High Fever
It was another early morning.
The warm rays of the eastern sun had not yet risen above the mountaintops.
Only a faint glow of morning twilight could be seen.
A beautiful hazy red tint.
Chen Ping'an had already gotten up early today.
He was waiting in Su Ling's room.
His face filled with anxiety.
At that moment,
A voice called out from outside the door.
"Senior, are you there?"
It was Murong Gong calling out.
Chen Ping'an gave a wry smile and glanced at the physician, signaling him to continue. He then headed outside himself.
Soon after,
He arrived at the main courtyard gate.
Murong Gong now had a radiant smile on his face.
His expression beamed with delight like having the word "joy" plastered across it.
His standing posture was also more upright and spirited.
"Senior, it's time to set off."
Murong Gong had come to escort Chen Ping'an to their sect.
He was certain that with the senior presiding over the ceremony today, the sect's grand opening would be a resounding success.
He was still a bit worried that someone might come and cause trouble, though.
After all, there were always jealous people in this world.
Seeing their small sect suddenly rise to prominence, they would be green with envy and come looking for trouble.
If it were just some insignificant forces, it wouldn't matter much since they had Black Serpent standing guard.
But if some of the top powers on the continent came, like the Thousand Feather Empire,
They might not be able to break through the formation, but their constant heckling from outside would still be a nuisance.
And it would also make them lose face.
Chen Ping'an shook his head apologetically, "Old Gong, I'm afraid I can't make it this time. Little Ling suddenly came down with a high fever and can't get out of bed. I need to take care of her..."
Chen Ping'an didn't know what was wrong with Su Ling either.
She had been lively and energetic just the day before.
Even when going to sleep at night, she was still eagerly asking him to tell her stories.
How did she end up with a high fever the next day?
Chen Ping'an was flustered, so he decided not to go to the sect's opening ceremony.
"Old Gong, you handle it well. Also, take the matter of recruiting disciples seriously. Thank you."
Chen Ping'an cupped his hands in respect.
Murong Gong hurriedly waved his hands, "Senior, you're too courteous. If that's the case, then I'll have to manage it on my own..."
In truth, Murong Gong felt quite bitter at that moment.
Because he could tell that the senior clearly didn't want to go, and it wasn't because Su Ling was sick.
With Su Ling's profound cultivation, how could she fall ill?
And to a common human sickness, no less?
Senior, you really know how to joke around.
It was obvious he just didn't want to go, or rather, he was so devoted to his cultivation that he didn't want to reveal himself in front of so many people.
Thinking of this, Murong Gong didn't say anything further.
He could only handle it himself.
After speaking, he prepared to take his leave.
But then Chen Ping'an suddenly asked, "Oh, by the way, Old Gong, did you eat that watermelon?"
Murong Gong blinked, then nodded vigorously.
Yes, indeed.
He only ate two slices, but his cultivation advanced by two whole levels!
It was simply terrifying!
Reminded of this, Murong Gong looked at Chen Ping'an with even greater reverence.
Seeing Murong Gong nod, Chen Ping'an's voice grew softer as he asked weakly, "So you're alright then?"
In Chen Ping'an's mind, Su Ling's sudden illness might have something to do with eating too much watermelon.
Of course, this was just a maybe.
Because he himself was perfectly fine, so if something was truly wrong, it must be that Su Ling ate too much.
Murong Gong froze for a moment, looking a bit confused, "Problem? No problem at all."
Upon hearing this, Chen Ping'an breathed a sigh of relief, "That's good then. Old Gong, hurry and handle the sect's affairs. I'll go back and look after Little Ling."
After bidding farewell to Murong Gong, Chen Ping'an returned to the room and looked at the physician.
"Old Sir, how is Little Ling doing?"
The physician was still taking Su Ling's pulse, but suddenly, he froze.
He quickly reached out to feel her forehead.
After touching it, he became even more dazed.
"This..."
After a while, he finally came to his senses and looked at Chen Ping'an with a wry smile, "Master Chen, this young lady doesn't seem to have any major issues. But it is strange, she clearly had a raging fever just a moment ago. Yet after you stepped out for a bit and came back, the fever is gone! Truly a medical miracle!"
As he spoke, he shook his head in bewilderment, completely unable to make sense of what had happened.
Chen Ping'an listened to these words and was also stunned for a moment.
He then went to feel Su Ling's forehead.
It had been scorching hot before, but now it was completely normal!
He also noticed that Su Ling had opened her eyes and was smiling at him, with two adorable dimples peeking through.
Chen Ping'an: "..."
As for the peach tree outside, it let out a chuckle, "System, mission accomplished!"
And so,
Chen Ping'an missed out on the sect's grand opening ceremony...
Not too far from Qingxuan Town, in front of a certain mountain range,
There was a great formation.
Many people had already gathered in front of the formation, staring ahead.
These people came from various different powers.
Some had been invited, while others had simply shown up uninvited, just wanting to see the commotion.
After returning to the sect, Murong Gong first went to the well-prepared plaza area in front of the mountain gate.
Many tables and chairs had been set up here.
Enough to seat a few thousand people.
This time, Murong Gong hadn't invited too many guests.
But he could be certain that quite a number of people would still come, so it was better to have more seating prepared.
Zhang Shaofeng and the others were already stationed at the entrance of the great formation, observing the people outside.
When they saw Murong Gong return alone without the senior, they couldn't help but be stunned.
"Where's the senior?"
Murong Gong gave a bitter smile, "The senior doesn't want to reveal himself, so he's not coming. But I believe he can still see the situation here, so it's almost like he came, right?"
Zhang Shaofeng and the rest heard this and felt it made sense.
Someone of the senior's stature would hardly come to such a lively event.
"Then shall we start welcoming the guests?" Murong Yunhai asked.
Murong Gong glanced outside and saw that Luo Tiandu and Luo Lan'qing hadn't arrived yet, so he shook his head.
They would wait for those esteemed guests to arrive first before proceeding.
After all, they had to let these high-ranking people enter first, to set the tone.
They didn't have to wait long, though.
A flying vessel soon appeared from the horizon.
"They're here! Let's go welcome them!"
With that, Murong Gong took the lead as they flew out.
As they passed through the formation, it felt like breaching a curtain of water, completely unobstructed.
The group soared into the sky, blocking the path of the flying vessel.
"We welcome Your Majesty the King!" Murong Gong looked at the vessel and let out a hearty laugh.
His voice boomed loud, reverberating all around.
The crowd from various powers below heard this and realized who was aboard that flying vessel.
The King of the Kingdom!
The vessel came to a halt.
Nine people stepped out to the front deck.
Luo Tiandu and his daughter Luo Lan,Zhu Zhenwu and a handsome young man.
Luo Shaojie and a few other men and women.
Seeing them, Murong Gong greeted them all with smiles.
He flew over to the Luo family members especially, treating them like close relatives.
"Old brother Murong, no need to stand on ceremony. Just call me Old Luo if you don't mind," said Luo Tiandu, his face blooming into a broad grin upon seeing Murong Gong approach.
Especially after witnessing this scene before him.
He felt that addressing Murong Gong in such a casual manner was well deserved.
Tsk tsk.
This formation was tremendously formidable!
And that serpent dragon hovering above the formation was simply awe-inspiring!