Daoist Competition-Chapter 1012 - 246: Two Qi God Light Talismans

Two months later, at Huan River Water Continent.

Mrs. Chen, leading over a dozen maids, walked on a subtly glowing rainbow bridge, treading on clouds. She was directing the servants to hang lanterns and spread flowers, meticulously preparing for the night banquet a month from now.

This banquet was initially intended to entertain the three elders of the Pingdu Sect, but Mrs. Chen wanted to use the occasion to build momentum for her husband, Huo Xuan.

She raised her head to look, only to see, beneath the misty night, a Flying Pavilion surrounded by clouds, faintly visible in the sky a hundred zhang high. A bright moon seemed to cut at the eaves, hanging like an Ice Plate, presenting a scene of unparalleled beauty, as if a celestial realm.

She gazed for a while, her eyes slightly glazed with wonder. After a long time, she returned to her senses and instructed the maid beside her: "Remember, drive away the birds inside and outside the Water Continent. On the fifteenth of next month, if a single bird flies over the clouds and disrupts the view, you will answer to me."

All the maids promptly responded in unison.

Huan River Water Continent consists of eighteen immortal islands connected by flying bridges. The warm waters kiss the flat stones, cranes and birds flutter about, creating a very unique scenery.

Most remarkably, on each of the eighteen islands, there is a central lake. Every fifteenth of the month, the lake can reflect a bright moon’s light and shadow. Once the time comes, the light and water rush straight up to the Heavenly Vault, and upon reaching the Ling Kong Pavilion, it stops, forming a sky path resembling a jade belt. The eighteen moons then revolve and dance around, a matchless wondrous sight.

Moon gazers sit within the pavilion to enjoy the moonlight, savoring the joys of the immortals. Hence, this pavilion is also called the "Moon Catching Pavilion."

After walking a few laps, Mrs. Chen descended from the rainbow bridge. Across the glittering river water, she saw Huo Xuan standing on a rocky islet at the lake’s heart. She pointed to her feet, rode a drifting mist cloud with a maid, landed by his side, and softly said, "Master, what do you think of the arrangement I’ve made? Is it well done?"

Huo Xuan turned, looking at the lake surface adorned with radiant flowers and bright pearls, and smiled: "Anything handled by Madam is certainly excellent."

Mrs. Chen shot him a glance, complaining, "Master, I’m toiling like this for your sake; do not be so indifferent."

Appearing helpless, Huo Xuan said, "With Madam taking care of things, I naturally feel relieved, so I won’t trouble myself with it."

Though Mrs. Chen’s face showed grievance, her heart was pleased. She said, "Cai Zhu, let’s go, don’t mind him."

The beautiful maid accompanying her hastily saluted Huo Xuan, then sneakily looked at him before leaving with Mrs. Chen.

After they left, Huo Xuan saw two maids approaching him. He slightly frowned and said, "Wait here; I’m going to take a walk over the Water Pavilion."

The two maids glanced at each other, murmured an agreement, and then halted.

Huo Xuan stomped his foot, leaping onto the Ling Kong Pavilion, standing firm on the roof ridge, his eyes cold.

Since he assumed the position of the top disciple, he had relied almost solely on his exceptional skills, never requesting the Chen Clan’s assistance, hoping to gradually fade his association with them over time.

Yet, this time for the night banquet, Mrs. Chen insisted on being involved, as if fearing others wouldn’t know he was the Chen Clan’s son-in-law, which greatly displeased him.

However, he also knew this wasn’t the right time to act out. Once he returned from the Sword Fighting Conference, he wouldn’t need to pay much heed to the Chen Clan’s demeanor.

Mrs. Chen had just reached the southeastern island when she suddenly saw fragrant winds swirling in the sky. A splendid cloud of light descended, with a dignified middle-aged woman standing atop it. Her eyes lit up with joy, and she stepped on the clouds to ascend into the Void, giving a Wan Fu salute, saying, "Third Aunt, what brings you here?"

This aunt, named Chen Qiao Ling, was originally married to Xiao Mousui. After the latter’s unknown fate, finding the household too lonely, she returned to reside with the Chen family, keeping frequent contact with her.

Chen Qiao Ling approached, took Mrs. Chen’s arm, and leaned close to her ear, eagerly asking, "Niece Qing, will Zhang Yan be attending this time?"

Mrs. Chen hesitated for a moment, then replied, "Aunt, I sent out the invitation early. He... should be coming."

As a rule, invitations were sent to all top ten disciples, but she didn’t know Zhang Yan personally. If not for her aunt’s insistence on inviting him, she wouldn’t have specifically remembered this matter.

After sending the invitation, she hadn’t followed up. Whether Zhang Yan would come, she had no idea, so she simply made a casual reply.