Even so, he still let the two follow inside. Li Guanqi cast a sideways glance at the three of them.
The trio forced stiff smiles in unison.
Li Guanqi sneered internally. If he didn't put these old bastards in their place, who knew what kind of trouble they would stir up later?
He exchanged a glance with Ji Yuchuan, who wore a faint smile and gave an imperceptible nod.
Meanwhile, the past generations of Great Xia Sword Sect disciples, peak masters, and elders who had returned earlier were utterly stunned by the formidable strength and influential network Li Guanqi had displayed.
Once their shock subsided, an immense surge of sect pride welled up within them!
For the current generation of sect disciples—those of the same generation as Li Guanqi—that emotion burned countless times more fiercely!
Lu Kangnian glanced at Li Guanqi, who walked half a step behind him, and grinned so broadly his smile practically reached his ears.
With disciples lining both sides in formation, the procession made its way toward the sect plaza.
The vast sect plaza now appeared cramped, barely able to fit all the banquet tables.
Seeing this, Xi Yunhuai brandished his brush in midair. In an instant, formation runes flashed as he expanded the perimeter of the original plaza with over a thousand zhang of floating formation platforms!
Looking out over the bustling plaza, Lu Kangnian flew to the highest dais and waved Li Guanqi over.
Resigned, Li Guanqi had no choice but to step up to Lu Kangnian's right side.
Lu Kangnian swept his arm wide and laughed heartily. "Everyone, please take your seats!"
Even the clans and factions that had previously come merely to spectate were invited into the domain, and everyone stood by their tables.
With his chest swelling with emotion, Lu Kangnian raised his cup and declared in a ringing voice, "Today is a momentous day for the Great Xia Sword Sect! That so many esteemed friends traveled countless miles to offer congratulations fills Lu with deepest gratitude.
"However... this first cup of wine, I offer to every one of you who has returned from your distant travels!
"Your devotion to the sect touches me deeply.
"To the enduring prosperity of our sect, cheers!"
A chorus of rustling robes rose as everyone raised their cups and drank them dry in one gulp!
Lu Kangnian roared with laughter and shouted, "Let the dancers take the floor! Strike up the music! Drink to your hearts' content, everyone!"
On this night, the Great Xia Sword Sect firmly ascended to the ranks of the premier sects of the Great Xia Domain!
It was indisputably the foremost sect of the Qingyun Continent!
No one dared underestimate today's Great Xia Sword Sect, even if it lacked a Body Integration powerhouse of its own.
Because... Li Guanqi had them!
And not just one, either.
Laughter and cheerful chatter filled the banquet all night, leaving only the area around Tantai Yiting and his two companions completely deserted.
Everyone wanted to strike up a conversation with Li Guanqi, yet they also knew they lacked the standing.
Naturally, they turned their sights toward the members of the Guanyun Pavilion instead!
Tang Ru escorted Qianqiusui through the various factions.
Song Yunshu's eyes rippled with emotion as she watched the spirited youth, her gaze scarcely straying from him. When she drank with Qianqiusui, the sharp barbs traded between the two women made even Tang Ru's scalp tingle.
Li Guanqi carried a wine cup over to Tu Zhongqiu and Nangong Qianyan, chatting and laughing in an easy, familiar manner.
After a night of interaction, Nangong Qianyan and Tu Zhongqiu's opinion of Li Guanqi soared.
Yet Li Guanqi knew full well that once tonight's banquet drew to a close, tomorrow's sect assembly would be the true main event!
The lively revelry lasted until the following day, with many still drinking heartily.
Tantai Yiting, Han Chengxian, and Ji Hong had slipped away from the banquet long ago.
After all, not a single person had approached them to offer a toast from beginning to end—a mortifying humiliation.
Lu Kangnian and Li Guanqi had simply left the three out in the cold.
Ever since Ji Hong was injured, the lingering traces of primal energy Li Guanqi had left in his body had continued to torment him. Sitting at the banquet had been nothing short of torture, as though he were perched on a bed of nails!
By mid-morning, many sect disciples were already tidying up the remnants of the banquet, and the clans and factions who had attended had long since departed.
They had hurried back to discuss what lay ahead with their respective clans.
In today's Qingyun Continent... the Great Xia Sword Sect was bound to reign supreme!
Li Guanqi and Lu Kangnian sat in the study sipping tea, flanked by Ling Daoyan and Qin Xian.
The four of them effectively constituted the core leadership of the Great Xia Sword Sect.
Qin Xian's brow was tightly furrowed as he spoke in a heavy voice.
"Undercurrents are churning violently within the sect!"
"All through last night, the spiritual ripples of jade slip transmissions within the domain never ceased for a moment.
"Quite a few people were scurrying back and forth—whether catching up with old friends or plotting something else remains to be seen."
Ling Daoyan sat cross-legged beside them with a jar of wine and sneered. "Tantai Yiting and Han Chengxian harbor treacherous intentions.
"By all rights, those two have cultivated for several millennia; their attachment to the sect is as thin as paper.
"Their return this time... bodes no good!"
Hearing their concerns, Li Guanqi curled his lips in a faint smile and poured them each a cup of tea, saying softly, "No need to worry about them. If they harbor ill intent, we simply kill them.
"If they don't overstep, let them be."
Lu Kangnian nodded silently. Given the strength Li Guanqi had put on display, those few couldn't stir up the slightest wave!
Lu Kangnian had no desire to burden Li Guanqi with all the pressure either.
Reaching into his robes, he produced a quaint, azure jade slip and handed it to Li Guanqi, chuckling lightly.
"Leave the rest of the matters to us old fellows.
"This is the key to enter the Purple Spirit Grotto-Heaven. For the time being, take Ye Feng and the others inside to cultivate.
"Your... injuries haven't fully healed yet, have they?"
Li Guanqi took the jade slip but didn't immediately agree. Instead, he frowned and asked, "Sect Master, how about... I wait a bit longer?"
Lu Kangnian shook his head, concern evident in his eyes. "It's fine. Tending to your injuries takes precedence!
"Leave the rest to us old bones.
"Besides, if anything really happens, isn't the Guanyun Pavilion still here?"
With that, the man winked at Li Guanqi, drawing a wry smile from him.
Against those clowns, he truly had nothing to fear.
The people of the Guanyun Pavilion were already concealed within the sect; keeping a close watch on those three would be more than easy!
After a moment of thought, Li Guanqi slowly rose and cupped his hands. "Then I will go to the Purple Spirit Grotto-Heaven to heal first.
"If anything comes up, Sect Master, don't hesitate to call on me."
With those words, Li Guanqi vanished on the spot.
A moment later, he spread his divine sense slightly, and upon looking toward the rooftop of a certain pavilion, he didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
There lay Ye Feng, Cao Yan, and Xiao Chen, sprawling across the roof of Tantai Yiting's pavilion, drinking wine.
The three of them unleashed their pressure without the slightest restraint, giving no thought to the old man inside who was surely fuming with rage.
Li Guanqi waved to them, then sent voice transmissions to Pengluo and Jiuxiao.
"Hehe, got it, Big Brother."
"Coming, coming!"
*Roar!*
The four of them landed upon Jiuxiao's back. Pengluo tore through the void to arrive, carrying a purple-skinned ginseng beside him.
With immense dragon might unfurling, Jiuxiao cast a chilly glance at the pavilion below, let out a skyward roar, and vanished in an instant!
Chapter 741