Seeing this, Jin Mu stood up, raised his hand and pressed it a few times in the air, signaling everyone to remain calm.

"Everyone, the Great Sun Glaze Flame is not an ordinary True Fire, and taming it is not something that can be achieved overnight. So there's no need to rush for the moment. Today, I've set up a banquet here to entertain you, and there's also news to share. In three days, a distinguished figure will arrive. By then, he will lead you to obtain the Great Sun Glaze Flame, ensuring that nothing will go wrong," Jin Mu said.

Upon hearing this, everyone's curiosity was immediately piqued.

Yuan Ming was equally puzzled. Anyone able to lead Jin Mu, Master Tantai, and Long Hou must have an extraordinary identity, at least not weaker than them in strength.

"Fellow Daoist Jin Mu, stop keeping us in suspense, who exactly is this distinguished figure?" Long Hou asked.

"It's not that I'm deliberately keeping it a secret; it's just that I don't know who this person is either," Jin Mu shook his head and said with a wry smile.

"You don't know either?" Master Tantai asked in confusion.

"I truly don't know. The information was sent by Ancestor Bing Lan, and he didn't specify who it was, only that we should make preparations and welcome them in advance," Jin Mu said.

The mention of Ancestor Bing Lan's name instantly silenced the hall.

"If Ancestor Bing Lan were to come personally, it would be expected that we prepare as best as we could, but for someone sent by him to expect us to prepare ahead reeks of arrogance. If the person who comes fails to impress me, I will surely challenge him before entering the Fire Rock Desert," Long Hou said somewhat displeasedly.

"Fellow Daoist Long Hou, since Ancestor Bing Lan said so, it surely isn't baseless. So there's no need for anger, just calmly wait for three days," Master Tantai advised.

Following this, everyone's conversations revolved around the mysterious person about to arrive, speculating variously about their identity, yet no one could arrive at a consensus.

Yuan Ming listened for a while before losing interest.

He planned to continue his concealed actions; it didn't matter who the arrival was, as it had nothing to do with him.

He was naturally curious about the Heavenly Fire in the Fire Rock Desert and planned to take a look if the timing was right after Xi Ying arrived.

In the City Lord Mansion's main hall, after discussing a little longer, everyone dispersed.

Nan Shangfeng escorted Yuan Ming back to the Cave Mansion and didn't stay there any longer.

Master Tantai was already there, so he couldn't continue staying outside and went to the Daluo Mansion.

Yuan Ming stepped into the secret chamber of the Cave Mansion, entered the Shura Palace, and approached the Void Communication Array, activating the Array to contact Xi Ying.

He had been in White Emperor City for three months and wondered where Xi Ying had gone.

The flames within the Communication Array flickered for a long time before Xi Ying's face finally appeared.

"So late? Are you busy?" Yuan Ming asked.

"Sort of," Xi Ying's expression clearly hesitated for a moment, and she replied vaguely.

Yuan Ming's eyebrow arched slightly; Xi Ying was always straightforward and decisive in words and actions. When had she ever hesitated like this? It seemed something indeed happened.

"What happened?" he asked.

"Nothing much, I'll arrive in White Emperor City via the Teleportation Array in three days. Could you come pick me up then?" Xi Ying's voice resumed its usual rhythm.

Three days later?

Yuan Ming recalled the news heard at the City Lord Mansion today; that distinguished figure would also arrive in three days. What a coincidence!

"Alright," he agreed without asking further questions.

...

Time flew by, and three days passed.

White Emperor City, Transmission Hall.

Led by Jin Mu, Master Tantai, and Long Hou, a group of cultivators awaited inside the hall.

The news of the impending arrival of a distinguished figure had spread, and curious cultivators crowded outside the hall.

Yuan Ming also suppressed his cultivation and blended into the crowd.

The Transmission Array inside the hall was operating, occasionally sending cultivators out, but seeing Jin Mu, Master Tantai, and Long Hou standing next to it, sensing their formidable aura, they quickly left.

Time ticked away, and soon it was noon.

"City Lord Jin Mu, weren't they supposed to arrive by noon? It's already 11:45 AM, why haven't they arrived yet?" Long Hou expressed impatience with a tone of irritation.

"Perhaps something delayed them, let's wait patiently a bit longer," Jin Mu said.

As soon as he finished speaking, the Teleportation Array suddenly glowed brightly, beginning to operate autonomously.

Beams of light shot skyward, enveloping the entire array, then quickly fell, dissipating into the air.

As the light faded, more than a dozen figures emerged.

Upon seeing these individuals, everyone's eyes lit up, drawn to a woman in a white gauzy dress and a wide-brimmed hat among the crowd.

Her figure was delicate, her demeanor exceptional; just standing there, she seemed to radiate brilliance, irresistibly drawing everyone's gaze.

The hall also had no shortage of beautiful female cultivators; Gan Wenqing of the Daluo Sect and Long Yuhuan of the Heavenly Dragon Hall were top beauties. But compared to the woman in white, they fell short not just in appearance but in charm as well.

Yuan Ming's gaze was similarly captured in an instant.

Because that woman was none other than Xi Ying, wasn't she?

After possessing Guoguo so many times over the years and conversing with Xi Ying, seeing her face-to-face now stirred his emotions.

Moreover, Xi Ying had undergone quite a change since their last meeting, her fair cheeks faintly glowing with a holy light, her aura reaching a new level.

Beside Xi Ying stood an elder in a green robe with long whiskers, his face gaunt and his frame lean, looking like a regular old man from the market. The cuffs of his sleeves bore an embroidered pattern of a green bird, emblematic of the Sky Eagle Chamber of Commerce.

Behind the pair stood eight or nine cultivators also in green robes, each wearing the attire of the Sky Eagle Chamber of Commerce.

