“The holy lands of Guanghan Palace, Yaochi, Mount Taihua, and Changliu Mountain have grown increasingly close, and will surely become a formidable force in the Immortal Realm in the future.”
“These holy lands have allied together, and with Guanghan Palace, once the Tenth Divine Palace, they could rival any one of the Eight Great Divine Palaces.”
“The future structure of the Immortal Realm may very well change because of this.”
The various holy lands realized that these sanctuaries, driven by personal relationships, were drawing closer together, potentially advancing and retreating as one.
“Mount Taihua Sacred Land has sent treasures of such caliber. I wonder, will the Holy Son of Taihua prepare an individual gift?”
“The new Guanghan Palace Master and the Taihua Holy Son are Dao companions; surely he should have a gift prepared.”
“It’s said that the Taihua Holy Son possesses wealth beyond measure; what kind of extraordinary item will he offer?”
Since Lin Xuantong, representing Mount Taihua Sacred Land, had presented first-class Enlightenment Tea, it was expected that Lu Changsheng had also prepared a gift.
All eyes turned to Lu Changsheng.
Lin Qinghan and Yuexi showed subtle and peculiar expressions, with faint traces of melancholy.
Suddenly, Lin Qinghan noticed that Yuexi, the prodigy of the Mysterious Lady Palace, bore a resemblance in manner to herself. She was secretly alarmed—could Yuexi also share similar feelings to hers?
Under the gaze of the crowd, Lu Changsheng calmly produced a wooden box crafted by Heavenly Fire Holy Land.
The jade box was intricately engraved with ice lotus patterns, clearly signifying that the item inside must be a top-tier treasure.
Lu Changsheng gently pushed open the lid of the box, revealing a jade hairpin to the world.
“Ah?”
“Just a jade hairpin? It doesn’t appear to be anything special.”
“Considering the identity of the Taihua Holy Son, merely offering a jade hairpin seems somewhat underwhelming.”
The crowd, initially filled with anticipation, was now greatly disappointed.
The gifts from various holy lands included Sword Dao Divine Fruit, Cloud Immortal Grass, Eight Desolation Fire Dragon Blood, and Buzhou Demon Stone—top-tier treasures. The allies of Guanghan Palace, the Purple Void Palace, Mount Taihua Sacred Land, and Yaochi had even presented twenty-first rank items such as Heavenly Pond Ice Lotus, Chaos Peach, and first-class Enlightenment Tea.
Yet as the closest person to Xia Ningxue, and a Taihua Holy Son who lacked no treasures, how could Lu Changsheng present only a jade hairpin?
Xia Ningxue picked up the jade hairpin, her beautiful eyes brimming with emotion, valuing it more highly than any other treasure.
After all, this was a gift from her beloved; even if it were merely a tree branch, it would be priceless.
“Summer Palace Master seems to particularly value this gift.”
“Could it be that it’s not a matter of other treasures being unaffordable, but rather that the jade hairpin holds greater significance? Is the Taihua Holy Son’s realm beyond ours?”
“Lu Changsheng sure is fortunate to have a Dao companion who is so understanding. Could this be blessings cultivated in a past life?”
The male elders and disciples of the various holy lands and prominent families were green with envy.
This was truly the ideal of a Virtuous Wife and Good Mother they pursued.
Meanwhile, female elders and disciples held a different opinion: “What would you men understand? Summer Palace Master now commands Guanghan Palace and is one of the top eight geniuses in the Heavenly Court Tournament. She wouldn’t lack treasures. The gift Lu Daoist presents is a specially crafted accessory, which shows genuine thought.”
“I see.”
The male elders and disciples pretended to suddenly understand.
So it wasn’t about affordability, but rather that a crafted accessory held deeper meaning.
“Is this Taiyin Cold Jade?”
A chill emanated from the jade hairpin, and Xia Ningxue finally realized that it was not an ordinary hairpin but one crafted from Taiyin Cold Jade—a premium refining material.
Guanghan Palace cultivates Extreme Cold True Energy, allowing Xia Ningxue to suppress the chill within the hairpin. Initially, she hadn’t even noticed that it was refined from Taiyin Cold Jade.
“What?! A jade hairpin crafted from Taiyin Cold Jade?! This is too luxurious!”
Some knowledgeable elders from the holy lands and prestigious families scrutinized the hairpin in Xia Ningxue’s hand, visibly shocked, even standing up one after another.
“Elder, what is Taiyin Cold Jade?”
“Taiyin Cold Jade is a twenty-first rank top-grade refining material, usually reserved for crafting magical treasures of the highest grade… To use it to refine a jade hairpin—it’s utterly wasteful, a terrible extravagance…”
An elder from Cloud Mountain Holy Land muttered blankly, his gaze vacant.
