Dashing Student

Hu Die noticed the change in Chen Nan's mood and tightened her grip on his hand, whispering, "Don't be nervous, these are the village chiefs and elders from various Miao Border villages."

"Look over there." She quietly pointed to a group of elders dressed in indigo clothing, "Those are the people from Qingshui Village, they've been on friendly terms with us for generations and greatly respect the Poisonous Insect Sect!"

"And those over there in dark green clothes, are from Qingzhu Village..."

"That's the Embroidery Pavilion, your ceremonial robes are all inside." Hu Die led him forward, "The Pavilion Master, Granny Lan, is the most respected embroiderer in the village. She, along with twelve apprentices, worked through the night to create your ceremonial robes."

Just as they reached the door, a hunched-over, silver-haired elderly woman greeted them. She squinted her clouded eyes and assessed Chen Nan up and down, then suddenly reached out to pinch his shoulder, nodding approvingly, "Mm, the size is just right."

"Granny Lan." Hu Die greeted dutifully, "Thank you for the trouble!"

Granny Lan waved her hand, turning to walk inside, "Come in, try the Heavenly Sacrifice Robe!"

Inside, the light was bright, and three exquisite ceremonial robes were hanging on specially-made wooden racks.

The most eye-catching was the mysterious black Heavenly Sacrifice Robe!

Its entire body was jet-black like ink, yet faintly shimmered with silver light. The front was embroidered with sun, moon, and stars, while the back had a complete map of the Seventy-two Villages of Miaojiang, with each village position marked by unique gold-threaded totems.

"This..." Chen Nan couldn't help but feel moved.

He could tell that this robe was more than just a gown, it was a Magic Artifact!

The embroidery threads contained powerful spiritual power fluctuations.

Granny Lan tremulously took down the Heavenly Sacrifice Robe, "Three hundred years ago, the thirty-fourth Sect Leader wore it for his inauguration. Now I've repaired it, and fortunately, haven't disgraced it."

With the help of Hu Die and Granny Lan, Chen Nan donned the heavy Heavenly Sacrifice Robe.

To his surprise, the robe seemed weighty but felt as light as a feather once worn, as if it had a life of its own, seamlessly fitting his body.

"Turn around and have a look." Granny Lan handed him a copper mirror.

The Chen Nan reflected in the mirror seemed transformed, the mysterious black robe accentuating his poise, while the star patterns on the robe appeared to flow softly under changing light.

Most magical of all, when he moved, the corners of the robe would carry subtle silver dots of light, as if walking within a galaxy.

"It's amazing, but truly handsome!" Hu Die watched in fascination, her cheeks slightly reddening.

Granny Lan's wrinkled face showed a satisfied smile, "Good, the Heavenly Sacrifice Robe fits well. Now let's try the inauguration robe."

She turned to the second wooden rack and fetched a crimson brocade robe.

This ceremonial robe was even more magnificent than the Heavenly Sacrifice Robe, with complex Gu patterns embroidered with gold thread on the collar and cuffs, and a silver belt inlaid with jade at the waist.

"It's woven from century-old fire silkworm silk." Granny Lan explained while helping Chen Nan wear it, "Impervious to blade and spear, resistant to water and fire."

The moment the belt was fastened, Chen Nan felt a warm current flowing from the waist to his limbs and bones.

Looking down, he noticed the Gu patterns seemed to stir like living creatures, emitting a faint red glow.

"Such powerful spiritual power fluctuations!" Chen Nan couldn't help but admire, evidently surprised by the deep foundation of the Poisonous Insect Sect!

Hu Die's eyes sparkled as she circled him, "Red suits you well, making you look even more heroic."

Granny Lan then took down the last silver-threaded robe from the wooden rack, "This banquet robe is the most exquisite, embroidered with nine hundred ninety-nine silver threads, each stitch carrying blessings."

The silvery-white robe shimmered softly in the sunlight, with a vividly embroidered Hundred Gu Map at the hem, as if dancing with the robe's movement.

"Three robes, three functions." Granny Lan beamed with relief, "Solemn during sacrifices, majestic and dignified at inaugurations, graceful and luxurious at banquets."

"Wearing them, the new Sect Leader is sure to awe everyone."

Chen Nan chuckled without saying much more; after all, it's been a time of peace for long, no more talk of awe-inspiring might.

"Come, let me first take you to the Great Elder to learn some ceremonial rules, to avoid embarrassment during the inauguration!"

Hu Die linked arms with Chen Nan just upon leaving the Embroidery Pavilion, they were blocked by a group of stalwart men dressed in black Miao attire.

The leader was Long San, whom Chen Nan had previously disciplined, now with his arms healed, he fawningly followed beside a young man.

"Well, if it isn't that pair of dogs from last time? It's a small world for enemies!" Long San jeered, drawing attention from the surrounding villagers!

The young man appeared to be around twenty-five or six, wearing brand-new black Miao attire with delicate silver bells hanging from his waist.

He nonchalantly sized up Chen Nan and Hu Die, a hint of disdain flickering in his eyes, "Long San, is this the foreigner who has no sense of his own limitations you spoke of?"

"Yes, Young Village Chief, it's him!" Long San said through clenched teeth, pointing at Chen Nan, "This kid with a bit of skill bullied our Black Miao Village people in Qingxi Town!"

Hu Die coldly laughed at this, "Surely it's you who first tried to snatch Elder Yang's Blood Ganoderma, and now you want to shift the blame?"

The Young Village Chief impatiently waved his hand, "I don't care about the reason, you injured people from my village, this cannot be overlooked!"

Chen Nan's expression remained calm, "What do you want?"

Yan Feng grinned, showing a mouthful of white teeth, "Simple, either pay a million as medical expenses, or..."

His eyes lasciviously swept over Hu Die's slender figure, openly displaying his desire, "let this young lady join us for a drink, and we'll let it go!"

The surrounding Black Miao Village men instantly roared with laughter, with some even whistling.

An enraged Hu Die's face turned red, preparing to lash out, but Chen Nan gently held her hand.

"I choose the third option." Chen Nan replied blandly.

Yan Feng froze, "What third option?"

"Knock you all down." Chen Nan's voice had barely fallen when his figure flashed over to Yan Feng like a ghost.

Yan Feng paled with fright and hurriedly retreated, "How dare you! This is the Poisonous Insect Sect's territory, do you dare to act here?"

Chen Nan sneered, "You know this is the Poisonous Insect Sect's territory? Knowing that, why act so arrogantly on someone else's turf?"

With that, he raised his hand, delivering a resounding slap!

"Crack!"

The crisp slap echoed across the square, sending Yan Feng spinning on the spot, his left cheek swelling high.

"Young Village Chief!" Long San and others cried as they rushed forward.

Chen Nan didn't bother looking at them, casually waved his hand, unleashing an invisible surge of energy that swept seven or eight Black Miao Village men to the ground.

"You...you..." Yan Feng covered his face, both shocked and furious, "You'll pay for this! My father is the Black Miao Village Chief, and our village boasts the strongest Gu Masters among the Seventy-two Villages!"

Hu Die couldn't help but laugh, "The strongest Gu Masters? Just those incompetent ones from your village?"