A banquet

As Lan Xueruo told Shen, a week later, a new palace chief arrived and even introduced himself in front of all disciples. He was warmly received by the others however they still had to hold the official banquet.

As Shen predicted, a new palace chief was paying him a great deal of attention during his introduction. He even received a message from his fellow disciple that a new palace chief was expecting him in a great hall.

On his way there, he met up with Lan Xueruo, when she asked him where he is going, she insisted on tagging on despite Shen telling her she might get "kicked out". He still had to act like she is a normal disciple in his eyes even if she was someone who was scouting him.

"Ah! Shen, I have been looking forward to meeting such a promising talent face to face. Oh, it seems like someone tagged along with you?" An older man said with a faint smile and composed expression. Shen could see that this palace chief was quite humble and calm despite being in such a high position. That alone was enough to convince Shen that this man probably came on orders from the imperial family.

"It's an honor to stand in front of palace chief Qin Wuyou. I apologize for bringing my senior sister with me, it's my fault, therefore, please punish me if you must, however, let the senior sister off." Shen bowed and apologized while snickering inside since he already knew they were somehow connected, this was just an opportunity for him to score some points and show off his "loyalty".

'Shen...He told me not to go, however, he still tries to cover for me despite me insisting on tagging along?' Lan Xueruo thought while looking at Shen's back with a surprised expression. A warm smile appeared on her face as she brought her hand to her heart.

"Eh?! I would not dare- *cough* I mean, there is no reason to punish anyone, I have never specified that you must arrive alone. I am still having a hard time believing in Great Elder Sikong's words, would you let me inspect your profound entrances?" Qin Wuyou replied with a smile after correcting himself.

"Palace Chief, I am aware it is very perplexing, however, that only shows disciple Shen's great willpower to overcome his limits." Sikong interjected.

'I would not dare?' Shen secretly glanced behind him at Lan Xueruo and his opinion of her suddenly changed. He used to think that she is just a mere scout, however, after too many coincidences, he started to feel she is much more important than she seemed.

Shen smiled and approached the palace chief to reassure him and once he inspected Shen's profound entrances, he was surprised despite expecting the result.

Qin Wuyou looked like he had a lot to think about so both of them left the elders alone.

"This is impossible, how can he be already at the 5th layer of Nascent Profound Realm when he has just 1 opened profound entrance? This completely bends the laws we are aware of." Qin Wuyou muttered with a thoughtful expression.

"Maybe he will hit a bottleneck in the near future."

"It is possible to open profound entrances and in Shen's case, it might be even easier since he has only 1 opened. Just imagine what kind of monster he would become with just 10 opened profound entrances" Sikong interjected in Shen's favor.

"Great elder Sikong, are you aware how expensive it is to open profound entrances? Not to mention, it's also dangerous. I admit Shen is an extraordinary disciple in all fields, however, the first thing we should consider is his attendance at the banquet" One of the elders shook their head.

"Is there any problem with him attending the banquet? He will be able to finally show the other great sects that even the New Moon Profound Palace has extraordinary disciples."

"I do not doubt that Shen would top his age category, however, the problem will appear if Xiao Luocheng attends the banquet and will challenge Shen. Since both of them are of the same age, it would shame Shen if would not accept even if their strengths are apart by almost half realm."

"Disciple Shen must attend the banquet as the strongest representative of 16 age category" Qin Wuyou had the last word regarding this subject. The truth was that Lan Xueruo told him to let Shen attend.

.

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A few days have passed and it was finally time for a banquet, Shen and Lan Xueruo appeared together with Elder Sikong quite early, and not long after the other disciples started arriving. When Murong arrived and noticed Shen hanging around Lan Xueruo, he couldn't help but grit his teeth since Shen was now recognized as the greatest talent of the New Moon Profound Palace. All he could do was to approach them and interrupt their "bonding"

Shen's friendliness and his indifference to Murong's actions only made him somehow angrier and more frustrated. It was as if Shen wasn't even considering him a threat.

'What a beautiful one-sided love. I would love to see his dispairing face if I were to suddenly grab her and kiss her in front of everyone, haha' A sadistic thought appeared inside Shen's mind after seeing Murong's jealousy.

[Please don't tell me the master is going to roam around, stealing the others' women now]

'Hmm, that's not such a bad idea but don't worry, I am not so bored yet. But I will keep it as an open option since I do things that I feel like doing at the moment.' Shen started conversating with the system while the representatives of the other sects started arriving.

[What is the master's opinion of Lan Xueruo?]

'Are you trying to set us up or what?'

[It was just a harmless question and it is also a good way to check master's real mental health other than sanity stat. I implore the master to close his eyes and think of her then please say his first thoughts]

Just for the entertainment, Shen did as the system asked him and imagined Lan Xueruo in his mind. The first images were her smiling however he couldn't come up with any thoughts about her.

'*sigh* I don't know, nothing came up to my mind, but she is at least entertaining to be around. What's the result?'

[The master has yet to fall in love with her however he would no longer feel indifferent about killing her]

'What kind of answer is that?!!'

"Junior brother Shen, are you alright?" Lan Xueruo asked after she noticed the corner of Shen's lips twitching.