After Chen Ming and his companion entered the Admiral’s Mansion, they were led by a servant to a vast garden with pavilions, terraces, artificial hills, and flowing water, and in front, there was an open space. It was indeed a great place for a gathering.

Many people had already arrived, gathering in twos and threes to chat.

He glanced around but didn’t recognize anyone.

According to Zhang Mingyu, in Qingfeng City, only four people could participate in the Martial Arts Gathering. Aside from the two of them, there were Gu Yuantao from the Gu Family and He Da from the Four Seas Trading Company.

This shows that Qingfeng City indeed has a shortage of talent, with only so few under 30 reaching the Seventh Grade Cultivation.

Of course, there was another eligible person, and that was Sun Shicai, but since he held an official position, he wouldn’t participate.

"Why are there so many women?"

Chen Ming noticed that among the thirty or so attendees, over half were women, and most were dressed in beautiful dresses, clearly unsuitable for fighting.

Could it be they’ll change outfits later?

With the behavior of young ladies from wealthy families, it’s not impossible.

Zhang Mingyu said, "Today, this place gathers much of Jiangzhou’s young talent. If your family has an eligible daughter, wouldn’t you find a way to get her in?"

"Oh."

So it’s a matchmaking gathering.

Chen Ming glanced around, and indeed, the quality wasn’t bad. Two were particularly outstanding, even prettier than Huo Qianqian, worthy of an 8 out of 10, definitely beauties.

It must be said, there are indeed beautiful women in this world, just that ordinary people rarely see them.

Just then, next to one of these 8-point women, there were two men and two women. One of the young men in blue, who had ridiculed Chen Ming earlier, was pointing at him, laughing.

It seemed he was making fun of him to amuse the beauty.

That beauty glanced over, her eyes lively, using a fan to cover the lower half of her face, clearly amused.

"Stop looking."

At this moment, Zhang Mingyu quietly reminded him, "That is the Admiral’s daughter."

No wonder she was like a pearl surrounded by stars.

Chen Ming thought, shifting his gaze away.

Zhang Mingyu pointed to the side, "That is Gu Yuantao."

Upon hearing this name, he glanced at the person a few times, looking a bit sorrowful and bitter.

Gu Yuantao, a direct descendant of the Gu Family, wasn’t the most outstanding of his generation; he had a younger brother who was more remarkable, but unfortunately died half a year ago.

Originally an untroubled young lord, suddenly almost his entire family was wiped out overnight. The burden of the family’s revival fell heavily on his shoulders; no wonder he seemed so weighed down.

If he couldn’t let go, he might be trapped by this forever.

While Chen Ming was pondering, suddenly he felt a bright presence before him.

Not just him, nearly all eyes were drawn over. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

It was a woman in white, standing gracefully, stunningly beautiful, unforgettable at first sight.

She could score an 8.5.

Chen Ming mentally rated her. Of course, it’s a personal preference. The only flaw of this woman in white was that she couldn’t handle A.

This woman should be the unrivaled beauty Xiao Zhuyun from the Xiaoshui Sect mentioned by Zhuang Xiaotian, as he saw Huo Qianqian following behind her.

Huo Qianqian was also considered a beauty, but standing behind Xiao Zhuyun, she suddenly seemed overshadowed.

As Xiao Zhuyun entered, she became the focus of everyone’s attention. She approached the Admiral’s daughter, "Xiao Zhuyun of the Xiaoshui Sect, greetings to Miss Zhao."

Miss Zhao’s eyes brightened, "I have long heard of Sister Xiao’s exceptional beauty, and seeing you today, you are even more beautiful than the rumors."

"You flatter me, Miss. You are so dignified and graceful, something a humble girl like me cannot compare to."

Xiao Zhuyun maintained a very humble posture.

Chen Ming watched the two beauties exchanging compliments, soon holding hands affectionately as if they had known each other forever.

He found it somewhat amusing, thinking they seemed quite fake.

Would beautiful women truly appreciate each other?

Perhaps, but certainly not between two women under twenty.

These two were likely performing, to show everyone their gracefulness and amiable nature.

"Third Senior Brother."

At this moment, Huo Qianqian came over to greet Zhang Mingyu, glanced at Chen Ming beside him but didn’t greet him.

"Are you comfortable staying at the inn, Little Junior Sister? Why not stay at home?" Zhang Mingyu’s tone carried a hint of reproach.

Huo Qianqian explained, "Before leaving, Master instructed that I must listen to Third Senior Sister in all matters. Third Senior Sister said to stay at the inn, so I have to follow her."

Zhang Mingyu said nothing more, just felt melancholic; Little Junior Sister was no longer the same as before, now she was primarily a disciple of the Xiaoshui Sect.

Chen Ming, watching on the side, could also feel the distance between the two.

Huo Qianqian returned to Qingfeng City, not staying at home, opting for the inn instead. Her Third Senior Sister, as she mentioned, should be Xiao Zhuyun.

Likely fearing rumors if she stayed at the Huo Mansion.

After all, Zhang Mingyu was a man and had not yet married.

Should we say she was overly concerned about her reputation?

At this time, Zhang Mingyu said, "This is Chen Ming, you should know him."

"Hmm."

Huo Qianqian just nodded.

Chen Ming also nodded, greeting, "Greetings, Senior Sister."

Zhang Mingyu said, "Junior Sister might not know, Junior Brother Chen has now also reached Seventh Grade Cultivation."

Huo Qianqian was visibly shocked, her eyes widening, seemingly in disbelief.

"Is it hard to believe? In fact, Master made a mistake in judgment. If he had taken in Junior Brother Chen instead of Wen Zehao, that old hag might not have had her way."

Upon mentioning her grandfather, Huo Qianqian’s expression darkened.

Zhang Mingyu quickly realized he had misspoken and did not know how to remedy it, only glancing towards Chen Ming.

Just then, Chen Ming saw a familiar face and whispered, "Senior Brother Sun is here."

Then, he noticed Huo Qianqian’s expression change subtly; she said, "Third Senior Brother, Senior Sister is calling me."

And she walked away.

Chen Ming thought, it seems she still holds a grudge against Sun Shicai for not attending Huo Chengkun’s funeral, unwilling to even greet him.

Sun Shicai, dressed in an official’s blue uniform, approached, and without any greetings, simply said, "Third Senior Brother."

Then, his eagle-like sharp gaze fell upon Chen Ming, "Junior Brother Chen, I heard you’ve reached the Seventh Grade. I’m truly shocked."

Such a forceful attitude was a bit uncomfortable.

Chen Ming replied, "Many thanks to Third Senior Brother’s guidance."

Sun Shicai chuckled faintly, "He doesn’t have such skill."

These words did not spare Zhang Mingyu’s dignity in the least.

Zhang Mingyu’s face showed some displeasure, but he did not retort. In such a situation, if they quarreled in public, wouldn’t it become known to everyone that the Huo Sect had split?

So, he endured it.

Sun Shicai kept staring at Chen Ming, as if trying to see through all his secrets, "I even suspect whether Master took you as a disciple in secret, passing all his teachings to you."

As soon as he said this, Zhang Mingyu was stunned for a moment and instinctively looked over at Chen Ming.