He Qingling naturally knew exactly why this was happening.

It was all because of that single unintentional glance and that casual remark from Realman Du Cang, Chen Yan, at the ferry on Du Cang Mountain earlier today.

If the former He Qingling had merely been a young cultivator with relatively outstanding talent who might one day carve out a place for herself on the Chenping Continent...

Then the current He Qingling was a young prodigy favored by the current steward of the Chenping Continent, Realman Du Cang.

If Realman Du Cang were willing to offer even a word or two of guidance in the future, her prospects would be utterly boundless.

Not only that, but what Realman Du Cang had said to the Kongshan Sect's Ascended Steward, True Person Caiyun, Kong Yang, beside him at the ferry on Du Cang Mountain earlier today was also quite thought-provoking.

"This child admires the Kongshan Sect greatly."

A single short sentence, no more than ten words, yet it carried an enormous amount of information.

After this incident, countless cultivators sought to curry favor, and the sect leaders and elders of every top-tier cultivation sect on the Chenping Continent came flocking to the Xuan Sheng Sect to pay visits to He Chengjie.

Among them were even many cultivation sects whose strength and heritage far surpassed that of the Xuan Sheng Sect.

Even if they were all top-tier sects of the Chenping Continent, there were still gaps between top-tier sects and top-tier sects.

But whether it was the sects whose strength and heritage exceeded the Xuan Sheng Sect, or those that fell below it, every visitor's request to see He Qingling was ultimately refused by He Chengjie.

Because there was simply no benefit in it.

Sitting alone by the window, He Qingling propped her chin on her hand. This young woman in a white dress currently wore a face full of worry.

She hadn't expected something like this to happen on Du Cang Mountain.

As for Bao Kai, or rather, Chen Yan's matter...

"Ling'er."

A voice that was aged yet full of vigor came from behind He Qingling, and there was a hint of affectionate kindness in it.

"Grandmaster."

He Qingling quickly recognized the owner of the voice behind her, then stood up and turned to look toward the old man who had appeared behind her.

Liu Puzhong had completely suppressed his aura at the moment, appearing to be nothing more than a rather dignified old man.

"Troubled by today's matter?"

This great power of the Divine Ability Realm from the Xuan Sheng Sect clasped his hands behind his back and spoke slowly.

He Qingling had no intention of hiding anything and simply nodded lightly:

"Grandmaster, I'm just a little unused to this... becoming the center of attention in everyone's eyes, not because of my own merits, but only because the Realman happened to take a single extra look at me."

"Your father is helping to cool things down for you."

As he spoke, Liu Puzhong raised his head and cast his gaze toward He Chengjie in the courtyard, who was at that moment bowing with clasped hands to yet another visiting sect leader from a top-tier cultivation sect.

As mentioned before, there was absolutely no benefit to He Qingling currently becoming the center of attention for these top-tier cultivation sects.

"Why does Realman Du Cang know you?"

Liu Puzhong posed the question to He Qingling.

"That's a rather long story... it happened about seven or eight years ago..."

He Qingling explained to Liu Puzhong.

She recounted in considerable detail the events of when she had gone to the Southern Region of the Chenping Continent to pursue her own biological uncle, and how she had encountered the two young men, Bao Kai and Shi Mingxu, at the grand opening ceremony for accepting disciples at the Setting Sun Sword Manor, telling the entire story to her grandmaster from beginning to end.

Because He Qingling spent her days soaking in teahouses listening to storytellers spin their tales, she had developed a fairly complete ability for narration through constant exposure.

"You're saying that Realman Du Cang concealed his identity and went alone to a small Setting Sun Sword Manor in the Southern Region of the Chenping Continent..."

Liu Puzhong furrowed his brows slightly and muttered to himself.

No matter how one thought about it, this matter was simply unbelievable.

In fact, on the current Chenping Continent, aside from a select few insiders within the Five Great Sects, virtually no one knew the true origins of this Realman Du Cang, who stood above the other six Immortal Ascension cultivators.

It was as if he had appeared out of thin air.

"Have you told your father about this?"

After pondering for a moment, Liu Puzhong's expression turned quite grave.

"No, I haven't had the chance yet."

He Qingling shook her head.

"Then don't tell him for now... Remember, what you just told me, you must not speak of it to anyone. Understand?"

Liu Puzhong's tone was extremely severe.

"Ling'er understands."

Upon hearing this, He Qingling was momentarily stunned for about half a breath before nodding.

This was the first time she had ever seen her grandmaster look so serious. His imposing aura felt as though it could tear her apart with nothing more than a single breath.

...

"Reporting to the Steward, a total of nine hundred and thirty-eight invitations were sent out for this session of the Du Cang Mountain Dao Discussion. Among them, eight hundred and ninety-two invitations were sent to various cultivation sects across the Chenping Continent, while the remaining forty-six invitations were sent to rogue cultivators above the upper three realms on the Chenping Continent."

Inside Du Cang Hall, a somewhat plump middle-aged man dressed in a Mingxiao Peak daoist robe of the Kongshan Sect was bowing with clasped hands, reporting to the young man in plain-colored daoist robes seated on the white jade chair at the far end of the hall:

"As of one hour ago, the total number of delegations that have received invitations and arrived at Du Cang Mountain is eight hundred and ninety-two, and the total number of upper three realms rogue cultivators who have received invitations is forty-six."

Listening to Qiguan Jin's report, Chen Yan slowly nodded.

Every cultivation sect on the Chenping Continent with any meaningful scale, as well as all rogue cultivators above the upper three realms in cultivation level, had answered the call to participate in this session of the Du Cang Mountain Dao Discussion.

After all, three years ago, Chen Yan had already entrusted the Five Great Sects and the two Immortal Ascension cultivators of Heavenly Summit Mountain to help build momentum for the Du Cang Mountain Dao Discussion.

If anyone failed to answer the call of Du Cang Mountain, that would mean going against Realman Du Cang, the Five Great Sects, and the two Immortal Ascension cultivators of Heavenly Summit Mountain.

Going against Realman Du Cang, the Five Great Sects, and the two Immortal Ascension cultivators of Heavenly Summit Mountain meant one had simply grown tired of living.

"Go and arrange the seating on the Myriad Laws Platform for tomorrow. At that time, I will announce the official opening of the Du Cang Mountain Dao Discussion."

Chen Yan instructed.

"As you command!"

Qiguan Jin once again bowed respectfully toward Chen Yan, then retreated backward out of Du Cang Hall.

The Myriad Laws Platform was currently the largest platform and square on Du Cang Mountain, capable of accommodating up to three hundred thousand people at once.

Tomorrow morning, Chen Yan would announce the official opening of this session's Du Cang Mountain Dao Inquiry from the Myriad Laws Platform. But even more important than his announcement of the Dao Inquiry's official opening was what Chen Yan would proclaim to the world from the Myriad Laws Platform tomorrow:

From this day forward, Realman Du Cang would officially become the steward of the Chenping Continent, governing the entire Chenping Continent.

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