Chapter 74 - 73 A Secret Contest

74: Chapter 73: A Secret Contest 74 -73: A Secret Contest After it ended, everyone didn’t leave immediately but extended olive branches to Ye Xuan. “We should be leaving now; after all, this place belongs to the Jiang Family,” Ye Xuan said with a smile. Upon hearing this, everyone then returned to their seats with amiable smiles. However, Elder Hua Feng spoke up, insisting, “Mr. Ye need not be so modest. Allow this old man to have a word.” Having said that, without waiting for Ye Xuan to speak, he had already turned towards Jiang Tiannan, and with a slight bow, he said, “Brother Jiang, I wish to invite Mr. Ye and his two companions to join the banquet in the name of friendship. What do you say?” This statement immediately surprised everyone present. The name of friendship! Elder Hua Feng was none other than a true seven-cauldron Alchemist, springing from the East Desolation Medicine Pavilion with countless connections. To become a friend of Elder Hua Feng was a great honor indeed. Upon hearing this, the people of the Jiang Family felt somewhat uncomfortable. After all, they had just been ready to send Ye Xuan and his party away, only for Elder Hua Feng to insist they stay… It was somewhat of a slap in the face. Despite Jiang Tiannan feeling utterly displeased, he didn’t dare disrespect Elder Hua Feng. He stood up, bowed to Elder Hua Feng, and said, “Then, as Elder Hua wishes.” “Mr. Ye, please take a seat,” Elder Hua Feng immediately said to Ye Xuan with a smile, gesturing for him to sit. Ye Xuan raised his eyebrows slightly, turning his head to look at Zhou Youwei beside him. He originally intended to leave, but the decision still rested with his wife, since this was a matter concerning the Jiang Family. Zhou Youwei, feeling Ye Xuan’s gaze, nodded gently, her voice soft as she said, “It’s not too late to leave after the meal.” “Alright,” Ye Xuan said, leading the two to the high seats. Although the Jiang Family members were deeply troubled, they could only prepare seats for the three, placing them next to Elder Hua Feng. And Jiang Jie, who should have been sitting next to Elder Hua Feng, was squeezed over to the other side. This greatly infuriated Jiang Jie, but seeing his master’s attitude towards Ye Xuan, he could only swallow his anger. “Let the banquet begin. Everyone, please enjoy your meal,” Jiang Xiaotang announced with a stiff face. All stood up, raising their glasses toward Jiang Tiannan, saying, “We wish Elder Jiang a happy birthday!” All the guests stood up, raising their glasses. Zhou Bingyi originally planned to stand up but was stopped by Zhou Youwei. Ye Xuan, on the other hand, appeared completely unfazed and indifferent, as if he hadn’t noticed at all. The members of the Jiang Family, seeing this, were itching with annoyance but could do nothing about it. Jiang Tiannan had mixed feelings watching this unfold. “Brother Jiang, happy birthday,” Elder Hua Feng, still giving face, stood up with a toast and a smile. “Thank you, Elder Hua, and thank all the fellow Daoists,” Jiang Tiannan managed to force a smile and drank together with the others. With the toast finished, everyone sat down; some enjoyed their dishes with gusto, some drank deeply, while others chatted and laughed with their peers, creating a harmonious atmosphere. However, looking at the main table, those seated were mainly from the core faction of the Jiang Family, along with Elder Hua Feng, Ye Xuan, Zhou Youwei, and Zhou Bingyi. No one was moving to eat. It seemed quite awkward. Ye Xuan, for his part, was eating carefree, thoroughly enjoying his meal. Elder Hua Feng, noticing the somber mood at the table, took the initiative to say, “Have you all heard about some recent events in the Southern Domain?” His words slightly eased the tension at the table. “May I ask what event Elder Hua is referring to?” Jiang Xiaozong took up the conversation. All eyes at the table turned towards Elder Hua Feng, filled with curiosity. Elder Hua Feng’s expression grew sober as he slowly said, “The battle that erupted between Luotian Sacred Land and the Heavenly Demon Sect and Blood God Palace, you must all be aware of it.” The people at the table instinctively glanced at Ye Xuan and his companions before returning their attention and nodding, “We have heard some.” The name of Luotian Sacred Land carried great weight in the Southern Domain. The Heavenly Demon Sect and Blood God Palace were somewhat inferior, these two mighty forces being in a strategic triangle with the Luotian Sacred Land. But due to the aggressiveness of Luotian Sacred Land, the Heavenly Demon Sect and Blood God Palace were forced to join hands against Luotian Sacred Land, leading to more and more conflicts arising. It was said that recently, there had been battles among the three factions, and this news had also spread in the Southern Domain. They had also heard about some of these incidents. “It’s said that the Heavenly Demon Sect and the Blood God Palace joined forces, forcing the Luotian Sacred Land to bow its head temporarily,” Jiang Tiannan mused. “Luotian Sacred Land bowed its head?” The others were slightly surprised; this result was unexpected. “For what specific reason?” the younger Jiang Feng