In the early morning, just as the sky was brightening, there were still several hours before the opening of the sect assembly. However, at the foot of Misty Cloud Sect's mountain, the first wave of guests had already arrived.
"Yan City's Mo Family, here to pay respects!"
A duo, a middle-aged man in a luxurious robe with a genial smile on his face, giving off the impression of an amiable elder. The young man, dressed in white, adorned with a valuable jade at his waist, holding a folding fan, and complemented by handsome features, exuded the aura of a refined young master. Anyone would think that this person hailed from a prestigious family with excellent upbringing.
Yan City's Mo Family
Yun Tianming squinted his eyes.
If he remembered correctly, this was a prominent clan in the eastern province of the Jia Ma Empire, backed by the peripheral influence of Misty Cloud Sect. In secret, they delved into forbidden secrets related to organ transplantation, harboring ambitions to dominate the region. In the original novel, Mo Family kidnapped Qing Lin, attempting to seize her Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils, only to be annihilated by Xiao Yan in the end.
"This is the gift list from our Mo Family."
"The young man is truly talented, clearly an outstanding disciple of Misty Cloud Sect."
Mo Lan handed over a small red and gold embossed booklet, densely recording various high-value gifts such as gold and silver jewelry, medicinal herbs, magic cores, and more.
"I dare not accept. I am just an outer disciple of Misty Cloud Sect."
Yun Tianming's face showed a hint of surprise, but he still made a polite response.
"Nice to meet you."
Mo Li casually arched his hand, a form of greeting.
The two did not linger for too long. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, they entered Misty Cloud Sect.
"Father, although Misty Cloud Sect is a huge entity, you don't need to be so polite to a mere outer disciple, right?"
Mo Li asked in confusion.
"Li'er, you don't understand this. Your father has a good relationship with Ge Ye, the outer sect steward of Misty Cloud Sect. I am well aware of that old fox's character. He entrusted the task of welcoming guests to this young fellow, which must have some extraordinary aspects. Perhaps, during the upcoming sect competition, you might have a chance to encounter him."
Mo Lan said meaningfully.
"Heh, just a greenhorn. If he crosses paths with me, consider him unlucky!"
Mo Li looked dismissive. His purpose in coming this time was to become an official disciple of Misty Cloud Sect. If he could win the top spot in the sect competition, be noticed by Yun Yun, and accepted as an inner disciple, Mo Family's influence would undoubtedly soar!
"Yan Family from Shi Wang City."
"Feng Family from Feng Bao City."
"Fu Lan Ke Family from Black Rock City."
"Deputy Guild Master Qie Mi'er from the Alchemist Guild."
As time passed, more and more guests arrived. However, judging from the gift list, these families did not surpass Mo Family. It's not that these families were inferior, but they had no affiliations with Misty Cloud Sect. They came out of courtesy to the sect.
"Imperial Capital, Miteer Family!"
Leading the group was a middle-aged man in luxurious attire, with narrow eyes and a cunning air of a businessman. But what drew more attention was the young girl beside him, looking around fifteen or sixteen, yet her charming figure had already begun to exhibit a graceful allure.
Beneath the red robe, revealing two slender and snow-white legs like jade, she attracted the attention of almost all the men along the way.
The girl smiled with charm, warmly greeting passersby. In just a few words, she stirred the imaginations of those around her, making them wish they could worship at her feet. However, those who focused only on her beauty failed to notice that deep within the girl's narrow peach blossom eyes, there was a hint of indifference and mockery.
"Respected Lord Tengshan, welcome to Misty Cloud Sect."
Yun Tianming took the initiative to pay his respects. The other party was the head of one of the three major families in the Imperial Capital, and the highest courtesy was necessary. Moreover, personally, he was interested in the Miteer Family's auction, with plans for future collaboration. Therefore, he took the initiative to approach and become familiar.
"Oh? Does the young friend know me?"
Tengshan squinted his eyes, a hint of surprise appearing on his face.
"Lord Tengshan, one of the top ten powerhouses of the Jia Ma Empire, I deeply admire you."
Yun Tianming had never seen Tengshan, but with his powerful soul force, he could sense the terrifying aura emanating from him, so he could deduce that he was Tengshan, the patriarch of the Miteer Family.
"Hehe, an interesting young man."
Tengshan observed Yun Tianming's coarse linen robe; it was evident he was an outer disciple of Misty Cloud Sect. A mere outer disciple recognizing his Movement was intriguing.
On the side, the clever Ya Fei also noticed this detail. Her rosy lips curved into a charming smile. Being sensitive to the gaze of others, she had noticed this semi-grown young man, one of the few males who didn't cast an interested glance her way.
"Lovely little brother~ Can you tell sister your name?"
"Yun Tianming. Just a common outer disciple of Misty Cloud Sect, not worth remembering for the Miss of the Miteer Family."
Yun Tianming remained composed and casual. If he guessed correctly, the person in front of him should be Ya Fei, the "Queen of Gold" of the Miteer Family. However, this was an event from the later part of the original novel. In the early stages, Ya Fei had mediocre cultivation talent, a keen business mind, and a breathtakingly beautiful appearance.
Yun Tianming's general impression was that the girl emitted a sweet and enticing fragrance, like apples hanging on a tree, alternating between green and red, indicating that some time was still needed for maturity.
"Oh."
Yun Tianming's heart remained calm.
Internally, he found it amusing: "Young lady, trying to seduce this monk, you're at least ten years too early!"
"Hmph."
Ya Fei pouted her small mouth, a touch of displeasure appearing on her pretty face. After all, she was currently a teenage girl in the prime of youth, lacking mature emotional control, and her expressions of joy, anger, and discontent were all written on her face. From childhood to adolescence, she had always been seen as a budding beauty in the eyes of others, drawing the attention of men wherever she went.
Encountering a moment when her charm failed, Ya Fei experienced it for the first time. Moreover, it happened with a semi-grown young man even younger than her, making it unacceptable for her. She felt the urge to grab him and shout loudly: "Hey! Little brother, are you blind? A beautiful young lady is standing in front of you. According to a normal reaction, shouldn't you be blushing and nervous, stuttering to speak?"
Tengshan didn't pay much attention to the exchange between the younger generation; he took the lead and entered Misty Cloud Sect, murmuring a few words to himself.
"This kid, why does he give me a feeling reminiscent of facing an Alchemist?"
"Perhaps it's just an illusion."
Tengshan pondered for a moment but found it unlikely.
Regardless of whether the young man had any talent as an Alchemist, how could a mere ten-year-old kid possess any soul power?