Old Acquaintances

Old Acquaintances

The Ginkou Continent was alive with bustling inns, swamped with customers they struggled to accommodate. The influx of people was overwhelming—outsiders from other parts of Grand Xia, as well as Ginkou Continent's own residents, didn't want to miss out on the event.

Amidst the activity, a group of figures strolled down a main street. Among them were two stunning young women, accompanied by an elderly man trailing behind. The old man emitted an almost ordinary, feeble aura.

"The luxury of the Ginkou Continent is truly something else." The old man gazed at the surrounding architecture with a sigh, reflecting on his past actions. The Sky Harmony City, viewed in the context of Grand Xia, was but an insignificant speck. Each person here, each pedestrian on the street, held a status that dwarfed his own. His perspective had shifted, and so had his heart.

"Autumn Snow, you must strive harder to catch up to your younger sister. This world is vast indeed," Bai Qingsong lamented. Autumn Snow nodded, "Father, I'll do my best to catch up, though I fear it won't be easy."

"Elder sister, you must believe in yourself more." The beautiful young woman beside Autumn Snow smiled gently. She appeared younger than Autumn Snow, yet was even taller, endowed with a remarkably proportioned physique. Her skin resembled snow, and her visage was strikingly beautiful. Her eyes, however, held a depth that belied her age, as though she had lived through many experiences.

This youthful-looking woman was Bai Qing, the younger sister of Autumn Snow. Her status was now esteemed within the Mystic Moon Hall, prompting her family to seek shelter under her sect's wing.

"Confidence?" Autumn Snow shook her head. "I wonder if he'll be here..."

Thoughts of him brought a radiant smile to Bai Qing's face. After enduring so much, she had managed to release the hatred that had once consumed her family ties. Her father, Bai Qingsong, had also found it in himself to forgive Qin Wentian for crippling him. In fact, Bai Qingsong's remorse played a significant role in Bai Qing's decision to reconcile with him and her sister, Autumn Snow.

"He?" Bai Qingsong's expression froze, a wistful smile gracing his lips. "Sometimes, when I reflect on the past, countless 'what-ifs' cross my mind. If I hadn't been so self-centered back then, perhaps the two of you could have been a couple that others envied."

"Let's leave the past behind," Bai Qing interjected softly. Bai Qingsong shook his head, sighing. "You're right. The past is just that—past. Revisiting it now serves no purpose."

Bai Qing's thoughts drifted back, landing on the time she had encountered her Wentian gege at the Celestial Lake's Refinement Grounds. So much time had elapsed since then, and now she stood at the eighth level of Yuanfu. Her journey had been marked by hard work and a tapestry of experiences. Yet, despite her current prowess, she knew that Qin Wentian's innate talent still overshadowed hers, ensuring that his cultivation wouldn't lag behind hers.

A gentle glint of fondness shimmered in her eyes, a candid smile gracing her lips.

...

Qin Wentian strolled along a pathway when, out of the blue, a sneeze escaped him. He murmured under his breath, "Huh, is someone thinking about me?"

"Don't flatter yourself. Just because you sneeze doesn't mean someone's thoughts are fixated on you." Fan Le chortled. "Do you really think you're as popular as me?"

Qin Wentian rolled his eyes while Little Rascal, nestled in his arms, emitted a snort-like bark before mimicking a shrug—an expression that earned it a light tap on the head from Fan Le.

They had arrived in Ginkou the previous day, and Fatty had wasted no time dragging them out for an early-morning stroll through the streets.

The area was teeming with restaurants and inns, and the pathway they treaded was remarkably spacious. Even if a hundred people walked side by side, it would hardly feel crowded. Uninterrupted lines of demonic beast mounts passed them, infusing the entire Ancient Capital with a lively atmosphere.

Now and then, they encountered exceptional figures hailing from various transcendent powers.

"Who are those individuals? Their aura resembles that of sword cultivators, though with a unique twist," Qin Wentian inquired of Ouyang Kuangsheng as he watched a group of young cultivators pass by.

"They're from the War Continent. Cultivators originating from that region place more emphasis on forging and the utilization of divine weapons. Even their innate techniques and cultivation arts typically require a specific type of divine weapon to complement them. Thus, the sharpness you perceive is akin to the keenness of divine weapons," Ouyang Kuangsheng explained.

"The War Continent isn't too distant from the Ginkou Continent. These two, alongside the Moon Continent, form the three core regions of Grand Xia. They house the mightiest transcendent powers, which naturally imparts a sense of inherent superiority among their cultivators."

"In that case, the major powers from those three continents will also participate in this event in Ginkou?" Qin Wentian inquired softly. Ouyang Kuangsheng nodded, "Certainly. Even transcendent powers like the Nine Mystical Palace and Greencloud Pavilion will send representatives, despite their locations in the faraway Qing Continent. By the way, you should be more familiar with them, considering you come from Chu, right? Chu used to be under the jurisdiction of the Nine Mystical Palace, wasn't it?"

