The Great Martial Saint!

The invitation on the desk was sent by the Wenxin Sword Pavilion.

The invitation was very simple.

The Sword Pavilion will hold the Celestial Ceremony in half a month to celebrate the breakthrough of Elder Shen Linyuan, who has achieved the status of a Martial Celestial.

We cordially invite Chen Ping'an, Deputy Garrison Commander of Beishan Pass, to join us in celebrating this occasion.

"Shen Linyuan has broken through to a higher realm?" Chen Ping'an was slightly surprised when he received the invitation.

It has only been two years since Xuanling and Shen Linyuan parted ways, and Shen Linyuan's progress has been smooth.

However, they are just ordinary celestial beings, so there's no need to pay too much attention to them.

This Grand Ceremony of Heaven and Man at the Sword Pavilion
Chen Ping'an's thoughts shifted as he looked at the invitation on the table, and finally made a decision.

"Zhiqing, please reply to the invitation from the Sword Pavilion on my behalf. I'm new to Beishan and very busy with official duties, so I won't go to join in the fun."

In the office of the Beishan Town Pacification Office, Chen Ping'an spoke calmly to Han Zhiqing, who was standing bowing before him.

Han Zhiqing was surprised, but his expression remained unchanged. He bowed respectfully and said, "Yes, sir."

"Go and do it."

Chen Pingan waved his hand gently, and Han Zhiqing left.

As Han Zhiqing left the public housing, his thoughts were in turmoil, and he couldn't quite figure out what the adults were thinking.

Newly appointed to Beishan, busy with official duties?
The former is true, but the latter...
As Chen Ping'an's subordinate, how could he not understand?
If it wasn't due to time constraints, then it must have been for other reasons.

Can.
What considerations might be involved?

The Grand Ceremony of Heaven and Man was a grand event, attracting people from all directions. For the land of Bicang, it was a momentous occasion.

At that time, not only will the Prince of Bicang's Mansion send out congratulations, but forces from places like Gufang, Yunxia, ​​and Cuiwei will also send people to offer their congratulations.

As a large force spanning more than ten states, the Sword Pavilion held a grand celebration ceremony this time, with its Supreme Elder ascending to the Celestial Realm.
This was intended to bolster the prestige of the Wenxin Sword Pavilion.

Such a commotion, and the adults aren't going?!

this.
Han Zhiqing's mind raced, but he ultimately suppressed his doubts.

He composed himself, his expression calm, and began to carry out the tasks assigned by the adults.

Inside the public housing, Chen Ping'an was calm and his eyes were clear.

Regarding the invitation to the celebration, the Heavenly Ceremony of the Heart Sword Pavilion, after careful consideration, he ultimately decided not to attend.

There are three main reasons for not going.

First, while the Celestial Celebration is lively, it's mostly about power struggles and friendly exchanges. If he's going there to procure fourth-tier treasure materials and fire-elemental essence, he might not achieve his goal.

Even after the Celestial Ceremony, there is a corresponding Celestial Trade Fair, but the whole process is no different from opening a blind box.

Success or failure depends entirely on luck.

How is this situation any different from the trip to Bicang Prefecture?

Secondly, although the Wenxin Sword Pavilion is not too far from Beishan Pass, the time spent traveling back and forth, plus the greetings at the celebration, and waiting for the possible interaction between the celestial beings, is definitely not insignificant.

Instead of wasting this time, why not spend a little more time going to Wentian City to find that certainty of definitely getting the item?

Furthermore, although the Wenxin Sword Pavilion is a major force within the Bi Cang region and enjoys considerable renown in several surrounding areas, its grandeur and spectacle during the Celestial Celebration pales in comparison to that of a major northern city like Wentian City.

He should use this time to experience higher-level competition and explore a wider world.

At his current level, the conversations of ordinary second-realm celestial beings are no longer of interest to him.

If you go with the flow, that's fine. But making a special trip for it is not worth it.

Not to mention, this time he came forward to communicate in his own capacity.

Instead of the real person showing up, it's better to use an alternate account; that would be much more efficient and decisive.

If something really happens, it will be a good opportunity to test his current worth.