However, neither Xi Ying nor the people of the Sky Eagle Chamber of Commerce could overshadow the presence of another individual.

This person was dressed in a yellow robe, a purple-black ancient zither slung across his back, and his long hair flowing down. He was a young man with striking features.

His demeanor was excellent, yet without any hint of ostentation, appearing like an ordinary zither master, but impossible to ignore.

The gaze of Jin Mu and the others quickly shifted from Xi Ying to the yellow-robed youth, and their expressions immediately changed.

Their eyes reflected both surprise and reverence.

Long Hou's face stiffened, and the initial displeasure he felt promptly dissipated.

"It's him!" Even Nan Shangfeng couldn't help but exclaim softly.

At this moment, he was not standing among the members of the Daluo Sect; he was outside the hall with Yuan Ming.

"Who is he?" Yuan Ming's gaze also fell on the yellow-robed youth, and he transmitted a question.

"You don't know him?" Nan Shangfeng was somewhat surprised.

"I don't know. Didn't Jin Mu mention a leader, is it him?" Yuan Ming asked.

"It can only be him… though I didn't expect that you don't recognize the famous Guardian, Qin Mo!" Nan Shangfeng sighed secretly and, through transmission, responded.

Yuan Ming knew of the Guardians. Kong had told him about it, but he had never heard the name Qin Mo before.

"You surely know about the Guardians, right? In this era, only three Guardians have emerged: Qin Mo, Hua Xian, and Xizhuang Yuan. Since he emerged, Xizhuang Yuan has been elusive, while Qin Mo and Hua Xian partook in the Returning Ruins battle two to three hundred years ago. Qin Mo alone contended against three Demon Lords without being overshadowed; his reputation among the three is the most resounding. Recently, there are even rumors of his preparation for advancement to the Mahayana Realm." Nan Shangfeng said with a slightly sour tone.

Yuan Ming nodded, scrutinizing the yellow-robed youth.

Jin Mu and the others had already regained their composure, smiled, and were about to step forward to greet him when they saw the yellow-robed youth slightly bow and extend a hand toward Xi Ying.

"Fairy Xi, please, you go first."

Outside the hall, Yuan Ming witnessed this scene and couldn't help furrowing his brows, narrowing his eyes as he looked at the yellow-robed youth.

The others saw this and were filled with doubt.

"Who is that young woman to receive such courtesy from Lord Qin Mo?" Long Hou asked in a low voice.

"Not sure, never seen her before. City Lord Jin, you have a unique relationship with Ancestor Bing Lan, and Qin Mo is a successor of Ancestor Bing Lan. This white-robed woman appears alongside Lord Qin Mo—do you recognize her?" Master Tantai pondered, casting a look at Jin Mu.

"I don't know either, never seen her before. I do know the elder beside this woman, he is the Second Elder of the Sky Eagle Commerce Elder Council, Elder Yun Tian." Jin Mu shook his head and said.

"Regardless of who it is, to stand alongside those two and receive such treatment from Lord Qin Mo, we should not be negligent." Master Tantai's expression turned solemn as he spoke.

The other two nodded upon hearing this and all three went up together to greet them.

At this moment, they witnessed a rather unexpected scene.

Lord Qin Mo courteously allowed the white-robed woman to go ahead, but the woman did not move, her expression quite indifferent, and she performed the same gesture, allowing Elder Yun Tian to proceed first.

"Lord Qin Mo, please go ahead." Elder Yun Tian gave Xi Ying a reproachful glance and then discreetly led Qin Mo forward.

Qin Mo did not refuse and stepped out of the teleportation array.

"Jin Mu from White Emperor City, Long Hou from Heavenly Dragon Hall, Tantai from Daluo Sect, greet Lord Qin Mo." Jin Mu and the three bowed in salute.

The others quickly followed suit.

"No need for such formality, please rise," Qin Mo said warmly.

Once everyone stood up straight, he took the initiative to introduce Elder Yun Tian and Xi Ying to the crowd.

Though the Sky Eagle Chamber of Commerce has a president, the actual core power rests with the Elder Council, and practically all major decisions of the chamber are made by the Elder Council.

The Elder Council of the Sky Eagle Chamber of Commerce is composed of five elders. As the Second Elder, Elder Yun Tian is highly influential and is a notable figure in the Central Continent, exchanging greetings with many people.

Xi Ying, while unknown to most, had just witnessed the respectful demeanor Qin Mo showed towards her, so nobody dared to underestimate her, and the voices of flattery continued.

Xi Ying maintained a rather indifferent attitude, only responding with basic courtesy, her eyes scanning the interior and exterior of the hall.

Yuan Ming no longer stayed hidden within the crowd; he stepped out and waved a hand towards Xi Ying.

Xi Ying immediately looked over, and though Yuan Ming's appearance was disguised, she recognized him instantly, her delicate face breaking into a smile.

At that moment, Qin Mo was exchanging pleasantries with Jin Mu and the others, still mindful of XI Ying's change in expression and was about to turn his head to look outside.

"Lord Qin Mo, Fairy Xi, Elder Yun Tian, we have already prepared a banquet at the City Lord Mansion for everyone. Let us move to the feast and continue our conversation there." Jin Mu proposed.

"Alright," Qin Mo replied, retracting his gaze.

"Thank you," Elder Yun Tian also responded with a smile.

Qin Mo gazed at Xi Ying with a gentle look and said, "Fairy Xi, shall we go together?"

"It would be discourteous to decline such a gracious invitation, Lord Qin Mo, but I have someone waiting to meet me, so there's no need for us to go together," Xi Ying replied with a polite smile.

With that, she headed straight towards the outside of the hall.

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