"An Artifact Refiner."

Su Molixi’s knowledge was likely unmatched by anyone present.

Twenty years ago, after a duel with Zuo Wuque, she had traveled the continent.

In one of the six kingdoms, she had seen a young man wearing the same attire as the youth before her now, yet he was treated as an honored guest by the king.

Later, she learned of an extremely mysterious organization—the Jinglian Saint Institute.

And that young man was an Artifact Refiner from the Jinglian Saint Institute.

Now, seeing this attire so suddenly, Su Molixi looked at Sect Leader Mo with a hint of worry.

But her attention was immediately drawn to another group.

A party of nine, their expressions indifferent, as cold as swords.

These were the nine great sword attendants of Mingjian Manor.

Su Molixi knew full well their main purpose for being here.

Su Molixi glanced over, and a hint of worry once again flashed through her beautiful eyes from behind her veil.

The improvement in these sword attendants’ cultivation was far beyond her imagination.

Looking around and not seeing any sign of Lin Hao, Su Molixi breathed a sigh of relief.

’Huh, why am I worried about him?’

’That’s right. If something happened to him, no one would be able to cure Xiaoru’s illness.’

In her heart, Su Molixi asked and answered her own question, finding a reason for her concern.

Meanwhile, seeing the nine great sword attendants appear, some in the crowd began to whisper among themselves.

"Mingjian Manor is usually so low-key. For all nine great sword attendants to arrive tonight is a bit strange."

"Indeed. The auras they’re exuding are formidable. I’m afraid their purpose is far more than simply attending the banquet."

"Tonight, there will definitely be a good show."

While the people around them were discussing, on the Wind and Cloud Platform, Sect Leader Mo and a disciple from the Misty Palace came forward to greet the guests.

Although this was a celebration for the Misty Palace’s guest of honor, the Danling Sect, as the organizer, was also considered a host.

"Sect Leader Ning, Sect Leader Luo. And everyone else, please take your seats."

Without any unnecessary pleasantries, Sect Leader Mo descended from the Wind and Cloud Platform and guided the guests to their seats.

Everyone nodded, but at the same time, they all looked toward a certain person on the Wind and Cloud Platform.

Su Molixi of the Misty Palace.

She was the Palace Master of one of the five great divine sects. Here, her status and position were a cut above the rest. No matter what they thought in their hearts, they still had to keep up appearances.

"Thank you all for coming from so far away to attend Xiaoru’s birthday banquet." Su Molixi’s vermilion lips parted slightly as she expressed her gratitude.

"To be able to attend the birthday banquet for the Misty Palace’s guest of honor is an honor for my Sanqing Sect, and an honor for me, Ning." The old Taoist from the Sanqing Sect flicked his duster and cupped his fist with a smile.

His demeanor was so affable, like that of an ordinary Taoist priest. If he hadn’t identified himself, no one would have ever connected him with the Sect Leader of the Sanqing Sect.

"You are too kind, Daoist Master." Su Molixi nodded in return.

"Palace Master, don’t thank me. In truth, I, Luo, was just passing by." Compared to the Sanqing Sect Leader, these words from Sect Leader Luo of the Zhengyang Sect were a bit too blunt.

As soon as he said this, many people’s expressions turned strange.

’This Zhengyang Sect is so brazen.’

"Sect Leader Luo is quite outspoken. I am most impressed."

On the Wind and Cloud Platform, Su Molixi was wearing a veil, so her expression couldn’t be seen.

Moreover, her words contained not a hint of anger.

Sect Leader Luo chuckled and went straight to his seat. The young man who came with him followed suit without any ceremony, moving even a bit faster than him.

"Palace Master Su, it’s been twenty years, but you are still as graceful and charming as ever. You now lead the Misty Palace and have such an outstanding disciple. You are truly a winner in life."

One of the nine great sword attendants stepped forward and addressed Su Molixi.

"You flatter me. As a sword attendant to the Sword God, you are not so bad yourself," Su Molixi said coolly, her tone tinged with mockery.

