On the Wind and Cloud Platform, the Danling Sect disciples stepped aside as Sect Leader Mo personally brought out the gift.

In the audience, everyone held their breath.

Then, they saw what it was.

It was a jade bracelet.

The jade bracelet was filled with various colors that flowed as if alive.

At first glance, other than being pretty, it seemed quite ordinary.

If it hadn’t previously emitted countless rays of iridescent light, everyone would have thought it was just a plain, unremarkable jade bracelet.

Many people looked to Sect Leader Mo, waiting for his explanation.

"Why don’t you try it on?"

Sect Leader Mo said unhurriedly, a smug look on his face.

The young man sitting beside him looked just as pleased.

Yu Mengru did as she was told. The moment she held out her hand, the jade bracelet surprisingly slipped onto her wrist by itself.

"Wow, this feels so comfortable," Yu Mengru exclaimed, her face filled with delight and bliss.

The Sect Leader of the Zhengyang Sect spoke up, "Sect Leader Mo, suppress your cultivation to the Ninth Layer of Elemental Realm and try punching her with all your might."

Sect Leader Mo, however, looked at Su Molixi.

"It’s fine, go ahead and attack. Xiaoru, don’t resist." Su Molixi glanced at the young man beside Sect Leader Luo.

’If I’m not mistaken,’ she thought, ’that jade bracelet came from that young man. It’s a Spiritual Artifact.’

Sect Leader Mo nodded, then struck out at Yu Mengru with his palm.

The fluctuations from a Ninth Layer of Elemental Realm cultivation were astonishing.

Even the last row of the audience, over a hundred meters from the Wind and Cloud Platform, could feel the pressure.

"Ah!" Someone who didn’t know what was happening saw Sect Leader Mo suddenly attack Yu Mengru and shot to their feet in alarm.

At that very moment, a scene that left everyone dumbfounded occurred.

A brilliant, multi-colored light suddenly erupted from the jade bracelet on Yu Mengru’s wrist. The light instantly enveloped her, forming a halo around her body.

Sect Leader Mo’s palm struck the halo, creating a deafening BOOM.

A sonic boom even echoed through the air.

Everyone present felt the immense fluctuation of power.

The next moment, the halo vanished, and Yu Mengru was completely unharmed.

"That’s..."

"That jade bracelet is a Spiritual Artifact!"

someone exclaimed in shock.

"A Spiritual Artifact! It’s actually a Spiritual Artifact! Even a Tier One Spiritual Artifact is worth a fortune. The Zhengyang Sect is truly generous." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

"It’s obviously a defensive Spiritual Artifact. Those are the rarest kind."

"There’s more to it. I heard that when it comes to Artifact Refining, the smaller the object, the harder it is to refine. To refine a jade bracelet into a Spiritual Artifact... what astonishing skill."

As discussions erupted in the audience, Sect Leader Luo of the Zhengyang Sect spoke up at just the right moment, saying:

"If I’m not mistaken, Sect Leader Ning’s Incarnation Hairpin only works on Martial Artists below the Soul Gathering Realm, and it can only be used once. This jade bracelet, however, can be used ten times. Any Martial Artist below the Soul Gathering Realm can forget about harming the wearer in the slightest."

With this comparison, the difference in value between the two gifts was instantly clear.

In an instant, everyone’s gaze fixed on the jade bracelet on Yu Mengru’s wrist, their eyes burning with fervor.

"Sect Leader Mo, what about your gift? You can bring it out now," Sect Leader Luo said, looking at Sect Leader Mo with a smug smile.

Although this was just a birthday celebration, it was also a contest of sect strength. As things stood, the Zhengyang Sect had won a complete victory.

Sect Leader Luo wanted to extend his triumph even further.

"Sect Leader Mo has already presented his gift, and your gift is one Xiaoru cannot accept." Before Sect Leader Mo could speak, Su Molixi spoke first.

She was well aware of the bracelet’s origin. To be honest, Su Molixi was very wary of the power behind that young man; it was best not to get involved with them.

Hearing her words, the smile on Sect Leader Luo’s face froze. He then shot a subtle glance at the young man beside him.

The young man also frowned, then nodded.

Sect Leader Luo looked towards the Wind and Cloud Platform and shrugged indifferently.

’To be honest, I wouldn’t have wanted to part with something so valuable for the Misty Palace anyway,’ he thought. ’This works out perfectly for me.’

"I, too, have a gift for the young lady to show my appreciation," Zhu Hongcai said at this moment. He then personally walked onto the Wind and Cloud Platform to present his gift.

His gift was a magnificent dress that looked quite valuable.

Yu Mengru loved it. A woman’s love for clothes can sometimes surpass all else.

"And who might this young lady be?" After presenting his gift, his gaze drifted toward Meng Qing, who was standing to the side.

Zhu Hongcai had been watching the veiled woman on the platform for a long time. He had long since recognized her as the veiled, purple-robed woman from the pill auction the other day.

He never had a chance to strike up a conversation before. Now that he finally had an opportunity, how could he let it pass?

"This is my older sister. We were separated for many years and just reunited," Yu Mengru answered happily.

Yu Mengru liked and respected this sister, who had suffered so much for her, from the bottom of her heart.

Now that she had the chance to introduce her to others, Yu Mengru was naturally delighted.

Zhu Hongcai was startled and quickly offered his congratulations.

Now that this woman was connected to the Misty Palace, he didn’t dare act presumptuously.

"Thank you," Meng Qing said, uttering two words.

Hearing Meng Qing’s voice for the first time, Zhu Hongcai shivered. It was simply too captivating.

At the same time, below the Wind and Cloud Platform, the young man who had arrived with Sect Leader Luo of the Zhengyang Sect suddenly widened his eyes and stared intently at Meng Qing.