Since the time of the Supreme Elder of the Heavenly Lotus Sect, Lord Dream-Eating Lotus, he has not achieved any results in battles against celestial beings, let alone had a truly satisfying battle.

As for
Forget about that woman, Hua Ruyue.

With the power of a Grandmaster, he could defeat someone at the peak of the Second Realm and even suppress them steadily. Is he even human?!

Chen Ping'an even suspected that during that battle, the opponent still had a trump card that could overturn the battle situation. If this was the case, she probably already possessed the power of a Hidden Radiance Realm cultivator at that time.

Being number one in the world is equivalent to a master cultivator at the Heavenly Realm!?
Anyone would be too scared to even think about it.

The Moon Shadow Divine Arrow, the Flower Lady as Beautiful as the Moon, is too abnormal.

Even he, upon seeing this, couldn't help but exclaim in amazement, "This is truly the chosen one!"

It has that same flavor described in the biography.

Thirdly, and this is also a crucial point.

Using a pseudonym has many advantages, and it is more convenient compared to using the real person.

Purchasing fourth-tier precious materials and fire-elemental essence can be done through an alias, but if the real person makes the transaction, there are many obstacles.

Furthermore, it could lead to unfounded speculation. Such risks are entirely unnecessary.

If he could take the risk, he could use the Northern Border Garrison's channels, the Merit Treasury, and the Crimson Gold Palace to exchange for it with his merits. With the Northern Border Garrison's treasury and the Crimson Gold Palace's abundant reserves, exchanging for a mere fourth-tier fire-elemental treasure or spiritual item wouldn't be difficult at all.

But he didn't do that, and there was obviously a reason for it.

Large transactions and ordinary purchases are ultimately different.

He can freely purchase second- or third-tier items without attracting attention or prompting others to make further assumptions.

However, his purchase of fourth-tier items at the Grandmaster level, especially at the point of his Grandmaster realm being at its peak and about to break through to the Celestial Realm, makes people think deeply.

Fourth-tier treasures are something that even a Grandmaster, a Fengyun Grandmaster, or even someone of his stature who is comparable to a Celestial Being and is among the top ten on the Fengyun Ranking, would need to plan for.

Without a reasonable motive, anyone with a normal mind would see through the scheme of rashly spending this money.

If one day he were to openly enter the third realm and achieve great cultivation, then his situation would be completely different.

There is a fundamental difference between buying casually and planning a transaction.

The former can be spontaneous, while the latter requires motivation.

The spirit object is still the same spirit object, but its status and circumstances are very different.

Chen Ping'an's thoughts gradually calmed, and his eyes became serene.

We'll have to wait for a better opportunity.
If there is no change of fortune within a month, then Wen Tian's trip will be inevitable.

hum~
Chen Ping'an's gaze sharpened, and a light suddenly shone from his brow.

He slowly closed his eyes and began to meditate in the office of the Zhenfu Division.

With his current foundation and enhanced realm, even Yu Minglong would find it difficult to detect the fluctuations in his soul.

+1!

Chen Ping'an declined the invitation to the Heavenly Ceremony of the Sword Pavilion of Inquiry, citing his busy official duties as his first appointment in Beishan. This matter quickly reached the ears of the Sword Pavilion of Inquiry through various channels.

"Did Mang Dao refuse?"

The person in charge of organizing the Wenxin Sword Pavilion celebration was a powerful elder of the Wenxin Sword Pavilion, a top-level pseudo-celestial being.

He was quite surprised when he received the message.

The fact that Elder Shen Linyuan broke through to the Celestial Realm at this Celestial Ceremony is no small matter for the surrounding regions. The path of sword cultivators has always been known for its combat prowess and killing ability.

Moreover, this is especially true for a pure sword cultivator like Shen Taishang, who only cultivates the sword path. Even though Shen Taishang is only a newcomer, he already possesses an aura and presence that rivals that of veteran celestial beings.

Someone like Shen Taishang has the potential to go even further in the future, achieving a magnificent and powerful state, reaching the second realm, and truly becoming famous throughout the surrounding areas.

