Jade Dynasty: I am the master of the Burning Sword, my swordsmanship is unparalleled.

Chapter 28 Gathering
While Tian Ling'er, Wen Min, and the female disciples of Xiaozhu Peak were talking, Zhang Xiaofan and the others couldn't join in and could only stand aside and chat.

Most of the questions were asked by Lü Daxin and Du Bishu, with He Dazhi leading Wu Dayi and Zheng Dali chiming in from the side. Zhang Xiaofan occasionally chimed in, but he made Song Daren blush with embarrassment.

Zhang Xiaofan listened to the laughter and chatter of the people from Dazhu Peak, occasionally greeting some fellow disciples who passed by. He turned his head occasionally and saw a group of disciples walking towards him in the distance.

The group of disciples numbered about thirty or forty, all dressed in white, exuding heroic spirit. The first few were particularly distinguished, especially the one in the lead, dressed in snow-white robes, handsome and dashing, who was none other than Qi Hao, the eldest disciple of Daoist Cangsong.

After seeing Zhang Xiaofan and the others, Qi Hao led a group of disciples from Dragon Head Peak over. Before they even got close, Qi Hao cupped his hands and smiled at Song Daren, his expression quite familiar.

"Senior Brother Song, we meet again!"

"Senior Brother Qi has also arrived. I wonder if Senior Brother Qi will participate in this competition?"

Song Daren didn't dare to be negligent and returned the greeting. Qi Hao smiled modestly and replied softly.

“My master felt that my cultivation was shallow and that I needed to learn more from my fellow disciples, so he shamelessly took one of the spots in our lineage.”

After speaking, Qi Hao looked at Zhang Xiaofan beside him, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes. He took the initiative to clasp his hands in a salute to Zhang Xiaofan and exclaimed in amazement.

"It's been over a year since I last saw you, Junior Brother Zhang, your cultivation has become even more profound. I am truly ashamed of myself for not being as good as you."

"Senior Brother Qi is too kind. I have only been a disciple for a short time and am far from being as skilled in the Dao as you."

Faced with Qi Hao's praise, Zhang Xiaofan's expression remained calm. He simply smiled and politely replied with a word. Then, he looked at Lin Jingyu, who was standing next to Qi Hao. The latter smiled back, and neither of them said anything more.

"Junior Brother Zhang is too modest. In fact, I should thank you for guiding the many disciples of Dragon Head Peak in their cultivation techniques."

After Qi Hao finished speaking, he solemnly bowed to Zhang Xiaofan, his eyes filled with respect.

Even as the senior disciple, Qi Hao himself wouldn't interfere too much with his junior disciples' cultivation, let alone their fellow disciples from the other peaks.

However, Zhang Xiaofan never cared about the origins or lineages of his fellow disciples, nor did he care about the conflict between the Dazhu Peak and Longshou Peak lineages. Qi Hao greatly admired this magnanimity.

"Senior Brother Qi, you flatter me. This is hardly guidance. On a smaller scale, we are all disciples of the Qingyun Sect, and it is only natural for us to be friendly with each other. On a larger scale, we are all disciples of the Daoist sect, and all we seek in this life is the Dao. It is a great blessing to have so many fellow Daoists traveling with us in this life!"

Zhang Xiaofan did not take credit for himself. As he spoke, some figures flashed through his mind, and a touch of emotion inevitably arose in his words.

Qi Hao immediately became respectful, and even the disciples of Dragon Head Peak, who had some lingering resentment due to past grievances between the two peaks, straightened their expressions.

Wenmin couldn't help but sigh inwardly. No wonder, even with the relationship between her master and Uncle Tian, ​​they never showed any resentment when they heard the name of Junior Brother Zhang.

Just as she was feeling sentimental, Wen Min caught a glimpse of Tian Ling'er beside her, who was staring intently at Zhang Xiaofan. She couldn't help but smile knowingly. But when she turned her head, she saw that her other junior sisters were doing the same thing, and she couldn't help but laugh.

At this moment, Qi Hao also noticed Wen Min and the others, and quickly smiled and spoke.