As for the Nine Mystical Palace, Qin Wentian couldn't claim to be well-acquainted with it. Nevertheless, he had previously crossed paths with several individuals from the Nine Mystical Palace. If he were to meet them again, there were certain matters he would need to address.

Regarding the Greencloud Pavilion, he only knew two people there—Gongyang Hong and Qian Mengyu. Yet, the current whereabouts of Senior Gongyang Hong remained a mystery.

After Gongyang Hong's departure from Chu, Qin Wentian had embarked on a journey to the Moon Continent. Consequently, if he returned to Chu now, he wouldn't be able to locate Qin Wentian.

"Chu!" Emotions of yearning surged within Qin Wentian. That modest country held several individuals he deeply cherished.

"I wonder if Qingcheng accompanied the Pill Emperor Palace's delegation for this journey to the Ancient Kingdom?" Qin Wentian mused aloud. As a core disciple under Luo He, Mo Qingcheng's exceptional talent in medicine and pill refinement meant her progress and strength shouldn't lag far behind his.

"Smells divine." Fatty's nostrils flared as he inhaled deeply. The air carried the rich fragrance of sweet wine. Fan Le's mouth watered as he attempted to trace the source of the aroma.

"Over there." Chu Mang pointed at a lavish inn adorned with a flag. Three words fluttered on the banner – Drunken Immortals' Residence.

"Great name," Ouyang Kuangsheng chuckled. "Let's step in for a few rounds."

"Indeed, I'd love a drink too," Ouyang Xiaolu chimed in suddenly, positioning herself next to Ouyang Kuangsheng. Her brother blinked and shot her a glare. "No way. Go have some milk instead."

"Hmph," Ouyang Xiaolu grumbled unhappily. "Just wait until I see Sister Jiang Ting. I'm going to tattle on you and make her give you a hard time."

The Jiang Ting that Ouyang Xiaolu mentioned was, of course, Ouyang Kuangsheng's fiancée from the Wind Continent. Apparently, the Jiang Clan had also come to the Ginkou Continent.

"Pfft, you still don't know who calls the shots in my relationship with her," Ouyang Kuangsheng teased with a grin.

"Oh, really? Care to repeat that?" Ouyang Xiaolu retorted with a mocking tone.

"Even if Jiang Ting were here, I'd show her who's in charge," Ouyang Kuangsheng confidently declared. His words trailed off as Ouyang Xiaolu burst into laughter, leaving him feeling rather uneasy. When he turned, his expression froze upon spotting a female figure.

Qin Wentian and Fan Le had already figured out who was there without even turning around. Both their faces were a mixture of sympathy and amusement as they looked at Ouyang Kuangsheng.

"You guys…" Ouyang Kuangsheng realized he had fallen into a trap, and no one had bothered to warn him. These two friends of his were seriously unreliable.

Since their parting at the Celestial Lake Palace, Qin Wentian hadn't encountered Jiang Ting again. The current Jiang Ting had matured considerably, her figure graceful and elegant, radiating a feminine charm. Her eyes held an enigmatic gleam, and just when it seemed she was about to explode, Ouyang Kuangsheng intervened with an innocent, bright smile plastered on his face. "Ting'er, you're here! Why didn't you give me a heads up? My mischievous little sister didn't tell me either :)"

"Hmph," Jiang Ting ignored Ouyang Kuangsheng, stomping past him. Ouyang Kuangsheng hurriedly caught up, trying to appease her. "I was just kidding, dear. Just a harmless joke."

Watching this scene unfold, Qin Wentian and the others couldn't help but smile. The audacious Ouyang Kuangsheng reduced to this state by his fiancée? Truly unexpected. They all entered the inn and secured a window seat on the second floor, enjoying wine and indulging in leisurely conversations.

Outside the entrance of the Drunken Immortals' Residence, a continuous flow of people entered and exited. At that moment, a group of cultivators arrived—three men and three women.

Among the three women, one was particularly petite with an unremarkable appearance, exuding a faint air of self-doubt. She trailed behind the group silently. The most talkative among them had a flirtatious way of speaking, coupled with a figure as provocative as her words. Her ample bosom strained against the confines of her revealing attire, causing members of the opposite sex to gawk at her half-exposed, milky skin.

Among the trio, the final woman stood out the most, radiating an aura of irresistible allure. She appeared to have been blessed with an overabundance of sex appeal, her sultry eyes and rosy pouty lips oozing magnetism. Though her words were few, her mere presence exuded an inherent charm that could stir envy among those of the same gender, making her undoubtedly the most captivating of the three.

"Don't worry, Yang Xia. My buddy will be joining us for a meal later. I'll handle the conversation and do a little flattering. Getting into the Pill Emperor Hall shouldn't be an issue," one of the young men assured, his gaze often straying to the coquettish-looking girl. It was as if he was compelled to steal glances at the magnificent snowy-white peaks that adorned her chest. Clearly, he was yearning for a closer look at the scenic beauty nestled within that valley!