One day later.
They finally arrived at a city called Zhudan City.
The location of True Lord Dongzhuo's cave manor was within a mountain range near Zhudan City.
"Before his fall, True Lord Dongzhuo laid down a vast number of high-level formations covering several hundred miles of mountains and rivers around his cave manor.
After enduring the passage of so many years, the power of those formations has diminished greatly, and its intensity fluctuates between strong and weak.
Therefore, at this moment, most people are staying in Zhudan City, waiting for the period when those formations are at their weakest.
Our Houtu Sect has a branch stronghold in Zhudan City. We'll first head there to settle in," one of the elders explained.
Following that, the two elders led the group of Houtu Sect's elite disciples to one of the sect's branch strongholds in Zhudan City.
This particular stronghold was relatively large in scale and housed a number of Houtu Sect personnel.
The North Wasteland Domain was one of the seven domains within the Profound Yellow Star. Within the North Wasteland Domain, there were a total of eighteen prefectures, and Mu Prefecture was one of them.
Inside Mu Prefecture, there were three major sects: the Qingxuan Sect, the Houtu Sect, and the Trial Sword Manor.
Therefore, within the bounds of Mu Prefecture, the Houtu Sect's power and influence were quite formidable.
That evening, a man dressed like a steward suddenly arrived at this Houtu Sect stronghold and delivered an invitation.
"The Qingxuan Saint is hosting a banquet at the City Lord's Manor, inviting renowned young geniuses and Saints from various sects across the North Wasteland Domain.
Ouyang Feng, Du Fan, and Su Ye—the names of all three of you are on the list," one of the elders announced after reading the invitation aloud.
"You three Saints represent the face of our Houtu Sect. All of you should attend.
Moreover, this banquet is essentially a gathering of the most outstanding batch of young geniuses in the North Wasteland Domain. Every one of those young talents attending has the potential to become a significant figure of great prestige in the future.
Going to mingle and make acquaintances will bring tremendous benefits for your future development," the elder said, looking at Ye Yunfei and the other two.
"Of course I'll go.
Whether others dare to go or not, I wouldn't know.
Besides, sending someone at the Fifth-Level Grotto-Heaven Realm to represent our Houtu Sect at such a banquet... Aren't you afraid he'll become a laughingstock among all the young geniuses of the North Wasteland Domain?" Ouyang Feng sneered.
Having said that, he turned and left the stronghold without a backward glance.
"Let's go have a look too," Da Di Daozhang said to Ye Yunfei.
"Fine," Ye Yunfei nodded indifferently.
Meanwhile.
After Ouyang Feng left the Houtu Sect stronghold, he arrived at a secluded location. Immediately, a gray-robed elder silently appeared before him.
"Young Master Feng, I have already made the arrangements.
As long as that Su Ye dares to attend the banquet at the City Lord's Manor, we'll have a nice surprise waiting for him," the gray-robed elder whispered.
"Good.
I want Su Ye dead!
And it would be best if we could eliminate Du Fan along with him, resolving everything once and for all."
"Understood, Young Master Feng," the gray-robed elder nodded.
Ouyang Feng turned and headed towards the location of the City Lord's Manor.
City Lord's Manor.
By now, dusk had fallen. Within the manor, which occupied ten *li* of land, lights blazed brightly, and the atmosphere was lively and bustling.
Ye Yunfei and Da Di Daozhang walked inside.
Many servants and maids could be seen busily attending to guests.
Numerous young men and women with extraordinary bearing arrived in succession.
Clearly, each of these young people possessed a distinguished identity.
"That's the Qingxuan Saint over there. He is the Saint of the Qingxuan Sect and one of the famous geniuses among our Mu Prefecture's younger generation.
It's said that among Mu Prefecture's younger generation, his strength ranks within the top three!" Da Di Daozhang pointed towards a man in a green robe embroidered with white clouds, saying with a hint of gravity.
This man's cultivation level was at the minor Alchemy Dan mid-stage!
"Xiaoyao Sword Son!