"The Sword God’s Swordsmanship is unparalleled. Sword One has never regretted his choice all those years ago."

"We still have things to do. We don’t have time to listen to you two reminisce." A woman among the nine great sword attendants, who looked to be in her thirties, spoke up coldly, interrupting their conversation.

Sword One immediately fell silent.

"Fifth Sword, on behalf of Mingjian Manor, presents a gift to the Misty Palace." As the woman spoke, an exquisite wooden box whistled through the air, flying straight toward the Wind and Cloud Platform.

After flying onto the Wind and Cloud Platform, the wooden box landed directly on the gift table without making the slightest sound.

"Inside the box is a treasured sword personally forged by the Sword God over ten years. It was originally one of a pair with the Evil-Slaying Sword in the Young Manor Master’s hands. Palace Master Su, I see your disciple is naturally beautiful. She seems like a good match for the Young Manor Master. Why don’t I propose marriage to you on his behalf?"

This Fifth Sword looked at Yu Mengru and suddenly spoke such words.

Sitting to the side, Zuo Yi was stunned for a moment. Then he looked at Yu Mengru, and the corners of his mouth lifted into a smile.

All the disciples of the Misty Palace were as beautiful as flowers, and this girl was the cream of the crop. Naturally, he couldn’t have asked for more.

"Is this your idea, or Zuo Wuque’s?" Su Molixi’s voice suddenly turned frigid.

"The Sword God is solely focused on pursuing the Sword Dao, and I watched the Young Manor Master grow up..."

"There is no need to speak of this further." Su Molixi coldly cut off Fifth Sword’s words.

"You!" Fifth Sword flew into a rage and took a step forward.

"Fifth, do not be impolite."

As Sword One spoke, Fifth Sword reluctantly retreated.

"For your disciple’s birthday, this old Taoist has also prepared a humble gift. I hope the Palace Master will accept it," Sect Leader Ning from the Sanqing Sect said with a smile.

A disciple from the Danling Sect came forward with a tray to receive the gift and presented it on the Wind and Cloud Platform.

At this moment, the disciple on the Wind and Cloud Platform in charge of recording gifts happened to open the wooden box from Mingjian Manor.

A brilliant light shot toward the sky, its chilling aura overwhelming.

"AH—"

The disciple let out a miserable scream as the brush in his hand flew from his grasp. He clapped his hands over his eyes, blood seeping through his fingers.

This sudden turn of events stunned everyone.

A pleased smile appeared on Fifth Sword’s face.

On the Wind and Cloud Platform, an aura that could crush everyone present suddenly erupted from Su Molixi. The nine great sword attendants, bearing the brunt of it, all changed color.

Especially Fifth Sword. She felt as if she were being stared at by a pair of icy eyes, her body feeling as though it had been plunged into an ice cave.

"A misunderstanding, Palace Master Su, this is definitely a misunderstanding. I have some excellent healing medicine here; he’ll be fine." Sword One quickly stood up and took out a porcelain vial.

Without any visible movement from Su Molixi, the porcelain vial in Sword One’s hand flew straight to the Wind and Cloud Platform and landed in her hand.

At that moment, Fifth Sword felt her body relax as the pressure on her suddenly vanished.

"The sword in the box was made by the Sword God through ten years of Refining using many precious materials. The box has never been opened. If the Misty Palace is not fortunate enough to receive it, if you can’t handle it, then just say so."

Fifth Sword sneered.

When she said this, everyone looked on with strange expressions.

In the back, some people whispered.

"Mingjian Manor is so audacious, actually daring to disrespect the Misty Palace."

"You’re so dense. Can’t you see? That woman must think Palace Master Su and that male sword attendant have a history. She’s jealous, so she’s acting on her own."

"No way. Palace Master Su is like a celestial fairy, while that sword attendant is such a loser..."

"Of course it’s impossible. It must be that toad of a sword attendant lusting after a swan."

