"Hong Yuan, do you have a way to discipline this boy?" Ye Tang, wishing nothing more than to tear Luo Feng into pieces, immediately asked.

Steward Hong nodded. His face was grim, and he said, "Young Master, during the celebratory banquet later, you can suggest a martial arts performance. Many young talents have come this time, and I'm sure the City Lord won't refuse. Then, you can specifically name Luo Feng as your opponent, and then..."

Steward Hong let out a sinister chuckle, his eyes glinting with malice.

Ye Tang's eyes lit up. He scoffed, "Excellent idea! He disregards me, so I'll humiliate him publicly in front of Yang Wanyi! Let him lose face before everyone!"

Steward Hong flattered, "The Young Master is wise!"

Ye Tang, imagining the scene of humiliating Luo Feng later, felt a surge of secret pleasure. He waved his hand. "Let's go in too."

Only after Ye Tang and Steward Hong disappeared through the main entrance of the City Lord Mansion did the crowd in the square emerge from their shock.

"Luo Feng from Purple Sun School? I've never heard of him. Does anyone know him?"

"I've heard of him. He's this year's top newcomer from the four major schools! Even last year's top newcomer, Heavenly Fragrant Woman He Qin, was defeated by him. His strength cannot be underestimated. He only recently rose to fame, so he's not that well-known yet."

"Is that so? This is my first time hearing about him. This fellow dares to disregard Ye Tang and even presented a mid-rank Profound Level martial art as a gift. Regardless of his strength, his courage is indeed top-notch!"

"Well, he probably came here for Yang Wanyi. Another strong competitor has appeared."

"Hmph, what's so special about being the top newcomer? He's simply not worthy of being my opponent, Tang Qi."

A cold snort suddenly echoed. Everyone immediately felt a chill and looked up towards the source of the sound.

A youth with a sword on his back stood nearby.

The young man was tall, with sword-like eyebrows and star-like eyes. Dressed in a green robe, his casual posture exuded an icy aura, akin to a sharp blade, deterring others from approaching.

"The Flying Snow Cold Sword, Tang Qi! He actually came!"

Someone recognized the sword-carrying young man and exclaimed in surprise.

"He is the Young City Lord of Barren City. Half a year ago, he entered the Snow Cold Hall of the Twelve Golden Palaces. Rumor has it that he has cultivated to the late stage of the Ninth Layer of the Heavenly Court Realm. His Flying Snow Cold Sky Swordsmanship is extremely sharp and far surpasses Ye Tang's strength! No wonder he's so arrogant."

Upon seeing Tang Qi, the surrounding young Martial Artists grew slightly nervous. His aura was almost suffocating.

"Look over there! It's Liu Yuan, an outstanding young talent from Gold Stone Hall! I heard his palm technique is faster than the wind, so fast it makes your head spin. He's known as the No-phase Palm!"

"And there's Xu Zhi, known as One Leaf Crosses The River!"

"There are so many young talents! This celebratory banquet will definitely be exciting!"

"With so many young talents, they are probably all here for Yang Wanyi. I wonder who will win the fair lady's hand in the end..."

Seeing the arrival of numerous experts, everyone sighed with anticipation for the upcoming banquet. These renowned experts were also observing each other, their eyes filled with subtle hostility.

「...」

Luo Feng, having already entered the City Lord Mansion, was unaware of the tense atmosphere outside.

Inside the City Lord Mansion, magnificent buildings were spread out in an orderly fashion. An artificial river, about thirty feet wide, flowed through, its waves shimmering. Armored guards lined both banks, and beautiful maidservants bustled about, creating a truly grand scene.

Upon arriving at the riverside, a maidservant in a colorful dress came fluttering over to Luo Feng.

"Are you here for the celebratory banquet, sir?" The maidservant observed Luo Feng's extraordinary bearing and asked with a smile.

Luo Feng glanced at her.

The maidservant was around sixteen or seventeen years old, with delicate, clear eyes and sweet features. Her steps were light yet powerful, her skin glowed with a crystalline luster, and astonishingly, she was a sixth-level Iron Bone Realm Martial Artist.

Even the maidservants are this powerful... Luo Feng mused.

Finding herself the object of Luo Feng's gaze, the maidservant flushed and prompted him a few times, "Sir..."

Luo Feng snapped out of his trance. Realizing his lapse in manners, he nodded and grinned, "Where is the banquet taking place?"

"The banquet will be held in Huayang Square. Please follow me, sir."

Seeing Luo Feng's embarrassed expression, the maidservant giggled. Her dress fluttering, she turned and led the way.

Luo Feng followed her, no longer letting his thoughts wander, and admired the scenery of the City Lord Mansion along the way.

After a short while, Huayang Square, as mentioned by the maidservant, appeared before Luo Feng.

The square was vast, several hundred yards across, and paved entirely with green stone. In its center lay a pond, which encircled a round platform about thirty yards wide. Weapon racks stood upon it, presumably indicating it was a place where Martial Artists sparred.

Seating arrangements were already in place. Many people were already seated, and others were continuously arriving.

"Sir, may I please see your invitation?" the maidservant in the colorful dress asked Luo Feng softly.

"I don't have an invitation, only this token."

Luo Feng shook his head and took out the Mysterious Sun Jade Token.

Hearing the first part of his sentence, the maidservant was a little puzzled. But when she saw the token in Luo Feng's hand, her beautiful eyes widened instantly, and she covered her small mouth with her hand in surprise.

Stealing a glance at Luo Feng, her eyes shone with amazement.

She had seen people with Mysterious Sun Jade Tokens before, but they were all individuals past fifty, figures who had long established their reputations in the rivers and lakes. She had never expected that someone as young as Luo Feng would possess a Mysterious Sun Jade Token—an object many dreamed of owning!

