"Everyone, don’t panic."

Seeing the crowd’s unrest, Wang Shouzhe stepped out at the right moment and reminded them, "Take a closer look, there’s someone standing atop the Profound Ice Suffering Flood Dragon."

Indeed.

Amidst the thick fog, a silhouette could be vaguely seen standing with hands behind their back on top of the Profound Ice Suffering Flood Dragon’s head.

The fierce winds stirred, mist floated, and their figure was indistinct. Only their aura was as piercing as an ice peak, as clear and cold as frost and snow. As their robe fluttered, their temperament seemed ethereal and transcendent, almost celestial.

Involuntarily, it invoked feelings of reverence and worship.

"So it’s a Spirit Beast reared by a powerful figure."

At this sight, the crowd collectively let out a breath of relief, but soon could not suppress their curiosity.

"Just who is this esteemed personage?"

"Regardless of who the great figure is, anyone standing on the head of the Profound Ice Suffering Flood Dragon is definitely no ordinary person."

The crowd couldn’t help but eagerly discuss.

Among the crowd, various disciples from the Academy who had come in disguise exchanged looks, all smiling wryly.

Faang You’an sighed, realizing there’s no longer a need to hide, and thus stood up to reveal his identity, "Everyone, please don’t be anxious, this Profound Ice Suffering Flood Dragon is the guardian Spirit Beast of the Profound Ice Hall of the Purple Mansion Academy. And the one riding atop its head is my Master, Binglan Ascendant!"

Saying this, he couldn’t help but smile ruefully in his heart.

He, Faang You’an, was bound by Academy rules to conceal his identity while attending the banquet. Yet his Master made such an entrance unannounced, truly...

Oh well, a disciple does not speak ill of their Master; best think of how to handle this aftermath.

"What?"

The Celestial Human Ancestors from the Six Southern Guards were all astounded upon hearing this.

There had been word that the Wang Family had a deep connection with the Academy, but did not expect Academy disciples to be hidden among the guests.

Even more astonishing was that the renowned Binglan Ascendant would personally come.

"It’s actually Master."

Ancestor Longyan was also caught off guard, never expecting her own Master to personally come, and riding the Profound Ice Suffering Flood Dragon, creating such a spectacle.

She was so moved that she immediately rushed out from the window and performed a great courtesy toward the silhouette atop the Profound Ice Suffering Flood Dragon, "Longyan pays respect..."

The words "Master" were about to leave her lips, but she swallowed them back.

She did not understand Master’s true intentions and dared not call out "Master" in such a public setting.

After all, Master was an Ascendant of the Academy and must be mindful of her reputation.

However, while she refrained, Binglan Ascendant had no such reservations.

"Longyan, my disciple."

Amidst the drifting mist, Binglan Ascendant’s voice came.

Her voice carried an air of majesty mixed with a hint of indulgence, with a tone of laughter and pride, "You were able to break through and rise, achieving Celestial Human status; as your teacher, I am truly gratified. Due to Academy rules, I shall not partake in the banquet."

In an instant, the Celestial Human Ancestors present were silent as cicadas in winter, while their estimation and evaluation of the Wang Family rapidly surged upward.

Ancestor Longyan’s backing was so powerful and she was so dearly cherished.

Underneath, Faang You’an couldn’t help but roll his eyes in secret.

Master, is this what you call bound by rules? Riding the Profound Ice Suffering Flood Dragon so blatantly to support a disciple and expect no one to notice?

Wang Shouzhe then came forward to offer his respect and said, "Ascendant, bound by rules, cannot participate in the banquet. I will have spiritual dishes prepared for you to enjoy at your leisure."

Unexpectedly.

Binglan Ascendant atop the Profound Ice Suffering Flood Dragon let out a cold snort, "Wang Shouzhe, I am speaking with my disciple Longyan, how is it your business? Stand clear, don’t block my view."

"Um..."

Wang Shouzhe was speechless.

This Binglan Ascendant had many qualities, albeit with a temper too volatile, holding grudges for extended periods, always nitpicking. Didn’t I barely offend her once? Yet, all these years, she still has a bone to pick.

Yet, grumbling aside, he wisely moved aside a little more.

"Longyan, my disciple, this treasure is a gift to celebrate your advancement to Celestial Human."

Binglan Ascendant spoke to Ancestor Longyan in a particularly affectionate tone.

As she spoke, she casually waved, and a crystalline cold light flew out of her sleeve, gently drifting toward Wang Longyan.

Ancestor Longyan gathered a strand of Profound Qi to catch it, and upon closer inspection, found it to be an ice-crystal colored scale armor, delicate and exquisite, radiating a dazzling treasure light, quite extraordinary.

Beside her, Faang You’an couldn’t help but envy, "It’s actually the ’Profound Ice Suffering Flood Dragon Armor’."

This "Profound Ice Suffering Flood Dragon Armor" was crafted from the scales shed by the Profound Ice Suffering Flood Dragon before advancing to a Level Six Spirit Beast, further refined with various precious materials into a magical treasure. Though it falls short of an Upper Grade Magical Treasure, it is an extremely rare defensive Middle-Grade Magical Treasure.

Within the lineage of the Profound Ice Hall, only exceptionally favored direct disciples are granted this armor.

Both Faang You’an and Ancestor Longyan, being inheritors of the Profound Ice Hall, naturally had heard of this magical treasure’s renown.

"Master, this item is too precious, I cannot accept it," Ancestor Longyan hastily declined.

"Not to worry." Binglan Ascendant’s voice descended from the skies, "This item is passed down through the generations in Binglan Hall. Return it to Profound Ice Hall when unnecessary."

"In that case, Longyan expresses gratitude for Master’s deep affection." Ancestor Longyan thanked with emotion.

She knew her Master genuinely cared, fearing she might get injured or perish in fights outside, hence bestowing the treasure armor.

After granting the armor, Binglan Ascendant rode the Profound Ice Suffering Flood Dragon and gracefully departed, while the ice mist over the lake gradually dispersed.

But what hadn’t dispersed was the newfound fervor toward the Ping’an Wang Family from the Celestial Human Ancestors.

In truth, prior to this, several Celestial Human Ancestors unfamiliar with the Ping’an Wang Family somewhat underestimated this newly ascended Seventh-Grade Noble Family.

However, after this event, none of the families from the Six Southern Guards dared to look down on the Wang Family anymore.

After much hustle and bustle spanning over a month, this Celestial Human Banquet finally concluded, and Changning Guard gradually returned to tranquility.

From that day forth.

The Ping’an Wang Family officially stepped into the ranks of Seventh-Grade Noble Families, solidifying their foothold within the Six Southern Guards.

And precisely from that day, the external designation for the Wang Family rarely used "Ping’an Wang Family," instead changing to "Changning Wang Family."

...