"What is the Metaphysics Association doing in this exchange meeting? Will they also participate in the competition? It seems they don't need funds, right?" Jian Xi asked curiously.
"They won't participate in the competition, but the Metaphysics Association doesn't have many members now. However, each of them is very powerful, all above the fifth level. They will serve as judges for the competition," Tang Xingyou explained.
Jian Xi understood, "What will they judge then?"
"The exchange meeting lasts for three days. The first two days will be a competition of the Five Metaphysical Techniques, and the third day will be talisman drawing."
"That sounds simple. For the techniques, can we do anything? Or is it free expression?" Jian Xi asked meticulously. After all, she couldn't just go and compete without preparation. Even for paper figure techniques, she would need to prepare yellow paper.
Tang Xingyou knew why she was asking this. "Free expression is fine. The Metaphysics Association will provide all the materials needed. The Five Metaphysical Techniques will be judged separately: mountain arts, medicine, fortune-telling, physiognomy, and divination. They will proceed in that order. After each technique competition, the rankings will be announced immediately. Chief Wang said we should try to win an award in at least one category this year."
Jian Xi nodded, thinking that with Chief Wang's personality, one award might not be enough for him to boast about. She should aim for a few more!
After observing them for a long time, Jian Xi had a general idea of their abilities. Chief Wang said that the other cities were roughly at the same level as them, so she was quite confident about this competition.
The three-plus hours passed quickly as the two chatted.
After getting off the plane, Xu Yan arranged for them to stay at the He Family's hotel in two presidential suites. Jian Xi and Tang Xingyou shared one room, while Nie Xiujin had a separate room.
Originally, Xu Yan had arranged for three rooms, but Jian Xi felt that one room would be too spacious and empty, so she chose to share a room with Tang Xingyou.
The hotel was located in the city center, and the exchange meeting was to be held in the hotel's conference hall. Most of the rooms had been booked, and the lobby was crowded with people when they arrived.
However, the manager who had been waiting there didn't even have them check in; he personally escorted Jian Xi and the others to their rooms.
Xu Yan gave the manager some instructions and then returned to City B.
"Miss Jian, if you need anything, you can find the manager here. His name is Pei Xuhai. I'll be leaving now," Xu Yan said.
Jian Xi replied, "Okay, thank you, Assistant Xu. Your hard work is appreciated."
"Miss Jian is too kind," Xu Yan said before leaving.
After Pei Xuhai greeted Jian Xi, he also went back to work.
Back in the presidential suite, Tang Xingyou was unpacking her luggage after closing the door.
She didn't plan to stay and play, as she and Nie Xiujin had to rush back after the exchange meeting because they needed to interface with the underworld's emissaries at the end of the month and the beginning of next month.
With only three days, their luggage wasn't much, and it didn't take long to unpack.
Jian Xi, on the other hand, didn't bring any luggage. All her belongings were in her bracelet.
This wasn't a secret from Tang Xingyou and the others, as Jian Xi had previously taken things out of her bracelet in front of them. Although she didn't explain, they didn't ask, and everyone just silently envied her ability.
It wasn't that Jian Xi didn't want to explain; it was just that they hadn't asked!
Jian Xi sat on the sofa, wondering if she should go find her second senior brother, but thinking that he was probably busy, she decided not to bother him. Instead, she went out with Tang Xingyou to explore the area nearby.
Private jets were much more comfortable than commercial flights, so despite not resting, the two of them still had plenty of energy. They wandered around until it got dark and then returned to the hotel after eating dinner outside.
As soon as they entered the hotel lobby, they saw Nie Xiujin talking to two people, a young man and a young woman.
Upon seeing Tang Xingyou, the woman waved at her, "Xingyou!"
Tang Xingyou waved back, "Xiaoning!"
Pulling Jian Xi along, Tang Xingyou introduced them, "Jian Xi, this is our consultant who will be participating in the exchange meeting with us."
"Little Seven, this is Director Yang Tian from the neighboring City J, and his girlfriend, also from their department, He Xiaoning."
"Hello, Jian Xi. It's a pleasure to meet you," He Xiaoning extended her hand towards Jian Xi.
Jian Xi shook her hand, "Hello."
Although Yang Tian didn't shake Jian Xi's hand, he did nod and smile at her, which counted as a greeting.
Since they were neighboring cities, they often had joint operations, so they were quite familiar with each other. Additionally, He Xiaoning's maiden home was in City B, so she would sometimes come back and meet up with Tang Xingyou for fun!
Women could often find common topics to discuss, especially those in the same profession. It wasn't long before the three of them were engaged in conversation.
Aside, Yang Tian asked Nie Xiujin, "Is this Miss Jian an adult? How can she be your consultant? Did Chief Wang agree to this? Or is she some big family's young lady here to show off?"
Nie Xiujin looked at him and replied with a tone of pride, "You'll find out tomorrow."
Yang Tian scoffed, "What's with the secrecy? Aren't you guys always outperformed by us every year?"
"Oh, we rank twelfth, and you rank eleventh. Neither of us is in the top three, yet you keep bringing it up every year," Nie Xiujin ruthlessly revealed the truth.
Yang Tian acted nonchalant, "Never mind the rankings. The key is that you've never beaten us, and that's a fact. Being one rank higher doesn't matter."
Nie Xiujin glanced at Jian Xi's group and confidently said, "That won't be the case this year!"
"Well, we'll see who's giving you that confidence," Yang Tian mocked.
Nie Xiujin ignored him. Yang Tian's abilities were only slightly better than his own, yet he kept running his mouth. Nie Xiujin didn't understand how his cousin, He Xiaoning, ended up with him.
That's right, He Xiaoning was Nie Xiujin's cousin, and this Yang Tian was her cousin-in-law.
The Nie Family was a renowned metaphysics household with few members, most of whom pursued metaphysical careers.
Suddenly, an idea struck Nie Xiujin, and he said to Yang Tian, "Why don't we make a bet?"
"About what?" Yang Tian asked.
A hint of mischief flashed in Nie Xiujin's eyes. "If our department makes it into the top three this year, you'll buy me the latest game console. How about that?"
Yang Tian agreed without hesitation, "Sure, but what if you don't make it?"
Not make it? With Jian Xi's long-lost paper figure technique alone, not to mention the top three, first place was guaranteed. So there was no question of not making it. This game console was as good as his!
Still, Nie Xiujin said, "If we don't make it, I'll buy it for you."
"Deal, I'll take that bet," Yang Tian said confidently. "Be prepared to spend two months' worth of salary, because that latest model isn't cheap!"
Nie Xiujin didn't respond further, but a satisfied smile played on his lips.