couldn’t help asking. Jiang Tiannan shook his head slightly, “That, I’m not sure.” “The Great Elder of Luotian Sacred Land is dead,” Elder Hua Feng said slowly. “What?!” Everyone was shocked; even Jiang Tiannan found it incredible. “That Great Elder of Luotian Sacred Land was second only to their Saint Master Zhao Zichuan. How could he just die?” Jiang Tiannan was extremely puzzled. Elder Hua Feng shook his head slightly, “Some say he was assassinated by the Palace Master and Sect Hierarch of the Blood God Palace and the Heavenly Demon Sect working together, but this claim doesn’t hold up because the Great Elder died within the Luotian Sacred Land.” “Eh?!” “Died within the Luotian Sacred Land?” The crowd widened their eyes in disbelief. Zhou Youwei, sitting next to Ye Xuan, had her expression shift slightly as she quietly glanced at Ye Xuan, with ripples in her beautiful eyes. “According to our sect’s understanding, the Great Elder of Luotian Sacred Land seems to have been killed by some mysterious strong individual,” Jiang Yin spoke softly. She leisurely looked towards Zhou Youwei, and added with a hint of playfulness, “This matter seems to have a great connection with the Emperor Immortal Sect.” “Oh?” The crowd all looked at Zhou Youwei. Elder Hua Feng nodded, “Indeed, as Lady Yun said, the day the Great Elder of Luotian Sacred Land perished was the same day they went to war with the Emperor Immortal Sect. On that day, the Great Elder had descended upon the Emperor Immortal Sect with his Divine Thought, and it seems to be because of this that he was seized by the mysterious strong individual and killed.” The crowd suddenly understood — so that was how it was. “On that day, the situation for Emperor Immortal Sect was extremely precarious; had it not been for that mysterious strong individual stepping in, it might have already been flattened,” Jiang Yin said with a trace of faint scorn on her face, looking at Zhou Youwei, “How fortunate it is for both nieces to have come to the Jiang Family, you really should thank that mysterious strong individual.” Upon hearing this, the people at the table glanced at Ye Xuan and the others, their eyes carrying a hint of a smile, with an undertone of mockery. “So that’s how our sect’s crisis was resolved?” Zhou Bingyi was also surprised by this and whispered to Zhou Youwei. A peculiar look rose in Zhou Youwei’s eyes as she gazed at Ye Xuan sitting beside her and then shook her head slightly, saying nothing more. The mysterious strong individual these people were talking about was none other than her husband, Ye Xuan… Meanwhile, Ye Xuan ignored everyone’s discussion and continued eating by himself. Feeling Zhou Youwei’s gaze, Ye Xuan couldn’t help but give a slight smile, “Wife, although these ingredients aren’t top-notch, the taste is still quite good, you should try some.” Zhou Youwei gave a small smile, took the chopsticks, and symbolically picked up a bit of food, actually for Ye Xuan, saying softly, “Then you should eat more.” The assembly at the table watched this scene, their expressions becoming odd. “A fool is a fool, here we are discussing major events in the Southern Domain, and this guy is eating like a pig!” Jiang Yunqi couldn’t help but mutter under his breath. “Exactly, even complaining that our Jiang Family’s ingredients are not top grade, looking at him, he probably has never tasted such ingredients before, it’s really his good fortune,” Jiang Yunmeng also chimed in agreement. Such remarks, however, caused Elder Hua Feng to frown slightly. He spoke soothingly, “In fact, the crisis of the Emperor Immortal Sect wasn’t alleviated by the death of the Great Elder of Luotian Sacred Land because, at that time, Luotian Sacred Land had suppressed both the Heavenly Demon Sect and Blood God Palace while also dispatching four Elders to rescue someone from Emperor Immortal Sect.” “However, those four Great Elders were all captured alive by Emperor Immortal Sect.” “Luotian Sacred Land paid a heavy price to rescue the four Elders from Emperor Immortal Sect.” “It was also for this reason that Luotian Sacred Land bowed to the Heavenly Demon Sect and Blood God Palace,” Elder Hua Feng said, saving face for the Emperor Immortal Sect, but what he stated was indeed the truth. Jiang Yin, however, appeared to be seizing the opportunity to stomp on Zhou Youwei and Ye Xuan. “Who would have thought that Emperor Immortal Sect had some ability to withstand Luotian Sacred Land, but once Luotian Sacred Land stabilizes, I wonder if Emperor Immortal Sect will be able to withstand them,” Jiang Yin said with a faint, meaningful smile. Ye Xuan slowly sipped his ginseng soup, put down his utensils, and with a beaming smile, said, “Luotian Sacred Land is just a mere faction, I’ve said before, they’re nothing but chickens and dogs, and if they provoke me, I wouldn’t mind wiping them out. Sёarch* The Novёlƒire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. However, they seem to have the sense to bow their heads on their own, so I’m too lazy to bother with them.” “As for your Heavens Cloud Divine Sect… While speaking, Ye Xuan gazed at Jiang Yin, and with a light smile, added, “If you want to court self-destruction, feel free to give it a try.”