Praise

"This lady certainly has some skills."

There were many people who received Zhongli's praise, but those who did so sincerely were few and far between.

A woman who wasn't a soul master, yet she managed to establish Moon Pavilion in Heaven Dou City and gained the trust of both the royal family and the nobility.

How could Tang Yuehua just have "some" skills?

Judging from the situation in the original timeline, she truly stood her ground in Heaven Dou City without relying on the power of the Clear Sky Sect.

First, there was Steward Ode. He was utterly loyal to Tang Yuehua because she had saved his life when he was young. Thus, he was willing to work for her wholeheartedly.

He was already the highest combat power by Tang Yuehua's side.

However, he wasn't a member of the Clear Sky Sect.

Zhongli appreciated Tang Yuehua's aesthetic taste as well, a sense of elegance tinged with refinement.

Even though it might have felt a bit forced at times, in a place like the Douluo Continent, it was already quite rare.

When Zhongli and his companions appeared within Moon Pavilion , the students were left speechless, their whispers disappearing in an instant. Their eyes held a trace of astonishment.

No wonder, no wonder Teacher Yuehua had run out so hastily. It turned out that the revered Lord Martial God had arrived at Moon Pavilion .

In a storm of thoughts, the noble girls stood tall with their chests out, wearing what they considered to be confident smiles.

Their eyes frequently glanced around at their "competition."

They had heard that Lord Martial God enjoyed going to theaters, listening to music, drinking tea, and composing poetry.

Seeing him in person, they immediately felt that he must be an expert in such matters!

Someone as handsome as Lord Martial God surely had to appreciate these things, right?

And weren't these things exactly what they were good at?

They had even heard that one of Lord Martial God's maid was thriving at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, hailed as the youngest Soul King in history!

If they could get Lord Martial God's guidance, or even... something else...

Just the thought of it made them a little shy.

Zhongli: "???"

What was going on? Why were these girls blushing?

"Lord Martial God, these are the students of Moon Pavilion . And this is Her Highness, Princess Xue Ke."

As Tang Yuehua introduced them to Zhongli, she gestured with her right hand in Xue Ke's direction.

Having an imperial princess sent here to study etiquette, music, and dance—how could she not feel proud?

Xue Ke was one of Tang Yuehua's most accomplished students.

At this moment, Xue Ke was a bit stunned. She was someone who valued appearances, and the more refined someone was, the more she liked them.

In the original timeline, this was the girl who developed feelings for Tang San after hearing him play a single song.

"I greet Lord Martial God. I often hear my brother, the Crown Prince, mention you!"

Xue Ke gracefully approached Zhongli, curtseying politely as she spoke.

And she wasn't just being polite.

"Xue Qinghe" really did frequently talk about how exceptional the guest official was.

Xue Qinghe and Xue Ke were siblings from the same mother and father, and their relationship was naturally very close.

After Qian Renxue took Xue Qinghe's place, she also treated Xue Ke like a real sister, experiencing a kind of familial love she never should have had.

"I greet Princess Xue Ke."

Zhongli cupped his hands slightly in return, continuing, "The Crown Prince often speaks of me, but I have yet to fulfill my duties as a guest official. I am ashamed, truly ashamed."

Yet on Zhongli's face, there wasn't a hint of actual shame.

Of course, the girls didn't think that way. What if Lord Martial God really was feeling guilty deep down?

He was just so strong that he couldn't show it.

Luckily, the boys didn't know what the girls were thinking, otherwise, they might have spat out blood in frustration.

Seeing someone handsome, powerful, elegant, and with status, you all must be looking at him through rose-colored glasses, right?

Why didn't anyone mention that Zhongli was broke?

He traveled everywhere on credit, and always on someone else's tab. How could he possibly have money?

They forgot that the expensive perfumes, soaps, and sachets they had bought were actually made by the Body Sect!

Xue Ke wasn't very tall, only about 1.6 meters, and she was still quite young. But her looks—she was definitely a budding beauty.

There was a certain tenderness about Xue Ke, a fragile beauty that evoked a feeling of sympathy. Yet, in Zhongli's eyes, Xue Ke was no different from a commoner dressed in rags and covered in grime.

"Lord Martial God, you must be joking."

Xue Ke displayed a polite yet slightly awkward smile and continued, "For the Crown Prince to have you as his guest official is his blessing, and indeed, a blessing for the entire Heaven Dou Empire!"

No wonder she was a princess; look at how gracefully she spoke! Everyone silently admired her words.

Suddenly, Xue Ke seemed to have thought of something, and perhaps to change the topic, she asked, "I've heard that Your Eminence has deep insights into dance and music. Would you have some time to offer us a bit of guidance?"

The moment she said this, all the girls became instantly alert. Princess Xue Ke was trying to secure a chance for them to perform!

Though they were skilled in their arts, they were nobility, and couldn't display their talents in disreputable places—that would be despised by other aristocrats.

Only on significant, respectable occasions could they showcase their talents, and of course, those appreciating it had to be either powerful or noble themselves.

"Dance and music are fields where I have only a superficial understanding, certainly not deep knowledge."

Paimon's eye twitched. Here we go again!

After all, that woman—no, the crane—no, actually, it was both Cloud Retainer and Ping'er—they had been guided in the art of music by none other than this very old man!

Yet here he was, claiming he only had a "superficial understanding."

Fine, fine, fine! This time, Paimon wasn't going to stay clueless!

"Fate has brought us together, and since we are all at Moon Pavilion , why not have a discussion? We can learn from each other and grow together."

As soon as Zhongli finished speaking, the young men and women couldn't help but draw a sharp breath.

The rumors that Lord Martial God was kind and humble, even more so than the Crown Prince, had been widespread.

No matter the strength or status of the person he spoke with, he was always willing to converse normally.

At first, they thought the rumors were exaggerated. But now, looking at it, the rumors weren't just true—they were an understatement!

Lord Martial God was so humble, he was... incredible.

One of the young men was even moved to tears.

At home, he was seen as nothing more than a failure, unskilled in both the martial and scholarly arts. No one respected him.

It was only when he was out that he could regain a shred of dignity.

Yet here, with Lord Martial God, he was treated as an equal. How could this not deeply touch him, moving him to tears?

He felt as though he finally understood why so many soul masters were willing to follow Lord Martial God.

To others, they were weaklings, insignificant. But in the eyes of Lord Martial God, they were like the morning sun, full of potential!

As the saying goes: "A man dies for the one who understands him, and a woman adorns herself for the one who appreciates her."

"If I were a Body Sect soul master, I would also follow in Lord Martial God's footsteps!"

Lord Martial God was now widely recognized as the strongest in the world.

He viewed all beings equally—how could the world not respond in kind?

It was a sense of appreciation they had never felt before!