novelraw Chapter 267 : Sect Gathering
Chapter 267 : Sect Gathering
Chapter 267: Sect Gathering
One incense stick’s time later, everyone assembled.
Since it was Gu Fan’s first time here, he didn’t need to think too much—just follow along.
As the leader of the group, the Eldest Senior Brother had a different role; he was responsible for contacting other friendly sects for meetings.
In Gu Fan’s understanding, it felt similar to the university gatherings from the past.
Meeting up was mostly about boasting and chatting.
If there was an opportunity, some small-scale treasure exchanges could also take place.
But whether it was the others or those from the Immortal Ai Sect, everyone had just one goal—to build good relationships.
In this vast Sacred Domain, no one could truly stand alone.
So when the Eldest Senior Brother brought a group of six to a restaurant floating on the lake, they saw disciples from three sects wearing different outfits.
Those inside also revealed smiles as soon as they saw the group led by the Eldest Senior Brother.
“Members of the Immortal Ai Sect have finally arrived—we’ve been anxiously waiting.”
“Hahaha, important figures always make their entrance last.”
The Eldest Senior Brother cupped his fists and smiled politely upon seeing them.
“We were delayed slightly. Apologies for keeping everyone waiting.”
“Brother Qing, no need to be so polite. It’s not our first meeting, after all.”
After some polite exchanges, Gu Fan learned for the first time that someone had spoken the Eldest Senior Brother’s surname—it turned out to be Qing.
From the following conversation, he roughly gathered the situation.
Among the three groups, two were from sects they had regular contact with—one was the force known as Illusory Sea City, the other was Meteorfall Tower.
As for the latest addition, Gu Fan hadn’t figured it out yet.
However, this group of people looked quite proud, clearly not of low status.
At this moment, Wu Ze, the leading disciple from Illusory Sea City, pointed to seven somewhat unfamiliar people and smiled:
“These are disciples from the newly contacted Severing Immortal Palace. These fellow Daoists are all extremely talented—true prodigies.”
The Eldest Senior Brother cupped his fists toward them with a smile.
“So it’s the prodigies from Severing Immortal Palace.”
The one in the lead returned the courtesy with a salute.
“Greetings to the fellow Daoists of the Immortal Ai Sect.”
Since it was the first meeting between both sides, there wasn’t much to talk about at first. Illusory Sea City and Meteorfall Tower acted as intermediaries.
For the moment, the atmosphere among everyone remained harmonious.
Although the Severing Immortal Palace group acted rather proud, they weren’t socially inept—their surface-level manners were impeccable.
Gu Fan sat to the side, watching the Eldest Senior Brother and He Qing, both skilled at socializing, engaging in lively conversations with everyone. He couldn’t help but feel impressed.
People like them could live comfortably wherever they went.
“How does it feel?”
Gu Fan turned to look at Nan Xuanrou who had spoken to him, then smiled and said:
“It’s a bit unexpected. Feels like doing business. Seems even the cultivators’ world needs social interaction.”
Nan Xuanrou nodded, then looked at the people from Severing Immortal Palace and said:
“Severing Immortal Palace has many sect disciples. While their top disciples may not match the Immortal Ai Sect in talent and strength, their overall power isn’t inferior.”
“Hmm… in simple terms, they make up in quantity what they lack in quality?”
Nan Xuanrou was momentarily stunned by Gu Fan’s phrasing.
“It’s not that their quality is bad—just slightly behind at the top tier.”
“I see.”
Clearly, both of them weren’t fond of overly lively occasions. They simply sat at the side to enjoy the show.
Just like that, after a small half hour passed, the quiet around them was suddenly broken.
“This Senior Sister is truly breathtaking, a beauty beyond compare. I am Hu Xiaofeng, second-ranked disciple of Severing Immortal Palace. Might I have the chance to get to know you, Senior Sister?”
Nan Xuanrou’s brows furrowed slightly. If she encountered this kind of approach normally, she would’ve scoffed coldly and walked away.
But with the sect members all here working on building relationships, she couldn’t directly ruin the scene.
"Sorry, not interested."
The disciple from Severing Immortal Palace froze for a moment, then gave an awkward smile:
"Senior Sister is so cold? I’m just asking for a chance to get to know you—no need to be so stingy, right?"
As he spoke, he pointed at a few people chatting happily in front of them:
"Look at your Eldest Senior Brother—he’s getting along just fine with our Chief Senior Brother. Why shut people out like this?"
The coldness on Nan Xuanrou’s face grew even more chilling.
"I said, I’m not interested. If you’re willing, you can talk to the other disciples of the Immortal Ai Sect."
Gu Fan watched from the side as Nan Xuanrou’s expression shifted from gentle to glacial. He couldn’t help but admire how fast a woman could change her face.
Still, the words had been spoken this clearly—surely the male disciple would give up now.
But he still underestimated the perseverance of a man.
Nan Xuanrou’s appearance might not be the absolute pinnacle among female cultivators, but her unique temperament—like a snow-borne green lotus—was graceful and aloof, giving off an unattainable illusion.
And this very aura was undoubtedly a deadly poison to some male disciples—the desire to conquer.
So the more she refused, the more some people were drawn in.
"Senior Sister, those words are a bit hurtful. I’m talking to you because I want to be friends."
"One never knows how long the path of cultivation may stretch—it would be nice to have a kindred spirit for comfort."
Seeing Nan Xuanrou unmoved, the male disciple’s face finally turned a little ugly.
He glanced around, then laughed loudly:
"I approach you with sincerity, and you return it with such cold disdain. Do you think us disciples of Severing Immortal Palace are not worthy of talking to you?"
Gu Fan furrowed his brows tightly at those words.
Just now, no matter how the man tried to chat, Gu Fan could understand—pursuing beauty was everyone’s right.
But this tactic was clearly using pressure—downright indecent!
And he spoke so loudly that it immediately drew the attention of most people, putting others in a tough spot.
If Nan Xuanrou kept a cold face, it would be awkward for everyone.
But if she were to force a smile and play along...
No, Gu Fan shook his head. That wasn’t Nan Xuanrou’s character.
Unless her soul had been switched, this assumption simply didn’t stand.
Sure enough, Nan Xuanrou’s expression didn’t change at all, clearly about to directly reject him.
At that moment, Gu Fan smiled and interjected.
"Apologies, apologies. This Senior Brother, I truly apologize—I was lost in thought just now and neglected you."
As soon as he said that, everyone was stunned—even Nan Xuanrou paused.
But Gu Fan didn’t wait for a response and directly cupped his fists in a salute:
"Truly sorry. I was distracted when this fellow disciple from Severing Immortal Palace spoke to me earlier, and he must have thought I was ignoring him. I deeply apologize!"
These words were spoken to the crowd.
Seeing this, no one paid further attention. What’s so interesting about two men chatting?
Everyone resumed their own conversations.
Only then did the Severing Immortal Palace disciple realize what had happened.
His attempted coercion had been forcibly intercepted by Gu Fan!
After all, Gu Fan and Nan Xuanrou were seated together—there wasn’t much difference when facing them both.
Although he had been speaking to Nan Xuanrou, from an outsider’s perspective, his position and direction made it look like he could’ve been talking to Gu Fan as well.
Add Gu Fan’s initiative in responding, a couple of lines of explanation, and the confrontation was defused just like that.
"Alright, alright—you enjoy playing the hero, huh?"
Gu Fan replied with a smile:
"Senior Brother’s approach was rather shameless."
"Fine! I’ll remember you, brat!"
With that, the disciple turned with a swirl of his sleeve and left, his face full of menace.