Gu Qingfeng had been silently listening to the group's chatter, finding it rather amusing.
He truly hadn't expected the situation at the Ice Profound Sect to be this complicated.
What with this Wenyan Young Lord, that Tianxiang Young Lord—so many people from the Nine-Hua Alliance were scrambling to become Leng Yanqiu's dual-cultivation partner. While Gu Qingfeng wasn't entirely clear on the details, he could guess it had something to do with the Bingxuan Heart.
And then there was that Bingxuan Ancestor Zhuxia, who had invited him to this so-called celebration through Huode. That was likely with ulterior motives as well.
It definitely wasn't just about settling the karma between him and Yun Nishang.
Otherwise, why choose such a grand celebration? Zhuxia must have her own selfish reasons.
He shook his head and smiled.
Gu Qingfeng poured himself another drink, too lazy to speculate further.
At that moment.
Another commotion arose in the hall. A group of over twenty people strode in with great fanfare. Everyone focused their gaze and couldn't help but be shocked, for these people all hailed from the Nine-Hua Alliance. There was Chang Qizhi, Hou Yuanming—each name like a thunderclap to the ears. They were all commanders of the Nine-Hua Alliance's Half-Moon Hall, over ten of them.
In addition, there were several unfathomably deep elders, led by a young man.
This man wore robes of fine brocade and jade, his bearing imposing and majestic as he walked with hands clasped behind his back, his aura oppressive.
Many recognized him. He was one of the noble scions of the Nine-Hua Alliance, Wen Yansheng.
The Nine-Hua Alliance controlled over a hundred territories across four great regions, its power overwhelming.
Among the prestigious clans and great families renowned throughout those four regions and hundred territories, more than half had joined the Nine-Hua Alliance.
The Wenyan family was one such prestigious clan within the Nine-Hua Alliance, controlling its Half-Moon Hall.
With such status and background, Wen Yansheng naturally deserved the title of Alliance noble scion.
This time, he had brought over ten commanders from the Half-Moon Hall. It was clear at a glance they came with ill intent.
Indeed, these over ten Half-Moon Hall commanders were all renowned Color-Spirit experts after the Cataclysm. The lowest among them had opened Cyan-Colored Spirits, with many more having Illusory-Colored Spirits. Most had cultivation at the ninth revolution of the Golden Core stage, truly formidable. Furthermore, the several elders following behind Wen Yansheng, though no one knew their identities, each exuded powerful spiritual auras; their cultivation was definitely not low.
When Wen Yansheng approached, the group of elders led by True Person Yuhua immediately went to greet him.
"Why is Yanqiu not here?"
Wen Yansheng, born into a prestigious clan, had developed an arrogant disposition since childhood. Relying on his family, he had always been domineering and overbearing. After joining the Nine-Hua Alliance, he became even more unrestrained. Facing True Person Yuhua's respectful welcome, he couldn't even be bothered to glance at her, directly inquiring about Leng Yanqiu.
"Sect Master Yanqiu is handling some matters. She will emerge shortly," True Person Yuhua replied with a smiling face, her attitude toward Wen Yansheng extremely deferential. "We hope Young Lord Wenyan will take a seat for now and wait a moment."
Wen Yansheng snorted coldly and ignored her further. Just as he was about to lead his people to their seats, he came face-to-face with Yu Dingxing, Xu Xingchen, and the rest of the Ice Profound Sect's Nine Sons and Eighteen Chief Disciples.
"Yu Dingxing?"
Wen Yansheng's gaze swept dismissively over the Ice Profound Sect's Nine Sons and Eighteen Chief Disciples before settling on Yu Dingxing. "I heard you've admired Yanqiu for a long time, always wanting to become her Dao companion?"
Yu Dingxing's admiration for Leng Yanqiu was no secret. Anyone who paid attention to the Ice Profound Sect had heard of it.