Taking a deep breath to calm herself, her gaze toward Luo Feng now held a new level of respect. "Sir, you are a distinguished guest. This way, please."

The maidservant led Luo Feng to the area with the best view in the square.

Ye Tang, seated in the distance, saw Luo Feng enter the VIP section, and his eyes burned with jealous rage.

Just you wait, kid. Your satisfaction won't last long! Ye Tang ground his teeth, already plotting how to humiliate Luo Feng in front of everyone.

Each table in the VIP section had only one seat. Luo Feng casually chose a spot and sat down.

"Sir, please let me know if you need anything. I'll be nearby," said the maidservant in the colorful dress.

"Mm, thank you," Luo Feng nodded.

The maidservant glanced at Luo Feng, slightly surprised.

Most who could enter the VIP area were self-important and looked down on others. Luo Feng's exceptional politeness was unexpected, and she found herself developing a favorable impression of him. She smiled and withdrew to the side.

Luo Feng surveyed the square, noticing that only a few people here had maidservants standing by them. This must be a privilege exclusive to VIPs, he speculated.

As the sun climbed higher, most of the guests had arrived. However, Luo Feng still hadn't seen Yang Wanyi, nor the City Lord of Dayang City, Yang Dingtian.

"Sui'er, when will the City Lord and his daughter arrive?" Luo Feng turned to ask, having learned the maidservant's name during a brief conversation earlier.

Having spent some time with Luo Feng, Sui'er found him unlike other conceited young masters from wealthy families. She replied in a friendly tone, "Sir, the City Lord and the Young Lady should be arriving shortly... Ah, look, the City Lord is here!"

Sui'er pointed towards the far end of the square.

Luo Feng looked in the direction she indicated.

The large doors at the far end of the square had opened at some point without him noticing, and a group of people was emerging.

The man leading them, dressed in a long green robe, had a tall and imposing figure. Although his face bore a warm smile, he exuded an aura that made one feel as if gazing up at a lofty mountain.

This must be Yang Dingtian, the City Lord of Dayang City, a regional hegemon! Luo Feng guessed immediately, even without asking.

Looking at the man, Luo Feng was slightly taken aback; he couldn't discern Yang Dingtian's cultivation level. The man possessed an indescribable aura, one that far surpassed that of Cang Nanyue and Zhou Zhiyun, the Dean of Tianlan School.

So strong! Luo Feng couldn't help but marvel.

Cang Nanyue was a fifth-level Spiritual Rotation Realm expert, yet she was far inferior to this man!

"Sir, the City Lord is at the eighth level of the Spiritual Rotation Realm. There are rumors that he may soon break through to the Yuan Sea Realm!" Sui'er explained.

An eighth-level Spiritual Rotation Realm expert! Luo Feng was momentarily stunned, then understanding dawned.

Dayang City was one of the four major cities in the Flowing Cloud Region, holding a prominent status. For Yang Dingtian to be its City Lord, he naturally couldn't be an ordinary figure.

No wonder so many people want to curry favor with him. Having an eighth-level Spiritual Rotation Realm expert as a father-in-law would indeed be a tremendous boon, Luo Feng mused, glancing at the young talents in the square and shaking his head with a smile.

"City Lord Yang, it has been a long time!"

"City Lord Yang, for your daughter to become a Spiritual Rotation Realm expert at such a young age—truly, like father, like daughter! Congratulations, congratulations!"

As Yang Dingtian appeared, the people in the square rose and offered their congratulations.

Yang Dingtian responded to each greeting with a smile, maintaining impeccable etiquette.

Luo Feng scanned the crowd behind Yang Dingtian and frowned slightly. He couldn't spot Yang Wanyi anywhere.

Once everyone was seated, Yang Dingtian lightly tapped his foot. His body seemed weightless as he floated onto the platform in the middle of the pond.

"Ladies and gentlemen, today is my daughter Yang Wanyi's celebratory banquet. I thank you all for gracing us with your presence, especially those who have traveled great distances to be here," Yang Dingtian said, his resonant voice carrying across the square as he scanned the crowd.

"You're too kind, City Lord Yang! For someone as talented and beautiful as Miss Yang Wanyi to become a Spiritual Rotation Realm expert at her age is a joyous occasion for our Flowing Cloud Region. Of course, we had to come!"

"Indeed, City Lord Yang! We should be the ones thanking you for the invitation. It's an honor for us to be here."

"City Lord Yang, the banquet is about to begin. Why hasn't Miss Wanyi appeared yet?"

"Miss Wanyi is the guest of honor today; she can't be absent!"

"I've long heard that Miss Yang Wanyi is one of the Twin Jewels of Linglong Hall, exceptionally intelligent and incomparably beautiful. I hope to witness her grace and beauty today."

Murmurs arose from the crowd. Many young Martial Artists couldn't contain their eagerness and began to inquire about Yang Wanyi's whereabouts.

Yang Dingtian chuckled and announced loudly, "Everyone, please be patient. My daughter is still adorning herself and will be out shortly. In the meantime, please enjoy the performance I've prepared. I trust it will bring a smile to your faces and help soothe the weariness from your journey."

With that, Yang Dingtian clapped his hands and, in a flash, vanished from the platform.

SPLASH!

As the echo of Yang Dingtian's clap faded, the once calm pond suddenly churned with large waves. Ten graceful figures burst forth from the water.

They were ten beautiful young women.

Remarkably, though they had emerged from the water, their dresses showed no trace of moisture, leaving the crowd in awe.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

From an unknown source, the deafening sound of drums reverberated.

As the drumming began, the ten young women on the water's surface began to dance. Their captivating figures moved lightly, like butterflies flitting over the water—a picturesque scene.

"Such incredible Qinggong!"

Immediately, the entire square erupted in thunderous applause.

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