Chapter 170: Chapter 113: Ming Yu, You Must Stay Resolute_3

But they couldn’t even enter, so they swore to themselves that in the next hundred years, they would cultivate diligently to participate in the next Baihua Banquet.

This was Lady Baihua’s original intention, not because of sudden changes that she had to modify her plan on a whim. It was rare for Primordial Monarch Taixu to attend, and she wished to use this banquet to expand the influence of Wuyou Valley, only to be disrupted by a scoundrel.

...

Chu Xuan casually enjoyed the Spirit Fruit he picked up, and as the flesh entered his stomach, he indeed felt a faint mysterious power, nourishing his soul and making him feel thoroughly refreshed, as if even his thoughts had become more lively.

He looked towards Ji Mingyu’s side and saw that the little snow marten was indeed munching happily. Ming Yu hadn’t eaten; she gave both fruits to it.

Suddenly, she looked over this way, and for an instant, the gaze of a man and a woman met—an eye that seemed to see through millennia.

But in the next moment, they each shifted their gaze away.

There was a time when the two of them could understand each other’s intentions with just one look.

But now, perhaps because their mindset had changed, Chu Xuan could no longer read Ming Yu’s emotions from that indifferent gaze.

He only knew that now was not the time to communicate; he would definitely not let her leave easily after the Baihua Banquet ended. He must ask her clearly this time.

As the focus of the whole event, Primordial Monarch Taixu was naturally under constant watch; and Chu Xuan’s side, due to the snow marten’s earlier clinging, was also being observed.

At this moment, seeing the two exchange a glance and then "tacitly" shift their gaze away, the spectators couldn’t help but ponder:

These two certainly know each other, but what kind of relationship could they have?

...

Just as everyone was carefully tasting the Spirit Fruit, Lady Baihua seemingly chatted casually and asked Primordial Monarch Taixu.

"Sister, there’s something I’m quite curious about, I wonder if it’s appropriate to ask?"

This sentence was not broadcast to the whole place like earlier, it was just in a private conversational volume.

But the ears of cultivators are exceptionally sharp, so this distance was nothing as long as they concentrated to listen.

Qingqing and Gu Haitang exchanged glances, both having a premonition that what was about to be asked was probably related to Chu Xuan.

The Monarch slightly nodded, so Lady Baihua continued: "Sixteen years ago, when I visited your Langhuan Grotto Heaven, I saw a young boy..."

Before she finished, the Primordial Monarch Taixu said blandly, "There’s nothing between him and me."

Lady Baihua stopped speaking tactfully and then casually asked about other topics, like how old the snow marten was this year, and what it usually likes to eat.

However, the guests’ attention had already shifted away from this topic; they looked at the Monarch, then at Chu Xuan, filled with curiosity.

Previously, Lady Baihua had displayed familiarity with Chu Xuan, so everyone thought she, with her widespread social connections, often interacted with the Cyan Lotus Daoist Palace.

Now it seemed completely different; she actually met Chu Xuan at the Monarch’s abode? This makes it quite intriguing.

Some speculated that Chu Xuan was originally under Primordial Monarch Taixu’s charge, though it’s unclear in what capacity, and then something happened between them, causing Chu Xuan to leave the northern lands and join the Daoist Palace.

This could explain why the Ice Soul Snow marten had a good relationship with Chu Xuan—they had known each other for a long time.

The snow marten rushing out to find Chu Xuan might not necessarily be on the Monarch’s orders, otherwise, she wouldn’t have clarified so promptly.

Even so, no one in the scene dared to belittle Chu Xuan, but their curiosity deepened about how he first met Primordial Monarch Taixu and why he spent time at her Grotto Heaven...

Chu Xuan naturally heard that woman’s reply.

To be honest, he wasn’t surprised, but for some reason, there was still a twinge of pain in his heart.

At this moment, Chu Xuan suddenly felt someone holding his hand beneath the table, and it wasn’t just one person—it was two.

He looked up at Qingqing and Haitang, seeing the concern in their eyes, which surprised him, yet amused him, "What are you doing?"

In reality, Su Yu and her disciples were also puzzled by their sudden move.

The two said in unison, "Nothing."

They sighed in relief internally; it’s fortunate that the Monarch didn’t have such intentions, so they could properly console Chu Xuan.

Meanwhile, Ji Mingyu was somewhat annoyed; these two women seized the chance to earn Chu Xuan’s favor instantly—how shameless.

Simultaneously, she felt a slight hint of regret. Was this action right or wrong?

No, it must be right! Ming Yu, you have to be firm.

Lady Baihua felt a bit uneasy; would Chu Xuan be very sad hearing such an answer?

Forget it, she would comfort him properly later. After all, she believed the Monarch wasn’t heartless.

Thus, amidst the varied thoughts of everyone, the Baihua Banquet continued...

Seeing that most of the guests had finished consuming their food, Lady Baihua stood up once more and said:

"According to past conventions, the next is the ’Preaching Dao’ segment, where any guest with profound insights can take the stage to share their understanding, imparting wisdom."

"However, besides preaching Dao this time, the Baihua Banquet has specially introduced an ’Enlightenment Dao’ segment."

Upon hearing this, everyone exchanged puzzled looks—Enlightenment Dao? What does this mean?

"This segment is meant to provide young cultivators an opportunity to test their understanding of the Dao and earn certain rewards, so only those in the first three realms can participate."

"If these young talents can further progress on the path of Dao, hopefully in the next Baihua Banquet, or the one after that, they can take the stage to preach Dao and share their experiences, benefiting future generations."

The guests then nodded one after another—an excellent idea that not only encourages young cultivators but also considers the long-term future of the Baihua Banquet.