“Distinguished guests, may I have your attention!”

Amidst the banquet, Shao Xuanji, the Sect Leader of the Exquisite Sanctuary, rose from her throne. Her voice was clear and resonant, cutting through the festivities.

Instantly, the silk and bamboo music ceased. The boisterous laughter and chatter died away, leaving the vast hall in a heavy silence.

Thousands of eyes turned toward the dais, filled with curiosity and confusion.

Shao Xuanji swept her gaze across the assembly, her expression solemn.

“The Exquisite Sanctuary is deeply honored by your presence today. Our humble sect shines brighter because you are here. However, our resources are limited; if there have been any lapses in our hospitality, I ask for your forgiveness.”

Her voice was gentle, yet it carried an undeniable weight of authority. It wasn’t loud, but it traveled clearly to every ear within a thousand miles.

“Sect Leader Shao is too polite!”

“Indeed, you are far too humble. We are unworthy of such graciousness.”

“Ancestor Qiao’s ascension to the Great Ascension Realm is a joy rarely seen in a millennium. To witness such a grand event is our fortune!”

“The grace of your noble sect has truly humbled us…”

The guests responded with flurries of polite bows and toasted from afar.

Shao Xuanji nodded in acknowledgment. Then, her tone shifted, becoming grave and heavy.

“However, today I have heard a rumor concerning the Exquisite Holy Maiden. Its content is absurd, malicious, and utterly disgraceful.”

“I do not know which individuals with ulterior motives are fanning these flames, attempting to slander us with filth. But a rumor is, ultimately, just a rumor. It cannot withstand the light of truth.”

She paused, letting the silence stretch.

“Since this slander touches upon the reputation of the Exquisite Sanctuary, I, on behalf of the sect, solemnly clarify: everything mentioned in these rumors is baseless fabrication.”

A sharp, cold light flashed in her beautiful eyes.

“I have said my piece. If anyone dares to continue spreading these lies to disturb the peace, the Exquisite Sanctuary will pursue the matter to the bitter end!”

A chill ran through the guests. Heads bobbed in hasty agreement.

Gossiping was fun, but offending a top-tier sect—and risking one’s life for a bit of drama—was simply not worth it.

Seated at the banquet, Qi Yuan breathed a sigh of relief. He was quite satisfied with Shao Xuanji’s decisive, sword-like approach to cutting the knot.

But just then, Shao Xuanji’s gaze swiveled and locked directly onto him.

With a face void of expression, she announced:

“Furthermore, from this day forward, Qi Yuan, the Holy Scion of the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary, is appointed as a Supreme Guest Elder of our sect. His status shall be equal to that of a Supreme Elder. No disciple of the Exquisite Sanctuary may show him disrespect. Violators will be punished severely according to sect law!”

Supreme Guest Elder?

Status equal to a Supreme Elder?

The announcement hit the hall like a boulder dropped into a calm lake.

An uproar exploded instantly.

It wasn’t just the guests; even the high-ranking Elders of the Exquisite Sanctuary looked thunderstruck. They clearly hadn’t expected their Sect Leader to bestow such an exalted title upon an outsider—and to do so publicly.

On the VIP cloud platform, the Holy Scions of the other Sanctuaries whipped their heads around to stare at Qi Yuan, their eyes wide with shock.

Qi Yuan, now the focal point of the entire ceremony, stood up with practiced ease. He maintained his composure, offering a slight, graceful bow to Shao Xuanji.

“An Elder’s gift cannot be declined. Since Sect Leader Shao holds me in such high regard, this Junior accepts with gratitude!”

Shao Xuanji took a deep breath. She gritted her teeth, barely managing to squeeze out a response.

“Guest Elder Qi… there is no need for such courtesy.”

With a flick of her sleeve, she sat back down on her throne and closed her eyes, refusing to look at him.

If not for Ancestor Feihuang’s explicit orders, she would have sooner died than announce this absurdity to the world.

While the crowd digested this earth-shattering twist, Zhuang Qingyun tugged anxiously at Tu Ruoxu’s sleeve, sending a frantic mental transmission.

“Senior Brother Tu, you were right! The Exquisite Sanctuary denied the rumors immediately.”

“But… this doesn’t look like a punishment. They just made him a Supreme Guest Elder! Doesn’t this look like they are elevating him? Why would they do that?”

Tu Ruoxu raised an eyebrow. A playful, knowing smile curled his lips as he replied with leisurely confidence.

“Junior Brother Zhuang, you must learn to look beneath the surface. The fact that they did this only proves my deduction was completely correct!”

Zhuang Qingyun blinked, confused. “How so?”

Tu Ruoxu chuckled softly, explaining with the patience of a teacher instructing a slow student.

“Look at the timing. The Supreme Mystery Scion has undoubtedly been reprimanded behind closed doors. He was likely forced to sign a humiliating agreement with the Exquisite Sanctuary.”

“To balance the scales and appease the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary, the Exquisite Sanctuary tossed him this hollow title.”

“Sect Leader Shao understands the art of governance: combine kindness with severity. Since she got what she wanted—his submission—giving him a title that sounds impressive but holds no power costs her nothing.”

