novelraw Chapter 240 - 238: Closing In
Chapter 240 - 238: Closing In
The entire Celestial Heart Castle was filled with a festive air. The vast Dao Demonstration Hall had grown crowded with many disciples of the younger generation. There were those from Celestial Heart Castle, as well as experts from various other sects and schools. Everyone in the younger generation was eager to make a name for themselves, so they naturally flocked to an opportunity like this.
Furthermore, it was said that Celestial Heart Castle’s Yang Ying was as beautiful as a goddess, and together with Yan Yuyue of Heaven-Dominating Hall, they were known as the Peerless Twin Jades.
"I saw Yang Ying yesterday!"
"Really? What’s she like? How does she compare to the rumors?"
A disciple from Snow Wind Valley had an enchanted expression. "The rumors don’t do her justice. Seeing her in person is so much better! I was up all night, I couldn’t get her face out of my mind. Sigh... if only I could also get a look at Yan Yuyue, then we’d know who’s truly number one."
"Oh, come on, don’t be greedy. I hear that Yan Yuyue is the cold and aloof type. Yang Ying is a Holy Hall Disciple, after all. She’s much more approachable."
In the Dao Demonstration Hall, Long Xi was sparring with a young man, their swords flashing. Sword Qi shot out in all directions, drawing a round of cheers from the crowd.
"Brother Long, your strength is extraordinary. You have my admiration."
Jiang Hu pulled back his sword, took a few steps back, and cupped his hands with a smile.
"Jiang Hu, it seems you haven’t been slacking off these past few years in Heaven-Dominating Hall. Your skills have advanced by leaps and bounds."
Long Xi nodded. "By the way, what does this Yan Yuyue actually look like? Is she really that beautiful?"
Jiang Hu gave a wry smile. "Our Eldest Martial Sister rarely speaks to the junior disciples, and she spends long periods in seclusion. There’s a legend in Heaven-Dominating Hall that if someone sees her true face, she will remove her veil and reveal her true appearance."
"Oh? Don’t tell me she’ll marry whoever sees her face first?"
"Hehe, that’s a possibility. At the very least, it would signify a special connection."
"Tsk tsk, you’d better work hard then. If you can marry Yan Yuyue, it would be a huge achievement. Celestial Heart Castle’s prestige would surely grow even greater,"
Long Xi said with a smile.
Jiang Hu smiled wryly. ’Long Xi has probably been cooped up in the castle for so long he thinks it’s the center of the universe. What kind of place is Heaven-Dominating Hall? I’m already struggling to keep up with my own generation, let alone thinking about Yan Yuyue.’ But he was home now, and Jiang Hu couldn’t afford to lose face.
In the Dao Demonstration Hall, spars would break out from time to time. Disciples from every sect and school gathered together. For those who wanted to show off, or those who had heard of someone with a great reputation, this was the perfect opportunity to make a name for themselves.
Naturally, Long Xi and Jiang Hu watched the lively scene from on high, surrounded by a group of followers. Along with Yang Ying, they were the prodigies of Celestial Heart Castle’s younger generation.
"The Celestial Heart Ancestor is so influential. I heard that the Three Sects, Five Schools, and Eight Great Castles, and even the various other sects and schools of the Small Thousand World, are all sending representatives this time."
"Yeah, but the Three Sects will at most send a disciple to offer congratulations. As for the Five Schools, they’ll probably send someone at the Elder Level."
"That’s still impressive. How many people in the entire Small Thousand World command that kind of prestige?"
"I wonder if the Ten Thousand Demons Sect will come and cause trouble. If they show up, things will get lively."
"The Ten Thousand Demons Sect has been so brazen lately. Their branches everywhere are making aggressive moves, and they’re already starting to challenge the position of the Three Sects."
"It’s the same with all the Five Schools, isn’t it? It seems the righteous way is declining while the demonic way is flourishing. The Lihuo Sect, Evil Spirit Hall, and Chanyin Sect have all grown stronger to varying degrees, and their prestige is soaring. In contrast, the Dao Guang Sect’s influence is getting weaker and weaker."
"Just watch, it won’t be long before there’s a huge commotion. If the Eight Great Castles were to unite, a new behemoth would suddenly appear, and the spheres of influence would have to be redrawn."
