"I didn't expect my reputation to be so renowned!"
Lin Jianyi chuckled lightly, "You actually know my name!"
"Are you truly Lin Jianyi?"
Yang Xian'er asked, her excitement growing. Lin Jianyi held immense fame throughout the White Dragon Dynasty, a fact she was well aware of.
"That's right, I am indeed Lin Jianyi!"
Lin Jianyi nodded. "However, do not assume that knowing my name allows you to make me ignore this matter!"
"Young hero, why waste words on them!" the unscrupulous Taoist urged. "They bully the weak and are surely not good people. We cannot let them off easily!"
"Rest assured, since I have intervened, I will not let them off easily!" Lin Jianyi stated with a solemn expression.
"If that is the case, then this old Taoist shall take his leave first. I hope the young hero can hold them back for a moment!" With that, the unscrupulous Taoist vanished from his spot.
Lu Fan wanted to pursue, but it was too late.
"He ran, he actually let him run!"
Yang Xian'er's expression changed drastically. To have a fine spiritual sword disappear just like that left her heartbroken.
"Hmph, you few, do not presume to bully the weak!"
Lin Jianyi said coldly, "If you have the ability, challenge me!"
"To be used as a pawn and still act so righteous, I do admire people like you!"
Lu Fan's face was filled with disdain. This fellow before him didn't seem very intelligent.
"What do you mean by that?"
Lin Jianyi frowned, feeling that something was indeed amiss.
"We already told you, that Taoist is not a good person and even tricked us out of our treasures!" Yang Xian'er spoke up. "If you hadn't interfered, that Taoist wouldn't have escaped!"
"What proof do you have?"
Lin Jianyi was somewhat disbelieving. After all, he had seen clearly just moments ago that it was Lu Fan and his group who were bullying the unscrupulous Taoist.
"We are from the Heavenly Immortal Pavilion!"
Long San produced a token. "With this, you should believe us, right?"
Looking at the Heavenly Immortal Pavilion token, Lin Jianyi was slightly taken aback. He recognized the token and knew it couldn't be fake.
"If that's the case, why didn't you say so earlier?"
Lin Jianyi said awkwardly, "Had I known you were from the Heavenly Immortal Pavilion earlier, I would never have believed that Taoist!"
"We already told you, but you didn't believe us!" Yang Xian'er retorted with a roll of her eyes.
"Let's go back!"
Lu Fan spoke up. "Next time we encounter that Taoist, we must not let him escape!"
Yang Xian'er nodded. They could only return now, as there was nothing they could do given the circumstances.
"Wait!"
Lin Jianyi said awkwardly, "I was the one who let him go. I will help you find him!"
Lu Fan and the others exchanged glances but paid him no mind. They felt that the person before them seemed rather foolish.
Seeing the look in Lu Fan's eyes, Lin Jianyi felt even more despair. He was someone who was admired by many, yet today he was being looked down upon.
All of this stemmed from the unscrupulous Taoist from earlier, a fact he understood clearly.
The next morning, Lu Fan, along with Yang Xian'er and the others, arrived at a courtyard in Joyful City.
Within the courtyard, a white-haired elder sat cross-legged.
Yang Xian'er quickly stepped forward, presenting an invitation.
The white-haired elder glanced at the invitation and then at Lu Fan and the others. "Three people?"
"That's right, three!" Yang Xian'er nodded.
"Entering the formation will allow you to reach Divine Immortal Valley!" the white-haired elder said, pointing to the formation before them.
Yang Xian'er nodded and led Lu Fan and the others towards the formation.
Upon entering the formation, they were transported to a sea of flowers. In the center of the flower sea, many figures could be seen. These were all female disciples, and more importantly, each and every one of them was stunningly beautiful.
"Esteemed guests, please come this way!" A woman stepped forward, appearing very polite.
"Who are you?" Yang Xian'er asked in surprise.
"My name is Peony. I am a disciple of Divine Immortal Valley!"
Peony chuckled, "You have come to Divine Immortal Valley, presumably to offer birthday wishes?"
"Naturally!"
Yang Xian'er smiled, "But sister Peony, you are truly beautiful. Even I, a woman, find myself quite fond of you!"
"You are too kind!"
Peony smiled faintly, her expression not showing much fluctuation.
"Oh, right, this is the gift I brought!" Yang Xian'er presented the gift and asked, "I wasn't sure what my aunt would like, so I prepared something casually!"
"So it's sister Xian'er!"
Peony's smile widened. "My master misses you dearly and often mentions you to me!"
"Is that so?"
Yang Xian'er chuckled, feeling a touch of delight.
Not long after, they arrived at the very center of the flower sea, where numerous guests were already gathered, clearly there to offer birthday wishes.
As one of the two great valleys, Divine Immortal Valley's influence in the White Dragon Dynasty was undeniable, naturally attracting the reverence of many sects. After all, they were well aware that gaining the approval of Divine Immortal Valley would lead to fewer troubles in the White Dragon Dynasty.
"How magnificent! Much better than the Heavenly Immortal Pavilion!" Yang Xian'er said with a smile. "It seems this trip was worthwhile."
"Didn't you visit Divine Immortal Valley when you were younger?" Long San asked in surprise. "Why are you so astonished?"
"It's different. Childhood memories are always too fleeting," Yang Xian'er shook her head.
As they were conversing, Peony brought over a basin of fruit. "This is a specialty fruit from Divine Immortal Valley. Everyone can try some. The Valley Master will be out shortly, and we will all drink together then."
"Thank you, sister Peony!" Yang Xian'er nodded quickly.
Peony smiled slightly. As the Valley Master's disciple, she was naturally responsible for hosting the esteemed guests.
Among the attendees, most were leaders of various sects. Each person appeared elegant, seated and enjoying fine wine.
Besides the older generation of powerhouses, there were also younger generation powerhouses present.
The Divine Immortal Valley Master's birthday was an occasion they dared not neglect.
"Look, he's here too!"
Long San's voice sounded as he pointed towards a figure in the distance. Lin Jianyi saw Long San and the others and immediately wore an embarrassed expression.
He felt a sense of guilt for his meddling last time, which had caused Yang Xian'er and the others to lose their treasures.
"My dear friends, I didn't expect to see you again!"
Lin Jianyi stepped forward. "The incident last time was indeed my fault. Today, I shall punish myself with three cups of wine, and I hope you can forgive me!"
Saying this, he drank three cups, feeling a bit better.
"To think that one of the White Dragon Dynasty's top ten young talents would do something so absurd. If this were to spread, your reputation would be tarnished!" Long San said coldly, his dissatisfaction evident.
"Never mind. Today is Auntie's birthday. It's not appropriate for us to argue with him!"
Yang Xian'er rolled her eyes but paid him no mind.
Just as everyone was conversing, several figures suddenly appeared in the sky not far away. The person leading them was a man, appearing dignified and imposing, with a sharp aura surrounding him.