Chapter 17: A Special Meeting Gift

The change in Ling Qingzhu's expression caught everyone's attention in the grand hall.

As they followed her gaze towards the figure in the corner, they couldn't help but be taken aback.

Lin Langtian?

Of course, with Lin Langtian's status, it was impossible for him to be relegated to a corner of the hall. It was only after Ling Qingzhu arrived that everyone had gathered around her, creating this situation.

What shocked them, however, was that the goddess-like Ling Qingzhu showed a different attitude towards Lin Langtian.

This left everyone in disbelief.

Although Lin Langtian was the foremost genius of the Lin Clan and had considerable fame within the Great Yan Empire, there were others present who could match or even surpass him in talent.

As for looks, while Lin Langtian was indeed handsome, he was still outshined by Qin Shi of the Qin Clan and Mo Ling of the royal family.

With neither the upper hand in talent nor appearance, it was puzzling for the geniuses of the Great Yan Empire to see Lin Langtian receiving such special attention from Ling Qingzhu.

Could it be that their eagerness to please had backfired, and Lin Langtian's aloof demeanor had won Ling Qingzhu's favor?

With this thought, the crowd instinctively became more reserved, their fervent gazes towards Ling Qingzhu slightly retracted.

At this moment, the silver-haired woman beside Ling Qingzhu also noticed the subtle changes in the atmosphere and a look of confusion flashed in her beautiful eyes as she glanced at Lin Langtian.

Being from the Huangpu family, one of the four great clans, she was not unfamiliar with Lin Langtian and had to admit his excellence.

Within the four great clans, perhaps only Wang Zhong from the Wang Clan could rival Lin Langtian.

Nevertheless, with her knowledge of Ling Qingzhu, Huangpu Jing couldn't see what about Lin Langtian would attract her attention.

In her mind, Ling Qingzhu was like a phoenix above the nine heavens, while the geniuses of the Great Yan Empire were just frogs in the mud longing for swan meat.

"Qingzhu, what's wrong?"

Huangpu Jing's eyebrows furrowed slightly as she tightened her grip on Ling Qingzhu's arm.

Huangpu Jing's action brought Ling Qingzhu out of a certain reverie. As she regained her composure and looked at Lin Langtian again, it seemed as if everything before was just an illusion.

Ling Qingzhu's brows furrowed slightly at this.

The terrifying black flame from earlier, something she had never even heard of from her elders in the sect, was sensed from a young man in a remote empire in the Eastern Profound Region.

Could it be that she had sensed wrong?

However, being the heir of the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace, she quickly suppressed her doubts and smiled warmly at everyone.

"Hehe, may I know the name of this gentleman? He bears a striking resemblance to an old friend from my sect, which startled me for a moment."

Ling Qingzhu's explanation was somewhat far-fetched, but the high-spirited crowd went along with it, nodding in agreement.

"Oh, what a coincidence. This is Lin Langtian, the foremost genius of the Lin Clan, one of the four great clans of our Great Yan Empire. You young people should get to know each other better," said Mo Jingtian, his tiger eyes flashing as he scanned Lin Langtian with surprise.

"I am Lin Langtian. Pleased to meet you, Miss Ling Qingzhu."

With everyone's eyes on him, Lin Langtian raised an eyebrow before calmly bowing to Ling Qingzhu.

He did not arrogantly believe that Ling Qingzhu had taken a liking to him at first sight.

Given her status, even on the entire Tianxuan Continent, she was a celestial maiden and the dream of countless men. How could she fall for him at first glance?

It was likely related to Aunt Ling's bloodline link.

As the future leader of the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace, she might have sensed something unusual about him.

This thought made Lin Langtian more vigilant.

Although Ling Qingzhu was a righteous figure, she was also the heir of a super sect. If she coveted the secrets he carried, it could be troublesome.

However, Lin Langtian might have overthought it. Ling Qingzhu, despite her shock at the black flame, was still the heir of the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace and had seen many extraordinary things.

After murmuring Lin Langtian's name in her mind, Ling Qingzhu smiled gently.

"So it's Lin Langtian. You truly deserve your reputation as a top genius of the Great Yan Empire."

"You flatter me. Miss Ling Qingzhu is the true celestial maiden, a model for all of us," Lin Langtian replied courteously.

