C9 Zhang Tiankui's Provocation

The Fate Pavilion boasted a circular design, with guests encircling a vast, hollow center.

This central void was once the stage for songstresses, akin to a dance floor.

Nearly all the guests on the ground floor craned their necks to gaze at the upper echelons and the view, envy evident on their faces. Only Lee Qingyun sat with his head bowed, sipping tea, his demeanor undisturbed.

Fong Yong approached and took a seat opposite Lee Qingyun, his curiosity piqued by Lee Qingyun's distinct composure.

"The guests have nearly all arrived; the banquet is set to commence shortly," Fong Yong stated, sinking into his chair, visibly worn from the day's exertions.

Lee Qingyun responded, "Not everyone from above has arrived yet."

Fong Yong chuckled, "Those few will make their entrance last. It's not my place to mingle with such esteemed figures from the various clans and sects."

"There will come a time when you'll have your chance," Lee Qingyun said with a smile.

Fong Yong offered a forced laugh. He had once assisted this man, who now seemed ungrateful and spoke so oddly. Had he misjudged him?

"They've arrived!"

Before Fong Yong could make sense of it, Lee Qingyun announced in a hushed tone.

"Arrived? What?" Fong Yong scanned the surroundings.

Just then, a beam of golden light burst forth from the first floor, piercing through the pavilion's hollow core to the ninth layer.

The emergence of the golden light sent ripples through the crowd at Fate Pavilion, like a boulder disrupting a still pond.

"Lord Wang Ruhai has arrived!"

"True to his status as a Golden Core Stage cultivator, he can actually soar through the skies!"

"Yes, even brief, low-altitude flight is far beyond our capabilities."

"A cultivator at the Golden Core Stage is practically wielding the powers of an immortal."

"..."

Amidst the hubbub and admiration, Lee Qingyun watched as Wang Ruhai made his appearance on the ninth layer, accompanied by three other figures.

One, clad in a blue gown, drew attention with her strikingly long legs. Yet her aura was subdued, her purity and clarity reminiscent of a water lily—it was none other than Ye Xiaoyu.

Apart from Ye Xiaoyu, there was a white-clad young man of a similar age to Lee Qingyun standing off to the side. He occasionally stole glances at Ye Xiaoyu, trying to remain unnoticed.

Who could he be?

Given his proximity to Wang Ruhai, he was unlikely to be just anyone, yet Lee Qingyun couldn't dredge up any recollection of him.

"Your generosity overwhelms me. This year marks my 150th birthday, a milestone in my 150 years of cultivation."

"I'm not one to pinch pennies. I'll cut to the chase. For all those in attendance, I'm offering a 10% discount on any future dealings with my Deepmere City Trading Company."

His announcement sent a ripple of excitement through the crowd.

"Lord Wang's benevolence is unparalleled!"

"Lord Wang's integrity shines bright!"

"Lord Wang..."

The sycophantic chorus was relentless, making Lee Qingyun's skin crawl.

Lau Xuan, of the Lau family in Deepmere City and a direct disciple of the Soul Capturing Sect, sat nonchalantly on the restaurant's eighth layer alongside the family patriarch. Her gaze wandered, as if she were searching for something or someone.

Next to her was a man of imposing build, also watching Ye Xiaoyu. When he felt Lee Qingyun's eyes on him, he turned and their gazes met. His eyes sparkled with recognition, and he extended his pinky finger in a challenging gesture.

Is he challenging me?

Lee Qingyun rifled through his memories for any information on this man. He must be from the Soul Capturing Sect, but his identity eluded Lee. Nonetheless, his seat on the eighth layer suggested significant prowess, likely placing him at the Foundation Stage.

And that flash in his eyes... He had definitely recognized Lee Qingyun. Could he be an old acquaintance—or perhaps a foe?

Fong Yong tapped the table, breaking into Lee's thoughts. "Hey, hey, hey, quit staring. Ye Xiaoyu is the Soul Capturing Sect's prized jewel, a true celestial favorite. She's ascended to the ninth layer; she's out of your league."

Lee Qingyun just smiled, offering no reply.

After Wang Ruhai, perched above the ninth layer, finished exchanging pleasantries, he settled back into the main seat to engage in casual conversation with his two companions.

Subsequently, the restaurant's emcee took the stage, and a series of performances unfolded. Being the premier establishment in Deepmere City, the shows were nothing short of spectacular, earning thunderous applause from the audience.

Yet, Lee Qingyun sensed that the evening's festivities wouldn't be so straightforward. His intuition proved correct when, during the ninth act, a streak of light burst forth above the fifth floor.

"From the Wang Family of Deepmere City, a Demonic Wood from Azure Province is offered, wishing Lord Wang endless vitality and longevity!"

Following this, a myriad of lights cascaded from the fourth to the sixth floors, all converging on the emcee at the center of the room.

"The He Family of Deepmere City presents a strand of Jade Beads from the Southern Continent, wishing Lord Wang perpetual radiance!"

