Chapter 64: One Battle Shocks the City (Part 1)

Yun Che and Summer Yuanbo had just stepped into the main hall when they happened to encounter Murong Ye. He glanced at them sideways and, without so much as a greeting, said, “What brings you two here? Do you even know what kind of gathering this is? Get out of here at once!”

“It was Si Kong Elder who permitted our arrival,” Summer Yuanbo said, his voice tinged with restrained anger.

“Si Kong Elder? He allowed you two to come?” Murong Ye scoffed, a disdainful smile spreading across his face. “Did he let you two embarrass yourselves? This isn’t just any ordinary banquet. A clash between the disciples of the various sects is sure to happen soon. You two are nowhere near the caliber to participate. Pah, never mind—since Si Kong Elder sent you, I suppose you may enter. Just keep a low profile. If we, the New Moon Sect, suffer disgrace, don’t blame me if I give you a piece of my mind later.”

Trailing behind Blue Snow If, the latter smiled all afternoon, her voice soft and melodic, yet she never once cast him a proper glance. This infuriated him, and now, encountering Yun Che and Summer Yuanbo, he found the perfect outlet for his simmering ire.

Even if Summer Yuanbo’s temper was generally mild, being suddenly and unjustly berated would naturally send him into a rage. Yun Che, however, simply squeezed his arm and said coolly, “Let’s go in.”

Upon entering the main hall, they saw Si Kong Han waving them in, then guiding them to the seats already arranged. Their assigned seats were at the very back, the least conspicuous positions… though, despite their unremarkable placement, Summer Yuanbo’s towering stature and imposing frame made it difficult to ignore him.

“Yun Che, Yuanbo,” Si Kong Han said, “if a battle does break out later, observe carefully. If you learn anything useful, that would be ideal. You two have only recently joined the Xuan Fu. I doubt anyone will challenge you. Just sit back and watch quietly.”

“Understood, Si Kong Elder,” Summer Yuanbo nodded, then settled into his seat obediently.

Yun Che also inclined his head in agreement. He scanned the hall and noticed roughly thirty disciples seated in attendance—undoubtedly the most elite group from the Xuan Fu’s three thousand disciples. A mere hundred to one, every single one of them was without question among the finest. Soon enough, he spotted Blue Snow If, who sat at the very center of the front row of disciple seats. This placement was entirely expected. At eighteen years old, an eighth-level cultivator, she was still a girl—even in the upper echelons of sects, such a talent was considered exceptional.

Meanwhile, Yun Che drew considerable attention himself. Those permitted to attend such a banquet were all top-tier disciples, each intimately familiar with one another, their rivalry fierce. Summer Yuanbo’s arrival had drawn surprised murmurs… for Yuanbo’s cultivation was only at the sixth level of Initial Immortal Realm, placing him among the lower ranks of the Xuan Fu. Yet accompanying him was Yun Che, a complete stranger to everyone present.

“Huh? Are you a new junior brother? I don’t recall seeing you before?” A girl in a bright red outfit turned from her seat, blinking curiously at him.

“I’m Yun Che, sir. I only just arrived at the Xuan Fu today,” Yun Che said with a slight bow, his face bearing a smile sharp enough to cut.

The girl suddenly looked as though she’d been struck by lightning, her cheeks flushing slightly. She gasped, “My goodness! He looks so young, yet he’s already entered the Immortal Realm! No wonder he was allowed to attend this banquet on his first day here.”

“That’s right—he’s my brother-in-law. Of course he’s talented!” Summer Yuanbo beamed, as though hearing others praise Yun Che filled him with more joy than praise for himself.

“Ah? Brother-in-law? You’re already… married?” The girl’s pink lips parted in surprise, her eyes revealing a hint of disappointment.

Yun Che clenched his teeth, suppressing the urge to kill Summer Yuanbo, and replied calmly, “Yes, sister. If you’re as beautiful as she is, you must be married by now, right?”

“I wouldn’t marry so young. Besides, I’m Ye Hongling, from the Xuan Fu’s first batch. If you need anything, I’ve got your back!” The girl declared with earnest loyalty.

“…Thank you, sister.”

Knowing he’d likely made a mistake, Summer Yuanbo bowed his head deeply, remaining silent for the rest of the time.

At that moment, the evening’s main guest—newly appointed head of the New Moon Sect, Qin Wuhou—arrived. Qin Wuhou appeared to be in his sixties, his complexion steady and calm, his eyes clear and wise, exuding an aura of transcendent refinement. He had once been one of the elders of the imperial capital’s Cang Feng Xuan Fu, now specially dispatched to lead the New Moon Sect. His true strength was inscrutable.

Qin Wuhou had arrived a month prior, but only today did he formally host the new sect banquet. In just a single month, he had already earned the deep reverence and admiration of the elders and disciples across the land. Upon taking his seat at the head table, the leaders of the major sects followed suit, as if prearranged.

“Hahaha! The Iron Spear Sect’s Iron Battle Cang, accompanied by his son Cang Zi Heng, has come to congratulate the new head of Qin’s mansion!”

With a booming laugh, a middle-aged man entered the hall with seven disciples.

