Lu Yuan stood quietly in a corner of the banquet hall.
Tonight, he was dressed in a light grey Chinese-style satin robe, with beautiful silver patterns embroidered around the collar and cuffs. Underneath was a white lining, and on his feet were cloth-like black training shoes. Very traditional. Combined with his tall, well-proportioned figure, masculine and handsome facial features, and serene eyes, he exuded the demeanor of a young master from a prominent Ancient Martial Arts family.
He was the main character tonight. But in reality, he wasn’t as eye-catching as he had anticipated. The majority of the guests were close business associates of the Crane Sect’s elite members. Upon their entrance, they only cast him a glance before finding their own social circles to mingle in. However, quite a few accompanying women kept their gazes on him, their heads together, whispering secrets.
Lu Yuan noticed Lu Jing enter with a few friends and was considering whether to go over and say hello, when two figures suddenly appeared before him.
Lu Yuan greeted the approaching Crane Sect’s Second Senior Brother, Zhao Qiancheng, and Zhuang Xiujie, a close friend of Lin Zhiquin.
The former showed no expression, giving him a slight nod before quickly passing by.
Zhuang Xiujie, however, greeted him as "Little Senior Brother." Then, she took a few steps closer and whispered to him, "There might be some trouble during tonight’s discipleship ceremony. But don’t worry, it won’t be your turn to step in... just behave and watch from the side when that happens."
Lu Yuan was taken aback for a moment, but he quickly nodded, showing that he understood.
Zhuang Xiujie smiled with satisfaction, patted him on the shoulder, and walked away.
Lu Yuan watched the retreating figures of Zhao Qiancheng and Zhuang Xiujie, reflecting on what Zhuang Xiujie had just told him, deep in thought.
Will someone come to cause trouble? I don’t know.
However, Zhuang Xiujie had said that he didn’t need to worry about it.
Guests continued to arrive and settle in, a process that lasted from just after seven until nine o’clock. It was only close to the "auspicious time" that Master Liudao Yuan, the Sect Master of the Crane Sect, deigned to appear.
Tonight’s Master Liudao Yuan took on the appearance that Lu Yuan had seen the second time they met. His empty left arm was once again attached, and his long beard, long hair, and white eyebrows were combed meticulously. His expression was as tranquil as an ancient well, his aura as profound and steadfast as an abyss, giving him the appearance of a martial arts veteran, a titan in the fighting world.
As soon as Master Liudao Yuan appeared, the vast banquet hall quickly fell silent. Lu Yuan sharply sensed an unfathomable aura emanating from Master Liudao Yuan, encompassing the entire hall.
Is this the True Intention state?
Lu Yuan’s eyes sparkled.
"Thank you for making time to attend the initiation ceremony of the Heavenly Water Crane Immortal’s true inheritor..."
Master Liudao Yuan’s voice was neither loud nor soft, unhurried and flowing without the aid of a loudspeaker, but it still reached the ears of everyone in the banquet hall clearly.
After a brief opening statement, Master Liudao Yuan’s gaze fell onto Lu Yuan.
Lu Yuan’s expression showed a flicker of understanding, knowing that it was his turn to take the stage. He gave his clothes a slight adjustment, then calmly walked towards the platform.
Just think of it as being invited on stage during a wedding game, he told himself.
At a table in the corner of the banquet hall, Sun Zhihua frowned slightly, repeating the words that Master Liudao Yuan had just said. "Heavenly Water Crane Immortal... Heavenly Water..."
Suddenly, his eyes lit up with comprehension and he blurted out, "Heaven Water Sect! The Heaven Water Crane Sect!"
"What’s wrong?" Wu Xinlei, who was busy recording the event on her phone, turned around and asked curiously. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ novel~fire~net
Sun Zhihua shook his head, saying, "Nothing, I just finally found out which sect Lu Jing’s brother joined."
"Is it famous? How does it compare to your... Moon Shadow Sect?" Wu Xinlei casually inquired.
"Roughly the same...." Sun Zhihua’s eyes flickered as he glanced at Lu Jing, who was intently recording her brother’s initiation. He whispered, "I’ll tell you more later."
Accompanied by Liu Si’s soft chant, Lu Yuan knew that the dull and complicated ceremony was finally coming to an end. He took the white porcelain teacup handed over by Liu Si. He gave a light sniff as he respectfully extended it towards Master Liudao Yuan.
This time it wasn’t soda.
"Master, here’s your tea," Lu Yuan said softly. As he was about to hand over the teacup to Master Liudao Yuan, suddenly...
An unknown object suddenly flew in from outside the banquet hall, smashing heavily onto a table. Dishes went flying, and a wave of panicked cries erupted.
Lu Yuan’s hand trembled slightly, but was immediately steadied by the hands of Master Liudao Yuan. Master Liudao Yuan calmly took the offered tea, drinking it leisurely. He remained composed, and not a single trace of emotional fluctuation crossed his face.
"Liudao Yuan! You dog..."
As Lu Yuan turned around, he saw Zhuang Xiujie darting out like a white streak. She leapt into the center of the hall and quickly engaged the uninvited guest who had suddenly burst in.
Zhuang Xiujie was a formidable martial artist. Her Crane Strength had reached the point where it could cover nearly half of her body. Her movements were elegant, and her attacks were sharp and deadly. Lu Yuan barely caught a glimpse of the intruder’s face before Zhuang Xiujie kicked him firmly out of the banquet hall.
But before the onlookers could breathe a sigh of relief, several more figures rushed in from the entrance, and from among the guest seats, several figures suddenly sprang up as well. All of them bolted towards the platform.
Lu Yuan’s gaze sharpened, and he was about to move.
But a broad hand was already on his shoulder.
"You’re the main character tonight; it’s not your turn to take action."