Before long, the food and wine were gradually served.

With all the dishes and wine set, Wang Xiaoqiang ordered the banquet to begin.

As soon as the banquet started, sect leaders from various factions came to toast Wang Xiaoqiang, each expressing their hope to form a friendly alliance with the Five Spirit Sect and to receive Wang Xiaoqiang's protection.

This included several sect leaders from large factions seated at the same table.

Wang Xiaoqiang, being a forthright person, accepted every toast and drank every cup. After all, he could use his Spiritual Power to dissolve the effects of alcohol, so he didn't have to worry about getting drunk.

After everyone had given their toasts, Gong Ziyu filled her cup and toasted Wang Xiaoqiang sincerely, saying, "Sect Leader Wang, our Moon Crescent Palace is situated in the middle of Moon Bamboo Mountain, surrounded by green mountains and clear waters, with beautiful scenery. It is known as a garden sect, with the layout inside the mountain gate planned in the style of a garden. It's elegant and delightful, with picturesque views. I hope Sect Leader Wang will have time to visit our Moon Crescent Palace... and enjoy the sights of our sect..."

Gong Ziyu knew that Fan Renruo, the sect leader of the North Pole Gate, had long been coveting her, eager to use force to possess her. Although Wang Xiaoqiang had taught him a lesson today, he certainly wouldn't dare to confront Wang Xiaoqiang and would instead choose to target her Moon Crescent Palace. The North Pole Gate, with one main sect and two branch sects, had almost twice as many disciples as the Moon Crescent Palace, making their power much greater, not something the Moon Crescent Palace could contend with.

Therefore, at this moment, she sought Wang Xiaoqiang's help.

But faced with so many people, it was hard for her to express it directly, so she used the pretext of inviting Wang Xiaoqiang as a guest to her palace, planning to discuss it further when he arrived.

Wang Xiaoqiang, understanding her implicit message, nodded with a smile and said, "Haha, since the Palace Master is so sincere, I gratefully accept. I will definitely visit Moon Crescent Palace in the next few days. I hope I won't disturb your sect's pure cultivation..."

Gong Ziyu, fearing that the young and inexperienced Wang Xiaoqiang might not understand her implications and directly reject her, was pleasantly surprised when Wang Xiaoqiang agreed immediately, and his reply left no room for doubt. Delighted, her beautiful face blossomed with a charming smile as she said:

"Not at all, my disciples and I eagerly await Sect Leader Wang's visit. We will surely provide the best service for you."

"Haha, you're too kind, Palace Master. Let me toast you." Wang Xiaoqiang raised his cup to toast Gong Ziyu.

Gong Ziyu, relieved of her worries, visibly relaxed and cheerfully toasted with Wang Xiaoqiang.

Other sect leaders cast envious glances at Wang Xiaoqiang. The Moon Crescent Palace was a sect of female cultivators with thousands of female disciples, beauties in abundance. Generally, outsiders were not allowed to enter, especially men, unless there was a major event.

Even these sect leaders had only visited Moon Crescent Palace a few times, and although they had been inside, they were not familiar with its layout and surroundings. They had no idea where Gong Xiaoyu usually resided or where her Fragrant Boudoir was located.

Now, Wang Xiaoqiang had been invited by the always aloof Gong Ziyu to visit Moon Crescent Palace. It seemed that their relationship was already heading towards a romantic direction, and they might indeed become Dao Companions as Fan Renruo had speculated.

Men, even sect leaders, have a sense of jealousy. While their hearts burned with envy, they dared not show it outwardly, intimidated by Wang Xiaoqiang's authority.

Wang Xiaoqiang and Gong Ziyu drank and chatted merrily, enjoying themselves immensely. When Wang Xiaoqiang was slightly drunk, he lifted a cup of wine and walked to the table where the Constellation Sect members sat. He raised his cup towards Madam Xingyue, saying, "Madam, let me toast you."

As soon as Madam Xingyue saw Wang Xiaoqiang approaching, she became alert, glanced at Zhao Feiyan, then raised her cup and stood up, coldly stating, "Sect Leader Wang, you're too polite. I should be toasting you..."

With that, she drank her cup of wine dry.

Wang Xiaoqiang drank his wine, picked up the wine jug on the table, poured himself another cup, and turned his gaze to Zhao Yan, raising his cup to her, saying, "Feiyan, let me toast you, thank you for saving my life last time."

Although Zhao Feiyan had helped Wang Xiaoqiang obtain armor, she hadn't saved his life. But Zhao Feiyan was sharp and understood his hidden meaning, so she raised her cup and said, "It was nothing, Sect Leader Wang, no need to remember it."

"Ah? How can I not remember? I'm not a heartless or ungrateful person; I remember the kindness shown to me for a lifetime. If a friend is in trouble, I will never stand by and do nothing..." Wang Xiaoqiang said, giving Zhao Feiyan a reassuring look before downing his drink.

Zhao Feiyan understood the look in Wang Xiaoqiang's eyes, knowing he wouldn't abandon her. However, the thought of Wang Xiaoqiang getting involved in her marriage and offending Prince Ann filled her with anxiety, her face turning a few shades paler.

When the banquet ended, Zhao Feiyan left with Madam Xingyue, looking back at Wang Xiaoqiang every few steps. Wang Xiaoqiang subtly nodded at her, signaling her to return at ease.

But the more Wang Xiaoqiang did this, the more anxious Zhao Feiyan became, afraid that she might cause harm to Wang Xiaoqiang.

Gong Ziyu did not leave in a hurry. After everyone else at the table had left, she stood up and said, "Sect Leader Wang, you must visit our Moon Crescent Palace. Don't back out…"

With a slightly coquettish tone, she gave Wang Xiaoqiang a flirtatious yet graceful glance, full of charm without seeming contrived or coquettish.

Natural, graceful, and comforting to others.

"Palace Master, rest assured, I, Wang Xiaoqiang, have always been a man of my word and would never speak falsely. I will fulfill my promise within three days and visit your sect." Wang Xiaoqiang said, giving Gong Ziyu a reassuring look.

Gong Ziyu smiled with delight, feeling reassured, and then left with her four accompanying disciples.

In the next two days, Wang Xiaoqiang dealt with the pressing affairs of the Five Spirit Sect and officially inducted Jiang Yingxue into the ranks of Elite Disciples.

Now, the number of Elite Disciples in the Five Spirit Sect had increased from twenty to twenty-one, with Jiang Yingxue being the only female disciple among them.

Elite Disciples received twice the amount of cultivation resources as Inner Sect Disciples each month. They also received an independent house and a small courtyard.

Although the courtyard wasn't large, it was far better than living in a dormitory. It was like a small quadrangle courtyard, charming and beautiful, where one could cook and grow flowers and vegetables, essentially having an independent space.

Jiang Yingxue was overjoyed to become an Elite Disciple and was very grateful to Wang Xiaoqiang, though she didn't know how to express her thanks.

Wang Xiaoqiang considered this his duty and felt that Jiang Yingxue's gratitude was unnecessary.

However, Jiang Yingxue didn't think so. Two years ago, she had a good friend named Blue Yan, a highly talented and hardworking cultivator. A year before, she had reached the True Immortal Realm Fifth Stage. But when she enthusiastically approached the Five Spirit True Immortal to join the ranks of the Elite Disciples, she was subjected to his coercive advances. When Blue Yan refused, she was expelled from the Five Spirit Sect under false pretenses. Thinking back, Jiang Yingxue still felt sorry for Blue Yan. (To be continued. If you enjoyed this work, please visit Qidian.com to vote for recommendations or monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com for reading.)

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