Jiang Chen was clearly alarmed by the fact that Indestructible Heavenly Capital and the Moon God Sect had appeared together, and pressed for details.
"One is Holy Maiden Xu Shan, a newly accepted disciple of the Moon God Sect's Grand Sect Master, and the other is Holy Maiden Zi Qiong, a personal disciple of the Third Sect Master."
"Holy Maiden Qingxuan didn't come?" Jiang Chen couldn't help but ask.
"Only Holy Maidens Xu Shan and Zi Qiong. The visiting card says the same."
Jiang Chen took the visiting card, glanced it over, and nodded slightly. He knew in his heart that the Second Sect Master's personality was eccentric, and she was excessively protective of Xu Qingxuan—nominally doting on her disciple, but in reality ruling her with an iron hand.
With a stubborn old fanatic like the Second Sect Master, how could she ever allow Holy Maiden Qingxuan to come to the Glazed Royal City? Especially after Jiang Chen had specifically singled out Xu Qingxuan by name when he was healing the Moon God Treasure Tree, asking her to accompany him alone. That had only made that old woman even more suspicious.
Jiang Chen had no fondness whatsoever for the Second Sect Master.
Setting aside the fact that she had personally torn apart the marriage between his father Jiang Feng and his mother Xu Meng years ago, her suffocating control over Xu Qingxuan alone was enough to make Jiang Chen's blood boil.
Though he had only met his biological sister Xu Qingxuan once, he was very fond of her candid and straightforward nature. After all, the same blood ran through both their veins. Jiang Chen felt a natural closeness to Xu Qingxuan, and he certainly didn't want his own sister to be lorded over by such a stubborn old master.
If it were merely restrictions on her actions, that would be one thing. What Jiang Chen feared was that the Second Sect Master was constantly brainwashing Xu Qingxuan, making her completely abandon family bonds and forget the kindness of her parents. If that happened, a perfectly fine person would be turned into a cultivation puppet—no affection, no regard for human decency. That would be a real disaster.
Fortunately, Xu Qingxuan was not that kind of person, and the Second Sect Master's brainwashing had not succeeded. That was what Jiang Chen found most reassuring.
Now, upon hearing that Xu Qingxuan had not come as the Moon God Sect's representative, Jiang Chen felt a twinge of disappointment, but also a measure of relief.
Since Sister Qingxuan hadn't come, he could deal with the Moon God Sect more directly.
If the Moon God Sect had truly thrown in its lot with Indestructible Heavenly Capital, Jiang Chen would have no reservations about giving them a hard lesson. Of course, if the Moon God Sect was merely being used by Indestructible Heavenly Capital, that was another matter entirely.
"Where are the Moon God Sect's people staying?" Jiang Chen asked.
"Reporting to the Young Master, representatives of all eight first-rate sects have been housed in the former Panlong Grand Clan estate."
The Panlong Grand Clan estate was the most illustrious residence in all of the Glazed Royal City. After the Panlong Grand Clan had been elevated to the Panlong Great Emperor, they had established a separate dojo. The old estate had thus been vacated.
For this grand gathering, the Panlong Great Emperor had volunteered the estate for use. Considering it had once been the residence of the Glazed Royal City's foremost clan, it was naturally spacious and grand—more than enough to accommodate not just the eight sect representatives, but eighty, for that matter.
"Go invite the Panlong Great Emperor and the Peerless Great Emperor to see me," Jiang Chen ordered.
Soon, the Panlong Great Emperor and the Peerless Great Emperor arrived. Jiang Chen smiled. "Gentlemen, I'd like you to accompany me to the Panlong Clan Head's estate."
"Oh? Representatives of the first-rate sects are all staying there now. Which one does the Young Master wish to see?" the Panlong Great Emperor asked with a smile.
"The Moon God Sect's representatives," Jiang Chen replied casually.
"The Moon God Sect's representatives are here?" The Panlong Great Emperor clearly hadn't received the news yet.
"Not only the Moon God Sect—Nine Sun Heavenly Sect is here too, and Indestructible Heavenly Capital as well. All eight first-rate sects have assembled," Jiang Chen said with a smile.
"My, my—all eight first-rate sects gathered together. Young Master, you really have quite the pull," the Panlong Great Emperor sighed admiringly.
The Peerless Great Emperor also chuckled. "These sect forces are all shrewder than the last. The stakes the Young Master offered were enough to draw them in. It would have been strange if they hadn't come."
Just as they were speaking, a report came from outside: "Young Master, the representatives of the Moon God Sect and Indestructible Heavenly Capital are requesting an audience together."
Jiang Chen paused, but the Panlong Great Emperor laughed. "Looks like you don't need to go after all, Young Master—they've come knocking on their own! I must say, Young Master, you've become quite the attraction. The heavyweights of the entire Upper Eight Regions are itching to come and meet with you."
Everyone laughed.
Jiang Chen, however, issued instructions: "Show the Moon God Sect's representatives in first. The people from Indestructible Heavenly Capital—have them wait in the side hall. Let them wait for a while."
Jiang Chen had no intention of receiving both forces at the same time.
Soon, the Moon God Sect's Third Sect Master entered gracefully, accompanied by Holy Maiden Xu Shan and Holy Maiden Zi Qiong.
"The Third Sect Master graces us with her presence. Zhen has been remiss in not greeting you sooner—a thousand apologies. Sister Xu Shan, it's been too long. You look even more radiant than before—what a delight to see."
With these words, Jiang Chen was essentially admitting outright that he had been Young Master Shao Yuan all along.
Sure enough, when Jiang Chen laid it out so plainly, Xu Shan's pretty face flushed crimson, color spreading across her cheeks. She stammered, "So should I call you Young Master Zhen now, or should I still call you Young Master Shao?"
Jiang Chen replied with a warm smile, "Whatever you'd like to call me, call me that."
The Third Sect Master noticed how casually and fluently Jiang Chen was conversing, and felt a quiet twinge of wariness. She had caught the bright flush on Xu Shan's face and the unmistakable glimmer of joy in her eyes.