tied with a butterfly knot. They also wore jade ornaments on their heads, with tassels extending from their ears down to their chins. They wore wide-sleeved, cross-collared robes with right-fastening "deep robes" that were wrapped in multiple layers, trailing on the ground in a "swallowtail" shape. Their belts were fastened with hooks and rings, and the patterns on their robes were filled with vermilion and black lacquer.
Once they had stopped, Lu Zhaozhao suddenly felt a gentle breeze brush past her ear. She looked around and saw a series of stone platforms in the air, each filled with people. The people on the platforms wore the same clothes, but the clothes on each platform were different. Clearly, people from various sects had gathered here.
Lu Zhaozhao immediately spotted the Qinghui Sect at the very front, with Yun Xian leading the way, followed closely by Ying Che and Nian Zhi. The vast array of white-robed disciples held weapons in one hand and had the other behind their backs. What a solemn and dignified ancient sect!
A series of bell, drum, and jade chime sounds rang out, and the disciples who had been standing still moved to the music, dancing and singing at the same time.
"The deer cry 'yoyo,' as they eat the wild apples. I have guests, so I play the zither and the sheng. I play the sheng and the reed pipe, and carry baskets of offerings. Those who are kind to me show me the right way."
The deer cry out, feeding on the wild artemisia. I have honored guests, whose virtuous words are widely known. They do not deceive the people, and the virtuous follow their example. I have fine wine, and my honored guests feast and revel.
The deer cry out, "Yo-yo!" as they graze on the wild herbs. I have honored guests; let us play the zither and the lute. The zither and the lute play in harmony and joy. I have fine wine to share with my guests and bring them happiness.
The chanting echoed in all directions. Wenyuan Academy used the Eight Rows Ritual to sing the banquet song, which was beautiful and admirable.
Even the most polite person would feel awe upon seeing such a grand scene.
As the music faded, the dancers slowly stopped, bowed to the guests, and then parted to make way for them.
Master Bu Lu and Qing Songzi walked out side by side. Master Bu Lu was followed by his eight disciples, including Master Bai Yuan. Qing Songzi was also followed by his disciples, with Yue Cong leading the way.
After descending the long steps, they first bowed, and then Qing Songzi spoke: "On this grand occasion, with guests filling the seats, our humble academy is deeply honored. Now that the auspicious time has arrived, the grand banquet in the Golden Palace is officially beginning!"
His words stirred up a great deal of excitement, and everyone present was filled with enthusiasm.
One disciple acted as the master of ceremonies, loudly calling out to each sect and individual, first the sects, then the independent cultivators.
Taking this opportunity, Lu Zhaozhao also headed towards where Emperor Huizong of Qing was.
If she could, she would prefer to go in on her own, but as a disciple of the Qinghui Sect, she could not register as a rogue cultivator and therefore did not receive an invitation to enter.
At this moment, her disguise had been completely removed, and she had changed into Qing Dynasty attire. Holding a long sword, she tied her long hair up with a wooden hairpin, and the wind blew her sleeves.
"Greetings, Senior Sister."
The Qinghui disciples nearby spotted her from afar and immediately greeted her, which drew the attention of the others.
Ying Che's solemn expression softened the moment he saw her, as if he had breathed a sigh of relief. Yun Xian remained calm. Lu Zhaozhao bowed to him, and he nodded in response.
"Senior sister," Nian Zhi called softly, taking a step back to make room for her in the front row.
Lu Zhaozhao smiled and nodded back, as if there had never been any discord between them.
As she returned to the group, the master of ceremonies shouted, "Emperor Huizong of Qing is entering."
The stone platform began to move, entering through the very center of the academy's main gate, drawing countless gazes from both below and behind the platform.
"Good heavens, she is actually Lu Zhaozhao. I'm so glad I didn't say anything unpleasant back then."
In the crowd, a man with a gold abacus clipped to his waist muttered to himself.
The stone platform descended, and the person on it slowly walked down. Not far away were Master Bu Lu and the rest of Wen Yuan's people.
Yunxian bowed to both Master Bulu and Qingsongzi, and Qingsongzi returned the bow to him.
Lu Zhaozhao and Bai Yuanshi met eyes. He nodded to Lu Zhaozhao in a familiar manner. Lu Zhaozhao hesitated for a moment, but returned the greeting out of courtesy.
Ying Che, who was standing beside him, was a little curious and bent down slightly to ask, "When did Junior Sister become acquainted with Fellow Cultivator Bai?"
"I only met you once by chance," Lu Zhaozhao replied softly.
Given Lu Zhaozhao's status, that was indeed the only time she was involved with Minghai.
"Junior brother knows that fairy of Emperor Huizong of Qing?" Bai Yuanshi's senior brothers were also curious. After all, he had always been seen as aloof and unapproachable in the academy. Even though he had softened somewhat in recent years, the stereotype was still too deeply ingrained and could not be completely corrected in a short time.
"I've met him a few times," Bai Yuanshi replied, his answer vague.
Behind them, sects kept entering, so Qing Songzi had his disciples lead the way, guiding the Qinghui Sect members inside.
Lu Zhaozhao took her seat behind Yun Xian and quietly watched the sects enter.
Countless people poured in, from Tianyin Sect, Zhuoyan Valley, Qinghe Sect...
And, the Sword Tomb.
Lu Zhaozhao sat up straight, her gaze fixed intently on the sword tomb.
This sect, which was once renowned beyond the realm, has gradually faded into obscurity in recent years, but has once again gained fame thanks to its weapon master.
Many people craned their necks, eager to catch a glimpse of the legendary owner of the artifact, who was ranked third by Zhezhishanren.
A man in red robes, who stood out from the group of blue-robed disciples, immediately attracted everyone's attention.
The moment he appeared, all the weapons in the arena emitted a soft ringing sound.
Lu Zhaozhao pressed her hand against the trembling blade of the sword, Niye, and raised an eyebrow in surprise.
Reverse Karma is a killing sword, an unparalleled weapon passed down through the Lu family of Jiangning, and few things can affect it.
This device owner seems to have some real skills.
She pressed down hard, and the sword immediately stopped trembling, remaining there quietly as if nothing had happened.
"Um?"
Liao Chou looked toward Emperor Huizong's seat with an inquisitive gaze.
As the weapon master, he could sense most of the weapons present. Apart from Yunxian and Qingsongzi, who were powerful figures he couldn't select, he could sense most of them as long as their cultivation level wasn't too much higher than his. But just now, a sharp sword intent disappeared from his perception.
His gaze was sharp, and he immediately fell on Lu Zhaozhao at the table.
Seeing that it was a slender woman, she began to doubt again. Is it really... this person?
Lu Zhaozhao noticed his gaze and looked up to meet a pair of red eyes.
Reverse Karma is a killing sword, teeming with countless lonely souls and exuding an intense chill, yet it pales in comparison to these eyes.
Their eyes met, and Lu Zhaozhao picked up the Reverse Blade and waved it at him, the air thick with killing intent.
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