Chapter 1981 - 1984: Good News Strikes Suddenly

Seeing Shen Qiang sit alone with a smile, the Sect Leaders of the Cultivation Sect present, although a bit displeased, felt balanced in their hearts. Their expressions were full of, "If I can't invite him, neither can you."

Moreover, the slight hostility between them quickly dissipated, and each had a smile on their face.

"Hey, Sect Leader Li, why don't you come over for a drink?"

"Ah, Sect Leader Zhang, there's still space here, would you like to come over?"

Seeing this, Shen Qiang couldn't help but find it amusing as he sat aside. Banquets have always been like this; everyone's smiles are superficial, whether they are genuinely close or falsely familiar, only they know in their hearts. Sitting alone, Shen Qiang couldn't help but feel a bit more fondness for the Medicine King Valley Master Qin Yongquan.

In fact, where there are people, there are interests; where there are interests, there are disputes; where there are disputes, there is Jianghu.

With a long-standing history, the Cultivation World resembles a tangled mess of relationships; you never know who's related to whom, or which sect has a private agreement with which sect.

Moreover, even the five top-tier sects, families, and the Medicine King Valley all have their own circles.

For instance, the Kunlun Sword Sect's cultivation faction doesn't get along with the Emei people.

The group of cultivators led by Cheng Xinyi Bai Family also has issues with Wan Xin Heshen.

On the surface, it looks like mere dining and tea drinking, where they sit doesn't matter, but in reality, the hidden complexities are numerous.

If Shen Qiang sat next to the Kunlun Sword Sect, the Cultivation World would automatically label Shen Qiang as part of the Kunlun faction. If he sat next to Bai Shiyi, he'd be seen as part of the Bai family faction. Sitting next to the Emei Sword Sect, he'd belong to the Emei faction.

The Medicine King Valley Master Qin Yongquan naturally understood this, hence arranging a separate seat for Shen Qiang. On one hand, this prevented the young Shen Qiang from suffering inexplicable losses; on the other hand, there might be some intentions from the Medicine King Valley, after all, Medicine King Valley has always been the Holy Land for Alchemists in the Cultivation World, and a target for sects to vie for influence.

Now, with Shen Qiang demonstrating his absolute superiority in alchemy over all alchemists, it's almost inevitable for various cultivation sects to scramble to recruit him.

Regardless of which group Shen Qiang gets close to, it will undoubtedly displease others.

Rather than that, Shen Qiang would prefer to be a quiet handsome man.

On the stage, the various leaders were scheming against each other with their diplomatic smiles, saying exceedingly friendly words.

Below the stage, the many cultivators present observed them as if watching a play.

"Wow, Qianhe Temple is sitting next to the Emei Sword Sect. I remember they used to have good ties with Long Chang."

"Gao Jia Academy siding with Kunlun isn't surprising."

"Haha, Cheng Xinyi is indeed impressive. Look, the people from the Fire Stone Castle are eagerly crowding towards Bai Shiyi."

"Wan Xin Heshen is formidable too. Yi'an Peak people going over like that, they are clearly trying to ingratiate themselves."

While the attendees discussed the scene avidly.

The online chatroom comments and the discussions among the present cultivators were on completely different tracks.

"LOL, this is hilarious. These Sect Leaders are so amusing. After seeing my King, their enthusiasm is unbelievable, especially the new leader of Kunlun, who won't let go of my King. Haha, this is the trend!"

"My King is the best, verdict finalized!"

"Haha, look at these leaders; now they're all smiling, but it's a far cry from when Lord Qiang showed up. When Qiang appeared, everyone rushed over with smiles showing sixteen teeth. Now look at them, becoming demure ladies with closed-mouthed smiles."

"Hmph, my Lord Qiang is so impressive, who dares not to respect him? However, huh, back when Lord Qiang hadn't yet shown his true abilities, these folks were all nose-up-in-the-air arrogant. Now Qiang is mighty, they want to climb higher, but where is the opportunity?"

The crowd was discussing fervently, and at this moment, everyone was stunned to see the beautiful Baihua Palace Master Weisheng Zhimei arrive.

Her fiery red dress highlighted her snow-white complexion.

Her graceful figure and enchanting smile caused an inexplicable quiet among the attendees.

While everyone was dazzled, they soon saw Shen Qiang, sitting alone, give her a look.

Then, amidst the stunned gazes of the crowd.

The graceful Baihua Palace Master Weisheng Zhimei, with a charming smile, not only glided over but also directly sat next to Shen Qiang's right hand, their proximity was unmistakably close, and the dazzling smile in their eyes made everyone instantly realize that the relationship between these two was anything but simple!

"Wow, envy! In this Elixir Pills conference, Shen Qiang is indeed the winner, sitting together and chatting boldly in such a context. Baihua Palace Master is blatantly hiding nothing from the entire Cultivation World."

"Sigh... my heart aches! But... for a beauty like the Palace Master, perhaps only the Medicine King is worthy of her. Sigh, as long as she's happy and joyful, my aching heart is unimportant."

"This Shen Qiang is simply shameless! Let go of the Palace Master immediately!"

The chatroom was emotionally stirred by Weisheng Zhimei's presence.

But the leaders of the various sects present considered it perfectly reasonable.

Because most female disciples of various sects are registered disciples of Baihua Palace, and eight out of ten Daoist couples among cultivators have ties with Baihua Palace. Therefore, there's no need to actively recruit Baihua Palace, and Baihua Palace will definitely not align too closely with any particular sect.

In this context, regardless of public or private interests, the transcendent beauty of Baihua Palace Master Weisheng Zhimei sitting with the newly-crowned superior Shen Qiang made none feel uncomfortable.

So no one said anything.

But Bai Shiyi smiled at this moment, teasingly saying, "A perfect pair of golden boy and jade girl."

Instantly, many Sect Leaders chuckled secretly, some even offering casual blessings. As for other comments, no one dared to speak carelessly. After all, if Shen Qiang and Weisheng Zhimei joined forces, one controlling the Elixir Pills and the other the Daoist couples, any sect would find it overwhelming.

"Can't expect anything good from a dog's mouth!" Weisheng Zhimei rolled her eyes at Bai Shiyi. Even while rebuking, she was so beautiful Bai Shiyi couldn't muster any anger.

At this point, seeing everyone had gathered, the slightly frowning Medicine King Valley Master glanced at Weisheng Zhimei, sitting on Shen Qiang's right, hesitated for a moment, then cleared his throat and spoke loudly, "Fellow practitioners, please quiet down!"

Upon hearing the Valley Master speak, the numerous cultivators present respectfully quieted down.

Seeing everyone quiet, Medicine King Valley Master Qin Yongquan smiled and announced loudly, "Before the celebration begins, I have an important announcement to make. That is, my daughter Qin Yurou will become Daoist couple with Medicine King Shen Qiang to support each other on the path of cultivation!"

Poof!

Shen Qiang, who was drinking tea, spat it out directly.