Chapter 158: Chapter 154: A Person of Passion and Temperament

Li Jinchuan followed a few fellow disciples and arrived early at the "World’s First Pavilion," standing at the back of the crowd, listening to his master’s junior uncle and several other sect elders discussing who had the best chance of making it onto this year’s "Cyan Cloud Ranking."

"Actually, those seven are about equal in strength, but their cultivation techniques and martial skills counter each other, so it’s no surprise who laughs last."

"Chen Ming and Huang Zhuocheng are also quite strong, but they haven’t faced the first seven, so it’s hard to say who would win."

"Old Hu, you’re just talking nonsense with your eyes open. You saw yesterday’s battle, and Chen Ming from Qingfeng Commandery’s swordsmanship is second to none among those present. Those seven are definitely not his match."

"Brother Zhang, you can’t speak so absolutely..."

"How about we make a bet, on your Cold Ice Sword, how’s that?"

"Hm, you old thief, you have designs on my Cold Ice Sword, dream on."

With that, they parted on bad terms.

The elder surnamed Zhang snorted coldly, "This old guy doesn’t want to offend those prestigious sects, talking nothing but nonsense."

The others laughed but did not respond.

Li Jinchuan also saw that this elder Zhang was straightforward. Seeing him speak righteously on behalf of Brother Chen, Li Jinchuan felt fondness.

Next, the topic shifted to other matters.

Suddenly, there was commotion at the entrance, and many people walked towards it.

Without looking, it must be some big figure arriving, just like yesterday.

Indeed, it was people from the Governor’s Mansion, led by a Third-Grade Admiral, followed by several young men and women, who were the Governor’s family.

Wherever they went, everyone paid respects, "Lord Huang." "Good day, Lord Huang." "Greetings, Lord Huang."

Li Jinchuan honestly followed behind a few senior brothers.

The middle-aged man did not step forward; his status and strength were not enough, no need to go over.

But soon, he suddenly noticed a young woman behind Lord Admiral Huang walking towards them. He had seen this woman before; she was the direct disciple of the Governor’s wife.

Three months ago, the Governor’s Mansion held a grand banquet, and he had the honor of going with the Sect Leader, witnessing the apprenticeship ceremony.

This young woman surnamed Zhao, her cultivation is not high, but as the disciple of the Governor’s wife, her status is extraordinary. She was not to be underestimated.

He saw this Miss Zhao walking straight towards them.

"Could it be she’s here specifically to greet me?"

The middle-aged man thought nervously as eyes were on him, wondering how to respond, as she passed by him without a glance and approached a young disciple.

"Are you Li Jinchuan?"

Li Jinchuan was not foolish; he could see from his junior uncle’s reaction that this woman had an uncommon status. Hearing her words, he couldn’t help but be taken aback, somewhat at a loss.

Zhao Xiyan smiled, "I heard Brother Chen mention you."

Brother Chen?

Li Jinchuan understood then, "Are you a friend of Brother Chen?"

"My surname is Zhao."

"Oh."

Li Jinchuan suddenly realized, immediately knowing who she was.

He had always been in correspondence with Hong Zilin, knowing that Brother Chen had a close relationship with Admiral Zhao’s daughter.

Unexpectedly, he met this legendary Miss Zhao in such a setting.

Moreover, she actively sought him out.

Zhao Xiyan took out a bronze token from her bosom, handing it to him, "If you encounter any difficulties in the future, you can take this to the Governor’s Mansion to find me."

"This... I can’t accept."

Li Jinchuan was startled, about to return it even if he was willing to accept.

But she stiffened her face, "Just accept it when I tell you to."

While he was momentarily dazed, she had already left, glancing back at him with a hint of a smile. He then realized she wasn’t truly angry.

After Zhao Xiyan left, Li Jinchuan suddenly felt the atmosphere was off, looking up to see several fellow disciples, including his junior uncle, eyeing him strangely.

He felt somewhat at a loss, holding that bronze token like it was a hot potato, looking for help from the middle-aged man, "Uncle... Junior Uncle... this..."

His junior uncle remarked, "Just keep it."

Li Jinchuan saw that his junior uncle’s gaze was unusually kind.

He could only put the token away.

Then, a usually familiar senior brother whispered, "Junior brother, you know a big figure from the Governor’s Mansion, why didn’t you mention it earlier?"

Li Jinchuan smiled wryly, I didn’t know either.

His junior uncle rescued him, "Alright, don’t mention it again, we’ll talk about it when we get back. Jinchuan, come stand by me."

Li Jinchuan nervously walked to his junior uncle’s side, looking up to see the senior brother standing on his junior uncle’s other side smile warmly at him.

He quickly returned the smile, inexplicably relieved.

He had joined the White Feather Sect halfway, with no foundation in the sect. Coupled with his remarkable talent, many senior brothers did not favor him, but he was fortunate his master protected him, preventing exclusion.

Now, he felt these fellow disciples, including his junior uncle, were becoming friendly.

He knew very well it was because of Miss Zhao. And the reason she sought him out was because of Brother Chen.

...

"Junior sister, who was that person?"

Zhao Xiyan returned, and Pan Dingqian casually asked.

She replied respectfully, "A friend’s younger brother."

Pan Dingqian was her master’s youngest son, naturally her senior brother. He was around thirty, with a somewhat free-spirited temperament.

He remarked with a smile, "Is he your beloved?"

"Senior brother is joking."

"Haha, love between men and women is human nature. No need to cover it up," Pan Dingqian was indifferent to her reaction, "Besides, you have good taste. I’ve heard his swordsmanship has reached the Transformation Realm. It’s no less than Shang Jianfei’s back then."