"The Sun Family of Deepmere City bestows thirty low-grade spirit stones..."

It dawned on Lee Qingyun that they had entered the gift-giving portion of the evening.

Fong Yong, eyes wide with longing, watched the airborne presents and remarked, "Any one of these gifts is beyond what I could hope to earn in a lifetime."

"Sometimes, the gap between people is even wider than that between humans and dogs."

"The festivities have reached the seventh and eighth floors now!"

"The Wu Family's head, from Deepmere City, offers a 500-year-old Snow Lotus to Wang Ruhai, with hopes of renewed bloom. Hahahaha..."

Laughter rippled through the crowd.

"Now that the Wu Family Patriarch has set the precedent, let's not hold back any longer."

"The Zhang Family's congratulatory gift is a low-grade spirit stone."

"The Zhou Family contributes five hundred low-grade spirit stones..."

Fong Yong sighed in resignation, "Ah, five hundred spirit stones... I couldn't earn that in ten lifetimes."

Lee Qingyun, hearing Fong Yong's wistful tone, felt a newfound closeness between them. Fong Yong seemed like someone worth befriending.

But those five hundred spirit stones... that was a significant amount. It wasn't even a tenth of the daily requirement for the Spirit Gathering Formation to operate at full capacity... With this thought, Lee Qingyun massaged his temples. The Spirit Gathering Formation was indeed a source of constant worry... And that low-grade spirit stone?

As the gift-giving on the seventh and eighth floors neared its end, the host spoke up, "The array of gifts today has truly been a sight to behold. Without Lord Wang Ruhai's banquet, I might never have laid eyes on such a collection of rare and exotic treasures in my lifetime. I must extend my gratitude to Lord Wang Ruhai for this eye-opening experience."

It was clear that the host had a knack for flattery that was almost imperceptible.

"Now that everyone has conveyed their regards to Lord Wang Ruhai, we shall proceed to..."

"Hold on!" A voice from the eighth floor cut through the air, halting the host mid-sentence.

Lee Qingyun's pupils contracted sharply—it was him!

"Young Master Zhang, if I'm not mistaken, you've already presented your gift. Do you have another one to offer?" The host, caught off guard by the interruption, inquired.

The crowd hadn't anticipated such a disruption, and all eyes swiftly focused on the eighth floor.

Amidst the collective gaze of the assembly, Zhang Tiankui rose from his seat, unfazed. "I've already delivered my gift. The song and dance are dull. I'd like to liven things up with a cultivator's performance."

Intrigued, the host asked, "Really? Young Hero, you have such refined tastes. What will you be performing? Swordsmanship, perhaps, or..."

"Neither," Zhang Tiankui cut in, his tone cool. "I wish to challenge the sect master of Twin Rage before this esteemed audience."

With that declaration, Zhang Tiankui looked down from the eighth floor, "Lee Qingyun! How much longer will you cower in hiding?"

"Coming here yet refusing to show your face, is that the way you, Lee Qingyun, conduct yourself?"

Twin Rage...

Every dignitary in Deepmere was familiar with the Cultivation World, and none were ignorant of Twin Rage's reputation.

But... Twin Rage? Wasn't it said to be in ruins?

Yet, Zhang Tiankui's challenge suggested otherwise. Could it be that the sect master, Lee Qingyun, was still in power and present? And why hadn't he revealed himself?

Moreover, with rumors of his lacking strength, wouldn't it be a disgrace for him to show himself now?

As the matter involved the Immortals, the crowd refrained from any loud discussions, resorting instead to hushed whispers among themselves.

For a brief moment, the restaurant was enveloped in a quiet murmur, yet all were keenly attuned to the slightest stir, anticipating the arrival of the person of interest.

Suddenly, a soft voice emerged from an unexpected quarter: "A mere disciple of the Soul Capturing Sect, what makes you think you're privy to my whereabouts?"

"Should I, perhaps, report my comings and goings to a lowly disciple like yourself?"

Fong Yong stared at Lee Qingyun, whose formidable cultivation was now fully on display, his expression one of sheer incredulity.

With a serene smile, Lee Qingyun called out, "Mr. Wang Ruhai, I may not have much wealth, but allow me to offer you this storage ring for your amusement."

No sooner had he spoken than a streak of emerald light burst forth from Lee Qingyun's hand, soaring toward the ninth layer. But at that moment, Zhang Tiankui emerged from the eighth layer, positioning himself between the ascending light and its destination!

With a contemptuous snort, Zhang Tiankui stamped his foot, preparing to leap into the air and intercept Lee Qingyun's offered tribute!

Despite the impropriety of his actions, all eyes were fixed on Zhang Tiankui. Should he manage to seize the gift, it would surely deal a blow to Lee Qingyun's newfound reputation, leaving him in an awkward predicament.

Zhang Tiankui's tactic was undeniably devious!

To the onlookers, the gift was now aloft, mere inches from Zhang Tiankui's grasp, and for Lee Qingyun, any chance of retrieval seemed hopelessly out of reach.