Chapter 340: Inauguration Ceremony

In the early morning, inside Xiao Ming's new residence.

Xiao Ming sat in the living room, cradling a cup of tea in his hands, completely absorbed in studying an alchemy recipe. Moments later, his gaze lifted and met the sight of a graceful figure emerging from one of the rooms, and a smile spread across his face as he approached her.

The graceful figure was none other than Xiao Yi Xian, who also smiled upon seeing him, eagerly throwing herself into his arms.

"Xian'er, will you accompany me today?" Xiao Ming asked, his fingers tenderly stroking her flowing purple hair.

"Hmm, there's no need to ask. As your partner, how could I miss such an important occasion?" Xiao Yi Xian replied, her smile radiant. Her gaze then shifted to Medusa, who sat quietly in the living room behind Xiao Ming. Curiosity tinged her voice as she asked, "Will Medusa be joining us as well?"

Xiao Ming's eyes briefly shifted to Medusa before he responded, "Medusa is uncertain about when Xiao Cai's consciousness will awaken, so she prefers to stay by my side for now."

Medusa, who had been sitting silently, briefly cast a glance in their direction before averting her eyes.

Xiao Ming's thoughts then turned to Qing Lin. "By the way, where is Qing Lin? I intended to invite her as well."

"Little sister entered seclusion to rapidly break through to the Dou Ancestor Realm. She won't be emerging for some time," Xiao Yi Xian explained.

"I see..."

...

"Hahaha! Old Monster Liu, long time no see!"

"Old Qian! Let me introduce you, this is..."

"..."

"Haha, after the ceremony today, let's find a place to catch up."

"..."

In a luxurious palace, a group of women dressed as maids gracefully moved through the crowd, holding trays adorned with enticing fruits rarely seen outside for people to enjoy.

However, despite the delicacies on display, most of the guests were engrossed in their conversations, paying little attention to the fruits before them.

Most of these people were dressed in alchemist robes, and their tiers varied. The highest among them was in the eighth tier, and there was more than one.

At this time, so many high-tier alchemists could gather together, naturally because today was Xiao Ming's inauguration ceremony.

"Hey, Old Lin, I've been outside the tower for too long and I also went into seclusion for a while, so I'm not familiar with Xiao Ming. I mean, is this Xiao Ming really as amazing as the legend says? Is he really only eighteen years old? He's going to take a seat as one of the Eight Great Elders at such a young age?"

A green-clothed old man looked at the lively crowd next to him and suddenly asked his companion curiously.

The gray-bearded and kind-looking Old Lin beside him was somewhat impatient and said, "Can't you tell from this gathering? Do you think the Association Head and the others are joking around?"

"I'm simply astonished. After all, I haven't even heard of such a person, let alone seen him."

"Well, this is your chance to get a good look at him today. Haha! Oh, look, someone's approaching. Hurry, take a look!" Old Lin exclaimed, pointing his finger in a specific direction.

Following Old Lin's gesture, the green-clothed old man's gaze fell upon the entrance of the palace. There, he saw two women and a man standing, capturing the attention of the onlookers.

A man dressed in elegant white attire entered with grace, his face exuding handsomeness and his eyes sparkling with vitality. His movements were light and agile, and a gentle smile graced his lips, reminiscent of spring rain.

To his left stood a woman in a pristine white gown, radiating a fresh and ethereal temperament. Her slender waist seemed as delicate as a flower stem, captivating the eyes of those who beheld her.

The other woman donned a dignified purple brocade robe, her figure voluptuous and curvaceous, akin to a ripe peach that exuded a subtle allure. Her mesmerizing eyes bewitched all who laid eyes upon her.

"That must be Xiao Ming, right? Indeed, as the rumors suggest, he is handsome and elegant, a dashing young man. The moment he appeared; he captivated the attention of those young girls. Haha! People claim he is the number one genius in the Central Plains, but based on his appearance, he could easily secure the title of the most handsome as well. The rumors are not unfounded," the green-robed old man laughed heartily, his eyes fixed on Xiao Ming.

"The two women by his side are both stunning beauties, each possessing the potential to overthrow cities. It seems many people will be left disappointed today," Old Lin chuckled, observing the scene with a knowing smile.

Today marked Xiao Ming's inauguration, and it was widely known that he would formally meet with the Pill Tower's Elders on this occasion.

Such an event naturally stirred ulterior motives among the attendees. Many individuals had not only come for themselves but also brought their daughters and granddaughters, all seeking an opportunity. However, with Xiao Ming accompanied by two beautiful women, approaching him would not be so easy!

As Old Lin expected, the young girls in the crowd were all dejected. The women on Xiao Ming's side possessed exceptional beauty, temperament, and figures. They probably wouldn't have a chance!

Among the disappointed young girls, there was one exception, and that was Cao Ying. Dressed in an elegant black gown, she exuded a cold and proud aura, her smile carrying a seductive charm.

There was also a handsome man in black clothes beside Cao Ying. When he noticed that Cao Ying was staring at Xiao Ming, a hint of hostility appeared on his face, which quickly faded away.

...

After entering the palace, Xiao Ming noticed numerous gazes scanning him from head to toe, as if they wanted to strip him naked. Pausing for a moment, his eyes landed on Cao Ying, and he greeted her with a polite smile before leading his two companions towards her.

