Demon Sword Sect's Undercover

Hou Niao finally finished reciting his lines and didn't forget to complain at the end,

"I don't know who wrote the script, it's so long and boring. I ask for your understanding, Daoist friends. They said that since it's a formal occasion, no matter how dull it is, you have to read it through. Because even if the people below are bored, they have to listen and pretend they're enjoying it."

There was a burst of laughter from the audience, and the young sect leader's image improved somewhat. At least among the small and medium-sized Daoist sects, everyone appreciated this straightforward approach.

Of course, there were also those who looked displeased, like Master Xiao...

"Now, let's invite Daoist Zhi Xuan from Taiching to bring us the gospel from the Upper Realm. Let's see whether Jinxiu has more nonsense to say, or if the Upper Realm's rambling will drag on longer?"

Daoist Zhi Xuan remained composed, leaping to the center of the Heavenly Sword Platform, first saluting the host, then bowing to the countless cultivators with elegance and confidence, looking every bit like someone accustomed to grand occasions,

"First, I must clarify that nonsense grows with history. Jinxiu has two thousand years, Taiching has a million, so naturally, Taiching's ramblings are longer, long enough to wrap around your neck. Do you want to hear it? If you're willing, I think Sect Leader Hou's ceremony can turn into a monthly or annual meeting, and I can handle all the nonsense!"

Another wave of laughter swept through, instantly livening up the atmosphere. Hou Niao's style was heartwarming, but Zhi Xuan was even better, making fun of himself and Taiching, immediately winning the goodwill of most cultivators present.

When a Daoist is willing to shed that indescribable sense of superiority, they become the most formidable opponent.

Below, Master Xiao squinted his eyes, "Little Niao, this person is just better than you! He jokes about himself, but you joke about me, an old man! Actually, I should have chosen him at the beginning, but now I regret it a bit."

Hou Niao pursed his lips, "Choose him? And then let you five old guys join forces to tease him again?"

They bickered below, while Daoist Zhi Xuan completely controlled the rhythm onstage,

"It seems no one wants to hear my nonsense anymore? Well, Sect Leader Hou had enough nonsense earlier, so let's get real now."

He flipped his hand, holding up a treasure umbrella, its five-colored light rings swirling around. Without mentioning its function, anyone could tell its extraordinary nature just by its appearance; the treasures of the Upper Realm and Jinxiu are completely different, not only due to the million years of artifact-making experience but also due to the unheard-of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures.

"This umbrella is called the Inverting Yin-Yang Umbrella; it's rather magical. Before I came to Jinxiu, my uncle gave it to me, saying it was to be gifted to a 'fated person.' But I don't really understand what 'fated' means, so today, taking this opportunity, I brought it out to find a fated person for it."

The people below were quite intrigued; after all, this was a treasure from the Upper Realm, something rarely seen, who wouldn't want to claim it as their own?

Daoist Zhi Xuan, however, still felt the atmosphere wasn't lively enough. Holding the Yin-Yang Umbrella, he slowly opened it, the umbrella's face rotating and emitting a mesmerizing spectrum of colors,

"I'll make a small demonstration, purely for fun, no offense intended..."

His gaze swept across the crowd below, landing on a Sword Cultivator disciple standing afar. "We came from afar, and the host warmly received us, for which we're immensely grateful; this brother has been standing here diligently, may I ask your esteemed name?"

The Sword Cultivator was only in the Tongtian Natural Realm, just the late stage of Foundation Establishment. Hearing this, he was a bit bewildered, unable to believe it was him. Not until Daoist Zhi Xuan signaled with a smile did he realize it was indeed him. In the public eye, he wasn't about to lose face,

"I'm Yu Gucheng from the Tongtian Sword Tower of the Sword Sect!"

Daoist Zhi Xuan smiled, "Yu Gucheng? Nice name! When I call you later, do you dare to respond?"

Yu Gucheng didn't know what tricks this Daoist had up his sleeve, but at the critical moment, he wouldn't shrink back, "Why wouldn't I dare?"

"Yu Gucheng!"

"That's me!"

With a swishing sound, Yu Gucheng's body involuntarily floated up, directly drawn into the spinning Yin-Yang Umbrella; in the next instant, Daoist Zhi Xuan closed the umbrella with a flick, and Yu Gucheng was already standing on the platform, still figuring out why he was there.

Daoist Zhi Xuan bowed deeply, with his Golden Core Realm status paying such respects to a Foundation Establishment cultivator, no one could say his attitude wasn't sincere,

"Sorry, sorry, just a joke. Don't mind it, little brother; it was just to verify one of the umbrella's abilities."

The crowd below erupted in uproar; just responding to a name call meant you'd be taken? This kind of magic, seen only in tales, actually appeared in reality. What was the mystery behind it? No one knew, but there was certainly an air of mystery, and though they didn't understand, everyone's spirits surged instantly; this was a different world, they finally realized it.

Daoist Zhi Xuan remained unfazed, as this was a part of the Daoist Sect's plan, not just a whim to counter Sect Leader Hou.

Before coming, they had considered how to steal the limelight at someone else's ceremony; they needed to grab everyone's attention without appearing too desperate; presentation was key,

The answer was simple: magical treasures.

The human world's pursuit of treasures knows no bounds, regardless of Mortal Cultivation, for one shows off while another marvels at its miraculous uses. Though Jinxiu Continent's conditions limited decisive functionalities on artifacts, that doesn't mean the Daoists from different Upper Realms couldn't achieve it.

There are many such practical items for cultivation, but elixirs need to be ingested to see their effects, talismans need to be used to understand their wonders and are often one-time use. But only treasures can attract the most attention.

In the decade since entering Jinxiu Continent, almost all the Upper Realm preachers have been conservative with this aspect. It's not that they're unwilling; rather, in the Cultivation ideology, there's a principle of prioritizing personal improvement with artifacts serving as support. Taking out countless treasures as soon as you preach can distract these Jinxiu cultivators, resulting in minor gains but major losses; hence, demonstrations are scarce.

But now, it's time to display some, especially since the Sword Sect has always been deficient in this area. Their treasures are their flying swords, representing the Sword Tomb Cave Heaven to be prominently showcased in the grand ceremony.

As one waxes, the other wanes; this time, the Sword Sect will undeniably become a laughingstock at the ceremony.

Raising the Yin-Yang Umbrella high, "Calling someone into the umbrella is just an insignificant application of this umbrella; there are more mysteries for a fated person to explore. I place the umbrella here today and hope that my Upper Realm comrades will also contribute generously, celebrating Jinxiu, celebrating Sect Leader Hou!"

He sent the umbrella floating, drifting up to the Square Tower's top, suspending in mid-air, adding countless colors to the entire scene.

The cultivators below cheered; this was an unexpected joy, imagining that with Taiching's start, others would surely follow, with a hundred sects and a hundred treasures. Who the fated person might be is really anybody's guess.