Chapter 2503

It was best not to expand outward openly. To protect the normal development of the Azure Sovereign Qingdi Sect, it was absolutely crucial that its uniqueness remained hidden for now. Therefore, keeping a low profile was the only viable strategy.

However, participation in the Heavenly Fortune Tournament was inevitable. The best approach was to project an attitude of "participation matters most." After all, so many sects from the entire Immortal Realm were attending. For many, the primary goal was simply to gather experience.

If the Azure Sovereign Qingdi Sect could win a ranking, that would be ideal. But if they failed to place, it was not a disaster. At least they would gain valuable experience. Maintaining a low profile beforehand ensured that no one would pay excessive attention to the sect’s growth.

Zhuge Hongwen had considered every aspect, except for one.

She failed to account for the fact that she knew exactly who Zhu Yanyi and her companions were. How could they possibly be content with mediocrity?

Whether it was Zhu Yanyi or Yan Aohan, wherever they went, extraordinary events were bound to occur. The development path of the Azure Sovereign Qingdi Sect would inevitably diverge from the ordinary. It was not a road that could be walked by conventional means.

With Zhu Yanyi and Yan Aohan present, the path ahead for the sect was undoubtedly broad and promising.

That said, Zhu Yanyi, having just checked into the manor, inspected the layout and nodded in satisfaction. Zhuge Hongwen’s accommodation arrangements were indeed quite good.

Many sects owned manors in the vicinity, as everyone was coming for the Heavenly Fortune Tournament. Preparing lodging in advance was understandable. Inns in the city were usually booked up early, making it nearly impossible for distant sects to secure rooms. Thus, while the manor was slightly farther away, it was far better than having no place to stay.

"Indeed, our own manor is the most comfortable," Zhu Yanyi said, looking around. The manor was planted with medicinal herbs.

Since the Azure Sovereign Qingdi Sect focused on agriculture, specifically medicinal crops, Zhu Yanyi found no surprise in this arrangement.

Zhu Yanyi and Yan Aohan naturally shared a room. Silver Fox, Ouyang Tianyun, and Honglian each had their own rooms. The ten students were paired up, two per room. Coincidentally, there were six male students and four female students, fitting perfectly into five rooms.

With the rooms assigned, daily study resumed.

Since they had arrived early, there were still ten days before the actual competition. These ten days allowed for free activity, provided no trouble was caused. Silver Fox and Ouyang Tianyun represented the sect at the Heavenly Fortune Tournament Registration Center, completing the check-in procedures. They confirmed their arrival in the Zhongrui Region and their settlement, meaning they only needed to appear on the day of the competition.

After three days of adjusting in the manor, Zhu Yanyi gathered everyone. "The competition is still some time away. We can go to Xingyue City to have some fun. Tomorrow, we will go out. Who wants to join?"

"I do!" If they stayed cooped up indoors the whole time, it would be uncomfortable. Besides, the ten students were all youths, naturally possessing youthful spirits. Suppressing their natural joy was not something Zhu Yanyi would do.

Seeing everyone’s enthusiasm, Zhu Yanyi smiled. "In that case, rest well today. Gather at the manor gate early tomorrow, and we will walk around Xingyue City."

The next morning, Zhu Yanyi and Yan Aohan led everyone into Xingyue City.

Due to the Heavenly Fortune Tournament, the city grew busier each day. Merchants thrived, and teahouses and inns saw a significant increase in customers.

"Master, we want to look over there," Cuiwan said to Zhu Yanyi.

Zhu Yanyi nodded. "Go ahead. Enjoy your stroll, but do not cause trouble. However, if someone provokes you, do not back down. Disciples of the Azure Sovereign Qingdi Sect never let others trample on their pride. Also, if you encounter an enemy you cannot defeat, run away. Do not worry about losing face. Sometimes, life is more important than face."

"Understood, Master," Cuiwan replied with a smile, then called the others to follow.

"These are all good children," Honglian said with a sigh.

Zhu Yanyi looked at her. "Actually, I don’t think you look old. Why do you sound like an elderly person sighing?"

Honglian glanced at Zhu Yanyi. "It can’t be helped. I am now a Hall Master and an Elder, plus I have taken a personal disciple. In terms of seniority, I am considered old."

"Hehe," Zhu Yanyi chuckled, saying nothing else.

Yan Aohan looked at Zhu Yanyi with concern. "Do you want to rest a bit ahead?"

Carrying her large belly, Zhu Yanyi did need rest. Although she wasn’t tired yet, her husband’s care made her happy. "Let’s rest then. There is a snack shop ahead. Let’s go in and see."

Having come to this place, Zhu Yanyi felt it wouldn’t be like her to skip the local delicacies.

Yan Aohan smiled. "Alright, let’s go. That bun shop ahead looks good."

Yes, a bun shop. It was simply named "Bun Shop." Legend had it that it originally sold only buns, nothing else. Later, as it developed, other foods were added. Rumor had it that the buns here were delicious, perhaps the best in the area.

Whether they were truly delicious was hard to judge without tasting. But since they were here, and Zhu Yanyi could not drink tea or alcohol, eating buns seemed like a good option.

The bun shop was crowded, proving the buns’ popularity. A large crowd indicated good food.

Fortunately, a table became free just as they arrived. Honglian quickly had it cleaned, and they all sat down to order.

After sitting, Zhu Yanyi observed the surroundings. Food here could be ordered or bought directly from stalls on the side. Though called a bun shop, it felt more like a comprehensive snack bar. Buns were the main item, but there were also noodles, porridge, wontons, and other treats like shaomai and dumplings.

Yan Aohan ordered from the menu: four steamer baskets of buns. Four baskets might seem few, but each basket contained only two buns, neither too large nor too small. Looking at the buns on neighboring tables, they looked quite appealing.

Then Yan Aohan said to Zhu Yanyi, "You sit here. I will go check the stalls and buy some more things."