After a brief exchange, Ling Qingzhu seemed unfazed and, under Mo Jingtian's guidance, got to know all the geniuses present.

Seeing this, Lin Langtian frowned slightly, unsure if Ling Qingzhu had discovered anything.

Aunt Ling's existence was his greatest secret.

Shaking his head, Lin Langtian dismissed these thoughts. As a Nine Nether Flame Sparrow, Aunt Ling wouldn't be easily detected by people from a lower realm.

After a few minutes, Mo Jingtian, having introduced Ling Qingzhu to all the geniuses, took out a token and smiled.

"Hehe, Qingzhu, as a disciple of a super sect, there's little I can give you. There's a beautiful courtyard to the west of the royal city, exclusive to the royal family, fully furnished with servants. Consider it a gift from your uncle."

With that, Mo Jingtian handed the royal token to Ling Qingzhu.

Upon hearing this, everyone couldn't help but admire Mo Jingtian's thoughtfulness. As the emperor of the Great Yan Empire, he knew how to handle social situations perfectly.

Being a disciple of a super sect, Ling Qingzhu lacked nothing in terms of treasures. Mo Jingtian's unique gift of a courtyard showed his special consideration.

Ling Qingzhu accepted it with a smile.

Following Mo Jingtian, Qin Shi took out a beautiful jade hairpin.

The jade hairpin was exquisite, seemingly carved from jade, but the energy emanating from it proved it was not just an accessory but a high-grade spiritual treasure.

"Miss Ling Qingzhu, this is a family heirloom, the Jade Flowing Cloud Hairpin. Not only is it beautiful, but it can also store three instances of Yuan Power, useful in critical moments. It is a valuable Earth-grade spiritual treasure, a gift from our Qin Clan."

His words caused quite a stir in the hall.

An Earth-grade spiritual treasure?

Even for a top power like the Qin Clan, such an item was extremely valuable.

No one expected the Qin Clan to offer such a costly gift to win Ling Qingzhu's favor.

However, Ling Qingzhu accepted the gift with only a slight nod and thanks, showing no particular excitement.

Seeing this, Qin Shi was taken aback and then a look of disappointment crossed his face.

He had hoped to win her favor, but it seemed she was indeed an ethereal being, untouched by mundane matters.

While Qin Shi was disheartened, the other geniuses eagerly presented their gifts.

These included precious beauty pills to maintain appearance, cute spirit pets, and beautiful calligraphy and paintings.

Any of these gifts would cause a sensation if auctioned outside.

However, none of these gifts, despite their value, elicited any change in Ling Qingzhu's expression.

Seeing this, although everyone present was mentally prepared, they couldn't help but feel a tinge of disappointment.

After all, if they could establish a good relationship with Ling Qingzhu, there might be a chance to directly join that legendary super sect...

Just as the gift-giving segment was about to conclude, a young man in black clothing suddenly glanced towards a corner, a deeply hidden resentment flashing in his eyes. He then spoke up.

"Brother Langtian, where is your meeting gift?"

With those words, everyone turned their gaze towards Lin Langtian in the corner.

They were all lost in their disappointment from their own failed attempts to impress, not noticing that Lin Langtian in the corner hadn't taken out his gift yet.

Hearing this, Lin Langtian was slightly taken aback, then his brows furrowed slightly.

As for the meeting gift, he naturally didn't have one.

After all, the fifty thousand pure Yuan Pills given by the clan leader Lin Fan were something he had planned to keep for himself. Originally, he had been hiding in the corner to sneak through the gift-giving segment unnoticed, but who would have thought he would be singled out.

Thinking of this, Lin Langtian looked towards the young man in black clothing.

This man was not unfamiliar to him; he was the most talented genius of the younger generation of the Huangpu family, Huangpu Ying.

However, as far as Lin Langtian could recall, he had never offended him.

As he pondered this, Lin Langtian suddenly noticed the burning passion in Huangpu Ying's gaze towards Ling Qingzhu.

"This guy, could he be jealous?" Lin Langtian wondered in surprise.

He remembered that after Lin Dong and Ling Qingzhu had a connection in the original timeline, Huangpu Ying had grown displeased with Lin Dong.

