Jiang Chen had not forgotten Zi Che Min's warning and admonition. Facing Gan Ning's invitation, he did not rush to respond.
He wanted to know whether this was simply a normal social call, or a probe between parties — or if there was something more behind it.
Generally speaking, invitations of this sort were invariably ill-intentioned. Those with good intentions rarely bothered with such formality.
The most annoying thing, however, was that sometimes you could clearly see it was a trap — quite possibly one laid for you to walk right into — and yet you still couldn't refuse.
The moment you declined, people would slap labels on you: arrogant, unsociable, difficult to get along with. Or they'd call you a coward who didn't even dare attend a simple tea gathering.
Other people's mouths were not yours to control, and that was precisely what made it so difficult.
After deliberating for a moment, Jiang Chen smiled and replied, "As a newcomer to the Sacred Land, there are many things I wish to learn from you talented friends. I only hope you won't consider me too crude and unsophisticated."
"Haha, Daoist Shao Yuan is indeed straightforward! In that case, shall we set off?"
"Please." Jiang Chen gestured for Gan Ning to lead the way.
Gan Ning had come to invite him in person, which at least showed proper respect. If Gan Ning had merely sent a page boy to summon him, Jiang Chen might not have bothered.
Gan Ning's cave dwelling was not far at all — just a few li of mountain path, and they arrived in moments.
Gan Ning held the distinguished rank of one of the Sacred Land's Five Young Masters, and his talents were truly exceptional. His background was equally impressive: he was the direct descendant of one of the elders on the Elder Council.
The moment they entered the cave dwelling, Jiang Chen's brow twitched as he spotted a figure within.
It was none other than Xiahou Ying of the Xiahou family.
Xiahou Ying's lips curved slightly upward as she regarded Jiang Chen, an ambiguous, half-smiling expression in her eyes as she sized him up.
"Why is she here?" Jiang Chen was somewhat surprised to see Xiahou Ying.
He swept his gaze around and realized that several people were already seated in the cave dwelling. And Xiahou Ying appeared to be quite popular — many of the gazes directed at Jiang Chen simultaneously carried a fawning quality, darting toward her from time to time.
"Heh heh, Miss Ying, the person you wanted — your humble brother has managed to bring him here."
Gan Ning smiled and said to Jiang Chen, "Daoist, Miss Ying came to pay her respects to Elder Zi Che. When she heard of your prodigious talent, everyone was most eager to meet you. Please forgive the forwardness of the invitation."
Jiang Chen's expression remained placid as he nodded slightly.
Seeing Xiahou Ying, his demeanor had turned somewhat cold. In that instant, he had grasped the situation and understood that this invitation was indeed a trap.
Xiahou Ying's elegant eyes appraised Jiang Chen, the smile on her face carrying a strange, almost unsettling quality.
"Shao Yuan — Young Master Shao. I never imagined that after parting ways at the Xiahou family estate, we would meet again here at the Eternal Sacred Land. My, you've certainly put on quite the airs."
Her tone seemed to be teasing, yet carried a note of reproach. She glanced at Gan Ning. "If not for Senior Brother Gan Ning's reputation, it would have been truly difficult to invite you."
Jiang Chen smiled faintly. "Miss Xiahou flatters me."
"Flatter you? Hardly. Back at the Xiahou estate, I invited you time and again, and you never so much as acknowledged me. It was quite vexing."
"Miss Xiahou extended several invitations. Might I ask what business she had in mind?" Jiang Chen decided to play dumb.
"Hmph..." Xiahou Ying's tone grew somewhat exasperated. "Young Master Shao really is no straightforward person. Asking what you already know. But it's too late for such talk now. You're a prodigy of the Sacred Land — our Xiahou family no longer dares to presume we can recruit you."
"Heh, everyone sitting here is a disciple of the Sacred Land. Wouldn't you say so, Miss Xiahou?" Jiang Chen's tone was mild, but he had caught her in a verbal trap.
"I am a personal disciple of Elder Zi Che, but I was never fortunate enough to join the Sacred Land. Young Master Shao has climbed to such heights — no wonder you never deigned to respond to my invitations."
Xiahou Ying was very skilled at playing with emotions. Fortunately, everyone present was a disciple of the Sacred Land.
Jiang Chen maintained his detached demeanor. Regarding Xiahou Ying's words, he simply chose to act as if he hadn't heard — closing his eyes in an outright show of indifference.
Bang!
A young man in purple robes seated beside Xiahou Ying slammed the table in displeasure. "Shao Yuan, are you even a man? What sort of manners is this? Miss Ying is speaking to you — is this how you respond?"
Jiang Chen didn't know this person's standing within the Sacred Land, and in the brief moment he couldn't quite gauge it. But judging from his bearing, he was clearly not on Gan Ning's level.
Jiang Chen didn't even raise an eyelid. He had absolutely zero interest in this sort of fellow.
Xiahou Ying wasn't even a disciple of the Sacred Land, yet this man was ready to leap to her defense, going so far as to shout at an actual disciple of the Sacred Land.
In Jiang Chen's eyes, this sort of behavior was nothing more than sycophancy.
Still, he wasn't surprised by it.
Everywhere you went, there were never a shortage of men eager to curry favor with women — and the Eternal Sacred Land was no exception.