"Why hasn't it started yet?"

"It seems the Domain Lord and the others are discussing something!"

"What could be so important that it delays the start of the Mingqian Banquet?"

"It is indeed strange!"

The crowd surrounding the square also sensed something was amiss and began whispering among themselves.

"Dean Jian, are you really making everyone wait for a single Mid Divine Infant Realm student from your academy? Isn't that too much of a privilege?"

Zhang Qingyuan spoke mockingly, his gaze filled with scorn as he looked at Jian Cangqiong. "Or is it possible that the rumors you've spread are false, just a deliberate attempt to boost your Changlin Academy's reputation?"

"Zhang Qingyuan, are you provoking Changlin Academy? Do you believe I'll cut off your head and use it as a chamber pot?"

A voice shouted angrily, as four figures flew in from the distant sky, landing on the high platform.

Zhang Qingyuan's face changed slightly as he glanced at Hu Yiqiu and sullenly closed his mouth, but his expression turned utterly sullen.

Being insulted like this in front of so many people was a huge blow to his face.

With others, even if Jian Cangqiong said this, he would have retaliated immediately. But the person speaking was Hu Yiqiu, someone not concerned about the occasion and would attack without reservation, making Zhang Qingyuan reluctant to respond.

Zhang Qingyuan was only at the Mid Unity Realm Stage, and his father, the old Sect Master of the Wind Demon Sect, was a Late Integration Realm powerhouse. However, his father was not present, as he was in seclusion within the sect. No one from the Wind Demon Sect present could match Hu Yiqiu, and if he really attacked, Zhang Qingyuan would lose even more face.

"Elder Wine-crazed, this is the Mingqian Banquet!"

Zhang Yubo furrowed his brow and shouted a reprimand toward Hu Yiqiu.

"Domain Lord, this old fellow is clearly provoking Changlin Academy, must we endure?"

Hu Yiqiu sat down heavily behind Jian Cangqiong, speaking in a low voice.

Zhang Yubo's brow furrowed slightly, an angry glint appearing in his eyes, though he forced himself to endure it.

Facing Hu Yiqiu made him somewhat apprehensive. Behind Hu Yiqiu was not just Changlin Academy and the Changling Main Court; more concerning was someone who consistently targeted Hu Yiqiu but would surely avenge him if wronged.

Years ago, when Hu Yiqiu was injured, harming the foundation of his Great Dao, that person caused an upheaval at the Changling Main Court, and it was only resolved when the highest elder personally intervened.

Sang Zhenye glanced at Zhang Qingyuan, sitting beside Hu Yiqiu, while Tong Hai accompanied them and silently sat behind Zhang Yubo.

"Greetings, Domain Lord!"

Jiang Chen sensed the tension and, scanning around, realized he was in the wrong place, bowed to Zhang Yubo, and turned to leave the platform.

Seeing Jiang Chen appear, Zhang Yubo's expression softened as he regarded Jiang Chen with a scrutinizing gaze.

"Hmph! A mere Divine Infant Realm junior, daring to come to the top platform. Is he so arrogant, relying on his high talent?"

The Head of the Cheng Family sneered mockingly.

Jiang Chen glanced at the Family Head but ignored him and continued to walk downwards.

"Arrogant junior!"

The Cheng Family Head's expression changed, surprised that someone he regarded as an ant dared to ignore him. He immediately raised his hand, sending a fierce Qi Force toward Jiang Chen.

Swish! Swish!

Two sword gleams flashed. Jian Cangqiong shattered the Cheng Family Head's Qi Force with a single finger, while Hu Yiqiu swung a sword at the Family Head.

"Wine-crazed!"

The Great Elder of the Cheng Family's expression changed as he hurriedly raised his hand to strike the azure sword light.

Bang!

An explosive sound erupted, and a violent Qi Force spread across the top platform.

"Enough!"

Zhang Yubo shouted sternly, waving his hands as the surrounding space trembled slightly, and the expanding Qi Force instantly dissipated.

"What's going on?"

"What happened?"

"Why are people on the top platform fighting?!"

"Who is that kid? Why did he run up there?"

The exchange happened so fast that the surrounding people had no time to react, even the Virtual Refinement Realm cultivators on the second level only felt a moment of palpitations before it passed.

"Elder Wine-crazed, you went too far!"

Zhang Yubo looked at Hu Yiqiu with a darkened face.

Hu Yiqiu fearlessly met Zhang Yubo's gaze: "Domain Lord, your favoritism is quite apparent. The dignified Cheng Family Head attacked my Mid Divine Infant Realm disciple, yet you, as Domain Lord, still take his side. This is truly shameless!"

"What? Cheng Family Head attacked Elder Wine-crazed's disciple?"

"A top force's family head attacking a Mid Divine Infant Realm junior, that's really shameless!"

"Elder Wine-crazed is truly fierce, even reprimanding the Domain Lord?"

"Domain Lord is indeed showing favoritism. Why are the Domain Lord, Cheng Family, and Wind Demon Sect all targeting Changlin Academy?"

The people in the square had a sudden change of expression and began to whisper among themselves.

Zhang Yubo's face darkened as a cold glint flashed in his eyes briefly.

Hu Yiqiu's blatant insult completely disregarded his face.

Hearing the crowd's murmurs, Zhang Yubo realized his favoritism was apparent, but Hu Yiqiu's insults angered him further.

"Elder Wine-crazed, I did misspeak and let you seize the opportunity to criticize. But for you to repeatedly cause trouble at my Mingqian Banquet, what are your intentions? Are you trying to disrupt this banquet?"

Zhang Yubo stared directly at Hu Yiqiu. Despite his apprehensions, he would not let such insults stand, or word of today's events spreading would undermine his rule and authority over the vast Mingqian Realm.

"Why? Did I say anything wrong?"

Hu Yiqiu looked at Zhang Yubo with a wry smile on his lips.

The platform fell silent as everyone watched Hu Yiqiu and Zhang Yubo, their hearts trembling.

What is this situation? Is Changlin Academy going to declare war on the Domain Lord's Mansion?

At this point, right or wrong no longer mattered. What mattered was Hu Yiqiu's attitude. If Hu Yiqiu spoke some soft words now, Zhang Yubo might let it slide. But Hu Yiqiu chose to stand his ground, baffling everyone!

Zhang Yubo's eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a trace of danger as he stared at Hu Yiqiu. He spoke in a deep voice: "Hu Yiqiu, do you truly intend to cause trouble at this Mingqian Banquet?"

"Domain Lord, you know who moved first, yet you accuse me of causing trouble. Do you truly believe the others in the Mingqian Realm are blind?"

Hu Yiqiu remained unfazed, meeting Zhang Yubo's gaze without flinching.

Everyone was stunned. At this point, Hu Yiqiu's continued defiance seemed like a declaration of war against the Domain Lord!

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