While the disciples chattered excitedly, those of a higher station, like the Elders from the various sects and schools, were paying official visits to one another.
The Small Thousand World had its own rules. Even though Saint Cultivators and Demon Cultivators were at odds, one couldn’t just stir up trouble on the territory of Evil Cultivators or the Eight Great Castles.
On Celestial Heart Castle’s turf, everyone had to show the Celestial Heart Ancestor some respect.
"Brother Long, I heard our Third Sister brought a boy back from the Holy Hall?" Jiang Hu asked.
Long Xi snorted. "That kid is just a good-for-nothing charlatan who only knows how to sweet-talk people. We can’t let him do as he pleases. Celestial Heart Castle is going to publicly select a Dual Cultivation partner for our Third Sister this time, and we must find a truly outstanding young prodigy."
"Oh, that’s wonderful news! If you and our Third Sister were to get together, Brother Long, it would be a perfect match. A true blessing for Celestial Heart Castle," Jiang Hu said.
Long Xi roared with laughter, feeling immensely pleased. ’Jiang Hu has learned his lessons well at Heaven-Dominating Hall,’ he thought. ’He really knows what to say.’
Wang Meng and Yang Ying couldn’t just stay in Yangxin House all day, every day. When Yang Ying casually stepped out for a bit, it immediately sent shockwaves through the younger disciples. For most of them, it was their first time seeing her, and the reality far surpassed the rumors. The impact of seeing her in the flesh was simply overwhelming.
Yang Ying had underestimated her own influence. When news that she would be choosing a Dual Cultivation partner at the Celestial Heart Ancestor’s birthday celebration spread like wildfire, the entire younger generation of Celestial Heart Castle erupted.
The other various sects and schools also got involved. To be able to marry into Celestial Heart Castle and obtain such a beauty—what more could a man ask for!
Moreover, Yang Ying was also the Eldest Martial Sister of Holy Hall Flying Phoenix Hall. Her strength was definitely not weak. Where could one find such a perfect woman?
Not only the young disciples of Celestial Heart Castle and the other castles, but even some Demon Cultivators were getting restless.
It wasn’t as if the Eight Great Castles were on better terms with Saint Cultivators than with Demon Cultivators. In fact, to the Eight Great Castles and the Evil Cultivators, Saint and Demon Cultivators were one and the same.
Although Yang Ying was a Holy Cultivation Disciple, she was a member of Celestial Heart Castle first and foremost. Her ties to the Holy Hall were secondary, so it wouldn’t be a big deal if she left it in the future.
The news spread farther and farther, especially concerning Yang Ying’s beauty. The buzz surrounding her suddenly became even more exaggerated than that for the Celestial Heart Ancestor’s birthday celebration itself.
"Mother, the Castle Lord has gone too far! I’m going to find him!" Yang Ying said angrily. ’How could he do this?’
Yang Qingzi grabbed Yang Ying. "Ying’Er, calm down. Remember I told you two to leave? It’s too late now. If you two just run off, you’ll never be able to hold your heads high in the Holy Hall again. From what I can see, that boy Wang Meng is a proud one, too. Let me just ask you one thing: do you have faith in him?"
Yang Ying bit her lip. "I do."
"Then let’s take the gamble. If he has the strength you say he does, it won’t be easy to find someone from the younger generation who can defeat him."
Yang Qingzi smiled. "Oh, you. Your judgment is clouded by your feelings. I actually see this as an opportunity. As long as Wang Meng can defeat your uncle’s chosen candidate, won’t that give you exactly what you want?"
"But... the rumors say it has to be a match of equal social standing..."
"Hehe, I’m sure he’ll figure something out. The key is to have solid strength. Everything else can be worked around. If worse comes to worst, just borrow Ancestor Master Zhou’s name. The most you’ll have to do is go back and apologize to her later,"
Yang Qingzi said.
"Mother, that’s a brilliant idea! Why didn’t I think of that!"
"You silly girl, all you can think about is that boy. I wonder where he’s run off to now."
Yang Qingzi stroked Yang Ying’s head, her touch filled with motherly love. ’In truth, I also see this as a deliberate test for Wang Meng. There are too many people these days who are all talk. Protection is easier said than done. They say beauty is a calamity, and Yang Ying is just too beautiful. Without power, how could he ever protect her?’ (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for it with recommendation and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)