"Miss Cao Ying."

"Mr. Xiao Ming," Cao Ying responded warmly. Curiosity gleamed in her eyes as she inquired, "May I know the names of the two ladies accompanying you?"

"Xiao Yi Xian."

"Medusa."

Before Xiao Ming could respond, both women took the initiative to introduce themselves.

"Cao Ying. It's a pleasure to meet you," Cao Ying smiled in return, but inwardly, she held back a pout. She didn't just ask for their names!

In fact, it was clear to her that their relationship with Xiao Ming was not ordinary, but Cao Ying was not one to rely on guesswork. However, she also knew she couldn't be too direct in her approach. So, she elegantly raised her willowy eyebrows and commented, "You two are truly beautiful. No wonder Mr. Xiao Ming treats me with such courtesy. It turns out he has two beautiful wives at home."

"Miss Cao Ying is also exceptionally beautiful. Xiao Ming has mentioned a lot about you," Xiao Yi Xian responded, her gentle smile illuminating her features. With a subtle gesture, she gently took Xiao Ming's arm, subtly asserting her position.

Medusa, though silent, didn't deny it. Apparently, she had become more obedient compared to the previous day.

Both Xiao Yi Xian and Medusa's actions tacitly acknowledged their relationship with Xiao Ming.

Cao Ying exchanged a few more compliments, all the while contemplating the information she had acquired.

If both women were Xiao Ming's partners, it meant that Xiao Ming liked not only one type of girl. Cao Ying could tell that the temperament of the two was completely opposite.

Moreover, the purple brocade woman, Medusa, was very similar to her in appearance and temperament. Red-haired, with a cool temperament and a charm that attracted all eyes. If she had to compare herself to Medusa in those aspects, she knew she would pale in comparison!

Realizing that her bewitching and alluring attitude might not catch Xiao Ming's attention, Cao Ying contemplated a change in her approach.

On the other hand, Xiao Yi Xian, though speaking superficially on the outside, had her own thoughts running through her mind.

Noticing the exchange of compliments between Xiao Yi Xian and Cao Ying, Xiao Ming felt a subtle chill and quickly coughed to redirect the conversation. "Ahem, Miss Cao Ying, when will Old Xuan arrive?"

Taking her gaze away from Xiao Yi Xian, Cao Ying seemed unaffected and offered a warm smile. "Master will join us once everyone has arrived," she replied smoothly.

Xiao Ming nodded in understanding.

Just then, a black-clothed man stepped forward and greeted Xiao Ming with a smile. "Song Qing... I have heard of Mr. Xiao Ming's outstanding performance in the Eight Great Elders Candidate Competition. Today, seeing you in person, it's truly well-deserved."

Xiao Ming acknowledged the greeting with a nod. Although the black-clothed man before him concealed his true intentions well, Xiao Ming could detect a hint of hostility in his eyes.

Cao Ying also noticed this, and her expression momentarily flickered with disgust. She couldn't tolerate Song Qing's animosity towards the person she had developed feelings for.

Delicately parting her red lips, Cao Ying spoke, "Mr. Xiao Ming, allow me to introduce Song Qing. He is the disciple of the First Elder Qiu Ling and the youngest candidate for an ordinary elder position in the Pill Tower. He is indeed a genius within the Pill Tower, but naturally, he can't compare to you," she smiled, her eyes gleaming.

Although Cao Ying's words appeared to be praising Song Qing, the underlying implication was clear: he should know his place. This not-so-veiled implication caused Song Qing's smile to falter for a moment, a flicker of discomfort crossing his face.

Amused by the situation, Xiao Ming turned his head away, choosing not to engage further with Song Qing.

The vast disparity between their positions made any comparison meaningless. Cao Ying's deliberate words were meant to undermine Song Qing and create distance between herself and him, preventing any association between them.

Unbeknownst to Cao Ying, her actions also caused Xiao Yi Xian's attitude to soften a little more toward her.

From that moment on, Cao Ying consciously ignored Song Qing, ceasing to mention him in their conversation. Instead, she directed her attention to Xiao Yi Xian. In the previous exchange, she realized that Xiao Yi Xian held a special place in Xiao Ming's heart. Cao Ying sought common ground and shared ideas with her. The conversation between the two became more fluid, and laughter rang out from time to time.

It had to be said that Cao Ying's approach had become cleverer.

Meanwhile, numerous individuals approached Xiao Ming. He responded politely to each person until Xuan Kong Zi and the First Elder made their appearance.

Their arrival signified the imminent commencement of the inauguration ceremony.

The ceremony itself was brief, with Xuan Kong Zi providing Xiao Ming with some reminders about important matters, and within ten minutes, the inauguration ceremony concluded.

The subsequent phase involved introductions.

Elderly men and women surrounded Xiao Ming, their presence accompanied by a bevy of attractive young women. These young women, eager to capture Xiao Ming's attention and win his favor, made their intentions known through their alluring gazes and flirtatious gestures.

Fortunately, with the presence of Xiao Yi Xian and Medusa, and with Cao Ying skillfully handling the situation at his side, Xiao Ming was able to swiftly handle the persistent advances of the shameless elders and squeeze his way out of the crowd.