This statement stirred the emotions of the other Holy Lands, their gazes fixed on Xuan Kong Mountain's team.
The Lord of Xuan Kong Mountain's Holy Land was unfazed. A smile graced his handsome face as he apologized, "To all the esteemed Lords of the Holy Lands gracing us with your presence, Xuan Kong Mountain has been remiss in its welcome. I, Xuan Qingming, offer my apologies to you all."
"Spare us the pleasantries. Are you going to let Xuan Kong Mountain keep the other Holy Land teams waiting outside for so long without consequence?"
Wan Gui Mang, as the Lord of the strongest Holy Land, Shen Xiao Palace, would not let Xuan Qingming off the hook with a simple, insincere apology.
However, Xuan Qingming acted like a carefree, prodigal son, a playful smile on his face as he casually slung an arm around Wan Gui Mang's shoulders.
At the same time, he stroked his chin with his other hand, a roguish grin on his face, and said, "Ah, Brother Gui Mang, as the Lord of Shen Xiao Palace, you are a magnanimous person. Please forgive my humble Xuan Kong Mountain just this once."
Hearing Xuan Qingming's flippant words, the disciples of the Holy Lands present were quite taken aback.
They never expected the Lord of Xuan Kong Mountain's Holy Land to be such a person, lacking any pretense of a top-tier expert.
Compared to the Lords of other Holy Lands, he seemed so… lacking!
And "humble Xuan Kong Mountain"?!
Even if Xuan Kong Mountain were smaller, it was still one of the Five Great Holy Lands!
Li Fulan tugged on Li Fulong's sleeve and whispered, "Brother, is the Lord of Xuan Kong Mountain's Holy Land really this unserious? It doesn't seem like what Father Emperor described."
"Uh… I'm not sure. This is my first time meeting this senior," Li Fulong replied, scratching his cheek with his finger, looking bewildered.
This was the Lord of Xuan Kong Mountain's Holy Land?
Xin Ci and Mu Qingqing in the consciousness space pondered as they looked at Xuan Qingming.
Mu Qingqing, in particular, found herself unable to discern Xuan Qingming's true essence realm. Yet, as the Lord of Xuan Kong Mountain's Holy Land, his strength should be no less than that of the other Lords.
Wan Gui Mang was disgusted by Xuan Qingming's overly familiar gesture. He brushed his hand away and retorted coldly, "Stop your smirking. The sight of you makes me sick."
"Brother Gui Mang, why do you have to be so angry? Look at your high cultivation, but your temperament is too petty, you know."
Xuan Qingming continued to chuckle, completely unbothered by Wan Gui Mang's attitude.
Wan Gui Mang could no longer stand it. A cold glint flashed in his eyes as he warned, "Xuan Qingming, stop trying to get close to me. Don't forget, the primary enemy of the Five Great Holy Lands, the traitor to the human race on the Eternal Continent, Xuan Qi, is your adopted son."
"With this single stain, the reputation of your Xuan Kong Mountain is ruined. What right do you have to stand on equal footing with me?"
What?!
Xuan Qi was the adopted son of the Lord of Xuan Kong Mountain's Holy Land!
This shocking news instantly stunned everyone.
While this information wasn't exactly a secret among the Lords of the Holy Lands, the disciples present were unaware of it and reacted with disbelief, murmuring amongst themselves.
"That devil was actually the adopted son of the Lord of Xuan Kong Mountain's Holy Land! This is truly astonishing!"
"Yes, I only heard that the devil Xuan Qi originated from Xuan Kong Mountain, but I never imagined he had this kind of connection!"
"Now that Xuan Qi has become the top threat facing all beings on the Eternal Continent, I wonder what the Lord of Xuan Kong Mountain's Holy Land, who once adopted him, must be feeling."
"No wonder the Lords of the other four Holy Lands treat him with such an attitude."
The crowd buzzed with discussion. Xin Ci and Mu Qingqing were also somewhat surprised.
Xuan Qi actually had such a connection.
After the initial shock, Mu Qingqing turned her gaze back to Xuan Qingming.
No wonder she had felt a similarity in personality between this Holy Land Lord and Xuan Qi earlier. It turned out he was Xuan Qi's father.
Even though he wasn't his biological father, the level of their irritating speech was remarkably similar.
Despite Wan Gui Mang publicly revealing Xuan Kong Mountain's stain, Xuan Qingming showed no sign of anger.
However, the moment "Xuan Qi" was mentioned, Xuan Qingming's smile gradually froze.
He then composed himself, sighed, and said, "I do not deny that Xuan Qi is my adopted son. However, all of us at Xuan Kong Mountain have long since severed ties with this devil."
"He is now a scourge upon the entire Eternal Continent. I, Xuan Qingming, as the Lord of Xuan Kong Mountain's Holy Land, naturally regard Xuan Qi as an enemy and will not forgive him lightly."
After Xuan Qingming's firm stance, the expressions of Wan Gui Mang and the other four Holy Land Lords softened considerably.
Back when Xuan Qi broke the seal of the Twilight Land, unleashing countless冥神族 (Ming Shen Zu - Underworld God Clan) to plague the beings of the Eternal Continent and harm humanity, it was Xuan Kong Mountain that had first killed the released 冥神 and sealed the breach.
This prevented a greater catastrophe from occurring.
Furthermore, Xuan Qingming himself had personally pursued and hunted Xuan Qi.
For the sake of humanity's righteousness, he had cut ties with Xuan Qi. As a Holy Land Lord, Xuan Qingming was worthy of the admiration of Ji Jue Kong, Wan Gui Mang, and the others.
However, they had been standing outside the gates of Xuan Kong Mountain for quite some time. Ji Jue Kong grew impatient and said, "Xuan Qingming, Wan Gui Mang, I have personally brought my disciples here to participate in the Holy Land Martial Competition, not to stand here watching the two of you chat."
Hearing Ji Jue Kong's words, Xuan Qingming did not get angry. Instead, he smiled faintly and gestured with one hand in an inviting manner, "My hospitality has been lacking. I invite everyone to proceed to our Xuan Kong Mountain's Xian Wu Stage for the Holy Land Martial Competition."
At Xuan Qingming's signal, the teams from Shen Xiao Palace and Zang Jian Ge entered Xuan Kong Mountain first, followed by the teams from Bei Han Holy Land and Sha Xin Holy Court.
The Xian Wu Stage was a vast arena atop Xuan Kong Mountain's main peak, situated in front of the sect's main hall.
As this was Xuan Kong Mountain's home ground, the surrounding spectator stands were filled with disciples of Xuan Kong Mountain.
The teams from the various Holy Lands had already taken their seats, arranged by Xuan Qingming, awaiting the commencement of the Holy Land Martial Competition.
The Lords of the Five Great Holy Lands, with their esteemed status, naturally occupied the five distinguished seats on the main platform.
Ling Qinghan was the only female present.
At this moment, she leaned languidly on her seat, her perfect figure alluringly outlined, her snow-white jade legs drawing the gaze of many.
The Holy Land disciples below, intimidated by Ling Qinghan's status, dared not look directly at her, only stealing furtive glances.
Ling Qinghan paid them no mind. Her beautiful eyes, with a half-smile, looked towards Xuan Qingming and said, "Holy Lord Xuan, from the moment we were outside the mountain gate, I felt you were hiding something from us."
Xuan Qingming blinked, then forced an awkward smile. "Holy Lord Ling is truly as wise as ice and snow. Before you, my every thought is indeed laid bare."
"Holy Lord Xuan, you are truly glib-tongued. But I am very curious about what exactly you are concealing?"
Ling Qinghan smiled and fixed her gaze on Xuan Qingming.