Such a grand event, why isn't this brute joining in the fun?

The elder of the Wenxin Sword Pavilion, who was in charge of organizing the event, was surprised and immediately reported the matter to the Supreme Elder of the sect.

The situation has changed recently, and the Mangdao faction is gaining considerable influence. If we can invite them, it will also demonstrate the influence of the Wenxin Sword Pavilion.

Mang Dao politely declined the invitation, which was no small matter for Wenxin Sword Pavilion.

The person in charge of supervising and overseeing this celebration is Elder Cangjian of the Wenxin Sword Pavilion, a renowned Second Realm Celestial who has been famous for many years.

Among the Supreme Elders of the Asking Heart Sword Pavilion, he ranked among the top three and once had the astonishing feat of cleaving a mountain with a single sword strike, leaving the peak suspended in mid-air.

Elder Cangjian was an old man with long, snow-white eyebrows and a straight, upright posture, without the slightest hunchback.

"Busy with official duties?"

After listening to the elders' report, Elder Cangjian slightly raised his eyes, his eyes, as clear as an ancient well, seemed to contain sword intent.

He read Mangdao's reply.

Although phrased euphemistically, the meaning was extremely clear: he was unable to attend the Sword Pavilion Celestial Ceremony.

The magnificent sight of the heavens and the earth, the rolling clouds and sea of ​​clouds at Jianmen Pass, is something I yearn for, but I am entangled in worldly affairs and find it difficult to spare the time. I humbly ask for your understanding.

The contents of the letter flashed through Elder Cangjian's mind, and a cold look appeared on his face.

If he doesn't want to come, then he doesn't want to come.

Elder Cangjian waved his hand gently: "Any news from other aspects?"

"Reporting to the Supreme Elder, the Bi Cang County Prince's Mansion has replied with their agreement. A representative from the Celestial Realm will come to offer congratulations; according to information, it should be Qingmu Fugong. In the Gu Fang region, the Gu Fang clan has confirmed their participation, and a clan elder representative will come to celebrate. As for the Yunxia region, there's no news yet from the Luanming Sect, but based on their feedback, there shouldn't be any problems."

Hearing the report beside him, Elder Cangjian closed his eyes slightly.

The seed of the Celestial Being in Sword Pavilion, Shen Linyuan broke through the barrier and reached the realm of the Celestial Being.

This grand ceremony of heaven and man is of paramount importance to his Heart-Questioning Sword Pavilion.

For Jian Ge, this was an extremely prestigious event.

This not only means that Sword Pavilion's previous choice was correct, but also that the subsequent verification that the exceptional promotion of Supreme Elder Shen Linyuan was a wise move, the confidence contained within it is enough to make people take notice.

Taking advantage of this grand ceremony of heaven and man, the magnificent spirit of Jian Ge will be displayed in front of various regional forces.

With such a thriving atmosphere, after this incident, the reputation of Jiange will surely reach new heights.

Thus, they truly surpassed Yokoyama Sect.

They and Hengshan Sect are both major forces within the Bicang region, and there is no shortage of competition between them. In their mutual struggles, there are gains and losses, but overall, most of the battles end in a draw.

But now, their situations are quite different.

He asked that the Heart Sword Pavilion was thriving and had new Celestials promoted, while the Hengshan Sect had suffered a loss of face after its Lingxi Valley base was attacked. The situation between the two sides had already changed.

In a flash, Elder Cangjian thought of something.

"What about the Gu family?"

"Reporting to the Supreme Elder, there has been no response from the Gu family yet." The elder in charge of organizing the celebration stood respectfully.

"Keep a close eye on this. This is a top priority. Report back immediately if there are any developments." Elder Cangjian opened his eyes, his sharpness concealed.

"Yes."

The matter concerning the Gu family was specifically instructed by Shen Linyuan, and since he was in charge of coordinating and handling it, he naturally had to put in some effort.

Elder Cangjian's eyes narrowed, and as if he had thought of something, he spoke again.

"If the Gu family is unable to attend to both, a Grandmaster may be granted special permission to participate in the celebration."