Never had he seen such opulence—a twenty-first rank refining material used merely for a jade hairpin?
This kind of extravagance was even more astonishing than simply presenting the twenty-first rank treasures outright.
“A twenty-first rank refining material, used purely to craft a jade hairpin…”
“They claim the Taihua Holy Son is wealthier than a nation; I didn’t believe it before, but today I see the truth.”
“So it’s not about cost-effectiveness; he simply disregards such considerations.”
The elders and disciples were stunned.
Using premium refining materials to craft what appears to be a purely decorative hairpin—this was extravagant beyond compare!
The female elders and disciples, their eyes shining brightly, were filled with admiration and envy.
If only someone would gift them a hairpin of this grade…
“Junior Sister truly is fortunate…”
Fairy Jiang Yue, the third senior sister, drank alone in silence.
Xia Ningxue had replaced her as the Holy Maiden of Guanghan Palace, succeeded in becoming Palace Master, and now had such a thoughtful Dao companion—how could one not feel envious?
“No wonder it stole the spotlight; this was crafted by me.”
Elder Wu from Heavenly Fire Holy Land stroked his beard proudly. As a Refinement Grandmaster, he couldn’t help but feel gratified seeing his work receive such widespread recognition.
“Han’er, there’s no choice in this; you must try to let it go.”
Lin Xuantong comforted his crestfallen daughter, Lin Qinghan.
“Father, I’m fine,”
Lin Qinghan forced a smile.
She understood that Lu Changsheng and Xia Ningxue were Dao companions who had ascended together from their small mortal world, sharing mutual support during times of weakness.
Yuexi softly sighed, sipping her wine alone. Though Guanghan Palace’s prepared wine entered her throat, it felt bland and tasteless.
“Guanghan Holy Maiden has ascended so quickly to become Guanghan Palace Master. No wonder Emperor Ku fancied her. Yet, she already has a Dao companion. Despite that, Emperor Ku intends to interfere—how excessive…”
Li Cangshui of the Three Pure Ones Palace pondered deeply.
“Hahaha, Brother Lu, you really are extravagant. Standing next to you, I, Chu Wuqing, feel like a mere beggar.”
Chu Wuqing made no pretenses, openly admitting that even as the foremost prodigy of Wushen Palace’s younger generation, his wealth was nothing compared to Lu Changsheng’s.
Using twenty-first rank refining material solely for a jade hairpin—how profound was his fortune?
Suddenly, dozens of figures appeared around the ceremonial venue.
The Ancestors of Guanghan Palace made their appearance, all seemingly quite pleased with Lu Changsheng.
Lu Changsheng’s gesture not only enhanced Mount Taihua Sacred Land’s prestige but also brought glory to Guanghan Palace.
Now that Xia Ningxue was the Guanghan Palace Master, and her Dao companion was the Immortal Realm’s foremost genius with untold wealth, the Ancestors of Guanghan Palace were immensely satisfied, as though inspecting an exceptional son-in-law.
“The Ancestors of Guanghan Palace have finally arrived.”
“Yet some of these Ancestors seem unfamiliar… Could they be the Ancient Ancestors of Guanghan Palace?”
“Guanghan Palace truly lives up to its legacy as the Tenth Divine Palace of the Ancient Heavenly Court. Though long hidden from the public eye, its underlying strength remains unfathomable.”
Everlasting Immortal, Taichu Saint, Yaochi Holy Mother, Lin Xuantong, and other prominent figures were moved by the appearance of Guanghan Palace’s Ancestors.
Guanghan Palace, located in the extreme north of the Immortal Realm within the Endless Ice Field, usually kept a low profile and refrained from involvement in disputes among the holy lands of the Immortal Realm. This aloofness had led many to forget that, during ancient times, Guanghan Palace was the Ancient Heavenly Court’s Tenth Divine Palace.
How formidable…
Lu Changsheng felt immense pressure radiating from several of Guanghan Palace’s Ancestors—comparable to the power of Ancient Saints.
So this was the foundation of a Divine Palace.
The Guanghan Palace Master typically represented the palace in dealings with other holy lands, but these Ancient Ancestors were likely its true core strength.
Dozens of Guanghan Palace Ancestors lightly nodded toward Li Heng and Xia Ningxue, indicating that they shouldn’t concern themselves with their presence and that the ceremony should proceed.
Their arrival was merely to bolster the event and to make a statement about the might of Guanghan Palace.
“Why has Guanghan Palace chosen this moment to showcase its strength? What is its true objective?”
Lin Xuantong keenly observed another motive behind Guanghan Palace’s actions.