"I didn't notice Senior Sister Wen and the other senior sisters of Xiaozhu Peak just now. If there was any negligence, I hope you will forgive me."

"Senior Brother Qi, you're too kind. Not to mention you, even my junior sisters were all focused on Junior Brother Zhang when they first met, so it's normal that they didn't notice us."

Wen Min chuckled, which made the female disciples of Xiaozhu Peak behind her blush slightly. Then, she pulled Tian Ling'er aside and said with a smile in her eyes.

"Even Junior Sister Tian, ​​whom I see every day, is completely devoted to Junior Brother Zhang. It's clear that Junior Brother Zhang's charm is unmatched." Upon hearing this, Tian Ling'er blushed deeply and gently tugged at Wen Min. Zhang Xiaofan was even more embarrassed by what she heard and was momentarily at a loss for what to do.

Upon seeing this, Song Daren, Qi Hao, and the others were stunned, then chuckled softly.

Who would have thought that Zhang Xiaofan, who just moments ago spoke with the detached and compassionate air of a sage, would have such an attitude?

"Senior Sister Wen, please stop teasing your junior brother. Compared to your charm, he is far inferior to you, the one who makes my senior brother think of you all the time."

After calming himself down, Zhang Xiaofan turned his attention to Song Daren, and everyone's attention immediately fell on Song Daren and Wen Min.

Unexpectedly, Wenmin's face flushed red as she lowered her head, not daring to look at Song Daren.

The shy look in her lowered head made Song Daren pause for a moment, and then he hurriedly explained.

"No, no, Junior Sister Wen, don't listen to Junior Brother's nonsense. I don't have that kind of time..."

"What? So Senior Brother Song means you don't miss our Senior Sister Wenmin anymore?"

Before Song Daren could finish speaking, the young female disciples behind Wen Min quickly interrupted him and spoke up one after another.

"No, no, I have someone I'm worried about..."

Upon hearing this, Song Daren's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately wanted to argue, but after meeting Wen Min's gaze, he froze and almost blurted out, "..."

"what!"

Upon hearing this, the disciples of the three peaks burst into laughter, and Qi Hao, who was standing to the side, even spoke up.

"Then I wish Senior Brother Song and Senior Sister Wen a happy ending, haha!"

"It's getting late, we should head over now. Perhaps the sect leader will summon us after he finishes discussing the details of the martial arts competition with the other peak masters."

Seeing this, Zhang Xiaofan stopped teasing Song Daren and said with a smile, and Qi Hao echoed his words.

"Junior Brother Zhang is right. Let's not keep the Sect Leader and the other senior disciples waiting."

Seeing this, Wen Min responded in kind. After speaking, the disciples of the three peaks—Dazhu Peak, Xiaozhu Peak, and Longshou Peak—who did not get along with each other, actually joined together and headed towards Yuqing Hall.

Whether intentionally or unintentionally, Zhang Xiaofan, who had the shortest time in the sect, was placed in the middle. Seeing this, the disciples from the other peaks assumed that the sect leader had summoned them and also headed towards the Jade Purity Hall.

As Zhang Xiaofan passed by Biyu Pool, he was surprised to find that Little Grey and Big Yellow, who had disappeared upon reaching Tongtian Peak, were actually there. The Spirit Venerable Water Qilin was lying quietly to the side, occasionally opening its mouth and emitting a low roar.

Just as they arrived at the entrance of the Jade Purity Hall, Zhang Xiaofan and the others saw a disciple from Tongtian Peak, the sect leader, walk out of the Jade Purity Hall.

The disciple was probably on his way to Yunhai Square to announce the sect leader's decree. When he stepped out and saw disciples from all the branches gathered together, he was taken aback for a moment. After realizing what was happening, he took the initiative to clasp his hands in a salute to Zhang Xiaofan, whom he knew well, who was standing at the front.

"Fellow senior brothers, the sect leader and all the chief disciples have ordered that all senior brothers participating in the Seven Sects Martial Arts Tournament please enter the hall to speak!"

(End of this chapter)