Upon hearing this, the elder standing to the side was taken aback for a moment, then his expression softened and he respectfully responded.

Compared to the congratulatory forces from all sides, the Gu family's current situation is undoubtedly dire.

The Gu family patriarch is nearing the end of his life, and it seems he suffered a backlash from a hidden injury, so he has not appeared in public for many years. The lineage has broken down, and although some of the younger generation show promise, the current generation in charge is clearly showing signs of decline.

As a Celestial family, there is only one pseudo-Celestial being who can shoulder the responsibility of supporting the clan. It would be difficult to attend to other matters at once.

If the Gu family were to send a Grandmaster as their representative to participate in the Sword Pavilion Heavenly Ceremony, the matter would likely become a laughing stock for all parties.

The Gu family was once renowned for its divine sword, the "Clear Breeze and Bright Moon," enjoying unparalleled prestige. Even the Prince of Bicang's mansion had to show them respect. How could they have fallen to such a state?
The news that Chen Ping'an did not wish to participate in the Heavenly Ceremony at the Sword Pavilion of Inquiry, and to share in the grand event, circulated within the North Mountain Garrison, causing some surprise.

During one official meeting, Yu Minglong briefly inquired about the reasons for Chen Ping'an's visit.

Chen Ping'an gave a brief, perfunctory answer, citing official business, without going into further detail.

Yu Minglong didn't ask any more questions, but simply told him to communicate more about anything and not to bear it all alone.

Chen Ping'an readily agreed. He knew what Yu Minglong was talking about, but he had no interest in getting involved in such matters.

With that time, he would simply spend more energy studying the secret methods and comprehending the mystical techniques.

Hou Xibai and Ying Congyun both accepted the invitation to the Wenxin Sword Pavilion's celebration. Some time before the celebration officially began, the two set off one after the other.

The speed of the Celestial Escape is astonishing. Starting from Beishan Pass, the journey to Wenxin Sword Pavilion, though separated by a state, would not take long if one were to travel quickly.

However, both of them set off ahead of time, especially Hou Xibai, who left Beishan Pass a few days after receiving the invitation.

Such attentiveness is really unlike his usual style.

The two of them traveled with quite a entourage.

Hou Xibai, in particular, rode his solitary spirit beast with unparalleled flair. Amidst auspicious clouds and shimmering light, the chariot soared through the air and disappeared into the distance.

"This Hou Xibai is quite proactive," Chen Ping'an remarked when Hou Xibai set off.

With more than ten days to go before the celebration, Hou Xibai set off, and no one knew what he was planning.
Compared to Hou Xibai, Ying Congyun was much more normal. He had about five more days before leaving Beishan Pass.

With his speed, even if he were to rest and enjoy himself, he could reach the Sword Pavilion in just a few days using his flying chariot. His early departure now is mostly out of respect for the Sword Pavilion.

The Sword Pavilion of Inquiry spans more than a dozen states, its influence radiating throughout the entire Azure Land. Even in the surrounding areas, and in some neighboring states, the Sword Pavilion of Inquiry has a sphere of influence.

Under such circumstances, the prestige of the Wenxin Sword Pavilion goes without saying.

Although there were no powerful cultivators at the Celestial Realm presiding over the Sword Pavilion, there was a Supreme Ancestor at the peak of the Celestial Realm Two, skilled in combat. Even people like Yu Minglong and Gu Yueqianfang would show him considerable respect.

This is in accordance with common sense.

With the two traveling together, along with the five great families of Beishan, all attending the grand ceremony, the entire Beishan Pass calmed down for a time.

Chen Ping'an was happy to be free, and in this situation, half a month passed in the blink of an eye.

"Judging by the time, they should all be back by now."

In the quiet room, Chen Ping'an's expression was calm, and his mind was filled with inspiration.

If you go five or six days in advance, the celebration lasts for several days, and you also need to factor in the return trip and any potential delays, then about half a month is enough time.

Chen Ping'an focused his gaze slightly, and as his spiritual light traced the outline, characters flickered like swimming tadpoles. In just a dozen breaths, they formed a small protective barrier.

"Third-tier restriction, complete!" (End of Chapter)