Although this guy was an admirer and pursuer of Ling Qingzhu, his strength was clearly insufficient. In the seed selection competition a few years later, he was defeated by Lin Dong.

And the special attention Ling Qingzhu had just shown towards Lin Langtian had clearly caught this person's notice, causing him to hold a grudge against Lin Langtian.

Thinking of this, Lin Langtian couldn't help but curse him as an idiot.

However, seeing everyone looking at him, even the beautiful eyes of Ling Qingzhu showing a hint of interest, Lin Langtian couldn't help but feel a headache.

Even though he knew that with Ling Qingzhu's standards, no matter what he brought out, she probably wouldn't take it seriously, it was still a different matter to present something rather than nothing.

Not to mention, if he went back to the clan and Lin Fan asked about it, he couldn't very well say he had planned to keep the fifty thousand pure Yuan Pills for himself all along.

"Brother Langtian, what's the matter, could it be that you haven't prepared anything?" Huangpu Ying raised an eyebrow and chuckled lightly.

However, that smile concealed a hint of malice.

Seeing this, Lin Ke'er and Lin Chen, standing beside Lin Langtian, also looked at him with some confusion.

They knew that before coming to the imperial capital, the clan leader had specially given Lin Langtian fifty thousand pure Yuan Pills, precisely to win Ling Qingzhu's favor and make her feel positively towards the Lin clan.

But looking at Lin Langtian's current state, it seemed he hadn't prepared anything.

Qin Shi, Wang Yan, Mo Ling, and other top geniuses of the Great Yan Empire were also looking at Lin Langtian with surprise.

Although the gift-giving segment was somewhat optional and more of a formality, they didn't believe it would be enough to forge a deep friendship with Ling Qingzhu and the super sect behind her.

But proper etiquette still needed to be fully expressed.

After all, Ling Qingzhu, as a disciple of a super sect, was like an emperor in the Great Yan Empire, a low-level empire.

If, due to a small mistake, she held a grudge and disqualified them from participating in the Hundred Empire War, it would be a great loss.

Therefore, even as the top genius of the Lin clan, if Lin Langtian neglected Ling Qingzhu and caused a disaster, he would likely face considerable criticism or even scolding upon returning to the clan.

Ling Qingzhu's beautiful eyes also slowly looked at the young man in blue before her. She, too, was quite curious about this man who stirred a special feeling within her.

"Haha, Langtian, if you haven't prepared a gift, I can give you one, and you can then present it to niece Qingzhu. How about that?"

Seeing this, Mo Jingtian timely intervened.

This move not only showed goodwill towards Ling Qingzhu but also aimed to win over Lin Langtian, the top genius of the Lin clan, achieving two goals with one stroke.

People called Mo Jingtian the tyrant tiger of the royal family, but beneath his rough and domineering exterior, he was also a shrewd old fox.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, but I have naturally prepared a gift. It's just a bit unique." Lin Langtian smiled as he politely declined.

If Lin Fan knew that not only had he not prepared a gift but also owed the royal family a favor, he might lose his newly acquired position as the chief law enforcer.

"Oh, how unique?" asked the silver-haired girl, Huangpu Jing, beside Ling Qingzhu, raising an eyebrow.

Ling Qingzhu and the others in the hall also fixed their gaze on Lin Langtian, eagerly awaiting his response.

Seeing this, Lin Langtian sighed inwardly but quickly came up with an idea.

First of all, the fifty thousand pure Yuan Pills were definitely not an option.

They were his capital for the upcoming auction, and directly gifting pure Yuan Pills would only invite ridicule.

Giving money, how vulgar. It didn't fit his style as the young master Lin.

As for other treasures, only The Variance Spirit Wheel Mirror might catch Ling Qingzhu's eye.

But he was reluctant to part with that treasure.

He still hadn't figured out all the uses of The Variance Spirit Wheel Mirror, and if it turned out to be a super treasure, he would suffer a great loss.

After much thought, Lin Langtian cupped his hands towards Ling Qingzhu and said.

"Miss Qingzhu, as a disciple of a super sect, I believe you wouldn't care much for the treasures of our Great Yan Empire. Therefore, I have decided to give you a promise. In the future, if you ever need my help and it is within my capabilities and principles, even if it means going through fire and water, I, Lin Langtian, will definitely help you!"