The Saint of the Trial Sword Manor!"
Da Di Daozhang's gaze shifted to a young man dressed in white, whispering to Ye Yunfei.
This white-clothed youth's body was wreathed in a dense aura of sword energy.
"The Nine Flowers Sacred Maiden, Lin Qingwei!"
Suddenly, Da Di Daozhang's eyes fell upon a young woman in a green dress, and he exclaimed softly.
"Lin Qingwei comes from the Nine Flowers Sacred Ground!
The Nine Flowers Sacred Ground is one of the three major powers of the North Wasteland Domain!
Our local sects from Mu Prefecture cannot be mentioned in the same breath as a major power like the Nine Flowers Sacred Ground!" Da Di Daozhang explained quietly to Ye Yunfei.
Subsequently, Da Di Daozhang recognized several other famous young geniuses, introducing them one by one to Ye Yunfei.
Every one of these young paragons possessed an exceptional background and formidable strength.
However, Ye Yunfei found it all extremely dull.
"Alright, let's find a place to sit," Ye Yunfei said.
Ye Yunfei and Da Di Daozhang found a relatively secluded spot and sat down.
Both were at the Grotto-Heaven Realm in strength, so they didn't stand out, and basically, no one paid them any mind.
Ye Yunfei was quite content with the peace and quiet.
He had no interest whatsoever in befriending the so-called young geniuses present.
At this moment, Ouyang Feng was holding a cup of spirit wine, chatting happily with several outstanding disciples from major sects.
With his minor Alchemy Dan mid-stage cultivation and status as a Saint of the Houtu Sect, he counted as a top-tier talent at this banquet.
"Junior Sister Zhang, long time no see. You've grown even more radiant and lovely.
Let me propose a toast to Junior Sister Zhang," Ouyang Feng said warmly to a red-robed woman of graceful figure.
"Hehe, Senior Brother Ouyang, you flatter me," the Junior Sister Zhang named Zhang raised her cup, her lips as red as fire, her eyes sparkling like water, exuding boundless charm.
"Haha… Brother Ouyang, Junior Sister Zhang is one of the Four Great Beauties of Yue Prefecture. No wonder you're so eager to please her the moment you see her. Truly, heroes admire beauties!"
A tall, handsome young man standing nearby laughed loudly.
"Senior Brother Hu, what nonsense are you talking!" The Junior Sister Zhang named Zhang feigned annoyance, which only added to her allure.
"Haha… Brother Ouyang is a Saint of the Houtu Sect, destined to become a sect leader in the future.
Junior Sister Zhang is a Sacred Maiden of the Yihua Palace in our Yue Prefecture. One might say it's a perfect match of equal status and standing, so why be shy?"
The Senior Brother Hu named Hu laughed heartily.
"However, Brother Ouyang, I heard that in your Houtu Sect, aside from you as the Saint, two more Saints have suddenly popped up, both only at the Grotto-Heaven Realm.
And one of them is even at the Fifth-Level Grotto-Heaven Realm.
Is that rumor true or false?
Your Houtu Sect, no matter what, is one of the major sects of Mu Prefecture. How could you allow a piece of trash at the Fifth-Level Grotto-Heaven Realm to become a Saint?
Has your Houtu Sect really run out of people?"
Senior Brother Hu abruptly changed the subject.
"This matter is indeed true.
I also cannot understand why our Sect Leader would allow someone at the Fifth-Level Grotto-Heaven Realm to become a Saint," Ouyang Feng sighed.
"Such an absurdity is actually real?!
Utterly incomprehensible.
This banquet tonight is inviting Saints from various sects. So, has that Saint of yours from the Houtu Sect, the one at the Fifth-Level Grotto-Heaven Realm, come or not?" Senior Brother Hu asked.
"He came.
He's right over there."
Ouyang Feng pointed a finger in Ye Yunfei's direction.
Immediately, the eyes of everyone nearby swept over and focused on Ye Yunfei.
A Saint who was only at the Fifth-Level Grotto-Heaven Realm had aroused everyone's curiosity.