They whispered among themselves, while a tense and hostile scene unfolded at the front.

Just as Fifth Sword’s voice fell, the wooden box on the Wind and Cloud Platform shot directly toward her.

Unhurried, Fifth Sword leaped up and caught the wooden box.

The moment she landed back on the ground, the wooden box popped open without warning, and the brilliant light flared once more.

"AH—"

The next moment, the wooden box fell from Fifth Sword’s hands. She, too, clapped her hands over her eyes, blood trickling from between her fingers.

"Mingjian Manor’s gift is too heavy. We cannot accept it." At this moment, Su Molixi’s cold voice rang out from the Wind and Cloud Platform.

"Palace Master Su, the Manor Master personally instructed that this sword must be delivered. I apologize to you on behalf of Fifth Sister." While the other sword attendants helped apply medicine to Fifth Sword, Sword One held the wooden box with a sincere expression.

"Thank Zuo Wuque for me, but the gift is unnecessary." Su Molixi’s tone left no room for refusal.

Sword One looked awkward but could only retreat.

At this time, on the Wind and Cloud Platform, another disciple looked at the gift from the Sanqing Sect, not daring to open it.

"The Sanqing Sect’s resources are meager, and this old Taoist has nothing much to offer. The wooden box only contains a jade hairpin. You can open it without worry."

Seeing the situation, Sect Leader Ning spoke up.

Hearing this, the disciple opened the wooden box. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Indeed, nestled inside lay a simple and unadorned jade hairpin.

Seeing it, Su Molixi spoke again, saying, "Daoist Master, this gift is too precious. Xiaoru cannot accept it."

"It is just an ordinary jade hairpin. How can it be called precious?" Sect Leader Ning replied with a smile.

"Daoist Master, you jest. If even the Sanqing Sect’s Avatar Hairpin cannot be called precious, then no other jade hairpin in the world would dare call itself precious."

BOOM!

The moment Su Molixi said this, everyone looked at each other, their faces filled with shock.

The reason the Sanqing Sect was called the Sanqing Sect was because they possessed a unique skill called "Extracorporeal Avatar."

When a member of the Sanqing Sect mastered their Cultivation Technique to the extreme, they could transform one origin into The Three Pristine Ones, creating avatars outside the body—one Pristine One, one avatar.

The three avatars would possess the same combat power as the original body.

And this so-called Avatar Hairpin was a secret Magical Artifact of the Sanqing Sect. Although it couldn’t increase one’s combat power, it could transform into an avatar at a critical moment to help one survive.

That was why Su Molixi had said what she did upon seeing it.

"Palace Master, you are mistaken. The Misty Palace is a colossus in the Cangnan Empire; something like this will never be needed in a lifetime. Its only use is as a decorative item. As long as the Palace Master does not disdain it, this old Taoist is content." Sect Leader Ning still wore a smile.

"Very well, then thank you for your kind intentions, Daoist Master."

In the end, Su Molixi accepted the gift.

"Although I was just passing by, a gift is still necessary." Sect Leader Luo of the Zhengyang Sect waved his hand, and a gift was also presented.

"Sect Leader Su, open it and take a look." The gift had just been brought to the Wind and Cloud Platform, and Sect Leader Luo was already speaking with a smile, his expression full of confidence.

It seemed the gift he presented was even more precious than the Avatar Hairpin.

Around the Wind and Cloud Platform, countless people craned their necks, eager to see what gift the Zhengyang Sect had brought.

On the platform, a jade box was opened, and myriad rays of rosy light instantly captured everyone’s attention.

As for the Danling Sect disciple who opened the jade box, his eyes were wide, and he couldn’t look away.

Yu Mengru stared at the jade box, her beautiful eyes filled with delight.

Sect Leader Mo’s gaze was filled with disbelief.

Sect Leader Luo saw their reactions and grew even more pleased.

And in the audience, countless people craned their necks in anticipation.

"You there, why not present it for all to see?" Sect Leader Luo’s voice could be heard throughout the entire venue.