The longer he looked, the brighter his eyes became.

He then leaned over and whispered a few words into Sect Leader Luo’s ear. Sect Leader Luo nodded repeatedly and was about to stand up.

Just then, a cry that sounded like striking metal and stone rang out from the distant sky.

The sound was extremely piercing. Everyone looked up toward the horizon.

A black dot approached from the distance, moving at an incredible speed. In no time, it was hovering above the Wind and Cloud Platform.

It was a gigantic, monstrous bird.

It was about five meters long, with a terrifying wingspan.

What was most intimidating were its eyes.

Its fist-sized eyes were blood-red, striking fear into anyone who saw them.

Even more frightening, there seemed to be a person standing on its back.

"That’s a Tier Two Devil Beast, a Lightning Falcon! Judging by its size, it’s clearly reached adulthood, with strength comparable to the Peak of Elemental Realm. Someone actually managed to tame it... that’s terrifying."

someone cried out in alarm.

At that moment, a voice echoed from above, "Palace Master Su, I hope I am not too late."

"With Sect Leader Song of the Proud Moon Divine Sect gracing us with his presence, I would not dare say you are late, no matter the hour," Su Molixi replied, her voice still devoid of emotion.

With Su Molixi’s words, the identity of the person on the Lightning Falcon became clear.

The sect leader of a second of the five great divine sects had arrived. The once-rowdy audience fell silent in an instant.

Angering one of the five great divine sects could get their own sects wiped out with a single word. No one dared to offend such colossal powers.

Above, Sect Leader Song laughed heartily, then leaped down and landed on the Wind and Cloud Platform.

He landed without a sound, not even a ripple in his robes. His cultivation was terrifyingly profound.

"It is your disciple’s birthday. Since I am here, I must present a gift," Sect Leader Song said, taking an object from his sleeve.

The wooden box was extremely crude, not even on par with those from some third-rate sects.

Yu Mengru personally stepped forward, accepted it with a smile, and didn’t forget to express her thanks.

For the sect leader of one of the five great divine sects to give a gift was already unexpected; how could she dare ask for more?

Sect Leader Song simply nodded, then turned to face the crowd below and said directly, "I hear there’s a sect in the Southern Border Prefecture called the Zhengyang Sect that has no regard for my Proud Moon Divine Sect. Step forward and let me have a look."

Instantly, all eyes snapped toward Sect Leader Luo.

However, Sect Leader Luo of the Zhengyang Sect showed no sign of panic, rising leisurely to his feet.

Just as Sect Leader Song was about to speak, he suddenly caught sight of the young man sitting behind Sect Leader Luo.

His expression changed drastically. He walked straight off the Wind and Cloud Platform and stopped in front of the young man.

Then, Sect Leader Song cupped his fists, bowed, and said something that shocked everyone.

"Song Xinchuan pays his respects to the Master."

At these words, everyone was utterly stunned.

The sect leader of one of the five great divine sects was actually being so respectful to a young man dressed in beast hides, even calling him "Master." It was simply unbelievable.

People thought they must have misheard and turned to look at others.

In the end, countless people just stared at each other in dismay.

Ultimately, only one thought remained in their minds: who in the world was this young man?

Not even the sword attendant from Mingjian Manor or the Sect Leader of the Sanqing Sect were exceptions; their eyes were also filled with questions.

"You were looking for the Zhengyang Sect to demand the Harmonization Pill?" the young man asked Song Xinchuan.

Song Xinchuan quickly said he wouldn’t dare.

’Is he kidding me?’ he thought. ’This person is from the Jinglian Saint Institute. It’s obvious he’s siding with the Zhengyang Sect now. If I offend him, even the five great divine sects will be finished.’

The Harmonization Pill was precious, but it was nowhere near as important as his sect.

"Actually, I can give you the Harmonization Pill, as long as you do one thing for me."

"Please, just say the word," Song Xinchuan said with utmost respect.

"I just recently entered Cangnan. I heard that the Danling Sect auctioned off some pills and received countless Crystal Stones and refined iron. You just need to find them for me, and you’ll get more than just the Harmonization Pill."

Right here, in front of everyone, the young man spoke without any attempt to conceal his intentions, demanding the Crystal Stones and refined iron the Danling Sect had obtained from the auction.

Sect Leader Mo’s face changed, and he was about to speak.

"This is Cangnan. Isn’t the Jinglian Saint Institute overextending its reach?" Su Molixi took a step forward and spoke coldly.

She also knew where the Crystal Stones and refined iron went. Although she was very wary of the Jinglian Saint Institute, when forced to choose between it and Lin Hao, Su Molixi decisively chose the latter.

Jinglian Saint Institute.

It was the first time many had heard this name. They began whispering amongst themselves, discussing what kind of power it could be.

But when Zhu Hongcai, the Sect Leader of the Sanqing Sect, the nine sword attendants, and especially Sect Leader Mo of the Danling Sect heard it, their expressions changed simultaneously.

They had heard of the Jinglian Saint Institute.

It was a power with an ancient heritage. Most importantly, the Jinglian Saint Institute was an Artifact Refining Holy Land that cultivated Artifact Refiners.

Sect Leader Mo of the Danling Sect was especially shocked.

This was because all of the Danling Sect’s systems were modeled after the Jinglian Saint Institute.

Therefore, he understood better than anyone else just how terrifying the Jinglian Saint Institute was.

Now, someone from the Jinglian Saint Institute had actually appeared here and was demanding the Crystal Stones and refined iron by name. This placed an unprecedented pressure on Sect Leader Mo.

Beads of sweat formed on his forehead and trickled down.

The four great sects of the Southern Border Prefecture were as insignificant as ants before the Jinglian Saint Institute.

If he handled this poorly, the Danling Sect could be wiped from existence.