The atmosphere at the table was somewhat stagnant.

To be precise, it wasn’t just at their table—the gazes of the surrounding disciples had already begun gathering in their direction.

The instigator remained completely oblivious and only asked Tian Fangfang, “How did you all come so early?” Then, noticing Meng Ying beside them, she found it rather curious: “Senior Sister Meng is here too.”

It wasn’t that Zanxing was being talkative. After all, Meng Ying never participated in these kinds of matchmaking gatherings. Moreover, Yueqin watched Meng Ying extremely closely, fearing that Meng Ying might be deceived by those smooth-talking young men in the sect. She always kept Meng Ying away from such occasions. It was indeed rare to see her here today.

Doubt also floated in Meng Ying’s eyes as she said, “Master told me to come.”

So it was Yueqin who told her to come—how strange indeed.

Zanxing’s gaze then fell on Gu Baiying. Before she could ask anything, Gu Baiying glanced at her and spoke coldly, “What are you looking at?”

The words that had reached Zanxing’s lips were swallowed back down. It seemed Gu Baiying was in a poor mood today. Oh well, this martial uncle was known for her unpredictable temperament—who knew what sudden whim made her want to participate in this kind of occasion?

Just as she was thinking this, another familiar voice came over: “Everyone.”

Looking up, it turned out to be Zi Luo, with a girl in pink robes beside her. This girl wore a pink silk gauze dress that looked simple at first glance, but had apricot-colored butterfly patterns embroidered on the hem, giving it a somewhat charming appearance. Perhaps fearing the night wind would be strong, she wore a cloud silk cloak over it, also made exquisitely. As she walked over, her smile was like a blooming flower, utterly innocent and sweet.

Naturally, the Taiyan Sect didn’t lack beauties either. But mostly because the sect’s disciples all favored drab, gray colors, though pleasing to the eye, they weren’t particularly striking. And beauties like Meng Ying, who could topple cities, had been taught by Master Uncle Yueqin to be pure-hearted and few in desires, wearing white robes year-round.

So suddenly seeing a delicately dressed, pink and tender young girl, everyone couldn’t help but steal a few more glances.

Zi Luo pulled the young girl to stand before everyone and smiled, “This is Miss Putao, a fellow cultivator from the Xiangling Sect. The martial uncles asked me to bring her over to sit with us. You’ve already met her during the trials in Li’er Kingdom, so there’s no need for further introductions, right?”

No one spoke, so Tian Fangfang smoothed things over with a laugh: “Of course, we’re all old friends.”

It was said that when they were being chased by the Golden Flower Tiger into the secret realm within the painting, it was people from the Xiangling Sect who had passed the message to the Taiyan Sect. Moreover, now that the demon race harbored ill intentions toward the various cultivation sects, with a great enemy before them, whatever grievances they had could be settled later—for now, they had to maintain surface relations.

Putao wasn’t afraid of strangers. Her gaze swept around the people at the table, then she walked directly to sit beside Gu Baiying.

So, besides Gu Baiying, one side was Putao, the other side was Zanxing, while Zanxing sat next to Mu Cengxiao, and on Mu Cengxiao’s other side was Liu Yunxin.

The whispering voices around them grew even louder.

Tian Fangfang: “……”

He thought for a moment and looked toward Mu Cengxiao: “Junior Brother Mu, how about we switch seats?”

“Hey hey hey, what for?” Mendong interrupted him, watching him warily: “You want to sit next to Yang Zanxing? Do you like Yang Zanxing? Or do you like Miss Liu?”

Both Mu Cengxiao and Gu Baiying turned to look at Tian Fangfang.

Meeting two sharp gazes, Tian Fangfang said: “…..Pretend I said nothing.”

The seating arrangement was thus settled.

However, this arrangement was indeed quite delicate, not only causing the sect disciples to gossip endlessly, but also filling the distant spectating Xuan Lingzi and the others with anticipation.

“Why did you have Zi Luo bring Putao over there?” Xuan Lingzi asked Zhao Mayi: “Sitting like this, wouldn’t our little Zanxing feel awkward?”

Beside Zanxing, one side was Mu Cengxiao, the other side was Gu Baiying, and both of them had their future dao companions beside them, leaving only Zanxing alone, looking somewhat pitiful.

“I don’t think your disciple feels awkward at all,” Zhao Mayi said leisurely. “Looking at this table, aside from Mendong, she seems the most at ease.”

“That’s all pretense,” Xuan Lingzi said with heartache: “Our Zanxing has always been the type to endure silently. Look how much she likes Cengxiao, yet she’s never made things difficult for Miss Liu, and even takes extra care of Miss Liu. Sitting like this now, isn’t this stabbing a knife into someone’s heart?”

“Who’s getting stabbed is still uncertain,” Zhao Mayi snorted.

Yueqin spoke coldly: “Xuan Lingzi, don’t change the subject. Didn’t you say our Meng Ying and Mu Cengxiao had something unclear between them? Take a good look—our Meng Ying doesn’t get involved in this romantic nonsense of yours. In the future, control the mouths of your hall’s disciples. If I hear anyone spreading rumors again, don’t blame me for not considering our fellow sect bonds.”

These words were spoken quite severely. Xuan Lingzi didn’t dare respond and only mumbled an acknowledgment. Yueqin breathed a sigh of relief. Heaven knew how nervous she had been when Meng Ying walked over just now.

Romance—that was nothing but a stumbling block on the path of cultivation. She only had this one promising disciple; how could she let her be blinded by some man’s sweet words!

Moreover, this man even had an unclear relationship with his little childhood friend.

Fortunately, Meng Ying hadn’t disappointed her expectations. Otherwise, just the matter of how to have a heart-to-heart talk with Meng Ying could have kept her awake for several nights.

The masters were enjoying the show on their end, while those being watched were feeling quite uncomfortable.

As the sky gradually darkened, the disciples on Duoluo Terrace had seen enough excitement and no longer focused their attention on Zanxing’s group, each returning to their tables to drink and dine. The disciples naturally sat at tables with familiar faces, some having heart-to-heart talks, others gambling with drinks, the atmosphere lively beyond measure. Yet amid all this bustle, one table remained quiet and cold. The people sitting at the table were more like puppets—bowls, chopsticks, and wine cups remained untouched, with no one reaching for them.

Zanxing: “……”

She didn’t understand what was happening, why the atmosphere was so tense. Gu Baiying sat with a cold face, saying nothing, and no one dared to provoke her bad mood. Meng Ying was habitually silent, which everyone was used to, but Liu Yunxin and Mu Cengxiao also weren’t speaking, which was puzzling. With them not talking, even the usually chatty Tian Fangfang didn’t open his mouth, and Mendong was sitting upright and proper, his gaze thoughtfully wandering over everyone.

Zanxing endured and endured, and finally couldn’t bear it anymore. Just as she was about to break this suffocating silence, Zi Luo spoke up.

This gentle and amiable senior sister smiled and clapped her hands, saying: “Today we’re here to appreciate the lotus flowers. I notice everyone seems a bit weary from recent diligent cultivation, not very spirited. How about we play a game?”

Thank heavens, finally, someone was speaking. Zanxing looked at her gratefully: “What game?”

Zi Luo smiled slightly and opened her palm, revealing a silver spoon. This spoon was palm-sized and gleaming with silver light. She placed the spoon on the table: “Look, it’s this.”

“A spoon?”

“I’ll spin this spoon in a moment, and when it stops, whoever it points to will have to answer a question from me.”