“This is the current head of the Iron Spear Sect,” Summer Yuanbo whispered to Yun Che. “The man with him is his youngest son, Cang Zi Heng. Though young, his talent is extraordinary. Rumor has it that, if all goes well, he’ll be the next head of the Iron Spear Sect.”

“Head of Qin’s mansion, please accept my regards. I happened to meet you half a month ago and was deeply moved by your demeanor. Today, I’ve brought my son as a token of respect—though it’s a mere gesture, I hope it doesn’t seem insincere.”

Qin Wuhou rose to greet him personally, accepting the gift. “The head of the Iron Spear Sect, how courteous! Your presence is already a great honor to me. There’s no need for further gifts. My son has exceptional talent and an outstanding bearing. He’ll surely become a dragon among men. He might even surpass you, the old patriarch—hahaha! Come, take your seats.”

“This gathering seems too harmonious, Yun Che. I don’t see the usual tension of a real contest,” Yun Che remarked, scratching his chin.

“Er… the Iron Spear Sect has a good reputation. Though their overall strength surpasses ours, their relations with the Xuan Fu are relatively amicable. But the others…”

As Summer Yuanbo spoke, the leaders of Yunyang Sect arrived.

“The chief elder of Yunyang Sect, Yan Zhiran, has come to congratulate the new head of Qin’s mansion!”

Following Yunyang Sect, the Xuan Xin Sect, Qi Sha Sword Peak, and Fengyun Xuan Fu each sent their representatives, each bringing seven or eight disciples. Qin Wuhou personally welcomed each one. By the time the banquet was about to commence, the Flame Heaven Sect arrived last.

“The sixth elder of the Flame Heaven Sect, Fenghuo Yan, has come to congratulate the new head of Qin’s mansion!”

Flame Heaven Sect… more precisely, the outer branch of the Flame Heaven Sect stationed in New Moon City, led by an elderly figure in a crimson robe, his sleeves adorned with vivid red flame patterns. As he entered the main hall, everyone felt a warm breeze brush their faces.

After the outer branch of Flame Heaven Sect came the outer branch of Xiao Sect. Leading them was none other than a boy who looked to be sixteen or seventeen years old! Behind him stood a man in his forties and six young disciples under twenty.

“The junior branch leader of Xiao Sect, Xiao Luocheng, bows before the head of Qin’s mansion,” the youth said, entering the hall and offering a respectful bow toward Qin Wuhou. His demeanor was calm and refined, neither bowing nor standing tall—yet as a junior representative paying homage to the head of the imperial capital’s Xuan Fu, his bearing already reeked of arrogance.

“Xiao Luocheng!” Summer Yuanbo suddenly gasped. He leaned in to whisper to Yun Che, “I can’t believe he made it! I’ve heard his name mentioned several times since I first arrived in New Moon City. He’s the same age as my brother-in-law—only sixteen—but already the junior branch leader of Xiao Sect, and widely regarded as the top youth of New Moon City!”

“The top youth?” Yun Che took a second, deeper look at Xiao Luocheng. Though he looked young, his demeanor was mature, his features exuding unmistakable nobility and pride. The gaze of those around him reflected a mixture of awe, admiration, envy, and self-deprecation.

“Indeed, in terms of talent, he’s undoubtedly the top. He’s only sixteen, yet already a ninth-level cultivator. I hear he’s close to breaking through into True Immortal Realm,” Summer Yuanbo said.

Sixteen years old… a ninth-level cultivator!

Yun Che was visibly moved. His eyes instinctively drifted to Blue Snow If, whose pretty face now bore a deep, solemn expression.

“Hahaha,” Qin Wuhou chuckled warmly. “Xiao Luocheng? That name rings in my ears like thunder. Never thought I’d meet the top youth of New Moon City today. If only the late head were here…”

“The late head is too unwell to attend personally. I, as his junior, have the honor of offering my condolences on his behalf. Please forgive any impropriety,” Xiao Luocheng bowed again, his smile gentle and respectful.

Qin Wuhou, as a key figure in the New Moon Xuan Fu, his new banquet deserved the presence of the heads of the major sects. The leaders of the Iron Spear Sect, Qi Sha Sword Peak, and Fengyun Xuan Fu had all arrived in person. The Xuan Xin Sect and Yunyang Sect were represented by their chief elders. The outer branch of Flame Heaven Sect, though lesser in rank, had still sent their sixth elder.

Yet this Xiao Luocheng led an outer branch delegation!

Though Xiao Luocheng was polite, it was clear to anyone not blind or foolish that this was an open affront.

“Hahaha,” Qin Wuhou laughed heartily, seemingly unfazed. “Xiao Luocheng, what a presumptuous little thing. I’ve heard much about your talents. To finally meet you in person—what a blessing! All your esteemed guests, please take your seats.”

At last, all invited guests had arrived. The outer branches of Xiao Sect and Flame Heaven Sect naturally claimed the two most prestigious seats, followed by the five major sects, then the seat reserved for the head of New Moon City, Murong Hang. The seating arrangement left him with no grounds for complaint. Though the Murong family wielded power in New Moon City, when facing the major sects, even as the city’s head, they had to tiptoe and curry favor, daring not offend even a hair’s breadth.

As for the invited mid-tier sects, they stood in fear, for the sight of the five major sects assembled was a rare occurrence. None of them dared to challenge even one.