Tu Ruoxu gestured vaguely at the dais. “Think about it. ‘Supreme Guest Elder’ sounds majestic, doesn’t it? But it’s an empty shell. What real power does he have? What resources does he control? That is entirely up to the Exquisite Sanctuary.”

“In the end, the Exquisite Sanctuary gains the substance, and the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary saves face. Both sides avoid a war. That is the brilliance of this move!”

Zhuang Qingyun’s eyes lit up with realization. He looked at Tu Ruoxu with undisguised admiration.

“Senior Brother Tu is truly a genius! A few words from you, and the fog has lifted. I never thought about it that way… The Supreme Mystery Scion is actually quite pitiful, isn’t he?”

When he looked at Qi Yuan again, the hostility in Zhuang Qingyun’s eyes had vanished, replaced by a trace of pity.

Suddenly, a thought struck him. His expression darkened.

“Wait. Do you mean the rumor itself was released by the Exquisite Sanctuary as leverage?”

Tu Ruoxu pondered for a moment, then shook his head confidently.

“No. It is unlikely they would slander their own Holy Maiden. They merely seized the opportunity presented by the chaos. The true mastermind behind the rumor is someone else.”

Zhuang Qingyun’s face twisted into a snarl. “Who? Who dares tarnish Fairy Xiao’s reputation? I’ll kill him!”

Tu Ruoxu laughed lightly, his eyes gleaming with the profundity of a detective solving a murder.

“Rumors always serve a purpose.”

“Ask yourself: who benefits most from this explosive scandal? Whoever that is, they are the true culprit!”

Zhuang Qingyun remained clueless. “You mean…”

Tu Ruoxu glared at him, annoyed by his lack of insight.

“The true mastermind is… Ji Tianpeng!”

The name was spoken with absolute certainty.

“Huh?” Zhuang Qingyun’s jaw dropped.

“Think, Junior Brother! Ji Tianpeng, the Holy Scion of Purple Sun, publicly challenged Qi Yuan yesterday and was suppressed in a single move. He lost face utterly.”

“Many people witnessed that humiliation. If news of his defeat spread, the Purple Sun Sanctuary would be a laughingstock.”

Tu Ruoxu paused, looking like he held the wisdom of the universe in his palm.

“The best way to bury a piece of bad news is to create an even bigger, more explosive piece of news to distract everyone.”

“Look around. Everyone is discussing Qi Yuan and the Holy Maiden. Who cares about Ji Tianpeng losing a fight anymore?”

“Ji Tianpeng hates Qi Yuan. By weaving Qi Yuan into a sex scandal, he not only escapes the news cycle of his own defeat but also drags his enemy into the mud. It’s killing two birds with one stone!”

“So that’s it!”

Zhuang Qingyun was struck by thunder. He sent a transmission filled with gratitude. “It was Ji Tianpeng all along! If not for Senior Brother Tu’s demonic intelligence, that bastard would have fooled everyone.”

“Surname Ji… just you wait! I, Zhuang Qingyun, am not finished with you!”

He turned and glared viciously at Ji Tianpeng, who was sitting nearby, drinking sullenly with his head down.

Sensing the hostility, Ji Tianpeng looked up, baffled.

Why is he looking at me like that? Did I offend him?

Is this kid sick?

The Grand Ceremony concluded.

Qi Yuan did not regroup with the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary disciples. Instead, he made his way directly to the solemn main hall of the Exquisite Sanctuary.

The vast hall was empty and silent. Only Sect Leader Shao Xuanji remained, seated high upon the central throne.

She wore a regal gown embroidered with gold, her hair piled in a complex, cloudy bun. Her phoenix eyes were sharp, and her entire being radiated the crushing majesty of a sect master.

“This Junior pays respects to Sect Leader Shao.”

Qi Yuan walked forward calmly, stopping at the foot of the jade steps to bow. His demeanor was respectful, without a hint of arrogance.

Shao Xuanji looked down at him, her eyes flickering with complex, unreadable emotions.

After a long silence, she spoke, her voice cold.

“Qi Yuan. I admit, I underestimated you. But if you think Ancestor Feihuang’s indulgence gives you a license to do whatever you please in my sanctuary, you are gravely mistaken.”

Qi Yuan shook his head gently. “I wouldn’t dare. But isn’t it a bit arbitrary to assume I would harm the Exquisite Sanctuary just because the Ancestor appreciates my talents?”

Shao Xuanji frowned. She stared at him for a long moment before sighing. Her tone softened, shifting from intimidation to negotiation.

“Fine. I won’t beat around the bush.”

A storage bracelet floated down from her hand, hovering in front of him.

“This bracelet contains enough resources to support your cultivation all the way to the Dao Integration Realm.”

“Take it. But you must swear a Heart Demon Oath: for the rest of your life, you will never set foot in the Exquisite Sanctuary again, and you will never approach my disciple, Xiao Yueni, ever again!”

Qi Yuan looked at the delicate bracelet floating before him, then up at the powerful woman on the throne.

“It seems… you still haven’t quite grasped the situation.”

Qi Yuan smiled—a slow, dangerous smile.

“Right now, the one qualified to set conditions is me.”

He locked eyes with her, his gaze unabashed and piercing.

“Sect Leader Shao, you wouldn’t want anything to happen to the Exquisite Sanctuary, would you?”