Yu Dingxing had never thought to hide it either. Facing Wen Yansheng, a noble scion from the Nine-Hua Alliance, he comported himself with neither subservience nor arrogance. He took a step forward and declared proudly, "So what if I have!"
"You?"
"Daring to dream of competing with me for Yanqiu!"
Born into a prestigious clan, Wen Yansheng naturally looked down on Yu Dingxing. He strode forward with hands clasped behind his back, glaring at Yu Dingxing, his tone cold, arrogant, and furious. "With just a word from me, Wen Yansheng, I can have you dead and buried without a grave at any time!"
"What grand words!"
The speaker was not Yu Dingxing, but someone else. Everyone looked over. It was a handsome, extraordinary man sitting upright in his chair. He didn't raise his head or look over, merely raising his cup to drink wine as he said lightly, "Young Lord Wenyan truly lives up to being born of a prestigious clan. You've really broadened my horizons. I wonder if your one word could also leave me dead and buried without a grave?"
"Jingtao?"
Seeing Jingtao, Wen Yansheng's originally cold, arrogant expression stiffened slightly, as if very surprised. "What are you doing here?"
"Yu Dingxing is my brother."
Although Jingtao didn't state it explicitly, everyone present could tell he had come this time to support Yu Dingxing.
"Oh?"
Wen Yansheng uttered a light sound of surprise, simply staring. Jingtao Young Lord's status naturally gave him some pause, but it was only pause. It wasn't enough to make him afraid, let alone terrified.
At that moment, another voice came from outside.
"How lively indeed..." In response appeared another group of twenty to thirty people, led by a somewhat plump-looking man around thirty years old. He approached with a smile, but it was a smile that made people feel very uncomfortable.
This man, like Wen Yansheng, was also born into a prestigious clan and was also a noble scion from the Nine-Hua Alliance: Tianxiang Yue.
Behind Tianxiang Yue also followed over ten commander-level figures, along with several unfathomably mysterious experts.
"Brother Wenyan, long time no see."
Tianxiang Yue grinned, first greeting Wen Yansheng, then his gaze fell on Yu Dingxing—though it quickly shifted away, turning instead to Jingtao, who sat upright. The smile at the corner of his mouth grew even more pronounced. "To think Young Lord Jingtao has also come to join this excitement. How interesting, how interesting..."
"What of it?"
Young Lord Jingtao had remained seated upright from beginning to end, raising his cup to drink wine, neither lifting his head nor looking over, replying indifferently, "Do I perhaps not have the qualifications?"
"Ha!"
Tianxiang Yue let out a loud laugh. "The Ninth Young Master of the Red Gang's Fire Cloud Branch Hall, how could you not have the qualifications?"
"Heh..."
Young Lord Jingtao could hear the implied meaning in Tianxiang Yue's words, but he couldn't be bothered to stoop to his level.
Suddenly.
Yet another voice rang out.
"A mere Fire Cloud Branch Hall is nothing remarkable!"
Such a voice was particularly abrupt, its force powerful, containing within it rampant arrogance, its tone exceedingly insolent. It entered everyone's ears, shocking and appalling them.
Who had such grand words, daring to call it a 'mere' Fire Cloud Branch Hall?
Who didn't know the Fire Cloud Branch Hall belonged to the Red Gang? Who didn't know the Red Gang was part of the Crimson-Letter Sect?
Hearing this, Jingtao, who had been calm and composed, suddenly saw his handsome face darken. He abruptly stood up, slamming his wine cup heavily onto the table, his voice low with anger. "I'd like to see exactly who has such grand words!"
Beside him, Bai Yunfei was also filled with righteous indignation, clenching his fists tightly, gritting his teeth as he said, "Who is so ignorant of life and death!"
Opposite them, Gu Qingfeng remained leaning to one side, legs crossed, one hand propping up his head, the other holding the Taixu Cup. He poured himself another drink, his handsome face wearing a slight squint in his deep eyes as he watched with interest, looking at this one, then that one, the very picture of someone enjoying the spectacle, unbothered if things got bigger.